The oldest, Biff, pulled back his fist and with all his might threw his punch at Robbie's face. Robbie flinched and closed his eyes preparing for the worst. Nothing happened. He opened one eye and saw it was stopped by another hand inches before his face. His other eye opened and he saw he was not dreaming. Biff's hand was stopped. He looked quickly at Biff, who was just as surprised.
"Well, well, well. What have we here? Three against one hardly seems fair."
All eyes turned to the stranger a strong, muscular, handsome man dressed in a red cap, and what looked like a red and blue track suit with a number nine on the right side of his vest. He stood tall and proud as he pushed the teens fist back away from Robbie. "Now, I think you have something better to do, so why not go and do it."
Biff hauled back and went for the stranger, who side stepped him. Biff missed again. The others went after him and he easily sidestepped them, avoiding being hit. He flipped over them and kicked Switch in the keister pushing him into a garbage can. Griff, he spun around and swept his leg causing him to fall backwards and Biff jumped on his back, pulling his cap down. The stranger ran at the wall and up it getting enough momentum to flip over and was now behind Biff. He grabbed his arm and pulled it back, pushing him against the wall.
"Now, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're not the welcoming committee."
Robbie sat there in awe as the stranger who saved him so easily defeated three bullies.
"I suggest you go away and not come back. See, I've travelled a long way to be here and I think I'm going to stay. I don't usually resort to fisticuffs but I will do what's necessary to protect this town. It needs me and it's going to have me." He backed up and let Biff go, watching him to make sure he would make the correct decision.
Griff helped Switch out of the garbage can and Biff went next to them. "This isn't over, you circus reject. We'll be back. And the three of them left.
Robbie looked at the stranger. "Th-thanks, mister."
"You're welcome and my name is Milanrus. I'm going to be the hero of your town." He announced proudly.
"The hero?"
"Yes. I help those in need and it looks as if LazyTown needs help."
"It sure does." Robbie replied, taking Milanrus's hand as he helped him to his feet. He looked the hero up and down, donning a brick red cap, matching vest with a number '9' in the right side and pants with a black stripe on either side, a blue short sleeve shirt and finishing it off was a dark blue belt buckle with the letter 'M'.
Robbie looked at the stranger, still in disbelief. "You may have made them angrier. They are pretty persistent."
"Well, so am I. We heroes usually come out on top." Milanrus looked around at the town. "I am going to get this town back on its feet."
"You are?" Robbie questioned. "How? Those bullies will be back and I'm guessing by the way things are here, they had help."
"Hm, well, you leave those bullies to me. You just go and have fun. Run around and be a kid."
Robbie looked at the stranger again, skeptical. But there was something about him.
Milanrus looked around then knelt down. "How about I walk you home?"
"Ok." Robbie agreed. At least if anything were to happen, he'd be protected. So, as they walked Robbie had some questions for then new comer. "So, why did you come to LazyTown?"
"Well, my crystal guided me here. I knew people were in trouble."
"Huh?"
"I have a special crystal that lets me know when people are in danger." He pulled his crystal out of his pocket. "I need a better place to put it though. Some other heroes wore it as an amulet."
"Other heroes? There are more of you?" Robbie asked in fascination. "Where do you come from?"
On their walk Milanrus told them he comes from an island off the North Sea. Every child has the chance to earn a special crystal in their suited tasks. "I trained hard to be a hero. I've been saving people ever since I've left home. It was my calling to be a hero." He said proudly.
As they walked Robbi saw something rather large in the sky. "Whats that?"
Milanrus looked. "Oh," he chuckled. "thats my airship. I live there. I'll be able to keep watch on LazyTown from there."
On the walk home Milanrus told Robbie of all his adventures and how people loved him for saving them.
Robbie watched and listened to Milanrus, trying to figure him out. "So, your crystal, what does it do? Is is magic?"
"I guess you could say yes. My crystal shows me those who are in trouble and need help. I can get to them faster."
And no sooner than he finished his sentence, his crystal went off.
Beep beep beep.
Robbie watched in awe.
"Someone needs help!" And he took off running.
Robbie ran after him. He was a fast runner for sure. When he caught up with him he saw him jump in a tree and rescue a small black and white kitten from a high tree branch.
"There you go little fella. You shouldn't climb such high trees at a young age." He set the kitten down and it ran off. "I know what you're thinking. What's a big superhero like me doing saving kittens? Well, everyone needs help now and then. Even those with four paws. Come on." He stopped for a second and looked back at the kitten furrowing his brows in thought for a moment.
"What is it? Robbie asked.
"We have a black and white kitten in my village as well." He looked for a moment and shrugged it off. " I guess they are pretty common. Ok, let's get you home." And they started off down the street.
They were approaching the park and Robbie suggested they avoid it because they're were other bullies other than Biff, Griff and Scratch.
"Well, if I am to help LazyTown get back on it s feet, that will have to stop. Come on, I'll protect you."
Robbi was apprehensive and stuck close to Milanrus. They made it to the center of the playground when out from behind the trees came more thugs.
"Well, well, well. What have we here? I didn't know the circus was in town." He and two others chuckled.
Milanrus guided Robbie behind him.
The biggest of the three stepped forward. "I'm only going to tell you once, bozo. Get out of town or else."
Milanrus just looked at them. "Or else what?"
"Or else this!" And he took a swing at Milanrus who skillfully dodged the attack. And he returned it by catching his wrist, pulled him, using his weight against him, spun him around and into his friends. Then they all got up and went after Milanrus. Robbie ran behind a tree and watched as the new hero turned and flipped making the the thugs run into each other and into a nearby tree. Robbie caught glance of a few kids peering from behind their fence in the yard. In fact, he saw several faces looking out from behind curtains in houses. Clearly people paid more attention than he thought. Maybe they cared more about their town than he thought but very afraid. He looked back to the altercation. The only one standing was Milanrus.
"Now, I suggest you rethink your actions and leave these good people alone. LazyTown has a new hero and the town is protected." He stood there in a super hero pose. Hands on hips, legs slightly apart, very dominating. He took one firm step forward and they all scrambled to their feet and ran off. "I don't think we've seen the last of them but they are gone for now."
Robbie came from behind the tree in awe. He looked up at the hero. "Are you going to stay? Are you really going to stay?"
People came out of their houses to look at the new stranger and the children ran out and surrounded him. Robbie had never seen so many children out in the streets at one time before.
Milanrus looked around at all the people approaching. "I'm going to do more than protect you! I'm going to help you clean up this town!" He said proudly. The kids cheered but the adults were still concerned. "You shouldn't have to live in fear!" He shouted jumping on a nearby rock so everyone had a clear view of him. "This is your home and I am going to help you clean it up!"
"What happens when you leave? They will come back, you know." Someone shouted.
"Well then, I guess I'll have to stay here! I am going to help you get this town back on its feet, because as of this time forward, this is my home too and I'm not going anywhere!" Everyone cheered.
Robbie looked at him in amazement. Could he really get this town on it's feet and keep everyone safe? It looked like he just might.
"Now, if you'll excuse me I have to get this young lad home." He turned to Robbie. "Ready?"
Robbie nodded emphatically.
As they walked Robbie kept looking at him and Milanrus noticed and spoke. "Something on your mind?"
Robbie stopped and turned to face him. "Are you really gonna stay?" His gray eyes hopeful.
"What's your name?"
"Robbie. Robbie Rotten."
"Yes, I'm going to stay Robbie." He smiled at him. He got Robbie back to his house. Once there a little girl ran out.
"Robbie!" She ran out and hugged her brother. Then she looked at the stranger shyly.
"Rikki, this is Milanrus. He's a super hero."
She looked him up and down. "Where's his cape?"
"Not all heroes have capes, silly. He's gonna live in LazyTown."
"Why?"
Milanrus knelt down. "Because, I'm gonna save this town. Make it better so everyone can play outside."
"Are you gonna get rid of the mean boys?"
"Yes, I am." He declared proudly.
Rikki started cheering. The door opened and their mother came out.
"Rikki, Robbie, it's almost time to eat-" she looked at the stranger with her children. "Oh, hello. I'm Roberta, their mother and you are?" She asked, with a friendly eager smile.
"I'm-"
"He's Milanrus! He's a super hero and he's gonna get rid of the bad kids and stay with us in LazyTown." Robbie interjected happily.
"Really?"
"Yes, I'm going to help this town get back on its feet."
Robbie looked up at Milanrus, hopeful. But he remembered his father and was unsure what to think. He really wanted to believe.
"That's wonderful. I hope you can do something. I want my children to be happy."
Milanrus looked at their mother and she looked like she was happy but also sad. This was where he was supposed to be, without a doubt. And there was something about this family. His crystal didn't glow but there a pull. And it felt different than the other feelings he'd felt from his crystal. It wasn't bad or good but different and that here was where he needed to be.
"Would you like a piece of cake? I normally wait till after dinner but I'd consider this a special occasion."
"No, thank you. I need to keep fit and in shape and sugar is not the way to do that. But I want to look around and talk to some people. This will be my home after all."
"Can I go with you?" Robbie asked with hopeful eyes.
"Me too! Me too!" Rikki said jumping up and down excitedly.
"Well, only of it's alright with your mother."
She looked at Milanrus and maybe the kids needed a male role model so they could see that all men weren't bad like their father. "I suppose. As long as you're back in time for dinner. And your invited to stay for dinner if you like."
"Well, we'll see. But I think it's time we go and explore the town."
Rikki jumped up and down cheering and Robbi beamed a smile. So for a better part of the afternoon they looked around and made their way to the playground. Rikki ran to the slide and Robbie pulled her back.
"No, Rikki. The slide isn't safe, it's rusty."
"But I wanna play." She expressed a sad face.
"I know, but it's not a good idea right now."
Milanrus looked at the slide and tilted his head and smiled. "Well, I should be getting you back to you house, but I'll see you soon I'm sure."
"Aw. Do we have to?" Rikki asked.
"Yes. I made a promise and I intend to keep it. I'll race ya both!"
"Really?" Rikki was ecstatic and took off like a dart.
Robbie and Milanrus took of after her. After Milanrus got the kids back home he ran back to the park and smiled. "This is a great place to start..."
Meanwhile, outside of town...
In an old warehouse, Biff, Griff and Scratch sat on large wooden spools that once kept cables of some sort. Biff was pacing Scratch finally spoke up.
"Are we in trouble Biff? Because that guy really knew what he was doing."
Biff sharply turned and grabbed him by his collar. "We are not in trouble! And if you ever say we are, you will be eating sand for a week!"
Griff stood up. "Well, if we have nothing to worry about then why are you getting so upset?"
Biff let go of Scratch and walked up to Griff and just stood there, nose to nose. Griff took a breath and spoke.
"The boss is in tonight, ya know. He's gonna wanna know what's goin on. We should have the town ready for him to take over by now."
Biff just stood there looking at Griff then he eased back and sat down. "Well, it's as ready as it'll ever be. C'mon boys. Gather up the crew. It's time to hit the streets and get that clown out of town. I have an idea." he evilly smiled. "and he'll never know what hit him."