Zafta couldn't believe what she was feeling. She'd never had a sensation come over her quite like the one she was experiencing at the Rainbow Pool.

Her back felt like a thousand tiny Mootix were crawling all over it, and she felt a cold wave sweep over her as her yellow skin began darkening into a blueish colour. The Meerca felt her long, thin tail slowly thicken and shorten, becoming plump and fat. Her arms lengthened, her feet grew, and her nose became longer, with a slight curl at the end. On her back, Zafta could feel the large, majestic wings sprouting from her newly-formed shoulderblades. Once her ears suddenly flopped down in front of her dark eyes, she knew the transformation was complete.

Licking her lips, Zafta discarded the empty potion bottle, then turned proudly towards her sister.

"I'm a faerie Blumaroo!" Zafta cried, overcome with happiness. However, she wasn't thrilled when she saw the look that crossed her sister's face. "Kayli, what's wrong?"

"Err, Zafta..." Kayli said, pointing towards the Rainbow Pool.

Zafta hesitated, but then turned towards the Rainbow Pool -- gazing upon her reflection, she gasped...

...It was horrible! She watched, round eyed, as her beautiful blue skin began to turn into an awful green. The tips of her ears were now gray, and her mysterious black eyes had become bright red. Worst of all, the large, multiclored wings she loved so much had shrank and disappeared into her back, only to be replaced with an eerie mist that surrounded her. In a matter of seconds it was over, and she had gone from being a lovely faerie to an ugly ghost.

"What happened?" she wailed, tears running down her once-pretty face.

"Maybe this always happens at first," Kayli said, but Zafta could tell she didn't believe it.

Zafta sank to the ground, put her face in her hands, and started sobbing. Questions raced through her mind faster then a Poogle. What was she going to? How did this happen? What went wrong? That's when a hysterical laugh cut through her thoughts. Zafta looked up, ready to yell at whoever was laughing at her, but no one was. It seemed that everyone around her looked like they felt bad. Then she saw her: periwinkle blue with lavender stripes, Lacy was one of the prettiest Blumaroos in Neopia. Lacy noticed that Zafta had seen her. She gave a little wave, then bounced away on her tail at top speed.

"Stop!" Zafta yelled as she began taking off after her, ignoring the startled citizens and the confused look on Kayli's face. "Stop!"

Lacy finally halted, around the wooded area that surrounded the Bazaar.

"What did you do to me?" Zafta asked. "I look horrible!"

"I don't see anything different," Lacy replied, in cool tone.

"Why? How?"

"Why? Because I didn't want to lose my rank as the prettiest Blumaroo in Neopia. How? Simple. I have connections at The Witch's Tower... they hexed your potion for me."

"You have to tell someone about this. PLEASE!" she pleaded.

"I don't have to tell anyone anything," Lacy replied. With that, she bounced away.

I'll get you, Zafta, thought. I'll--

For the second time that day, her thoughts were interrupted.

"Hello."

She turned around to see who had spoken -- before her stood a shadow Gelert.

"My name is Kurt," he said, with a glint of malice in his eyes. "I think I can help you..."

...Zafta lifted an eyebrow curiously, wiping away the remains of tears that had stained her cheeks.

"R-really? You can?" she said, her frown lifting up into a smile as Kurt nodded.

Zafta's smile faded again. "Waaaaait a minute... what's the catch?" she said, just knowing there had to be something to a deal this good.

"Nothing." Kurt said, grinning mischievously. Zafta now had a smile ten miles long plastered across her face.

"Just sign this contract, and I will gather the ingredients for a potion that will allow you to become the most beautiful faerie Blumaroo in all of Neopia."

Zafta's tail bent like a spring and she bounced high into the sky. She then landed on Kurt's back and hugged his neck tightly.

"THANK YOOOOOOOOU!!!" Zafta said as she got off of the grinning Gelert's back and signed the contract. He reached in his bag and pulled out a copy as they switched papers.

"I'll be gone for awhile, Zafta, so every few days, come to that alley over there, at this very same time, and check to see if I'm back. I'll return in a few days!" he said, speeding around the corner.

Zafta read the contract as she laid in her bed that night (since she had nothing else better to do). She was almost done, and was starting to get really tired, because it was a very long contract, and tomorrow she had an even longer day.

Until now, she hadn't bothered to read the fine print. The contract was already signed, though, and now there was no way to change what she had unknowingly agreed to when she'd signed the contract...

...Struggling to stay awake, Zafta read the tiny print.

"Signing this contract shall bind the Neopet who signs it to give up something that they cherish above all else. The aforementioned has now been received. Thank you :)"

Zafta sat up, bolt upright. She wasn't tired anymore. Trembling, she thought of what that most prized possession could be.

All her stuffed toys and family heirlooms were still where she kept them. Her Petpet, a Mallard named Greta, was in her little bed...

What did they take? she wondered frantically. Maybe they had taken something of sentimental value? Or, perhaps, maybe something worth millions?

Zafta didn't know, and didn't want to think of what it may be. She edged back to her bed, and snuggled down under the covers. Putting the contract in her top drawer, Zafta decided to get up tomorrow and try to find Kurt, even though he said that he could be gone for a few days.

As her eyes slowly closed, Zafta began to dream. She was in a happy place -- she was a Faerie Blumaroo, Lacy was now a Ghost Techo, and Greta the Mallard was even there. Everything was perfect... but wait, no it wasn't! All of a sudden, Kayli the Meerca ran into view, followed by her Babaa, Fluffball. The two sisters were hugging, and playing, and laughing at Lacy.

Zafta woke with a start.

"Oh, NO!" she cried.

Zafta ran into her sister's room. Her bed was empty, the window was open, and her room was a mess. Fluffball was stressing in her bed.

"What I cherish most," Zafta wept...

...She sat down against the wall and let out a huge sob. All she'd ever wanted was to be beautiful; Zafta had never meant for something like this to happen. There was no denying that all of it was her fault. If she hadn't been so vain, and cared so much about her looks, then this never would have happened.

Zafta took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She knew what she had to do... have to find Kurt, and fast.

He had told her to check the alley every few days, to see if he had come, but there wasn't enough time. Kayli could be long gone by then -- she had to find Kurt on her own.

Tears still dripping down her face, the Blumaroo snuck down to the refrigerator and stole a loaf of bread, a can of Neocola and a chokato. Zafta had no idea how long her journey would take, so she took a few Neopoints as well, for whatever circumstance she may encounter.

Zafta whispered a tearful goodbye to Greta, for the sleeping Mallard was in for an unpleasant surprise in the morning. Still weeping, the Blumaroo crept out the door.

The night was cold, and it sent a chill through her fur. Clutching her bundle, she started off into the darkness.

As Zafta hopped through the clear, starry night, she began to wonder... Why would Kurt take Kayli? What was he planning to do with her sister? Possibilities swam through her head, causing Zafta to pick up her speed.

Zafta, for once, felt lucky that she was a ghost. The gentle, blue-green glow she emitted lit her way in the dark street. Maybe she would've been prettier as a faerie Blumaroo, but there was definitely an added bonus to being a ghost Blumaroo. Maybe being pretty isn't everything, she thought.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, she began once again to feel guilty. She hopped as fast as her tail would carry her; so fast, in fact, that she could hardly see where she was going...

...as a result, she crashed right into someone! Picking herself up, Zafta quickly apologized.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I -- LACY!

Zafta looked at her archenemy with a gaping mouth. Lacy glanced around quickly, then stared angrily at Zafta.

"What are you doing out here, hopping around and knocking people over?" Lacy hissed.

"Well, I could ask YOU the same question," Zafta retorted. "However, if you really want to know, it's because of you. I'm looking for a Gelert named Kurt. It's very important that I find him."

Lacy gasped. "Kurt? You... that's why I'm here, too!"

"Why?" Zafta asked, suspiciously.

Lacy suddenly lost her bearing, and proceeded to break down crying. Through her sobs, Zafta could hear Lacy's story.

"I... I knew you were... going to be... prettier than I was... so I had Kurt go to the Witch's Tower... and get the potion hexed... I signed a contract... there was fine print... he took away my little brother!" the pretty Blumaroo cried.

So, Kurt has betrayed more than one person, Zafta thought angrily, and all because of people thinking only of themselves.

She looked down at Lacy's shaking form. "Yeah, I asked him to help make me pretty again and my sister, Kayli, got taken away."

That's when Zafta suddenly had a crazy idea. Although she was very mad at Lacy, they were, after all, in the same predicament. Maybe, if they traveled together...

"No," Zafta said aloud, shaking her head.

"What?" Lacy asked.

"Erm... well," Zafta stumbled, thinking quickly. Hmm... even if we helped each other, I can still get back at her later for causing all this. I mean, trying to achieve a common goal wouldn't magically turn us into best friends...

"Okay, fine. Um, Lacy, I know we've had uh, troubles... but, how about if we temporarily joined together to find Kurt? We both have to stop him!"

Lacy looked up at Zafta, and for a second, the ghost Blumaroo thought she was going to say no.

"Okay," Lacy agreed, drawing herself back up and shaking Zafta's hand. With that, the two of them began their search for Kurt together...

...Side by side, they set off in search of the Gelert. Zafta felt much better, knowing that she and Lacy could work together to find Kurt. After all, two heads are better than one.

That being said, ever since she'd been a young child, minding her own business, Lacy had been snobby and unkind towards her. It seemed so silly now. Did it really matter which one of them was prettier? They were just Blumaroos -- Blumaroos who were now in search of their siblings. For once in Zafta's life, she felt that she and Lacy were equal. Zafta forgot all about the differences that she and Lacy'd had in the past -- if they were going to successfully get through this, they would need to pull together.

Zafta and Lacy traveled along a dirt road, which led them towards the Haunted Woods. Both Blumaroos were a bit nervous, and shaky, but they decided to continue along the path, for fear they might get lost.

They continued to bounce along down the path for what seemed like ages, despite their fear and uneasiness. Zafta felt somewhat comforted by the fact that she had a companion, and realized that Lacy probably felt the same way.

They wandered along for a while, until reaching a fork in the road. About halfway into a series of wooden signs, they came across a rather large sign, which read, "Haunted Woods". To the left of the sign was a smaller sign; it had the words "Truk Tower" hand-painted on it, followed by an arrow pointing west. On the right side of the larger "Haunted Woods" sign was another sign, which was also much smaller. It contained the words "Chia Carnival", followed by an arrow pointing east. Zafta and Lacy sat down and attempted to try and decide which way to go.

Looking at the sign that read "Chia Carnival", Lacy thought for a moment, then said, "Well, Kurt isn't a Chia, and he probably wouldn't have time to go to the carnival. Therefore, I don't think we would find him there."

"Right," Zafta replied. "We should probably go to 'Truk Tower' to find Kurt, or maybe someone there can tell us of his whereabouts. If nothing else, if we can't uncover any information, then we can always try the Chia Carnival afterwards."

The two Blumaroos set off down the westward road, heading towards Truk Tower. Shortly afterwards, they came upon an old moss-covered tower, which looked like it could crumble at any moment.

"That's funny," Zafta said while inspecting the front double doors. "It just occurred to me that Truk spelled backwards is... KURT!!!"

...Gaping at the looming tower, Zafta and Lacy carefully crept closer. Two gargoyles stood on either side of the wooden door. There was a knob, and luckily, it was unlocked. Zafta walked in on her toes, trying not to make any noise. Lacy followed close behind.

"I-I'm not so sure we should stay in here very long... it's creepy." Lacy whispered.

"Well, I have to find my sister, and you your brother," Zafta replied. She wiped another tear from her face. "Now, let's go. I'll lead the way."

With her glowing eyes, she led them down a long hallway, lined with many pictures of Neopets. They walked along it, slowly at first, but they somehow felt... watched. Losing their nerve, they began to run faster and faster down the hallway, hallway, until nearing a large door. Zafta took one last look at the suspicious pictures, and gasped.

"Lacy, look! Isn't that your brother in that picture?! And my sister, too!" Zafta cried.

Lacy spun around. "Oh my..." she said, her voice trailing off. "K-Kurt... he's trapped all of these Neopets in his pictures!"

With anger overcoming her fear, Zafta turned to Lacy and said, "We have to get Kurt to undo this! Let's go."

Zafta tried opening the door, but it was locked. They were searching around for a key when Zafta, suddenly, had an idea. "Lacy, do you perhaps have a hairclip?"

"Yeah," she said, slipping one off her ears.

Zafta bent the hair clip and used it to pick at the lock, until they heard a "click". Yes, we're in! Zafta thought in triumph.

The two Blumaroos met eyes and nodded, then simultaneously burst through the door.

"Kurt!" Zafta shouted, pointing at the shadow Gelert who had been lounging in the room. "Let our siblings go!"

"Or else!" Lacy chimed in.

"Heh. Or else what?" Kurt said, having now recovered from the from the intrusion's initial shock. He glared at the two girls.

Zafta and Lacy looked at each other a moment, nodded again, then...

...both of them charged forward, running into the shadow Gelert with so much might that he fell over, the breath knocked right out of him.

Zafta held her glowing paw over his throat, not speaking. Kurt gulped, a gleam of fear shining in his dark eyes. The tension in the air had grown so thick that you could cut it with a knife.

"Well, Kurt, I think you know now what 'or else' includes," Lacy whispered in her meanest voice possible. At the same time she pushed her leg into his stomach, causing the Gelert to gasp and wheeze.

"H... *cough* okay, okay..." Kurt wheezed.

"Now, Kurt... before we let you up, you have to sign this contract, which clearly states that you can't hurt us at all if we let you up." Zafta then said, smiling, "Be sure to read the fine print."

Kurt glared at Zafta, then snatched the paper from her (which she'd gotten from her bag). His eyes widened at the fine print, but thanks to Lacy's firm insistence -- and more kneeing in the stomach -- he finally gave in and signed the bottom: "Kurt Ignacius."

Several moments later, Kurt was up and about. He whispered a few words, then sprinkled some dust on the paintings. All of a sudden, their siblings were alive and well, standing near Kurt.

The Gelert suddenly turned and, grasping their siblings' ears roughly, said with a smile, "I said that I wouldn't hurt YOU..." He glared at the two Blumaroos, viciously.

Lacy and Zafta felt fear well up inside them. It was Lacy who, fearlessly rushing forward and jumping onto Kurt's back, tightly gripped his neck. "I'm not afraid of you," she hissed when he tried to grab her.

Zafta took charge of their siblings, bustling them outside where they would be safe.

Kurt roared. Contract forgotten, he grabbed Lacy and hurtled her to the wall. She hit it hard, but got up... there would be no mercy now.

Zafta returned just in time to tackled Kurt, while Lacy grabbed his legs from behind. He fell to the ground, but as he did, he landed on the dust.

A big puff of smoke emitted around the room, and all the kids from the pictures were free. As for Kurt, well... he ended up in the picture overhanging the fireplace.

Weeks later, Zafta and her sister once again found themselves beside the Rainbow Pool. "Not that being ghost doesn't have its advantages," Zafta said, "but it's hard to sleep when you light up your room at night!"

Kayli giggled, then said, "Hey, you could be my nightlight!"

Zafta smiled and hugged her sister.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" a voice sneered.

The two sisters turned and saw Lacy, sitting on the edge of the Rainbow Pool with her little brother. For a moment, Zafta was worried, but then Lacy cracked a grin. "I bet you're going to look beautiful." she said, smiling.

The End