A/N: Okay, apparently I lied - there will be more than two parts to this story. Life has gotten crazy, and it will be a week or two before I have the time to properly finish it. Anyway, here's part what I've got so far. Reviewers get sports candy! (Also, sorry to leave you with a cliffhanger, but it was the best stopping point I could find with what I already have written.)
It had been a week since Sportacus's sugar meltdown, and in that time the hero had been keeping a close eye out for Robbie. He still needed to talk to him and make sure he realized just how serious causing a meltdown could be, but during that time, the villain hadn't been seen leaving his home.
He'd also been thinking a lot about Stephanie ever since he'd woken up in her lap. It hadn't escaped his notice that she had grown into a beautiful young lady, and it certainly hadn't escaped his notice that she wasn't a little girl anymore. Still, he'd resolved a long time ago to keep his distance, and let her live her own life.
However, he couldn't get the feel of her fingers in his hair out of his head. He'd been haunted every night by dreams of kissing her while she tangled her fingers through his hair. He longed to return the favor. Her own short pink locks looked so soft and shiny; his fingers itched to run through them.
He knew that now more than ever it was imperative to pull away, but every time he saw her his resolve crumbled. Something about her captivated him; pulling him toward her like a heat-seeking missile. Even as a child she'd enchanted him with her bright smile and her positive energy. He could never figure out why, but being near her gave him an incredible boost, almost like eating sports candy.
"Sportacus!"
He turned and found the object of his thoughts running toward him, a big grin on her face.
"There you are," Stephanie said. "I was just getting ready to send a letter to your ship. Trixie just got a new set of tennis equipment, and we're trying to organize a game. Stingy wants to play, too, so we've got an odd number. Do you want to come play with us? It would make the teams even."
"Of course." The words were out of his mouth before he even had a chance to think about it. Besides, he'd never been able to deny her anything.
Just as they were turning to make their way to the sports field, the sound of someone yelling for help met their ears.
"That's strange," Sportacus said, reaching down to tap on his crystal. "My crystal isn't reacting."
"It sounds like Ziggy," Stephanie said. "I think it's coming from this direction."
Together they sprinted toward the cries, and eventually they came upon an old abandoned house at the edge of town. It had an attached garage, the door of which was open. Ziggy was inside, screaming for help, his leg shackled to a bolt in the floor.
"Ziggy!" Stephanie cried as she and Sportacus raced into the garage. "Who did this to you?"
Sportacus reached for the cuff around the young man's ankle, and - His hand passed right through it. Bewildered, he reached out to touch Ziggy's shoulder, and again his hand passed through him as though he wasn't even there.
He had just enough time to share a look of confusion with Stephanie before the door to the garage slammed shut, plunging them into darkness. He heard Stephanie scream, and his crystal flared brightly as a sharp pain pierced his arm...
...and suddenly there was nothing.