Chapter 2

Grong vs. Strongbad

It was the middle of the night. Slowly, across Strongbads living room, a shadow crept around. At that same time Grong had gotten up to get a drink of water. The shadow entered Grong's bedroom. The shadow stared at the dry erase calendar for the month of February. He looked at the thumbtack board that had assignments, pictures, and paychecks. The shadow looked at Grong's laptop, which was flashing in standby. He then looked at the bed. The shadow took out a knife and began stabbing the bed like a ringwraith.

At that moment, Grong came back into the room and saw a shadow stabbing his bed. Instantly Grong turned on the light. He then saw Strongbad stabbing his futon with a knife.

Grong whipped around into a spinning jump kick. His legs wrapped around Strongbads neck and threw him to the ground. Strongbad fumbled to get his knife. He got back up swinging. Grong backfilpped into the wall, and pushed back as a lizardman torpedo and landed right in Strongbads gut. He dropped his knife and clutched his stomach in pain.

Grong picked it up and pocketed it. "I wouldn't try that again any time soon." He said. Strongbad fell on his face and became unconscious. A loud voice came out of nowhere: KO! Perfect! Grong looked around to find the voice, and then picked up Strongbad. He went into the basement and tossed him on the couch. Grong went back to his room and locked the door.

The next morning Strongbad was bruised all over. Grong didn't say anything. Strongbad was mumbling something about Grong being a son of a bitch, but other than that breakfast. Just then Grong broke the silence. "I had an unsettling night last night. Apparently" he looked over at Strongbad "somebody doesn't want me here. I can say that if these events don't stop, I'll do something much worse than bruise you." With that, Grong left the room.

A few hours later, Grong was walking through the park. He wanted to take the scenic route and look at natures wonder. He stopped by a statue of the town's founder. Grong walked over and read the plaque on it. Behind the marble block it was on, Strongbad and Strongmad were plotting another attack. "Okay big bro, you go to create a diversion, and then I'll come behind him. We'll catch him in a pincer tactic. He won't be able to attack."

"I WILL DO MY-"Strongmad yelled.

"Shhh!"

"SORRY"

"Never mind. Just go."

Grong looked up just to see Strongmad jumping at him. He bent over to crouch and charged up a powerful blow. His clenched fists glowed red, flaring with energy. When Strongmad got to his chokepoint, Grong struck. It was a lightning fast movement and passed right through Strongmad's crotch region. He howled in pain and fell to the ground before he could have even yelled a battle cry. He tried to catch his breath but failed. Strongmad departed into unconsciousness.

Before Strongbad could see if Strongmad was doing his part of the job, a fist plowed into his face. The surprise of the hit and the force toppled him instantly. Before Strongbad also was KOed he heard Grongs voice "Try that again, and I will pull off your mask!" A wave of fear flowed over Strongbad as he fell unconscious.

Strongbad woke up, or kind of woke up. He was floating in a blue liquid that looked like water. When he tried to breathe, he took in oxygen. He swam around until he found some solid ground. It was a perfect circle. Just as he regained his balance a figure appeared. It was Grong. Strongbad jumped at him but Grong moved away. His legs diddint move, but his body did. A trail of a blurred version of Grong's body showed his path.

Strongbad tried again, and got some luck. He grabbed a part of his shirt and stopped his movement. He took out a mean looking dagger and thrust it into Grong. His blood poured out, stinging like acid on Strongbad. Melting away his body. Melting away his soul.

Strongbad cried out in pain and woke up. A bunch of doctors tried to calm him saying "Mr. Bad please control yourself." Slowly, Strongbad regained his consciousness and thought. It was just a dream he thought. Just a dream. He felt a sharp needle stick his arm, and he fell unconscious again. He fell back into a dreamless sleep.

Grong was eating over at marzipans one night. Marzipan was rushing between there and the kitchen. Homestar was lying on the couch sleeping with a spilled cold one on the floor. The drink had caused a stain in the carpet. When Marzipan saw this she was horrified at the stain but Grong said he could clean it up later.

About afterahalf hour of cleaning, it was time for dinner. It was Marzipans favorite: Boca burgers. Homestar took a bite but spat it back out and went for the salad. Grong and Marzipan were eating their burgers ferociously. Homestar just stared at his plate. Grong said "You know, Strongbad is very aggressive towards me."

Marzipan answered "Well, you did move in without his permission. It was his house."

Homestar looked up. He stood up and said "Drinks all around!" he belched and left the room. He looked back and said "Hey Mawzipan, Strongbad is here?"

Marzipan gasped and said "Don't let him in!"

Homestar called back "Come on in, I was just about to get a cold one."

Strongbad leapt in and jumped on Grong. He was so surprised to see him that he accidentally grabbed a fork instead of a knife. Grong made a few fake moves to attack. Strongbad flinched on all of them. Finally he tired of the useless battle and stabbed him in the arm. Strongbad sighed, pulled out the fork and threw it across the room. "It's no fun fighting you anymore."

Grong made a motion and Marzipan reluctantly put the tablecloth over Strongbad. Grong tied the knot and threw the bag in front of Strongbads house. He put a tag on it that said 'To Strongsad, you will know what to do'. He rang the doorbell and ran like heck back to Marzipans.

As Grong walked in he hung up his jacket. Marzipan put it back on him. "You will need to go back for your stuff." She said.

"Why! I had a home!" He yelled. With that he fell on his knees and began to cry. "I could've made something of my life!" Marzipan hushed him.

"You can stay here. I have an extra bedroom."

Grong looked up. A small smile came across his face. "Really?"

"Really."

"Then I'll call Strongsad so he can get my stuff ready for me and –" Marzipan opened a door to his room and all his stuff was there.

Grong was totally amazed! "What the- How did you-" All of a sudden Marzipan leaned over and began to kiss him. All of a sudden, Grong realized why he had really been asked to come here. He slowly began to give in to the power of the kiss. There was no turning back now. At that moment, a voice was heard in the kitchen. The perfect moment ended. The red background with all the hearts and flowers faded.

It was Homestar. "Hey Marzipan, do you have any cold ones?"

Marzipan, angry from the loss of the perfect kiss, said "Oh it's in the fridge in the basement!"

Marzipan looked back up; she said "Where were we?"

The flowery background came up again and they resumed the make out. Nothing could separate them now. Except Homestar.