Elena decided to take a long walk where ever her feet took her. She loved exploring. Plus it gave her plenty of time to think about things. Since her time in Lazy Town, she has processed a lot of information quickly. She was still getting to know herself. These walks helped her sort through things. There was a lot she understood and a lot she didn't.
She understood emotions all except for love. It seemed the most complicated. There were so many variables involved. It just was not as simple as the others. At least that she knew of. Sportacus offered his explanation so, it was time to move forward.
She decided to follow the stream she found outside of town. It ran under a small foot bridge, through a small forest.
At the end of the forest there was a beautiful meadow. There was a small river off to the left and on the right was a beautiful mountain range. And the meadow itself was covered with all different colored flowers. It was like a rainbow spilled it's colors in the meadow.
There were a few clouds that swirled in color with the sunlight. And in the middle of all the beauty she was experiencing, there was a single tree in the center of it all. A tree with white leaves. No, red leaves. As the leaves moved with the wind, she noticed that the tops were white and the bottoms were red. It was a wonderful sight. She walked to a small mound of grass and lay down. She had a view of the sky, meadow and the tree.
It was a long walk but it was worth it. She inhaled the floral scent and smiled as it penetrated her nostrils. She took in the view of the tree and flowers as they seemed to dance with one another, courtesy of an occasional breeze.
This was the best thing she had seen so far. She closed her eyes and etched the scenery in her mind. Between that, the sweet aroma and the hike, she fell fast asleep.
Robbie showed up at three o'clock on the nose at Elena's house. "I will ask Elena to be my date for the party and the wedding, before Sportaflop gets the idea to, and he'll be so upset she's going out with me and not him, that he'll town forever!" He laughed his evil laugh and knocked on the door.
"Hm." He knocked again and waited. He walked around and peeked in the windows. "Hm. She's not here. But what about our chess game? And my date?" He scratched his head. "I'd better find her before Sportacus does and ruins my plans."
"Hey Trixie! Have you picked out something to wear for the engagement party?" Stephanie ran up to her while she was swinging.
"Do we really have to dress up?"
"Yes, of course we do. If you want I can help you pick out something."
"I don't know. Dressing up is not my thing." She brushed her feet on the ground slowing her swinging.
"I tell you what. Let me help you pick out something and I promise it won't be too girly."
Trixie stopped and thought about it. "Mmm, ok. Deal."
"Great! Let's go!" As they headed out they saw Sportacus flipping towards the sports field.
He flipped, spun in the air and landed in front of the pair. "Hi guys!"
"Hey Sportacus! Are you going to be at the party tomorrow?"
"Of course! I wouldn't miss it! How about you?"
"Yup! I'm gonna help Trixie pick out something to wear. I wonder if Elena's ready?"
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen her all day?" Trixie piped up. "She's usually doing something to enjoy...everything."
Sportacus thought for moment and out of the corner of his eye he saw Robbie Rotten. The girls turned their heads and they all watched Robbie sneaking around yards, listening at doors, looking for something.
"Hm. Maybe I should have a chat with Robbie. See you guys later." He cartwheeled in Robbie's direction.
"I've looked everywhere but Ziggy's and poodles houses. She has to be in Lazy Town somewhere." He put his hands on his hips. "Where could she be?"
"I was wondering the something myself?"
Robbie was so startled by Sportacus, he jumped out of his spats and fell backwards. "Ah! Sportakook." He picked himself up. "Wha-what are you doing here?"
"I was wondering the same thing. What are you doing here? Are you looking for something?" He asked. "Maybe I could help you look?" He offered an innocent smile.
"Oh, no, no. That's ok." Awkwardly giggled. He bent down and picked up a shoe. "I'm just wandering around on this beautiful day." He added struggling to put it on his shoe
"Well, perhaps you'd like some company. We've never had a chance to talk." His eyebrows raised.
"Well, I think, uh, we can do that anytime, just not now."
"Why not?" He prodded happily.
Robbie stammered for words which didn't come out. He stood there hoping something would surface while he hopped getting his other shoe on. "Um..."
He got his shoe on and stood up straight looking at Sportacus who was waiting for an answer. He brought up his finger and opened his mouth, but again nothing. Then he brought up both hands in a frustrating manner, growled and marched off.
"Robbie! What's wrong?" He topped off. Once he was out of sight he chortled. "Oh Robbie. But, I wonder what he's up to." Sportacus looked around the area and saw nothing out of place. Then he looked around Lazy Town and remembered what Trixie said about not seeing Elena all day. "Well, I think I know 'who' Robbie was looking for. But if he can't find her..."
"Oh, Sportacus!" The mayor ran to him. "I need your help!"
Sportacus looked at his crystal. It was quiet so she was in no danger. As long as it could detect her. He still didn't know if it could given her situation. "Mayor! What's wrong?"
He bent over to catch his breath when he reached Sportacus."I have a question to ask you. Two, to be exact. I was wondering if you could be my best man for the wedding?"
"Wow, mayor I am honored!"
"So, is that a yes?"
"Yes! Of course!"
"Oh, thank you! Now as first duty as my best man...I need help! I did such a good job with the engagement, Miss Busybody wants me to find the perfect wedding spot! Can you help me?"
Sportacus chuckled. "Yes, I will help you but I'd like to find Elena first. She's not been around all day and I would like to make sure she's alright. It's almost dinner time."
"Oh yes, yes. Certainly. Thank you Sportacus."
He headed to the airship to get a better view.
Elena opened her eyes, stretched and yawned. "Oh boy! I think I slept too much." She stood up. As soon as she did, everything became dark. The scenery flickered. She moved backwards. There was something after her. It didn't know where she was but it wanted her. Something was after Sportacus. It wanted him even more. Something that shouldn't be here. It was trying to grow. It was evil. It was going to come after Sportacus. It was going to get him. It sensed her. She ran as fast as she could. It started in her direction. It was getting closer. It didn't know her but it wanted her. It knew Sportacus but it wanted her.
It was getting closer. Her heart raced as she tried to escape. She was tired, hungry and afraid for her life. It was going to suck her up. The hairs in the back of her neck stood on end. It was dark and she didn't know what direction she was going. She fell, rolled and got back on her feet. Her arms flailing trying of of feel for anything in her path. It was too close.
Sportacus was pacing in his airship. He had to find someway to find Elena. She was not in Lazy Town. He had a feeling she needed help. It had him on edge. He popped his crystal out of its casing. "Maybe you can't help her but maybe you can help me." He sat down in the middle of the airship. "I have no idea what I'm doing but I think there is more to you than meets the eye." He crossed his legs and closed his eyes. He visualized her in his mind. Every body part, every curve, the color of her eyes and hair. Height, weight, build, everything. He waited. Nothing. He opened his eyes.
"Ok, you might not be able to detect her. I have to think of something else. Ah. The gift of sight. Ok, let's try this." He closed his eyes and he let the crystal guide his mind beyond Lazy Town. He could see faster. It was almost instant. He looked north well beyond then east. Nothing. South. He stretched his mind. He could see a stream, forest, a meadow-something was in the forest. It was her. She was running. He opened his eyes. He jumped in the pilots seat and peddled as fast as he could.
The blackness was closing in. She was breathing harder. Sweat was pouring down her face. It was going to have her any second. It was feet from her. She turned back to see if it had any shape and she ran into something solid and screamed in terror.
"Elena!" She was fighting to get away as it called her name. But it wouldn't let her go. "Elena! Wake up!" She wasn't awake? She had to wake up! 'Wake up' she forced herself awake to being held by Sportacus. She focused her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him trembling. "It's ok. I've got you. Your safe now."
"I don't like this." She sobbed. It knows you and it's going to get us both."
"What is?"
"I-I don't know. It's always blackness. It's not supposed to be here! But it knows you!" She buried herself in his arms.
"Elena, I think it's just a really bad nightmare. You've been having them on and off for a while."
"No. There is something out there."
"Is it here now?"
She leaned up. "No... I don't feel what I felt before."
"Maybe it was just a nightmare. Our dreams can produce powerful feelings good and bad."
"Do you really think it could be just a nightmare?" Her eyes scared but hopeful
"Yes. I do think so." But he didn't feel entirely convinced. He didn't know why but he was getting the feeling there was something waiting...
