Trapped in Time

Chapter 6: The Explanation

Penny arrives a few hours later. It's hard not to notice the airship, and that's where she figures Number 9 is. 

Walking up, she knocks softly on the door. A few seconds later, and after some shuffling occurs, Glenn abruptly opens the door in just his pimp-looking coat and boxers. No hat. Penny goes to speak, but the guy cuts her off, "THE GOLD-" he begins, referencing what he had called her earlier. A hand was shoved over Glenn's mouth quickly. "I know, Glenni boo, you don't have to yell!" he nervously speaks. "Her name is Penny, by the way." 

Glenn sighs in agitation, "I was just trying to tell you about our guest. By the way, you forgot your shirt." He winks at his partner. Number 9 turns bright red before running off into the other room. As if on cue, Sportacus flips over. "Hi, you must be Penny. I'm Sportacus, Number 9's apprentice. Thank you for coming," he greets. Penny nods, "Uh, you're welcome. But... Number 9 made this seem like an emergency." Glenn continued to glare at the girl. 

A few seconds later, Number 9 runs back out fully dressed. "I'm sorry, Penny. I want to assure you that the reason I asked for your help is very important. Do you- do you remember Robbie Rotten?" he asks, scratching the back of his neck. Penny's face quickly pales, almost as if she'd seen a ghost. 

"Y-yes." she stammers. Number 9 sucks in a breath before talking, "This has to do with him." The girl's face darkens, "Is he still causing trouble?" Her tone was harsh and full of hatred for the villain. Glenn steps towards her, but Number 9 pulls him back quickly. "Why do you make it sound like HE was the problem. Obviously YOU caused this problem!" The pimp-dressed man spoke.

In defense, Penny replies. "I didn't do anything! I haven't even contacted him after he left Play Town!" Sportacus' appearance seems stressed, or maybe pissed. "Look, Robbie isn't a bad guy. He has a very kind heart. You know better than to accuse someone before you hear both sides. Now let Number 9 finish, please."

Number 9 nods in regards to his apprentice's statement. "I don't blame you for thinking of Robbie like that. You were led to believe it all by Number 8, of course. I don't like thinking about it, and I didn't do anything to stop him from it... but he lied to you. Robbie was never evil."

Penny's expression seems more content with this explanation. "Robbie was your biggest supporter, wasn't he? You were his best friend, Penny. The only person left in that dreaded town after Glenn left was you. Number 8 did awful things." Number 9 finishes. 

"Robbie was right?" Penny questions, her eyes widening. 

Glenn folds his arms, "Mhmmm."

Ipro smiles at the man before becoming serious once more. "The trauma is now manifesting. It's causing him to have flashbacks... he's reliving all of this. What Number 8 did to him, and hell, what you did to him. We figured if he faced the trauma and tried to get through it instead of running away from it that it'd help him."

Penny shrugs, "I guess I could try to talk to him? But what do I say?" Glenn gives her a look, "Like... sorry. Or, sorry I'm a-" Number 9 cuts him off again. "Hold up," Sportacus begins, glancing over at Glenn. "No more sass- wait, WHERE are your CLOTHES?" He appears frightened at this knew found knowledge. "On the couch!" Glenn replies matter-of-factly.

Sportacus holds back a gag, "You know you are not allowed to do it in my living room! And Ipro, come on... I expect this from him, but you? Seriously?" Ipro's eyes are as wide as saucers by this point. "Well-"

Sportacus shakes his head. "I do not care, I don't want to know, just not... not in my living room."

Penny ignores this entire conversation and proceeds to but in, "So I was not going to ask this, but why are you with a villain?" Glenn is taken aback. "Because I'm hot." he replies.

Number 9 quickly responds, "No- because," 

"So, I'm not hot?" Glenn sassily replies. Ipro gives Glenn a stern look, "Stop it. Not now! I see what you are doing, and I like you because you are an adorable mess of a genius, okay? You may be a criminal but you are MY criminal. You still have people you care about- wait. This isn't the time. This isn't about us." 

Glenn nods, "I agree, this is getting too sappy." Penny silently concurs with this, too. "So where is he? I cannot talk to him if I don't know where he is." she smartly returns.

Sportacus pops up like an excited puppy, "I'll go get him!"

Glenn pushes Sportacus down gently, "No, I remember what happened last time you were down there."

Sportacus sighs and looks disappointed - almost like a puppy who got kicked too many times. "Oh... you're right. Sorry..."