Lost With Isaerios: Part Three

“Jeanie, you don’t know what you’re saying!” Oreh insisted. The family had returned home from their trip early due to the fact that two of their number had gone missing. “You can’t get rid of either of them!”

     “I don’t see why you’re fighting this so much,” Jeanie said. “Those two cause you as much grief as they do me. Always fighting, always at each others’ throats, always making witty burning comments about each other. It’s maddening! When they get back, one of them has to go. They can’t be in the same room without staring daggers at each other.”

     “Jeanie, if they aren’t able to do it to each other, then they’ll do it to US!” Jeanie smiled and shook her head.

     “I don’t think so.”

     *****

      Something groaned underneath me and I woke with a start. We were in darkness, Haelee having lost the flashlight in some crevice up the slide. After hours of sliding I had fallen asleep. Haelee was curled up in my pink frilly skirt, snoring gently. I looked around, or tried to anyways. My vision still wasn’t doing too good.

      Something groaned underneath me again and I jumped. I leaped off of my sleeping area and whirled around to see a shadow Xweetok struggling onto his feet, a flattened Snoogy glaring at me.

      “Sheesh, couldn’t you have found somewhere else to land your fat butt?” Isaerios grumbled at me, stretching and cracking his back.

      “Oh, but you’re such a big target,” I replied sweetly, though my mind was on our surroundings. Our arguing had become a habit.

      We were in a cave. But it wasn’t an ice cave, or a smuggler’s cave, or even an underwater fishing cave. It was a stone age cave!

      “Oh, grand – we’re in Tyrannia,” I announced with a grumble. Isaerios blinked and looked around.

      “Really?”

      “Really really. Just look at the walls.” They were orange-red and looked like they would crumble if you touched them. They were very hard, of course.

      “You’re so wise, Master!” Isaerios said with mock awe. I glowered at him.

      “Watch it, Grasshopper, or I might squash you!”

      “You can try,” he taunted. Screaming and yelling, punching and kicking, insults and rude comments ensued.

      “UGLY!” He pulled at my mane.

      “STUPID!” I smashed a paw into his jaw.

      “YELLOW BELLY!” He kicked one of my legs.

      “YOU MORON, YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!” I pulled at his eyelashes. Teagy and Haelee watched mournfully, too tired to bite us again or try to calm us down. A deadly voice interrupted us.

      “If you two do not shut up, I swear I will kill you myself.” We froze and turned to see a large pterodactyl thingy step out of the shadows. It gazed warily at us. “I swear, I thought after I gave away my hoard to the Wheel of Monotony, people might leave me alone. But still, just like Bernice, I don’t get any sleep.”

      “B-B-Bernice?” Isaerios stuttered.

      “The Snowager, dimwit. Now shut up while I think of a way to cook you. I suppose I could eat you raw – no, that won’t do. The last raw Xweetok I had gave me heartburn. Grilled? No. I can never eat grilled again after that Nimmo. I suppose I could try deep-fried. Yes... haven’t had deep-fried in a while. Now, sit still!” The scary pterodactyl thingy came towards us threateningly.

      We screamed and clung to each other. The memory still makes me shudder and wish for a bath. Haelee and Teagy had disappeared – probably into the safety of my bag. We screamed and screamed. And screamed. And screamed. Deep breath. And screamed, and screamed, and screamed. Yeah. Maybe a little more. But you should know – Isaerios screams like a girl and it deafened me a little bit.

      The scary pterodactyl thingy was almost upon us. Isaerios and I jerked away and looked each other in the eye. In a moment we knew what we had to do. We stood on our hind-legs. I lifted my left leg and folded my arm/legs in a complex design. Isaerios balanced on one paw, the other grasping my lifted leg with its toes. He put his front paws together and together we chimed, “Xweetok Combo!” Then we leaped at her opponent.

      We bounced off his thick leathery skin and landed in a pile, throwing up dust all around us.

      “Jeanie always made that sound so cool,” I groaned bitterly.

      “Never trusting her again,” Isaerios grunted.

      The scary pterodactyl thing was screaming with laughter. He leaned against the wall for support, clutching his belly and crowing. Tears streamed down his nasty beak and he roared with nonstop laughter. Isaerios and I glanced at each other, bonded for the moment in our humiliation.

      “I’ve seen them cry and beg for mercy,” the beast said. “Some have even chanced blows or magical attacks. But never...” He burst into laughter again. “...have I seen that!” Our faces grew red. I didn’t like it. Red clashes with my blue.

      “It. Isn’t. Funny,” I said tightly through clenched teeth. His laughter stopped abruptly and he looked at me. I trembled and my fur stood on end. He then smiled.

      “Yes, it was.”

      “No, it wasn’t.”

      “Yes huh.”

      “Nuh uh.”

      “Yes huh.”

      “Nuh uh.”

      “Will you two shut up?” Isaerios begged. I glared at him.

      “Your stupid idea humiliated me, so I suggest you shutting up and getting out of the way,” I said.

      “My idea?” Isaerios gasped. “Are you crazy? How would I ever be stupid enough to think of that horrible plan? I was just going along with YOU.”

      “You maddening wretch, all this time it has all been my fault and now this? I should-”

      “If you two start fighting again, I’m afraid I shall have to eject you very roughly and forcefully from my cave,” the scary pterodactyl thing said in annoyance. We quieted immediately. “Now that’s better,” he said, smiling again. “Now sit down and we’ll sort this out. Now, why are you two angry at each other?”

      We each burst into our own stories about what had happened. The shampoo, the hike, the snow, the slide, the cave, and now him.

      “Stop!” he called, holding up a clawed talon. We stopped. “I didn’t ask your life stories,” he said patiently. “I wanted to know why you are angry with each other.”

      “Oh. We already know that,” Isaerios said. The scary pterodactyl thing arched a brow curiously.

      “How?”

      “Jeanie sent us to a Pteri psychiatrist,” I informed him indifferently. “Apparently we have this obsession with ourselves that is clouding our judgement for each other and stunting our bond.”

      “Yeah, seems there is this,” Isaerios said, and together we did the little ‘quote’ signs with our toes, “‘love’ deep inside us that we need to bring out if we are ever to live together in peace.” Together, we rolled our eyes at the absurd ideas of the psychiatrist. He had lasted about a week before he had sent us home from our last session early and with dishes flying at our heads. The scary pterodactyl thingy’s eyes widened with interest.

      “Sounds like typical sibling rivalry to me.”

      “Impossible.”

      “There’s no way.”

      “Why not?” he asked.

      “Because we are adopted siblings. Jeanie says it doesn’t count as much.”

      “Are you sure you’re adopted siblings and not just siblings adopted by Jeanie?” he asked wisely. We laughed.

      “Impossible.”

      “There’s no way.”

      “Why not?” he asked, a little impatiently.

      “He is about a hundred years older than me; he was put in an enchanted sleep,” I explained.

      “And?”

      “And... well, that explains it!” Isaerios cried.

      “That all? Don’t you two know an egg can be preserved for hundreds of years? They don’t hatch until their owner or parent creates a life for them. Just because Ailemea wasn’t hatched until after you doesn’t mean she isn’t older than you, Isaerios.”

      I smiled. I liked that thought. Isaerios looked disgusted.

      “You mean she could be my sister?” he cried. I frowned. Didn’t like that thought.

      “I would bet on it,” the scary pterodactyl thing said. “Your eyes, your characteristics, and your personalities are so alike you could even be twins.” We shuddered. And then shuddered again because we had shuddered together.

      “So, all this fighting – it’s real sibling rivalry?” I squeaked. He nodded. Isaerios sighed.

      “Well, now that that is resolved, I can take you home and then get a nap before lunch!” the scary pterodactyl thingy yelled, standing up. He headed outside of the cave, and Isaerios followed. I picked up my bag with the two snoring petpets inside and followed.

      “Make way, pipsqueak; your elder is coming through,” I said as I passed Isaerios.

      “You always were a late bloomer.”

      I glared at him and he glared at me back. They soon faded into smiles. I know. I smiled at him. I try not to think about it. We climbed onto our new friend’s large and leathery back and he launched into the air.

      I tried not to think about how high up we were while Isaerios gazed in wonder at the land below. Soon, thankfully, we landed in Neopia Central right in front of our house. Jeanie and Trohanex and Oreh were waiting for us.

      “JEANIE!” I yelled and ran towards her. Right as I almost was to her I collided with Isaerios. “Get away!” I shrieked. “She’s my owner!” I shoved him roughly.

      “She’s mine too!”

      “Well I’m older; I should get her first!”

      “You’ve had her longer so it's my turn to be the first in her eyes!”

      “Don’t be absurd, I’m her favorite!” I cried.

      “Isaerios? Aile?” We looked up at her as she spoke softly. She looked on the verge of tears. Together, we rushed into her arms. She held us close and sighed. Haelee and Teagy climbed out of the backpack to join in the group hug. Soon Nexy and Oreh followed. Even the scary pterodactyl thingy put in his talon.

      Finally, we dispersed. Isaerios and I turned to wave at our newfound friend. He winked at us.

      “See you later, Isaerios and Ailemea,” he said. And then he launched into the air and was gone. Isaerios and I smiled at each other and grasped paws. We then turned to see our family’s shocked faces. Jeanie shook it out of her eyes.

      “Welcome home!”

      “Jeanie?” Oreh said tentatively. Jeanie winked at him and put a finger on her lips. I will forever wonder what secret they kept.

      We entered our home and Isaerios turned to me.

      “Ailemea, you should write a story about this,” he said with excitement. I laughed.

      “Yeah right – there wasn’t even an exciting climax. My readers will fall asleep.”

      “Aw, you can just write that in!” he insisted. “You can call it ‘Isaerios and Me’. Catchy, eh?”

      “That is the worst title I have ever heard,” I informed him, climbing the stairs up to my rooms. I heard Jeanie in the kitchen below and heard her and Nexy begin a song. Oreh had disappeared into his rooms. Isaerios followed me into my office.

      “It doesn’t even have to be a really long story,” he insisted.

      “No, Isaerios,” I said sternly. He pouted. I softened. “Although that scary pterodactyl thingy was interesting.” Then we looked in the mirror. I am rather disappointed our screams didn’t shatter a few windows.

      “LOOK AT ME!” I wailed.

      “LOOK AT ME!” Isaerios wailed.

      “Nothing’s wrong with you except for that silly leg of yours!” I shrieked. “Look at my fur!”

      “What are you talking about? Your fur is ruined because of that horrible shampoo you use.”

      “What?! At least I don’t smell like loveberries!” He ran from the room and we both slammed our doors in unison. Then we slammed them again for emphasis. Jeanie yelled at us from downstairs. I ran to my room and ripped off the pink skirt I’d been wearing for two days. It was wrinkled and dirty and I would happily burn it later.

      My things from the trip were on my bed and I pawed through them. Haelee ran into the room, chirped gleefully, and dived into the unpacked pile of pink pillows. I smiled and leaped after her and we rolled around in bliss at the comfort of being home.

      In the bathroom, I heard Isaerios running a bath and I did the same. I sank into it with a sigh. Life was returning to normal. I closed my eyes and thought of the scary pterodactyl thingy. After a few minutes of daydreaming I jerked up in the water and turned to the wardrobes that blocked my view of Isaerios’ part of the bathroom.

      “Is?” I called.

      “What?” he grunted.

      “Did you ever tell that scary pterodactyl thingy our names?” There was silence as Isaerios considered.

      “Nope. I thought you did.”

      “I am pretty sure we usually called each other by different names,” I said thoughtfully. He did not reply as it was obvious he was deep in thought.

      That night I curled up on my rainbow bed and considered the day. I had found a brother, and my family (again), and a mysterious pterodactyl thingy that somehow had known our names. I fell asleep thinking about it.

      Isaerios and I returned to Tyrannia, but we never found the cave we had fallen into, we never found the pit in which the crazy slide was in, and we didn’t bother to ask anyone about it. And we never saw the scary pterodactyl thingy that had helped us find ourselves after the two miserable days that I was lost with Isaerios.

The End