Pressing her nose against the glass of the Petpet store, she impatiently waiting for it to open. Soon she heard a clock chime, and a cheerful looking Usul unlocked the store door.

"Welcome my dear! We are having a wonderful sale today, with Petpets from all over Neopia!"

Kaile squealed in delight and rushed into the store. Her squeal turned into a gasp as her eyes fell upon all the different creatures. She had never imagined there were so many different Petpets!

Kaile tried to mentally calm herself. I have to make a good, responsible, decision on which pet to get. Nodding to herself, she carefully looked over the Petpets. Hmm.. Triffin.. no, too many eyes. Avabot.. no, not very cuddly. Acko... cute, but too expensive. Floud.. hmm maybe. The Acara read the sign next to it aloud. 'Never feed them carrots!' "Oh dear, I eat carrots a lot... wouldn't want to be responsible if it ate one by accident," she murmured to herself.

Kaile continued in this fashion for hours... none of the Petpets seemed right. She wanted a really special one. Sighing, she decided to go have some lunch to refresh herself. She was walking past the alley next to the shop, when she heard someone whisper to her.

"Psst! Hey you, the Acara. You lookin' for a Petpet? I got some great ones here." Kaile eyed the stranger suspiciously. He was dressed in a long trench coat and had the brim of his hat pulled low over his eyes. "I'll give you a great deal, kid. Half-price! This one is exceptionally rare." He held out a cage with a Zumagorn. "This one is a great companion, too." he said, holding out another cage, this one with a Boween. Kaile was still suspicious, but she never thought she'd be able to afford such rare pets. "Why are you selling them so cheap?" she asked.

"Eh? Oh! Um, you see, I don't sell out of a shop, so I don't need to pay for unnecessary expenses, so I can afford to sell them MUCH cheaper. Say, these two for about as much as you have in that jar?" he said, eyeing her savings.

"But no one can have more than one Petpet!" the Acara stated.

"Why that's ridiculous!" the stranger replied. "A pet as wonderful and special as yourself deserves two Petpets!"

"Yeah! Yeah, I guess I do!" Kaile said smiling. She handed her jar of Neopoints over to the stranger, and took the cages with the Petpets.

"A wise decision, little miss!" the stranger said, bowing. "Very special Petpets for a very special pet!" The stranger slid back into the alley, as Kaile skipped happily with her two new Petpets.

"HEY! Stop rockin' the cage so much!" someone shouted. Kaile stopped dead. The voice had come from the cage with the Zumagorn.

She looked at it in wide-eyed horror. "P-p-petpets don't talk!"

"Well I sure do!" the Zumagorn shouted back.

"Oh, don't mind him... he has a bit of a temper," said the Boween from the cage in the other paw.

"EEK!!" it was all too much for Kaile. Not one talking Petpet, but two! "Wh-what is this?"

"Allow me to introduce ourselves," the Boween continued. "My name is Bo, and my hot-tempered friend here is..."

"Well, that name certainly suits him," Kaile responded. The Zumagorn shrugged slightly.

"What's your name?" Bo asked, politely.

"I'm Kaile."

"So, now that we all know each other," Lava said, "why don't you let us out of these tiny, little cages? It's so cramped in here. I can't even spread my wings."

"Well," Kaile began, uncertain.

"Don't listen to him!" Bo yelled, "He just wants to run away!"

"Mind your own business!" the Zumagorn hissed.

Kaile wasn't really listening to the two. She was too surprised that her Petpets could actually talk - she wasn't paying attention as to what they were saying. "I can't belive this," she said, "I have to tell Twilight!"

Running through the streets, swinging the cages even more so as she hurried towards the Neohome of her best friend. Twilight, a starry Zafara, was sitting at home reading when Kaile knocked on the door.

"Hey, Kaile!" Twilight greeted her as she opened the door, "What's up?" then she noticed the cages. "Where did the Petpets come from?"

"They're mine," Kaile answered, breathlessly, as she walked inside.

"TWO Petpets?" Twilight exclaimed, "But you're only allowed one."

"That's not important," Kaile said holding up the cages, "These can talk! Can you believe it?"

"Petpets can't talk."

"These two can," Kaile insisted, "just listen." She set the cages down. "Come on guys," she said, "Talk!"

Lava yawned and laid down in the bottom of his cage. Bo only blinked a few times innocently. "Come on," Kaile repeated, "Don't do this to me. I'm sorry I shook the cages."

"What are you doing?" Twilight asked, "Are you joking or something?"

"I'm not joking," Kaile replied, "They really can talk."

Twilight shook her head. "Uh-huh... look Kaile, I.. need to finish some homework. Why don't we talk tomorrow, okay?"

"Oh, okay." Kaile said dejectedly. Twilight led her to the door. No sooner was the door shut behind them, Lava began to complain he was hungry.

Kaile looked into the cage furiously. Why wouldn't you talk back there! You made me look like an idiot!"

"Well that isn't hard!" growled Lava.

Kaile shook the cage furiously. "Why, you little!"

"Uh, before things get too out of hand here--" interrupted Bo, "perhaps an explaination is in order? You see, Kaile..."

"You?" Kaile exclaimed, bewildered, "YOU are that powerful? No offense, but aside from being fairly cute, you're not exactly that remarkable-looking."

Lava spoke up. "We may not look like a million Neopoints, but we can be extremely dangerous if you cross us. That's the precise reason why creating specialized Petpets was banned centuries ago. Dr. Thols was so anxious to get rid of us, because the authorities s are after him for breaking the law."

Kaile stared at Lava, then at Bo. "So I could get in trouble for keeping you? I knew it was a bad idea to buy two Petpets, but I never guessed that I could be doing something really illegal by getting you. What can I do now? I can't just dump you somewhere!"

Just then, Twilight opened her door. "Who's making so much noise? This is a pri-- Kaile? I thought you had left a few minutes ago. What are you still doing on my porch?"

Kaile tried to explain. "I was just talking to-OUCH!" Bo pinched her leg; he was trying to tell her something. Oops, thought Kaile, I probably shouldn't reveal anything about Bo or Lava to anyone. "I was just talking to myself, Twilight. Trying to, uh, remember what I have to, uh, get at the Food Shop. Yeah, the Food Shop!"

"Are you all right, Kaile?" asked Twilight, looking concerned. "Maybe you should go home. It's almost 5 o'clock anyway. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Get some rest." Kaile turned to go home as Twilight shut the door. Then, while leaving her friend's house, Bo told her about keeping the secret.

"Thanks for stopping yourself just in time, Kaile. If anyone discovers our abilities, they will not only spread the news, they will try to take advantage of us-- and you."

Kaile understood. She already felt a bond growing between herself and her new Petpets. She knew she had to take care of them. But it was disappointing not to be able to talk about her special pets to anyone.

It was getting chilly, Kaile noted. She turned the corner, walking toward her home, and was fastening a scarf around her neck when Bo yelped loudly.

"What's wrong, Bo?" Kaile set down the cages and looked around worriedly, but she could see nothing out of the ordinary at all.

"Kaile! Don't you see him? Over there, next to those fall fur bushes!" Bo whispered. He motioned toward some plants lining the street.

Suddenly, Kaile heard a deep voice behind her.

"Where are you going, my little Acara, with such fascinating companions?" Kaile gasped. It was none other than---

"My little Acara, how about I take one of those Petpets off your hands? You're only allowed one, anyway," he said sweetly.

"No!" yelled Kaile, hugging the cages tight to her body. "These are mine! Get your own!"

The Pant Devil's eyes grew faint red. "Come on, my dear Acara. Just one. That Zumagorn looks promising."

Lava hissed. "Don't give me to him!" he pleaded.

Kaile slowly backed away. She gained speed, then darted away from him.

"Argh! Give me those Petpets!" roared the Pant Devil, his floating body chasing Kaile.

Kaile frantically ran faster. She knew her house was just on top of the hill she was running up. "Almost there!" she gasped.

"Come here FOOL! Those Petpets are going to be MINE!" the Pant Devil screamed with rage. "Make my day easier and hand them over!"

Kaile then stopped. She had an idea. "Okay," Kaile said, walking closer to the Pant Devil. "This Zumagorn is really annoying! You can have it."

Lava gasped. "Kaile... what?!? What are you doing? I'm your friend, remember?"

Kaile winked at him. Lava then understood. As the Pant Devil held the cage in his hands, he cackled with laughter. "It's all mine! All mine! Ahahaha!"

Lava then winked back at Kaile, and spit fire at the Pant Devil.

"ARGH!" shrieked the Pant Devil, who was now toasted black. "I'll get you, meddling fools!"

Kaile quickly grabbed Lava's cage, then ran toward her house, not daring to look back and see that the Pant Devil was still right behind her...

"That," she panted, "was close."

Lava cheered and started talking to Kaile about his wonderful fire attack, but Kaile noticed that Bo was very quiet. He stared at the floor, his big yellow eyes full of worry.

"Bo?" she said, touching the Boween's shoulder, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, just ignore him! He's still shocked about meeting the Pant Devil!" Lava laughed.

But suddenly, Bo howled in despair, burying his face in his paws.

"You stupid fool!" he yelled at Lava.

"What have I done?" Lava demanded.

"You spoke in front of the Pant Devil!" Bo shouted, "Now he could tell anyone about us!"

Lava bit his lip. Kaile gasped and realised that Bo was right.

"Oh no," she whispered, "do you think he'll tell anyone?"

"Well, it's not every day you see two talking Petpets! He's bound to tell someone!" Bo wailed.

"And why would I tell anyone about you?" an evil voice hissed from behind them.

Kaile gasped and whipped around. There, floating outside her slightly open window, was the Pant Devil. He had returned.

"You fools!" The Pant Devil snarled, "I wouldn't want to tell anyone about two talking Petpets! Then someone could easily just steal them away! I want those Petpets for MYSELF!" He threw back his head in mad laughter.

"No!" Kaile shrieked.

"Two talking Petpets are very valuable! They must be mine! Give them to me!" the Pant Devil roared.

"Never!" Kaile shouted.

"Then I'll have to take them from you by force!" the evil ghoul screeched.

He passed through the window like a ghost. Then he lunged forward to grab the Petpets. But suddenly he reeled back, screaming with rage and pain. Kaile wondered what had happened, then she realised...

"Bo! What did you do to him?" Kaile called, grinning joyously.

"I simply teleported him, and now he's probably coming down the steet screaming. He'll be back in about 20 minutes, and to tell you the truth, I don't think he'll be that nice this time. We have to leave." Bo said, weakly stumbling up in his cage.

Lava shot a concerned look at his friend. The little Boween looked very weak. Kaile gasped and flung open the doors of both cages. Kaile carefully picked Bo up and laid him on the floor. He smiled up at her before whispering, "We need to move, he'll be back."

Kaile got the message. She darted up the stairs, ignoring the blaring radio from the other room. Three blankets, a codestone, three slices of pizza, and 700 NP were all Kaile could find to put in her Mystery Island backpack.

She ran downstairs and grabbed the Petpets, placing them each securely into a pocket of her pack, telling them to stay down and be quiet. With that, Kaile grabbed a bottle of water and headed out the door.

The Acara ran down the street, not knowing where to go. Not back to her NeoHome, not to her friends' houses. She needed a place to stay- and fast! Her nerves played tricks on her, and at each corner there was the laughing of the Pant Devil.

Then it hit her! Kaile knew exactly where to go. She turned around and began to run the other way.

"Where are we going?" yelled Lava.

"We're going to..."

Lava looked at Kaile doubtfully. "Defenders of Neopia is a high security law enforcement agency! They would arrest you for sure if they found out our secret!"

Just then, they were interrupted with the sound that they had dreaded. The Pant Devil's diabolical laughter. That was the moment she made her decision; Kaile decided that her original plan would have to work, so she stuck with it! She turned in the direction of Defenders of Neopia.

"What are you doing?" Lava asked with a very startled voce.

Kaile answered this with confidence. Kaile answered with confidence, "I believe my original plan will work; we really have no other choice!"

Bo, who had been napping in the pack, and had no idea what was going on asked, "What idea was that?"

"To go to Defenders of Neopia and get professional help," answered Kaile.

"Well, it's worth a try. Just make sure Lava doesn't blow his top and talk like he did last time." Bo stated.

"Don't worry, Lava will be fine. Right?" Kaile asked.

"I'll do my best," Lava said.

Kaile kept on running, hoping and praying that she could remember the way to the Defenders of Neopia headquarters. She turned another corner, and to her relief, the headquarters were now in sight. However, the Pant Devil was gaining on them.

"Oh no!" shouted Lava, who was starting to panic.

"What are we going to do?" Bo added.

That was when they came out of the frying pan and into the fire. The Pant Devil had caught up.

"Give me those Petpets!" he demanded.

"Never!" Kaile yelled. "I won't let you take them!" the Acara redoubled her efforts, running so hard that she thought her lungs would explode. She was so close. Just a little futher...

"No!" the Pant Devil screamed.

Kaile hit the door at full speed. It swung open, and she tumbled into the white-walled room, gasping, her cheek resting on the cool floor. She wanted to rest there, stay there forever, but the Pant Devil was right behind her! She got up on her knees and looked at the open doorway.

The blue ghoul was floating there, his face a mask of anger. Kaile could tell he was in a fit of rage, yet he was afraid to pass through. And rightfully so; as she knelt, clutching the backpack with her Petpets in it to her, a group of Neopets flocked to the door and made a wall between the Pant Devil and Kaile.

A tough Gelert spoke up. "Go away, Devil. We've got her. She's safe."

The Pant Devil hissed and rose another few inches in the air, but the Neopets remained firm. "We're the Defenders of Neopia, and you cannot pass," said the Gelert calmly.

The Pant Devil cast a hateful glance at Kaile and fled, muttering to himself. Kaile slumped over and held her side. Bo and Lava were pressed up against her, but Lava dove out of sight as a Shoyru came up to them.

"Are you okay?" she asked kindly.

Kaile rasped. "Please... water."

The Shoyru nodded and went off to fetch a cup of water. Kaile groaned and staggered to her feet, looking around her. Life in the Defenders of Neopia building had returned to normal. The Acara bent down and picked up Bo. "Feeling better?" she asked him.

Bo grinned at her, and whispered his answer so no one would her. "Yeah. My energy is mostly back, but I won't be teleporting anyone for a while yet. We'll just hope the Pant Devil doesn't come back."

Lava called up to them before Kaile had a chance to shush him. "I'm so sick of that Pant Devil!"

The Defenders of Neopia gasped and stared at them. Kaile felt sick. Lava had just revealed himself...

"Wait, before you take my pets away..." Kaile started, but a tough looking Grarrl cut in.

"There is no excuse for you keeping TALKING Petpets!" he said harshly.

A timid looking jubjub looked up at the huge Grarrl and started to say. "Couldn't you show her a little..."

"Right now she is breaking TWO laws!" shouted the Grarrl, spit flying from his mouth and his eyes bulging horribly, "One for having TWO Petpets, and the other for creating Petpets with supernatural talents!!"

Kaile then felt herself get braver. She could do this. "I didn't create them," she said, "I bought them from a man before I even knew they could talk."

Then there was a long pause from everyone. Lava still had his hand over his mouth in horror, and Bo was nearly passed out from everything. After what seemed like a million years of silence, an Ixi said one word... "conference." With that, everyone went into the next room, leaving Kaile alone with Lava and Bo.

Kaile walked over to the nearest chair and sat down. Lava started to talk, but stopped when he saw the sad look on Kaile's face. Then all three of them started to cry.

Just then the doors of the conference room opened up, and the Ixi walked over to her with an unreadable look on his face. "We have decided to..."

"Are... are you serious?" asked Kaile, wiping away her tears.

"Well," said the Gelert. "It's not your fault that you have TWO TALKING petpets. And, we have read the book of Neopia, and you have not broken any laws. Read, here..." said the Gelert, handing Kaile the book.

Kaile sat up and read aloud, "Rule #6,092: A Neopet does not have the right to have two Petpets for his or her own use, whether it was bought from a store, won, traded, or found in auctions or otherwise. If so, and the Neopet refuses to cooperate, he or she will be sent to jail." she slapped the book closed. "But, I don't get it..."

The JubJub explained to her that she did not, in fact, get them from any of these sources; and that there was no law about keeping two Petpets bought from crazy scientist in alleys. Once they heard the news, Lava, Bo, and Kaile went to hug each other. This was quite an adventure for the three of them, and even though...

Just then, the doors swung open and a gigantic blue cloud rushed through. Yet again, it was the Pant Devil. He quickly flew towards Kaile and grabbed the Petpets.

"NO!!!" yelled Kaile, but it was too late. The Pant Devil had them and was rushing towards the door.

Then, a blue figure (they couldn't tell what it was, it was going too fast) jolted onto the Pant Devil, sending him flying towards the wall. The two Petpets swung into the air, landing safely into Kaile's arms.

Dust flew everywhere, and there was a huge hole in the wall. Soon, the dust cleared, and... the Gelert was standing right next the Pant Devil's fainted body!

"HOORAY!" shouted everyone, as they went to cheer for the Gelert.

Three days later, President Blubby the Chia awarded the Gelert a medal for bravery. And as for Kaile... she got to keep the two Petpets, and got one more reward...

"Hurry cutting the lawn!" shouted Kaile out of her window.

"FINE!" yelled the Pant Devil.

THE END