Neopia Central - An Unusual Crossover - ☆ The Records of the Eternal Sailor Chaos and his Creations ☆

Belletye

Okay, okay, okay, so, can I tell you a story? It's something cray-zey that happened to me once, you won't believe!

The Aisha sat down on a bench on the park, and looked at me, and despite seemingly ex.pressionless, I could almost feel their gleaming enthusiasm emanating from their metal casing. I'm all ears! I can't wait to not believe in it! Man, you couldn't believe for a moment that this was the same robot that was created by Dr. Sloth's scientists for merciless purposes, the same one who had pointed a blaster at me when I had been uncovered for aiding the enemy...

I let go of Oceania's hand so she could go play on the grass, and she went chasing after some Draphlies, curious about the bugs' flight. I was still getting used to them, but they were so friendly, I almost felt bad for not yet fully trusting them again. After all, I was not exempt either, I had done much harm to others while working for the Doctor. We were both giving each other chances, just like we ran off together, me and little Oceania, and them. Is this what one calls friendship? I guess so. I just needed to give them a chance, like they gave me a chance when I proposed our plan to run away from the one who ruled us all. We were all in this together.

Amidst my worries, I forgot what I had just been requested to do, and Availability appeared confused by my silence, and realizing that, I stammered, and started on my story.

Ok, so you know that I was a scout for the Big Ol' Greenie, right? Like, most of my missions involved reconnaissance, right? Just getting to know what the Resistance and their allies were up to, right? He nodded at me. Well so, one of the times I went to Kreludor, to search for this secret operation from the orange Grundo faction there, hidden on the other side of the moon, alright? It's like, in this crater, it's so far back, and gets so much radiation from the Sun during the new moon phase of Kreludor, that it's a huge blind spot for any heat signal satellites to try to scour the area, so you need to go personally there, right?

Oh, yeah, I've heard of that place before- Well, I've heard some of Sloth's scientists chat about it one of the times I was being... Repaired... Availability's unwavering enthusiasm seemed dwindled by the recalled memory, and I quickly tried to deviate his attention by continuing my story.

Well, so, yeah, that place, I was told by the Doctor himself, 'My spies have brought me information of a secret flash operation happening on the dark side of Kreludor during the new moon phase, it is only for a night or two, also. Ridiculous, they hide like Miamouses from me, the cowards, but what can I do? I am a fearsome, imposing figure. I interpreted that line with all sorts of mockery and exaggerated motions, and the robot Aisha giggled. I smiled wide and continued. Go do some reconnaissance, I want to know what are those lowly Grundos up to! Don't come back empty-handed!!' And so I went to Kreludor's dark side on my personal spaceship.

So I am like, searching around, bouncing around, because you know how difficult it is to fly when the atmosphere is thin, like, there's not much to push, so it's like a dread, and it takes so much longer, so you might as well go by foot. The Aisha nodded in agreement, and Oceania let out a squeal, and I glanced over, but it was just her getting overexcited by a Moach hopping around, so I just let her be, and turn back to Availability. And so I go around, looking for that stupid operation, and I see nothing, no base, not a single Grundo, not even those rock monsters that tend to form in Kreludor from the Kreludite and other stuff mutating, you know? And I'm thinking, 'Well, that's really odd, something's definitely not right, those monsters show up everywhere, are radiation levels that high here? Is this a safe zone for me? Should I speed up my search and get out of here before I get damaged at some level that is irreversible?' At that point, I was getting worried, and worse is, I couldn't even communicate back to the headquarters or any ships, I was completely on my own, and it had been hours, at least from what I could tell, because also all of my sensors and everything electronic was jammed. I was really in a pickle then, and I didn't know if I should call quit, because I was afraid that big green banana would punish me for not having any results. Availability seemed concerned.

And so I stopped to rethink and restrategize, me, myself, on my own, what was my situation, and what would be the best course of action. That's when I noticed something odd: it was really bright there. And I mean, yes, the Sun was straight overhead from me, and with barely any atmosphere, the light was much more focused, but I had sun visors equipped specifically to deal with this issue, and yet they weren't being enough, there was this brightness on the place that was beyond the normal, and it was not coming from the Sun. No, it was coming from some other crater. A bright light like I had never seen, and honestly, that's when I started getting afraid, because I was now dealing with totally and completely unknown territory for me. I had no protocol, no plan, not even an idea of what to do... But yet I wanted to go explore and figure out what was that.

And so I gathered up whatever courage I had left, held my ray gun in hand, and went. I didn't even bounce anymore at that point, just walking, and as I approached the border of that crater, and the light grew brighter with proximity, the fear I felt grew to an overwhelming level. My knees were shaking, I could barely stand on my own two feet, I felt weak, I could barely breathe, I was dizzy, the symptoms kept on going. I was wondering at that point if I was suffering the effects of radiation, my mind was all over the place, theorizing about the nature of that light, the correlation with my sensations, fearing for my fate, but I just needed to know what was that. It was not even something conscious anymore, it was almost like an impulse, almost like something else, the light itself, was telling me to come closer. At the border of the crater I stopped, because I had seen something. The Aisha was leaning forward, full attention to me at this point.

A shape, unrecognizable at first, but that quickly took a familiar form, approached me, gliding effortlessly. Availability winced at this. The fear I felt paralyzed me at that point, I couldn't even point my ray gun, I couldn't even think at that moment, I was totally helpless, at the mercy of whatever was that. It quickly became a Korbat, an eventide Korbat in all white garments, but I could swear she was not a Korbat just moments ago, but she was so beautiful, beautiful and scary beyond boundaries. This Korbat emitted the brightest light I had ever seen, she was the source of the light I was following after, the light that rendered me useless. She glided over, and flew around me, giggling and smiling.

'Hey there, I have never seen one of your kind that had wings!' Her voice was magical, you know? Like, she made the faeries sound mundane, she made the faeries look mundane, you know? She was just like gliding around me, she played with my wings, opening and closing them to see how they worked-

The robot interrupted, No offense, but are you sure you didn't just pass out from radiation poisoning? Like, this story, it could just have been a fever dream of yours.

I smirked. I told you you would not believe this story, didn't I? It is crazy, but I swear on my good name-

You don't have a good name, Belle...

I squinted. Okay, okay, I swear on the Space Faerie's name that this story really happened, and I didn't just have a crazy and yet intricate fever dream.

Okay, if you say so.

I scoffed. I do say so, Villy. I am not that far gone yet to not know dream from reality. Anyways, just listen, I'll tell you why I think this is for real, this really happened. where was I... Oh yeah, so, she was like, looking me all over, messing with my wings, my hair, my antennae, she grabbed my face, whatever, while asking me questions, like 'What's your name' and 'How did you get that cool haircut?' and stuff, and I can't respond, but I somehow gather enough courage and will to ask one question.

'What are you?' And she stops, her smile fades quickly, and looks at me for like, the longest time ever, I'm staring at her, and she's staring at me, and after a while, I'm wondering if I asked the wrong question, fearing maybe something bad would happen, but then she just answers, 'I am a spark,' and I'm like, 'A spark??' and she's like, 'Yes,' and says nothing else, only looks at me, while I don't get what in Neopia does she mean by that. So I say, 'I don't get it,' and she responds right away, 'You don't get it because you're not from here.' So I'm beginning to come to my senses, and I'm just like, excuse me miss, but I try not to get snappy with her, and instead respond sincerely, 'No, I'm from Doran,' and she responds, 'Exactly, I am a Neopian spark, not a Doranian spark.' Honestly, I was at a loss by then, but she continued rambling on, 'It's not the first time I see a Doranian, they all don't get it, this moon is filled with them, but the Neopians, they get it, I don't need to even explain myself further.' And then maybe I am beginning to get what does she mean by all of that, and she probably notices that I am maybe beginning to get a notion, and she smiles brightly again.

'See, now you're getting it! You're thinking like a Neopian!' but what even means that, am I right? And so I'm frowning now, and trying to figure the words to say next, but she puts a finger to my lips and says, 'Save it, I want you to figure out on your own.' So I just nod instinctively, and she flutters back some feet. 'Well, it was great to meet you! I hope to bounce into you in the future, and maybe you can tell me your name next!' And she just starts flying away, and I finally shout 'It's Belletye!' She turns around, and chuckles, and then responds, 'Nice to meet you, Belletye, then. You can call me... Depequi. Nice wings, by the way, how did you get them, Belletye from Doran?' And she just flew away after that, and I just collapsed to my knees and stared at her furthering brightness until it was gone in the horizon, and after I was left staring at the direction she had gone, trying to piece my thoughts together. I glanced over at Oceania once again, from the corner of my vision, just to check if she was alright, and she was in fact, to my relief.

Availability then snarkily asked, And what is the answer to this complicated riddle about this mystery glowing Korbat?

Magic. She was magic. At this point, the Aisha started laughing so hard, their automated voice system echoing mechanically his mockery. Magic??? Okay, I'm sorry, but you really lost me there. Are you saying that she was like, the incarnation of magic itself, or something like that? I glowed red with embarrassment, and stumbled on my words.

O-or something like that, yeah! Wh-why is it so hard to conceive that?? We are in a planet filled with magical beings, spells and charms and stuff are used everywhere, maybe magic itself can get so powerful at times, to like, manifest itself as a creature, you know? The robot Aisha then shook their head and responded.

I am sorry, but it just seems so far fetched. Magic is like a force in this world, fully manipulable and very powerful, yes, but forces in general don't have fully-speaking anthropomorphized representations of themselves, as far as I know, unless you can tell me about someone who met Gravity itself. Yes, there are particles that are condensations of those forces, but they're just particles, and they're short-lived, it's just... I'm sorry, but like, altogether, I feel like this whole story of yours, it can just be explained away with it being a bad hallucination or fever dream from radiation poisoning, which is most likely. Were you treated for it at least? Like, you said you were worried you were walking into a high radiation zone, there was not even Kreludan monsters there, it's definitely not a safe zone. I sighed, and conceded.

Well, yes, I did end up on the labs for the next two or three weeks, yes, I actually had been affected down to a molecular level by the radiation. The scientists were surprised at my lab results, I was so badly damaged, they didn't even know how did I make it back to the ship, or flew back, because I was suffering its aftereffects for weeks, even after the treatments were over. Availability seemed very worried about it, but yet I remembered my trump card. But, you know what, I just remembered, you know how I know it was for real?

Hm? How? They asked, and I responded, grinning with satisfaction.

So I went back, alright? And had to report to the big boss himself what I had found, well, not found, right? And then, so then I tell him what happened, how I had found nothing, nothing at all, save for that weird Korbat, and I tell him the story and stuff, and... He looks completely spooked by it. Like, as if he had seen a ghost or I had just made him relive his worst memory, you know? So much, he just dismisses me, with no grandiose speech, no reprimand, nothing, he just tells me to get to the labs right away, and nothing more. The big Doc, Mr. Evil himself, fearing a weirdo I met on the moon. And that, that's why I say, this was for real, I met that Korbat up there, it's no fever dream.

The robot Aisha nodded, Okay... Oceania came running up to me, speaking gibberish and bringing me a handful of grass flowers, and I smiled, baby-talking back to her.

Next Part Back Home

Jasmine

Bye snazzy Jazzy! See you next week then! The brunette Krawk waved goodbye as she walked away from the café we were just chatting for the past hour or so, holding her pink purse in hand.

Bye Bea-boo! I waved and started heading down to my next appointment with an odd but old friend of mine, someone I had been trying to bring into my- Well, my father's business for a long time.

I met him years back, when I was still in college, in one of those fundraisers my sorority gals and I did to benefit causes, I think it was to bring funds to the Pound. I remember he was strange, this older Poogle dressed rather oddly to put it politely, and we were all hesitant when he showed up to our event at the park, but I, as the unanimously elected sorority president, welcomed him and quickly learned who he was and what he did. An inventor, who would guess, and back then he was all on his own, trying to make his breakthrough, I thought it was fascinating. Later on I learned where he lived, and began visiting weekly to see what he was doing, along with this Kacheek named Timmy who was from the inventor's neighborhood.

It was a really fun experience, seeing him brainstorm ideas, make prototypes and testing out theories, a lot of times things went wrong, and the results would get really chaotic, explosions, disasters, but he assured us, when we were soot-covered and messy-haired, it was all part of the process, and he'd go back to the drawing board, back to the blueprints, figure out why things went wrong, what differed in the theory from the practice. I helped him with purchasing materials he needed, many a time out of my own pocket, and even helped with assembling, a lot of wrench twisting and bolt-tightening. Those were fun times, I stopped coming over as much after I got my degree, and started working in my father's company, but I still visited from time to time, to see what he was up to as of recently, and to catch up with Timmy.

Changing the subject a bit, I started thinking about my proposal I did to him some weeks back. We could really benefit from an inventor, and he had already sold an invention of his to another company for quite the hefty profit, imagine if he was working with our company? But it was not just profits that I had in mind, no, I wasn't that cold, I also just thought it would be cool to have him on the team. Nepotism? Maybe, but with his brainpower and potential, it could work. Besides that it would be nice to add some personnel of my own to the company, so I am not so vastly outnumbered in any decisions against my father.

Upon arriving at his front yard, which was decorated with his best failed attempts, all which he felt bad enough to not want to throw them out, and thus repurposed them, as tree garlands, ornaments, lights in between others, I heard unfamiliar voices. Huh, so he does get visitors besides me and Timmy, and speaking of Timmy, I could hear him as soon as I approached to knock on the door, discussing with the louder of the new visitors.

Oh, no, it's not self-absorption, it's irony. I'm wearing those Kacheek pants not because I really like them, I just got them on sale for a quarter of the price, but I wear them ironically, because they're just so ugly.

Heh, but isn't using the irony argument for clothes just a good way to disguise that you have bad tastes? You could be wearing the tackiest necklace or the weirdest shirt ever, but as long as you say it's ironic, you can get away with it.

I knocked on the door and yelled in response to the two arguing. You know, even the tackiest of necklaces can work if you know how to match with the rest of the outfit.

Heya Jazzy! Timmy shouted, and then I heard Mr. PoogleButts.

Ah, Jasmine, do come in, the door is unlocked! I would open the door, but I've got my hands full here! I opened the door and first saw who was talking to Timmy, a faerie Grundo with a rough overall look, sporting an undercut and tomboyish clothes, and both were in the living room. I also noticed a baby Grundo girl who was hitting some scrap metal parts together on the living room floor, babbling happily, and lastly I saw the inventor himself at the kitchen that followed from the living room, working on a robot Aisha. Welcome, welcome! Glad you could make it this week, also, that's Belletye discussing fashion with Timmy, the faerie Grundo waved, Here is Availability, I'm oiling their joints, the robot Aisha greeted me, and there's little Oceanna, I can hear from here, but not see, but she is happy, I can tell. The Poogle chuckled heartily, and so did Belletye.

Heh, indeed she is, she is in the process of flattening two pieces of scrap for you, ol' pet, she wants to help. Mr. PoogleButts roared in laughter, and Oceania squealed, laughing along without knowing what was happening.

Why, thank you then, what a good job you're doing, Oceanna! I entered the messy house while still listening to the others praise the little girl. Trying to break the ice a bit, I followed up by asking about the baby Grundo.

Is she yours? Who's the father? I asked the adult Grundo, who gave me a confused look.

What? And then she got it, and responded. Oh, no, no, no. She's not my baby, I mean, I am caring for her, but she's- She's an orphan, yeah. I took her in because- Well, she had no one to stay with.

Oh, that's nice, so you're raising her now, right? So that makes you her adoptive mother, is your robot friend then-

What? Villy? No, they're a friend. And no, I'm not her mother, I mean, I'm just- Caring for her, for now, until I find someone who would take her in. It's nothing permanent, it's not like I could raise a child either ways, not in my current condition. Oh, yikes, I think I might have assumed a bit too much. Noticing that Belletye seemed sort of off-put by my questions, I tried to change the conversation to something a little bit less touchy.

So, what's up? Anything cool happening here? Any new inventions for us to test? I put my surpique clutch down on the coffee table while Mr. PoogleButts responded.

Well, I do have something on the works, a machine- But I do need some programming on it, to get it to do basic functions. Belletye has offered me to do that part, as an exchange for helping on doing maintenance of her robotic buddy here. Belletye nodded.

A-yup, I asked Mr. PoogleButts here to give my buddy a fixer upper, they gets all creaky on the joints you know? But since I have no job or much 'point to pay the good doc, I uh- Offered my services, haha.

Oh really? But where did you learn how to code? I wondered, dealing with computers in general was an unusual ability, only a few in Neopia Central even had access to one of those, and they were all in private groups like the Defenders of Neopia, or big businesses.

I worked at the Space Station, we three come from there. You really pick up some helpful abilities when doing odd jobs, haha. Now that was interesting, what were those zero-gravity dwelling, technologically advanced Neopets doing in this humble little city of Neopia Central?

Huh, interesting... Why did you come down to here? Isn't this city a bit- Well, outdated and simple-minded for you? I noticed Timmy looking at me weird, like he was actually offended by such a silly comment. Actually, the whole planet does not dare compare to Virtupets and Kreludor, so I've heard, doesn't it? The Grundo squinted a bit, she didn't seem so sure on whether I was being serious or not, as far as I could tell. I wondered, why? She then grinned and answered.

Nah, Virtupets? Didn't really make our style. I mean, past all the technical mumbo-jumbo and machinery and stuff, it is just a glamorized overcrowded floating tin can in space. Also, there's just too much turmoil up there, with those battles and rebellions and spying and all the good versus evil and stuff, and what, with that Sloth guy, and his minions doing all sorts of mess in space, it just wasn't for us. I prefer it here, honestly. Huh, so they were running away from the problems up in space. I didn't really follow news about Virtupets or Kreludor, only what came down to here, but I had heard of Dr. Sloth, a fearsome villain that launched an attack in Neopia when I was very young, bringing the space station originally as a weapon and center of operations, and who had returned some years back a second time, trying to retake his space station. But thankfully he was defeated both times by the Space Faerie, and Neopets who had come to aid. Actually, I had last heard he was trapped in the Space Faerie's talisman or something of the sort.

Wasn't that guy trapped or something of the sort? I thought he was out of commission. The faerie Grundo wasn't so cheerful anymore, but she tried keeping a carefree facade so hard, I could just tell I had hit a sore point.

Well, not anymore... He's back in commission. Timmy and Mr. PoogleButts both looked at her and Availability in concern and pity, probably wondering what was happening up in space. Noticing that, she grinned, and proceeded to tell a joke to lighten the mood. Heh, he's like a petpetpet infestation on your petpet, you can spray and fine comb and pass all sorts of chemicals, but they just keep on coming back to making yours and your petpet's life hard. Was it just my impression, or did the last part sound spiteful? Okay, awkward... So awkward, no one said a thing for a moment or two, the only noise came from the baby who was now rubbing the carpet with a piece of scrap metal. But hey! We're here now, right? Past's the past, am I right, or am I right, Villy? The robot Aisha didn't respond, but Oceanna squealed again in joy, agreeing nonverbally with Belletye. The faerie Grundo smiled, and then Mr. PoogleButts saved the situation with his announcement.

Okay, Belle, my dear, your pal here is all set for now. All of their joints have been oiled, all of the rust removed, all of the circuitry has been checked, they are pristine now. He patted Availability on the back. You can hop off the kitchen counter now. The robot jumped off, and rushed over to Belletye.

You'll have to excuse us for a second, the robot said, and then signaled to their friend. The two went outside, and we could hear them discussing out there.

Awkward... I looked at Timmy and Mr. PoogleButts, feeling guilty for whatever was happening now. The Kacheek didn't know how to respond, but the Poogle waved his hand.

I'm sure you didn't mean to upset her, dear. You just didn't know enough about her to avoid it happening, you just met her. Just let them sort themselves out, and things will be fine. I hoped so, I was not usually the type to mess up like this. This was already eating at me, and it didn't help that Mr. PoogleButts was trying so hard to save the situation I messed up. Also, I forgot to mention, but there's fresh tea and some nice little butter cookies I picked up at the grocery store-

Excuse me, I've got to go apologize. I interrupted the inventor, and rushed out of the door to the two Neopets mid-discussion. Belletye, Availability, I'm so sorry if I have offended or upset you in any way, that was not the intent.

Yeah, yeah, you're sorry, so sorry for us, and our situation, and how we are, why don't you just take your sorriness and leave us be, okay? Not really up to feeling pitied by some spoiled daddy's little girl at this moment. The Grundo spitefully retorted, making me feel taken aback by how brash she was.

Look, I know we've started on the wrong foot. It's my fault- But she didn't even let me finish my sentence.

Aw, shut up. Get outta here, will ya? What are you even doing here? Your pampered self is clearly raised way too above apologizing to paupers like us-

Belletye, that's enough! The robot intercepted. Okay, now my blood was boiling, who did she think she is??

Excuse me?? These are MY friends you're with, and I'M visiting them, YOU are the stranger. Don't like it? Maybe YOU should 'get outta here' if I'm bothering you so much! The Grundo began to advance towards me, but the Aisha stopped her, and I stood my ground to not seem weak, but I was sort of terrified for a split second of what she would do to me if it wasn't for her friend, she seemed almost like a mutant Gruslen, ready to pounce and attack me, angry beyond reasoning.

Enough! Stop it! Cut it out, Belletye! The robot Aisha struggled to keep her back, and, realizing that I wasn't helping, and yet had only provoked the Grundo, rushed back in before anything else happened, and almost bumped onto Timmy and Mr. PoogleButts, who were both behind the door, listening. I glowed red in shame, how did I manage to cause this big mess?

I will... Go out to talk to them. Mr. PoogleButts exited, and it was just Timmy and I now. I rubbed on my ring on my left hand, and sighed in defeat.

I- I didn't make much of a good first impression, did I? Timmy shook his head.

Don't think so... How embarrassing, I needed to make this up somehow. While I brainstormed some ideas, the three Neopets came back in. Mr. PoogleButts nodded to me, affirming that he had settled the issue, and Availability just walked in, but Belletye just glared at me the moment she stepped into the house. Oh Fyora.

Mr. PoogleButts served the tea and cookies to the whole group, and started talking about his invention, and soon Timmy, Belletye and Availability were all chattering about it, and Oceanna joined in too, after begging to sit at the table and then proceeding to stuff her face with cookies, but I was too distracted this time to listen in. I was brainstorming a way to apologize to that Grundo before I got cornered on the nearest alley or something of the sort, I thought jokingly, but yet, I sort of worried on the back of my mind that this may be a possibility. Feeling guilty for even thinking of this, I repudiated myself for even thinking this.

Digressing, I started thinking about my joking topic. I guess my father was right after all for worrying about my safety. I never really took it seriously, because I'm usually too confident that nothing would ever happen to me, but who really knows? I know I didn't know for sure. It was about time I found myself a bodyguard. The very first idea I had, an ironic joke mostly, was the very Grundo who had just almost attacked me earlier, had his friend not held her back. Hotheaded like her, she seemed like the type who would win in a physical confrontation, I could tell by her build that she was no stranger to that. She reminded me in a sort of way of him, I noted while spinning the ring on my finger, and I felt a pang. No, no, not now, one off topic at a time, I thought while putting down my hands. What else... Oh yeah, also, she was handy, knew coding, and possibly other interesting things, as she apparently worked on different jobs on space.

That's it, I knew how to approach her. I'm going to offer her the position of being my personal bodyguard... Wait, she may not like that. Okay, I'd call her my assistant. That's a nice way to apologize, isn't it? I hoped so, because that's the guns I'd stick to. Now, just to wait for the perfect time...

After the tea break, I awaited for a time where Belletye was alone, and the perfect time came up when she went to was cleaning up Oceanna's mess, apparently they were leaving already, I couldn't just let her slip like that. I approached the faerie Grundo when she was about done, but her face switched quickly from her caring, motherly look that she had with the baby, to a contemptuous scowl when she noticed me approaching.

What do you want now? Yeesh.

I just wanted to talk-

We've talked enough-

Why won't you let me apologize to you?? Oh, Fyora, why did I sound so whiny right now? Stop it, Jasmine, hold your composure!

Because I've had enough with you, and you've ruined my hangout here. Now can we go, or are you going to keep on bother me? She zipped up her duffel bag and strapped it around her shoulder. Okay, here went nothing.

Um- Yes, actually. I really want to apologize for my behavior today, and- I raised my voice before she could cut me off. And- Also, I wanted to know, since you said you had no job currently, if you would be interested in one. She gave me a really confused look, as to expect, that was my tactic, after all, to get past her defensiveness. I inhaled. Look, I messed up, okay? I assumed too much, and I don't know how things are up there in space, and I guess I shouldn't have gotten so nosy, but I didn't mean it to be malicious, or to snob any of you, I am just curious, and wanted to get to know you, I mean, you're so cool and different, what, with your abilities and even how you look, I just wanted to befriend you. I'm sorry if I ended up offending or belittling you, that's the opposite of what I meant to do. And sorry for telling you that outside, I really shouldn't have burst out like that, and I didn't mean it either. Okay, that was okay, right? Belletye thought for a second, and then sighed.

Aw, shoot, I guess I need to apologize too, I overreacted, and interpreted things the worst way possible. Oh goodie, she accepted my apology. Also, sorry for scaring you out there, I need to control my temper better, I could tell you could barely move from fear.

Don't be so sure, I do know a bit of self-defense. I remarked snarkily, and she chuckled. I could have at least gained some time to run away from you. And now she laughed, that's great. But- Uh, honestly, back to the job thing, I wanted to ask if you were interested in being my personal assistant, I work in my father's company, and I have been looking for someone to help me along with the tasks-

As in, secretarial work? She wondered.

Yes, but other types of work too, basically anything I need, I would ask you to help me along, so to put it loosely. Belletye pondered.

I mean, why me? Can't you get like, some cute-looking petite girl to help you or something, who is more presentable or whatever?

Yeah, but they don't have the experience you have, I was looking for someone more of a jack-of-all-trades, and you said you worked in different jobs up in space, and that's exactly the type of personnel I'm looking for. Of course, you'll need to do an interview and stuff before getting hired, but I want you working for me, so you'll definitely get hired, it's just because it's got to be official and stuff. About the pay, we can discuss with my father, but it can be generous. Isn't it a good opportunity? Belletye looked at me, I could tell she seemed both suspicious and very interested on the proposal. I hoped that I had swayed her, I think I had swayed her, her suspicion had lessened, and albeit unsure, she did seem interested in her reply.

I'll... I dunno. I'll think about it.

Next Part Back Home

Timmy

Different Kind

I had heard a while back
from a brethren of mine
we were mere manifestations
ephemeral figments
of one's collective mind
that happen when many gather
and identify with a land.

Our existence owed to the Neopians
can mean many a thing
to those brethren of mine
some see it as a sort of duty
quasi-filial in nature
an obligation to give back
in whichever capacity they can.

Others see it opposite
a call to parental guardianship
to defend it and care for it
like the race of the winged charmers
have come to agree with
as their best course of reason
given their magical predisposition.

Yet those are active roles
(and the results resemble each other)
to which there are who disagree with
and choose a more passive route
either living in isolation
or living in anonymity
and never doing much.

If I were to say which one I was
I do think I am no activist
not for my own land
justifying on my own ick
on confusing duty with pride
and ending up too egotistical
inverting one's meaning.

I am no creature of duty
I am a simple Kacheek
I help out where I can when I can
like many other commonpets
and my life is as common
as many others you can see
on the streets that beat within me.

It is not that I would not
do more if needed be
I just find myself not-necessary
to the daily processes of life
in this commonplace city
and so I carry on daily
living my life mirroring many.

My Friends

There's this old blue Poogle
Whose life is rather frugal
Save for the many crazy things
He's built from metal and springs
And many say his mind went centrifugal.

There's this young green Buzz
Whose surname is quite the fuss
She helps the Poogle out on a regular
For motives both altruistic and secular
But also she just likes to hang out with us.

Treading far along the other lands
There's this Bruce with a ring on his hand
Hailing from a distant brethren of magma and fire
He's the Buzz's own heart's desire
Although his business I don't think I understand.

There's this strange Faerie Grundo
My space brothers say they don't know
She, her friend and her little sister came to here
And have lived in my land for some years
Now the Buzz has her be her shadow.

The Grundo's little sister
Needs the older to assist her
The robot too does their part
To keep this thought of family to heart
One hopes she one day says at least a whisper.

Lastly and certainly not least
There's the Aisha of metal and grease
Whose strange mannerisms are so lifelike
To some fear in the minds may strike
But I say nothing about that, lest they may not be pleased.

Shooting Star

As I wandered through the night
Alone in a nonbreaking stride
Appreciating the city life
Wading in the sights
Thinking in delight
Of all the invites
And all the rides
Happy plights
Making me
Excited

I
was
surprised
suddenly awestruck
as a flash of light
came down
towards
me

You are Neopian, I can tell,
Yet you seem familiar to me
In nature at the very least.
Please hear my plea:
I have met an alien once,
On the far side of the moon,
My dreams have told me to seek
Lest disaster will come soon.
I know this sounds very strange,
But I have been led here
By the very wheels of fate.
I know to you she is near.
This is odd but I request
The alien to come with me
To the dark forest on the west
Help me this omen impede.

The Korbat made of light stood before me
And I had to ask for a moment of recollection
In response, I said, I cannot tell one what to do
But I do have this connection.
I will lead you to the Grundo you seek
In hopes you are being truthful;
A sudden request like this is not easy
Explain to her why she is so crucial.

My path back home that night was not alone
As I led the star with motives unknown.

Next Part Back Home

Classic modernists.

Depequi, a second time

Can you please, um- Depequi, was it? Can you please just dim down a bit more? The yellow Kacheek asked me once more, as we waited in front of a short Neopian construction filled with many paraphernalia of purposes unknown, with slanted roofs and some sort of structure in the front decorated with many hanging things. The entire neighborhood is going to wake up this way, we could even end up dealing with the police this way.

What's a 'police'? I asked, as I complied with his request.

Uh- This sounds familiar... It's, well- Aw, nuts, how do I even start? He hesitated for a second, but instead of responding to me, he turned once more to the door to knock again for whatever reason. The door opened at that moment to an older blue Poogle with a thick peppered mustache and patchy beard shadow, wearing a matching nova-patterned sleeping gown and cap.

Timmy, wha- Augh, great Darigan spikes and wings! The Poogle cringed and covered his eyes with his hands. My eyes!! What is the meaning of this?? Why do you have with you whatever this is that is brighter than the Altadorian Light Faerie herself??

Can you please dim yourself more?? You're hurting him! The Kacheek asked me, to which I complied to, albeit frustrated because of how much of a deal this was being. I made myself to a faint glow that could barely cast shadows in the presence of those streetlamps that were around and did not bother these Neopets as much as I apparently did.

Is that better?? I asked the two, and the Poogle uncovered his face with a grimace.

Hey Lorry, can you help me keep this one inside? They came down from the sky when I was wandering around the neighborhood and asked me to see Belletye urgently. Oh, the Kacheek was right, the winged Grundo I had met back then was named that after all!

Um, alright, I suppose it is better than having... The blue Poogle looked at me and gestured. You- Outside- Well, like that.

Like what? I asked, but was pushed in by the Kacheek before I got to answer.

I'll be right back! He announced to me and the Poogle, before dashing off, and the Poogle closed the door and turned to me.

Well, aren't you a whole commotion of your own... He commented. Come, sit down on my couch, you don't need to stay floating all of the time. Gesturing towards the seats near the middle of the room we were in, the blue Poogle started heading towards them, and so I followed along. I guess you have told this to my friend already, but it would not hurt to tell me as well. Well, who are you?

Well, I told Belletye it was Depequi, I thought it up at that moment and think it's cool. I answered.

And you're from the sky... Where from up above have you come from? Are you from outer space? Is that how you met young Belle and her friend Villy?

Um, yes, I am, actually! I am a spark of magic light, of the lingering magic that made this planet come to life eons ago, although to be honest, I don't know why am I conscious or can take shapes, like this one. While standing in front of his seated self, I stretched my skirt and opened my wings to indicate what I meant. Although I don't know any Villy. I added lastly, I only knew of the Grundo I had come to see.

I see- Please, I insist, take a seat. The Poogle gestured once again, and so I sat next to him, not knowing where I was supposed to sit but assuming that next to him was seatable indeed. That prompted a mild disconcert from my host, and he moved aside on the seats to accommodate before I continued on.

I wander a lot the vacuum of space around this planet, and its moon, where I once met my friend Belletye a while back, on the far side. I promptly remembered something about it that was funny. And then had to help her head back, she seemed very out of it, and could barely walk, she stumbled the entire way back to Kreludan civilization. I chuckled.

He didn't chuckle back though, seemingly intrigued by what I said. The moon, huh? And the far side of it, as in, the side that faces the sun, and not the planet? What was she doing there?

I am not sure, I don't think I asked, and also, she started speaking incoherently after a while, so all I got was strange babbles and mentions or whatnots, it was very far from anything comprehensible. I don't know why. I remembered something else, something she had told me back then, so I just spoke it out loud. But I did understand from her she was over there in a mission from this villain that everyone hates, this Doctor Sloth. He looked at me in shock and horror.

She was what?? The Poogle asked right away. Ooh, perhaps I shouldn't have said that?

That... Was what she told me multiple times then, so I assume it's true. I answered.

He mulled in for a second, commenting on it. No wonder she and her friend are so multi-talented, and also the latter is so strangely high-tech for 'just a special maintenance bot'... Looking at me once more, now with worried eyes, he then said. I guess it is true what they say that Sloth's fingers are everywhere... But they never seemed suspicious, either of them... Was this the reason why you came after her today? Is Belletye supposed to pay for her crimes or something of the sort? He asked me.

Uh... No? I answered. It was because of a dream I had. Besides, what crimes did she commit? I wasn't aware of that. Should I be concerned as to whom I was asking for help?

Well, if she was a minion of Sloth, who knows what sort of horrid actions she must have done in his name, right? If she weren't guilty of at least something, she'd not hide her past, would she? The old Poogle said in a more serious tone.

That's... True... I said, now hesitating as to whether my rushed decision to come down here was actually a good one. I had always trusted my intuition, but also, there were not that many times I had to act upon it, that is, not until recently.

I don't want to dissuade you from doing whatever you need to do that was important enough to make you come down to the surface, though. The Poogle amended his words, seeing how concerned I was. If she is important for whatever thing you need to do, right? I mean, I can only hope it is something good-

Well, is saving the world not good? I asked, kind of offended at the suggestion.

No! No- I mean, yes, yes it is! He responded rapidly. I mean- Just... Take it as a warning, that if she was involved with a villain, chances are, she's no good either, you know? You don't want her sabotaging whatever you have to do in the name of serving her master. Oh, I did not even realize that was a possibility, now I was very concerned. The Poogle noticed that and tried to be positive. But- Well, if you say it was some sort of dream you had that told you to come and get that Grundo, like a prophecy or whatever, perhaps it will work out for the best. At least that is what I heard of how prophecies work.

Well, it wasn't exactly a prophecy, I just had a dream where me, and her, and others I don't know, were all involved in this really, really bad incident, and we had to fix it all, and I knew it was imperative we were all there together, because it was a matter of saving the world from something bad- And oh- There was this Faerie I talked to a while back, not in a dream, by the way, and not literally talking, we were in the void of space, um- But anyways, she was 'talking' about something really bad happening, well she said again, which is weird, but I mean, yeah, that was because we found a strange creature that mimicked a Neopet, and uh- By the look on the Poogle's face, I had completely lost him. But yeah, Belletye is needed for this... Whatever it is that we need to do. We both need to be there.

I... See... He definitely didn't see.

I will- Well, I'll try to explain it from the top when she gets here, since I have to convince her. I said, and tasked myself with trying to figure out how to best say things to the Grundo I had asked for.

A few awkward minutes later where we sat in silence while I mulled on what to say and the conversation had all but ceased altogether, a rattling at the door led to the yellow Kacheek opening it. Right behind him followed the one I had asked for, who looked jarringly different from the last time I had seen her; she was the same dark blue Grundo with dark blue sparkling wings, but definitely bigger and with harsher features, and her once short cyan hair was now shaggy and long, but shaved on the sides. I had heard that creatures from Neopia grew and changed if they weren't physically mature, but I guessed Doranians did this as well. I stared at her for so long, I did not even realize at first there was another who walked in after her.

D- Depequi??? The winged Grundo asked incredulously, stopping on her tracks midway to the couch. Wh- What is going on??

So you do know them, after all! The yellow Kacheek said.

Yeah, I met her once, years ago! The Grundo responded.

Wait, 'her'? Or 'them'? The Kacheek stopped in front of the couch and looked at me.

Any way is fine, I don't mind! I exclaimed back.

Alright, well, that- But can I refer to you as 'her' then? Are you okay with that? The Kacheek asked as the Grundo and the metallic Aisha watched, both still at a distance from us.

Yes, no problem. I responded, and the Kacheek turned towards the two.

So, as I was saying, she came down from the sky, demanding that I took her to you, because she has something important to tell you to do, and then- And then- He trailed off, noticing we were still staring at each other, although I wasn't so sure as to why, I just thought it was weird that this Grundo was so fixated on me, and it felt weirder to look away when her eyes were so set on me.

A few seconds passed, and the other one in the room spoke up. Well, I guess that you were telling me a true story when talking about this. I looked at the Aisha, finding them familiar somehow despite the sureness that I had never known them, and chose to smile to greet.

Hi, I don't think I've met you yet. Are you with Belletye?

Yes, my name is Availability, although everyone shortens it to Villy due to Belle's influence.

Nice to meet you, Availability, my name is-

Depequi, I've been told about you. The Aisha cut me off in their monotone voice.

I still can't believe you are really true. Belletye spoke up, drawing in everyone's attention, and I smiled back at her.

Well, I guess you were pretty out of it back when we first met. But indeed, I am still me, and I still exist, although I haven't taken this corporeal form in a while.

So, um- Not to be too pushy about this- The Poogle interrupted. But Depequi here was telling me, before you all came in, that she has a rather important mission that she requires your help in specific, or something of the sort. So, well, if you would like to restart your story, since you were seeming to have some issue conveying it across... Right, right, I had almost forgotten, being caught up with Belletye's different looks and her friend.

Yes, of course! So, um- I do require you all to sit, I said while hopping off the seat I had been taking, since this will be a rather long story, from what I was trying to tell and I need to get the details right. The Kacheek sat down on the seat I had left, and I gestured to the other two.

Uh- Us too? Belletye asked.

Unless you want to stay standing? I answered simply. It is a rather long story, the one I am about to tell. The Grundo scurried over to another seating furniture, while the Aisha followed and stood next to her on the far side.

Moving a little further back to accommodate everyone in my field of view, I mulled for a little bit on where to start all of this story. I had to start at the beginning, right? But at my beginning, of the chronological sequence of events I went through while investigating all of this madness? But it was confusing, too confusing. No, I thought, let's start on the logical beginning, the last thing I had been informed of before I came to this planet. Everyone from my audience seemed to hold their breath as I looked towards them once more, and so I started.

I was let known, by the same medium I have been conceived from and came to be, which has been lingering around and is enmeshed with this very planet we stand upon, of a story that had happened long before I've been, or any normal Neopians have been. Something back in history, and that time has managed to bury it in its sands, so now very, very few know it had happened, but it was once a fact that this planet, and possibly everything beyond it, was doomed, by forces beyond our reality. It was an age where monstrous creatures of horrid power from this beyond had infiltrated into our planet and were operating from it and its moon to bring upon its end, and were taking advantage of its overabundant magic to fuel their purpose for destruction, and this march towards the end seemed inevitable. I looked at each one of their faces, varying from apparent indifference, to confusion, concern, and then fear, respectively. I had to continue on with the story.

But, that was stopped! Great heroes, like several you know of recent history with their amazing stories, with the usage of an extremely powerful artefact made that destruction and devastation be sealed out of our reality before it could do much harm, and, also, took down one of those monsters serving it, and sealed within our planet, behind a door in the depths of the central continent! The other villains scattered with this event, and hope and magic were restored, as so it was fated to be, or else none of us would be standing here today! The room seemed to breath with a sigh of relief at knowing that, but that was still not it, I was far from done.

And yet, the very medium I am from has forewarned me, that some of those creatures have recently resurged, and with new help and newfound support of the forces from beyond through a weakening of the seal. There are events that have been, are, and will be transpiring, like parts of a mechanism that has started running once again after so long halted to a stop, that will eventually lead to the release of said trapped monster, the gathering of the others of its kind, and the eventual breakdown of said seal from beyond, and so, if we wait until then, who knows what could we even do, if anything can be done, to stop the very end of existence itself coming down upon us once more. I looked at the Grundo I had requested to see, and then at the Aisha, who I had just remembered why I recognized them, and then pointed towards them.

I need you to help me stop that. I had a dream, we were at the foot of a door on the ground, a door that finds itself deep within the dark woods, and that worked as a physical seal that was the manifestation of the seal that kept that monster serving destruction. We were unable to stop another from foolishly breaking that seal in my dream, and I believe that was a warning, if we can stop that first step towards the end, so it can be stalled, it would be the very important first step to our quest. It would not be the last, though, as there are those others to be stopped, and all the machinations that are leading up to this have to be halted, but at least this, for sure, is something I am certain we are meant to do firstly.

The room was quiet for a bit too long. Finally, the Grundo spoke up. Okay... But how?

That I was not made aware of- But! I interjected before she could speak up. It probably involves stopping whoever is seeking after this creature! And whoever is working with these forces and the other monsters, and-

Yeah, but like... I am not magic. I have wings, sure, but I can barely fly with them, and I'm just an ordinary Grundo otherwise. Belletye responded to me. Do you need me to just- Just punch some 'pets or something? I don't even know if punching monsters helps for anything. I did not know how to answer that, it was not like I'd know that.

I could help! Availability said to Belletye and I. I have some utilities that could come useful on these situations. That last part made the Grundo give me and the two others a quick side-eye before looking back at her friend.

Yeah, but like, what do we even have to do, it's not like, we're not fit for this sort of stuff, you know? She emphasized a little too much the last part, which made the Aisha quieten. Then, turning to me, the Grundo said, Besides, I'm no great hero or whatever you said, I'm just some average 'pet trying to live my life. Nah, I can't go. She looked at her friend. Sorry, we're not going anywhere. What?? You couldn't just say no! She looked at the others, as to appeal to them. Besides, who's going to care for little Oceania while we're gone?? We've got no family here.

But you have to come with me, it is fated! I protested.

I- I guess I would not mind caring for her for a while, if you need to travel... The old Poogle started up, but Belletye responded quickly.

It is fine, we don't- I won't- I don't want to impose on you, that would be asking too much from you, besides, she is sometimes more difficult to care for than I could ask you to do. No one was listening to me then, there was no way around this, so I tried once again to remind the Grundo.

I need you to come with me to the west!

No, it is fine! The Poogle exclaimed. I really don't mind- Also, she has always been so well behaved while over here, and she's so used to me-

No! I don't need it!! I don't want to go, and I don't need any stupid help with anything! The Grundo snapped loudly, cutting the Poogle off and surprising everyone with her anger. Then, she quickly shifted into a more apologetic tone towards the Poogle. Sorry, I- Didn't mean to- She paused, and then changed her subject. Well- Thank you for your offer, but I just, I can't. And then she turned towards me. So I won't. End of story.

Exasperated at her nonsensical response, I was going to protest a third time. But-

Find someone else! There are dozens of thousands of 'pets in this stupid city, you can find someone else to help you! Belletye got up from the seat, and gestured towards the yellow Kacheek. Ask Timmy, he knows everyone and their mom in this place. Now, if this is it, I am going back to my home before the night ends so I can catch some Zs. She was just going to reject me like that?? It was nice seeing you again, I guess, and good luck on your journey or quest or whatever.

I looked at the others as she passed by me, followed closely by her metal friend. In an act of desperation, I grabbed her by the hand and held onto her with all of my strength, as I accidentally let myself get brighter once again.

Pleas- I started, but was quickly cut off.

Augh! The Grundo exclaimed in shock as she turned away, trying to tug on her hand but I held in tighter in resistance. The others also covered their eyes, including the robot.

My photoreceptors can't take this much light! The Aisha exclaimed. I tried reducing my light a little, but my desperation was making it difficult.

Please! For your planet's sake, for everyone's sake, I know I need your help, I can't just ask someone else, you were the one that was there, I saw you in my dream, that is what I know and that is what I am working with, otherwise I don't know what to do! And- And you know about space stuff, right? I mean, we met in the moon and-

Alright! Alright! Belletye shouted. I will go along with your stupid adventure or whatever, just please stop trying to make me blind! Also, you are crushing my hand, it hurts! I focused on first dimming myself to a more acceptable level, which allowed everyone to stop covering their visions.

Wow, that was so bright, I almost feel kind of queasy now, somehow. The old Poogle said.

My radiation counter was high in all parts of the spectrum, but it is concerning that there were amounts of gamma and x-rays present beyond what is commonly accepted as the healthy limit for a Neopet. Availability commented. I would recommend seeking medical assistance if anyone is feeling physical symptoms, as that could mean damage has been done to your bodies. They added on with what seemed like concern, despite their monotone tone.

Yeah, that was terrible, I hope we don't get turned into mutants or something for getting zapped with so much of those rays. The yellow Kacheek added in.

Oh no, I forgot that Neopets and Grundos alike could mutate with such energies! I had learned that in recent years from secondhand accounts on the moon about said Neopets mutated by that same evil scientist from earlier, and how awful these experiences were. I felt awful, I did not mean to endanger nor hurt anyone! Withdrawing my hands away from the Grundo, who was still not looking at me despite not covering her eyes anymore, I started. I'm so sorry, should I do something? I could fly you guys to the nearest place you need to get you checked out!

No, no, no, no, it's fine, we didn't turn into anything did we? The Poogle said, but he wasn't looking at me, instead eyeing the one right next to me suspiciously, which caught the attention of the Kacheek. So we're good. Just don't do this again, alright? He said that last time as he turned to look at me, and I nodded frantically in response.

Yes, sure, I'm sorry, I'll try not to do this again. I looked back at the Grundo, who was looking over at the Aisha, with her back now turned towards me and the others.

So you are coming with me? Is that a definite yes? I asked.

Yeah, sure, I did just say so, didn't I? She grumbled.

Then please, do sit down I have more to talk about, as there is more to this story. I requested, to which I got first a low huff, and then she started moving back to the seat she had previously left. Once again Availability followed her, and resumed standing by her on the far side of the group.

Fine. Do tell us then.

Her tone was darker, and she no longer seemed as fascinated as previously, and seemed visibly irritated at me as she sat down. I went shy for a second, recoiling from how uncomfortable this situation had become, with growing second thoughts as to whether asking her for help was something positive. I guessed it was not only her physical form that had changed from the last time we had met, which gave me an indescribable painful feeling in the depths of myself. Finally, I opened up my mouth once more, trying to think of what next to share.

There were two instances I had of meeting with some faeries in space. First, the strangeness was to find another faerie in space that was not the space faerie. She called herself Nora, and said she was somehow borrowing the space faerie's magic. Although, when later talking with the space faerie, she had no idea what that meant, and she had not had this Nora come to her ever. Oddly enough, the two seem very similar, like, face-wise, proportions as well, same eyes too, but that strange faerie was orange-themed, as if she was fire-related, but with magic nothing to do with it. I could not actually pinpoint what was her magic-

Okay, I get it, you met a strange faerie. The winged Grundo cut me off. What else was there to it?? I hesitated for a second, looking at the two others on the two-seat furniture, but seeing only agreeing discomfort in this response and nothing more. Where was I going with this?

Well, so, anyways, we met up in the outersphere of Neopia, where a spaceship had fallen prey to the meteorite belt-

Asteroid belt. She cut me off once again.

What?? I asked.

Asteroid, meteorites are what fall onto the planet. Belletye responded, her voice sounding very impatient.

Right- Anyways, so I was out there, because something had drawn myself in to there, and I had found the strangest Neopet I had come across, I mean, they physically looked like any other Neopet I had seen, but they felt... Alien. I looked at the Grundo. Not- Not like, alien like you, I mean, you're still from here- I mean, your planet, Doran, right? I mean, a whole lot of your kind is- But- Doran is still a planet- I mean, it's still in this reality, right? She was frowning at me from this confusion, and the others had a variety of reactions once more. A- Anyways, this Gelert, it looked like one, but- Well, I can't explain you how, but I knew it wasn't truly a Gelert, but something else, from beyond this world, and- Um, this reality, and had taken the shape of a Gelert, right?

Well, that's kind of concerning... The Poogle chimed in.

Yeah, it was! And it just... It felt so wrong! And then, and then- I inhaled, and spoke the next in one breath. Well, that faerie I met, who was also investigating the crash detritus told me that this was indeed a monster of some sort, and its presence indicated that more bad things were to come, because there had to be more of them, and that its presence meant that the end was to come- I stopped, trying to think where to go next. And that's why I started investigating, also because she just disappeared after talking to me and left me hanging, but her warning was so ominous, and she had told me she had seen this happen before, and she was very upset about it, so- Yeah, I started- I started messing with that Gelert, trying to figure out what it was but it kind of fell apart on my hands and it made me all icked out because then I had weird alien stuff on me, and it was in space so it got like, everywhere!

Ew. Belletye commented.

Do you no longer have it on you? Availability chimed in, the others turned to listen to them. I could run some testing with my internal machinery to see what is about its nature that upset you so much.

No, I answered. It eventually just disappeared, I mean, I kind of freaked out and blasted the bits away, but then it was all gone.

All gone? The Aisha copied me as a question.

Yeah! Even the- Even the weird energy it was giving off, after I blasted it all away it stopped existing. I must have neutralized it or something.

Well, that is at least some good news, we have at least one weapon against... Whatever those are, disguising themselves as Neopians. Belletye commented.

Can I ask one question, though? The Kacheek that had helped me spoke up, and I nodded rapidly in response. So these monsters, they can disguise as anything... Does that mean they could be here in Neopia already? Among everyone else, Neopets, faeries and what else?

Yes, for sure. The faerie Nora herself said, that if there's one there's more, and given that they are related to whichever forces are trying to release that monster deep within the woods in the west, from what I could understand. Chances are there are more of them lurking about, doing whatever nefarious deeds to accomplish their goal.

Is there any way one could distinguish them from the non-evil-monster-creature-from-beyond Neopians? The Kacheek asked. Without the use of whatever energy sensitivity you have that helps you.

I don't... Know? I mulled, but no, I did not stop to ask that to any source I had come across. I guess, if they're acting suspicious?

That could be anyone! The Grundo protested, and I felt a bit ashamed for not being able to help.

Yes, it could, but at least being with me you don't need to worry about it, I can tell you when something is off in one's energy. I replied, trying to be optimistic, but all I got was an eyeroll from her.

Is there any more information you can share with us before heading towards the location you know you have to go? The metallic Aisha inquired. Yes, I did have more, I just remembered, there was another big part of the story that I almost forgot to tell!

Yes! So, um, anyways, after that faerie left, I kept on searching around, not finding much else in the wreckage, and I had no idea of what to do with, well, the others, and I was just mulling on a solution for a while. I thought of trying to get some other spaceship passing by to notice it, but there was the issue anyways with the- Uh, asteroids nearby. I glanced at Belletye, trying not to annoy her any further. But- Well, so luck have it, I saw the space faerie, and she approached the wreckage and also acknowledged me, and started asking me questions as to what had happened and what was my involvement with it. She was distressed to see the whole scene, and we ended up having to, well, bring them to the moon, and it was a whole activity we did for a while, and also having to discuss with the Kreludan authorities about the incident... It was quite the discussion that had been had, I remembered bringing up the meeting I had with the prior faerie to the space faerie and the Kreludan Grundo had caused some estrangement from both other parties, but I felt like getting into that whole topic would deviate too much from what I was talking about.

Anyways, so, in the meanwhile, I had noticed something strange coming from the far side of the moon, including energy signatures that were somewhat similar to whatever that creature truly was... And it was not the first time I had noticed this activity on that far side, I mean, when we first met back then, I was searching around that area because I had noticed strange energies... I noted that the Grundo had tensed up with me mentioning the story, and the Poogle snuck some quick glances at her, knowing what I was referring to. Only I had found nothing of notice back then. But I wanted to go investigate once more, and the space faerie, noticing that, decided to follow along. So we went off towards the empty side of the moon, and we were investigating, and I swear, this was not there before, I have searched around there before, and even the space faerie commented on its sudden existence, but far off on the far side, there's this crater and, in there, there's a structure of some sort of glowing crystal that seems to gather a lot of strange energies...

But we could not get that close to it, because we were attacked and chased off! And when we returned there not much later it was all gone, the structure included, and we tried searching around, but it was like it had teleported away or something, the space faerie was very concerned with that.

Wait, wait, the space faerie, Mira herself, got chased off with you by- What? Who? Belletye had finally taken interest, although it was different from the two non-metal Neopets others' interest, which was of worry.

Well, they looked like Neopets, and some others weren't, I don't know, we weren't very much prepared to deal with it, at least I wasn't expecting a confrontation out of the blue! I guess they really spooked us there. I heard a low scoff coming from her, and the Aisha then chimed in.

So it is assumed that there seems to be some sort of base of some sort on the moon these creatures that disguise as Neopians own? Is that what you're getting at?

Yes! I answered. We need to go there at some point and deal with those as well, perhaps even dismantle this base! But that's later though, we first need to stop the happenings on this planet. I thought for a second, and nothing else of relevance was coming up. Being honest, in retrospect, I could have prepared this pitch better, although, given the Grundo and the Aisha were already in accordance with coming along, I didn't seem to have to worry about that part much anymore.

Alright, so when would you all be going? Tomorrow? Asked the Poogle, clapping his hands together once as a signifier of the conversation seemingly wrapping up.

We need to get moving as fast as possible! I exclaimed. Belletye frowned, and mulled on it.

I guess I could see about tomorrow, if not the day after. We do need to arrange things for this trip, right, like, both supplies and what you have it,-

Well I could help get that done quickly when we get back at home. Availability chimed in.

And also to call time off on my job with Jazzy, and- And I guess, well, bring Oceanna over here, she continued, the last part earning a nod from the Poogle. And- And- The conversation kept on going on for a little longer about everything that would have to be done that was listed as in the way of our trip happening, and each of the others took turns accepting responsibility to facilitate the process. At the end of the talk, with an air of poorly disguised defeat, my friend had to concede that she would be going within the timeframe she had proposed.

Finally, when the night was beginning to lessen, and the sky was wearing its first shades of grey and I heard sounds from what the Poogle informed me to be the first birds of the day, we finally were saying our goodbyes individually. I particularly had decided to thank the Kacheek for helping me.

Thank you, uh- I had realized I, in my hurry to push for my quest, had forgotten what I had heard to be basic greeting manners, and never had asked for his name.

Timmy is fine. The yellow Kacheek answered.

Alright, thank you, Timmy, for helping me so readily. You have really done a great service for Neopia with-

Yes, I- Don't need to thank me, I'm just doing what I can do to help. He answered.

Ah, yes, you do have the duty to help after all, given your nature. I said, perhaps assuming too much from him, as he hesitated to answer that.

N- No, I'm not of that sort. Timmy said, glancing over at the other three who were loudly discussing logistics on how to care for the aforementioned little one Belletye seemed to be worrying about. I'm not out here to do anything, besides live my life. I frowned, not understanding.

But- You do know you are tied to and created by this land, aren't you responsible for caring for it?

I was never told to do so, so I don't see why. He said in a lower voice. I was never told either, but I just knew so, it was my destiny after all, and probably the reason I had come to be in the first place. Was this Kacheek not the same? Look, I can't do much anyways, I just know everyone around here enough to ask for help if needed be. Then they can do what they need to do, like you and that Grundo. And I guess the robot Aisha as well, they're more than willing to tag along, even if you didn't ask for them.

No, I did not, but I did realize later that they too are needed, I remember seeing them in the same dream with same group, I just didn't know them prior to tonight. I said, glancing over at Availability.

Uh- By the way- Timmy signaled me to come closer, to which I complied. Then, he mumbled to me a warning I was already aware of. I just wanted to note, these two, I have never had any issues with them, never heard of anything they've done, but they've always stood out as suspiciously strange to me, because, well, I know everyone around this city and its surroundings, and I don't know them, they just showed up out of the blue one day. I have asked around with some of the others similar to me if they knew of them, and no one knew, which makes me wonder where they've come from. I've heard of defectors from, well, certain villains up in space, if you know what I mean, that'd explain the robot's technology, and her multiple abilities in areas that seem so distinct. I'm thinking they're hiding in Neopia from their former boss... But that's my most optimistic theory on them. He glanced at them with an air of suspicion, and then lowered his voice even more. And, you know, you can't always be optimistic, right? So just... Watch out. alright?

I nodded. Alright, no problem, I answered as quietly as he had talked to me. Thanks for warning me. I already knew that, actually, and that was the second time I've been told to be wary, and that just made me more nervous about this whole ordeal, but I was trying to not show it, mainly in the manner that I had ended up doing earlier this night.

Well, then, best, of luck, I guess? For you guys? Timmy spoke up, catching the attention of the other group. Boy, does it sound cheesy to say this out loud. He chuckled, looking at the Poogle.

Yeah, best of luck, you will need it! Mr. Pooglebutts, which was funnily indeed his name from what I've learned a little earlier, announced to everyone. Then, he turned to the Grundo to conclude his conversation. And Belle, for the last time, you don't need to worry about Oceanna being a handful, I can handle it. Timmy here can help me if needed be, he's younger and more physically fit, his back won't pull that easily.

Timmy scoffed lowly at the irony of the conversation. Sure, I can help with Oceanna as well. But I can't cook, only microwave things, so you'll be on kitchen duty, old 'pet. The Poogle cackled.

Well, at least that was solved, and everything was set into motion now. Two "days" until we left to the so-called Haunted Woods, I mean, that would not delay us too much, would it? I hoped things would work out in our favor, would three Neopets be enough to stop whatever these forces of evil were from bringing doom to Neopia and beyond? Perhaps not, but also, perhaps, given the coincidence we had tonight, I was meant to find the others I had also dreamt of, to help me along. But I had never seen the others before in my entire existence, how was I supposed to figure out who they were and where would they be? I could only hope fate would be as kind as it had been so far with me, to allow me to recruit these others to my cause soon enough.

Next Part Back Home

Belletye

Jasmine

Timmy

Depequi, a second time

Availability once more