Shadowed Escape

     When the list of the privileged few had been read aloud the Shadow Grundo was deeply shocked, and asked Dr. Sloth, "Sir? I think you forgot to call my name…"

     Sloth simply laughed, a malevolent twinkle in his eyes becoming more frightening by the moment, "I skipped no one. You will work in the mines, Janasidan1205. No mistake at all."

     Janasi shrank back from his words, asking timidly, "When have I wronged you, Master, to make you want to this?"

     His voice grew menacing, his features darkening as he replied, "You have been accused of trying to persuade others to your subversive ideas. As punishment you will be my example to the others what happens when you cross me." Janasi blinked back tears that suddenly formed at the corners of her eyes, her mind already whirling with the worst possible scenarios that could occur underground.

     "Master! Please do not make me go into the mines! I will do anything!" the Shadow Grundo burst out, her eyes widening with horror as Sloth simply shook his head, eyes cold as glaciers. So Janasi was dragged down into the glorified mud hole that Sloth called a mining operation. They were not even allowed to see what they were mining for, so at first the task seemed impossible. Then it was discovered that the items they were mining had a very distinctive smell and texture, and they were allowed a little more food at mealtime for their hard work.

     Right now though, the Grundo was sifting through the loose dirt piled up by the wall, running her fingers through it as she tried to capture what had eluded her a moment before. It's characteristic smell still lingered, though it's owner had yet to be found. Janasi paused for a moment to wipe a layer of sweat from her eyes, even though it would not help with seeing in the pitch darkness.

     "Find anything yet, Janasi?" called a hoarse voice from a little farther down, "I can smell your stash all the way over here." The Shadow Grundo grinned slightly, an unfamiliar expression, at the still playful nature of her friend and 'co-worker' if you will, Kulsohe697.

     "Not quite yet, Kuls, but I have to be getting close. There is no way this stuff can hide from me forev-" The rest of Janasi's sentence was silenced as a passing guard kicked her into the wall to silence her. She stayed down for a minute, listening for his footsteps to recede to a different corner of the mines before standing cautiously. The Grundo put her forehead to cool wall for a moment, trying to ease the sudden agonizing headache that came with being thrown headfirst into a thick wall. At least the dirt had cushioned her fall, though not enough to keep the headache roaring with a vengeance. Kuls said nothing, terrified of getting in trouble himself, or getting her in even more trouble.

     That was the way it went down here. Nobody could really watch each other's back, though she and Kuls tried, because all anyone was concerned about was their own skin. Everyone wanted favor with Dr. Sloth, because occasionally he would pick a hard worker and move then up to surface duties, a most coveted position. Janasi slammed her fist into the wall, raging inwardly at the guards, turncoat prisoners, and above all Dr. Sloth himself. He had stolen them away from their home world, though Janasi had just been a youngling then, and didn't realize what was going on she did remember the jostling, confusion, and general scent of fear that permeated throughout the ship on the way to Neopia. Both her parents had died on that trip, and she drew into her self. This was the first time she met Kuls, and they huddled together for the rest of the trip. He helped bring her spirits up, and taught her to not be so afraid of what the future held in store for her.

     The two helped in some small way Sloth's original plan to take over Neopia, but were returned to a Kreludor they didn't recognize. They were able to work together when they were both training, but showed different aptitudes for different things. This was when they had been sent their own ways, her to engineering and he to piloting. It was rewarding work, in her opinion, and she enjoyed tinkering with the intricate machinery. It was great fun trying to find where the breakdown occurred and fix it more quickly than if a robot had been sent to do the same job. A very rewarding job. Dr. Sloth had noticed her accomplishments and painted her Shadow as a gift for all her hard work.

     Now she had been hauled off to the mines while Sloth concocted another foolish plan to take over Neopia. The only silver lining on this cloud was that she had been put to work a few feet from Kuls, so they chatted just like old times. Well, not quite like old times, but conversing, nonetheless. Janasi sighed heavily, listlessly pawing through the grime to find an object she had yet to see or even know it's use. A small avalanche of pebbles suddenly and unexpectedly rained on the ground all around her, and on her, though not hard enough to really hurt. A Faerie Meerca dropped from a small hole in the ceiling, which had not been there a moment before, and hung by her tail, watching the Grundo critically. He motioned for her to grab his paws and hold tightly. Janasi froze, gaze flicking around wildly, terrified that somebody would see her trying to escape and alert the guards. It would ruin any chance of getting back in the doctor's good graces.

     What if… Janasi thought, …they are spies sent by Sloth to see who would escape given the opportunity! She blushed inwardly, glad that she had not fallen for so obvious a scheme, before returning back to work with an expression of disbelief. The Meerca's eyes grew wider at her scepticism, and he flipped himself back up into the hole. Janasi sighed, hoping that the turning down of the intruder's offers would be enough to earn back above ground duties. But… what if they actually were trying to help me? questioned the Grundo inwardly, despite her attempts to vanquish the thought by going back to work with a vengeance.

     A few minutes later a Virtupet emerged from the ceiling, this one a small Green Grundo who landed with a flop next to her. Janasi's mind began to whirl once more, daring to hope that maybe these were actually liberators, and not simple spies.

     "Hello, Janasidan1205. I am Yasujare79647, or Jare. We have come to help you if you will accept it," at her questioning gaze he added, "We have been watching you for some time to see if you were the type who would accept help and perhaps help us in return. Not all would, you know. We are an elite group that saves as many of our brethren as possible from the clutches of Dr. Sloth." Janasi still watched the Grundo doubtfully, her muscles tensed in apprehension.

     The smaller Grundo sighed, "I am sure you have heard of Torixeleh32, or Torix as he is known to most?" Janasi twitched in surprise at the name, which she had heard spoken out loud only three times in her life. There were codenames for him, but even those were only spoken of in a whisper. Torix was rumored to be directly related to the old line of Kreludorian Grundo royalty, and had apparently assumed the position of protector of his people. It was said that he would go around rescuing a Grundo every once in a while or so and send them either to a hidden part of Kreludor, Neopia's surface, or the Space Station. He was undoubtedly a hero at heart.

     Jare watched her emotions war with each other so painfully obvious on her features that he considered casting a little freezing magic just to make her join them so she could rest for a time without the fear that emanated from her very soul.

     "Janasi, will you come with me now? Torix is the head of our organization, and would be undoubtedly happy if you were to come." The Shadow Grundo felt a tremor of fear run through her body, but her heart had made the decision for her. She would leave this wretched place of Sloth's. After sharing the decision with Jare, who clambered up into the tight hole like a little Mynci, she began to follow. The sound of guard footsteps was coming closer and closer as she gave one final yank to pull herself up. Jare held a finger to his lips, the universal signal for quiet, and began to crawl silently through the air vent.

     "Kuls!" Janasi suddenly remembered, hissing quietly into Jare's ear, "We have to go back for him!"

     The Grundo shrugged helplessly, "You will have to ask Torix about that one. I was assigned only to pick up you on this trip. Don't worry, your friend will be fine." They traveled in uncomfortable silence the rest of the way, until they reached the empty room that had not been used since Sloth began his mining campaign, and were greeted by several others, mostly Grundos, but Janasi saw an Ixi, Techo, a Lupe, and the Faerie Meerca from earlier mixed in with them. The crowd fell silent as a handsome Fire Grundo strode purposefully into the room, his clever eyes searching for someone. Jare casually pushed Janasi forward into the Grundo's line of sight, catching his eye immediately.

     "You are the new one, correct, Janasidan1205? I am Torixeleh32," the Fire Grundo said smoothly, "I have heard that you have a gift with mechanics. Perhaps you could help us some day."

     She nodded slowly, "I have a favor to ask of you, sir- er, Torix."

     "Go on."

     "Well, one of my long time friends is still imprisoned right next to where I was rescued from. Can you save him, also?"

     "Of course. Liedde. Deknah. Would you do this?," he said with a beaming smile, as the Techo and Lupe sprang to attention. Suddenly, Janasi understood what made Torix such a peerless leader. All within the company trusted the Grundo with their lives, and he took his duty very seriously. Janasi quickly volunteered to help the duo rescue Kuls, since she could convince him who they were a lot more easily than they could by themselves.

     As they slipped quietly through the air vents Janasi made a decision, a promise to herself. She would not leave Kreludor until every last one of her fellow Virtupets were released. She would help Torix, Jare, Liedde, Deknah, and all the others she had yet to meet. Once every single one of her kin was rescued then, and only then, would she allow herself to see and feel the true sun, which had been taken from so many. Janasi beamed silently, her eyes sparkling with newfound dedication and she scampered forwards to keep up with the Lupe and Techo. It was the beginning of a whole new chapter in her life. Janasi faced it with a smile of cool confidence in her decision, knowing that her mind would not be changed by hardship.

The End

Author's Note: Thank you for reading my story! Feedback is always appreciated.