Bart Belly's Arc

Chapter 9 of 21

Bart backed toward the far hall, the golden Speedo clutched to his chest. King Stormy raised his scepter. The guards leveled their spears. Then a sound cut through the throne room. A deep roar, close and furious. The frosted doors shook. Everyone froze. The doors burst apart. Ice sprayed across the floor. A colossal yeti filled the entrance. Its white mane hung wild. Blue crystals studded its heavy limbs. One shoulder bled dark where Bart's blow had landed days ago. Its yellow eyes swept the room and fixed on Bart. It had tracked him across the snow to the castle gates. Now it had found him. The guards ran. King Stormy stumbled back toward his throne, hugging the red bloom. "Do something!" he shouted at Bart. "It followed you here!" The yeti charged. Bart dove sideways. A huge paw smashed the ice where he had stood. Chunks flew. Bart rolled to his feet, heart slamming. He had no spear, no armor. Only the golden Speedo in his paw. The creature turned and lumbered at him again. This time there was nowhere left to run. The far hall was a dead end. Bart looked at the Speedo. It was said to grant its wearer strength beyond any bear. He had crossed the wilderness for it. He had nearly died for it. Now he might die without ever wearing it. He stopped thinking. He yanked off nothing and pulled the golden briefs on right over himself, snug against his round belly. Something changed. Warmth spread through his legs. His paws stopped shaking. The fear drained out and left him steady. Bart planted his feet as the yeti swung. He caught the massive arm. His muscles held. The yeti's eyes went wide. Bart shoved, and the giant staggered back a full step. It had never been pushed before. Bart pressed forward. He drove his shoulder into the wounded side. The yeti howled and buckled. Bart grabbed a spear a guard had dropped and jabbed it at the beast's face. The yeti flinched. Bart roared back at it, loud as any king. For the first time, the creature retreated. It backed through the broken doors, dragging its bleeding arm. "Go," Bart said. "Back to your den." He took one step. The yeti turned and fled into the snow. Its heavy tracks faded across the wilderness. Bart stood in the wrecked throne room, breathing hard, the golden Speedo bright on his hips. The strength was real. Everything they said was true. King Stormy crept out from behind his throne. His eyes were not on the shattered doors. They were on the Speedo. The greed had come back, sharper now that he had seen its power. He straightened his crooked crown and raised his scepter. "That belongs to me," the king said. "And now I want it more than ever."