First of all: SORRY it took me so damn long! Thank you for your reviews and follows. Means a lot to me! THANK YOU! I'm glad you liked the story. I really want to continue writing LazyTown fanfics...so if you have any wishes/suggestions, what you want me to write...just tell me. ;) You know I like it dark. :P


"Oh no..." the doctor whispered.

Sportacus pressed his eyes shut. "Stephanie...take her away...the pain...it's too much...the pain," he mumbled, his face contorted. Sweaty drops were rolling down his cheeks.

Quickly, the doctor picked Stephanie up, and laid her on the floor. The exhausted girl did not even stir. He placed a pillow under her head, and returned to Sportacus.

"Take it...off," he begged, his voice slurred.

"I can't, Sportacus, I can't..."

Robbie, who had realized that he was sitting on some huge bike, and had to pedal to keep the airship flying, turned around. He was sweating and panting, and close to freaking out once more.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Secret has activated the sugar collar. I didn't know he could. We're so high up in the air," the doctor explained.

"Sportakook," Robbie called out to the elf. "Do you have any tools?"

Tiredly, Sportacus nodded. "Toolbox," he said. A small door that had been invisible before, opened, revealing some sort of storage room. On top of the shelf was a blue toolbox.

"I want your airship," Robbie murmured, before turning his attention back to the huge windscreen.

Sportacus didn't reply, his whole body started to convulse again, his limbs were twitching and jerking, as if they had developed their own lives.

"There's too much sugar in his system," the doctor said, trying to hold Sportacus down, so that he couldn't hurt himself.

"Take that damn collar off!" Robbie shouted. He had gripped the steering wheel so tightly, his knuckles turned white.

„I'm on it," the doctor replied. He let go off Sportacus, who rolled onto his side, and began to retch.

He threw up the orange juice, and something that looked like some sort of syrup or honey.

„Shit...shit," the doctor cursed. „Seems like his body is trying to purge the sugar."

„Yeah, well, do something against it," Robbie said. It was getting difficult to hold the airship in the air. His lack of exercising made his legs tremble with exhaustion.

The doctor scowled at Robbie, before picking up the toolbox. While Sportacus kept heaving, the doctor rummaged through the tools. He had never been a good at DIY. He decided to use some pliers. Maybe he could cut through the collar.

Finally, Sportacus stopped retching, and fell back on the bed, groaning.

More liquid sugar trickled down his chin.

„Sportacus, I'm trying to free you from the collar. If you can hear me...please lie still," the doctor said, turning Sportacu's head to one side.

The superhero slid his eyes open. "Thank...you," he mouthed. The doctor had to admit he was quite impressed that Sportacus was still conscious.

"Please, hurry up," Sportacus added, his voice even more strained.

"Yes, of course...sorry." The doctor forced the pliers around the burning hot collar, and squeezed them together. The sugar cracked slightly. Satisfied, the doctor applied more pressure, and the collar snapped in two.

Sportacus let out a sigh, as the pain subsided, and the collar fell off.

The doctor, however, gasped in shock. Sportacus' skin was red and blistered. It looked as if he had burned himself. Some of the small wounds were oozing blood.

Carefully, the doctor peeled away the remains of the sugar collar, trying not to touch the angry-looking spots.

"Sportanoob, I need some help...the airship," Robbie panted. Sweat was running down his face, staining his striped suit.

"What is it, Robbie?" Sportacus asked, his voice still hoarse. The doctor had finished taking off the collar, and was now looking for something he could clean the wounds with.

"I'm tired. My legs hurt."

Sportacus sighed. "I don't think I can...Computer, how far away is LazyTown?"

"We will reach LazyTown in 15 minutes. Sportacus, you can use the spare energy saved in the battery," his computer told him.

Once more, Robbie was impressed, even a little bit jealous.

"Do it," Sportacus said, slowly leaning back. "Robbie, you can stop, but don't let go off the control stick."

Groaning, Robbie stretched his legs. Maybe he should do more sports.

"You all right, Sportanoob?" he asked, steering the airship back to LazyTown. "Oh why did I say that..."

"I'm feeling better, thank you, Robbie," Sportacus replied. The doctor had rummaged through Sportacus' storage room, and pulled out a first aid kit.

"Here, I'm going to clean your wounds. The collar has caused some nasty burns," the doctor said, gently dabbing at Sportacus' neck. The blue elf cringed, biting his bottom lip. "I'm sorry...but I need to make sure there's no sugar left. Otherwise, those wounds will become infected, and you will suffer more pain."

Sportacus slowly nodded, leaning his head back against the wall. "I'm glad you helped me. And I'm glad it's finally over," he mumbled, his eyes drifting shut.

The doctor worked quickly, and after he had disinfected the burns, he wrapped a bandage around his neck. Sportacus had fallen asleep, and for the first time he looked peaceful and relaxed, his face no longer scrunched up in pain.

The doctor slumped against the wall. He was exhausted, and totally spent.

"Robbie? Will you be ok? I think I need to rest a little bit."

"I guess so," Robbie replied. He was still slightly out of breath, but the thought of returning to LazyTown, soon, made him happy. He really wanted a huge slice of his favourite chocolate cake. And he hoped Sportacus would be all right. Usually, he tried to get rid off him, but since he had to watch Sportacus writhing in pain, nearly dying, it had done something to him. Sportacus had been willing to give his life for him. He had saved him, even though he should have been mad at him.

"Is...Sportacus feeling better?" he asked the doctor, who pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I think so. I don't know how his body works, but I think he will recover. It will take some time, though. He's a remarkable man."

"Yes, he is..." Robbie whispered.

A short time later, LazyTown came in view. A grin spread over Robbie's face. "We're home! Guys, we are home," he shouted.

Stephanie slowly woke up. She sat up, and blinked confused. "Home? We're back in LazyTown?" The girl scrambled to her feet, and rushed to Robbie's side, looking out of the large window.

Suddenly, she seemed to remember Sportacus, and she turned around. "Is...is Sportacus all right?" she asked.

"He's asleep," Robbie explained. "The doctor took the collar off, and he's resting now." He did leave out the fact that Secret had turned the collar on, first, and nearly killed Sportacus, again.

"That's great," Stephanie said, smiling softly. "You look tired, too."

"I'm...fine. I just don't know how to land the airship," Robbie replied.

"Maybe you have to tell it to land? Sportacus said that you control it now," Stephanie suggested, rubbing at her eyes.

"Seems like you're not that stupid, Pinkie," Robbie said. "Airship, prepare for landing."

"Airship is preparing for landing. Please fasten your seat belt, and sit down," the computer said.

"Maybe I can borrow it from time to time, when Sportacus doesn't need it," Robbie thought.

The airship slowly sank sank down, until it hit the ground. The airship landed just outside LazyTown next to the huge billboard, hiding Robbie's lair from everyone else.

As the door slid open, the doctor stirred. Tiredly, he opened his eyes. For a moment, he didn't seem to know where he was, but then he remembered everything, and he grimaced.

"Doctor," Stephanie said, "thank you for helping us."

"Uh...don't thank me. I was the one, who started...tor...hurting your friend in the first place." Letting out a sigh, the doctor stood up. He glanced at the open door, and back to Stephanie and Robbie. "What do I do now? What if...Secret...finds me?"

"I bet you can stay here in LazyTown. My uncle is the Mayor, he will help you," Stephanie said, beaming at him.

"That would be nice..."

"I better leave. I am hungry, and I am tired...and I've had enough for a whole month," Robbie said, stretching his sore legs.

"What about Sportacus?" Stephanie asked. The superhero was still sleeping. He looked even more vulnerable now that the strain was gone from his face.

"Let him sleep. He needs time to recover," the doctor told her. Stephanie nodded, feeling for his hand. Together they left the airship.

As soon as they had stepped out, Mayor Meanswell, and the children ran towards them. "Stephanie! Stephanie! You are back!" they shouted. The Mayor spread his arms wide, and Stephanie flung herself at him, nearly knocking the older man over. Her uncle wrapped her into a tight hug. "Stephanie, I'm so glad you're back. Are you all right? I was so worried. I am so sorry. I should have taken better care of you," he continued babbling, until Stephanie wriggled herself out of his grasp. "Don't blame yourself, uncle. I'm fine."

The Mayor wiped his tear-filled eyes, and managed to smile. "Who are you? And where is Sportacus?"

The doctor flinched, as if the Mayor had hit him. "My...my name is Peter Pillbox. Sportacus is...well he was tired, and he...Mr Mayor we should discuss this, later," he said, glancing at the children, who were eying them curiously.

"Peter is a doctor," Stephanie piped up. "He helped us escape."

"Thank you, Doctor Pillbox," the Mayor said, holding out his hand.

The doctor gratefully took it, trying to forget that he almost got his niece killed.

"Stephanie, you have to tell us everything!" Trixie exclaimed, tugging at her arm.

"Come on, I have cake and candy," Ziggy added, giving her a toffee. When Stephanie frowned, he giggled: "I have sportscandy, too."

"Uncle, can we go?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes, yes. Go. The kids missed you as much as I did. I will talk to Doctor Pillbox," the Mayor said, petting Stephanie's head. "Don't stay too long. And I don't want you to walk around alone."

"Don't worry, Uncle." Stephanie hugged him again, and left with her friends.

"Now...Doctor...what has happened?"

xxxxx

It was late at night, when Sportacus woke up. Usually, he slept until the early morning, but he had lost track of time after being unconscious for so long. Tiredly, he sat up. He felt better. His throat was raspy, and swallowing hurt, but some of his energy had been restored. Slowly, he swung his legs round, and stood up. His vision slightly blurred, and he swayed.

He would have fallen, if two arms hadn't grabbed him, and guided him back to the bed. "Easy does it, Sportacus," Robbie said.

Surprised, Sportacus looked up. "What are you doing here? How did you get in?"

"The airship still responds to my voice," Robbie explained, shrugging his shoulders. "And I couldn't sleep. I uhm...wanted to go for a late night walk, and then I saw your airship. Just wanted to know, if you...feel better." His pale cheeks flushed.

Sportacus lowered his head, massaging his temples. "I'm fine, thank you, Robbie."

Robbie spun round. "Don't thank me. It has been my fault. I'm sorry, Sportacus. I know I always wanted to get rid off you, but I never wanted to kill you...I never wanted to torture you. I just wanted you to stop all that flipping and flopping and moving around. It makes me dizzy."

Sportacus sighed. "I'm sorry, if I annoyed you, but you could have told me! You can always talk to me, Robbie. I am your friend. I hope you have learned your lesson, though. If something had happened to Stephanie..." he couldn't finish the sentence.

"Honestly, I didn't know that they wouldn't let her go. I was so stupid, Sportaflop." A tear slid down Robbie's cheek, and he clumsily wiped it away.

Sportacus raised his hand, and petted Robbie's arm. The villain stiffened under the gentle touch, but didn't pull his arm back.

"We could make a deal," Sportacus softly said.

Surprised, Robbie raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"

"The kids and I are allowed to play and exercise on the sports field, but we won't come near your liar."

"Hmmm," Robbie replied, obviously thinking about Sportacus' suggestion. "And what do I have to do?"

Sportacus chuckled. "Just don't give me any more candy apples."

A look of sheer terror crossed Robbie's face. "I...I thought the sugar would just knock you out. I...never thought it would hurt you so much. Seeing you in pain...I realized that I've gone too far. I won't give you sugar ever again. Promised."

Smiling, Sportacus stood up, and hugged Robbie, who heavily flinched, and tried to push the superhero back. "But," he said, after Sportacus had finally let go off him, "I won't stop playing pranks on you...or the children."

Sportacus shook his head. "Oh, Robbie."

Smirking, Robbie turned to leave, but before he exited through the still open door, he said: "Uh...Sportacus. Thank you. For everything. You saved me, and you weren't mad at me, although I betrayed you. I won't forget that."

Sinking back onto his mattress, Sportacus beamed at Robbie. "I won't let you down, Robbie. And if you feel sad...or angry, you know where to find me."

"I may be desperate..." Robbie mumbled, jumping out of the airship, "but not that desperate, Sportanoob."

~fin