Jaxmi's Story

by Sally

Preparations!

It all started on a hot, August afternoon. ShanuSky's pets Oong, VargHund, and Khyra were restless. They were tired of playing with each other, and their friends were all at summer camp. ShanuSky decided to adopt a new pet. She searched the pound, but she couldn't find the pet she wanted. So she set off on a journey to find a NeoPet egg.

Her quest began in Neopia Central, where she gathered supplies for her journey. She bought Neggs, NeoCola, 1% Milk, and other items enough for her and VargHund, who would accompany her to protect her and help with the search by using his nose. He also made sure they had plenty of Chocolate Chias. By the time they got everything they needed, it was almost dark, so they went home.

The next morning, they set out. They followed Dusty Trail until its end in a clearing in the middle of the Spooky Forest. Then they headed north, towards the Quiggle Bog. They searched until sunset, then they set up camp. They dined on a Negg and a NeoCola, with a Chocolate Chia for dessert. Then they both crawled wearily into their tents for some rest.

Little did they know that something was following them…

Quiggle Bog

The next morning, VargHund and ShanuSky got up, nibbled on some NeoCrackers, and set off. It took them about 3 hours to reach Quiggle Bog. Once they got there, they decided to split up and meet each other at the clearing across the bog in two hours. ShanuSky went east and VargHund went west.

VargHund was sniffing along the perimeter of the bog when he heard a twig snap. He turned around, but didn't see anything, so he continued on. He hadn't gone eight feet when something leapt up in front of him…Meanwhile, ShanuSky was wading through the shallows of the bog. She didn't see anything that would help her find a NeoPet egg.

When she stepped back up on dry land, she saw a clear pond up ahead. She decided to look over there, and take a drink, too. When she got to the edge of the water, she knelt down to take a drink of the cool water. As she slurped the water from her cupped hands, she thought she noticed something moving around in the water. She looked at the pond, but it was as still as it had been. She decided to look around, when something shot out of the water and tackled her, just in time to miss a blast of fire from behind…

The Enemy and The Ally

When VargHund woke up, he was in a cave. He groggily rolled over, and into water. He began sinking, but something pulled him back up to the surface. He swam back to the shore. He couldn't see much because it was dark. Then, a little light turned on and began flying around the small cavern, lighting torches. When the torches were lit, he saw the Light Faerie, ShanuSky, and two wild NeoPets he didn't recognize.

They saw his puzzled expression and explained to him what had happened. The Dark Faeries were on a rampage, and were seeking revenge upon whoever got in their way. Then they introduced themselves as Kheti the Quiggle, Juniper the Acara, and Moti the Peophin. They said that as soon as they saw the Dark Faeries following the travelers that they had to help, so they brought them to the cavern. The Water Faerie had helped them breathe underwater. They apologised for scaring the two, and then ShanuSky woke up.

After the ordeal, everyone was hungry, so they feasted on fresh trout, berries, and zrea, a fruit juice of some sort. After the meal VargHund explained everything to ShanuSky. Then ShanuSky explained to the Faeries, Kheti, Moti, and Juniper why her and VargHund where in the bog.

"I know where you can find a Gelert den!" croaked Kheti. "You do? Do you think that you could show us where?" asked ShanuSky. "Yeah, but we have to wait until the Water Faerie says that the Dark Faeries have left." gurgled Moti. The NeoPets, Faeries, and ShanuSky spent the night in the cave. The next morning, they ate what was left over from the evening feast, and told stories about their lives.

Halfway through lunch, the Water Faerie poked her head out of the water and said that the Dark Faeries had left. "We can take you to the den after lunch. Then the Light Faerie can escort you home so that the Dark Faeries won't hurt you." said Juniper. "I think that one of you should go with us to the den, so you won't get hurt." Said ShanuSky. "Good idea. I'll go because I know the shortest and safest way." Said Kheti. After lunch, ShanuSky, VargHund, Kheti, and the Light Faerie set out for the Gelert den. When they got there, they discovered it was abandoned. All of the eggs except for one teeny tiny one were smashed.

Home!

"The Dark Faeries did this!" snorted Kheti.

"The poor little egg! I think I'll take it," said ShanuSky.

She picked up the egg and carefully wrapped it in a Scarf and put in her pack. Then Kheti scampered back to the cave. The Light Faerie cocked her head as if listening to something, and *poof!* a pink racing bike appeared.

"Hurry! They're coming!" whispered the Light Faerie, urgently.

ShanuSky jumped on the bike, and VargHund curled up in the basket. ShanuSky pedaled hard towards home. With a burst of speed from the Faerie, she shot over Quiggle Bog, through Spooky Forest, through the now deserted marketplace, and home. She leapt off the bike and ran into the house with VargHund, and shut the door behind her once the Faerie entered. She moved a carpet and pulled up a trap door, and ushered her pets and the Faerie inside. She pulled the rug over the door from the inside before shutting and locking it.

"Phew!" ShanuSky sighed, flipping on a light. She checked the food supply and sleeping quarters, and the bathroom, then turned the light off. As the days wore on, they stayed underground, living off of canned rations. Then, two things happened: the egg hatched, and the air Faerie came and told them that the Dark Faeries were once again in the far reaches of the lowest world. As soon as they returned to the surface, ShanuSky took a look at her new Gelert. He was blue, and small enough to fit in one of their empty food cans.

"I think I'll name him Jaxmi!" ShanuSky said, proudly. A feast was thrown in Neopia Central for the leaving of the Dark Faeries and the birth of the tiny Gelert, who was destined for greatness, although no one except the Space Faerie knew.