Theodora Part One and Two

by xbluex

Part One: Theodora

As the wind flew the dry crisp leaves all over the garden, little Theodora, an Aisha, could not resist them. Smiling her twisted cute grin, she ran over with her tiny body and began stamping on the leaves. She heard the sound of them crushing under her feet. And then, as her two Aisha parents watch her, she suddenly turned white. The first white Aisha ever to be seen in their family line… Theodora giggled. Her laughter comforted her parents who anxiously fussed over her. Her father brought her to see the chief elder of their little town, Myopia.

"Sorry sir, but my child has suddenly turned white while playing with some dried leaves!"

"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. Now, will you please excuse me, I have more important things to do, then treating this-this little problem here!"

"Please! I am down on my knees! At least, I beg you, give me the solution to this problem."

"The leaves you said? Ah… find an Earth Faerie. Release it, but ask for your wish and not for a power."

"Yes, sir. Thank you sir. May the Gods bless you sir. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!"

Theodora's father went to get an Earth Faerie. Away in the ancient mountains of Myopia, there were plenty of people who caught faeries for a living. To see an Aisha up in the mountains looking for a faerie was nothing new to them. But what they wanted for the exchange of a faerie was a cruel sly blood-sucking scheme. The black marketers wanted fresh blood for the Dark Faerie. She was starting on her new plan then. The plan Theodora would get involved in, but very much later. Theodora's father was not willing. So they left the mountains, lost in the lower part of it. Theodora had not the slightest idea of her parent's hardship. She giggled, laugh, and lost forever they were, there, never going back to the town of Myopia.

The family's little deserted house is still there in Neopia, but Neopia is so big, no one spots it. But when Theodora was a young Aisha of thirteen, things took a pleasant turn. They found, what is now called, the Queen Faerie. If you remembered your history of Theodora correctly, you should remember what your Neopia teachers say everyday in history class. "You think the Queen will look at you and know you are Dora?" Dora was what Theodora was called much later. Sometimes she is also called Theo. But this phrase came about much later, centuries, generations after generations later. When the Queen Faerie was young. We all know how slow faeries grow, that is why they're often mistaken to be immortal.

Anyhow, the Queen Faerie had the appearance of a twenty year old, although she was five thousand years old. Theodora was searching for food, alongside a wild Shoyru who lived near the riverside. The Shoyru was her only friend; still struggling with a language she had never learned before. She called herself Riana. It had no special meaning, she simply like the way it sounded. Theodora was helping Riana with her speech. And then there was that flash of light. That bright flash that would blind the person meant to see it. But was it the Queen Faerie? Walking in that bright light, who can only guess whom, or what rather, was giving it out?

Part Two: Alston

A Light Faerie was walking before them, giving out glorious light, that was beautiful, soft but in a way sweet and bright light. Her face was lit with a cheerful smile, as she whispered the words, "Alston…" The two NeoPets were puzzled at what she said. Turning to look around, they saw a spotted blue Aisha.

"Right here!" the NeoPet said with a trace of enthusiasm.

"Alston…. Where have you been?" the Light Faerie said.

"Where could I have been, light? This forest is so small for you!" Alston replied grinning.

"It's time Alston," the light Faerie said, heaving a sigh of relief.

"Are you sure they are the right ones?"

"Definitely. You know that no one else can tolerate my light. You know what you were here for, Alston."

"Tell them then. Please, light, don't give me the gruesome task." Turning to face Riana and Theodora, and then finally back to Alston, she shook her head.

"Riana! Theodora! Hear this message. Know that what I utter is the truth. Believe in the power of the Queen Faerie. I will be here in times of your true need." Shocked, they continued to stay rooted to the ground. "Alston…" the Light Faerie said.

"Oh, all right… I was born only for one purpose. And that's for you, Theodora. Now there was no other arrangement. You were like me. The first in our family to have inertia."

"What?" both NeoPets echoed in replied.

"Color. Anyway, let's continue. Two years ago a light found me. And yes, she's standing before you now. The chosen ones, chosen for her to protect, can only see her light. The others will just be momentarily blinded, and then wake up to have believed to have fallen asleep."

The light Faerie took over. Her soft angelic voice was soothing. "Now Alston will accompany you to see the Queen. Not because you need to seek her help and I am of no use anymore, but because she wants to see you. Now you must know that the Queen does not like meeting people who fear and who cannot stand up to challenges. So along the way she will test you. I can only help you when it is not her test." Theodora looked to Alston. He gave a boyish grin. She began to worry.

"Yes, that's right, just two beautiful NeoPets and me. And of course, light will be with us. Always."

They made their way. Alston proved to be good company. Funny and sweet, his spots made him look adorable. After telling what had happened to Theodora's parents, Theodora was happy. She felt free. Free and wild, like Riana. That feeling was nice. That feeling that you had to back up against yourself, fight for your survivor. And there was no longer anyone to worry about. The only thing they had to worry about was their future. A thirteen-year-old Aisha and her friend, and a fourteen-year-old complete stranger did not seem like a good party to trek to the castle with. They knew the way. The map was made of this colorless water like substance that lifted itself into the air and followed them. When the magic command was said, it would immediately go back into either three of theirs hands.

"O-on Word," said Riana. "That's right. Onward. Perfect, Riana."

As they slept that night, watching the lovely night sky, they had no idea someone was watching them. The thing was as beautiful as the dark night beauty, as sly as the wild fox that pranced around at the forest. The beautiful evil Queen of darkness, the Queen of supreme evil…