Title: This Real Life - Part 6/?

Pairing: Sportacus/Stephanie

Genre: Semi-AU. Romance. Humor. Adventure. WiP

Rating: Will turn mature, eventually.

Summary: Ten years after her life in Lazytown, Stephanie thought that college was the only adventure left. But after an Rotten experiment gone bad, she finds out how wrong she could be.

0o0o0o

Exhausted after a sleepless night spent in Sportacus' arms, Stephanie yawned as Trixie helped her dress the next morning, this time in much looser fitting clothing than the night before. She glanced in askance at her friend who smiled and said, "It's riding day today, as if you'd forgotten."

Forgotten, no, but could one really forget something they'd never known? Stephanie just nodded sleepily and let Trixie lead her, straight outdoors and to the stables some distance away from the castle, where dozens of horses were housed, stamping and snorting with vigor in the cool morning air.

Stephanie wasn't sure what to do -- she'd only ridden once or twice -- but there was little need to know anything as a half dozen grooms ran forward and saddled the mounts, respectfully helping Stephanie onto a snow white horse, decorated with what was obviously royal standards.

She landed in the saddle with an "ooomph" and grasped the reins just in time, lest she fall off. "Whoa," Stephanie gulped, as the horse began to stamp impatiently beneath her. "Whoa."

Trixie grinned at Stephanie's confusion. Without assistance, she leapt onto her own horse, a coal black beauty with fire in its eyes -- a perfect compliment to Trixie herself. "Race ya," she challenged and Stephanie looked on in horror as Trixie took off toward the endless green fields at a lightning gallop.

"Oh boy," Stephanie breathed to herself, but determined, she straightened up and kicked her horse's sides hard while holding on for dear life.

The horse took off like she thought it might, with furious intent and it was a fine horse, as fast as the wind. Soon she was galloping beside Trixie who was laughing aloud, her dark hair flying in the wind, looking more now like Stephanie's friend of old; carefree, wild and the servant of no one.

It was like flying and soon Stephanie began to enjoy her ride, laughing along with Trixie, until they began to slow, a winding river coming up and blocking their path. Blowing out hard, Trixie pulled her horse to a stop, her features falling, just a little. "And this is where it ends, again," she said, so sorrowfully, Stephanie couldn't help but look at her curiously, as she reined her horse in beside Trixie.

"Are you talking about the ride or something else?" Stephanie asked, as their foam-speckled horses breathed hard beneath them.

Trixie bit her lip nervously and glanced at her. "I'm not sure what you mean, my lady."

"Trixie, you and I have been friends a long time," Stephanie said carefully. "So please, tell me what's on your mind." She paused. "Does something not feel right to you? You can confide in me, I promise."

Trixie hung her head, turning her eyes away. "Sometimes," she whispered. "Sometimes ... I feel as though I don't belong here. I don't understand, because, there could be no better place than with you and my lord Sportacus and Stilgar and Zig ..." She raised her head and smiled waterily at Stephanie, her mouth trembling. "You'll think it's strange, but often ... I have this urge to call Sir Zigmund, well, Ziggy." Trixie shook her head, hard. "But these fancies are just that ... fancies. Maybe it's just the upcoming war that has me so worried with such silliness." With a shaking hand, she wiped her eyes. "Either way, my lady should not worry herself with my nonsense. There is much to be done, today even."

"What's to be done today?" Stephanie asked, and her answer was Trixie taking off toward the west, at top speed, without a word.

Stephanie followed her as best she could, gasping for breath when they finally came to a stop at what looked like a tennis court, except it was longer, much longer, with a wooden barrier running down the middle of its entire length. Stephanie watched in wonder, then in fear as two riders approached from each end, heading toward one another at full gallop, both of them holding what looked like the world's longest spear - both appearing intent on skewering the other, no matter the cost.

It was thrilling, as well as terrible, and Stephanie couldn't help but squeeze shut her eyes at the last, earth-shattering second, as the two met with a horrible crash. When she dared to peek, she saw Zigmund standing over his conquered foe, helmet off, holding out his hand to the knight that lie on the ground, unhorsed, obviously by force.

"How fine a knight he's grown," Trixie whispered with admiration, as Ziggy patted his defeated rival on the back with smile. "Who would have thought it?"

"I wouldn't have," Stephanie admitted, swallowing hard. Little Ziggy, the brunt of so many jokes, was a great warrior in this world, as astonishing as that was. How strange that the threat of war brought out the worst in some ... and the best in others.

Shiny with perspiration and smiling broadly, Zigmund strode over to Stephanie and Trixie, executing an elaborate bow. "My ladies," he saluted respectfully. "Forgive me for not greeting you sooner."

Trixie laughed gaily. "Yes, next time you must fly off your horse first, greet us, then upseat your opponent. Don't forget now."

From behind them a familiar voice sounded. "Yes, don't forget now," Stilgar said, frowning. "Honestly, Zigmund, must you practice so much? Anyone would think you're aching to break your neck or some other necessary part of your anatomy."

"Fear not, dearest friend, I plan on being whole for the upcoming days," Zigmund replied. He leaned in toward his companions. "I suppose you've already heard the news ..."

Stephanie shook her head. "No, what news?"

"It appears that our old friend of Glanni has been discovered again, alive and well."

Trixie gaped at him, dumbfounded. "They found the king? After accusing us of taking him? Why of all ..."

Zigmund shrugged. "It matters not what we've been accused of, nothing has changed. He's as great a fool as any over there, possibly greater." He grinned widely. "Perhaps if I get lucky, my sword will claim his head in battle."

Stephanie swallowed harshly. Hearing Ziggy talk like that made her stomach churn uncomfortably. "Was he all right?" she asked when there was a pause in the conversation.

"As right as he'll ever be." Zigmund's eyes darkened, as he allowed a little groom to remove his elaborate armour, piece by piece. "Indeed, long live King Rotten the First."

Trixie and Stilgar laughed uproariously. "That's a good one," Stilgar exclaimed. "Robert to Rotten ..."

Stephanie's eyes widened hugely. King Robert Rotten of Glanni ... Oh, no. Just ... oh, no.

She clutched aimlessly at the reins while her friends continued to laugh and mock and swear to take the life of one King Robbie Rotten, by sword, lance or whatever means necessary.

0o0o0o0o

Robbie couldn't remember a time when life seemed better.

Here he was, placed upon the cushiest royal throne imaginable, being hand-fed cake, cookies, sweet drinks and anything else he could lazily snap his fingers for. Everyone was finally showing him the proper respect, bowing and scraping and admiring ... it was like a dream come true.

It was simply delightful, all these people at his beck and call and when a group of advisors came in to kneel at his feet, Robbie felt generous enough to acknowledge them with a languid wave of his hand.

"Yes, what is it?" he breathed, before opening his mouth to let a servant drop in yet another mouthful of delicious cake.

One the advisors, a hawk-eyed man whose name Robbie couldn't bother remembering replied. "My Lord, the plans to wage war upon the foul creatures of Latibær come anon. We shall be ready to start implementation within the next few days."

Robbie shrugged. Boy, was that cake delicious. "Whatever. Now, where is my milkshake?"

The advisor raised an eyebrow, but continued. "You, of course, as our beloved monarch, will ride at the front of the army and meet our enemies head on, to wreck your royal revenge."

Maybe it was the word "army". Or the words "ride" and "front", but Robbie suddenly sat up, cake spluttering from his mouth. "What?!"

"If our glorious Majesty is fortunate, perhaps he will take the life of that foul pretender to the Latibær throne ... Sportacus," the advisor continued enthusiastically. "What a happy day that will be, surely."

Robbie looked at him in horror. "I'm supposed to be riding somewhere? And killing ... what? Who? Where? Why?"

The advisor stared at him narrowly. "Surely, your Majesty, you remember the grave affronts this king of Latibær gave to you and your people, affronts that cannot be resolved in any other way but by vengeance of the harshest sort, through blood, fire and trial."

"Um ... " Robbie winced, suddenly not very hungry anymore. He smiled weakly. "Are you sure? Because I'll forget about it if you will."

The advisors glanced at each other, before turning as one to glare at Robbie. "Is your Majesty saying that he no longer wishes to lead his people? For there are others who might like the chance to rule ..."

Those were nasty looks, Robbie had to admit and he quickly shook his head. "Haha, no, no. Of course not. Um, you go on ahead and do your planning for, uh, the killing and the fighting and such, and I'll be here ..." He paused, feeling nauseous. "Eating. And, uh, thinking. Yes, thinking about how to, you know, kill Sportakook."

This was ridiculous; he may not have liked Sportacus, but killing was a little overboard. Mostly.

The faces of the advisors visibly relaxed. "Sportakook," one of the laughed. "That's a good one your Highness. Very good!"

Robbie laughed weakly along with them. "Ah, yes," he said, waving as they left, all the while wondering how the heck he'd be able to get out of this one.

It wasn't going to be easy.

0o0o0o0o

It was high noon and Stephanie wandered into the dining hall, surprised to see the long table already set for lunch and Sportacus sitting quietly at the far end, poking at his soup and bread without interest.

She felt a wave of shyness overtake her, but shaking it off, she ignored her own place setting at the table's opposite end and sat down in the seat nearest to Sportacus.

He smiled wanly at her. "Thank you for joining me, but your food will get cold," he said, nodding toward her lunch, sitting untouched at the table's far end.

"I'm not hungry," she admitted truthfully. Reaching out, she took his hand, wondering at the sudden softening of his features. "I suppose you heard the news, about ... King Robert." After riding back to the palace with Trixie, she'd quickly consulted with Pixel, discovering that the Glannian king's disappearance had coincided with "her" own and Stephanie knew the two events were somehow related, especially when it turned out to be Robbie. But which Robbie this was, she could only guess.

Sportacus grimaced, his temper firing hotly. "Damn him. Damn him to hell. I didn't ask for this war, my dear. Surely, you must understand that."

"I guess, but ..." Stephanie paused. "Are you sure there's absolutely i no /i way to stop it?"

Sportacus drew his hand away abruptly, making her wince. "I don't understand you sometimes. There are times when I'm sure, so very sure that you and I are ... " He hesitated. "Perfectly aligned ... in both body and thought and then, then you confuse me, like this. Stephanie, why can't we be of one mind? Why?"

Stephanie swallowed past the lump in her throat. "Maybe that's because love doesn't work like that," she said softly. "Maybe it takes two wholes to make one life together, not two halves. All I know is that I'm not sure war is the answer."

Sportacus rose to his full height, looking very much like a cold king, instead of the man she'd loved all these years. "It is the only answer. I'm sorry we cannot see eye to eye on this subject." His voice cracked. "So very sorry."

He stalked away, leaving Stephanie to sit at the long, lonely table, frustrated and sad. Finally, she clenched her fists with determination. She was going to get to the bottom of this insanity, once and for all.

Even if she had to go to the unlikliest person of all to do it.

o0o0o0o

tbc ...

Sorry for the delay. RL stuff in the way. Reviews are welcome.