The Shadows of Darkness: Part One

by nanjikat

Me and Sandre had been best friends ever since we were born. We looked a little odd together, I admit, a Purple Peophin and a Bright Yellow Scorchio...but we didn't care. We had met at the training school, where we were both raised after being left there by our owners... and never picked up. We were inseparable. That all changed as a shadow of darkness fell over Neopia...

It started out on a regular day. Mystery Island was bright and sunny, and me and Sandre had decided to visit the island mystic. He was a fun guy and always had a joke. He was always concocting some new recipe for the giant cooking pot. He'd also help out Kauvara when she was stuck on a potion recipe. He had just helped her put the finishing touches on her new idea - transformation potions - when we came in.

"Hello Adria, Sandre," the Mystic said cheerily. He was always happy when he discovered some new concoction.

"What can I...."

A strange look overcame the mystic's face. He seemed to be in a trance. Me and Sandre looked at each other. Could this be a true trance? That hadn't happened since the mystic had foretold the arrival of Dr. Sloth and his Grundo army. The Mystic's trances usually meant bad news.

I watched the mystic as he slid to the floor, the gnawing sense of fear in the pit of my stomach growing with each silent moment. The Mystic lifted his head up and looked at me and Sandre. Without a word the Mystic grabbed a pencil and scribbled something on a piece of paper. He folded it up and handed it to me.

"Bring this to the Techo Master, and hurry!" he said.

The look of fear in his eyes was frightening. Not even the foretelling of Dr Sloth had made him look like this, this look of intense fear. I ran from the hut straight to the training school, Sandre close behind.

"Master Techo, Master Techo!" I called breathlessly as I entered the school. Master Techo emerged from a nearby classroom. He ran towards me.

"Adria, my dear Peophin, what is the matter?" he asked me, the concern in his voice obvious.

I said nothing, I simply handed him the note as I stood to catch my breath. As he read the note, the Master's eyes became clouded with fear--the same look that I had seen in the Mystic's eyes. What could be that horrible, more so than even the episode with Dr Sloth and his army? What had the Mystic seen?

"Master Techo, what is it? What does the note say?" Sandre asked him.

Master Techo looked at him and the fear turned to worry. I heard him mumble "Must keep the young ones safe."

The fear in my stomach intensified. Keep us safe from what?

To be continued...