A/N: Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I'll explain after this…

VI

The Track One hovered above the massive body of water known as the Yawn River. Inside, Clyde finished adjusting the controls of the airship and turned to see the crew sitting in the newly furnished interior. Sportacus, Pixel, Ziggy, Stingy, Trixie, Salazar, Amelie, Robbie and Rottenella were seated in two rows facing each other. Rottenella sat next to Robbie and noticed his tense posture and nervous expression as he sat directly across Sportacus. The hero in blue avoided eye contact with him and kept his gaze towards his nephew and Stephanie, who sat in the newly installed copilot's chair.

"Great day for a swim, huh?" Robbie decided to engage the elf in conversation.

"We're not here to play." Was all he said, his eyes remaining distant. "We've got a job to do. Go in, find the amulet, then head back home."

"Y'know, I never thought I'd see the day when you would be the one to suck the life out of a party."

He sat silently and changed the subject. "Clyde, are we ready to go?"

"Almost, Uncle Sporty." He said as he pressed a few buttons on the panel. "I'm about to lower this baby onto the water."

"Wait, hold on a minute!" Stingy protested. "Can this thing actually float on water!?"

"Stingy, we're not gonna go on the water!"

"Oh good…"

"We're gonna go under it."

"What!? That wasn't part of the plan!"

"It was a last minute thing."

Slowly the airship descended onto the water, creating several ripples with its powerful propellers. Once it touched, the ship came to a standstill; save for the minor rocking it caused from the small impact.

"We're gonna die." Stingy began to hyperventilate.

"Calm down." Trixie couldn't help but laugh. "We'll be fine."

He noticed her hand placed over his, which only caused him to breathe even harder. "…Are you sure?"

"No. But that's where the fun lies."

"Let's take it easy, Clyde." Stephanie said. "We don't want to go too fast or we might miss something."

"Not a problem." He nodded as he steered the ship forward.

The mighty green airship seemed to be doing all right for its first run on water as it cut through the stream and passed over several rises with ease. Clyde was pleased with himself as he eyeballed the controls and grinned at the sights before him at the same time.

"If only there was some way I could step outside…" Stephanie said to herself.

"No need." Clyde's grin grew wider as yet another button was pressed.

A low beeping surrounded the ship as everybody looked up and noticed the hull beginning to lower itself. Slowly the arch split in two, carefully tucking the fin inside, and slid easily into the pockets of each side of the Track One. In less than a minute, the entire airship had now turned into a boat with a crew that was ready to take on anything. They unbuckled their safety belts and wandered around the deck, marveling at this new achievement while Clyde set the controls on autopilot.

It was obvious that Stephanie was more than impressed as she chuckled and held Clyde tightly around his waist. She put her head against his with a smile and kissed his cheek repeatedly.

"Go ahead." He said almost smugly. "You can say it."

"You're a genius." She kissed him again.

"Clyde…" A very proud Sportacus stepped over to the two and put a hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Good job. Very good job."

"Thanks, uncle Sporty."

After they took their time to admire the scenery, Stephanie stood at the back of the ship and placed her hands on the edge with her gaze directly pointed at the calm body of water. She closed her eyes and felt the breeze blow against her face as the two amulets dangled from her neck. She couldn't sense a thing but knew the third amulet had to be under there somewhere, waiting for them to find it.

Meanwhile, Sportacus paced around the ship with an uneasy feeling in his gut. For the most part, it came from anticipation in hopes that they would find the amulet in time. He also felt like somebody was watching them. Staring at them from across the water, within the bushes as they moved gently with the wind. When suddenly…

"Geez, you look more nervous than a turkey around Thanksgiving."

"Robbie…" He almost winced. "What do you want?"

"Oh nothing." He casually leaned against the edge. "Just hanging out. Relaxing. I know that's hard for you to do sometimes. But hey! At least I can take some comfort knowing there's one thing I'm better at than you!"

"Whatever you say, Robbie."

"Mm-hmm." He nodded. "It's actually kind of nice to get out, I have to admit. I guess you were really onto something all these years."

"I guess so."

"So…" He crossed his arms with a sneaky look in his eye. "Anything you want to tell me, Sportac-c-c… Uhh, Buddy?"

"Buddy?" He turned and looked at Robbie's goofy expression. "Like what?"

"Oh, nothing."

"…Right."

"Yeah."

There was a pause. Sportacus kept looking around, possibly for something that wasn't even there while Robbie fidgeted as his bottom lip trembled with impatience. Finally, he stood up and faced his problem.

"All right, Sportakook!" He said. "I'm sick and tired of this! It's time we had a talk."

"Not here, Robbie." He sighed as his fears were finally coming true. "Anywhere but here."

"Oh no." Rottenella watched from the sides. "I better go do something."

"Uno momento." Salazar stopped her. "Let's see what he has to say."

"But--"

"Calm yourself. Everything will be fine."

Sportacus shook his head. "Robbie, I really don't want to deal with this right now."

"Then when?" He growled. "You can't keep running away from it. Things have changed now, Sportadoofus! We're playing a whole new ballgame here."

"I'm not running from anything, Robbie."

"So you're willing to come to terms with the truth?"

"What truth?"

"Don't play games with me, bro."

"Don't call me that."

There was another pause. Robbie just scoffed. "You still can't do it, can you?"

"I don't believe it."

"Sure you do. You just don't want to."

"There's no proof. The story doesn't make sense."

"What about my journal? The record I've been keeping about all my crazy dreams? The most recurring one involves me in a spinning room until there's a loud crash and I wind up in the orphanage. Think about it, Sportadorka! It makes sense why all these years my lair was actually an airship! Why I was adopted by a foster family and never knew my real parents. Until recently, that is…"

"They're not your parents."

"The hell they're not!"

"We're not related, Robbie."

"Your mom and dad matched our DNA! Our mom and dad!"

Robbie's voice aroused attention as they all turned to see the two standing in the middle of the ship exchanging words. Stephanie sighed and approached the two, stepping in between the two.

"Sportacus! Robbie!" She said in a firm voice. "Stop it. You're brothers. Act like it."

"He won't listen!" Robbie pouted like a baby. "Tell him I'm right, Pinky!"

"Don't bring Stephanie into this, Robbie."

"You're not giving me much of a choice here, Sporta-c-c-c-" He stuttered. "Sporta-c-c-c…"

"What was that?"

"I said Sporta-c-c-c--aww hell!" He kicked the wall and walked away. "Whether you like it or not, Sportamonkey, we're on the same side now! And we're definitely related!"

Moments passed and not a word was said. The awkwardness was far too great to comprehend so everyone tried to keep their minds focused on something else without saying anything to offend or add fuel to the fire. Stephanie continued focusing on the river as they continually passed through it when she suddenly remembered something. It was hanging there in the back of her mind the whole time but she was unable to put her finger on it. Now it was a matter of the utmost importance that she got Clyde's attention.

"Clyde!" She ran over to the pilot's seat. "We need to turn around!"

"What for?" He asked before he too suddenly remembered. "…Oh crap. Now I remember!"

"What? What is it?" Stingy was in a panic again.

Pixel looked at his scanners and gulped. "Uhh, guys? Why didn't you mention this before?"

"I know! I know! Sorry!" Stephanie shrieked. "Clyde?"

"I'm on it!" He started adjusting the controls. "It's gonna take a while!"

Ziggy noticed the current getting a little heavy. "Hey, what is this? Why's the water moving so fast all of a sudden?"

Trixie knew immediately and wasn't sure if she should laugh or cringe with fear. "Ziggy, do yourself a favor."

"What?"

"Strap yourself in and close your eyes."

Ziggy turned and noticed Stingy was already ahead of him then decided to follow his example. Salazar and Amelie felt the current picking up as well and looked across at the foaming edge of the river before them.

"A waterfall!?" Amelie gasped. "You did not say anything about a waterfall, Stephanie!"

"How many times do I have to say my bad!?" She griped as she helped Clyde work the controls.

The beeping returned and this time the hull was rising once again to prepare for the massive fall that was inevitable for the crew of the Track One. They scrambled back to their seats and strapped themselves in, gently rocking against the fast current. With an almost maniacal feeling of anticipation, Clyde laughed himself silly as he made a hard right towards the edge of the river.

"Clyde!" Stephanie closed her eyes.

"Computer! Let's lighten the mood!"

The music was loud enough to drown out the noise of the water surrounding them and at the same time, soothing enough to calm them down.

"Ready to go down?" Clyde looked over to his girlfriend as she studied the radar screen.

With a smile she nodded. "Let's do it."

I don't know why I love her like I do. All the changes you put me through. Take my money, my cigarettes.
I haven't seen the worst of it yet.
I wanna know that you'll tell me.
I love to stay.

"Here we go!" Clyde laughed again as the airship fell along the tide and nosedived into the water.

After a massive splash that rocked the entire cabin, Clyde weighed himself down on the controls and kept the direction forward. "All right, this is it! We're going down!"

Take me to the river, drop me in the water.
Take me to the river, dip me in the water.
Washing me down, washing me down.

The button was pressed and in an instant, the computer's voice chimed. "Initiating submergence. Now descending."

The water fizzed and gurgled as the Track One slowly lowered into the abyss, the waterfall still attacking it from the top. The passengers rocked gently against the pounding and sat quietly in the red light that was now illuminating the interior. Clyde and Stephanie worked the controls with ease and moved along to the music to try and keep themselves and the others calm.

I don't know why you treat me so bad.
Think of all the things we could have had.
Love is an ocean that I can't forget.
My sweet sixteen I would never regret.

The computer hummed again, "Descent at 60 percent. Adjusting side fins." The ship was now shaking harder than ever, alarming everyone onboard.

"Ya hear that!? It's adjusting side fins!" Stingy screamed. "We're gonna die! We're gonna die, I tell you! DIE!!"

"Stingy, calm down!" Trixie held his hand tightly. "We're going to be okay! Clyde knows what he's doing!"

"Actually, it's my first attempt!" Clyde laughed maniacally as he shook up and down in his seat.

"Clyde, baby?" Stephanie grinned as she too rocked in place. "You want to tone it down just a bit? You're scaring Stingy."

I wanna know that you'll tell me.
I love to stay.
Take me to the river, drop me in the water.
Push me in the river, dip me in the water.
Washing me down, washing me.

"Is it supposed to be this rough!?" Salazar's voice rattled with his body. "My butt's getting sore!"

"I'm getting a headache!" Pixel moaned.

"I'm getting sick!" Amelie whined.

"I'm getting diarrhea!" Ziggy added.

"From this!?"

"Just thought I'd share!"

"Almost there now…" Clyde wiped the sweat from his brow. "Just a little more… that's it, good… come on, baby… you can do it…"

Hug me, squeeze me, love me, tease me.
Till I can't, till I can't, till I can't take no more of it.
Take me to the water, drop me in the river.
Push me in the water, drop me in the river.
Washing me down, washing me down.

Once the shaking finally stopped, the voice of the Track One spoke yet again, "We are now fully underwater. Estimated depth is at 15 feet. Ship thrusters are now activated and maintained at impulse speed. Vomit bags and antacids are located under your seats."

"Oh, je vous remercie Computer…" Amelie sighed as she reached for her baggie. f

The view was simply breathtaking for the crew of the Track One as they witnessed all the wondrous things floating underwater from the arched window panes. Schools of small fish passed them by and caves hidden in the corners were illuminated by the headlights, scaring away more and more aquatic life. As they approached a jagged cliff sticking up from the ground, the amulets dangling from Stephanie's neck began to glow.

"What the…" She felt the energy pulsating within her. "…You guys? I think we're here."

"We are?" Clyde looked at her. "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

Just then, the two gems lit up even brighter and formed a beam with their combined magic that darted harmlessly through the window and towards the spiky crag before them. It was now burning with a thin blue light that was clearly visible to Stephanie and her friends.

"It's somewhere on that pillar." She concluded. "Time to go to work."

"Computer." Clyde started. "Hydrosuits."

"Hydro-what?" Trixie raised an eyebrow.

The wall panel in the back turned over to reveal four gray and white suits in a protective fabric complete with gloves, boots and helmet. Stephanie, Sportacus, Pixel and Clyde walked over and grabbed their suits until Clyde stepped back and thought for a moment.

"What is it?" His uncle asked.

"Somebody has to stay and control the ship."

"Just leave it on auto." Suggested Stephanie.

"It's a little different underwater, Steph. I haven't quite worked out the mechanics just yet and I don't want to risk damaging it."

"I'll go!" Robbie volunteered. "I'll help you guys out!"

"No." Sportacus shook his head.

"Sportacus, come on." Stephanie pleaded. "We might need him. He is taller than all of us."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I don't know. I'm just trying to make him feel important."

"Oh."

"I'm right here, you know!" Robbie frowned.

He looked at his nephew, who nodded approvingly, and sighed heavily. "All right. But don't do anything unless I tell you."

"Hey! I don't have to take orders from you! If I remember correctly, I'm the older brother!"

Sportacus got in his face and repeated himself firmly. "Don't. Do. Anything."

"…Ha ha." He gulped. "You're the boss!"

Once they were suited up, Robbie gave his future bride a quick kiss on the lips and headed into the decompression chamber next to Pixel and Sportacus. Stephanie carefully tucked the amulets into the pouch of her glove and kissed her boyfriend lovingly and almost excitedly.

"I'll be behind you every step of the way." He smiled at her.

"Good." She smiled back, giving him one last kiss before heading into the chamber.

Stingy and Trixie watched them part ways and began to feel a sort of tension rising within them. They slowly turned their heads and exchanged glances awkwardly before turning back away and staring into nothingness.

"They sure are cute together…" Trixie finally said. "…Don't you think?"

"Huh? Well, uhh…" He cleared his throat. "Yeah, I guess… I mean if you're into that sort of thing…"

The chamber hissed and opened up, sending the four scouts out into the wild blue yonder. The ship's computer then locked onto their position and displayed their location on the radar screen.

"Where'd you get the suits?" Rottenella asked Clyde, who sat with a close eye on his monitor.

"It's something Pixel and I came up with. They're like scuba suits only more advanced and harder to tear through. The air tanks are built inside and spread out like a nervous system, making it a lot easier for them to move around. The gloves have a built in keypad that can activate several features the suits come with."

"Like what?"

"Gravity boots, for one. High intensity lasers that can cut through rock and metal. It can also activate the retrorockets located in the boots in case someone gets in a bind."

"Wow."

"I know. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Actually I was going to say you and Pixel are a couple of nerds but yeah. I guess they are kind of cool."

Clyde just looked at her. "Hey, I wouldn't be talking. Your fiancé fits in the same category as us."

"My fiancé? You mean your uncle."

"Yeah, that too. My…" His eyes widened. "Whoa… creepy."

Far from the floating airship, the four LazyTowners walked along the rocky path of the river bottom with the specially designed boots Clyde had provided them with. The whole time, Robbie walked behind his brother with a smug look on his face and waited for the blue sports elf to finally concede and admit the truth. No such luck, however, as they were now standing in front of the stonewall that towered above them.

"It's here, all right." Stephanie nodded. "I can feel its presence."

"Where exactly, Stephanie?" Sportacus asked, turning his attention to Pixel. "Pixel? You found something?"

"I'm scanning." He said, keeping his view on his wrist monitor. "Yup. I'm definitely picking up something here."

"So what do we do, Poodle?" Robbie grumbled. "Dig?"

"Sure, we can do that." He said as he activated his laser. "Or we can carve our way through."

They all nodded and activated their laser systems, pointing at the rock and blasting away in an organized fashion. Chunks of rock and dirt began to merge with the smoke and form a swirling ball of dark water that impaired their view. Once they stopped and the swirling black ball dissolved, the gold amulet was now in plain view, wedged in between the foundations. Pixel tried to laser his way through again but to no avail. Stephanie, however, had a plan of her own.

"Step back." She said as she pulled out the Earth amulet. In an instant, the green light reignited and spread itself throughout every corner, wrinkle and crack on the wall. It was apparent that the ground was now terraforming before them and Stephanie was the cause of it all.

Once the pillar shattered completely, throwing the amulet across the water, the rest of the foundations crumbled to the ground and dissolved into pure ash. Stephanie activated the retros on her boots and launched herself backwards, reaching out and catching her prize with ease.

"Got it!" She exclaimed with joy.

Everyone in the ship cheered for their gal Steph and applauded as they waited for the four to return. Moments later, after the Track One had resurfaced and lowered its hulls again, the crew surrounded a very gleeful Stephanie, who held out the new amulet to the sky victoriously.

"I knew you could do it, Steph!" Trixie hugged her friend.

"Thanks, guys!" She giggled.

"Now what?" Salazar asked. "We head back home?"

"That's the idea." Sportacus nodded before he stopped for a minute and turned around to look across the river. The bushes on the plain before them were blowing again but not as they were before. An uneasy feeling was swelling up inside him again. "Wait a minute… Something's definitely not right."

"What is it?" Trixie asked as she, Stephanie and Salazar approached him. "Is something wrong, Sportacus?"

"I don't know…"

"For God's sake, tell us man." Salazar pleaded. "What is it? Do you think--"

Salazar was silenced immediately when, from out of nowhere, a blade pierced through his chest and caught the crew's attention. The Spaniard gasped at the sight before him and passed out, dropping to the floor with the blade still attached.

"A knife to the back…" A voice said before a blur of colors materialized in thin air before forming a full figure dressed in pure black. "…If you ask me, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."

"No…" Amelie kneeled before her fallen companion.

Stephanie and her friends stepped back and knew who it was they were dealing with now. The pink-haired girl balled up her fist and stared her enemy straight in the eye and muttered his name with nothing but anger and malice in her voice:

"Chameleon."

A/N: I was cold. I was hot. I was somewhere in between but I couldn't quite figure it out. First the headaches. Then the queasiness. Dizziness soon followed and then I had the coughing, which then evolved into a sore throat. A broken limb would have sufficed. Or another damaged knee at least. Give me pain! Give me suffering! Give me death! Anything but a sore throat!

I slept, knowing I had promised to update. The guilt drove me to madness. I was soaring in outer space, bumping into the Enterprise, swiping Shatner's wig and was on my way to the pearly gates when the ghost of Elvis held me close in his bosom. He said to me, "Would you like a peanut butter and banana sandwich?" And I said, "Hold the bacon, toss me a Snapple and you've got yourself a deal!"

And then… I woke up. Feeling slightly better, save for the occasional headache and the demonic sore throat, I rushed to my computer and vowed to update my story even if it killed me. Three hours later, after the doctors brought me back to life, I returned home and did what I promised, despite the fact I was a day or two late. They told me it was food poisoning. But what do they know? Everything, apparently. Since they're doctors and all. Oh well. At least I did what I said I'd do! Now if you'll excuse me, I have 2 full pounds of lozenges to consume.

Song:

Take Me To The River by Talking Heads