Everyone ready to find more of the group?

Peter: I'm thirsty.

(Mike just howls.)

Davy: Ready.

Micky Me too.

(We open in the blacksmith's barn. Ursula sits in the same place she was a few chapters earlier. Alex putters around the tables he has scattered around the barn.)

Sheila: (Peers in) Hello? Alex, are you in there?

Alex: *Calls* Yeah!

Sheila: (Goes to him) Oh, there you are. How are you doing with getting my sister out of that blasted car?

Alex: Not well, but I'm still trying.

Sheila: No one seems to know how the Savage got her in there in the first place. Has my sister talked yet?

Alex: Not yet.

Sheila: Maybe it's time that she did. After all, she doesn't have her little family to protect her now.

Alex: Fine with me.

Sheila: (The two saunter over to Ursula) Sister? Oh sister dear...

Ursula: Go to hell. Oh, sorry, you already live there.

Sheila: You have spent way too much time with the Guardians.

Ursula: What did you do with them? Where did you send them?

Sheila: (Waves her hand) Oh, here and there.

Ursula: Bring them back.

Sheila: I might bring back the White Knight, if I feel the need for a bedtime companion. The rest of them can rot where we sent them.

Ursula: Sister, I may be in a car, but I'm still capable of inflicting more than a little damage. X(

Sheila: (Laughs) In there? (Turns to Alex) Do your worst on her.

*Alex jams a wrench into the dash.*

(A thick, black substance squirts onto Alex. A small fork-like tool pops out and ejects the wrench.)

Ursula: It's not polite to jam heavy objects into a woman's front end.

Sheila: (Growls) You think you're so funny!

Ursula: Actually, Micky usually accuses me of having no sense of humor.

Alex: *Wipes the gunk off his face* He's right.

Sheila: There has to be a way to get in there!

Ursula: You'd have to bring Micky back for that, and knowing him, he'd probably throw black goo on you, too.

Sheila: (Grins) Well, maybe on Alex.

Alex: I feel so loved.

Ursula: Alex, you try to stick your hand anywhere else, and you will lose it.

Alex: Oh, just let me play.

Ursula: Not on your afterlife.

Sheila: Play with her all you want, Alex.

Ursula: Alex, I have a million tricks in here.

Sheila: And we'll figure them all out until we get what we want. (Looks into her dashboard) How about a screwdriver, Alex?

Ursula: How about not?

Alex: How about yes?

(Sheila shines a light in the dashboard as Alex brings his tools over.)

Sheila: Make sure it's extra-sharp.

Alex: It is. *jabs the screwdriver in*

(He gets an electric shock that makes him jiggle! When the sparks stop, his hair is standing on end.)

Ursula: I was serious. Stay out.

Sheila: Blast it! Alex, are you all right?

Alex: What a rush!

Sheila: Please tell me she didn't fry your brain. You need what little you have.

Ursula: Very little.

Alex: *Shakes himself out* You evil little...

Ursula: You see what I mean? I'm not playing games, and neither is Micky.

Sheila: Why you... (She pounds her fists on the dash) Tell us NOW!

Ursula: Julia, you always were a spoiled brat.

Sheila: And you're an obstinate goody-goody.

Ursula: We could go on with name-calling all day. The fact is, you are NOT going to get in here.

Sheila: That's what YOU think! Alex, use a hammer if you have to!

*Alex grabs a hammer and aims for Ursula's dash.*

(A fire extinguisher pops out of Ursula's dashboard and blows on Alex, freezing him solid!)

Sheila: Oh, for the love of... (She concentrates. A blow torch and welder's mask appears in her hands. She pulls the welder's mask and gloves on and holds the blowtorch over Alex, defrosting him.)

Alex: *Teeth chattering* I'm getting tired of this.

Sheila: (When he's moving, she makes the blowtorch and welder's accessories disappear and two cups of coffee appear) How do you take your coffee, Alex?

Alex: As black as you can make it.

Sheila: (Hands him one of the cups) I already have cream and sugar in mine. (Sips it) Ahh, nice and hot. That's much better. May help you think, too.

*Alex chugs his coffee, almost all in one gulp.*

Sheila: How do you feel now?

Alex: Better.

Sheila: Good. Maybe we could try that hammer again. She has to run out security measures sometime.

Ursula: Please don't talk about me like I'm not in the room. I can hear you.

Alex: Do you really think we care?

Ursula: Even I don't know everything that Micky's programmed into me.

Sheila: (Puts her cup on the workbench) I guess we're going to find out, hm? (Nods at Alex) When you're ready, try the hammer again.

*Alex picks up the hammer again and swings at Ursula's dash once more.*

(This time, a mechanical hand reaches out and grabs Alex's arm...then picks him up and throws him out of the car.)

Ursula: Try that again, smart boy, and I'll show you how a car knows martial arts.

Sheila: (She helps Alex to his feet) This is getting absolutely ridiculous. Are you all right?

Alex: *Glares at her* I hope you're prepared to pay my medical bill.

Sheila: I know some of the top physicians in Los Angeles. They'll be able to repair anything important.

Ursula: How about his brain?

Alex: You just...shut up.

Alex: I'd LIKE to blow you up!

Sheila: But we need her.

Ursula: Try that, little boy, and it'll be popsicle city again.

Alex: *Makes what looks like a container of wax appear in his hand* Think I'll try my special car wax on you, Ursula.

Ursula: What is that?

Sheila: I know what it is. Don't worry. This is Alex's special formula. Won't damage your insides a bit...but it will weaken you.

Ursula: What? No! Stay away from me!

*Alex starts rubbing the "wax" over Ursula's exterior.*

Ursula: I...I...feel strange...heavy...

Sheila: It's our Goo Wax. Isn't it lovely stuff?

Ursula: Noooo...

Sheila: I'll leave her in your capable hands, Alex. Do whatever it takes to get that crystal out. (Rolls her eyes) Without explosions or any permanent damage.

Alex: Yeah, yeah.

Sheila: Have a good time!

Ursula: Sister...don't...bring them back...

(But Sheila ignores them and heads back out the door with the coffee cups.)

Alex: Now, now, Ursula, just enjoy the nice massage, huh?

Ursula: No...stop.... (But Alex continues rubbing the wax over her body. We fade out as he waxes her and she feebly protests.)

(Fade in on what appears to be a small deserted island in the middle of the ocean. Valerie sits on a blanket, laying in the sun and reading a book. She has her sunglasses on and zinc on her nose.)

Valerie: (Sighs) Ahh. This is so peaceful. No one's begging for anything to be signed. No one wants my attention. It's like a vacation. (Leans back) When was the last time I really had one of those?

(There's a blue light right next to Valerie. When the light fades, Daphne, Davy, Emma, and Micky appear.)

Valerie: (Leans on her side and lowers her shade) Oh, hi guys. Where did you come from?

Emma: Everywhere, it seems. Val, are you ok?

Valerie: Never better. Why?

Davy: Because pretty much the rest of us haven't had the best of times being alone.

Valerie: What do you mean? Where were you?

Emma: I ended up in the jungle and was almost spider lunch.

Davy: In a volcano.

Micky: *Still weary* Arctic.

Daphne: The African savannah.

Valerie: (Shrugs) I've been here the whole time. It's been wonderful!

Micky: *Flops down on the sand* Lucky.

Valerie: It feels so nice to be here. No responsibilities. No yelling. No noise. Just me, sand, surf, blue sky, the ocean lapping on the shore...

Emma: (Flops down on the other side) We're trying to figure out what's going on.

Valerie: If this is a devil plot, they definitely goofed. I'm having the time of my life.

*Micky whimpers, laying down.*

Davy: Man, Mick... *sits down next to him*

Valerie: Micky, what's wrong? (Frowns) Lauren?

Micky: Yeah...

Davy: He just became like this. They must've done something to her.

Emma: I'm not feeling great, either. I don't know where Mike is, but he's hurting.

Valerie: And Lauren's pregnant, too...and we all know how much the devils love to torment pregnant women and men who turn into animals.

*Micky just groans.*

Valerie: (Sighs and puts her hand on her heart) Peter's not hurting exactly, but he's not feeling great, either. He's hot and sweaty and thirsty.

Emma: And Mike's confused as all get out.

Valerie: (Sighs) I really hate to give up my little vacation here...but I miss my family.

Emma: I want to get home. We need to find out what the devils are doing, how they got Al involved...and what's happening to Lauren.

*Micky whimpers again.*

Valerie: Micky...how do you feel? Do you know what they're doing to Lauren?

Micky: I feel horrible. She's confused. My head feels foggy.

Emma: Sorry, Val. We really need to find the others and get back as soon as we can.

Valerie: (Sighs again) I knew it was too good to last. Someday, I'll take a real vacation.

Emma: Maybe we can book something for the late winter or spring.

Davy: An excellent idea.

Valerie: (Smiles) Maybe we can. We'll have to talk about it. (Sighs) I want to find Peter next. He's hot and dry and feeling woozy.

Emma: (Nods) Then everyone, concentrate on where Peter is.

(There's a blue light around the group. When it subsides, the island is deserted again. We fade out on the spot where they group was.)