Disclaimer, Arthur and all related characters are created by Mace Brown. and the TV Series is own by PBS Distribution. this is simply a work of Fanfiction that take place before the evets of the season 3 episode. Attack of the Turbo Tribbles
The scene opens to the interior of a typical twins bedroom, with two identical beds with various posters of superhero's and villainies on the walls, soon the cameras focus on a young aardvark wearing a simpler dress shirt with a vest covering it, with simple jeans and boots to finish the ensembles.
When the boy notices the viewers and instead of smiling in friendly manner like his younger brother, he simply glares at them for a second, before he stared to speak.
"Hey there, sorry to disappoint you, but my little bro is currently in the hospital, yes you heard me right, Arthur is currently in a hospital bed after a terrible accident that put him there, as I tell this story, you will learn that family is the most important thing, now lets get on with the story, it started about month ago."
Chapter 1 - Accident
The scene shimmers to a month earlier. It was a Sunny day in Elwood city at Lakewood Elementary school playground. the third graders were enjoying recess. Arthur and Buster were riding on the swings and talking...
"So, ever since Turtles, Turtles, Turtles got canceled," Buster was saying, "I found another cool show to take its place: Terrific Turbo-Trooper Toy T-Bot Team!"
"What's that?" Arthur asked.
"It's this really great science-fiction show," Buster explained, "... about these two combination superhero robots, T-Bot Crimson and T-Bot Emerald, saving the world and fighting these mobster whales and other alien beings!"
"Oh," Arthur said, not sounding that interested. "I may have seen commercials for that show and its toys, but I never really watched it."
"You should check it out," Buster told him, just as Francine was approaching. "You might like it!"
"Wait a minute," Francine said. "Are you two talking about that Terrific Turbo-Trooper Toy T-Bot Team show? I haven't heard very good things about it. It's really violent, and there's so much fast-paced flashing imagery. My sister Catherine said someone she knew nearly had a seizure while watching an episode!"
Buster let out a soft gasp. but then he realized, "Wait a minute, I watch that show every day, and I've never had any seizures!"
"Well, this kid had photosensitive epilepsy," Francine explained, "... a condition in his brain that makes his eyes somewhat more sensitive to bright lights, and if it's rapidly flashing lights, then that can really hurt his brain. Even if it's just a malfunctioning fluorescent light bulb, like the one in the music room!"
"Oh yeah," Buster realized. "That light can get pretty distracting, but it's never made me or anyone else I know have seizures."
"Well, apparently none of you have epilepsy," Francine said.
"So, that means we're just fine, and can all watch the show!" Buster said with a smile.
"Not me," Francine firmly said as she shook her head. "I don't want to take any chances."
Arthur just rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Francine. I am going to slide." He ran off, ignoring the shouts of warning and looks of worry as the young boy climbed up the ladder only to be stopped by the tough customers.
"What are you doing up here?" Molly asked, annoyed.
"I want to slide," Arthur stated as he tried to push his way through them.
"No one can just slide on Tough Customers turf, now leave," Molly demanded, as the boys nodded in agreement.
Stubbornly Arthur just ignored the girl and again tried to push his way thought, but that only further annoyed Molly, who gave the boy a hard shove, which caused him to lose his footing as he fell over the barrier bar, landing with a hard crash.
All sound of play and fun went silent as the boy laid motionless and a small pool of blood appeared.
"ARTHUR!" Michael screamed as he ran over to his twin and gently cradled the boy's head. "Art, please open your eyes, please," he pleaded brokenly, uncaring about the blood on his hands.
Arthur let out a groan, as he opened his eyes slightly before his body stared to shake uncontrollably.
All the kids were screaming for help as the teachers came to help and call the ambulance.
Michael wanted to ride with his brother, but because of his age of 8 year old he wasn't allowed. He was given a ride to the hospital by Mr Ratburn, where they were met with Jane and David Read, who were call and notified about their youngest son's condition and decided that they would meet up with Michael at the hospital.
A silent Michael just hugged his parents as they went inside the waiting room.
Later that afternoon, a worried D.W. stares at the screen of her favorite show, but she wasn't really watching it as she looks around the silent room, Grandma and Kate were upstairs, while her twin sister Mary Winfred aka M.W. lays asleep beside her, she was really worried when she heard that Arthur was in the hospital.
On the T, Mary Moo-Cow was wrapping up her her show with a cheery. "Good-byyyye!" soon the screen went black as the girl turns it off.
Grandma Thora came down from putting Kate down for her nap. "D.W., is everything alright?" Grandma Thora asked as she gently maneuvers a still sleeping M.W. .
"Yes," D.W. commented when she saw Grandma. "What will happen if Arthur isn't the same anymore?"
Grandma Thora look at D.W. for a bite. "Well, we just have to wait for an update, but I'm sure Arthur will come home safe and sound. You took on a big role in looking after Arthur twice, with the chicken pox and his knee."
D.W. look at Grandma Thora. "I guess you are right. Maybe a recording of Arthur's show will put him at ease. It's almost that time, anyways."
Meanwhile at the hospital the Read seat in tense silence as they waited on news about Arthur, it seem like forever when the Doctor finally came out and said. "Family of Arthur Read?"
David and Jane stood up along with Micheal as the doctor made his way over to them. "How is he, doctor?" David asked, holding his wife and son's hands as they followed him to the Children's ICU.
The doctor sighed heavily. "He is stable for now. We had to perform emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and to prevent any more damage, but I must tell you that he is in a coma," he told them grimly.
"Coma?!" Jane gasped out.
"Yes, it would appear that with the combination of the fall, injuries to his head, and the seizure, on top of the surgery, he fell into a coma and had to be put on a ventilator. Now it is just a waiting game to see if and when he wakes up."
Arthur's parents were trying to hold back tears as they went into the private room. Michael stood frozen at the door. Arthur looked so small and pale in the hospital bed, with tube sticking out of his mouth that forced air in and out of his lungs, a heavy amount of bandages wrapped around the boy head, wires on his chest to monitor his heart and lungs, and an Iv dripping into a tube stuck into his hand. the rest of his body was covered by the hospital blanket.
Jane stared to cry silently as David tried to comfort her and be strong, but Micheal just couldn't face it. turning around, he ran off, ignoring the shouts of annoyance, anger or concern coming his way as he ran out of the building. collapsing onto the bench outside the entrance, he finally let out the the tears. as the image of his twin laying motionless in a hospital bed stuck firmly in his mind.
"Michael, are you alright?" Startled at hearing his name, the boy look up to see his friend Binky standing there, his expression a mix of remorse and regret as well as concern.
Anger shot thought Michael like lighting, but it quickly died as he couldn't muster the energy to be angry at his friend. "No." Michael stated flatly as the larger boy sat down on the edge of the bench silently.
Meanwhile in Arthur's hospital room a loud alarm went off as the boy startled to convulse violently, his parents watched on helplessly as the doctors and nurse work on him.
While outside. Binky stared to speak. "I just want to say that I am sorry for what happened with Molly. I should have had a better handle on her; I know that what she did wasn't right and she is no longer part of the Tough Customers. I heard that she got expelled swiftly, haven't heard anything more, but I just wanted to apologize to you and when I can, I would like to apologize to Arthur as well."
Michael looked at him blankly before nodding. getting up. he turned to go back inside the hospital when he nearly ran into his dad and mom, who had a look of relief at seeing him. but Micheal also saw something in there eyes, something that he couldn't quite place.
Shock was not anyone's friend, that was for sure. Michael sat at his brother's bedside, staring intensely at the rise and fall of Arthur's small chest as the machine pumped air in and out.
Apparently while he was out, Arthur had a massive seizure and nearly coded, but he was brought back swiftly thanks to the quick actions of the doctors and nurses, with some hesitation, Michael took Arthur's hand in his own and started to sing a familer song that they both sang toghter when they were small.
"I'm your twin, you're my twin, we stick together through thick and thin. No matter what I do, I'm always stuck with you. And if trouble comes our way, I know my twin will save the day. Wherever you may be, you're always stuck with me. When you're feeling sad and blue, call my name and I'll find you. We have a bond that's tried and true. You and me, me and you, two by two.
"What if I never find you? What if I'm a twin no more? I'd give all the world's treasures if you came walking through that door. When you're feeling sad and blue, call my name and I'll find you. We have a bond that's tried and true. You and me, me and you, two by two."
For the next 48 hours, the boy's parents took turns staying by Arthur's side. for the most part he was stable, so Michael had to go home. he couldn't stay overnight due to his age. He didn't like it. but obeyed anyways. thankfully the school knew that he was going to be absent for awhile as he went home to his concerned Grandma and three scared and curious sisters, along with his dad, who was quick to comfort M.W. and D.W. as he quietly explain what was going on. Michael took Kate and brought her into the living room, and sat her down with her small pile of toys surrounded her as she played.
Michael sat on the floor to watch her play, her playful giggles bringing out a small smile as he stopped playing and brought her closer to him. He pulled her into his lap as she simply just smiled and leaned into him, lightly dozing off.
Dinner was an solemn affair. they ate what Grandma Thora prepared as David explained to the younger girls about where their brother and Mom were, and what had happend. soon enoghter, it was time for an bath and bedtime for the them.
Grandma took Kate and went to go get her ready for bed, leaving David to get the rest of the kids into bed.
In M.W. D.W. and Kate bedroom.
As David tucked in M.W. she look at him, concern in her eyes, "Daddy, when can me and D.W. see Arthur?" she asked.
David sighed as he tried to give her a reassuring smile. "Soon. Right now Arthur is sleeping and it will be a while, but when he wakes up I will bring you to visit him, okay? Good night, girls." He gave them each a kiss on the forehead before heading out the door, turning off the lights.
M.W. was was sad as she settled under the covers. of the top bunk
"I bet this is one of Arthur's pranks," D.W. grumbled.
The other girl turned to look at her sternly. "D.W., stop it! Why would Arthur prank us like this? Didn't you realize that only Dad and Michel came home, but not Mom or Arthur?"
D.W. scoffed rolling her eyes as she said, "Of course I did, M.W., but it is just a prank, you will see! Tomorrow, Mommy and Arthur will be home. Good night, sis." Turning away, the young girl fell fast asleep, leaving M.W. with her thoughts as she too fell into a restless sleep.
An exhausted David made his way towards his and Jane's bedroom, when he saw a faint light peeking out of his son's bedroom. His patience limited, he quickly opened the door to see Michael sitting up in bed, holding an old photo of Arthur and himself as preschoolers.
"Michael, it is time for bed," David stated firmly.
Michael look at his dad solemnly as he asked, "Dad, do you think Arthur will be okay? Will he ever be the same again? I have been such a jerk to him lately."
David sighted as he walked over to the boy's bed, taking a seat at the edge of it. "Michael, as you heard the doctors explain, the chances of Arthur making a full recovery without issues are slim. He might never be the same person you once knew, but if I know one thing, it's that your brother has a forgiving heart."
Frowing deeply, Michael sighted as he said, "I hear you, Dad, but when Arthur pulled that sword out of the stone, that was all he talked about. It drove me crazy, so I hid it and I lied to him and saying that it got lost at the fair. He was upset about it for a bit, then Buster told a joke and he started to laugh and smile. I didn't realize how much I would miss it until he wasn't here."
David sighed again once more as he said, "It's getting late, Michael. Just know that your brother will be okay. Good night, son."
"Night, Dad." Michael snuggled down into the covers, holding the picture close.
After shutting off door behind him, David sighted as he realized that he had to call his boss in the morning about requesting some time off, after going his bedtime routine, David fell into bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Meanwhile, Michael slipped into Arthur's bed, noticing that Pal snuggled up with him. He must miss his master and friends, he thought as he held the small pup close as he fell into a fitful sleep, he was plagued by memories of himself and Arthur.
Waking up with a gasp he looked around at the empty room. Michael lay back in bed, tears sliding down his face, causing pal to whimper in concern as he licked the boy' hand. "I am okay Pal, just sad. I miss Arthur. I miss his voice, his laugh, his annoying face … if I could, I would take his place instead."
Pal let out another whine, and Michael sighted. "Yes, I know it sounds stupid, but let's not waste time on what if or what could have been. Good night, Pal."
The dog let out an small bark before settling back into sleep.