Chapter 20: Hang the Rules

Stephanie was about halfway across town already when the feeling started to overtake her.

It was the strangest thing. One minute she wanted to be as far away from Sportacus as she could get, and then the next minute she had the overwhelming feeling that she should go back. It made no sense. She could see the big billboard that, in her mind, marked the entrance to Robbie’s lair; it wouldn’t take long to get there. But for some strange reason she just couldn’t make herself start walking forward again.

“What is going on now?!” She shrieked, mainly to herself since there was no one else around, but of course her subconscious answered anyways.

Hahahaha, your powers are really acting up now!

“My powers?! What on earth do you mean?”

That pull you feel? The invisible force that seems to be so randomly pulling you back to Sportacus? Yeah, that’s what hero’s feel when someone’s in trouble.

“Oh, great. Well I’m not helping anyone, least of all Sportacus, so…”

Oh, don’t worry. You CAN ignore it; it’s just not easy… The voice sounded oddly smug.

“Wait, I’m being pulled to Sportacus? But he’s never in trouble…”

Oh, yes he is. Well, not imminent danger or anything like that, but he is in trouble.

“Well, ok, so how is he in trouble then?”

I’m not sure, really, but it seems like he just made a very big and very stupid mistake. You SHOULD go talk to him…

“Humph, no way. He probably just slipped and fell whilst trying to get up or something, I mean I don’t know. It’s not my problem.”

Yes, it is. You’re the only one in this entire town that knows he’s gotten himself in trouble and like it or not it’s your job to help him. Unless you’re planning to do what a VILLAIN would do, and break your promise already.

“No… Look, you said he’s not really in danger. And I need to be able to control my powers before I see him again, if only a little. I mean, if not, I may wind up getting angry and hurting him again. I’m going to Robbie’s for now, but I will check on Sportacus later… There. Now I can do what I want, but I’m not breaking that promise.” Stephanie seemed very pleased with herself.

Oh, jeez, Steph, if only you knew… You’re sounding more and more evil with every word that comes out of your mouth…

“Well, who asked you anyways?!” She didn’t bother to wait for an answer as she started walking to Robbie’s again…

It didn’t take her long at all to get there. She knocked rather loudly on the entrance a couple of times, and heard a genuinely annoyed reply saying go away. She chuckled, though she was still frustrated with her powers, because it was obvious that Robbie had been sleeping.

“Robbie? It’s just Stepha –.” She was cut off abruptly by him, his voice was no longer annoyed, telling her to come on down. She slid down, this time landing fairly gracefully (wait, how exactly had she managed that?) on her feet. Robbie, who was in his fuzzy orange chair, got up and smiled at her.

“Nice landing Pinkie. How’d you manage that?”

“I have no idea… Sorry I woke you up.”

“It’s alright. I don’t entirely mind being woken up by you… though, it’s not even 10 yet. I’d have expected you to still be asleep too.”

“Yeah, well, I was bound to wake up pretty early considering where I woke up.” Robbie gave a confused look.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I woke up in Sporty’s big stupid hazardous blue air blimp.” She was starting to vent some of her frustration.

“Oh, you’ve got to be joking. He brought you up there? How did he even…?”

“I was apparently so out of it, I really don’t remember much. I guess I told him not to take me to my uncles… WAIT A MINUTE! IT’S HER!” Robbie raised his eyebrows. She can’t be talking about what I think she’s…

“What are you talking about?” He asked her slowly.

“It’s her! It’s this stupid subconscious voice thingy! She set it all up! I don’t know how, but she did!” A look of horrified recognition came over Robbie’s face.

“Ok, ok, I know what you’re talking about.” Stephanie threw up her hands.

“Of course, because everyone else just has to know more about me than even I know about me!” She started ranting in frustration

“Just… Calm down Pinkie… Calm yourself and sit down so I can explain...”

“Sportacus already explained! Well, some stuff anyways… Wait, what can you explain? How do you know anything about me…?”

“Oh, I know a lot more than you think I do…” He paused and sighed. “Princess Stephanie.”

“Whoa! Ok! That’s quite enough! I’m out of here!”

“Wait! Don’t leave. Just… stay here. You’d probably find me to be a lot more helpful than Sporta-weirdo… Pinkie?” Stephanie now had her eyes closed, breathing deeply, trying to calm herself. That’s a good girl! Her subconscious praised her; now you’re starting to handle yourself better; like a hero. She ignored it, counted to ten, then opened her eyes back up to look at Robbie.

“Alright. Start explaining then.”

“Well, first of all, how much did he tell you?”

“A lot.” Stephanie gave Robbie a brief description of everything that had happened in Sportacus’ airship, and what he had told her.

“Wow… Well, he’s a bit overdramatic, in case you hadn’t noticed. But then again, most heroes usually are.”

“Yeah, I got that. My biggest problem right now is that I was stupid enough to make that promise, and I’m a woman of my word. I keep the promises I make.” Her face very blatantly portrayed how truthfull and serious she was being. Robbie smiled, looking slightly smug.

“Even as a villain, that’s a good asset to have. But he can’t really hold you to that promise, you know that right?”

“No, I don’t know that. Why can’t he?”

“Because it’s against the rules…”

“Ok, you’ve lost me now.”

“Well, you see… there are very few people like you… people who are half human, half…” He paused as if trying to find a good word to describe something.

“Elf?” Stephanie offered.

“Yeah, that’s probably the best way to describe it. Half human, half elvish. Most of us are fully, uh, elves. And that makes you pretty special. Most people didn’t expect that you’d actually ever know about your powers, or any of this for that matter. Most babies that are born from a couple like your parents never actually do find out, so heroes and villains alike are supposed to keep their distance. Obviously Sportacus already broke that particular rule and he got in trouble for it too. Big trouble… And we both were given strict orders from his parents that we were not to influence you in any way now that you’ve found out. They thought it would just make things too complicated. Now, obviously, I’ve chosen not to listen to the king and queen. I don’t really care what they tell me. But Sportacus… Well, he’s definitely going to get in trouble for this. I’m hoping that this will be the final straw; if it is he’ll probably lose his title and all his authority as a hero…”

“I… I just have one question. How do you know so much about all of this…?”

“Because. Before me and Sporty chose, we were friends. Good friends. Nearly inseparable… He’s three years older than me, so obviously he had to make the choice first. Then when I chose to be the villain, the wrong decision in his eyes, we had a huge fight, which ultimately ended in us pretty much hating each other like we do now.” He waved off Stephanie’s suddenly sympathetic expression. “It was a long time ago, and I’ve found I enjoy hating him more anyways.”

“Oook, that explains a lot. I wonder why he didn’t tell me any of this… And what do you mean he’ll lose his title?”

“Well, this isn’t the first time he’s screwed up. He hasn’t exactly been the ideal hero, believe it or not… There was a time when he wanted to give up his title as hero.” Stephanie gave him a confused look, so he decided to tell her a little bit about why. “There was a woman; my sister. He fell in love with her. She got him, uh, hooked so to speak, on these vitamins. Well, we call them vitamins, because in small amounts they can be helpful to our general health, but they’re highly addictive to us at the same time. Take too much of the stuff all at once and it effects us the same way that alcohol would affect humans. She took him down pretty low too; he was nearly stripped of his title and authority as a hero. And he didn’t really care at that point; he wanted to marry her… and you didn’t hear any of this from me, understand? He’d have my head…”

“Wow… I-I’ll have to ask him about that myself… Wait, I didn’t know there was anything from our home that could affect us in a bad way…” It was oddly easy to get used to thinking of herself as not being human. “Jeez, I can’t believe he never told me any of this… Wait a minute; he was right, wasn’t he? You did give me a potion.” Stephanie was suddenly glaring at him.

“Yes, I did.” Robbie held up his hands in surrender. “But it’s worn off completely by now. You’re acting the way you are completely on your own.” The look on her face softened.

“Well, I don’t blame you I suppose… I should be thanking you actually. The whole goody-goody act was getting tiresome anyways; I had no idea that being a bad girl could be quite this much fun.” Robbie smiled and slowly lowered his hands.

“Well, you’re most definitely welcome. I’m glad I was apparently helpful for once in my life.” Stephanie chuckled. “But, honestly, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… First of all, how long has it been since you went shopping?”

“Uh, I don’t really know. It’s been a while… why?”

“Because, I don’t know about you, but I think a change of style is in order. You need a wardrobe that’s a little less bright and pink. And besides, there’s someplace I’d like to take you and we’re gonna have to find you something more appropriate to wear anyways… I’ll have to get some money – .” Stephanie cut him off.

“No, I’ve got money. Plenty of it too.” Robbie raised his eyebrows.

“Being royalty apparently has its advantages.”

“Aaah.” Robbie smiled.

“Yep. How about I go clean up and get the money while you get dressed too… Oh, I guess I’ll have to borrow mom’s car…”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ve got something even better than your mother’s big, ugly van.”

“Oh really? Well, ok then. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done… Hey, where is that you want to take me anyways?”

“Oh, you’ll just have to wait and see…” Stephanie raised her eyebrows, but knew that Robbie wasn’t going to tell her anything more than that. She left and headed for her uncle’s house.

It took Stephanie about an hour to get back to Robbie’s. She was wearing a black mini skirt with a revealing hot pink halter top and hot pink knee high boots. She’d done her makeup heavily; for some strange reason she wanted Robbie to notice how she looked. It’s called you’re falling in love with him. Head over heels. Her subconscious was trying to warn her. Trust me, it’s not a good thing. Sportacus was right, he’s bad news. You heard what his sister nearly did to Sportacus, and I think Robbie could do even worse to you. You’ve got to quit while you’re ahead. Stephanie ignored it as usual, a mistake she would wind up regretting, and kept walking.

When she got there Robbie was waiting for her. She was dumbfounded by his appearance… He was wearing a dark purple t-shirt underneath a nice fringed black leather biker’s jacket with a pair of black jeans and black leather boots. He was leaning casually up against a motorcycle, the nicest motorcycle Stephanie had ever seen. It was the same dark purple as Robbie’s t-shirt, and it had flames painted on the sides. Stephanie had never noticed just how, well, attractive Robbie could be, but standing there against his bike dressed like he was… She suddenly thought he was sexier than any guy she had ever seen before.

“Robbie?” He chuckled.

“You like it?”

“Like it? I love it. Robbie, you look hot… and I’m jealous. I’ve always wanted to know how to ride a motorcycle…” Robbie seemed a little taken aback by her reaction, but kept his cool and smiled roguishly.

“Thanks… Actually, I have another one. I can certainly teach you how to ride it if you want.” Stephanie looked amazed.

“That would be great!” She then looked down at what she was wearing. “Oh, boy. Skirts and motorcycles do not mix well.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t be wearing that for too much longer… Not that I entirely mind it. You look pretty, uh, sexy yourself there Pinkie.” Stephanie raised her eyebrows, suddenly feeling very pleased with herself for earning said compliment.

“Thanks… Shall we?” She walked towards Robbie as he got on his bike, swinging her hips a little more than was necessary. Swinging her own leg over to get on the bike, she wrapped her arms securely around Robbie’s waist as the engine roared and they rode off.

And at the exact same time, all the way across town, Sportacus’ crystal started beeping like crazy. Because somebody was falling. Falling fast and falling hard. Somebody was about to get herself in big trouble. Because said somebody was about to break her promise, and it was all going to go downhill from there.

Robbie and Stephanie shopped for hours.

It was about 1:30 when they finally got to the first store they shopped at. They spent the next five hours shopping at a million different stores. Stephanie’s only real problem with it all had been that she didn’t know where to put it all, since they were riding a motorcycle, but then Robbie showed her how to present herself as being rich and powerful, and that was no longer a problem. The stores were suddenly more than happy to deliver the clothes straight to her house. Stephanie was amazed, this being her first real taste of the kind of power money alone could give her. It was now about 6:00 and Stephanie had just stepped out of the dressing room in which she had changed into her outfit for the night.

“Wow… just wow.” Robbie went bug eyed. She looked… well, she was wearing a tank top that was the darkest shade of pink Stephanie had ever seen, much darker than the bright shades she usually wore. It came down low, revealing quite a bit of her ample cleavage, and also showed off a bit of her slender stomach. Over that she wore a fringed black leather girls biker jacket. Her pants were tight black leather and her shoes were black high heeled sandals. “This look is just so you.”

“Really? I like it too. It does fit me well doesn’t it?” She spun around to give Robbie a full view of the outfit. “Jeez, I’m just wondering when I got to be so graceful. I never could walk well in heels before…”

“Yeah, it really does. You’re really going to turn some heads… and it’s probably because you bodies gone into, uh, ‘elf’ mode, I guess is how you could put it. We do tend to be a lot more graceful than humans… Me not necessarily included in that.” Stephanie chuckled.

“Yeah, I noticed. Wait, turn some heads…? Robbie, seriously, where are you going to take me?” Robbie smirked.

“It’s a… well, a sort of dance club. But it’s for, uh what did you call it?”

“Elves… You-know-who said that’s the closest analogy to what we’re called.”

“I think he’s right, oddly enough… But I think you’re really going to like this place. It’ll give you a taste of what it’s like to really be a bad girl.” He had a smug look on his face again, with the same oddly roguish smile he’d had on his face earlier. Oh, great. Gonna go weak at the knees, are we tough girl? Stephanie’s subconscious seemed annoyed at her reaction to Robbie. Stephanie just rolled her eyes.

“Well, then I must say, I can’t wait… Oh, Sportacus is going to kill me, I bet. And so will everyone else… I’ve been so ‘reclusive’ lately, or at least that’s how mom and Aunt Bessie put it… And then if come home from a place like what you’re talking about. Dressed like I am now. On your motorcycle, with my arms around your waist…” She shook her head. “I didn’t realize it before, but I’m breaking all the rules now.”

“Hey, I guarantee you your going to have fun… Screw what everyone else thinks. None of them can control you anymore, not even Sportacus… that is, unless you let them. It’s your choice.” The thought of being uncontrollable was… very appealing. Stephanie suddenly felt like she was being offered a kind of freedom that she never could have before.

“Come on, Pinkie.” They were outside now, and Robbie got on his bike, holding his hand out to Stephanie. “Hang the rules for tonight.”

NO! DON’T! Her subconscious was trying desperately to stop her. Seriously, Steph, all of this just SCREAMS trouble. And what would Sportacus think? He wouldn’t approve at all. Stephanie shook her head. She no longer cared about Sportacus, or what he thought.

So, she grabbed Robbie’s hand, suddenly feeling boldly rebellious, and got onto his bike…

“Let’s ride.”

Long chapter, but I think I stopped it at the perfect place… review please!