Sportacus awoke on the floor of the airship, at first he wondered why he was there, until he saw Rebecca on his bed in nothing but a black lacy underwear set. He was a little suprised he felt absolutely nothing. Don't get him wrong he loved Sophie with all his heart but Rebecca isn't exactly unattractive, but as he got up he realised he felt nothing at all.Slipping into the shower he got himself ready and into his tracksuit. There was no point him wearing his hero uniform if he wasn't going to be here. The crystal wouldn't work the minute he was out of Lazy Town airspace. Rebecca woke a little while later and went into the bathroom. He stared at the wall wondering if Sophie and Stephanie were awake yet. Knowing he didn't have time to go and see them he sighed and turned as he heard Rebecca call him.
' Sportacus, I've forgotten my toothbrush may I borrow yours?' He looked at her beweildered, he shook his head and got her a new one she could keep. He always kept spares after he ended up using his to help save Ziggy one day from choking on his favourite candy.
A little while later they sat in the control seats. He started up the engine, looked down at the house one more time and sped off towards Technopolis, feeling uneasy the entire way. They arrived within the hour and he asked his computer to send a message to his girl saying he loved her more than anything in the world and couldn't wait to be back in her arms. He and Rebecca found her parents and made their way to the expo.
Robbie was frustrated. He had overslept because he had been up late working on an invention. Therefore he was tired and grumpy. He noticed the blue elf had already left for his day trip to the other city and decided he would venture uptop and visit Sparkle. It would be nice to spend the day with her just them. He got to the house but stopped, the door was wide open, that wasn't like her, she always locked it if she went out. Cautiously he walked round the house calling her name. hmph, maybe she's gone for a run and was being careless today. I'll check back on her later.
Darkness. That's all Sophie could see. She felt numb. Not quite conscious but not quite unconscious either. Kind of in between. She couldnt move her arms and and couldnt open her eyes. She heard a slight rumble and thought she was in a car. She heard a screech and a shout before she blacked out again.
Sportacus had been feeling antsy all day. Rebecca's parents were lovely and the expo had lots of things going on but he felt something was wrong. Every time he went to pop into the airship to see if Sophie had messaged him back he got sidetracked with something else.
Robbie wasn't just grumpy now, he was downright cross. He had stayed uptop sat on Sparkles porch swing waiting for her to come back for almost 3 hours now. How could she be so careless as to leave her door wide open if she knew she would take so long? where the hell is she?! Maybe she had gone alone with the elf after all.As he got up to go back down into his lair he saw the pink cheerleader. Knowing she had stayed the night before he walked up to her and plonked her on the head (gently of course!)
'Hey Shortie, have you seen your sister? Did she go with Sportacook in the end?' Stephanie grinned at his nickname but frowned when she thought about his question.
' Not since this morning Robbie, she walked me home and then said she needed to post something.' Robbie frowned, something didn't feel right.'
'alright if you see her tell her to get her sorry but down to see me alright.'
He went back down to his lab and looked through his periscopes to see if he could find her.
Where am I?
that was the only thought Sophie could string together in her mind, she still couldn't open her eyes. Her limbs felt weak and her chest felt tight. she couldnt even hear herself breathe. Am I dead? she thought before darkness claimed her again.
Trixie had been finishing her run, at 13 years old, despite being a self proclaimed tomboy she did like to stay in shape. She decided to shave 10 minutes off her route home by cutting through the woods on the side of town. Keeping a steady pace she ran, until she fell flat on her face. Sitting up and wondering what the hell she had tripped on she saw a little yellow handbag. The same handbag that Sophie Meanswell always carried with her. Trixie wasn't as smart as Pixel or Stephanie but even she knew that something didnt feel right. she ummed and ahhed. Sportacus is out of town so I can't ask him for help, I wonder where Sophie is, surely she wouldn't leave her bag in a place like this? all her things are inside, her keys, her purse, her keyring of her and Robbie sat on the porch... wait Robbie! Everybody knows he cares about her, he's bound to know where she is! Now where is his lair? I can't remember the last time I went there..' with that she took off in the direction of the big cow billboard. Arriving in minutes she banged loudly on the lid of his tunnel.
BANG BANG BANG
Robbie was furious. Not only had he not found Sparkle, here she was now banging to be let in what did she take him for! Grumbling and making his way to his door he stopped short when he saw Trickster, pix? whatever the girls name was in front of him looking slightly out of breathe.
'what do you want and why are you being so loud?!'
' Robbie have you seen Sophie?' He stopped and looked at her.
' No why?'
'I found her bag in the woods near the postbox, I don't know why it was there but I thought you might know where she is so I could return it.' Robbie froze, it was then he noticed she was holding the bag out to him, with a quick glance he could see her phone, keys and wallet. Nothing she would leave home without let alone leave in the woods! a message from the elf was flashing up on the screen. He clicked read:
I'm sorry I didn't get to see you this morning my girl, I can't wait to see you tonight. I love you always. Blue xxxShit! she hasn't gone with him after all! But where is she! Robbie was panicking inside, where the hell could she be. Taking the bag he rushed off back to her house, Trixie following I'm his wake. Nothing was out of place, there hadn't been a struggle. Nothing.
' Girl, go gather everyone, Get the Mayor to call the police. Sparkle is missing.' Trixies eyes widened and she bolted out the door and to the Town Hall.
Robbie stood still, his fists and eyes clenched painfully. They've done it again! finally we thought we could let our guard down and now she's gone!'Just then he heard the sirens of police cars and the Mayor rushed into the house puffing and huffing having ran from the other side of the park. Robbie looked into his eyes and said
' She gone'
Milford slid to his knees. He couldn't believe his oldest niece was gone again. She wouldn't just leave, she must have been taken! But where and why didnt Sportacus help! Wait! Sportacus! He isn't here is he, he needs to be told!
As if reading the Mayor's mind Robbie took out his cellphone and called the airship, all he got was the automated message saying he was unavailable. He decided to call Rebecca, she can get the message to the blue elf.
ring ring, ring ring,'Hello'' Rebecca, we have a problem, Sparkles missing.'
'Oh god! i'll let Sportacus know!' And with that the line went dead. Robbie frowned, that's was just weird. He shook it off, he had other things to think about.
Sportacus saw Rebecca snap her phone shut and look around.
'everything okay? ' He asked, the unease in his heart still not having gone.
' oh? yes of course, are you ready for the next conference session? it should be quite interesting...' and she prattled on leaving Sportacus to sigh and plaster on a fake smile.
Hours went by, Robbie had scouted the entire woods with the police forensic team and all they could find was a shoe print roughly a size 10 and quite obviously a males. Everything else came up dry. Pixel was using his high tech gadgets to analyse the print but also scrolling through today's worth of security footage on his town cameras. He came up empty. They saw her shoot out of the house about 20 minutes after Sportacus's airship had left and into the woods. But she didnt come out again. Unfortunately the camera on the other side of the woods had been vandalised a week before and hadn't yet been replaced. Robbie hit his fist on the table in frustration. Come on Sparkle, Hang in there.
Once the Expo had finished Sportacus was anxious to get home and see Sophie. The feeling of unease had stayed with him the entire day and made itself more known when he saw the increased active in Lazy Town. He rushed out onto the platform and down the ladder. He looked around, the police were everywhere, Robbie was stalking towards him and he looked pissed.
'Robbie what's...' SMACK! Robbie had punched him! He fell backwards in shock, blood spurting from his nose .
'you heartless bastard!'
'Robbie will you tell me what the hell is going on!, why did you punch me!'
'Why did I punch your? WHY DID I PUNCH YOU? I rang you 4 hours ago telling you your girlfriend was missing and you ignored her to stay with this floozy instead! I TOLD YOU I WOULD KILL YOU IF YOU HURT HER!'
Robbie launched at him, but Sportscus just stood there in shock Missing? Missing? how could she be missing!' Pushing Robbie off him he raced into the house, hoping this was some terrible prank. ataking in the scen of forensics being taken in their house he slowly turned to where Robbie was clearly fighting not to punch him again.
'what do you mean you rang me? I wasn't in the airship.'Robbie paused, He turned to see Rebecca standing outside and marched towards her, holding her by the front of her blouse and growled
' You didn't fucking tell him!' Sportacus was about to ask what when it clicked, the phonecall from earlier.
'Why didn't you tell me my girlfriend was missing!' Rebecca looked frightened, she jad never seen him so angry before. She stuttered out
' I.. I thought he was making it up to get you back here. I.. I knew she really felt uncomfortable you spending the day with me so I thought they had cooked up a plan to cut it short. I just wanting to spend time with you!'
' THAT WASNT YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE! MY GIRLFRIEND HAS BEEN MISSING FOR HOURS AND YOURE TOO SELFISH TO CARE!' Sportacus was shaking in anger, He knew if he didn't calm down he would do something he would regret. Robbie, seeing this, and knowing it genuinely wasn't the elfs fault he didn't come back stepped up to him and pulled the blue man into a hug. Sportacus brought his arms up and gripped the back of his shirt tightly. With a start Robbie realised he was crying. He held him, and glared qt anybody who looked at them funny. This was about their Sparkle, and he be damned if he let them be bastards.
'CHIEF WE GOT SOMETHING!'
Sophie had no concept of timShe didnt know how long since she had been in the woods. Didn't know where she was or who was there with her. Her senses were slowly coming to her, a little at a time. Se could feel wet ground against her left cheek. I must be on my front come on, try and move. open your eyes dammit! She didn't have the strength and drifted off to sleep again.
'CHIEF WE GOT SOMETHING'
All heads snapped up to the officer that was bolting towards them, an evidence bag held in front of him. Sportacus and Robbie were the first to meet him, gently taking the nag Robbie inspected the needle inside. Silently passing it over to Pixel, who had clearance to run tests for the investigation, He took Sportacus's shoulder and steered him into the house. Before he slammed the door in their faces he turned and said to the Chief Inspector
' Arrest that bitch for accessory and deliberating obstruction of an investigation.' SLAM!
