Adventures of the Quad Team Investigators: Case of the PetPet Peril: Part Four

by UniDagger

Alanna and DragonFlier padded into the Magic Shop that was owned and run by Kauvara. The blue-starred kau was busy stocking shelves and muttering to herself. "Can't find good help these days."

When the door had opened a little bell rang, and Kauvara looked up and smiled. "Ahh, you must be those cuties I’ve been hearing about. Come on in. How can I help you?" Alanna and DF looked at each other then shrugged.

"We were hoping you could help us Kauvara. We’re trying to find the missing petpets for the faeries. Do you have any ideas? Or seen anybody suspicious lurking around.

Kauvara thought for a bit, then said, "Well, I haven’t noticed anybody come in. And I don’t get out much anymore. I’m busy making potions and such in the back. Maybe Kenny or Kia know something." She hollered the names then waited. When no one answered she sighed. "I swear, those two find more ways of getting out of work every day. Well, when they show up I will ask them and send word to you."

"Ok. Thank you Kauvara." DF told her.

"Excuse me, Kauvara. Who are Kenny and Kia?" Alanna pressed.

"Hmm? Oh, just a couple of jubjubs I hired to help out." Kauvara turned back to her potions as DF and Alanna walked out.

"What do you think?" DF asked Alanna.

"Well," she started, "I think I have an idea forming, but first we need to find these two jubjubs." "I think we should find something for lunch first." DragonFlier insisted. Alanna grinned and agreed.

***

When Romy and CycloneRider met outside of the Potions and Magic Toys Shop, neither had any information about anything. Everything had seen normal to the shopkeepers, they had filled orders as usual and nothing had seemed odd except the explosion itself.

Feeling quite dismayed about not finding anything, they entered the last shop. Helsa the Faerie was busy making magic poogle toys and had not heard them come in. When Romy cleared her throat to get Helsa’s attention, the Faerie jumped in surprised. "OH! I didn’t heart you two come in. I swear you are as quiet as those two jubjubs."

"Two jubjubs?" CycloneRider pressed. "Yes, yes. You know, the two little ones that help Kauvara. Kenny and Kia. I never hear them coming." She put down her current project, and stretched. "Did you need something?"

Romy and Cy looked at each other, then nodded at Helsa. "Do you remember the day of the explosion?" Cy asked her.

The toy maker smiled and nodded. "Oh yes, I remember that quite clearly. Thellanna, the petpet shopkeeper is my niece."

Romy and CycloneRider blinked in surprise. They hadn’t known that. "Did you see anything suspicious? Or remember who was in here last, before the explosion?" Romy inquired.

"Hmmm, I believe that was around 10:30. Kenny and Kia were supposed to deliver Kauvara’s potions at 10:00, but they came rushing in. When I asked why they were late, they said that they had gotten distracted at the Races."

After a few more minutes and more questions, Romy and Cy walked out of the shop excited. The pieces were slipping together, or rather they thought they were. The raced to meet up with Alanna and DragonFlier.

The four met at the park near a hot dog stand. Alanna and DragonFlier were busy munching on some water-dogs and chips when the uni and grundo arrived panting. As they caught their breaths, DF got lunch for his sisters, then sat back down by Alanna. "Looks like you have news. We do to…well, it’s a suspicion, but you go first." Alanna prompted.

Romy looked at Cy then began telling what they had learned, and how these two jubjubs had been to the races and had been late. They had just left seconds before the explosion so they must have seen something, if not been the culprits themselves. Alanna and DF then took turns telling their story, agreeing that the jubjubs were indeed high suspects.

Just then a tall dark robbed figure walked quickly out of the Defense Magic Shop across the street from the QTI’s. Smoke poured out of the doorway behind the mysterious person and a cry of alarm reached their ears. "It's him!" Cy cried out.

The four raced after the fleeing figure. DragonFlier stretched his wings and with a powerful thrust launched into the air. CycloneRider, unable to run as fast as his four-legged siblings, dodged into the shop to see if anyone needed help and to check out the scene of the crime.

Without any spoken word, Alanna and Romy veered off to intercept the criminal from different sides. They raced past stunned shoppers and shopkeepers, creeping closer to the person in the robe. Nearing the Money Tree Forest, the person in the robe tried to dart past the trees and nearly fell. They were wobbling terribly as DF caught the thief with his tail as he swooped in front of the unbalanced person. The person fell, then jumped up only to go sprawling again as Alanna lunged, landing on the back of the robe and rolling away. Romy skidded to a halt as Alanna whipped back to face the thief, growling.

Two red JubJubs rolled out of the robe, one on top of the other. On the bottom ones feet were stilts. "That would explain the strange tracks and lack of scent!" Alanna exclaimed. The two jubjubs glared at the fab four in anger, their plans destroyed. Within moments, the group was surrounded by Faeries and Chia Security Guards (who had of course, arrived late). The commotion they had created had raised the alarm. Kenny and Kia JubJub were taken into custody by the Chia Security where they would spend the next two years cleaning up after the Poogle Races.

The two thieves were escorted to their home where the petpets were found, along with other magical items that had been stolen from all over Neopia. When questioned as to why they had down it, the jubjubs glared at everyone then whined that everyone else had more than they did, and how it was unfair that they should have to work for neopoints because it was so hard.

The young Faerie Petpet shopkeeper was petting and hugging all the little petpets, happy to see they were all safe. Alanna, Romy, DragonFlier and CycloneRider helped transport all the little fluff-balls back to Faerie Land, and into the shop.

"Thank you so much!" The young Faerie said. "Because you were so willing to help me, and smart to figure everything out, I’m going to bless each one of you with an ability." They stared at her in shock, they never even thought about a reward! The faerie smiled, said some magical words and touched each one of them. The older Faeries nodded in approval, added their thanks, then flew away.

The four walked halfway home in silence. Finally, a happy little purple grundo said, "Wow. I can’t believe our good luck!"

The End