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While walking around Meridell, you spy a forest. Strange, there wasn't one there before. You decide to go for a quick stroll through the 'new' forest. Pine, maple, ash, and oak trees are growing here. The trees are gigantic, their limbs seam to touch the heavens.

Continuing on you walk, a clearing appears in front of you. In the clearing is a trail of paw prints, they once belong to every creature found in Neopia. They all lead to one place, a dead curved maple tree on the other side of the clearing. Looking closer at the maple tree, you see three things that arise your curiosity, two of them are on the tree.

One golden-red leaf sits on a long-been-dead branch, it waves tenderly in the bitter-cold wind, and the other is a sign. Something was carved in it, but you can scarcely read it, so you walk closer. The sign read: Todesbaum, humm, it must be German. But the third object, well it looks like a Xweetok.

The dark shadow stands behind the Todesbaum, its blood-red eyes glowing like those of an evil spirit's. It grins a wide smile, its teeth shine in the dim light, then the Xweetok moves and steps out from beneath the dead tree. You gasp, the Xweetok changes, it now looks like a normal red colored pet; no shinning eyes or devilish smirks.

Welcome, what brings someone alive to this dead place?

You hear her sigh a long and sorrowful moan. She looks you up and down, checking for some thing.

You are alive, aren't you? It's getting harder to tell these days.

She circles you twice, then sits back under the Todesbaum. A sigh escapes her lips again, she swiftly turns her head, and gaze beyond the curved maple tree, then back at you.

You're not going to leave, are you? I thought you would, since you've traveled far. Come with me, I'll give you something to eat and drink.

Past

Long ago, on a winters night, baby Maple Flower lays sick in bed. Her eyes closed tight, never to see the beauty of the Neopian world. The poor darling caught the worst of all illness, the one with out a cure. She will die soon.

Her parents watch their precious baby from afar, whishing that they could help the dieing babe. But alas, no idea came to them; she shall be taken by the Death angel tomorrow.

While Maple Flower slept on the eve of her death day, a vision came to the infant. A tall, but curved, dead tree stood before her, its shape reminded her of and arch. She slowly walks up to the strange tree, and reads a sign that hangs down from one of its limbs. Hello, anyone near? Where am I?

Don't be afraid, little one. No need to be sad either. To whom do I own the pleasure of meeting, hmm?
Standing in front of the girl, was a dark shadowy figure, his back was against the curved tree, Todesbaum. Maple Flower gave a small bow, Hello sir, I'm Maple Flower. Who are you, and where am I? The xweetok's eyes sparkled at her new-found friend.

I am Todesengel, Lord of light and darkness, and Master of life and death. And this place, my dear, is the Dark Forest.
His voice was so calm, it lulled poor Maple Flower into false sense of safety. She knew that she shuldn't got with this lupe, but something-a spell maybe- had a hold of her.

Come, my dear, I'll show you wonders of the world. Greatness- that were only thought to be in dreams- wait around this tree. Come and become your own wonder.
The black lupe pulled Maple past the Todesbaum. That night, something truly happend. Something that was a wonder, and a disaster...

What a dream! thought young Maple as she woke-up. She dremt that she had crossed the bridge of life and into the world of Death. Maple flower also dreamed about changing into a evil monster. And that lupe? He, too, became a monster. Both were blacker than shadows, slyer than foxes, both killers of the darkness. It scared her, a litlle; she was so evil- and vile at times- it didn't seem like her at all. But where was that black lupe, Todesengel?

Good, you're awake. Sitzen Sie hohes, Mädchen. Stand straight. Get up, dich dummes Geschöpf! Up I say, JETZT!
Todesengel came out of no-where, and stood infront of Maple. He said things in German.

To Maple's surprize, she could understand him! And that wasn't the only thing that changed. Maple was black as soot, with blood-red glowing eyes. Her will was to serve Todesengel; and her soul, his to keep.

You demon, what have you done to me! Change me back, or--

Or you'll do what? Little Mädchen like you should learn to hold their tounge! You're mine now, kleines mädchen! As long as the Spirit of Death holds me in his favor, you're my Sklave, my servant! Now, you run along, and get to know this forest more. You'll be staying here for a very, very long time.
And with that, Todesengel disappeared into thin air, leaving behind a dry, unheavenly laughter. Maple flower cried all night long.

_more coming very soon_