This is a roleplay between Aquamarine_j78 and Lady_Esmeralda_ that I'm storing here for now. It will later be moved to Aqua's page.

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Aqua was happily strolling along a river in Meridell. She heard that it was wonderfull at this time of year, so Aqua decided to take a little 'vacation' away from the ocean. She was too busy admiring the beautiful scenery, she didn't notice where she was going. As a result, she accidentaly bumped into someone else who was enjoying this nice day.

Esmeralda was seeing stars from the impact and fell back on her behind. The stars began to fade from her sight, shaking her head to rid what was left of them. Groaning in pain at the headache now, she stood up, and nursed her head in her hoof.

."I'm so sorry!" Aqua replied. "I should have been paying attention. I was so busy admiring this lovely scenery that I didn't see where I was going."

Esmeralda stood and smiled sweetly at the other ixi. "It is alright, dear. I fear that my mind was somewhere else as well. So take it you are not from these lands, an I correct?"

Aqua brushed the dirt off her fur and replied "Yes. I'm from Mystery Island. I heard that Meridell looks amazing at this time of year, so I came to see for myself."

."Yes, well... I suppose during this time of the year now that I think about it. I've never really paid that much attetion to it."

."Yeah. I think it's nice to get away from the ocean once in a while."

."Where are my manners, I haven't introduce myself." she blushed, "My name is Esmeralda."

."I'm Aqua. So, do you live around here?"

She hesitated for a moment, "You could say that." she then says, "Come walk with my dear."

."Okay."

They walked along the river once more. "So tell me, what is your home like? This... island, what was it called?"

."Mystery Island." Aqua replied. "The weather is sunny all year long. Except for that one day back in 2006 when it suddenly snowed! Fortunately, it hasn't snowed there since."

."Sounds lovely, other then the snow part."

."I know. But I didn't always live there. I used to live in Maraqua, but one day I wandered too far from home. And to cut a long story short, I now live on Mystery Island."

She nodded, "I understand, I am from Faerieland acutally. Although, I didn't wander from my home I chose to leave it."

."Really? Why?"

."Well, Fearieland just wasn't for me. It was peaceful and quite, othing exciting ever happen there. When I was your age I was little reckless and daring. I alway dreamed of leaving the clouds and explorng the world and discovered what was waiting out ther for me. When I did leave, I have to regrets and felt that something greater was waiting for me. To this day I haven't gone back."

."What do you mean by 'something greater'?"

She smiled brightly at Aqua, "Well, think of it as this way. Have you felt like there are times that there was always something missing in your life, even though it seems like you don't?"

."...No...Not really."

."Well, to some they believe it's hand of destiny, though I don't really believe in destiny. But I was feeling something was left out, something great was waiting for me. And I was correct."

Aqua, who was now deeply interested in Esmerelda's story, then asked "What was waiting for you?"

She blushed, "Oh, listen to me ramble on and on. I've been talking about only of myself when there better things to talk of."

."Oh, that's okay." Aqua replied. "I was so interested in your story that I actually wanted to hear the rest."

."My story, hmm..." she thought for moment, trying to figure the way best way to explain it. "Well, my story is a long one and bit of a... private matter almost, it depends on what you feel about something... But I guess the short version is that when I left I came here, got hurt, someone took me in and cared for me, fell in love and got married."

."...And?"

."That's it. What I felt was missing was here, near these lands. Where I found the love of my life."

."The love of your life...is he still around?"

."Oh yes, he is still around. But he's been very busy of late, so have I."

."I don't really have a 'special someone' yet. Then again, he'd have to be rather adaptable to spend the rest of their life with me."

."Oh, why is that?"

."I'll show you, but don't tell anyone else." Aqua then leaps into the nearby river and turns into her ocean form, with her flotsam tail and horn.

She stared in both awe and shock before she broke out into a cheerful laughter. "Well look at you! An ixi that is part flotsam, I knew you were something special when we met."

."Yeah, I used to be a flotsam. Until I drank a morphing potion which enables me to live on both land and n the water."

."Really." she said in slight awe.

."Really. But I don't like to show it off. Because I'm afraid that someone might try to catch me and do experiments on me or something. I'm very afraid of hypodermic needles." She shudders for a moment.

She smiled sweetly at Aqua, "I understand dear. I feel quite honor that you have shared me your biggest secret. In fact-"

."Neopian Times latest issue! The Cup is finally over! Read all about it here!" A pteri news boy flow above them.

Esmeralda looked at the Pteri in shock to hear that cup is finally over. "Excuse me, down here!"

The Pteri looked down at her and flew and landed right in front of her. "You wish for an issue?"

."Yes, how much?"

."30 neopoints, please."

Aqua dryed herself off, thus changing back into her land form, and asked "So, who won?"

The paperboy left, just as Esmeralda opened the Neopian Times to read who the winners were. Soon a while and pround smile appeared on her face. "Our boys made it!" she laughed, before handing the paper over to Aqua.

Winner: Lost Desert

Second: Kreludor

Third: Darigan Citadel

."Aww, man. I was kinda hoping Mystery Island would win. Sarah and I always root for them."

But she didn't hear her, for Esmeralda was busy muttering to herself wit a distress look on her face. "If they won and the paper looks to be yesterday's results," her face then turned pale as she said "Uh-oh."

."What?"

She scowled, "If this was of yesterday then that means they're on their way home. Shoot! I have to get home right away."

."Well, it was nice walking with you. Bye, Esmerelda!"

."Wait!"

."Yes?"

She hesitated for a moment, thinking carefullyof what to say next. Finally after a moment, she let out a heavy sigh and looked at Aqua with a smile, "I think... we have be come good friends during our time together, don't you agree?"

."Yeah. In fact, we should meet up again sometime!"

Her smile brightened. "I'm glad to hear that, to know that you see me as someone to trust your most important secert to. And I think it's only fair that I share mine with you."

."Oh, really?"

She nodded, "But this secert I can't tell you. But a secert that I can show you. Come with me, we are not far from where I live and I fear we have very little time." she took off running, away from Meridell.

."What's this secret you have to show me?" Aqua asked.

."You'll see in the next couple of miles!" she called over her shoulder.

For almost half hour, they ran along the river edge, heading away from Meridell until the the great city was just a small speck. The further they left Meridell behind, the big of a large shadow appeared over the peaceful forest. Dark gray clouds block the sun's rays, give the place almost an eary feeling. It wasn't long until Darigan Citadel appeared above.

."Well, where is it?"

."You're looking at it, right above." she pointed up to the floating land.

."Oh, that's Darigan Citadell, isn't it?"

."It is, and that's where we are going."

."Really?"

She nodded. "Yes, I am going to fly us up. Since flight is pretty much The only way to reach the it. Take my hand."

Aqua held on to Esmeralda's hand tightly.

."Hold on tight." her white wings unfolded from her back and spread open, taking flight to the sky.

Aqua held on tightly as she was instructed.

They flew in the sky, high above the ground and headed towards the floating land. Esmeralda kept a firm grip on Aqua'a hand as they approached the citadel. The citadel was just like what they said about the sad lands, gloomy, baron, dark, and no hits of sunlight from behind the dak colored clouds. But beyond all that, the citadel had a strange sweet charm when you see it in person.

."What are we looking for, exactly?"

."We're not looking, we're landing." She said with a smile, "Now, I'm going to need you to stay quiet, I don't want anyone to know we're here."

."Why?" Aqua whispered.

."Let's just say... I wasn't suppose to leave in the first place. Brace yourself." With that said, they landed behind just the outskirts of the castle, behind a group of grey dead looking trees.

Aqua decided to stay close to Esmerelda.

They neared the gate entrance of the castle, watching the guards closely as they eyed their surroundings.

Aqua kept her eyes on Esmerelda, not wanting to get lost.

."Stay close and get ready." she whisper, tightening grip on Aqua's hand.

Soon, one guard moved away as they both looked off in the other direction. Seeing an opening, Esmeralda took it and quickly rushed through the entrance, completely unnotice by the guards.

Aqua began to wonder what they were doing here.

It's usually easy sailing from here." Quickly she led Aqua straight inside the home of Lord Darigan himself.

."Why are we going in there?"

."Because, this my home." she said, entering inside the gloomy looking castle. "There is nothing to be afraid of, as long as you stay with me."

."Wait...I thought you said you lived in Faerieland?"

."I did, but a left it a long time ago when I was your age, now I live here with my husband." she explained, noticing that castle looked prepared for a grand party.

."Oh, I see."

."We better hurry if we want to be ready for the victory party." Esmeralda pulled Aqua up the flgiht of stairs and down one of the main halls. They reached a large pair of double doors that held beautiful carvings. Esmeralda opened the doors and stepped into a beautiful large room that looked fit for a king.

."Victory party?"

."Of course," Esmeralda moved open the wardrobe, revealing nothing but beautiful gowns, "Our boys made third in the Cup, it's quite a big deal."

Aqua sniffs at the punch bowl for a moment then muttered "Third place is better than last.

."Yes that's true," she pulled out two beautiful gowns, "And that we placed much higher then Meridell to. I think you're about the same size as me." she handed Aqua a powdered blue dress, "You can change in the bathroom over there." she pointed at the jointed bathroom of the bedroom.

Aqua went into the bathroom and quickly put on the dress Esmerelda gave her. "Looks great on me." She said when she came out.

Esmeralda changed into a beautiful olive green dress with a glond trim that hanged off her shoulders. "It looks perfect, it matches your eyes I do believe."

."Yours looks great, too."

."Thank you." soon their came a knock on the door. "Come in." Esmeralda called.

The door opened and stepped in was darigan cybunny maid. "My lady." the maid bowed to Esmeralda. She looked at Aqua with a raised eyebrow before looked back Esmeralda, "I have come to warn you that the Lord knows that you were away. I believe he will be here shortly.

Thank you, Mina. You may go." the Cybunny bowed and then left.

."Lord?" Aqua asked.

She smiled calmly once Mina was gone, "Yes my husband. I must warn you though, he has a bit of a short temper."

."Okay." Aqua nodded.

."Now before he get's here, I have to tell you something about my husband. My husband is-" SHe didn't get the chance to finish for the doors flew open with great force. And stepped in was an angry Lord Darigan.

Aqua was so startled she hid behind Esmerelda.

He ignored Aqua and settled his heated glare at Esmeralda. "You." she point at her with a dangrous voice, "Where have you been!?"

Esmeralda looked unfazed by his angry and replied calmly. "I went for a walk."

."A walk?"

."Yes a walk."

."Out of our lands?"

She glare right back at him. "Yes, I can go as I please, just like you!"

He growled, "You are not allowed to leave the Citadel without my permission."

."Well, excuse me then for wanted to get some fresh air!"

."You can not leave when ever you wish Esmeralda! You can not just up and leave when you feel like it!"

Feeling a little braver, Aqua stood up and shouted "Quit yelling at my friend!"

Darigan then turned his heated glare to Aqua that send cold shivers down her spine. "Who are to tell me what I can and cannot do, and who are you?"

."For your information, my name is Aqua."

At this, Darigan coud help but for a little smirk as he looked to Esmeralda, "Looks like you foud a bit of a spunky one."

Esmeralda grinned, "But of course.

."Spunky?" Aqua asked him? "I may be bold, but not spunky."

They ignored her last comment.

."This still doesn't change the fact that you left witohut a world! What if something happened to you? You can't just up and leave!"

."I am perfectly capable to take care of myself and you know that!"

They started up once more.

."You're lucky I don't have time to deal with you right now, there is a party in the Darigan Teams honor tonight. Now if you excuse me, I'll take my left." with that, Lord Darigan left.

Esmeralda let out an irritating groan before she looked at Aqua with a small smile, "I'm sorry that you had to see all that. He's just as stuborn as me at times."

."I kinda noticed."

She sighed and walked over to the door that was still, "But I suppose that's what I get for marrying a stuff, tight up korbat that doesn't now the mean of the word fun!" she yelled down the hall, loud enough for Darigan to hear.

Before she slammed the door shut, you could hear the faint noise of grumbling from Darigan.

."I didn't know he was a korbat..." Aqua muttered before she blurted out "Wait! He's your husband?!"

Esmeralda smirked, "He is. And you are looking at the Lady of the Citadel."

Aqua said nothing. She just stood there with her mouth open in shocked.

She nodded, "Come, come we don't have much time. Darigan doesn't like it when I keep him waiting for long."

."Sure."

They left the large room and walked a long dark hallway. At the end, Darigan stood waiting for them looking irritated as normal. Standing with Darigan was the cybunny, Mina.

."Mina will take you to throne room and then lead you ballroom. For now this is where we will depart." Esmeralda explained.

."Okay."

."See you in a little bit," With a smile, Esmeralda turned and looped her arm around Darigan's and disappeared off somewhere.

Mina turned to the ixi before her. "The Darigan team will make it's grant appearance in the throne room, followed by a speach or two before we come on to the party. Please follow me.

Mina lead Aqua inside the throne room, packed with darigan pets, waiting for the lord and lady.

."Wow. This place is packed." Aqua muttered to herself.

Mina took Aqua up front, where you could see everything and everyone.

The room soon fell silent and Darigan and Esmeralda made their grant entrance and took their seats on their thrones. Soon, Team Darigan appeared and their was big cheer from the crowd and it only grew louder when the Hissi captain held up this year's trophy.

Aqua felt like waving at Esmerelda but she decided not to.

The team approached Lord Darigan and bowed before him and their lady. The Hissi captain offered them the trophy, which Esmeralda took, as Darigan began a speech.

Soon the speech ended and there was a loud cheer from everyone in the room. Esmeralda smiled and held up the trophy with Darigan before they passed it along to one of the servants. Soon, after that, Esmeralda and Darigan left the throne room together as the crowd began to follow after them.

."Now it's on to the party." said Mina.

They left the throne room and entered the great ballroom, where the team, Darigan, and Esmeralda waited.

Esmeralda finally join Aqua again, with a plate of cream puffs in her hand.

."I hope you are enjoying yourself." she said.

."I am." Aqua replied.

."I'm sorry that I had to leave you for a bit. I hope you didn't mind staying with Mina for a while." she said, picking up a cream puff, "Cream puff?" she offered.

I'm re-writing Badiel's story, which will be stored here for now.

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Chapter 1
The lupe had been following the scent for days. He and his master had heard of a pyrokinetic xweetok who demolished and entire field. They imagined how such a tough creature like that would fair in the Battledome.

Finally, the lupe found her. The xweetok who was known as Tosca. She was napping in the tall grass, unaware that she was being watched. He quietly tiptoed towards her, then pounced.

Tosca immediately fought back. she scratched at his face, but he wouldn't let go. He shook her until she went flying through the air, leaving him with a tuft of fur in his mouth.

The lupe then ran off. Tosca watched him, making sure that he wouldn't strike again. But he didn't. He already had what he came for.

**********

Sometime later, the lupe caught up with his master, a scientist.

."Did you get what I asked for?" He asked.

The lupe then handed him the tuft of fur. "Perfect." He chuckled. "Now I have all I need to create the strongest creature that the Battledome has ever seen!"

Chapter 2
."This place looks perfect, Tosca." A xweetok said. His name was Kinka, and he and Tosca were looking for a perfect place to establish a clan. And it looked like they finally found it.

It was a vast field, with no smell of predators or disease. Upon further inspection, Tosca found a large, crystal-clear lake. She crouched down for a drink. After a couple sips, she cried out "Kinka! You've got to come taste this water!"

Kinka took a couple of sips and replied "It tastes so clean! This is definately the perfect place."

The next day, Kinka went off to find some other xweetoks. Tosca stayed behind to watch over their new territory.

Chapter 3
Meanwhile, somewhere far away, the scientist and his lupe were staring at a tall glass tube. Inside was a small xweetok, less than half the size of a normal one.

The scientist had sent his lupe out to retrieve a tuft of Tosca's fur so that he would have her DNA. With this, he could create an incredibly strong neopet that would always win in the Battledome.

Inside the tube, the xweetok clone appeared to be asleep, but her mind was active.

**********

."Who am I?". She asked in her mind. ."What am I?...Where am I?".

**********

."Her vital signs are excellent." The scientist muttered.

**********

."I hear noises...What are they?".