When he woke up again, the pain was gone. They had taken away the collar. He was lying in a huge hall. Next to him was a bottle of water, and a real apple. Slowly, he sat up. This had to be the place, where the engines had been kept. Now, they were gone. Sportacus could still see the ancient tracks, but the hall itself resembled more a large gym. Ropes and rings hung from the ceiling. There was a treadmill, and some weights. On one side, they had built an obstacle course.
Sportacus' heartbeat quickened, as he realized that he couldn't see Stephanie.
Nevertheless, he grabbed the apple, and took a big bite. He immediately felt refreshed. The strength was returning to his body.
As he felt for the bottle, light flared up, and the doctor entered through a door. He was followed by his two bodyguards, or whoever they were.
"I'm glad you're up and around," said the doctor.
"What do you want from me? Where is Stephanie?" Sportacus asked.
"Don't worry about that little girl. If you cooperate, nobody will harm her." The doctor held up a chart.
"I will examine you now, and take some blood. Then you may proceed with the first exercise. Once you're finished, I repeat the procedure. It's important to document everything. First, we want to test your physical strength and condition. Then we examine your speed and skill."
The doctor waved his arm around the room.
"I want to see Stephanie," Sportacus insisted.
"Oh, Sportacus…why are you making your life a misery? Do you really think, we bring her into the same room, after you've gotten your power back? That would be stupid. But I promise you that you'll see her, when you behave nicely."
Sportacus sighed. "What shall I do?"
Satisfied, the doctor clapped his hands. "We start with the obstacle course."
Obediently, Sportacus walked to the various obstacles. He knew he could do this. He loved to jump over fences, benches and walls. There was no need to be afraid.
But he feared they would hurt Stephanie.
Why didn't they send her home? He would promise to do what they wanted.
The doctor was touching him again. Sportacus stood absolutely still, as he felt for his pulse, and listened to his heartbeat. He only winced slightly, as he collected the blood. He didn't even know how many needles they had already used. It hurt.
The doctor hastily scribbled down, then he stepped back, pulling a stopwatch from his pocket.
"On your mark: Ready. Set. Go!"
It was dark outside, when they finally stopped testing him. Sportacus could see the moon shining palely through one of the dirty windows. He was exhausted. His muscles were burning. His arms were covered with bruises, and bloody gashes, where they had taken his blood. They had forced him to do the same exercises over and over again. From time to time, they had given him sports candy to refill his energy. Swaying, he wiped his sweaty forehead.
"Now you can see your little friend," Sebastian Secret said. He had watched him most of the time, making notes, taking pictures and filming him.
The two bodyguards, who had been in the hall the whole time, blocking every possible exit, accompanied him back to the smaller room, where they had examined him first.
"You better sleep well…this is only the beginning," Secret said, still smiling at him.
Before they locked the door, he grabbed the collar and fastened it around Sportacus' neck. Sportacus was too tired to struggle. He just wanted to rest. As they turned it on, Sportacus fell to his knees, groaning. His vision blurred, as the sugar drained the little strength he had left.
He saw something pink running towards him; then he fainted.
The morning sun gave Sportacus new hope. He had woken up, feeling less nauseous and less exhausted, but his whole body hadn't stopped hurting. He was sitting at a table, still wearing that damn collar. They had brought him a bottle of water, which he hadn't touched, yet. Stephanie was still sound asleep, curled up in a corner of the room. Her pink hair was tousled, and her skin was pale. Sebastian Secret, wearing dark jeans and a black T-Shirt, was in a good mood. He was sitting face to face with him. A tiny computer – not bigger than his hand – was right next to him. Pixel could have told Sportacus what kind of technology Secret was using.
"Good morning, Sportacus. I hope you did rest well," Secret said, smiling at him, as if he were his best friend.
Sportacus slowly shook his head. "Why can't you leave me alone? I can't help you..."
Secret snickered. "Don't be so modest. You're strong and fast. If we could form an army of warriors, who are just like you, we could win any war."
"I don't want to fight," Sportacus said.
"I don't care what you want. I've already told you that," Secret told him.
"I have a few questions for you. If you answer correctly, nothing will happen. If you refuse to answer them, or lie to me, I will punish you. Is that understood?"
Sportacus only nodded. He didn't know how to go on. He didn't know, why he should resist. They would kill him anyway. And they would kill Stephanie, too. So much was being taken from him. They didn't want to fight against some evil forces. They were the real demons.
"Sportacus, is that your real name? Or do you have a secret identity?"
"It's my only name," Sportacus explained.
"And where are you from? Are you human?"
Sportacus sighed. "I come from a small island in the North Sea. I was born on this Earth."
"But you are not human. What are you?" Secret seemed very interested. He leaned forward, his eyes widening.
"It's difficult," Sportacus said.
"Go on," Secret insisted.
Sportacus sighed again. "My ancestors were sent to this planet to help people."
"And? You have to tell me everything." Secret reached into his pocket, and retrieved the remote control.
The collar became hotter, and Sportacus felt, as if he was choking. He wheezed.
"My father taught me everything," Sportacus rasped, still gasping for air.
"I had to practice every day to gain muscles and strength. I helped him build the airship as part of my training, and he told me that we cannot eat what you call sugar."
"You have an airship?" Secret was impressed.
"Yes, it helps me to travel fast."
Slowly, the pain receded, as Secret pressed a button on the remote control.
"Where is that airship?"
"Yes. I used it to get here."
"Oh..." Secret picked up his cellphone, and dialed a number.
"Hey...grab Bernard, and go looking for an airship. I need it," he said to the person, he had just called.
Sportacus tried to hide a tiny smile. Bernard and that other guy would never be able to enter his airship, because it only responded to his voice.
"All right. Let's continue. Why can't you eat sugar?" Secret started taking notes on his computer again.
"I don't know. My body has developed an intolerance because I never ate sugar. My parents only gave me fruits and vegetables. I could drink milk, eat bread, and sometimes I was allowed to eat meat, but I never had any sweets, cake, or chocolate."
"This could be a disadvantage," Secret mumbled. "But we could run more tests...see if your body can get used to sugar again."
Sportacus weakly clenched his fists. He didn't need sugar. Why didn't Sebastian Secret understand that? And he didn't like the word test.
"You still haven't told me about your ancestors. Are they aliens? Do they have other technology we could use?"
"Like weapons?"
"Exactly." Secret excitedly nodded.
"No," Sportacus shook his head, and winced, as he felt the collar bite into his skin.
"Are there any more of you here?" He asked with a rather curious tone.
Sportacus did his best to not change his expression so, he gave the best answer he could. "If there are I don't know where." He didn't want him seeking out his family, friends and especially Elena.
"Damn it, Sportacus." Sebastian Secret cringed. "All right. Another question: Can you get hurt, or are you invincible?"
Sportacus blinked tiredly. "You have hurt me. I am in pain. Why should I be invincible?"
"Because you are an alien. Like Superman."
"Who is Superman?" Sportacus asked, surprised.
"Never mind. But you are stronger than an average human being?"
"I guess so. I've worked hard," Sportacus said, rubbing at his temple. He had a headache. "I love doing sports."
"Sports," Secret spat. "You know how to fight?"
"I don't fight. How many times do I have to tell you that? I want to help people, but I am not a soldier."
Secret didn't listen to him. "What about your other senses? Sight? Scent? Hearing?"
Suddenly, Sportacus stiffened. Secret didn't know about his crystal. The most precious thing he owned. It was given from generation to generation, and it had ancient magical powers. With his crystal he could sense, when people were in trouble. It led him to them, he could even feel what had happened, and who needed his help.
"What's the matter, Sportacus?" Secret asked, eying him curiously.
"Nothing. I'm not a superhero."
"Hmm. We'll see about that." Secret stood up. "I guess you're hungry. You'll get some breakfast soon. And then you should try to rest. We'll continue this afternoon."
Sportacus glared at him. "I can't rest, when I'm wearing that collar. It makes me sick."
"That," Secret said, "is your problem, my friend."
"Why are you treating me like an animal? I can't believe that the President would allow this."
Secret spun round, and glared angrily at Sportacus. "Don't start a discussion." Before Sportacus could reply, he pressed the button on his remote control, sending more liquid sugar into Sportacus' system.
Groaning, Sportacus fell off the chair, and curled himself up into a tight ball.
"Rest. We're not done, yet."
And then Secret finally left.
Stephanie woke up, as he closed the door. She felt better, although her stomach was queasy, and she was still worried about Sportacus.
This had been her fault. Why had she trusted Robbie Rotten? He always tried to get rid of her and the other children. But since he met Lily, he seemed not to care as much about getting rid of them. She thought he changed. Stephanie sighed, and rolled onto her back. She couldn't hate him.
She really hoped that Sportacus would be all right. Stephanie hadn't understood what that mean man was talking about, but she had seen that they had hurt him. Slowly, she sat up. Sportacus was lying on the floor. Maybe he was sleeping.
She crouched towards him. Sportacus was pale, his lips slightly parted. It was so strange seeing him without his costume. He looked so much younger, and more vulnerable. As Stephanie touched his skin, it was all sticky. Now she could smell the sweet sugar, too. Her hands moved to the collar. It was so hot, she flinched violently.
"Sportacus?" she tried, but he didn't answer.
"Sportacus, I'm sorry...I wish I could make it up to you. I know you had a lot on your mind with losing Elena. Now I made things worse."
The door was opened, and one of Sebastian Secret's bodyguards entered. He carried a tray with toast and milk. He glared at Stephanie, who watched him anxiously.
"Turn it off," she begged. Her voice no more than a faint whisper.
The bodyguard raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?" he asked, putting the tray down on the table.
"That thing..." Stephanie pointed to the collar. "It hurts him. Sugar makes Sportacus sick."
The bodyguard shrugged his shoulders. "I can't turn it off. The boss is the only one, who has the remote control. Eat something. You must be hungry."
Without looking at her, he left the room, and locked the door.
Stephanie tried once more to wake Sportacus. She gently shook him. This time, Sportacus' eyes fluttered open. He let out a quiet moan as he recognized Stephanie.
"Sportacus, they brought us breakfast. Do you want to eat something?"
Sportacus nodded. He needed as much energy as he could get.
"How are you feeling, Stephanie?" he whispered, as she handed him a slice of toast. He took it, and immediately started to eat it.
"I'm fine. I wish I could help you. I'm so sorry. It was my fault. I shouldn't have listened to Robbie," she said.
"Don't blame yourself, Stephanie. I've already told you that it wasn't your fault. They would have caught me anyway."
"What do they want?"
Sportacus sighed. "They think I can help them defend your country."
"Can you?"
"Stephanie, you know that I never use violence to help people. And I am not that strong." Sportacus finished the toast.
"You will always be my superhero," Stephanie said with a smile.
Ten minutes later, Sebastian Secret dragged Sportacus away, ignoring Stephanie's desperate pleas.
They brought him into a small room, and chained him to a wall. His arms were lifted high above his head, and his feet were secured to the floor. The room was empty except for one shelf.
After they had made sure, Sportacus couldn't move, Sebastian Secret turned off the collar.
Sportacus sighed with relief, as the pain vanished, and the dizziness subsided.
"We're going to test your senses," Secret explained.
The doctor entered the room, carrying a tray with tiny bottles.
"The first test is easy," Secret continued, after he had beckoned the doctor to step closer. "There are different odors in these bottles. Just tell us what you smell."
Surprised, Sportacus lifted his head. This didn't seem too difficult. And it wouldn't hurt. The doctor opened one bottle after another, and held it under Sportacus' nose.
He had no problems to guess the first ones. "Lemon juice, freshly mowed lawn, vanilla, fuel, and roses," he said without hesitating.
"Very good," Secret didn't seem to be surprised. "What about this one?"
Sportacus sniffed at it, and grimaced. "This is candy. Caramel toffee."
Secret giggled. "Correct. And this one?"
This time, Sportacus didn't know what to say. It was a strange smell, and he had never smelled it before.
"I don't know," he said.
"Now that's interesting. You've never tried alcohol? That's beer, Sportacus."
Disgusted, Sportacus tried to back away, but found that he couldn't.
"I guess you've never smoked, either?"
Sportacus shook his head. "I don't need these unhealthy things."
"Oh, you're missing all the fun," Secret said, smirking. "What about sex?"
"That's none of your business," Sportacus growled, but he couldn't hide the fact that he had blushed slightly. One thing he was glad about. Elena was far from this place wherever she was.
"Oh, Sportacus," Secret teased him. "Let's move on to the next test." The doctor had set aside the bottles, and grabbed a pair of headphones from the shelf. "It's as easy as the first test. Just tell us, when you hear something."
The headphones were plugged into Secret's tablet computer, and he started the program.
The test only lasted a few minutes. Secret seemed satisfied. "Just what I expected," he said, as the doctor freed Sportacus from the headphones.
"Now we will test your eyesight. You know the drill. Just tell me what you see."
The doctor put up a poster, which had various symbols and letters in all sizes and shapes on it.
After Sportacus had told him what he could see, Secret dimmed the light, and the doctor chose a new poster. Again, Sportacus told him everything. Secret repeated the process, until the room was completely dark.
"You are incredible, Sportacus. You are no ordinary man...or alien...or whatever," Secret said, after he had switched the light back on.
"Doctor, I think it is time."
The doctor gaped at Secret, and his voice slightly quivered, as he replied: "You're sure? This could be dangerous."
"Doctor, please. He's a test object. Don't pity him."
The doctor's shoulders slumped. "Fine. We have to leave the room."
"What are you doing?" Sportacus asked, his heartbeat quickening.
"I want to find out, how long you can survive without air," Secret told him. His voice was cold as ice with no emotion whatsoever.
"No..." Sportacus gasped. "Don't...I told you. I don't have super powers."
"Sportacus, I don't want to kill you, yet. Don't worry."
He and the doctor left the room, carefully locking it.
This was one test Sportacus was not sure he could survive...