An Angel and A Devil

     Faerie Festival.

      Faerieland was at its absolute best. In the month of Gathering, leaves were beginning to turn their autumn colors and a brisk wind blew. Evening had fallen and while the festival had officially ended, some were still enjoying themselves.

      “You’re going to love her, Shai. She’s an amazing ‘pet to know. Come on, let me introduce you two while she’s taking a break,” Legend said over his shoulder to the yellow Ogrin following him.

      They were moving deftly through the crowd until they were under a huge oak tree with lanterns hanging sporadically from its low, widespread branches. Shai was pondering climbing the oak when a faerie Mynci approached them.

      “Great party, huh, Legend? I mean, not as great as one of yours but still awesome!” the faerie Mynci said with a laugh.

      Legend laughed with her for a moment before introducing her. “Shai, this is Eliana. Eliana, Shai.”

      Eliana was rather short, hardly coming up to Shai’s shoulder. She smiled broadly at Shai and shook his hand.

      “It’s wonderful meeting you at last,” Eliana said.

      “Same here,” Shai replied.

      “Did you enjoy the music?”

      Shai nodded his head.

      Legend had mentioned that Shai was a rather taciturn individual. Eliana didn’t mind. Talking was her specialty. She appreciated anyone willing to listen. She was about to continue when three more Neopets joined their group: a yellow Pteri, starry Zafara and yellow Scorchio.

      They were Shai’s younger siblings and far more outgoing than their oldest brother. With them carrying the conversation, Shai was able to relax and enjoy himself. The group learned a lot about Eliana. Their conversation was cut short when Eliana was called back to her music. Shai was thankful, more than ready to go home.

      The Neohome was just as Shai had described it the evening before. It was a single story building that was short and welcoming. A pond was in front of the Neohome with a hill to the right and a forest past it. Shai had said their nearest neighbor was five miles away. There was seclusion and peace here, a stark contrast to Neopia Central that was only a half hour’s walk away.

      Eliana knocked on the front door and fluttered her wings impatiently as she waited. The door opened to reveal Abeje and Trick. They looked surprised to see her.

      “Hey, Eliana! What are you doing here?” Abeje asked.

      “I’m actually looking for Shai. Is he here?” Eliana asked.

      “He’s in the forest, as usual. He’ll be out there all day. Feel free to look for him. As for us, we’re heading to Tyrannia,” Trick said, stepping outside.

      “Enjoy yourselves!”

      “Same to you!”

      The three Neopets took off in opposite directions. Eliana had to walk in the forest and traipsed around for an hour. She had no intention of giving up and finally came upon Shai, sitting on a fallen log with Alla, his yellow Mallard, sitting beside him. Both turned to look at her as she came into view. Startled, Shai rose to his feet.

      “Eliana! What are you doing here? Is something wrong? Do you need help?” Shai asked, clearly alarmed.

      The faerie Mynci shook her head. “No, Shai. I came to visit you.”

      “Why?”

      “Why not? You talked so passionately of your home. I wanted to see it for myself.”

      Shai looked surprised. This was the last thing he had expected. He paused for a moment before collecting himself.

      “Alla and I were just having lunch. Would you like to join us?” Shai offered.

      “Yes, I’d love to!” Eliana exclaimed, seating herself on a mossy rock.

      “I’m not much of a cook. The only things I can make are sandwiches and tea. I hope TeaLeef Sandwiches and Autumn Herbal Tea are OK.”

      “I can’t cook either. I bake alright. You love tea!”

      Shai nodded his head.

      “Legend told me that you’ve traveled Neopia. Did you get your love of tea in Shenkuu?”

      Shai nodded his head.

      Eliana sighed happily. She gave a wry grin as he thought, that must be a really great sandwich. Eliana didn’t notice Shai’s grin.

      “Is Shenkuu as wonderful as I imagined it to be, Shai?” Eliana asked, turning her large pink eyes to look directly at Shai.

      The yellow Ogrin shifted, memories suddenly flooding him. How could he possibly answer Eliana? Then, one ear twitched. There was no sound in the woods. Why was there no-

      An ear-splitting scream tore through the silent woods and the peace was shattered. A raging red ball soared through the small clearing terrorizing the small group. The Devilpuss lunged for Eliana and raked sharp claws down one of her arms, leaving ugly red gashes. Shai leapt forward and pulled the Devilpuss off of her. The Petpet turned on him, clawing helplessly at the Ogrin’s jacket and thick neck ruff.

      Realizing the futility of his attack, the Devilpuss flew off, hissing with rage. Now that the danger was past, Shai turned his attention to Eliana, who was gasping with pain. He helped her to her feet and they made their slow way back to Shai’s Neohome. He saw to her wound, horrified that such a thing had happened in his woods. The woods where he knew every flower, every tree, every Petpet.

      Shai had led nature walks with his siblings, his family, his friends, young children. He would never have done that if he didn’t know that his woods were safe. Now he didn’t. A wild Petpet had come and destroyed all of that. Shai got Eliana a Uni cab and then began to think on his problem.

      Something had to be done.

      Of that, Shai was absolutely certain. Things could not remain as they were. Shai refused to live in fear. He would not let some trespasser just take over. So, what was he going to do?

      Shai had no idea.

      “Shai!”

      The yellow Ogrin looked up as a familiar voice called his name. A baby Yurble and jelly Shoyru were heading towards him. Still distracted, Shai only managed a small smile for the two ‘pets. Lofty, the baby Yurble, wrinkled his nose. He and Shai went back, way back; he could read his friend quite well and knew that something was wrong.

      “What trouble has Goku stirred up now?” Lofty asked.

      “It isn’t Goku,” Shai said with a shake of his head. The yellow Ogrin proceeded to fill in his friend on the events that had so recently transpired. He shrugged his shoulders in a helpless gesture. “I don’t know what to do, Lofty. You know how important my home and my family are to me. I can’t just let this Devilpuss ruin all of that!”

      “I know someone who can help. Leave it to me, Shai.”

      “Thank you, Lofty.”

     The next day, Lofty and Sweet returned, this time with two strangers: a Tyrannian Kougra and Tyrannian Angelpuss. The pair did not look friendly. Alone, Shai may have refused them but he trusted Lofty completely. If the baby Yurble was OK with them, Shai was too. Nevertheless, Shai kept a respectful distance from their sharp claws and tusks.

      “Shai, this is Yooyu and his Petpet, Cedar. They are from Mystery Island. When I explained your situation to them, they agreed to help,” Lofty said.

      Shai blinked, taken aback and a little wary. “How are they going to help me?”

      The flicker of a smile crossed Yooyu’s face. “Cedar will handle your problem for you. We’ll catch the little beast. I’ve built a cage that he can’t escape from.”

      “Yooyu is a superior woodcarver,” Lofty put in as the Tyrannian Kougra brought a wooden crate into view.

      Seeing others so willing to help him, even now after years of knowing such kindness, touched Shai deeply. It took a moment for him to gather his composure. Looking at Lofty, he saw that his friend understood. He took a deep calming breath, as he had learned to do in Shenkuu and led the others into the woods. He knew from experience that the Devilpuss may be yet roaming at large, seeking a comfortable territory to claim and more victims to menace.

      Even so, the Ogrin admired the Kougra and Angelpuss. They moved with sinuous grace and the way they matched each other move for move spoke of a deep bond. Traveling with Lofty once more also drew Shai to old times. The baby Yurble was broad shouldered and barrel shaped but he did not blunder through the woods; he had adjusted well to his Yurble body while retaining most, if not all, of his Wocky grace. The group soon reached the small clearing where the attack had taken place.

      As Shai had suspected, there was no sign of the Devilpuss.

      “Traipsing through the woods isn’t an efficient way of catching the pest,” Yooyu growled, flexing his long claws, the muscles along his shoulders rippling.

      “You’re right, Yooyu,” Lofty said.

      “We’ll have to draw the menace out. He’ll attack someone he thinks is weaker than he is. Your Mallard’ll do.”

      Shai would have protested if he knew Alla wasn’t up for it. She had always been brave when he had been afraid. She loved the woods just as much as he did. She would do her part. Shai knelt before his Petpet.

      “I’ll be close by the entire time, Alla. I won’t let you get hurt,” Shai said, gently cradling his Mallard’s face in his hands.

      Alla quacked in response, confident as ever. She looked at Cedar and it was clear that the two Petpets communicated with each other. Cedar twitched one tufted ear and Alla waggled her tail feathers before waddling off. The Tyrannian Angelpuss waited a few seconds before padding silently after. The Neopets then followed behind.

      They stopped in the shelter of some bushes. Alla was in another small clearing, quacking loudly, as if she were lost. Shai didn’t know where Cedar was. Moments passed by. Once more, the woods went unnaturally silent.

      Then, the Devilpuss soared awkwardly through the trees. He landed on a branch to study Alla for a moment. Then, with a triumphant yowl, he dived towards the yellow Mallard. Alla stood perfectly still and Cedar seemed to come out of nowhere, batting the Devilpuss out of the air with one massive paw. The Angelpuss landed in front of Alla, where he had the Devilpuss pinned to the ground.

      The Devilpuss struggled wildly, letting out ferocious screams of rage. Cedar sat, waiting the angry red furball out. Finally, the Devilpuss stopped, seeming to realize that resistance was futile. Seeing this, the ‘pets emerged from where they had been hidden. Shai scooped up Alla into his arms and kissed her bill affectionately, relieved she was safe.

      Yooyu stepped beside Cedar, holding the cage. The Devilpuss hissed with rage but he didn’t struggle. Yooyu set the open cage on the ground and looked at Cedar. His Angelpuss understood and, hooking up the Devilpuss with his claws, tossed the Petpet into the cage. Yooyu slammed the cage door closed, just as the Devilpuss charged the bars.

      The bars held. Shai set Alla down and moved to pick up the cage. Just as his hands came within reach the Devilpuss charged, spitting and snarling extending his claws. Shai took his hands out of range. At a sign from his owner, Cedar hooked his tusks through the cage bars, holding the cage there at a diagonal so the Devilpuss huddled awkwardly.

      Yooyu set his yellow gaze on Shai. “What are you going to do with this wretched creature?”

      Shai had been thinking ahead and had an answer. “Yooyu, would you and Cedar be willing to transport the Devilpuss to the Haunted Woods? It is the best place for him. He may find an owner there.”

      Yooyu curled his lip in disgust and lashed his tail. Shai felt sure that the Kougra would refuse.

      “How long will it take to reach the Woods?” Yooyu asked.

      “Two days,” Shai said.

      “I don’t like it but I’ll go. You can’t handle this thing alone.”

      “Thank you!”

      Yooyu was more disgusted when he found out they would have taken a Uni cab. Though, he and Cedar did get into the cramped quarters. A massive red Uni was their cabbie and he was willing to take them to the Haunted Woods. Normally, a trip to the Woods was unpleasant. This trip was all the more difficult with so many unwilling passengers.

      Thankfully, the trip was uneventful. They were all relieved when they finally arrived. They were welcomed into the mansion.

      “Well, why have you come?” Duke Torch asked, rather perplexed at this strange gathering.

      Lofty explained the situation, finishing with, “We were hoping that you could help us find this Devilpuss an owner. We don’t want him coming back to the woods.”

      Duke Torch’s green eyes settled on the cage that contained the Devilpuss. The small Petpet snarled at the duke. The royal Grarrl turned to his messenger, a mutant Ixi.

      “Fetch Áed,” Duke Torch ordered.

      With only a tip of his top hat, the messenger was off. The group waited in awkward silence. A young royal Kyrii stood beside Duke and Duchess Torch. He took in the scene hungrily, as if he hadn’t seen anyone other than his family for years. Shai would have started a conversation if he didn’t feel so uncomfortable around strangers.

      Finally, the messenger returned, a Halloween Aisha in tow.

      “Áed, these Neopians have brought you a Petpet,” Duke Torch said.

      The Halloween Aisha’s glowing red eyes latched onto the caged Devilpuss. He smiled wickedly and knelt in front of the cage. Then, he opened the cage door. The Devilpuss shrieked and charged Áed. With one swift move of his hand, Áed had grabbed the Devilpuss’ wings, rendering his attack useless.

      “He’s a mean little fluffball, isn’t he? I’ll call him My Angry Devilpuss or M.A.D. for short,” Áed said.

      The Halloween Aisha rose to his feet and carelessly let M.A.D. get too close. He tried to use his claws to tear his owner’s clothes but Áed pulled him away and glowered fiercely at him. The Aisha headed for the door.

      “Thanks for the Petpet, Torch,” Áed said over his shoulder as he walked out.

      The royal Grarrl clenched one hand, the only sign that he did not appreciate Áed’s flippancy. “I believe your business here is finished.”

      “Thanks for all of your help, Duke Torch,” Lofty said before the group was escorted out of Torch Manor.

      Faerieland.

      Still beautiful. It had been less than a week since Shai had last been there but he was interested to note the changes. The leaves in the trees showed less green and there was a feel in the air that said autumn was only a short interim between summer and winter. Shai had not returned to observe nature. He had come for a different reason.

      The yellow Ogrin had gotten directions from Legend. The woodland Uni had assured him that he couldn’t possibly get lost and it was true. After entering Faerie City, take a second left, the first right and his destination would be on the left. Before him was a two story building made of purple and pink brick with rounded arches. A colorful broad stairway that spiraled up the side of the building beckoned.

      When Shai reached the top, a beautiful note rang out to greet him. The door opened to reveal Eliana and Ariel, her faerie Naleap, perched on her shoulder. She greeted him with a broad smile.

      “Shai, what a surprise! I certainly wasn’t expecting you but please come in and have a cup of tea,” Eliana said, stepping aside.

      Shai stepped inside and then his gaze fell to the faerie Mynci’s arm. Three ugly gashes were visible there. Eliana followed his gaze.

      “I’m healing up just fine. Marina says that she’ll help with the scars when I’m recovered. I don’t blame you, Shai,” Eliana said, placing a hand on his arm.

      “That’s partly why I came. We caught the Devilpuss and he now has an owner. He will not be coming back,” Shai said.

      “I’m glad to hear that. He interrupted you right when you were going to tell me about Shenkuu!”

      The two Neopets sat at a small round table. Eliana poured two cups of Flatfruit Tea. Shai took a sip, smiled and began to speak.

The End.