The Star and Flame Chronicles: Where It All Begins

     “I will make another Xweetok!” I murmured then got out three glass cups.

      I took some orange juice out of the fridge then poured an equal amount in each cup. I knew I could handle another pet. I wasn’t exactly wealthy, but I had enough neopoints to sustain a family. My pets weren’t painted because I didn’t have enough, but they were happy. I had a green Xweetok called Shining_Lucky who was my eldest pet, and a yellow Xweetok called Reeses_Love. Reeses was very smart and loved to read, but because of our funds I couldn’t buy him that many books. Lucky worked hard with me each day to help make money.

      I went upstairs to awaken my neopets. I crept into the left room then gently shook Lucky awake. Her bright green eyes snapped open to full alertness and she let out a startled ‘chirka, chirka!’ before slapping me on the arm. Wincing, I murmured good morning while she muttered an apology. Next I went into Reeses’ room. He was up already and was taping a poster of a faerie Xweetok on the wall. I sighed when I saw this.

     “Reeses...”

     He glanced up then smiled meekly. “It’s okay, really. I can always look at faerie pictures instead of being one...”

      I sighed again and told him breakfast was ready. He trudged downstairs with me. Lucky was already half done. I quickly ate my pancake then started out the door. I grabbed my lavender jacket off the coat rack then turned around.

     “Well, I’m off to the Create-a-Pet Centre! I’ll be home with your new brother or sister in a few hours. Bye!” I said then headed out the door.

      I gazed around at all the sights. Clutching my 3000 neopoints in my pocket, I stopped by the Food Shop to get some food for my pets. The Chia shopkeeper greeted me cheerily as I walked in. I quickly bought an apple, some salad, a couple of sandwiches and juice then headed next door to buy a book for Reeses, me, and Lucky. After that, I went towards the Create-a-Pet Centre.

      When I stepped through the glass doors, I clamped my hands over my ears. Yells of delight were being heard. Baby neopets cried their little heads off. I waited on a line behind a girl with a purple Poogle. The line went pretty quickly. I stepped up to the desk and saw a faerie Aisha secretary wearing glasses and a lavender sweater.

     “Hello, welcome to the Create-a-Pet Centre. How may I help you, Miss?” she asked. “And what is your username?”

     I looked at her. “I’m reeses_pet. I’d like to create a pet please.”

     She nodded and scribbled my name on a notepad. “What type of pet?” she asked.

     Instantly, I cried, “Xweetok please!”

     “Okay, look to your left and go on the Xweetok Creation line. Please be aware that the gender is random unless you choose so.”

      I thanked her then got on the line. This line was a bit slower. But every time the line moved up, someone would walk by with a baby Xweetok in their arms. I was so excited- soon I would be one of them- walking home with a cute and cuddly Xweetok! Finally it was my turn. I stepped up to this weird incubator thing. There were four. I walked up to the red one then pressed a button. The machine whirred and an egg dropped onto the incubator’s base.

      As I looked around, I realized that the green station gave green Xweetok eggs that had green speckles and the blue station gave out blue Xweetok eggs with blue speckles. But I was confused. My egg had red speckles all right, but there were also some blue ones. I raised an eyebrow. Some crayon or something probably got on it. I sat on a chair and waited.

     ...and waited...

     ...and waited.

      I was getting hungry so I took out a sandwich and bit into it, my eyes trained on the egg that had still not hatched. The sandwich left me quite thirsty so I took a water bottle I had in my backpack and drank the whole thing in a couple of minutes. Believe me, waiting to watch an egg hatch is as amusing as watching water boil. I took out my book- The Loneliest Xweetok- and began to read. It was very interesting. Once I finished the book, it disappeared in a puff of purple smoke. I sighed- why didn’t I bring more things to amuse myself with?

      I put my elbows down and lay my chin on my hands, watching the still egg. I wondered- what would I name my new pet. I didn’t care if it was a boy or girl. Maybe I’d name it Flaming Beauty? I quickly typed it into the search bar and saw it was taken. I sighed. I watched the egg, searching for any sign of life or movement.

      But being very bored makes your body do something- fall asleep. After a few minutes of staring at a motionless egg, I fell asleep. I’m a very deep sleeper, but certain noises will wake me up. I slept on and on. I dreamt of a red Xweetok running with me through a yard with Reeses and Lucky. I dreamed of cradling a baby red Xweetok in my arms. And I even dreamed of painting that red Xweetok fire. A small smile appeared on my lips as I moved in my sleep.

     CRACK

      My eyes snapped wide open, the egg! I got up and watched the egg with wide eyes. A very small crack appeared at the top. But then it broke through and a hole appeared. The crack got larger and a small body began to fight against the egg’s shell. The egg’s top cracked off and a brown paw flung itself in the air. Then, a red Xweetok head popped out. I squealed with delight. It crawled out of the egg and onto a pad. GENDER: FEMALE, it said in a robotic voice. I lifted it into my arms and cuddled its cute little body.

      But then I heard something else. I heard the egg cracking some more. I turned to the egg and gasped. The egg was rocking back and forth. Suddenly it tipped over and a small blue Xweetok tumbled out. I could only gape at it. It crawled over to the pad and it said, GENDER: MALE. I quickly recovered from my shock and lifted him up too. So I got an unexpected surprise today!

     Now I had to name them.

      I walked over to a naming desk and plopped them gently on the counter. A striped Cybunny looked up and smiled. She looked at me and asked for my name in a gentle tone. I told her my name.

     “And what would you like to name these two?” she asked pleasantly,

     I thought for a moment. “I’ll name the red one Beauty.”

     She shook her head. “Sorry, name taken.”

     ”How about Flame_Beauty...?”

     ”Taken...”

     I began to get frustrated. “Well how about Flaming_Heart_Beauty?” I growled,

     The Cybunny smiled. “Congrats! You’re new pet is Flaming_Heart_Beauty!”

      I squealed with delight and hugged Flame. She cooed and purred, rubbing her cheek against mine. Then I set her back on the counter before picking up the blue one. He snuggled into my jacket and began sucking on his thumb. How adorable!

     “Wow, it’s been a while since we’ve had twins born,” the Cybunny said, then smiled. “You sure are lucky!”

     “Yep, I sure am! Now I’d like to name this little boy here-” I kissed my blue Xweetok on the nose, “-Star!”

     The Cybunny cleared her throat. “Miss, there are lots of neopets in this world. You might want to pick a more unique name. That one’s taken.”

     I sighed. “Then how about Star_Light_Wish...? Is that taken?”

     “Nope, your blue Xweetok is now named Star_Light_Wish!”

     I thanked her and bundling them up in a pink and blue blanket, I set off home. Both of my Xweetoks snuggled up against my chest and cooed softly as they fell asleep. I was sure Reeses and Lucky would love them! Plans bloomed in my head. I would paint Flame here fire to match her name and Star of course starry! They would be adorable- just like Reeses and Lucky were when they were born. With the stars twinkling in the sky and the street lights casting a white glow on the streets, I approached home- our home.

The End

Lucky isn't gone. She's on my side because I foster pounded pets. Don't worry, I'd never abandon her! Expect more!