Chapter One

The cloudy mist sky held good hopes for some kite flying with some of the other Neopets in the village. I rushed outside of the burgundy castle to feel the usually humid feel of the village. The mountains circumferenced me and I knew that not to far beyond those mountains that Shenkuu was there. However, my village was far different from the usual traditions of Shenkuu.

I trotted over to the grassy basin below the castle's long cobblestone path and rushed over to Butterfly Lake. My friends and I called it Butterfly Lake because it was always filled with fluttering butterflies. The lake was usually blue and many plants and flowers grew from the marshy edges of the water. Yet, the best part of the lake was the long wooden pier that stretched above the lake.

My feet stopped once I reached the edge of the lake, and I sat down and waited. Exactly what was I waiting for? My best friend named Dazzle, which everyone nicknamed her, was going to arrive any moment. "Hello, C.T!" a graceful voice said as I turned to meet my best friend.

Dazzle was a Faerie Pteri that had just received her color. In my town, receiving your color was simply getting painted by a paint brush. However, you could only earn your color once you are old enough and have shown talent to lead into your possibly future. Dazzle's talent was defiantly flying; I never knew another Pteri that was as aerodynamic as her.

Hey Dazzle!" I greeted as I bounded over to her. Her ruby and honey feathers glistened in the morning sun, and I couldn't help feeling a little jealous. I still haven't found my talent although I should've already received my new color. My color was still a the basic color of red that showed I was still a kid. However, Dazzle wasn't the princess like I had to be.

Being the princess was extremely boring. I did a bunch of stuff to teach me lessons about life, had to learn a lot of things, and I was held from being with my friends whenever there was fun events. I could only go to princess events. Although my parents were king and queen of the village, it was simply boring. I would rather be a talented Faeire Pteri that had her life in order than a royal Red Kougra that had no idea what to do.

My best friend bowed in greeting as everyone does to me. Since I was princess, it was apparently a law to bow to me but it bugged me so much. "Dazzle! How many times have I told you not to bow to me! I am just a normal kid like everyone else." I spat out angrily. Dazzle stared at me softly and looked at me sorrowfully in apology.

I'm sorry, C.T. I shouldn't have done it. It's just I'm so used to doing it since you're the-" Dazzle began.

The Princess. I know. Sorry I yelled at you. I'm just so tired of being princess. Most girls would want to be, and sometimes I wish I could trade places with them. Sorry about everything Dazzle." I said softly as I leaned my head past the edge of the bridge to se my reflection.

Dazzle smiled and nodded in understandment. "I understand, C.T. Can't you stop being princess? Maybe ask your parents if you can stop. You never decide anything for your own life. You always have it decided for you." Dazzle stated. I stared at her in astonishment because everything she said was true .

Wow-no one has every understood me like that." I said quietly.

That's because I'm your best friend." Dazzle chuckled. Suddenly, a Gold and Cloud Pteri came fluttering down to the ground beside us. I knew that they were the town flyers that everyone called Jemmy and Dal.

Hello, Princess." Jemmy (the Gold Pteri) greeted as he bowed and Dal followed. I growled bitterly at the princess attention I was getting.

I hope you two are having a charming morning." Dal added cheerfully. Then, he turned his attention to Dazzle. "Dazzle, are you coming with us to do the morning patrol?"

Something that happened whenever you got your color received was getting duties. Dazzle was a flyer and she could fly across the sky gallantly and quickly, so that was a win-win for sensing danger and bringing attention to some of the younger Neopets in the village. Eventually, Dazzle would have a totally different life and I would be a faint part of it. We would go our own ways and I would only come out to the town to hold a town meeting or go to an event.

Oh ok! I can't wait to go!" Dazzle chirped happily. Then, she remembered that she was going to spend the morning with me but her new duties held her back from that. She gave me a guilty look and whispered, "Sorry."

I laughed at my friend's care for our usual daily mornings, but deep down I new I was going to miss the mornings. "It's ok. I know you have to go. Have fun!" I said as happy as I could. As she hopped over to her two Pteri companions, I hoped that my ake happiness clouded my misery. Dazzle smiled and waved at me and then fluttered in the air as she was followed by Dal and Jemmy. Dazzle looked extremely happy as she raced across the sky like lightning.

I walked away from Butterfly Lake and looked up at the sky once more, but she was out of sight. "Probably gliding around the mountains." I muttered to myself. The wind blew a cool breeze across my red fur and I began walking across the basin's meadow. I wished that I was never a princess and that I could be normal and happy. The life of a princess was horrible.

Chapter 2

Darling, you must eat!" my mom told me as I stared at my Chicken Curry. It was what I always ate on Thursday nights. I had something different every night, but it was the same for that day every week. I got so tired of the 7 dinners I would have every week. I wished that I could have had something a little bit different.

I don't want to!" I pounted. My mother's eyes widen as if I had said something completely wrong, and my dad growled as he was about to lecture me on food.

_Crazy_Taco_," he began. "You are the princess and you must be thankful that you eat such gourmet meals. Many of the villagers have to search for berries and vegetables to eat."

But they get something different every night! I am so tired of having Chicken Curry on only Thursday and having an assigned breakfast, lunch, and dinner every night. I do nothing but the same thing everyday!" I yelled. Many of the maids and servants slowly crepted out of the room since they didn't want to be part of the family feud.

But they aren't the princess my mother said. I froze at the way the she said princess. She said it like it was a duty and not a ranking. It's exactly how I felt, but I knew they she didn't mean it in understandment to myself.

Maybe I don't want to be princess! I don't live a princess mind. I want to do something different and discover my own talents on myself. This is too much to put on my shoulders, and I don't understand what you're trying to do here with me! I want to be normal." I cried. Warm teams streamed down my eyes and down my red furred cheeks as I expressed my true feelings to my mom and dad.

I'm disappointed in you." my father started. "You should know that there is many Neopets that would want to trade lives with you right now. You are extremely selfish to want to change your life. You are royalty and you can't deny it from yourself."

I stared baffled at him; at least once I would like them to hear what I say for myself and they call me selfish. Tears flooded my eyes once more and I began to express myself again.

Well no one wants to be princess at least in this village! They know that I don't enjoy being a princess or doing all these duties! They don't want to have pressure or go through unnescciary training classes or have all eyes looking at them when they haven't received their color! None of them want that so why should I!?!" I cried loudly. I then ran up the mahogany wood panels of the staircase and darted to my room. My body slumped on my bed and I cried into a purple colored pillow.

If there was a way to recall how many hours I spent there, I would like to know. My mind got completely lost in though that by the time I looked up from the pillow, it was around one in the morning. The moonlight peered inside my stoned room, and stars glistened the sky ever so gracefully. I walked over to my window, pulled out a chair, and watched the sky. Crickets chirped in the warm weather, and you could here many Morthogs croaking as well.

Suddenly, I saw a small Spyder creep across my window and go outside. My mind decided to personify it as a simile to what I wanted. Since that probably made no sense at all, I'll explain it. The Spyder was leaving outside and it was free. It could do whatever it wanted with no boundaries, no locks, no chains, and no barriers. That was something that I could never have if I kept up the life of a princess.

I sighed as I stared into the dark sky once more; I knew I had to make a decision. Exactly what decision? I'd either live to standard of being a no-fun princess, or live free and have an owner and a new fun family. There had to be at least one family with only a few ground rules and one that lived life happily; I would want to be there.

How would I tell them that I can't deal with the princess stuff anymore? They'll never let me leave! But I have to. They must understand some part of me…they gotta! I thought to myself. Then, I made the decision. That was the decision that determined the rest of my life.

Chapter 3

I got up that morning and dragged myself downstairs. Today, was the day that I would say my decisions of what I would do with my life. I was now sure of how I wanted to spend it, and I was not going to turn back.

Mom? Dad?" I wondered softly as I peered into the dining room. I felt almost guilty that the last conversation I had with them was an angry one. But at least it would be my last angry one with them since I was going to leave them. That would be the hardest part-letting go.

We're over here" my dad said slumped on the couch reading the paper. He ran his claws through his golden mane as he tried to detangle it from the usual morning wake up. My mom was knitting in a rocking chair as she usually did on mornings as well. Her purple eyes lifted from her lilac paws, and she smiled as she greeted.

Hello, my little Kougra." She purred. "How are you, today?"

I'm fine I guess." I said trying to hold tears. "Mom, Dad, can I talk to you?" I asked worriedly.

Of course you may." my mom said as she hugged me. I began to cry, but I tried not to too much. "What's wrong? You don't cry any usual morning."

I…I am going to leave the princess life. I'm gonna go to new home now. I'm sorry please don't be mad at me!" I begged as I cried into her lilac striped fur. I was almost ready for them to yell at me at how dangerous and risky my idea was, but they didn't. Instead, they smiled and got tears in their eyes too.

_Crazy_Taco_, you may do whatever you want. We both talked it out last night and we believe that you're old enough to do whatever you'd like." my father said. I smiled and looked at them.

Really? I can leave?" I asked surprisingly.

You may. You don't have the personality, dreams, or yearn to be in royalty. Just never forget your true self. You are still the princess and still our daughter." my mom added. I nodded and hugged them both.

Chapter 4

A few days later, I packed up a few of my belongings and left to go to my new life. The villagers of the town gathered around the castle to say their final farewells. I said goodbye to everyone, and I hugged my parents once more and promised them that I would visit again someday. Dazzle, my longest friend, came teary eyed to me and hugged me.

Good luck!" she whispered as tears streamed down her cheeks. Throughout the entire farewell, I told myself not to cry. However, I knew that I had to. I went back to my parents, hugged them once more, and trotted off to my destination. My paws ran through the basin and until I finally reached the mountains the circled the village. I turned back once more and looked at the castle that used to call my home; I knew that wasn't my home anymore.

Trying to smile and be optimistic, I began to climb up the mountains. After a few days and nights of traveling through fields, mountains, and desert by myself, I reached the edge of Shenkuu's land. It was quite chilly since it was so close to Terror Mountain, but I there were pleanty of ships that were prepared to sail the seas.

Excuse me", I greeted as I trotted up to a Red Draik. "Do you happen to know if any of these ships are letting passengers?"

Well, this is my brothers ship", the Draik answered softly. "I can ask him if you can come aboard. He is making a stop to Neopia-is that where you would like to go?" she asked.

Neopia would be great, thanks!" I said gratefully. She nodded and climbed on the ship to ask her brother. I waited for a couple minutes until she returned.

My brother said you are welcome to stay on the ship for as long as you want as long as you cause no trouble. Now, come with me! You poor thing-you look like you're starving!" she said as she helped me leap into the ship from a rackety, wooden ladder.

Thank you so much, and give your brother my best regards!" I exclaimed as I tried to balance my paws on the wooden floor.

Of course." she acknowledged. "Oh by the way, may I ask for your name? You may call me Marsha."

Hi, Marsha! I'm _Crazy_Taco_" I answered.

Well, you must be so hungry. Come downstairs and I'll cook up a nice meal. I hope Fish Burgers are fine with you! You've must have come such a long way." Marsha said as she guided me down the wobbly stairs to the corridor.

Oh you bet I'm hungry! I never even tried fish. Where I'm from I had a consistent way of eating, haha. So glad to try something new!' I said gratefully as she began cooking my lunch.

Really? That is quite interesting! Where might you come from, if you can say?" she asked curiously as she picked up a loaf of bread.

I come from a village a little beyond Shenkuu." I answered.

Wow-you traveled a long way on foot for such a young Kougra. Here is your lunch, a Fish Burger and Orange Juice. I hope you like it!" Marsha said as she placed the plate and glass in front of me. I don't think I have ever eaten so quickly in my life! The lunch was quickly evaporated from my plate, and I was full and happy.

For a little over two weeks, I stayed on the ship with Marsha and her brother (who called him self Drake) until I finally reached Neopia. I hugged them both and thanked them for all they have done. They promised me that they would one day settle in Neopia and promised to find me somehow. I waved goodbye as I watched the ship that I came off of sail away from the shores of Neopia.

From there on, I found a new home with Victoria. When she was creating a Kougra, she happened to type in the name "_Crazy_Taco_" as a pet name and found me. (I was not from the pound, just to clear things out haha) and then I was cared for with my other brothers and sisters. My new life is anything but royal, and I am glad about that!

On January 1st, 2008, around 12:10 NST, Victoria was done playing the last few game she needed to finally get my color. She had played all the games she could the day before, so she waited till 2 AM her time after celebrating New Years to try and get my color. Finally, she bought it at the Hidden Tower.

She was so excited as she pressed "Paint _Crazy_Taco_" with the Royal Paint Brush. Victoria wanted to paint me royal since it was her favorite Kougra color at the time, and she wanted follow her goal of painting at least one of her pets royal. Finally, I was painted.

I had beige fur that was the color of honey with vanilla, and I had lilac stripes the distinguished me from other Kougras. I had a long purple robe, golden jewelry, and pretty crown that reminded me of my old life. However, there was nothing wrong with that. It reminded me that I was still somewhat royal in my roots, and this was a part of who I was I cannot change it. Plus, I thought it looked nifty ^^

Victoria was so proud of me; I was her first royal and first painted pet. She had spent over three months saving like crazy, so she was ready to update me. That same day, she was buying me backgrounds, updating my petpage, and even my petlookup. As she was fixing up my old petpage, she suddenly got a random event. The worst random event…

Since I was her active pet, I was at high risk for random events that can effect me. So on the SAME DAY I was painted the royal color I was that took months to get at around 7 PM NST, I was zapped by Boochi. Yes, AND HE DID NOT MISS.

Victoria started crying (yes, she cries for everything haha) because her hard work was suddenly transformed into a baby. It was really weird for me though since I had only spent less than 15 hours in my new royal color and I was all of sudden baby. So it took a while for Victoria to get used to. She was so horrified that her hard work went down the drown… or so she thought.

Poor V couldn't stand my baby color, so she painted me a basic color with one of the basic colored paint brushes that she had gotton and kept from her newbie back. So yeah-my third color change in one day again! At least I was used to the basic colors…Anyways, she painted me yellow (I think) and noticed something wonderful when she painted me back to the basic color.

From the way that customization works, Royal clothes were on me just like they were in my few hours of my royal color since they never disappear. The only difference was my yellow color. This gave her a brilliant idea! Since she was too lazy, it took her a while, but she finally saved up a few extra neopoints to buy me one more paint brush….

Finally, MY LAST (for now…-.-) color was revealed on January 21st-ish (somehwere around that time). I was a purple color with royal clothing- I very rare Kougra I felt! Now, I wasn't just a plain old Royal Kougra-I was a unique mixed painted Kougra! Hopefully, I will not be painted again for a while. I think I've had enough color change, and I am just fine with the color I have now.

If you would like to add me to your own quilt or make me an affie, here are a couple of banners and buttons that you can use to link back if you would like to! Thanks!