Sweet Dreams, Broth-Boy!

     Warming her weary hands on a cup of Cornupepper Soup, she grasped the vessel tightly before taking a small sip. There was nothing quite like a serving of Cornupepper Soup to take the edge off a cold morning in Neopia Central. But. As much as she wanted to enjoy her midmorning treat, a Faerie's work was never done. Her brown eyes looking up at her unexpected visitor, she wasn't quite sure if she had heard him... correctly. "A..." she trailed off, wrinkling her nose at the unfortunate image his panicked words had conjured up, "...chocolate... monster?"

     "Yes!" the navy-suited Yellow Kiko let out a stifled shout, his matching top hat almost falling from his head as he threw both of his white-gloved hands into the air, "A Chocolate Monster!"

     The Soup Faerie frowned before letting the last of the eager shoppers pass before continuing the conversation. For some Pet who wanted to keep his woes secret, the owner of the Neopian Bazaar's Chocolate Factory wasn't doing a very good job. "As in..." she couldn't help but trail off yet again, given the - well - bizarre nature of the ongoing discussion, "...a monster..." She paused, quizzically. "...made of chocolate?"

     The mysterious chocolatier's blue eyes sank to the dirt path below. "No, not... quite," he conceded melancholically, grasping his violet cane with both of his gloved hands. He was loath to breathe the truth to any Pet. But he was desperate. And every Pet knew you could trust the Soup Faerie with any financial... issues. "You see," he spoke, despondently, "Doctor Eliza Couverture was one of my most brilliant food scientists. Over her career she had developed everything from chocolate bars that could withstand the harshest temperatures Moltara had to offer to hard candy sweets that could survive in the vacuum of space intact." His eyes almost sparkled with wonder as thoughts of the Green Chia's creations swept into his mind. "She was a true visionary."

     "Was?" interrupted the brunette, her voice almost breaking.

     "Alas. Yes." The Yellow Kiko sighed heavily. "Her last research project into whether it was possible to replicate the magic that turns pets Chocolate blew up in her face, quite literally." The Soup Faerie winced, having heard that somewhere before. "When my security guards were eventually able to pick their way through the rubble of her laboratory, all they found was a large mound of melted chocolate." He lifted his eyes up. "Sentient melted chocolate." His counterpart gasped. "It escaped my Factory but keeps turning up at the worst possible times... and now I just know it will gatecrash my Annual Chocolate Ball." He frowned, his voice becoming grave. "And I cannot abide gatecrashers."

     Furrowing her brow, the kindly Faerie chose not to bring up the matter of the rampant food waste associated with his grand festivities and instead stuck to the matter at hand. "I don't understand," she conceded, having taken another soothing sip of her soup before speaking, "why you are telling me all of this?"

     Her counterpart moved in closer. "I heard on the Grape Ribbon that you are friends with..." the mysterious chocolatier spoke softly before almost whispering, "...Broth-Boy."

     Broth-Boy.

     A name that echoed down the winding alleyways of the Marketplace and the impoverished neighbourhoods that lay beyond. Living in the shadows cast by the big corporations and organised crime alike, he was said to be a Speckled Shoyru of unimaginable speed, strength and endurance. Gaining his name by assisting the unfortunate pets that frequented the Soup Kitchen - and not, you know, from an overly ironic magical soup-related accident that totally didn't happen - it was whispered that he would appear in the direst of times and stop at nothing to right what he deemed to be wrongs. A hero to many and a foe to more, he wasn't a pet to be trifled with.

     "Our paths may have crossed," the brunette remarked coyly, placing her cup of Cornupepper Soup on her light blue apron-covered lap. "Though I'm not sure-"

     "Well," the owner of the Chocolate Factory spoke nervously, fidgeting with the violet cane that remained in both of his hands, "I would... appreciate it if you could ask him to deal with this matter."

     A confused expression returned to the Soup Faerie's face. "But," she queried, quite understandably, "why not contact the Defenders of Neopia?" She frowned. "I'm sure they would be able to provide a Hero far more... suited to your needs." And not one who - well, according to the rumours anyway - specialised in assisting the underwarf.

     "Absolutely not," her counterpart declared bitterly, waving his cane in the air to emphasise his point. "I need this to be handled... discretely." Before stroking his brown beard. "The last thing I want is Judge Hog and his friends careering into my Factory and ruining my Festivities." The Yellow Kiko had two great passions in his life. Coming up with outlandish concepts for the next big thing in the world of confectionery and planning his Annual Ball that showed off his said latest outlandish concept. Up to a year of planning went into every event, starting just after the previous one had ended, and he was not going to allow a brute to shatter he and his team of Green Chias' work in front of his guests. Or allow the monster to either.

     "Uh huh," the kindly Faerie responded, doing her best to hide her displeasure at his tone.

     The mysterious chocolatier frowned. "Look," he conceded, tempering his words, "I know it's a bit rich me coming here to ask you for your help." He wasn't as silly as some of his creations. He was well aware just how different their lives were from one another. "But Neopians from all over the world spend the whole year looking forward to my Annual Ball." His counterpart tilted her head ever so slightly. "I'd like to think, in my own unique way, that I bring a little ray of sunshine into their lives if only for one evening." He looked upwards, with his big blue eyes. "I'm sure you of all Faeries can appreciate that."

     The brunette softly sighed before gently smiling. "I'll see what he says."

     "I-I," the Yellow Kiko continued, unsure if that was a positive response or not, "will of course make it worth both of your whiles if you can assist me in any way." Using his cane to gesture at his counterpart's Cauldron-shaped abode, he offered to sweeten the deal. "I could make a contribution to your Soup Kitchen, yes, a financial contribution. Or perhaps a new roof. Every Pet can do with a new roof-"

     "I said," she interjected, firmly, "I'll see what he says."

     "Of course!" the owner of the Chocolate Factory responded, accompanied by the shortest of nervous laughs. Fearing he had overstayed his welcome, and with it potentially jeopardizing any assistance he may have otherwise received, he hastily cleared his throat before bidding farewell. "Thank you for your time!" With a final wave of his cane, the snazzily attired Yellow Kiko bounced down the cobblestoned paths of the Neopian Marketplace and towards the extensive factory that dominated the skyline of the Neopian Bazaar. Thoughts of what might yet still become of his beloved Chocolate Ball still rattling around his head like a loose Jelly Bean or two.

     As her guest left, the Soup Faerie took another sip of her Cornupepper Soup.

     Only to be joined by somepet else.

     "So," she looked up, towards her Kitchen's lid-like roof, "what do you say?"

     Swooping down from his perch, Broth-Boy landed in the patch of grass next to his old friend.

     An irritated expression evident below his black mask.

     "That I'm the defender of the poor and downtrodden," the Speckled Shoyru pointedly remarked, crossing his arms tightly. Insulted to his very core. "That I help those who have nowhere else left to turn." He shook his head. "That when a pet has nothing they will always have me." A small sigh escaped the pet only a few still knew as Julien. Growing up in the... rougher parts of the Marketplace, he knew what it was like to have nopet on your side. A long time ago now, he had vowed to be the hero pets like that needed. As amazing as the Soup Faerie always was, she couldn't fight a pet's every battle for them. He could. Or at least, he could try. Whether the Defenders of Neopia appreciated it or not. "And that I'm not for sale," he ended with a mutter.

     "Hm." The brunette took a final sip from her soup.

     "Hm?" he mimicked, turning to face his counterpart.

     "It's just..."

     "That?"

     The Soup Faerie mused, "That sounds like Doctor Couverture to me."

     Julien almost smiled.

     -----

     As the sun set on another busy day in the Neopian Bazaar and the last few shopkeepers pulled their shutters down before heading home for the evening, the great and good of Neopian High Society had already arrived at the Chocolate Factory's lavish Events Space. And been greeted by quite the sight. The theme of this year's Annual Chocolate Ball? Distinctly Meridellian. The walls of the large rectangular room had been covered with all manner of trees and shrubbery, from the largest trunks to the most delicate buds made entirely of chocolate. So too were the tables, taking on the appearance of berry bushes. Each one themed on a different fruit that could be found at Meri Acres Farm. White chocolate picket fences, marshmallow Babaas, crushed honeycomb 'dirt' paths winding through blades of milk chocolate grass. The crowds were enthralled.

     All except one.

     Broth-Boy stood alone in the shadows, as he so often did. Observing the scene in front of him. Lent against the trunk of a Silver Birch Tree, its white chocolate bark interspersed with dark chocolate shavings to give it a life-like affect, the Speckled Shoyru felt very out of place. Pulling at the collar of the Brown Suit Coat the Blue Ruki at the Neopian Second-Hand Shoppe had been kind enough to let him borrow, he couldn't help but be in a sour mood. Growing up, every year his old school friends would talk endlessly of one day, perhaps, getting an invitation to the Chocolate Ball and seeing the wonders on display. They never did. None of them even tasted chocolate until they were all teenagers. He still wasn't sure what all the fuss was about.

     Closing his eyes, he let out a soft sigh.

     He couldn't risk dwelling on the past.

     Not when he had a job to do.

     Giving his head a sharp shake, he forced himself into the light of the artificial sun that hung over head. Its sugar crystal outer layers twinkled as it slowly melted. The Hero needed to keep his wits about him. Whatever this 'chocolate monster' was, it could come from anywhere. But he also needed to mingle. To see if any Pet had seen anything suspicious. Stealing himself, he approached a handful of pets who were busy talking between themselves. A glamorous Blue Acara decked out in a fabulously frilly pink dress was busy admiring the 'berries' in her candy cane 'wicker' basket that she had collected from the numerous tables scattered around the room. "I have to hand it to our host," she remarked, "he really has elevated the... rustic to such a sophisticated level."

     The Speckled Shoyru grimaced.

     Yeah, no. He couldn't do it.

     Shaking his head once more, he decided to instead patrol the 'berry' bushes. But found himself wincing for an altogether different reason. The owner of the Chocolate Factory, busy greeting his guests, had clearly used a heaping helping of Freeze Potion-dried berries straight from Meridell to flavour the gooey centres of his creations. Great for making a strong taste. Not so great for pets who had grown up on the more delicate flavours the Soup Kitchen had to offer. With the mixture of pungent aromas bringing tears to his eyes, Broth-Boy found himself rubbing them dry on the sleeve of his borrowed brown jacket.

     Which was when he noticed the noise.

     Drip.

     Drip.

     DRIP.

     His green eyes shot open, scanning every inch of the room.

     He froze.

     Gaze locked on an air vent in the far corner.

     A thick, brown liquid oozing through its opening.

     Pooling around the metal grating the torrent had flung to the floor.

     The Speckled Shoyru rushed towards the end of the room.

     But it was too late.

     Rising up to three times his height, the steaming mound of sentient milk chocolate let out a gurgling roar! Its gaping mouth surrounded by sprinkle teeth. The Yellow Kiko's guests let out a similar noise, rushing to the other end of the room and behind their once-again panicking host. Red cherry eyes locking in on the hero in front of it, what appeared to be two dripping arms marbled with whipped cream lurched towards Broth-Boy! Instinctively, he leapt into the air. Wings flapping as fast as he could. A scowl etched on his face. He had checked the ventilation system before the festivities had begun. And the perimeter. And, well, everywhere else he was allowed to enter. He wasn't sure how it had gotten in.

     But it wasn't getting out the same way.

     Facing his foe, the Speckled Shoryu blasted the monster with a mighty gust from his wings! The mound did not move an inch. Dodging the dripping hands heading his way, he dived into the belly of the beast! Sticking to its caramelly surface. Batted away by one of the arms, he landed in a pile on the crushed honeycomb floor below. The golden dust sticking to the patches of hot, melted confectionery that now dotted himself and suit jacket alike. The Blue Ruki would not be impressed. With the monster edging towards him, Broth-Boy flew up high into the air once more. Analysing his opponent.

     The Soup Faerie wanted him to help Doctor Couverture.

     Not battle her.

     She was convinced the food scientist was still in there. Somewhere.

     Julien wasn't so sure.

     The chocolate monster let out another gurgling roar, waving its dripping arms at the out-of-reach hero.

     He looked around at the room's untouched decorations.

     Now he was sure.

     But what could he do?

     The smell of the 'berries', even all the way up near the ceiling, clouded his mind.

     Wait.

     The berries.

     Of course!

     Swooping down to the chocolate bushes below, Broth-Boy followed the burning sensation in the back of his throat. Landing in front of a 'plant' covered in 'berries' that caused him to stifle a cough, he examined the 'fruit's' appearance as best as he could through his watering green eyes. A perfectly round sphere of chocolate decorated with blue royal icing alongside a purple flame-like design and a teal twill biscuit leaf, he hoped to Fyora these were the Blue kind of Bomberry he had read about in his cooking books of yore. Grabbing as many as his short arms could carry, he took flight once more. Holding them tight.

     Turning to face his foe, he waited for the next gurgling roar to come.

     He didn't have to wait for long.

     As the gaping mouth opened once more, the Speckled Shoyru dove head first into it!

     His audience gasped in horror, some choosing to cover their eyes.

     A silence descended.

     Before.

     BOOM!!!

     The Blue Bomberry filling of the chocolates exploded!

     Sending melted chocolate, whipped cream and caramel everywhere!!

     As the sprinkles settled, two figures could be seen in the golden cloud of honeycomb dust.

     Broth-Boy... and a Green Chia!

     "H-How di-did you know I was tr-trapped in th-there?" Doctor Couverture spluttered to her rescuer, still shaking from the force of the explosion that had separated her from her magical molten chocolate shell.

     "The grating," the also shaken-up Speckled Shoyru stated, pointing to the metal sheet in the corner of the room, "wouldn't have pinged off the way it did if you were just liquid chocolate." Trying in vain to wipe off some of the larger pieces of chocolate that had managed to stick to his suit in his endeavours, he sighed before adding, "That, and if you really were some chocolate monster that wanted to eat me you would've thrown some of these, uh, plants at me." He gestured at the fake foliage, much of which was now cracked and lying on the floor. "But you didn't because you love this stuff. Once a chocolatier, always a chocolatier." He paused. "Just, uh, no more of this kind of chocolatier-ing... okay?"

     Before Doctor Couverture could reply, the audience began to applaud.

     To the Hero's annoyance.

     "I'm glad you all enjoyed our show!" the owner of the Chocolate Factory lied, before hastily removing his navy top hat and taking a bow. As his guests gossiped amongst themselves trying to figure out just how the Yellow Kiko had once again managed to outdo himself, he headed over to the rather sticky duo. "Eliza, my dear!" He greeted his food scientist warmly, offering her the embroidered handkerchief that acted as his navy suit jacket's pocket square, "Are you alright?"

     "I-I think so, sir!" the Green Chia grinned, despite still being rather worse for wear.

     "That is quite the relief," her superior sighed happily before turning to her rescuer, "I don't know how I can repay you for all of your efforts today, Broth- Boy." He placed his top hat back onto his head. "Granted it was a little... unorthodox... but still I always appreciate out-of-the-chocolate-box thinking."

     The Speckled Shoyru frowned.

     For a moment. Before the smallest of smiles appeared.

     "I'm sure the Soup Faerie would have some ideas..."

     The End.