Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Lazy Town. They belong to their respective company of the same name. I am just borrowing the characters for this fan fiction. I only own Readsmore and Lidenbrock, but the name of the latter is somewhat inspired by Jules Verne's character from Journey to the Center of the Earth. My thanks to KrysSaiyan for her continued comments! Also my thanks to Amethyst11 on for her support of this story! Thanks to Kamikalo for introducing me to Lazytown by her great art and stories!
Behind the Crystal
Chapter 11 Breakfast and Bait
Nimrod and Sportacus managed to stop Ziggy from crashing down where he had climbed up into a tree. One of the squirrels had gotten hold of his favorite bag of peanut butter candies and was running with one corner of the bag in its mouth. Sportacus had used the skychaser to pedal down and try to catch Ziggy while Nimrod rescued the bag of treats.
Then Trixie had decided to shove her wagon down a long hill. No sooner had Sportacus helped Ziggy then Nimrod had raised his crossbow. A bolt shot out, zinging towards the wagon racing out of control. Out of the end of the bolt snaked a folded safety net. The tip of the arrow lodged in a tree. Another bolt he loosed shot out and jammed the axle of her wagon. Trixie flew out as it stopped abruptly, sailing headfirst into the net strung up that Nimrod was tying to a telephone pole on the other side of the path.
Sportacus put Ziggy down and rushed up to help Nimrod free a tangled Trixie from the flexible fibers of the net. It had snared her safely despite her shouts and protestations. Then came a safety lecture from both of them about taking unnecessary risks. Both heroes realized it was 8:07 and the end of a long day. A quick trip back and they returned to the airship.
Nimrod slung up a hammock for himself in a corner of the airship despite Sportacus offering him the use of the bed. He was willing to pull out a futon, but the Captain would not hear of it. Soon they were fast asleep and waiting for the next day. As Sportacus fell into slumber his thoughts centered on Gretchen and the connection between her and Stephanie. Worries about his young friend melted into dreams that were troubled.
The next day was a Sunday. Only one more day until school started again on Monday. Two villains munched decadent donuts and chocolate eclairs piled up on the table between them. Professor Drekspatz sat up on the edge of his chair, sipping at a cup of expresso. While Robbie Rotten was long and lean, he was plump and rotund. Graying hair receded from a balding but distinct hairline, and his neat plaid suit with pinstripe shirt gave him a dapper appearance. Steely gray eyes regarded his new collaborator with piercing scrutiny. His weakness was caffeine as well as sugar. A Coffebrewer 6000 sat on Robbie's workbench, next to a set of tools.
"What makes me even consider this was the villain's network traced my nemesis HERE. Of all the places for him to take a vacation he picks THIS middle of nowhere," Drekspatz grumbled. "This is the only piece of decent civilized living that isn't so blasted body fascist."
"Now you know what I put up having Sportanerd around. Tell me more about this arch nemesis of yours," Robbie said.
"He doesn't tend to flip about the place, but he can hide and jump out of any shadow. Those eyes and ears of his are sharp as a wild beast's. In addition, his aim is always on the mark. Nothing escapes his notice, and he never misses pinning me to the wall with those blasted arrows of his!" said Professor Drekspatz with a look of distaste. "He's ALWAYS pushing the need to improve your mind as WELL as this blasted healthy living."
"Humph I'd take shooting arrows over a bouncing blue elf for a change," Robbie muttered, flopping into his orange chair. The battered leather recliner had been popped out of a very tiny capsule like the other components that now littered Robbie Rotten's lair.
"I see you've done rather well for yourself here. One of the better hideouts I have seen. Not quite as quiet as a brewery," he nodded.
"You said this Captain Nimrod's been in your hometown for generations?" Robbie asked, taking a sip of hot chocolate that sat at his elbow. He folded long legs clad in striped purple and red trousers and leaned back.
"They've gone back generations. Nimrod is just the latest in a line leading back to William Tell himself. All those blasted secrets of archery, stealth and speed passed on from father to son," he grumbled. "There have been others…."
"Don't tell me he has one of those hideous beeping things in his chest like Sportakook."
"Let's just say he knows and sees trouble before it starts," Professor Drekspatz said, whipping off his glasses. He polished them on a handkerchief he kept in his blazer pocket, then peered through them at Robbie.
Sportacus 10 was not used to only protecting one person at close range. Glancing back at his airship Sportacus knew the Captain would take good care of things. Using his skychaser akin to a flying bicycle, he traveled towards the home of his solitary charge. However, he wondered if he was being self-indulgent. Throughout the morning, they had exchanged ideas on how to tackle the double threat of Rotten and Drekspatz. The Captain had realized the specific dangers that would be posed.
Within the airship, Sportacus performed a series of pushups. At the same time, Nimrod stretched his long lean body while holding up what appeared to be a fencing foil. Both heroes constantly he had to be moving or stretching to feel comfortable. Sitting still was not in their nature. Still gliding up and down with the pressure of his hand he asked, "You say this guy knows Gretchen?"
"I'm worried about her," said the Captain, dropping into a lunge. Weapon swinging he danced across the glossy wooden floor of the airship.
"What would he do?" Sportacus asked. Pushing himself up he flipped over to his equipment alcove and grabbed up a fencing foil of his own. He slid on protective gloves and then landed opposite his friend. Both of them moved to a distance of ten feet then raised their weapons.
"En garde," Nimrod said, raising his weapon to his lips. He pulled the spaghetti strainer mask over, then tossed one to his friend. What commenced was an impromptu match the likes of most fencers would envy.
"Something that would make yesterday's prank look like a rank amateur's April fools joke," said he. Sportacus easily feigned and parried the first thrust. Then the Captain shot forwards, thrusting his foil while dropping on the support of a bent knee and pushing with the thigh of his other.
"Terrible! However, the other kids too… how can we stop them if we aren't sure where they are? I know Robbie has his hideout underground but the code prevents me from barging down there…"
"I know lad. This is why two heroes are better then one. If you're down there protecting Gretchen… Miss Lidenbrock, then their attentions will be focussed there. That will give me time to assess the layout from in the airship and help you in the way I know best," the Captain said. They continued back and forth in that semi squatted crouch, back arm thrown back while the forward twisted their thrusting weapon.
Sportacus twisted his wrist around after the Captain's disarm, then blocked. With his fingers, alone he twirled the weapon to counter the Captain's assault. Then suddenly both their weapons spun out of their gloved hands to clang on the floor. "Whoops, I think you have been practicing, my boy," said Nimrod with a chuckle.
"Any sport, even fencing's my specialty," Sportacus laughed. Leaning down, Nimrod picked up his straight French grip foil, then thrust its blade under the Spanish grip one that was wrapped with blue around its handle. It shot up and landed in Sportacus grip.
"Sounds good. But wont' it seem… selfish to only protect her?" Sportacus asked. He pulled off his mask, then tossed it back to its niche. Shrugging, the Captain pulled his own mask off, and set it to the side. He continued his own fencing warm-ups with his back to his student.
"No. The children will be under my watch. And if you're out with her moving around and around the children, then you can protect them all at close range," said Nimrod.
"I don't know," Sportacus shrugged. He crossed the room and kicked the wall halfway up. Again, the panels slid down to reveal the wealth of sports equipment held there. Sliding the foil and mask back into their place he grabbed a racket and small blue ball.
"You like Miss Lidenbrock, there's no harm in it. I want her to be happy, and I think you can make her happy if you just give it a chance," said Nimrod. His ears heard the collision of the racquetball against the far-curved wall as Sportacus whacked it with the racket from various positions.
The ball whizzed past the Captain, who dodged it, and caught up the racket that Sportacus tossed him. His foil shot through the air and landed in the nook next to his former student's weapon. Both of them shot across the floor, paddling the whizzing blue ball alternatively. Sportacus complained, "But I don't know how. I mean I can as a hero, but only one person?"
"You deserve a chance at happiness yourself. And I want to give it to you, Sportacus," his friend said. The ball slammed with a good flick of his wrist applied to the racket's handle.
Suddenly the ball bounced off floor, ceiling and then almost hit Sportacus unawares had he not somersaulted and held his racket up to deflect it in time. The blue sphere stopped in the Captain's outstretched gloved hand. He bent on one knee and crouched opposite Sportacus, saying, "Gretchen needs you, and you need her."
This caught the elf's attention. "All right then. However, this was YOUR idea. And if any of the kids are in trouble that you can't get to soon enough, then they come first."
"My boy, that's the very idea. To catch some fish you need a lure. And you and Gretchen will be one of the best ones I can think of," said Nimrod.
"But this isn't one of your fly fishing expeditions!" Sportacus glared at him. He flipped the racket over his hand and then grabbed it again. Snatching the ball away, he hurled it towards the far wall and commenced socking it back with his racket.
"It is. Funny you say that coming from an elf that likes games. This is a more serious one, but I know you will play it for the sake of your charges," he said.
"But hunting… that's a game to some but me… I'm not USED to your sort of sport," Sportacus said quietly.
"Because I hunt, fish, shoot and do outdoor sports doesn't make me any less of one that knows the rules, boy," Nimrod made a face. "I just prefer a bow to a racket or a bat!"
Gretchen yawned and then heard someone outside her door. A sharp rat-tat told her whoever it was had to be reasonably strong and cheerful. A blush came over her face when she pulled it open then saw who was behind it with surprise. That smiling face and muscular body attached to it caused her to have strange shivers all over her. "Good morning," he waved, through the glass screen door.
"Sportacus, I'm hardly in trouble," she laughed, then ducked behind the main wooden front door. She peered around it to regard him shyly.
"I thought you'd like to have company on your morning jog!" he said. She noticed the straps of a blue backpack slung around his shoulders. It was the one he used when carrying various sports equipment during his normal rescues.
"Well that's sweet of you, but what if someone's in trouble?" she asked. "Even with your crystal it might take you a few precious minutes to shift gears and with two villains on the loose you can't be EVERYWHERE at once!"
"Ah, well Captain Nimrod said he'd cover for me, for a change," Sportacus admitted. Seeing her yelp and duck behind the door, he felt strange.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"I am er I need to change," she said with a blush. "Give me a few minutes and I'll put my sweats on."
"I'll wait," he said cheerfully. "Don't forget your running shoes!"
"Um, you could come inside in the meantime and help yourself to some soy milk perhaps? No sense in having you wait out there."
"But it's a nice day!" he laughed, sweeping a bracered arm behind him to show the sunlight dancing through the trees.
"I'm in my robe and pajamas," she groaned, rubbing her eyes.
"What's wrong with that? They look nice," he said, glancing at her sleepwear with a smile. He could not see why she was so worried since every inch of her body was covered with clothing. That robe was extremely modest and covered shoulder to ankle. Even her feet were thrust into small fuzzy slippers. Though the long hair that hung around her shoulders was a bit different and made her face look softer, he wondered if it was one of those things Stephanie had told him.
"Sportacus, that's hardly the point," she said, and he blinked again with incomprehension.
"I mean I wouldn't exactly know considering I don't use them," he stopped. "If you want I can cover my eyes and not look at you?"
"You're silly," she groaned. He covered his eyes with one hand and smiled. Rolling her eyes she opened the door and let him inside. Despite this, Sportacus hand shot forward and gently grasped her wrist. Pulling her forward, he still kept his other hand over his eyes. She felt him press a soft sweet kiss to her cheek before releasing her again.
"I had to say hello," he apologized, stepping back. "So, would you do me the honor of jogging with me?"
"I'll only be a half hour or so," Gretchen assured him. With a shy smile she leaned up and kissed his cheek, and he inhaled her unique scent. Then she rushed upstairs to freshen up and grab the things needed for a workout.
Through the window a periscope watched. Standing before his scope Robbie Rotten had a small smirk, and then pulled a face. "Ecch. Mush. But enjoy your girlfriend when you can. Because I have company of my own."
From behind him, a purple haired female glanced over his shoulder. She lay her hand on it and he exchanged an evil smirk. As he walked away he gave her backside a playful swat and she tripped him with a slippered foot. He was not alone these past few years since he had brought Rottonella back to life. The robotic girl kept him company and even gave him ideas for nefarious plots. Yet, he was not the only one sitting down in the lair.
"So, Herr Rotten, how can I be sure that combining our efforts is not a waste of my precious time?" asked the German accented voice sitting in a leather recliner.
"Have patience, Professor. We have only just begun to combine our resources. And you did ask to see my brilliance in action."
"It seems this Sportacus thinks he can throw me off balance by protecting Miss Lidenbrock himself. But that won't help her because that Captain cannot save everyone from what I have planned," said the Professor.
"What WE have planned," Robbie Rotten corrected him.
By the time Gretchen Lidenbrock was finished changing, she smelled something delicious from the kitchen. Gretchen trotted down the stairs and saw Sportacus poking around in the various cabinets. On the table were two bowls of fruit salad along with a jug of milk and box of muslix cereal. Sportacus was chopping something spicy when she wandered in with a shy face.
"What's all this?" she asked. Sportacus admired the beige and black tracksuit she wore along with a mint green T-shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a braid for a change making her look ten years younger. It was clear exercise had agreed with her.
"Can't work out without a good breakfast. I thought you wouldn't mind me making it for a change," he said.
"How sweet," she chuckled. Sportacus took her hand gently as he would Stephanie's and led her to sit down. Pulling out a chair for her, he waited for her to sit and then pushed it in. Eagerly she watched him bring two omelets to the table loaded with healthy spices like red and green peppers. He poured her a cup of steaming green tea, sweetened with wild honey and a hint of soy cream. For himself he had poured soy milk she noted. He must have found the container she had bought knowing he would visit.
"Well, dig in," he urged. After a small blessing of thanks she did just that.
"Excellent. I did not think you cooked other then… vegetable dishes…"
"Well this is partly vegan," he admitted. "This is egg whites, and all natural spices and herbs good for antioxidants. The fruit has no sugar; it is just as natural. The milk's actually soy milk, and you can guess the rest."
"You really know how to rescue a gal's breakfast. What sort of 'workout' do you have planned?"
"Something that both of us can enjoy. And if the children wish to they can join in," he nodded.
"Good! After we jog we can rock hunt something I enjoy? Hiking's a sport I like," she winked.
"Ah, naturally. I had forgotten. That's a very GOOD exercise," he said, washing down his bites of health cereal. Gretchen simply let herself enjoy being pampered instead of questioning why Sportacus seemed to go out of his way to be sweet to her. After the kiss last night, it was clear that he wanted to take the relationship to the next step. That was fine with her. Captain Nimrod would have never, unless she was older.
They finished quickly, and Sportacus gently pushed her down to sit when she tried to get up and clear the dishes. "Uh uh, I made the mess I'll clean it up," he scolded.
"What mess?" she asked. Rapidly the dishes were piled, and then put into her dishwasher.
"Ready to go?" he asked. "I've got some fresh water and sports candy in case we need energy."
"I'm not crazy about jogging. But if you insist I'll come," she said.
"Well how about we do an excercize you enjoy instead?" Sportacus offered.
"I love to hike, walk and swim," she said with a smile.
"If you'd like I know of a good place," he said.
"Just let me get my towel and bag," she laughed, rushing upstairs.