(We cut back to the stage, where the Parched Mountains/Silver Moon Inn set is now ready. The set seems to be empty of people except for the usual trees...but those trees rustle, and there's an occasional foot that's kicked behind a tree or a sneeze, with several "Bless yous!" from all directions. Suddenly, a carriage rolls in. Mike and all four Martians jump out at once...only to find Davy jumping off the back of the carriage! The "carriage" rolls on.)

Mike: (As the guys pull back and lower their weapons) David, where have you been, and what were you doing on that carriage?

John: Other than scaring the living daylights out of us?

Davy: I had some business to take care of.

Mike: (Sighs) Well, now that you're here, we need to prepare for the gold shipment. It'll be here any minute now!

John: Yeah, and the shipment will probably be guarded, too. We need to figure out how to get around that.

Danny: (Peers through the fake bushes) Guys, get outta here! Someone's comin'! I think it's the carriage!

(Indeed, another carriage, this one larger and grander than the one that held Davy, "rides" across the stage. Chris and Marcus jump out, dressed in drag. Mike, John, and Danny join them. Danny quickly tosses Davy a tambourine.)

Mike: Hello there, folks! Would you like to hear a song?

(Jessie and Nyles poke their heads out of the carriage.)

Jessie: Ooh, I'd like to hear a song, Nyles!

Nyles: Shhhh!

Mike: We have all kinds of great songs we can play for ya!

Chris: (Flutters his eyelashes and tries to look cute as he and Marcus dance over to Nyles) And we're sure the nice man would like to have a little fun!

Marcus: Wouldn't you like to dance with the pretty ladies?

Jessie: Nyles, I want to hear the song, but not while they're hanging off of you.

Mike: So, how about it? Just one song, and we'll let you through.

John: Maybe you could even play it with us!

Nyles: Oh, alright.

Danny: Here you go, man! (He hands Nyles his guitar; Davy gives Jessie his tambourine)

("Sweet Young Thing" begins as Danny and Davy sneak in the back of the carriage. Mike and John sing for the men in the front, while Marcus and Chris distract Nyles. Jessie watches them, not really that happy.)

(There's a scuffle in the carriage, which moves back and forth. Davy is finally knocked out of the back! He tumbles head over heels into a fake bush!)

(Mike's eyes widen. He steps in front of Davy, trying not to let the man see that someone just got knocked flat on his back out of the carriage.)

(Danny finally hauls Davy back in as the carriage rocks again. Marcus and Chris dance closer to Nyles, tossing scarves around him. Jessie finally wedges between them. That's too close! :p )

(John offers one of the guys his guitar, while Mike pulls out rope.)

(As Mike starts to round up the men, the carriage shuffles again...and this time, Danny's the one who gets knocked out!)

Jessie: (Over the music, as Marcus and Chris dance around Nyles with their flowing scarves) Nyles, what are you doing?

Nyles: I don't know!

Jessie: This is a really great song! (She bumps her hips, moving in time to the music. Marcus has to elbow Chris, who has stopped dancing with Nyles in order to watch Jessie)

Mike: (Hollers over the music as the song ends) Ok guys, NOW!

John: Right! (He bangs one man on the head with his guitar. Mike whips out his sword and starts cutting the men's belts...including Nyles')

Jessie: (As Nyles' pants fall down, revealing a pair of boxers with little pink hearts) Love your shorts! (She bursts into laughter)

Nyles: Hey!

Danny: (As he and Davy hightail it out of the carriage, both carrying heavy bags of gold) Marc, Chris, there's more cartons of gold in the back! You guys get them while we make it to the woods!

Marcus: Right. (He and Chris push Jessie and Nyles together, Nyles still trying to pull his pants up)

Jessie: Hey! (She grins as Marcus ties them together with the shawls) Um, have I said how much I really wanted to get closer to you, surfer boy? ;)

Mike: (As Davy joins him; hands him some rope as John goes to the other men) Ok lad, help me tie these guys up and stuff them into the back of the carriage.

Danny: Except for this fellow. (He has the driver by the collar) He's going to take them all home.

*Nyles just grins.*

Guard #1: (As Mike and Davy bind him and the others) We know you! We've seen you! You're the musicians who attacked us at the Inn!

Mike: (Bows) Nice to be recognized.

Guard #2: Who ARE you?

Mike: I'm just a guy doin' somethin' good.

Guard #3: You're a thief!

Mike: I'm a rebel with a cause, pal.

John: (As he joins them) I'm done with mine and got them on the carriage. The other guys got the boxes out. You done with yours?

Mike: Just about. (Turns to Davy) Done, kid?

Davy: All set.

Mike: (Turns to Nyles) You tell George that he should be careful whenever passing through the Parched Mountains. They, and the Lone Star Manor, are now protected by (thoughtful) the White Knight and his men. (He turns to the others as Davy and John get the driver on his seat) Away with you, now!

Nyles: Okay, sir! Yessir!

Jessie: (Grins as John loads them onto the carriage) You know, I could get to liking this.

Nyles: Me, too.

Mike: (He and Davy jump into the "trees" as the carriage takes off...and we get a nice effect of the forest thickening as more trees are added as they walk "through" the forest) Good work, kid. I think we'll head to Lone Star Town tomorrow to distribute this money. (Grins) In disguise, of course.

Davy: Thanks.

Mike: For now, we'll go into the woods and see if we can find a place to sleep. We're going to have to get used to sleeping under the stars. (Looks at Davy) By the way, kid, where WERE you this afternoon?

Davy: I went to see Daphne.

Mike: Lad, I know you love her. I can't say I blame you. (Sighs) But you were crazy to do that. You know what George will do to us if we're found at the castle.

Davy: I know, but I 'ad to let 'er know that we were okay.

Mike: Did anyone see you?

Davy: *shakes his head* No, no one saw me.

Mike: You know what you did was dangerous.

Davy: Yeah, but I 'ad to see 'er, Michael.

Mike: (Smiles) What you did was dangerous...but I understand. I know you love her. I think you'll be wonderful for each other. (Frowns) But I can't imagine Emily will give her support now. (Shakes his head) No, I won't think of her. You can have your Daphne, lad. She's a fine woman. But there will be no more women for me.

Davy: 'Ow can you be so sure, Michael?

Mike: You were lucky to find a woman like Daphne. Emily... (He shakes his head again) No. I will devote my time to restoring our names and helping my people, not tripping around with females. (Looks at the rapidly "darkening" sky, done with lighting effects) But our time grows short. Come, lad. Let's find some shelter for the night.

Davy: *nods* Lets.

(And the trees "blend" into the castle set as that rolls out. Emma and Daphne make their way across the stage. They both hold their staffs.)

Emma: I don't understand it. What's going on with King Peter? One minute, he's tired and weak, and the next, he wants to grab Valeria and have a roll in the hay!

Daphne: *shakes her head* Like I said, there's something very weird going on with him.

Emma: She called off the rest of our practice. (Sighs) And we really needed the work, too. All the other girls went to the local taverns for a drink. (Looks at Daphne) I think we could find a more useful way to spend our time. We're going to have a talk with Lady Barria.

Daphne: Good thinking.

Emma: If anyone can sort all of this out, it's her. She's not only the Queen's head advisor, but is rumored to be a good witch...AND the one who created the talismans in the first place.

(They make their way over to a slide-out room similar to Lord George's lab, but this one has a more cheerful look, with colorful potions, pretty hangings and tapestries, and a yellow bird chirping happily in a corner.)

Emma: (Knocks on the "door") Lady Barria...

Mrs. Marion: (She steps out, stirring something in a kettle) You can come in, dear. It's open.

Emma: (As they enter) Mrs Mar...uh, Lady Barria, hello. How did you know it was us?

Mrs. Marion: I know your voice, dear. (Sighs) And let's cut straight to the chase. I know why you're both here.

Emma: You know what's been happening.

Mrs. Marion: George and Lauren had poor Lord Michael and his ward banished. (Frowns) I'm sorry for both of you. George's ambitions are going to do nothing but destroy lives before this is all over.

Emma: Isn't there something we can do?

Mrs. Marion: Not unless we can find out exactly what George is up to. (Sighs) I think someone is controlling George and Lauren from the outside. They've been dabbling in magic and potions for years, but certainly nothing like this! (Narrows her eyes) And I think I know whom, too, but I need proof.

Emma: (She and Daphne bow) We are at your service, Lady Barria.

Daphne: Anything we can do!

Mrs. Marion: Thank you. There is something you can do. (She holds up a sphere that suddenly lights up and becomes transparent - it shows George and Lauren in the throne room) You can keep an eye on these two. Find out what they're up to and where their magic is. (Raises an eyebrow) And you might want to tell George that's not the Diamond Talisman he's holding.

Emma: What?! But...but I saw him take the talisman and the sword yesterday!

Mrs. Marion: Someone must have switched them. I know those talismans and weapons well, and that's not them. They're cheap imitations.

Daphne: Aren't they in for a shock!

Mrs. Marion: Besides, George wouldn't know how to use them even if he did still have them. Only the owners of the talismans know how to control them. (She waves her hand. The ball, glowing in a soft purple light, lands on her hand. She reattaches it to the top of her staff) Come. I'll go with you. (Grins) I've been needing to do some magic practice. I think we'll have some fun with George and Lauren. If nothing else, it'll keep them away from our Queen for a while!

Emma: Could you tell us more about the talismans, Lady Barria?

Mrs. Marion: They were created by several witches and warlocks who were the old King's advisors in an attempt to protect the Kingdom and prevent more wars. (Sighs as they leave the room and "enter" the throne room) Unfortunately, while we were able to protect our kingdom, we couldn't stop the old King's declaration of war on Gilbralda.

Emma: What do they do, anyway? I've never really seen the advisors use them.

Mrs. Marion: There are five of them. They were originally held by a mortal man, Lord Andrew, and the other witches and warlocks who created them. By the time the war ended, only Andrew and I were still alive. (Shakes her head) No, the others died of natural causes. Only the King died in war. Peter took the Emerald Talisman himself and made Michael and Lorrena the keepers of the Diamond and Sapphire Talismans. (She indicates her staff) And I still keep the Amethyst Talisman, as I always have.

Emma: How do they work?

Mrs. Marion: They work differently for different advisors. Though I can defend myself when necessary with my staff, I prefer to use magic. (Grins as they pull back behind a curtain) And you'll get a demonstration in a minute. Here comes Lord George and Lady Lauren.

(The three women duck behind a curtain - we see their booted feet as Lord George and Lady Lauren enter. Nyles and Jessie follow close behind.)

Jessie: Your lord and ladyship, we're awfully sorry we lost your gold, but they were playing such a pretty song!

Micky: *shaking his head* I can't believe you two let them get away!

Nyles: We were outnumbered, Your Hotheadedness!

*Micky shoots Nyles a quick glare.*

Jessie: And they were so cute, too! (Looks at Nyles) I can't believe you thought those guys in the dresses were chicks!

Nyles: *shrugs* They had scarves!

Micky: *rubs the bridge of his nose* Would you two please shut up about the guys dressed as women?

Nyles: Sorry, Your Annoyedness.

Jessie: Seriously, Sire, we're sorry about losing your money. We didn't know those musicians were the thieves!

Micky: Well, now you DO!

Jessie: We'll come up with a plan to get them next time! (Elbows Nyles) Right, baby?

Nyles: Right!

Jessie: See? We'll be fine! We're your advisors!

Jessie: I'll bet we could make a hundred plans to catch those guys!

Jessie: We've caught other bad guys before, right Nyles?

Nyles: *nods* That's right!

Micky: Okay, then, give us ONE plan.

Jessie: Those guys dig music, right? I mean, they were playing it, and they were really, really good, too! So why don't we pretend to be musicians and get them into a musical shop, and then jump on them? They'll never know what hit them!

(That's when we hear a sneeze from behind the curtain and a "Daph, you weren't supposed to do THAT!")

Jessie: Bless you!

Micky: *glares at Jessie* Don't do that.

Jessie: Well, excuse me for being polite! (As Micky goes over to the curtain) Hey, how can a curtain sneeze, anyway?

Micky: How? *yanks the curtain open, revealing Emma and Daphne* THAT'S how!

Emma: Oh my... (There's only a puff of purple smoke where Mrs. Marion was)

Jessie: Hey, what are you guys doing here?

Emma: Inspecting curtains.

Jessie: Those curtains look fine.

Emma: No, see, there's a hole right about here... (She leans over to show Jessie the "hole")

(As Emma leans over Jessie, Daphne smacks her lightly in the back with her staff as "Bye Bye Baby Bye Bye" begins. A little purple cloud appears over Micky's head...and rains.)

(Emma and Lauren duel with their staffs. Daphne and Jessie go at each other with knives.)

(There's a purple puff of smoke over Micky's head. He now has the head of an onion...or at least, wears an onion-shaped hat.)

*Micky swats at the onion, muttering. The onion hat and the little cloud disappear.*

(A familiar purple ball darts around Micky. There's a puff of smoke around his hand. When it subsides, he now has feathers on his arms.)

*Micky glances around. He knows someone's messing with him. He makes the feathers disappear.*

(The purple ball darts around Micky again, this time darting through his curls. Purple flowers spring up from his head!)

*Micky is fuming now. He yanks a flower off his head and throws it, then realizes that it had been hair transformed. He winces and turns the rest of the flowers back into his own hair.* (There's another purple puff around Micky's head. He now has a purple face...makeup, of course.)

*Micky is steaming now. He swats at the purple ball as his face returns to its normal pallor.*

(The purple ball ducks around him and actually seems to stick out a tongue at one point.)

*Micky swats at the purple ball again.*

(The purple ball flies around Micky. When the smoke clears, Micky is now wears a purple gown, a tiara, and make-up...even purple crystal earrings.)

*Micky growls, glancing around. He knows SOMEONE is messing with him, but isn't sure who. He changes himself back into his normal costume.*

(The ball goes between Micky's legs. There's a puff of purple smoke around Micky. When it subsides, he's standing on his head!)

*Micky promptly falls over onto his face. He slowly lifts his head, eyes narrowed to slits.*

(The ball bounces up and down around Micky. There's a purple puff of smoke, and a hedge of purple roses grows around him.)

*Micky makes a weed whacker appear and starts hacking at the hedge.*

(A small fake tree with purple leaves springs up, catching Micky on a branch and lifting him by his tunic!)

*Micky growls, frustrated. He can't take this anymore! He glances at the audience howling with laughter and makes himself disappear!*

(The camera shows something the audience probably doesn't see unless they're up front. In a crudely animated sequence, the purple ball smiles widely before disappearing in a puff of purple smoke.)

(Lauren and Jessie manage to get a hold of Daphne as the song ends.)

Emma: Daphne! Let the girl go!

Lauren: Why should we?

Emma: She's only a girl, with her life ahead of her! We won’t talk!

Jessie: I don't think we should let her go. They heard us! (Looks at Nyles, who sits on the throne) Right, Nyles?

Nyles: Nahhhh, I don't believe them!

Lauren: And neither do I.

Emma: Please, let the girl go! Take me, if you must take someone!

Lauren: I say we take both of you.

Emma: No! (But Nyles takes her staff and Daphne's knife)

Jessie: What are we going to do with these snoops?

Emma: (Struggles as Nyles puts their weapons aside and yanks her arms behind her back) I won't let you do anything to us!

Lauren: We lock them up.

Jessie: Ooh, could we lock them up in the Musical Instrument Shop?

Lauren: Hmm. Not a bad idea.

Emma: No! You'll do nothing of the kind, you witch!

Jessie: She talks a lot. Let's get her outta here, before someone hears her.

(They drag Emma and Lauren out. There's a puff of smoke, and Mrs. Marion appears...and follows them.)