Chapter 2: Big trouble

Two weeks prior to Usa's arrival, things begin to stir in the most unusual way. Sportacus isn't really paying much attention to anything but Usa. Stephanie is worried about how things changed a bit when Usa arrived and the other kids are just amazed at how well Usa can beat Sportacus at every game known to man and mankind. Robbie is still recovering from the blow to the head from Usa's baseball bat. He's lucky that it wasn't metal. He also tries to figure out how to get rids of Sportacus then another idea comes to mind.

On the sports field, Stephanie and the others watch Usa beat Sportacus at a game of basketball until Robbie, disguised as a high bidder who bets on certain people, teams, and other things, appears. He interrupts the game when he catches the basketball and makes a very goofy grin. Usa stares at him oddly as the others just gasp. "I want to make a bet," Robbie says in a false southern voice. Usa gives a smug grin while the others just stare at him like he was crazy.

"What kind of bet?" Usa asks with that odd grin.

"I will bet on you," Robbie smiles. "If you win, not only will you be the best player in the world, but you get to have one wish. I'll even give you a special prize."

"Oh yay," Usa rolls her eyes. "All right. I'll play along. If I win, I get that prize and I want Sir Hop-a-lot to give up his title as hero of this town. And trust me. It's a sure win. What game shall we play?"

"Anything you wish," Robbie says.

"All righty then," Usa turns to face the others. "I want to play…volley ball."

"I got a bad feeling about this," Stephanie lowly says to Ziggy.

"What if he wins?" Usa points to Sportacus.

"Well," Robbie starts. "He will be the best player in all the world. He would also get the prize and the one wish. What would be your wish?"

"I don't know yet," Sportacus says. "I'll let you know when I win."

"If you win," Usa rolls her eyes.

"Okay then," Robbie walks away. "Let the game begin."

Usa nods her head as she follows and the others do the same. Stephanie begins to get concern about the situation and her train of thought is disrupted by Sportacus when he asks her what is wrong. She explains about her bad feeling and this gets Sportacus worrying as well. Usa has this huge grin on her face then realizes that once she wins, she knows something bad will happen. Robbie is too proud to realize that the two players are a bit concern now about what will happen during and after the game.

Just as the game begin, something distracts Usa and it keeps her from playing the game. The sky grows dark with black clouds and the wind begins to pick up. A bad feeling over comes Usa and a pain causes her to collapse onto the ground. The kids watch in shock as Sportacus quickly runs over to Usa. Robbie begins to panic when he realizes that Usa won't win. Sportacus tries to wake Usa up but seems to fail until she begins mumbling, "run, now." He tries to figure out what Usa just said then he decides to listen closely.

"Run, you fool," Usa faintly says.

"Why?" Sportacus asks. "Why run?"

"DEMON," Usa shouts as she jolts up, staring out into the distance. "RUN YOU FOOL."

"What about you?" Sportacus asks after he recovers from being pushed back.

"You idiot," Usa snares. "A demon comes and that means trouble. Big trouble. Get your bloody friends out of here. This is battle for someone like me."

"I will not leave you behind," Sportacus firmly says.

"Maybe you should have listened to the little lady," a demonic voice is heard behind Sportacus.

"Oh shit," Usa says. "Move."

Usa pushes Sportacus to the side and sends a blast of black energy at the snake-like demon. The demon swears at her in demon language and starts to attack her. Sportacus just sits there, watching Usa avoid the attacks until Stephanie runs up and tries to pull him away from the battle. Robbie runs away, in fear of being killed, and the other kids try to get Stephanie and Sportacus to do the same thing. Sportacus doesn't seem to respond to anything but the battle between Usa and the snake demon.

The snake demon raises his arms into the air and it begins to rain poison ness snakes. Usa notices Stephanie and Sportacus still there and she uses her own body as a shield to protect them. "Move it," she shouts, breaking Sportacus's trance. The two run off with the others but Stephanie stops to see if Usa is okay. Usa smirks evilly at the demon and her eyes glow dark red. The snakes biting her and the ones everywhere else that appeared because of the demon all burn to ash, scaring the demon a bit. Another demon, a rat demon, appears behind Usa and Stephanie screams out, "BEHIND YOU." Usa looks behind herself and watches the rat demon be kicked to the side. Usa smiles a bit to Sportacus.

"Thanks," Usa says. "I owe you one."

"Just get rid of them," Sportacus says.

"Got it," Usa grins then glares at the snake demon. "Why are you here? Did my father send you?"

"He wants the keys," the snake demon hisses.

"My house keys?" Usa looks confused. "Oh. The other keys. Well he can't have them. I only have one set."

"Not those keys, you idiot," the rat snares. "The keys to the realities."

"Forget it," Usa growls. "Tell daddy dearest to kiss my ass."

With that, Usa places her hands together toward the sky and a large, purple energy ball forms. She throws the energy ball into the air and hits it with her baseball bat, forcing the ball of energy to completely destroy the two demons. Right after that, Usa falls to her knees, exhausted from the huge amount of energy she used. Stephanie and the other kids run up to see if Usa is okay. Sportacus begins to wonder why Usa isn't affected by the poison from the snakes. He kneels down to her and asks, "Are you all right?" Usa just stares at him for a second then nods her head.

"I'll be fine," Usa says lowly. "Thanks for keeping that rat demon away."

"Anything for a friend," Sportacus stands and holds his hand out to Usa. "I want to know something."

"What?" Usa rudely says as she stands without help.

"Why weren't you instantly killed by those bites from the snakes?" Sportacus asks in a serious tone of voice. "And why were those demons after you?"

"I'm wondering that too," Stephanie says as the other kids nod in agreement.

"Well, I guess you do deserve an explanation," Usa nods her head with her arms crossed. "But I will at my place. Come on."