Everyone ready to have some more fun? ;)

Mike: Depends on what you mean by "fun"...

Katie: Yeah! :D

Jordan: Ok! :)

Peter: I am. :)

Micky: I'm ready! ;)

Davy: So am I!

*The twins cheer. :D*

(We open in the upstairs bedroom in the Pad, which is now done in soft southwestern shades of gold, cream, and brown, with heavy, aged white-washed furniture. Emma and Mike sit on a bed with Katie between them, reading her a book that we see when the camera pans up to it is a book of fairy tales. Katie falls against her mother, asleep. Emma leans over, kisses her daughter on the top of her head, and takes her downstairs to her room, which is done in peach and yellow tones.)

(As Emma settles Katie in her bed, the camera focuses on the little girl and the screen goes wavy. When it returns to normal, the background is now cardboard cutouts against a plain blue set. The cutouts - a tower, a cave, a few trees, a small castle - look like four-year-olds drew them.)

(Katie comes out in her knight costume from "The Witch Down the Street," riding a hobby horse. The twins are behind her, also wearing knight costumes and also riding hobby horses.)

(Jordan peeks out from a window in the "tower." He looks a bit scared. He wears an embroidered blue tunic and little hose and soft boots and a little crown.)

(Two "thrones" - the infamous 309 chairs from "Royal Flush" - roll out of the "castle." Emma and Mike sit in them, both wearing velvet capes trimmed with fur and big crowns. Katie and the twins bow before them. )

(Queen Emma strokes the fur of the two puppies on her lap, one red, one gold. Both are very sad. King Mike points to the tower, where we hear a big roar and a scream! He says an evil witch and wizard captured Prince Jordan and turned his mommy and daddy into puppies, and they have to get past the scary dragon and save them!)

(Katie bows again. She and her trusted helpers will save the nice Prince and his mommy and daddy, because no one should be sad! She turns to her "trusted helpers," the twins. "Let's save that nice prince!" :D)

*The twins raise their swords.* :D

(They "ride" - complete with rather silly-sounding clip-clop sound effects - over to the trees. The sky "darkens" - a lamp turns off - and a "dragon" jumps out from the cave at the edge of the trees. The "dragon" wears a green shirt and pants and has suspiciously curly hair.)

*The "dragon" raises his "claws" and growls at the kids. He doesn't breathe fire, but he has orange silly string he sprays at the kids.*

(Katie giggles. She and the twins jump around and wave their swords at the "dragon.")

*The "dragon" clutches his chest and sways from side to side. He spins around, knocking over a few fake trees in the process. It’s several minutes before he falls to the ground, his legs still sticking up in the air, twitching. His legs finally fall and he's still, though he does peek an eye open.* ;)

(Katie giggles again and pats the dragon's curly head. She turns to the twins and tells them the dragon's on the ground an' they can go now!)

*The twins take their turns patting the "dragon's" head. Though dead, the 'dragon" grins.*

(They go past the "dragon" and his "cave" and out of the "trees" and over to the "tower." They can't figure out how to get to Jordan! Katie scratches her head, looking remarkably like a shorter version of her father.)

*A pair of fairies, one with long black hair, the other with short brown hair and a boyish face, appear, carrying wands. They ask the kids if they need any help.*

(Katie nods. Please, they need help getting to the tower, so they can save Prince Jordan!)

(Jordan peeks over the windowsill, wide-eyed.)

*The fairies nod, then use their wands. They fly to the top of the tower, "drawing" stairs as they go until the reach the window.*

(Katie and the twins clap and mouth "Thank you!" as they run upstairs.)

(Jordan is in a little room with a kid-drawn chair and chemistry set. The "witch" and "wizard" are Lauren in her witch costume from "Monkees In Wonderland" and Micky in a dark blue cape and wizard's pointed hat. They stand in front of Jordan, who sits in the chair, scared.)

(Katie goes to the witch and wizard and tells them to let that nice Prince Jordan go and turn his mommy and daddy into people again! They don't want to be puppies!)

*The "witch" and "wizard" just laugh and laugh and laugh. The "witch" eventually coughs, but the "wizard" continues to laugh!*

(They haven't noticed the twins messing around with the chemistry set, though.)

*The twins mix together some "pretty colors," making a potion that smokes and bubbles. They toss it away, right at the "witch" and "wizard!" It hits them, making a large puff of smoke. When it fades, the two are left looking around at what's happened, ashamed of themselves.*

(Katie goes to Jordan and helps him down from the chair, then goes to the Witch and Wizard. They should say "sorry" to Prince Jordan! They were mean! They should turn his mommy and daddy back, too!)

(Prince Jordan just looks up at them with his big blue eyes. :()

*The witch and wizard nod, willing to do anything to help!*

(Katie grins and hugs them, then calls the King and Queen to come upstairs. They do, King Mike grumbling because Kings shouldn't be hiking around. Queen Emma has the puppies. She puts them on the floor. They run over to the Witch and Wizard.)

*They wave their arms over the puppies. There's a puff of smoke that strangely looks like Magic Monkee Dust. When it clears, Queen Valerie and King Peter are human once again!*

(King Peter and Queen Valerie also wear crowns and fur-trimmed capes. Peter's is paisley. Jordan toddles over to his folks; King Peter sweeps his son into his arms and cuddles him. Queen Valerie gives them medals - actually blue ribbons that say "Number 1!" - for saving her son.)

(We fade out on the twins and Katie cheering and waving swords happily and back in on the sleeping Katie, who has a smile on her face as she sighs and dreams in the dark. :) )

(Cut to the Pad's living room in front of the bandstand, where the adults sip drinks and nibble on chocolate chip bars Emma made. Emma comes from the downstairs room with a smile on her face.)

Emma: Katie's out like a light. She looks like she's having the nicest dream. :)

Mike: Did you guys get the other kids down in the basement all right?

Peter: Jordan’s been asleep for a while now. Val will join us later. She said she had some stuff to do at Headquarters and would be running late.

Emma: (Grins) The twins must be sleeping, or we'd hear them giggling by now. ;)

Bert: So, how does it feel to be Musketeers, guys? ;)

Mike: Crazy. What's up with these round-robin things, anyway?

Emma: (Shrugs) They're a good way of explaining something a little different, an alternative universe story, as it were. (Grins) And they're just fun to do.

Micky: We can't decide on just one way to tell a story.

Bob: What was your favorite part of the story?

Emma: The ball.

Mike: Savin' Em.

Peter: Rescuing the Princess!

Micky: The swords.

Lauren: Kicking some butt! ;)

Davy: Saving the Princess...

Mike: (Grins at Davy) Makin' out with the Princess. ;)

Bert: Where did this story come from?

Emma: The original idea was really Lauren's. A couple of years ago, actually around the same time we started getting serious about doing these stories, she started to talk about writing a Monkees fanfic based after the comic 1994 Disney version of "The Three Musketeers."

Peter: I remember that. You even mentioned it in some of the early role-plays.

Emma: (Shrugs) She never got around to the actual prose fanfic, and I'm a fan of swashbucklers myself, so I thought it would be a fun, action-packed way to open the year.

Lauren: And it did make for a darn good story. ;)

Emma: This is the most fun I've had doing a role-play in a while. Helps that we actually had the time in the late summer and fall to work on these, unlike the last two sets, which we really had to rush. (Grins) Oh, and I’d like to thank the Who and their "wildman" original drummer Keith Moon for their cameo appearances in Parts 4 and 7.

Mike: Yeah, even I sorta liked doin' these.

Peter: Michael, what was with the whole thing with Alexander and Emma? That's nothing little kids need to hear!

Mike: I was sorta gettin' Em back for the fanfic last summer where she let Alexander get her hands on ME, and I guess I got carried away an' forgot who I was talkin' to.

Emma: (Raises her eyebrows) You were, were you?

(Mike coughs, but says nothing.)

Peter: Well, this certainly beats last year's opening story! We didn't get frozen!

Mike: Yeah. Nice for everyone to participate this time.

Micky: Considering that's it's been a while since I've been picked on, I'm really starting to get a little nervous. *glances at Lauren, who looks away innocently* Yeah, I recognize THAT look.

Emma: That's next month.

Peter: (Eyes widen) No one's gonna die, are they?

Micky: *eyes widen* Better not! :P

Emma: Not at the moment, no, nothing THAT nasty. We won't even be seeing Sheila and Alex for a while. (Grins) But Micky IS the focus of next month's story.

Micky: Then why am I still worried?

Peter: I'm sure it'll be all right, Micky!

Emma: You'll get to use the chemistry set extensively again, Mick.

Mike: (Eyes widen) Now I'M worried! :o

Micky: *raises an eyebrow* Uhhh, now I'm confused.

Bert: Hey, how's the kid coming, Lauren? It should be almost due date-time, right?

Lauren: Not soon enough.

Emma: (Sighs) Here, have some Teen-Time Chocolate-Oatmeal Bars. Good for what ails you.

Mike: Yeah, like hunger pangs. (Reaches for the soft, cake-like cookies)

Lauren: Which is just about everything right now. *takes several bars*

Peter: (Leans over Micky) How HAS she been, Mick? Val and I haven't really seen much of her, what with the filming and all...

Micky: Remember the first time around? (Makes a face) It’s worse.

*Lauren glares at him.*

Micky: *shrugs* Okay, not really even as bad?

*Lauren nods and goes back to munching.* :)

(Peter chuckles. Emma pats her stomach. Mike grins, but eyes Emma warily.)

Bob: So, speaking of, what else is planned for the coming months?

Emma: Well, first of all, some of you may have noticed that there's no warm-up story. As of January 2007, we're dropping the warm-ups and replacing them with skits or one-part stories, like last month's "We Need a Little Christmas," written when we have extra time on our hands. We don't have the time we used to and we're both getting older. While we will continue doing the stories as long as we can, they just won't be done in the same way anymore. :)

Bert: What about upcoming stories?

Mike: What are you guys gonna do to Micky next month?

Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Don't worry, guys. We promise. Next month won't be THAT damaging. In fact, it's really another action/comedy. (Looks at Micky with a grin) A SCI-FI action comedy.

Mike: Yeah, well, that leaves March and April in this arc.

Micky: You're starting to make me feel a little better.

Emma: And March is going to be a blast, as well as marking Sheila and Alex's full return.

Mike: That's NOT good.

Emma: (Grins a little wickedly at Mike) You'll like it. You'll be fuzzy.

Mike: Fuzzy?

(Emma leans back with that grin. Mike moves FAR away from her.)

Mike: You're scarin' me, darlin'. That’s not easy to do.

Bob: How's Elizabeth coming, Davy?

Peter: (Grins at Davy) Lizzie's really growing! She's adorable!

Davy: Isn't she?

Micky: Which surprises me, considering how not so tall Dave is.

Davy: Funny, Mick. :P

(Everyone chuckles.)

Emma: (Looks at her watch) Hate to break this up, but it's getting pretty late. (Looks at the camera) Hope you all enjoy your winter months, folks. Spend a lot of time indoors with a good tale of romance and adventure and a hot (or cold, if you live below the Equator) drink...or better yet, grab a couple of friends and tell your own round-robin tale.

Mike: See ya next month, folks.

(Cut to the bandstand at the ballroom of the Montgomery House. The guys wear tuxes. Emma wears a long, elegant brick-red gown. Lauren wears a purple beaded pantsuit. Micky has his tympani. There's a cough and an "Ok, guys" from offstage before the guys launch into "Randy Scouse Git.")

*Micky does his typical crazy man act, pounding on the tympani.*

(Mike makes faces in back of him, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. Peter pounds away at the piano, trying to look as crazy as Micky and not quite succeeding. Emma almost falls over laughing.)

*Davy ignores the other three.*

(Peter just ends with a sigh, not quite falling over his piano this time. He just puts his head in his hands. Mike leans into Emma, shaking his head at Micky and his energy.)

*Davy also shakes his head and goes off to find Daphne.*

*Lauren waits not-so-patiently for Micky to finish.*

(And we cut to "Hard to Believe" as the credits run over stills from the "production." We end with a still of the entire group, now including baby Elizabeth, in the Pad with the words "A Raybert Production" imposed over it.)