The Shoyru and the Magma Pool

     "I've read every book I can find about Moltara," Nerc said unhappily. "I don't know what else the Moltara guard expects me to find out."

     Kataz gave Nerc a reassuring pat on the back as she went to the kitchen to check on their dinner. "I'm sure you're getting closer, Nerc. I can check at the Faerie Library again tomorrow. Maybe a new book came in," she said with a smile.

     Nerc gave a half-hearted smile in return. Kataz was the first Cybunny to work in the Faerie Library and the first pet allowed inside since Xandra's awful betrayal. But even with the help of the librarian and access to all of the new books as they came in, Kataz hadn't found anything Nerc could use to impress the guard at the Magma Pool in Moltara.

     When Kataz was out of earshot, Nayha leaned closer across the table. "How many times have you visited the Magma Pool already?" she asked quietly.

     "Dozens," he admitted unhappily. Nerc loved his family and their home on Bread Street in Neopia Central. He knew he was absolutely in the right place. But ever since he saw a Magma Shoyru waiting in line at the Battledome, Nerc was just as sure that he was absolutely the wrong color.

     The problem was Nerc wasn't sure how he was going to become Magma or how much longer it was going to take.

     His first stop had been Faerieland. Naia the Fountain Faerie was no help. Kataz had warned Nerc that she was a piece of work. Nerc had decided to try his luck anyway. His sister had been right, as she usually was. Nerc could still hear that pesky Faerie's laughter as he had tried to sweet talk his way into the Rainbow Fountain. When she turned him away for the last time she had finally admitted that even if she wanted to, which she did not, her magic didn't allow her to paint pets Magma. The closest she could come was red or fire. Nerc already was red and he wasn't sure their home on Bread Street was completely anti-flammable so fire seemed like a bad idea. (He had taken precautions for Magma or course, but full-out fire was a totally different bag of NeoCrisps.)

     After getting herself zapped Eventide at the Secret Lab last summer, Nayha had helped Nerc locate the Lab Ray Scientist himself. But that had been no help.

     Before Nerc had even put on his protective goggles, the Lab Ray scientist began shaking his head. "No, no, no. I can't make you Magma. I can't make anyone Magma. That color isn't part of the Lab Ray's programming."

     He and Nayha had rowed back to Mystery Island in silence. She had even taken Nerc for a Tiki Tour afterward. As he stared at his beautiful Eventide Aisha sister, all Nerc could think was that he'd never be the right color at the rate he was going.

     After weeks of research, Nerc had been forced to admit the only way to paint himself Magma was by visiting the Magma Pool. Nerc loved visiting Moltara and often admired the molten Magma Pool even before he knew Magma was a Neopet color.

     Sometimes he'd take his younger sister Dru with him so they could hunt for worms together. Lately, though, Nerc had been avoiding Moltara because it was too depressing.

     Every time he so much as looked at the guard by the Magma Pool, Nerc heard the same dismissal in the same brusque tone:

     "I'm sorry, only those well-versed in the ways of Moltara are permitted to enter the Pool. Learn more and try again later."

     In the months since his first attempt Nerc had tried the Rainbow Fountain and the Secret Lab. He had logged countless days of research at the Faerieland Library and even a few hours at the Brightvale Scrollery.

     While Nerc now knew more than most Neopets would have thought possible about Igneot's Cavern, Cogs Togs and the Atlas of the Ancients (not to mention just about every other topic on Moltaran history that he could think of), he never seemed to know enough to impress the guard at the Magma Pool.

     And, after months of failure, he was running out of ideas.

     "You're the smartest Shoyru I know, Nerc," Nayha said cheerfully. "You'll figure something out."

     She checked her watch. "Shoot. I forgot it's Half-Price Day. I told Flame I'd help him and Eric snag some deals on potions. Tell Kataz I'll be back later!" she said as she ran out of the house.

     Nerc sighed as he stared down at his useless pile of Moltaran books.

     As he stared at the books, a green claw sneaked over and pulled the books off the table.

     Like Kataz, Dru was painted Christmas. She got a lot of attention for being a Draik but she said she was happy with her non-flashy color. Nerc wished he could be as happy with his own basic red.

     Dru smiled. "Listen, Nerc. I've been thinking," she said excitedly.

     "That's always good."

     Dru rolled her eyes. "I've been thinking about you and the Magma Pool, silly. I think I have an idea."

     Nerc leaned forward in his chair. "Tell me everything."

     "What if we've been going about this the wrong way? You might not ever learn enough to impress the guard. But what if you don't have to?" she continued excitedly. "He has to take a break or sleep sometimes, Nerc! What if you just sneak in then?"

     He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Dru! You're a genius."

     Although Nerc still believed his little sister was a genius, after a week of trying, he began to wonder if she was right in this particular case.

     Nerc hadn't been home for more than an hour at a time for weeks. He had taken a training hiatus much to the dismay of the Secret Ninjas. He had even taken a leave of absence from the Thieves Guild. He had no time to help Kanrik and the rest of his faction battle for the Obelisk. Not when Nerc had a guard to trick.

     Since Dru had suggested the idea, Nerc's research confirmed that the Magma Pool Guard did sleep. The problem was that Nerc had yet to determine when that sleeping took place.

     He skipped training and battling only to find that the guard was still awake. He stopped visiting the Money Tree and the Abandoned Attic only to be told by the guard (again) "I'm sorry, only those well-versed in the ways of Moltara are permitted to enter the Pool. Learn more and try again later."

     He stopped spinning the Wheel of Knowledge and helping Edna. The wheel only mocked him and Edna always gave Nerc Gross Food he didn't want to eat anyway. Still, the guard was always awake.

     Nerc tried to ask the Island Mystic for advice but all he had to say was, "Your confidence will change unexpectedly." Nerc wasn't even sure what that meant. Chef Bonju's food and treats from Jhuidah's Cooking Pot were never enough to entice the guard or otherwise distract him.

     Even Wise Old King Hagan had no advice to offer. (Nerc tried to ask King Skarl if he had any ideas but the king was grumpy and threw him out of the castle. Nerc still thought his joke had been pretty funny. His sisters had laughed for a solid hour the first time he told it.)

     After two solid weeks of trying and failing to slip past the Magma Pool guard, Nerc visited Coltzan's Shrine.

     It had been a long time since he'd visited the shrine. Coltzan rarely had anything to offer Nerc—his stats were already high thanks to steady training and Nerc preferred to leave Dubloons and food the king might leave for other pets to find.

     But Nerc needed a break from the dark Moltaran City and he thought a trip to the Lost Desert might be a nice change. He might even take the rest of the day off to visit with his sisters. He missed them.

     At the shrine, Nerc watched the other pets waiting for their turn to visit the Shrine. He made small talk with the Kyrii in front of him while they snaked through the line. Her name was Rose.

     When Rose got to the front of the line, nothing happened. Rose shrugged. "I guess I should wait a while before visiting the shrine again. I always forget when I've been here last." She checked her watch, "At least I still have time for some breakfast and a morning visit to the Snowager."

     Nerc stared at Rose for a moment. In all of his days of trying, Nerc had still been visiting the Snowager every morning. He gave Rose a quick hug before running off. According to his pocket watch it was four o'clock in the morning. If Nerc's suspicion was right he might have just enough time to get back to Moltara before he missed his chance for the day.

     Luckily wings made Neopian travel much faster. It was a quarter past six when Nerc panted his way through Moltara City toward The Caves. With shuddering breaths he flapped his wings downward through all of the dark stairways until he stood just outside the entrance to the Petpetorium.

     From his perch next to the entrance, Nerc had a perfect, beautiful view of the Magma Pool as the guard checked his own watch. Quickly, when he was certain no one was looking, the guard left his post. Nerc would never know for sure but he suspected the guard was trying his luck at the Snowager. Or maybe he just really needed a nap. It wasn't Nerc's business and he didn't need to know anyway. Not for what he was about to do.

     He wished his sisters could see him as he snuck into the Magma Pool but he'd just have to remember all the details to tell them later. He quickly removed his suit and pocket watch, unsure if they'd survive a dip in the pool with him.

     Very, very carefully, Nerc walked closer to the Magma Pool. With tiny, cautious footsteps, Nerc made his way into the magma. He had expected heat and worried it might hurt, but it was a pleasant warmth not unlike the waters at the Healing Springs.

     It only took a moment. Staring at his hands, Nerc saw them blacken and then glow from within with a different kind of heat. Looking around to make sure the guard still had not returned, Nerc moved out of the pool and put on his clothes.

     Although he was Magma now, Nerc was happy to see that his clothes did not burn up. In fact, he didn't seem to be giving off any heat of his own. Which meant Nerc would still be able to give Kataz and Nayha and Dru big hugs when he came home to show them his new color and thank all of them for their help and support. He couldn't wait to get back to the house on Bread Street and, even better, he knew he would never have to visit the Magma Pool ever again.

     He gave a nod to the returning Magma Pool Guard as he made his way up the stairs and out of Moltara City.

The End