The Tyrannian Lupe puffed out their chest with pride as they gestured to a large mural depicting the battle against the Monoceraptor. The mural took up almost the entire east wall in this wing of the Tyrannian History Museum, but the Hissi with them didn't look impressed.

"Okay, Dalith, I helped you rehearse your big museum tour spiel. Now can we go to the snack bar downstairs?"

The Lupe goggled at him in surprise. "Is that all you had to say about it?"

"It was good, but...it's literally ancient history," the Hissi answered, flapping a wing dismissively. "Isn't there anything else you can feature? Something more significant? Timely?"

Dalith raised their eyebrows. "Like what, Eustace?"

"Tyrannia's evolving and keeping up with Neopia nowadays," Eustace pointed out. "The Tyrannia Academy of Arts has expanded to include new courses. Ninety-eight percent of Tyrannians are fluent in common Neopian. Everyone knows about the Monoceraptor, blah blah blah, but not everyone knows that the number of Tyrannians familiar with Virtupets technology has increased to - "

"You know what they say about those who don't know history," Dalith interrupted. "They're doomed to repeat it! And these regular Obelisk battles are starting to feel like exactly that."

Eustace thrust a wing out toward the mural. "You think we're gonna have a repeat of that? Pffft, as if. Now come on, Dalith. Um, Dalith?"

But the Lupe was no longer listening.

"Wait a minute. That's not part of the mural."

Their eyes followed the direction in which Eustace was pointing, and rested on a portion of the mural, where some words had been carved into it...

Eustace tilted his head and turned, "Oh, some kind of trick or something from some young Tyrannians."

Dalith, however, stood where they were and stared at the words. They thought back to what had occurred after that brave Lupe delivered the final blow to the Monoceraptor. A voice had echoed out to all of Tyrannia and said something like, "That puny creature of mine has failed... I will return."

Dalith clearly remembered reading that the voice said they would return. No one had looked into the dark words further though, and Tyrannia settled into a comfortable peace.

"Dalith! You coming!? I'm hungry!" The Hissi called out from far ahead as he made his way toward the snack bar downstairs.

The two spent the rest of their time at the museum munching on Cactus Blossoms and talking about upcoming concerts at the Tyrannian Concert Hall. Dalith, however, could not take his mind off the ominous words carved onto the mural.

"Eustace! I've got another favour to ask you! We're going to the Tyrannian Plateau tonight before midnight! It's the full moon today, so there might be someone... something out there..."

The Hissi laughed at his serious friend and sighed, "I can't let you go alone so sure, but you're thinking too much about that message. I'm positive it meant nothing."

The two friends finished their meals and parted ways for the time being. Just before midnight they made their way to the Plateau and looked around.

They were surprised to see...

Dalith glanced around at the different factions with their coloured banners and tactic-planning tents that clustered around the magical spire. “There’s… six factions here? Why are they all fighting this time? It hasn’t been like this since the War for the Obelisk first started.”

Eustace let out a low whistle. “Are they fighting each other? Or did they also catch word of another force coming in?”

“Well, the different leaders are always eager in to take in new recruits. To get the most useful information, I think I know who would be best for us to talk to…”

“Over there!” Dalith said. “I’d recognize that silver pompadour and purple ensemble anywhere.”

Eustace followed his fearless leader through the crowd to the Sway’s cluster of banners and tents. As the chaos broke and the throngs made way, the Hissi could see a tall and graceful Lenny approaching them with a calculating stare. She was adorned in gold and rubies and wore a floor-length dress.

“Good day, Duchess,” Dalith said with a bow. The leader of the Sway looked him up and down without a word. “I’m Dalith, a curator at the Tyrannian History Museum.”

“I know,” the Lenny chirped in response with a coy smile. “Welcome to the Battleground of the Obelisk.”

“Oh, uh. Thank you!” the Tyrannian Lupe responded, blushing beneath their thick fur. “I ended to ask about that… Aren’t there usually only three factions battling at a time? What’s the special occasion?”

“It’s more grave than ‘special’, I fear,” the Duchess began. “All six factions are joining forces. We’re gathering here to strategize and decide our course of action.”

She picked a piece of lint from her dress with a feathered hand, as if bored with the conversation.

“May we ask why you’re joining forces?” Eustace chimed.

“Come inside and I’ll show you,” the Lenny said, motioning to her tent. “Follow me.”

Eustace and Dalith followed the Duchess and couldn’t believe what was waiting for them behind the tartan curtains…

Dalith tried to keep a stoic face, but they recognized the leaders of the other five factions immediately. The Lupe could feel Eustace shaking slightly beside them.

Kanrik was the first to speak. “You think it wise Duchess to bring outsiders into this?” He hissed, tightening the hood over his yellowed eyes.

“I have brought us a historian,” the Duchess announced, placing a light hand on Dalith’s shoulder. “Who, along with their friend, apparently noticed the secret message etched into the mural.”

A rumble of grumbles went up around the tent.

“Great idea Kanrik,” Rasala said sarcastically, huffing as she crossed her arms, causing her red robes to ruffle in tune to her irritation.

“We might as well have invited the whole museum,” Commander Flint barked.

“Enough squabbling,” the Duchess said, as Kanrik scowled at everyone around the tent. “It doesn’t matter. I believe Dalith might have some insight to our situation. They probably know quite a bit more about this discovery than the rest of us.”

“Um, sorry,” Dalith finally spoke, feeling emboldened by the compliment. “But how exactly can I help?”

“Over here,” Professor Lambert replied, motioning Dalith and Eustace towards the table. As the duo approached, the Professor pointed to a few items on the table Dalith hadn’t noticed before. “You can kindly tell us if you recognise what this is. Confirm our suspicions if you will.”

Dalith peered down and gasped as realisation of what they were looking at immediately set in…

Lambert nodded. "Teeth. Teeth from the Monoceraptor."

"But how?!" Eustace exclaimed. "That beast hasn't been seen since--"

"Lanie! Lillie!" Duchess exclaimed. "Put that back!" The young twins simply and silently returned one of the teeth to the table.

"Thank you," Lambert said to the twins before returning his focus to Dalith. "We found them by the Obelisk, in pristine condition once the sand was dusted off. Whatever brought them here...this was their warning. A warning from something powerful."

"And that's why the six factions are united..." Eustace concluded, nodding. "Still, do you have a plan?"

"Why do you think we're here?!" Kanrik shot back. "Do you think we've just been sitting around waiting for the two of you?!"

Duchess nodded. "We've been strategizing ever since we united. Yet, with no clue as to what our foe might be, we can't come up with anything in full confidence."

Dalith gingerly lifted the tooth the twins had taken. After turning it around in their hand, they gasped. "I think I might have an idea," they said, noticing something strange about the tooth...

The Tyrannian Lupe felt a wave of pride wash over them as soft exclamations of agreement and murmurs of approval echoed around the room. Meanwhile, Eustace took this as permission to prepare the sample, busying himself with preparing the teeth.

"But these results may take a little time, even if rushed," Dalith cautioned. "So in addition, I think our best way to gather more information in the meantime is to send troops on the ground for investigation."

Commander Flint banged his fist against the table with a satisfied growl. "Now you're talking. Tell me where to send The Brutes."

Dalith shot Eustace, the only other one following their train of thought, a nervous look before proceeding.

"Well, according to the historians who documented the Tyrannian Invasion, the Monoceraptor was not even the real threat. It was working for someone else. I've often wondered if this someone else ever attempted to recruit additional monsters to do their bidding and was rejected. And if said monster has knowledge of who the real threat is."

Commander Flint shrank in his chair, looking uncharacteristically small for the first time. "Oh, don't tell me..."

"I think we have to visit the Lair of the Beast," Dalith cut him off regretfully. "He may have the information we seek. Plus, he never disturbs Tyrannia and only attacks those who invade his cave."

"Which is exactly what you're suggesting," Commander Flit snapped sullenly.

"Well not quite!" Dalith protested. "Our intention is not to bother the Tyrannian Beast. Only to get more information. He may not only know who the real foe is, he may even be willing to help us fight. If we can convince him to have a civil conversation and not attack us that is. So who's in?"

The Tyrannian Lupe awaited the leaders' responses with bated breath...

“Let’s…” Lanie cooed. “Find the Beast,” Lillie finished with a sinister smirk.

“Half of the leaders remain at their posts to watch over our factions and the other half go with Dalith and their friend,” Duchess advised with a wave of her delicately feathered fingers.

“My name is Eu–“ the Hissi began, but was interrupted.

“I fear I did not ask,” she informed him apathetically. “I will stay here with Rasala and Commander Flint. Kanrik, Lanie, Lillie, and Professor Lambert, good luck in the Lair of the Beast.”

With that, no other words were said. The faction leaders grabbed their things and dispersed as they were told. The leaders of the Awakened, the Thieves Guild, and the Seekers looked towards Dalith for the next set of instructions.

“Oh, uh… Follow me,” the Lupe said, squirming beneath their intimidating stares.

The unlikely group pushed past the tartan curtain at the tent’s opening and made their move across the Plateau.

“So, are we just going to show up and start asking the Beast our questions or what?” Eustace whispered to his friend.

“Honestly? I don’t know. I don’t think that’ll go over well, but I’m not sure what else to do…” Dalith responded in a hushed tone.

“Great. We don’t even have a plan,” grumbled Kanrik. His hearing was far more sensitive than the museum curators had assumed.

“N-not really,” the Lupe answered sheepishly.

“We’ll just ask nicely…” Lillie said sweetly. “And use force if necessary,” Lanie added with wide, wild eyes. The twins giggled at their own amusement.

Shortly, the six Neopets arrived at the mouth of the cave and stood in awe. Its entrance towered above them and, inside, there was only darkness and an echoing… drip… drip… drip…Besides the sound of their muffled approaching footsteps and the water inside, the Lair of the Beast was eerily silent. Even the vines that twined in and out of its sides remained frozen in place as if they too were scared to move or rustle in the wind.

With as much bravery as they could muster, Dalith cleared their throat.

“Excuse me?” they said. “We are here from the Tyrannian History Museum and would like to ask you a f-few questions, Beast.”

The sound they heard in response made all six of them duck for cover…

Finally the noise ended, although it was several long moments before everyone's ears stopped ringing enough to hear anything. "Historians? Questions?" a voice hissed from deep within the cave, rough from disuse. "So long... since visitors." The voice turned cold. "Or intruders."

"We aren't here to intrude on your home," Dalith said hurriedly. "We just wanted to ask you a few questions. It's about the Monoceraptor."

There was a long pause, then a sound like a sigh echoed within the cave. Eustace shuddered, and then everyone jumped when they heard a noise like claws scraping against stone. The Beast was moving.

The Beast suddenly appeared from the blackness, flinching as the light fell into its colourless eyes. "Oh my," Duchess said, then placed a delicate hand over her mouth. The Beast ignored her, focused solely on Dalith and the tooth in their hand.

"Ahh," the Beast sighed mournfully. "My friend... gone for so long."

"Excuse me, your friend?" Eustace couldn't help but ask. "Were you friends with the Monoceraptor?"

"Yes... very long. Lived in cave beside mine." The Beast gestured with a clawed wing, and half the party instinctively ducked, anticipating an attack. "Then met dark one. Changed. Never saw again..."

"Dark one? So someone was controlling the Monoceraptor? Do you remember who they were or anything else about them?" Eustace asked, eagerness overcoming his terror.

The Beast clicked the sharp teeth of its beak together and said...

How will this story end?

“We’re… sorry for your loss,” Professor Lambert said uncertainly, glancing uneasily at his companions.

The Beast lifted its great head. “Thank you. No-one comes to offer condolences to Beast.”

It inched closer. When its visitors responded by shuffling backwards, away from it, the Beast emitted a scratchy, rasping sound that might just have been a chuckle.

“Nothing to fear,” it assured them. “May Beast see?” Its eyes flicked to the tooth in Dalith’s hands.

“Oh, sure, um.” Dalith held the tooth out at arms length. The Beast drew closer, bending its long neck to sniff at the tooth. Its beak parted and it gave the object an experimental lick.

“We were wondering if you could, perhaps, maybe tell us if you knew anything about the Monoceraptor’s whereabouts?” Eustace asked. “There are fingerprints on the tooth. Do you know who they might belong to?”

The Beast withdrew, pulling away from the tooth, its curiosity satiated for the time being. “No. Don’t pay much attention to fingers.” It ruffled its feather-less wings in a gesture similar to the sort a disgruntled Pteri might make. “Not necessary. Pointless evolution.”

Slowly, cautiously, Dalith withdrew their outstretched arms, the tooth still in their hands. “Well. Thank you, Beast, sir. You’ve been very helpful.”

“A lie,” the Beast said. “But thank you.”

“We’ll be taking our leave now,” the Duchess said, her calm, graceful confidence leaving little room for argument.

She turned and breezed out of the cave with a ruffle of dark fabric, and the rest of the group went to follow.

“Wait,” the Beast said. Everyone froze. “Could perhaps…. visitors leave friend’s tooth for Beast? Beast has nothing to remember friend by. Beast… misses friend.”

“Well, we were going to run experiments on the fingerprints,” Dalith said uncertainly.

“Dalith,” Kanrik hissed from the shadows. “Perhaps it would be wise to give the creature what it wants? It is much bigger than us.”

“Are the Thieves’ Guild always so blasé with their treasure?” Dalith snapped back. “This belongs in the museum. The things we could learn from it!”

“The Thieves’ Guild,” Kanrik said, his tone even, measured, “understand when it is best to back down from a fight. No treasure is worth your life. It’s certainly not worth mine.”

Dalith glanced down at the tooth, uncertain. “What would you do with it?” they asked the Beast.

“Keep,” the Beast said. “Look after. Look at sometimes, maybe, and think of friend.”

Dalith’s gaze wandered to Eustace. They wondered how they would feel, if their best friend vanished without a trace.

With a sigh, they knelt down and placed the tooth down on the floor of the cave. “I’m trusting you to look after it,” they said sternly.

It was difficult to tell, but they were sure the Beast was smiling at them. “Thank you! Such kind visitors! The Beast is most grateful!”

“I’m sure it will be a boon to be owed a favour by such a creature,” the Duchess noted from the cave’s entrance.

“Yes!” The Beast agreed. “One favour, for all visitors!”

Kanrik raised an eyebrow. “To share?”

“To share,” the Beast confirmed. “Beast has reputation to uphold. Cannot be granting favours to everybody.”

“Well, we will have to discuss this,” the Duchess said.

“Let’s head back to the others,” Kanrik conceded. “I’m sure they’ll be eager to hear our report.”

As the group exited the cave, Dalith grabbed Eustace’s wing. “Hey. I just wanted to thank you for coming with me tonight. I know you didn’t really want to.”

Eustace smiled knowingly. “You’re my best friend too.”

The End.