Chapter 3

Pixel was glad to see Sportacus and said that he couldn't find Stephanie. Sportacus' crystal was going crazy and he saw in it Stephanie's lifeless body. He said nothing to Pixel and dove back beneath the surface. Sportacus found Stephanie and pulled her back to the surface. He then put her in the raft and the group made their way back to Pixel's house.

Robbie had managed to find higher ground and removed his mask. He could see that it was clearing up to the north but continued to scan the horizon for Sportacus. Robbie had missed what had happened after Sportacus fell into the water. It was still raining but it had slowed down and the wind had dropped considerably. Only the sun could clean up this mess. Robbie put his mask back on and began to dogpaddle to Town Hall.

When they arrived at Pixel's house Sportacus grabbed up Stephanie and checked if she was breathing. She was but it was very shallow. Sportacus didn't want to scare the rest of the kids and told them to go see what they could do about the water on the first floor.

The water hadn't gone down but since the rain slowed the kids tried to think of a way to get rid of the water. However, no one could focus. They were too worried about Stephanie. Then Sportacus suddenly came downstairs, grabbed Pixel, and went back up.

"Pixel, I need you to look after Stephanie. My crystal beeped and I have to go save the Mayor and Miss Busybody. I hate to leave but I have to help them. Keep your eyes on her and if she wakes up make sure that she doesn't move a lot." Sportacus explained.

"But..." Pixel stammered.

"I need you to help me. I can count on you right?"

"Yes." Pixel replied.

Sportacus took off in the raft and left Pixel. Pixel sat next to Stephanie and was absolutely beside himself. Ever since he laid his eyes on her he knew that he liked her. He had always been afraid to voice this and had told no one. Now she needed him and all he could do was sit there.

Sportacus arrived at the Mayor's house and picked up Milford and Bessie. He rowed to the Town Hall and dropped them off. He told them he would bring the rest of the kids over and promised to be back as soon as possible. Sportacus didn't tell the Mayor about Stephanie. He didn't even know where to start. He left before they could ask any questions.

Pixel sat next to Stephanie and held her cold clammy hand. Her breathing was a little better but not much. Pixel thought he was about to cry when there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" he whispered.

"It's me." Trixie said.

Pixel opened the door and came out. Trixie told him that Sportacus was taking Stingy, Ziggy, and herself to the Town Hall. Pixel said that he would stay here until Sportacus came back. Trixie turned and slowly went downstairs. Pixel returned to Stephanie's side and looked around. He started to spill his feelings when there was another knock on the door. Pixel answered it and found Ziggy standing there.

"I thought you went with Sportacus." Pixel said.

"I just came to say we are leaving now. Sportacus says he'll be back in about ten minutes." Ziggy answered.

"Ok. I'll see you later." Pixel said and closed the door.

He went back to Stephanie and looked around the room to make sure it was empty. Finally, with no one around, he did one of the hardest things he would have to do and spilled his feelings for Stephanie.

Robbie had made it to Town Hall before Sportacus, Bessie, and the Mayor. He removed his mask and air tank and went to the telephone. He picked it up but there was no dial tone. Robbie then flicked the light switch and nothing happened. Frustrated he went to the closet and pulled out a towel and dried himself off. Then he heard Sportacus approaching with the Mayor and Bessie. Robbie hid inside the closet and waited for them to enter the building. After Sportacus left to get Trixie, Stingy, and Ziggy Robbie snuck out of the closet.

Sportacus said very little on the way to Town Hall with the three kids. They didn't even try to make conversation. The only thing Sportacus said to them was not to say anything about Stephanie to the Mayor or Bessie. He told them that he would explain to the Mayor when they brought her over. The kids got out at the Town Hall and said goodbye. They then tried to put on good faces for the Mayor and Bessie.

Sportacus made his way to Pixel's and tried to think of what to say to the Mayor. The only doctor in LazyTown had gone on vacation until Monday, which was still three days away. Stephanie's best chance was to go to the nearest hospital. That however was twenty miles away in the capital. The airship was only about five miles away. The last fifteen miles would be nothing in the airship. Sportacus arrived at Pixel's and quickly went upstairs.

Pixel didn't hear Sportacus approach as he continued to tell Stephanie how he felt. Sportacus said nothing until Pixel had finished. He asked how she was doing and Pixel said about the same. The two of them put her into the raft and made their way to Town Hall.

While they were gone, Robbie surprised the Mayor, Bessie, and the kids. He locked the kids in the closet and tied up the Mayor and Bessie. Robbie then set the trap for Sportacus.

Unaware of the impending danger, Sportacus and Pixel made their way to Town Hall slowly. Then Sportacus' crystal beeped and he saw what was going on. He turned to Pixel and said that he should take Stephanie to the airship instead of Town Hall. Pixel gave him a strange look but did as he was told. Sportacus gave him directions and Pixel took the raft and made his way to the airship. Sportacus turned and swam toward the Town Hall.