The Road to Chocolate World

     Basel had always loved chocolate, probably because she was brown herself. Brown wasn't a coveted colour across Neopia, but she had found comfort in it - in being less noticed in crowds and sharing a tone with something almost all Neopians adored. It was a special connection she shared with her Nan, too, the person she would share her Hazelnut Whirl with later that day. She could already see the grin spreading across the gentle Gelert's face as she placed the warm, gooey sweet in front of her. Oh, Basel couldn't wait any longer! She needed that Hazelnut Whirl. She said a quick wish to the Wishing Well and crossed her claws for good luck.

     The Chocolate Factory was already bustling with movement, and Basel was being elbowed between a sombre Elephante and a hungry-looking Grarrl. It was unpleasant, but Basel knew to stay calm. Her eyes searched the glass display cases filled with fudge and cupcakes, chocolate bars and molten drops. Basel almost crushed the ticket in her hand when her pupils caught the Hazelnut Whirls. There were six of them tucked into the back corner of the farthest right display case.

     “Number two!" The shopkeeper shouted, and Basel lurched forward, "That's me! I'm here, that's me." She stumbled a bit, but handed her ticket to the Kiko. "One Hazelnut Whirl, please, sir.”

     “Lucky lady, our last one of the day!" Basel gasped. The Kougra had purchased five of the six. She couldn't believe it.

     The shopkeeper wrapped the treat in a white pastry box, took her Neopoints, and turned to the next customer. Basel held the box in her paws with sheer shock. She had it, she actually had it! She bounced out of the store and down the road to her Nan's. Nan would never believe this story.

     "Nan! Nan!" Basel burst through the door of her Nan's house in her excitement.

     And there Nan was, a brown Gelert that had aged gracefully coming through from the kitchen door. Her eyes lit up at the sight of her granddaughter. "Basel! What a pleasure to see you, dear. But, what's all the fuss about?"

     "You'll never believe what I just got from the Chocolate Factory!" Basel exclaimed, bouncing on her large feet as she faced her Nan.

     "Hmmm," Nan placed a hand on her chin in thought. "A golden ticket?" She guessed with a chuckle, then shook her head in bemusement. "No, that's like winning a million Neopoints from Coltzan's Shrine. How about some Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Zafaras? I know those are a favourite of yours."

     "Nope!" Basel responded with a grin. "Something even better!"

     "Oh my!" Nan's eyes widened at this. "Even better, you say? I can't possibly guess!"

     "Surprise!" Basel drew the precious prize from behind her back and presented it to her grandmother.

     The elderly Gelert gasped as she saw what it was. "Is that-"

     "A Hazelnut Whirl?" Basel interrupted. "It sure is!"

     "But how?"

     Basel recapped her morning for Nan, including the tip she had received from Nimmy.

     "Oh, Basel. Thank you! I haven't had one of these since-" The old Gelert broke off, shaking her head, her gentle gaze suddenly wistful.

     "You've had a Hazelnut Whirl before?" Basel asked, floored by this revelation, as if her Nan had suddenly revealed that she had once sailed the high seas as a pirate.

     "Yes," Nan replied softly, "a long time ago."

     "I've never heard this story!"

     Nan smiled at her. "Come into the kitchen and I'll tell you all about it."

     Basel settled at the kitchen table while Nan prepared two cups of tea to accompany the Hazelnut Whirl. Basel was slowly unwrapping the little treat, so mesmerised by it she didn't catch the wide grin spreading across Nan's face. It was a pleasant story she was about to share, but she hadn't told it to anyone before. She had promised him she wouldn't. But it had been decades, surely there was no harm now? Plus, it would make her darling Basel so happy.

     Nan settled the steaming mugs in front of the pair and began, "In the early years of Neopia, we had not mapped the entire world. Cartographers, like myself, were sent to far-off regions to map areas and ensure there were no lands and peoples we had not discovered yet.”

     “Wait, Nan, you drew maps? I thought you were a librarian?"

     "Well, now yes. But in my youth, I was an adventurer like Hannah! This trip changed everything, though, because I discovered a secret, one that I've kept safe until this very day.”

     “What secret?" Basel's eyes were shimmering. The Zafara had forgotten all about the Hazelnut Whirl at this point.

     “I discovered Chocolate World.”

     "Chocolate World?" Basel echoed, shaking her head in confusion

     .

     Nan smiled. "That's right. An entire world made out of chocolate."

     Basel scooted closer, eyes shining with curiosity. "Tell me all about it, please!"

     Nan chuckled. "Alright, it began like this: I had been itching to explore a region that hadn't been thoroughly mapped yet. I had just finished my last assignment and was ready for my next adventure. I'd been home for maybe a couple of weeks before I packed my bags again and left for parts unknown. My pencil was sharp, my mind was sharper, and my hunger for adventure was insatiable."

     "But where did you go?"

     It was Nan's turn for her eyes to shine. "That I won't tell you. Some things are better left to the imagination. Just know that I travelled across Neopia, undaunted by weather or hostile inhabitants or anything else that got in the way of my task. I knew that the work I was doing was important, not just for the present but for the generations to come."

     "That's amazing! To think, my Nan did that."

     "I certainly think so, but it almost didn't happen because your old Nan got herself into a bit of a muddle. If it weren't for the kindness of a stranger, my story would have ended before it even began."

     "No!" Basel gasped. "What happened?"

     "I was in a thick forest, following my compass when the unmistakable scent of cinnamon drew my attention."

     "Cinnamon? In the middle of the forest?" Basel echoed in disbelief.

     Nan confirmed with a nod. "Naturally, I had to investigate, and I pressed on, intent on finding the source. Imagine my surprise when I found I had entered a cinnamon stick forest!"

     "What?!"

     "Yes! Cinnamon sticks grew out of the ground, their peeling bark wafting that heady aroma all around me. Instead of leaves, whipped cream clouded their branches, and cherries dappled the canopy. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I walked with my eyes raised to the sky and my mouth agape in shock, certain I was dreaming."

     "It was because I wasn't paying attention that I walked right into a pool of chocolate syrup! Before I knew it, I was stuck fast, unable to pull myself free. This was no dream but a nightmare!"

     "What did you do, Nan?"

     "I called for help, though I had no idea who could possibly be around to hear me. I hadn't seen another Neopet for several days at that point and had seen no signs that anyone was near enough to hear me, but I wasn't ready to give up hope, yet." Nan paused, lost in the memory.

     "Nan?" Basel prompted after a few moments, wondering what her grandmother was remembering. "What happened next?"

     The old Gelert seemed to shake herself out of her reverie, a wistful smile on her face. "Then someone came.”

     Nan explained how she called for help, even when she was unsure if anyone would find her. She called and she called, while chocolate syrup pulled her down, down, down until she felt a tug at one of her long ears. Nan felt someone fidgeting and twisting her body to free herself from this mess. Eventually, her body slumped out of the sticky pool onto solid ground, and she passed out.

     —

     I awoke inside a tidy, little Neohome with a mug of steaming cocoa next to my bed and a note that read, “Meet me in the kitchen when you wake up!” While I had no clue where I was, I felt safe, so I followed the smell of freshly baked brownies to the kitchen.

     Upon reaching the threshold, I froze, unsure of what Neopet I was looking at. It was a Gnorbu, that much I knew, but it was dark brown with vanilla-colored spots and his mane was fluffy like cream. It even had chocolate sprinkles within it!

     The stranger turned to face me, “Oh, you’re awake! How are you feeling?” The Gnorbu had a tray of brownies resting on one hoof.

     “I- I- I’m sorry, what kind of Neopet are you?”

     The Gnorbu looked at me with amusement. “Why, I’m a Chocolate Gnorbu, silly! Haven’t you ever met one?”

     In all of my adventures, I had not met a Chocolate Gnorbu … let alone a Chocolate Neopet. I thought I was certainly still dazed from my fall, until my eyes caught the window, and outside, I saw houses and buildings, schools and shops - all dark brown in colour. There were waffle shingles everywhere, and the sidewalks looked like they were lined with a white powder … it couldn’t be … sugar! Candy corn picket fences, strawberry lampposts, and caramel fountains!

     “Are you okay?” The Gnorbu asked. “You look like you’ve seen Vira!”

     “Where are we?” I asked, moving closer to the window.

     “We’re in Chocolate World. Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of Chocolate World either?” The Gnorbu began to laugh.

     “No, I haven’t.” I replied solemnly. “And neither has the rest of Neopia!”

     The Gnorbu's gaze flicked away for a moment and then back to the Gelert. "It really worked." Then, he seemed to snap out of his contemplative mood before he looked back at me. "But you're here now … how? We need to go, follow me.”

     I gaped at him for a moment, confused by how quickly this was all happening and still astonished at where I was.

     The Gnorbu clapped his hands to urge me on and out the door. “By the way, my name is Crispin. What is your name?"

     "My name is Hazel.” I stumbled out during our rush. “It’s nice to meet you, Crispin. And did you free me from the pool of chocolate syrup? I thought I was a goner for sure!”

     “So did I for a minute," Crispin replied with a smile. "Most of us know where the trouble spots are and avoid them, but I like taking walks away from the town, just to get away for a bit, ya know? I was just about ready to head for home when this little guy," it was only then that I noticed a chocolate Warf trotting along at our feet, "comes racing up, barking like mad, clearly alerting me to something. I followed him, and he led me straight to the chocolate syrup pool. When I saw the surface of the pool had been disturbed, I knew that someone had been unlucky enough to get stuck there, and I leapt into action. I pulled you out and brought you here."

     "Thank you," I said, putting all of my gratitude into the words.

     "You're most welcome." We were outside now, rushing through the town, and I was awestruck by what I saw. I had only caught glimpses from the windows, but now I could see that the chocolate wonderland was no dream. Pets of all kinds were out and about, and while most of them were also made of chocolate, there were those that were biscuit, custard and even candy! But the thing that amazed me most was that there was indeed an entire world made out of chocolate and yet - no one had ever heard of it!

     "How, how is this possible?" I asked.

     "Well, that story has been lost to time. As far as any of us know, Chocolate World has always been here," Crispin said with a shrug.

     "I mean, yes, that, but I mean, how has no one in the wider Neopia heard of this place?"

     "Oh, that," Crispin said with an understanding nod. "It wasn't always that way. Ages ago, Chocolate World was a part of the greater Neopia. As you can probably imagine, it was more popular than just about anywhere, including Roo Island! It was great at first. Pets came from all over just to see our town, take a square from our Giant Chocolate Bar, try to win a dip in our Chocolate Pool with a spin of our Wheel of Confections, or learn all about the wonders of chocolate. But then," the Gnorbu sighed, "things got out of hand. Pets came in droves and overwhelmed the town. They would take chunks out of our buildings and streets as souvenirs, rather than pay for something in one of our many shops. They would try to break into the Chocolate Pool without earning the right or take more than one chocolate bar at a time from our giant one. No matter what sort of rules and regulations we put into place, the rest of Neopia refused to respect them. While letting the rest of the world in, we were literally destroying ours."

     Crispin paused for a moment. ”We had to do something. Finally, a local wizard crafted a spell that would form a protective barrier around our world to make it as if we had never existed in the first place. And clearly, given your reaction, it worked," he concluded with a smile.

     I felt dazed but amazed by this new world I had stumbled into, thrilled by the prospect of discovering a new land and what that would do for my career! “I can’t wait to share the news of Chocolate World with Neopia again!”

     Crispin turned back to me, “But Hazel - you can’t! We must preserve the secret of Chocolate World.”

     I nodded, quickly digesting that part. I would never want a world to be losing its magic because of fellow Neopians. “But how did I get here now? Maybe the spell is fading because it’s time to allow Neopians back?”

     “That’s what we are off to find out! I am actually the wizard’s apprentice. I’ve been training for several years, but I’m still not sure how you slipped through. Tart will know.”

     Crispin was hustling quickly through the main square of Chocolate World now. I was struggling to keep up while looking around. He was heading in the direction of a large tower, gated off from the community. It was elegant with several spires and looked almost like the buildings in the Lost Desert, yet it was made entirely of chocolate and confections. Cripsin unlocked the gate and led me through the front door, up several flights of stairs, and into a laboratory of sorts. It actually seemed part laboratory and part bakery with beakers and burners, ovens and basters. Leaning over a workbench was a focused-looking Chocolate Tuskaninny, but his whipped cream head had been covered by a wizard’s hat.

     “Tart, I’m sorry to barge in on you, but you’ll nev-“

     “Never believe that someone from outer Neopia slipped through the barrier?”

     “You already know?” Crispin gasped.

     “Oh yes, because this Gelert wasn’t the only one who broke through. Regar is back, and it’s going to take all of us to stop him.”

     Tart told me the story of Regar like we were old pals, not brand new acquaintances. Regar was an old enemy of Chocolate World, one of the main reasons the protection barrier was necessary in the first place. The wicked Chia stole recipes and high-priced ingredients from Chocolate World and sold them on the underground market across Neopia to the highest bidders. A lot of the honest shopkeepers had no idea they were sourcing their products at the detriment of Chocolate World. The true farmers, bakers, and recipe creators couldn’t sell their wares after that, leaving a lot of them in tough situations with minimal Neopoints. Regar was clever, though and covered his tracks so Tart and the rest of the leaders had no proof of his treachery. Many Neopians rolled their eyes at the sugary Neopets, thinking we’ve already got it too good already.

     “Regar has been plotting to bring down the barrier again, and it seems that one of his attempts caused a glitch, allowing little miss …” Tart paused, gesturing to me.

     “Hazel.”

     “Little Miss Hazel to stumble right in. I believe Regar also made it through and is currently trekking his way through the White Chocolate Mountains north of town.”

     “We will need to stop him at Sticky Toffee Pass, won’t we?” Crispin asked, concerned.

     “We must or all of Chocolate World will be lost.”

     "So, how are we going to do that?" I asked. Both Crispin and Tart looked at me with surprise and concern.

     "Hazel, no," Crispin protested at once. "This isn't your fight. There's no need for you to get involved.”

     I shook my head. "This is the most incredible place I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. I can't walk away now knowing your entire world is being threatened by some greedy, no-good thief!"

     Crispin still looked unhappy, but Tart seemed to take my protest at face value.

     "Very well," Tart said with a nod before continuing. "Crispin and I disagree with the exact plan. My apprentice here wishes to expel old Regar from Chocolate World and fix the barrier. But that was the original plan, and I've been kept busy keeping him out. My new plan is to fix the problem once and for all by imprisoning him so that he can't escape. Once we locate our foe, we'll decide which course of action to take."

     Crispin sighed, giving in with a nod.

     "Now, if everyone is ready and in agreement, let's get moving. We haven't a moment to waste!" Tart exclaimed, heading for a circle outlined on the floor.

     "The quickest way to the mountains is to teleport," Crispin said, reading my look of confusion correctly.

     I gaped at the chocolate Gnorbu. "Teleport?"

     "Don't worry. It's perfectly safe, you'll see."

     I nodded, full of determination and curiosity. I wasn't going to let a little thing like this stop me! Crispin and Tart made room for me in the circle, and from one blink to the next, the wizard's tower was replaced with towering mountains. As their name describes, the mountains were made of chocolate with caps of white chocolate and a toffee drizzle. Everything I saw in this world was more incredible than the next!

     "Hazel, will you scout ahead for us to see if you can get a location for Regar? If you see him, report straight back. Crispin and I will set our trap for him here," Tart explained.

     "Yes, sir!" I saluted smartly, receiving a bark of a laugh from the old wizard as I darted off, the chocolate Warf by my side (it seemed he had decided to stick around).

     My travels had prepared me well for my task and I traveled the pass carefully, Whip - as I dubbed my new Warf - seeming to sense the seriousness of our errand. It was his warning growl that alerted me to our quarry. Peeking around a nearby craggy chunk of broken chocolate, I almost overlooked the pet I was looking for. But then the small green speck that I had mistaken for a gumdrop moved, and I realised it was a pea! This was the terrible Regar?

     I shook my head in bewilderment, tempted to confront the little pea myself, but Tart's warning rang in my ears. I knew full well that looks could be deceiving, so Whip and I dashed back to where we had left our wizard friends.

     "Regar is coming!" I exclaimed.

     The Pea Chia was on us before I could catch my breath. He came running and puffing in full force, determined to knock Tart and Crispin over in one steady beat. With my warning, Tart and Crispin were prepared. The two defenders turned to face their enemy with a large taffy rope in hand, Tart swinging one end like a lasso over his head. He loosed it toward Regar, but the small Neopet dodged the first capture attempt. Regar slid on the powdered sugar snow and knocked the hooves out from under Crispin. With Crispin on his back, Regar smirked at Tart, “Looks like it’s just you and me, old man.”

     “You’ve come to Chocolate World before and failed. Nothing will change this time!” Tart huffed, gearing up for another lasso attempt.

     Whip barked and nudged at my calves, pushing and pointing at Tart. He wanted me to help, but how could I? Maps and logic I was great at, but a real-live fight? I looked down at my paws, uncertainty lingering in the air, and then directed my gaze back to Tart, then to Regar, then to Crispin, and then to the mountain peak. I saw my course of action, I knew how to help.

     I dug in my satchel for my safety flare and directed it towards the mountaintop. If I could hit it at the right angle … BOOM! The flare struck the white chocolate cap, sending reverberations all the way down.

     “Girl, what have you done?!” Regar shouted, staring me down. “You’ll bury us alive!” White chocolate, sugar, and toffee were already plummeting down the mountain towards us.

     “Oh, no, she won’t!” Tart screeched while running to help Crispin and make his way towards me. I scooped up Whip and bolted to Tart, who understood my line of thinking. He was drawing a teleportation portal as I ran, ran, ran to reach them. The four of us jumped inside just in time to hear the muffled protests of Regar and a pile of white chocolate dust to sneak through the portal with us.

     “We did it!” Crispin shouted, “We saved Chocolate World!”

     “We didn’t,” replied Tart, nodding in my direction, “She did.”

     —-

     “ … Tart and Crispin sent me home with a Hazelnut Whirl, especially for me and in honour of my name. I actually believe it was the first one ever baked at that time.”

     “Nan, that story is AMAZING! How have you never told me?” Basel was staring at her grandmother in awe.

     “Some stories are best enjoyed when the time is right, and finally, my dear, the time was right."

     The End.