The most fantastic thing in the universe! Circulation: 197,890,900 Issue: 1014 | 9th day of Hiding, Y26
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Your questions answered!


Read the answers to the most commonly asked Neopets questions this week in the Editorial section. Each week the most popular questions will be answered by one of the creators of Neopets, so keep checking back to stay updated.


Quote of the Week


At once, the bickering died out, and a sheepish silence fell over the hall as all eyes turned to a young Spotted Lupe at the end of the first row. With her wildly curled orange hair and bright, earnest expression, she made a striking impression that seemed to effortlessly command the respect of the other guild members.


The Top 5 Machines You'll Encounter On The Daily



Alien Aisha Vending Machine It is said that out in the great expanse of space that Alien Aisha are out to explore multiple worlds in search of adventure and knowledge. But what happens when these curious explorers decide to reach Neopia? The most logical thing possible: they bring a mysterious machine to do business with the locals! This machine can be found within Neopia Central in the Neopian Plaza, and Neopians can play with this alien machine using a currency of these space friends called Nerkmids (there are different types, colours, and prices!). The prizes that could be obtained from this machine vary depending on the Nerkmid type, as well as the combination of buttons and levers you can press. What possible prizes, you ask? You can get a wide variety of prizes that range from somewhat disturbing food prizes (spooky or simply disgusting) to incredibly colourful Paint Brushes. Remember, it is a matter of luck! Still, this machine is a Neopian Classic that everyone should try, at least once, whether it's because you feel lucky enough, you have an appetite for a rare prize like a Chocolate Fish Pop Milkshake, or just because you are aiming for Aisha Alien's cherished Avatar or Trophy Neocola Machine Everyone in Neopia knows of or has heard from the legendary Dr. Sloth. Even though he is one of the biggest villains in Neopia, we can’t deny his intelligence in creating one of the most famous entrepreneurships. It is said that he created the Neocola Machine to fund his evil plans.. But nevermind that, just what is the Neocola Machine? It is a vending machine that, using Tokens that feature the evil Doctor’s face on them, people have access to roll for different prizes including transmogrification potions that can infamously turn your pet into a twisted, Mutant variant.

Robot VS Steampunk! Machine Colour Comparison



When you think of machinery in Neopia, there are two lands which should come to mind: Virtupets Space Station and Moltara. Virtupets Space Station is hi-tech & futuristic with machinery like computers, lasers, and holograms. Moltara is based on the “steampunk” genre so its machinery is made from steam power, hydraulics, gears, pipes, and modified Victorian clothing. These aesthetics are also seen with the two colours strongly associated with these lands: Robot for Virtupets Space Station and Steampunk for Moltara. What style of machine someone prefers is their own preference... BUT that’s no fun so let’s compare them in: ROBOT VS STEAMPUNK! MACHINE COLOUR COMPARISON No matter whether you choose circuits or gears, The cost to paint your Neopet one will bring you to tears! Before we pit electricity against steam (kids, don’t try this at home), let’s cover some ground rules: 1. The comparisons will mainly be between how the Neopets look when you first paint them their respective colour (and how they do when you look them up in the Rainbow Pool): Robot Neopets will be wearing their full outer casing and Steampunk Neopets in their entire attire & accessories. If something about their base designs under their clothes is notable (especially with the Robot Neopets) I may give it a mention (and include an image) and they could be used to decide tiebreakers. 2. So that everyone has a good look at each pair, I highly suggest looking them up on the Rainbow Pool. 3. And most importantly, these are just my opinions and it’s all in good fun. Feel free to agree or disagree (especially if you agree). ;) Now with all that settled, onto the comparisons! ACARA: We start off pretty basic with the Robot Acara. The sleek Robot design looks cool, and funny they gave it a “tail” antenna, but nothing much stands out.

Tangor’s Tinkering Treasures


If you have ever wandered the streets of Moltara City, amidst the whir of cogs and hum of fans, you may have discovered a workshop tucked away right at the back of the city’s edge. Climbing the flights of stairs and passing through the glowing green door, you will find a local tinkerer working away, repurposing odds and ends into intricate little machines. This long-time tinkerer is Tangor, a master of transforming scrap metal into little Petpet companions. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him to learn more about his journey into this unique career, his creative process, and the treasures you can find within his workshop. “For as long as I can remember, I have always believed in being as zero waste as possible,” Tangor said with a twinkle in his eye. “There is just something so special about taking what others might view as garbage and completely transforming it into something else. It is almost magical!” he excitedly explained. Tangor paused, smiling as a small chuckle escaped him. “As a young Mynci, I grew up in a family that did not have much, but my parents never let that limit my imagination. I have fond memories of looking all over our house and neighbourhood for anything I could turn into toys. I took great pride in showing my creations to my parents, who instilled in me a lifelong passion for resourcefulness and creativity.” Brushing dust off his desk, he added, “They were always incredibly encouraging of my ideas and often asked when the next show and tell would be.” No matter where you look around his workshop, you can see little glimpses of ongoing projects, each with their own charm. Every nook and cranny seem to tell a story. Shelves brimming with all sorts of materials – from shiny obsidian to scrap metal and stone – line the walls, and tall stacks of crates overflowing with potential fill the room. Tools of various sizes are scattered all throughout the workshop, each ready to play a part in Tangor’s next imaginative adventure.

Other Stories
"Moltara's Core Beliefs" by opossumman
Major unrest had taken hold of the land of Moltara over the past few days. Monty McTaggart, the CEO of the Moltara Obsidian Company, was publicly revealed to have been using the mined obsidian from the quarry as a commodified energy source...all while liquefying it in such a way that caused untold environmental damage. He was aware of it all, and actively suppressed research findings about the damage while running shadow smear campaigns against renewable energies, all for cold, hard Neopoints. To say the citizens of both Moltara City and the Moltara Caves were furious was a massive understatement. Stealth paced back and forth across the apartment, the brown Grundo putting his hand to his forehead. Jacob, a Christmas Kacheek, sat at the kitchen table, fists clenched atop its surface, trying desperately to ignore the stress sweat dripping down onto his brass gear goggles. His Albot, H.O.O.T., whirred quietly, likely sensing the tension. “We're...complicit in this, Stealth,” Jacob said feebly, his voice trembling as he hugged H.O.O.T. to his chest. “I'm complicit. I'm the one who's worked at the Obsidian Quarry for years, not you.” “I should have asked questions sooner!” Jacob yelled. “Come on, Liquid Obsidian? Obsidian is volcanic glass, Stealth! If you melt it down it just becomes lava again...how was he turning it into fuel? Unless it was some form of arcane magic and one entirely unlike that of the Magma pets' magic, it doesn't make sense at all...or at least, it didn't. Now that we know the truth about the fuel...” “...It makes complete sense?” Stealth added. “...Yeah,” Jacob said with a sigh. “I suppose we both had the wool pulled over our eyes. But we can course-correct, right? Incite some sort of change?” He looked toward Stealth, who looked back only briefly, then...

"Robot Petpets to the Rescue" by maddie_bangz
“I’m telling you, something weird is going on.” It was a cold and ominous night on the Virtupets Space Station. Silence surrounded the local businesses as the Grundos slept peacefully, unaware of the situation unfolding around them. Within the Robo-Petpet Shop, two unassuming Petpets were wide awake, conversing quietly so that none of the other Petpets around them would wake up. The room was dark aside from some flickering lights in the back rooms, casting the space in an eerie glow. “Tell me everything.” Flash the Wheelie Bot whispered urgently, pulling his friend Oscar, a GX-4 Oscillabot, closer to him in a huddle. Most of the Grundos at the Space Station didn’t understand the beeping sounds robotic Petpets use to communicate, but Flash didn’t want to take any chances. “Well, do you remember the Zoomik that was bought last week? I heard through the Petpet network that his Neopet took him to the Grundo Cafe yesterday. His Neopet didn’t seem to notice, but there was something wrong with Gargarox.” “What do you mean?” “Well…” Oscar paused in thought. “He said he seemed stiffer, almost… robotic, I guess.” Flash beeped out a laugh. Oscar shushed him angrily. “It’s not funny! He said Gargarox was talking funny too. And he swore he heard him beep when nobody else was looking! This is serious Flash.” “That’s just Gargarox, Oscar. He’s a… unique Grundo, you could say. What you’re telling me just doesn’t make any sense.” Steam blew out of the Oscillabot’s antennae in frustration. “It’s not just Gargarox! Other Grundos are acting funny. If you don’t believe me, I can show you.” Oscar whispered intensely. The two Petpets slowly looked around the room, listening to the soft beeping snores of the other Petpets.

"Moon Garden" by parody_ham
Kreludor is kind. It brought my partner and I stability. A home. Peace of mind when before we struggled so much. But it didn’t come without cost. I am an engineer. It’s difficult work, puzzling day after day to build bigger and better rock harvesting machines. Still, it’s work I can be proud of. Every time a whoop of joy comes from the mine’s depths, it makes my heart sing. Knowing my work made their lives easier, safer, I know I made the right decision leaving everything we knew behind. But I digress. This story is not mine alone. It was a bittersweet garage sale. We sold everything we owned in Neopia Central, Dew and I, in the hope that this job thousands of miles away would provide a better life for us both. We didn’t make much from the furniture, childhood toys, or our garden plot, but it was enough to cover our one-way ticket and a deposit on a small, one-room rental. We slept on a bare mattress for a while, eating moon-crunch cereal and moon sponge cake while we waited for my first bag of Neopoints to arrive. Thankfully, we made it through. Dew works as a nurse’s aide in a retirement home while I putter away at my designs. They bring such joy to the elderly Grundo who live there, entertaining them with stories of our adventures down below. Of Bolt and Dew, the Brightvale University study buddies turned tag team. Of Bolt, the first girl in her family to finish with her college diploma, and Dew, known as the “class parent” for students of all ages. The dynamic duo. That’s what they called us. We wanted to stay near Brightvale where our friends and families lived, but opportunity proved fleeting, at best. A temp contract here, a seasonal job there. At least in Kreludor there would be room to grow and plenty of space. Plenty of space, get it?


The Robo-Petpet Shop


This week's issue is brought to you by: The Robo-Petpet Shop
 
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