Taru picked up the pace, running through the twisting labyrinth of vines effortlessly. This was his home. He had never been one of those more-civilized types of Kougra. He wasn't into the shops, the Trading Post, or the Tombola. Everything he needed could be found here in the jungle.

As the day wore on like so many before, Taru splashed around happily in a flowing stream that ran in and out between the roots of the trees, which seemed to reach up forever. He was happy. Even in the isolation of the jungle he was happy, playfully pouncing at the Primellas in the water.

With a slow setting sun hanging over the mountains, Taru lied out on a hillside, soaking up the last rays of warm sunlight. He chuckled to himself as he looked to the South, seeing all those bustling Neopians from far away, so concerned with possessions and neopoints that they couldn't stop a moment to take in the beauty around them. Perfectly content, Taru thought, life can't possibly get any better than this before nodding off to sleep...

Author's Note: No event that may occur in this story is in any way a clue to the Mystery Island plot, as it is a work of unrelated fiction by various site players.

...his dreams were filled with wild streams, calling birds, and the freedom of the jungle. Around Taru, the jungle continued to grow darker, but the majestic fortress of life acquired a glow. One that was always there, but seemed to come out later in the day, to emphasize the beauty of the slanting sun upon its tapering trees.

Blundering through the tree tops, small creatures found their way back to their nests, ready to slumber so that they could awake at dawn and not miss the heart-warming display of the jungle stirring to life. As it cawed to collect its family members, it was one of these wandering creatures that awoke Taru, much later into the night.

The Kougra slowly rubbed a paw over his eyes, blinking to adjust them to the dark blanket that surrounded him. For one not accustomed to the jungle at night, the black seemed almost oppressive, but Taru saw it as security.

Taking in more of the night air, he ambled back over towards the stream. It still foamed and babbled over small pebbles, but its pace was relaxed, meandering towards no particular destination. Taru quickly lapped up a drink, deciding to stretch his paws by going for a walk. Something about this time of night... it was almost mysterious. Like anything might happen... he thought.

And he was right.

As Taru slowly wound himself around the jungle, back in the direction of the village (but towards the less populated side), the Island Mystic was holding a conversation.

No one knew with whom, though, for the stranger had stolen in under the cover of night. The conversation was spirited, however, drifting on the night's still currents. When it was over, they both left the hut, not to return anytime soon.

Taru wandered in upon this scene, but many hours after it was over. By now, the hut had long been empty. He had come to call upon the Mystic. Being friends, the wise Kyrii always helped Taru when he needed it.

Taru knocked, calling out, "Hello, sir? Are you home?" No one answered for quite some time, and Taru grew wary of the emptyness in the air surrounding him. Slowly, he put a paw to the door. It swung open easily. Taru gasped, and was suddenly overcome by dizzyness...

...as he collapsed onto the floor, unconscious. A strange, deformed silhouette emerged from the darkest corner of the room, dropping a wooden club onto the floor and grasping Taru by the tail with ever so much force.

"Excellent! I knew the Mystic would be able to lure Taru into my trap," the creature muttered maniacally, and then cackled.

"Osahon, I have betrayed a dear friend of mine. I am overrun with guilt," the Mystic cried, quivering as he walked feebly into the hut from the doorway.

"You fool! You mustn't feel guilt... he was always in the way, anyway. This young Kougra, however, carries a secret... one that he was sworn to take to his grave," the figure, apparently named Osahon, snapped at the Kyrii.

"But sir, do you really think you will get this secret out of him?" the Kyrii asked, trembling nervously.

"Oh, of course I do. Besides, I have a plan--a plan that shall help me rule this island once again, and retrieve it from that overgrown coconut, Pango Pango!" Osahon roared as he dragged Taru by the tail, out of the hut and back into the dark, dense forest.

"Oh dear, what have I done... what have I done? Legends spoke of an event such as this, but never in my life did I dream that I'd be wrapped up in this vile plot," the Kyrii muttered as he plopped onto a chair, heart pounding from anxiety.

Meanwhile, back in the forest, Osahon led the unconscious Kougra to a previously unknown (except by, of course, Osahon) chunk of land that was connected to the mainland by an isthmus.

"Taru, you shall help me regain control over the island, once and for all, for your secret plays a key role in my plan to reign supreme!" the figure roared, his growl echoing amongst the surface of the stone volcano to the east.

Osahon approached a clump of grass and carefully sparked a flame. He tied Taru to a nearby tree, using a sturdy vine that had been lying around.

"Taru! Wake up, you insolent twerp," the creature boomed. It was hiding amidst the shadows, tossing twigs and branches at the Kougra. "It is time for you to help me, brother..."

...Taru groggily opened his eyes, then winced when he realized that he was being bombarded with sticks. "Ow, ow... whatsa?!" he yelled, trying to shield himself. He found that he couldn't move either his arms or legs; when he looked down, he saw that it was because they were bound with rope. "What's going on?" he demanded, his voice angry but worried.

Not one to beat around the bush, the shadow creature commanded, "Tell me your secret." He remained hidden in the shadows, which were so deep in the night that all Taru could see was a pair of eyes reflecting the tiny bit of moonlight that found its way through the treetops.

"Wha--what secret?" the Kougra asked, confusion showing on the dim outline of his moonlit face, and in his voice. He struggled against the ropes that held him, but it was useless, and only served to rub the skin raw through his fur where the ropes rested. "I don't have a secret!"

"Now, now... you forget so easily?" the shadowed creature murmured, his voice softening--but not with compassion. The night became deadly calm with quiet. "And after our dear mother trusted you with a secret so precious..."

Taru gaped at the glowing pair of eyes as the memories flooded back to him. He was young... just a cub. His mother was with him. She'd been hurt badly; it looked like she'd been in a fight. His father was nowhere to be seen, and the Kougra cub somehow knew he would never see him again.

"Taru, I have to tell you something very important," his mother said, her voice low and frightened as she looked into his wide, innocent eyes.

"What, Mama?" he'd asked of her, putting a paw on her leg nervously. He hadn't understood what was going on, but he had known that something wasn't right. His mother had been scared--deathly afraid.

"Shhh," she said softly, then turned away from him. She looked at him over her shoulder and said, "Follow me, it's important... you have to promise to remember. Will you, Taru?"

Nodding fervently, the Kougra cub's ears flopped against his head. "I will, Mama."

"Come on, then," she said, and began leading him to the last place he ever saw her. He hadn't understood a thing about what was going on then, but once he grew older it began to haunt his dreams--until he'd grown too terrified by what he remembered, and what he knew, and then blocked the memories away. That was when he began staying in the jungles of Mystery Island, alone for weeks at a time.

That's when the other part of the shadow creature's words hit him. "Our mother?" he asked, trying vainly to catch a glimpse of the creature who had him at its mercy. "Who are you?"

The creature strode into the moonlight, dropping a hood that normally hid its face. Taru instinctively gasped. "Why, don't you know me, brother?" it asked. "I'm..."

..."Arut! Why, you forget too easily Taru... come now, don't you recognize me?"

Taru gasped again at Arut's face. It was, or at least had been, the face of a Kougra. However, it was so hideously deformed that it could not be recognized. Two scars ran along the side of his face, disfiguring his nose and mouth. One eye was covered by a black patch; Taru quivered at what it might conceal.

"Scared?" Arut smiled viciously. "Now, no more games, Taru. I want to know..." his voice slid off menacingly as he stared with his one eye at Taru.

Arut... dear brother Arut. What had happened to his brother? Taru remembered now, the romps that they'd had through the jungle. An endless chase before they collapsed, out of breath, under the lush canopy of the jungle, to be soon called home by their mother. Arut dear... on the night of his mother's passing, Arut had disappeared. Taru remembered his mother's words well. "Arut is gone, rest his soul. It was my fault Taru, but you must tell no one this. It will not destroy you, you who are strong..."

As Taru thought, he realised his mother must have meant something different. Arut was not dead, but he was gone. Yes, he was gone.

"Pay attention, you miserable excuse for a Kougra. Don't lie to me... I know that mother told you something, and I want to know! All these years I have waited, and now it is time! And if you don't tell me--"

Taru laughed out loud. "Ohh, THAT 'secret'. Oh yes, I remember well... yes, it was, er, 'Follow the Jungle Trail,' or something stupid like that. I was young; I didn't pay much attention."

Arut's eyes lit up. "The Jungle Trail... of course! That is where the orb--er, 'it' is hidden... you have just made the biggest mistake of your life, ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!" Arut cackled gleefully. With that, he pulled his hood down and strode off into the night.

Taru quickly cut the ropes with his claws. The false secret should hold Arut for a while, but when he got back Taru would be in trouble. Who could help him? Taru did not know. Then it came to him: the Mystic...

...Taru hurried to the Island Mystic's hut. The Mystic was slumped in his chair, with paws covering his face.

"Mystic?" Taru asked gently. The Mystic peeked out behind his fingers.

"Taru?" he asked disbelievingly. "Is it you?" He uncovered his face and leapt to his feet, crying "Taru! Taru, you're alive!"

"Of course I'm alive," Taru said, puzzled. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"But... Osahon..." trailed the Mystic.

"Osahon?" asked Taru. "Who is he? That was Arut! My... brother!"

"Your brother?!" asked the Mystic disbelievingly. "Why would your own flesh and blood try to take over Mystery Island with plans of killing you?!?"

"Kill me?" Now it was Taru's turn to act skeptical. "Arut is pretty cruel in some ways, but he is still my brother! He would never kill me!"

"Listen to me, Taru!" cried the Mystic, grabbing the Kougra's shoulders. "He is plotting... please say you didn't tell him your secret!"

"I didn't," said Taru. "I made something up and sent him the wrong way. Mother made me promise to tell no one... not even him."

"Smart boy!" said the Mystic. "You did the right thing... you are stronger than I will ever be," he said, holding his head down in shame. "But, why would Osahon--I mean, Arut... change his name? He is hiding something... both of you have secrets. Taru, as you may know, sometimes my predictions are false. Many years ago, however, I had a vision of two Kougras... they were battling over an orb, and the fate of Mystery Island depended on who won. The taller one would bring despair. The small one... would keep peace. I didn't pay it any mind; I figured it was probably just my imagination running, but now I see that it was a true vision! Arut knows the way to win... he wants to find your secret before you find his!"

Taru thought a moment. "Goodbye!" he said, heading for the door.

"Where are you going?!" asked the Mystic. "Arut is out there! Any moment now, he will realize you played him for a fool! Stay here, where it is safer!"

"I cant," said Taru. "It's time to turn the tables. I must find out Arut's secret, before he discovers mine!" With that, he headed out the door and into the dark trees...

...As Taru traveled through the lush forest, he wondered why he was the one destined to save Mystery Island. But he promised himself he would be strong. This vow gave him new strength, and he strode faster into the silent darkness.

Taru knew that Arut could be hiding behind any tree, or lurking around any dark corner. Suddenly, Taru heard a tree branch snap. He turned around to see Arut standing there, an evil grin on his face.

"So, you think me a fool, Taru? Do you really think your lie would keep me away for long?" Arut said, menacingly.

Taru's face hardened. "Where were you that night, Arut? Where did our father go? What scared our poor mother to death?" Taru asked, his voice cold. He had to know. This was his only chance to learn the truth.

"Ah, yes. Mother," Arut said. "I does not matter. You shall not live to know where I was, or what I plan to do this evening. Now, you scrawny furball, What did Mother tell you?"

"You'll never know!" Taru said. "I will never reveal my secret to anyone! Not even you, my own flesh and blood, my own dear brother!"

"But I shall know, Taru. I will find out your secret," Arut said, a horrible grin spreading across his twisted face.

"Heh, I know you intend to end my life tonight, so it does no harm to tell me, Arut... What is your secret?"...

...Arut froze.

"I don't have a secret," he said, in the same stubborn way that Taru had before.

Taru shook his head. "Yes you do," he said. "I know it... tell me, who is Osahon? Why did you make a false name?"

"Did you really expect me to keep the name that our weakling of a father gave me?" Arut spat.

"Our father was not weak!" cried Taru.

"Yes he was!" insisted Arut. "Only the strong can withstand the orb!"

Taru formed a quick plan. "Like you?" he asked. Arut was surprised by this comment; Taru hoped that his plan was working. "Yes, I know you are very strong." he continued, making his most innocent, wide-eyed face. "I have always looked up to you, big brother. I've always wanted to be big and strong like you...but why would some stupid ball of glass prove your strength?"

"This isn't an ordinary orb," Arut said. "This orb possesses a magic SO powerful, you could control the forces of Mystery Island with it!" Arut went on to explain in detail how the orb worked. The owner of its power could control the colors of the sunrise, the songs of the birds, the pattern of the moss on the ground. Taru smirked... his plan was working! Flattery would lead Arut to tell him his secret!

"Now tell me where it is!" Arut yelled, grabbing Taru and shaking him. "Where is the Orb of Mystery Island?!?"

"I'm not telling!" Taru yelled.

Arut grew angry, raising his claws to fell Taru then and there. "I'll find it myself, then!" Arut snarled.

"Wait!" cried Taru. "Tell me what happened that night, and I will lead you to the orb."

Arut froze, his claw still in the air, pondering the decision he had to make. Taru held his breath. He hoped Arut would be power-hungry enough to fall for it... if he found out Arut's secret, then he knew that somehow he would win!

Arut took a breath...

..."Ahhh... it's amazing what the weak will do to save their own skin," Arut chuckled. He returned his paw to the ground and sat down comfortably.

"You want to know? Then I will tell you, dear, dear Taru! One day I was wandering through the jungle when a stranger came, he told me of the history of this island... a history that far predates the gibbering of that old mystic FOOL!"

"However, that wasn't all he taught me, though... oh no. He told me of how he once ruled the island, he ruled 'all' of it. He also told me of how I, too, was destined to rule the island..."

"So then, the two of us became one. He was, and is, 'Osahon' and I am still Arut. With the orb, we will become the TRUE heirs of this island! As for what happened to our dear parents... Father and Mother were the guardians of the orb. When they found that I had joined with Osahon, they tried to stop me--to separate us. Father fell first, while attempting to protect our mother, who managed to escape," he growled. "And tell her precious little Taru a secret I had never been worthy of! But now, here you are... with nowhere to run, and no one to protect you." Arut concluded with a smirk. Taru knew that he had promised to now show Arut where the orb was... but whether to take that risk, with everything now hanging in the balance, was a hard decision to make.

"Now Taru, show Osahon and I the location of the orb. I kept my half of the bargain, and now it's time you led us to our rightful throne," Arut smiled. Taru looked t the ground. Would breaking his word mean that his heart had become as dark as that of his brother? He looked at the living jungle around him. What would become of it under his brother's rule? Some things were worth making sacrifices for.

"NO!" he growled, quickly lunging at his brother. The two slammed onto the ground as Taru pinned him down. "Osahon or Arut, it doesn't matter! I will NOT let this island become your plaything!"...

...*BOOM* A clap of thunder shook Mystery Island, just as Taru attacked his brother. A flash of lightning split the sky in half, silhouetting the two Kougras. Arut growled, shocked that his brother had attacked him so suddenly. "I see you want to do this the hard way, little brother," Arut said, snarling menacingly as he threw the young Kougra off of him while jumping back.

Taru tumbled to his feet after being thrown aside by his brother. Another flash of lightning streaked across the sky, this time slicing through the clouds. Large drops of rain started to fall onto the dark battlefield, soaking both Taru and his brother. "No, brother..." Taru answered, "I'm doing what I know is right. I could never give the location of the orb to someone so evil." Taru walked slowly towards his brother. "As the new guardian of the orb, I must protect this island from everything that tries to hurt it." Taru's ears drooped sadly as he looked at his brother. "That means I have to protect the island at all costs, even if it's from family."

From a distance, the Mystic watched the two brothers wage war with each other. Why did it have to come to this? he asked himself. Why must these two brothers fight over the island's fate? The Kyrii crept closer to the fight, hoping to overhear some of what was being said.

Arut slowly backed into the tree line of the dark forest. Rain continued pouring from the sky, forming small lakes and streams of running water in the quiet valley. Taru shook his head from side to side, unsuccessfully shaking the water from his eyes. Noticing his brother's distraction, Arut leapt furiously towards Taru, managing to catch him off guard.

Gasping in shock, Taru felt himself being pinned to the cold, wet ground. He struggled, trying to escape from his brother's grasp, but he was simply too strong. Arut's eyes glowed strangely. Taru heard a voice that he knew must've been that of Osahon. "Bend to my will," it hissed. Taru closed his eyes tightly, knowing that his fate was soon to be sealed. As he closed his eyes, flashes of the night his mother had given him the precious secret streamed by, as if he were watching it from a distance. He remembered how confused and scared he'd felt. He remembered the look on his mother's face, and why he couldn't understand why she was so sad. He remembered that secret place on the island where she had taken him, and he remembered that after that night, he had never seen her again. He missed her SO much. Suddenly, his eyes opened.

Arut jumped back, startled, as two fiery emerald eyes stared at him. Those eyes were the same fierce eyes that his mother had once possessed. The same eyes that pleaded with him to come back to her. The same eyes he'd ignored so easily, so many years before. Arut looked up at his brother, who was now standing in front of him. He took in a deep, shaky breath. Before him stood Taru, the new guardian of the orb, and heir to the island. But, unlike the young, na�ve brother he had just pinned a few minutes earlier, Taru stood with a newfound strength and wisdom. It was the strength of his mother that now shone through his eyes, and reflected in his stance.

Taru's eyes blazed with radiance, forcing Arut to clench his eyes shut in pain. "Begone, demon!" Taru shouted. Arut could feel the shadow in his mind slowy ripping away, wailing in pain and anger. Then, it was gone... gone to find another weak soul to inhabit. Arut crouched, in pain and in shame, then turned around cautiously. He watched Taru from the corner of his eye, while silently creeping into the forest. He knew he'd been defeated; no longer was his brother afraid of him. Just as quickly as the battle had started, it was finished. Arut hung his head in defeat as he disappeared into the forest...

Taru's ears twitched slightly, as the Island Mystic stepped out from the shadows of the forest to join him. The two friends looked at each other and smiled. The fate of the island was now in the protective care of the new guardian, Taru. After taking one last look at the small valley, the exhausted Kougra and the Mystic walked off towards home, knowing that many more adventures would await them in the near future.

The End