Battledome!

by skytearer

"30 NP for the Blue Frost Cannon," I said firmly, waving the sack of money before the shopkeeper Vapporse's face.

"No way!" She said angrily. "If you want a Frost Cannon, you'll pay at least 89 Neopoints!"

SkyTearer, my Shadowed Shoyru, tugged urgently at the hem of my skirt. "Rachel, just pay the 89 Points," he said softly. "There's no need to make the shopkeeper angry."

"Fine," I muttered sullenly, slamming a bag of gold down on the counter. Vapporse smiled triumphantly and swept up the money. "Here's your Battledome item, ma'am." She handed me the Cannon, and SkyTearer and I left the shop.

My name's Rachel. I'm an American, although I spend 6 months a year visiting Neopia, and my pets SkyTearer, Dannarath the pink Zafara, Laurreal the blue Aisha, and Kaaliatarq the blue Peophin. Lately I've been stocking up on items for the Battle Dome, and eagerly awaiting its arrival. SkyTearer and Dannarath are both extremely powerful pets - SkyTearer is speedy, level 10 with 9 abilities, and brilliant. Dannarath is level 4 with 1 ability, but she has lightning speed and is a Ultimate Genius.

"Hi guys!" I called, entering our home. "Look what I bought!" I dumped out my bag of purchases on the table - a Blue Frost Cannon, a Green Invisihat, a Sparkshooter, and a large metal shield. Laurreal and Kaaliatarq gathered over by SkyTearer and me, eager to claim their new battle equipment. "Wait a sec." I looked around, frowning. "Where's Dannarath?"

"RACHEL RACHEL RACHEL RACHEL!!" Just then the Zafara in question burst into the room, her cheeks flushed from running. "RACHEL GUESS WHAT!?!?!"

I frowned at her. "Please, Danna, lower your voice."

She looked at me, positively beaming. "The Battledome has just opened!"

"WHAT?!" We all leapt to our feet, gaping at the little Zafara. "Let's go!"

It only took us 10 minutes to arrive at the stadium, because a biker spotted us and gave us a lift. On the way there, we learned that his name was Akachukieman and he wanted to battle, too.

"This is my Bruce, Brucey288," he said.

Only then did we notice the NeoPet sitting in front of him. "He's level 20, and has 12 abilities. He could take YOUR pets any day!" I seethed with fury at this statement.

"Oh, yeah? Then you won't mind proving it at the Battledome!"

He shot back, "You're on!"

***

"Aaaaaaaaaaaand heeeeeeeeeeereeee we are at the grand opening of...THEEEEEEE BATTLEDOME!!" Came the announcer's voice. He leaned eagerly over his microphone. "Our first contestants are...Rachel, user name Skytearer, and Charlie, user name Akachukieman. Two pets each...AND THE MATCH BEGINS!!!"

"Right, Dannarath, you're up first!" I ordered. The pink Zafara nodded and zoomed into the ring. "Let's crush this wimp, Brucey288!" Akachukieman snarled, and his Bruce moved slowly forward. "288, use Nighttime!" The NeoPet shut its eyes and focused hard, and then the ring went dark. "Dannarath, this is a cinch!" I called. "Use the Light Faerie's gift of Magic Torch!" A bright light filled the ring, and I saw a torch floating just over Dannarath's head. "Now, use Scorch!"

"Trrrrreeeeeeee!" My Zafara trilled, and a bolt of fire zigzagged out of its mouth and hit 288. He didn't look to happy about this. "Bruce-boy, show that thing a REAL fire attack!" Akachukieman screamed. Brucey288 exhaled, and fireballs shot out of his mouth, striking my poor Zafara, who whimpered and fainted. I ran out and picked my poor little warrior up. "SkyTearer, take him." My voice was cold and furious.

"ShhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhKKYYYYYYYY!!" SkyTearer screamed its war cry and rushed into battle. "Use Fiery Roar," I commanded. My little dragon inhaled, and released an ear-shattering bellow, tongues of flame flying around him. 288 looked terrified. "I don't want to do this, Master," he whimpered, running back to Akachukieman. The man glared at him. "Coward," he spat.

"Leitakcoc, your turn!" From the shadows behind him stepped a Kougra, a monstrous red beast that was at least 10 feet high. "Looks like he took 3 doses of Supersize," I heard SkyTearer mutter. "Leitakcoc, Thunder Tail!" Akachukieman glowered at me. Whoosh! The collossal tail of the tiger-like animal swept through the air, narrowly missing my Shoyru, who was wisely using Haste, although I had not commanded him to.

"SkyTearer! Borrow Dannarath's Invisibility hat!" I called, tossing it through the air towards him. He caught it and jammed it onto his head. "Huh?" Leitakcoc gazed around, looking for my invisible pet. Kkkrrrccckkkk! Then, with a creaking, cracking sound, the big Kougra suddenly froze solid, SkyTearer apparently having used his Frost Cannon. The Shoyru suddenly popped back into vision, having finished with his hat.

"Hah!" he gloated.

"SkyTearer!" I shouted.

"Now use Fiery Gaze!" He nodded, and began staring fixedly at the defrosting NeoPet Leitakcoc's gaze met my Shoyru's, and he virtually froze again, ready to do my pet's bidding.

"No, no, no!!!" Akachukieman screamed.

"Use Psychic Blast!" But then he realized what he had just done. "Follow your master's orders, but don't hurt me...attack yourself." SkyTearer said in a persuading manner. Leitakcoc nodded - and Psychized himself! The huge tiger slumped to the ground in a faint. I ran into the ring, whooping and hollering.

"You did it, SkyTearer! You did it!" The happy little Shoyru flew around the Dome, chirping and whistling. Akachukieman glared at me. "Maybe you did it this time, girly, but next time it won't be so easy..."