Usera's friend Okina raised an eyebrow and glanced at the Babaa in her arms. She liked to imagine that he was as annoyed by all of the Usul's baby talk as she was. Still, maybe it was a good idea for him to play with other Petpets once in a while.

"I guess we can just leave them on the rug to play while I show you my Usuki collection," Usera said.

"OK," Okina replied, setting her Babaa, Jun, on the carpet with a gentle pat on the head.

Usera leaned over to put Ati down too, but the Angelpuss had her claws out and was clinging to Usera's shirt in terror. "Come on, Ati, let go. No need to be shy," she murmured as she tried to work the Angelpuss's claws out of the fabric of her shirt. Finally, she freed herself and set Ati down next to Jun.

The Angelpuss immediately hissed like a stepped-on Kadoatie at the fluffy little Babaa, who just looked back at her placidly.

"That's so strange," Usera said, glancing at Okina with an embarrassed look on her face. "She's always gotten along with other Petpets before..."

The Quiggle frowned and said, "Well, I'm sure it'll be fine. Why don't you show me your Usukis now?"

The two Neopets left the room, both giving their Petpets dubious, backward glances as Ati continued to hiss and spit at the Babaa.

So, you have returned, growled the Angelpuss. You may have destroyed my family, Blackheart, but you will never defeat me! I will get my revenge!

The Babaa's big, blue eyes seemed to smile, and it let out a low, rumbling "baa." Yes, we meet again. And this time I will not be denied!...

Blackheart sneered. I'm a fool, Goldwing? So speaks the coward who hides behind a little Usul and takes the degrading name of... Ati. Ati! I cannot help but bleat with laughter at the sound!

I was weak to hide from you, but I am a coward no longer! Hey, wait a minute. You always pull a cute face and hide behind that Quiggle when you get in trouble for your evil deeds.

The Babaa huffed. The Neopet is my slave.

Oh, really? Goldwing uttered sarcastically.

Yeah, really!

You wouldn't get fed three times a day if you didn't hang around her.

Be quiet and prepare to suffer the same defeat as your adorable little friends...

Very well, then...

"Haa-aargh!" Goldwing snarled, leaping at her mortal foe, claws extended...

"No, Bob!" Laluzi the Magical Hair Usuki yelled at the downcast, guilty-looking Werewolf Usuki. "I don't care what you say! I'm not walking to Neoschool with you!"

"I'm sorry!" Bob pled. "I didn't mean to shove you into the mud yesterday, it was an accident!"

"Lies!" Laluzi hissed. "You Meepit-hugging liar!"

"Fine!" Bob shot back, suddenly furious, incensed by the insult. "I don't need such a dramatic friend anyway!"

Okina sighed and put down the passionately protesting Laluzi. "You know, Usera, I really think you need to rename him. What kind of name is Bob, anyway?"

Usera huffed. "I like being unique."

The Quiggle sighed, putting down the doll in her other hand, a Maraquan Usuki. "I think we've already played out this story before. Do you have any other characters?"

"Well..." The Usul turned around, turning her eyes to the shelf that rested above her Angelpuss's bed. "I guess so. But really, we were just getting to the best part, and --"

Usera gasped.

"What did Ati do?" she cried in shock.

In Ati's Petpet bed were three Angelpuss plushies -- even one Devilpuss plushie. One Angelpuss was white, another rainbow, and the last spotted.

They were all torn to shreds. Stuffing leaked out of the Devilpuss's defiant, sneering mouth. Three broken plastic halos littered the ground. Cotton oozed from numerous fabric wounds.

It had been a massacre.

"How did I not notice this? Oh, no, Ati's little friends have... have died!"

"Ati has been acting weird lately," Okina allowed, internally sighing at her friend's sheer drama. "She tried to claw your shirt to a pulp today. Maybe she's got Cooties or Mootix or something."

Before the Usul could formulate a heated retort centred around the hygiene of her Petpet, a horrible screech echoed from downstairs...

Usera knew exactly what it was, and it threw her into immediate panic. She didn't even hear her friend's question, but dashed straight out the door and down the stairs. Okina tried to keep up, but fear was propelling Usera too quickly for her to follow.

When she finally caught up to Usera in the living room, Usera was flushed and breathing a bit heavier than usual; Jun was fleeing in the direction of the kitchen; Ati was sitting on the floor licking the back of her right paw, apparently calm but emitting a constant, soft whine; and Bob the Werewolf Usuki was lying in an awkward position: face down, bent at the midsection, with a small tuft of white cotton showing through his brown tail.

It took no time for Okina to figure out what had happened. "Usera, did you just throw your Usuki at my Babaa?"

Usera, between gasps for breath, began to stammer, "He was... he had his..."

"Did you THROW your USUKI at my BABAA?!"

Usera took a deep breath. "Well, yeah, but only 'cause he..."

Okina didn't let her finish her sentence. She shrieked in anger and ran to the kitchen to collect her wronged Petpet. As she returned to the living room on her way to the front door, she yelled at Usera, "I don't think I need to see any more Usukis, thank you! I will talk to you tomorrow, and you will apologise to Jun! Maybe then, MAYBE, we can still be friends. Good-BYE!"

In Okina's arms, the Babaa looked back over the Quiggle's shoulder at the stunned Usul and at Ati, and let out a low bleat. Never doubt my might, Goldwing. You may have survived this round, but when I return, it will be the end of you!

Goldwing stopped licking the cut on her paw, and looked up at the receding figure. You were lucky, Blackheart. I failed to keep my guard up. Tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, we will finish this once and for all!...

Jun the Babaa was deep in thought as Okina brushed his coat -- or rather, as he allowed her to brush his coat. His sapphire eyes were glazed over, and the Quiggle thought he was just getting sleepy, but of course, that was simply a ruse to keep the Neopet blissfully unaware.

But after seeing the Petpet scuffle, Okina was no longer as blissfully unaware as her Babaa would have liked. He let out an exasperated "baa."

"You like that, don't you, Jun?"

Okay, so maybe she was still blissfully unaware to some extent.

Okina sighed. "I just hope Usera apologises. I mean, that wasn't nice of her to throw her Usuki at you like that, right?"

Blackheart, alias Jun, had to agree. After he had enough brushing from his owner/slave, he hopped off her lap and ran off into the kitchen. By the time Okina caught up with him, he was out the back door, through the Petpet flap her parents had had installed not too long after she had gotten her beloved Babaa.

She shrugged; perhaps Jun just had some business to take care of.

But it wasn't the kind of business she had in mind.

The Babaa ran to a certain section of fence marked by a large bush of lurid pink flowers. One of the planks had a hole in it, enough for him to press his face through like a window, which he did as he let out a loud, "Baaaaaaaa!"

At first, nothing else happened.

Then another Babaa appeared in the ersatz window -- a blue one.

You called, Blackheart?

Forgive me, Bluemoon. But this is of utmost importance -- I have found her.

Her? You don't mean--

Yes. I told her that we would finish our battle once and for all tomorrow.

A pause. Then Bluemoon frowned. No. We cannot wait until tomorrow, brother Blackheart. Is there any way we can finish her now, while our owners' backs are turned? We cannot keep her around any longer; she is a threat.

I know. Your Neopet is on good terms with hers, am I correct?

Bluemoon nodded.

Is there any way for you to seek and destroy Goldwing before tomorrow comes?

"Wait up, Eden! You're going too fast!"

Reia, an Aisha, laughed as her blue Babaa tugged and tugged at his leash as they walked down the street. But she had to admit, her Petpet had chosen a perfect day to take a walk, even if he was a little too enthusiastic about it.

Luckily for her, he finally stopped.

"You want to go visit Usera and Ati...?"

Bluemoon's eyes shone with joy. If only Reia knew what kind of amusement he had in mind.

"Ati has been acting a bit strange lately," Usera said as she carefully placed her Angelpuss next to the blue Babaa. She watched the Petpets warily, but to her great relief, their behaviour was not out of the ordinary. Ati made a strange gurgling noise as she took a step closer to Eden, who just watched her with wide eyes.

"I think they'll be fine," Reia said.

Usera nodded. "I think so, too. It'll do Ati good to have some company, after she got attacked by Jun earlier."

The Aisha's eyes widened. "Attacked? Jun attacked Ati?"

"Yes, he did. And now Okina is angry because I threw an Usuki at her Petpet to keep it from hurting my Ati." Usera frowned. "She wants me to apologise, but I don't think I'll do that. Not after her Petpet tried to harm my Angelpuss. She'd have to apologise first."

She crossed her arms in front of her chest to emphasise her point, then relaxed slightly. "I have some Chocolate Kau Milk in the kitchen. Would you like a cup?"

The moment her owner placed her on the floor next to the Babaa, Goldwing began to laugh.

Bluemoon. So you dared showing up. Why did you come? Did Blackheart run to you because he almost lost our battle?

She took a step closer to the Babaa, her eyes twinkling with amusement. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed their two pets walking in the direction of the kitchen. This was going to be interesting.

Bluemoon waited until his owner had disappeared around the corner before he replied. I came to finish you once and for all. You will no longer be a danger to us, Goldwing.

The Angelpuss's wings fluttered in amusement. I wouldn't be so sure if I were you. She paused. The words have been spoken for the second time.

The Babaa's usually dark, almost black, face turned into an unhealthy-looking shade of grey. The... words...

...have been spoken for the second time, Goldwing finished the sentence.

When the prophecy has been spoken twice
And the sun disappeared below the horizon
Justice will come and find its way
To punish those who have done wrong.
Watch out for the Angelpuss,
When her halo reflects the moonlight.
Silent avenger she will be today,
After the prophecy has been spoken twice.

The blue Babaa made a loud "baaa" sound. Then I will finish you before the sun disappears. He prepared himself to lunge forward and attack the Angelpuss, but hesitated to ask one question. Who spoke those words this time?

Blackheart was nervous. The Babaa paced along the side of the fence, waiting for Bluemoon to return. He had found her, and now she and the danger she represented had to be eliminated.

"Do you like the new flowers I brought home from the Garden Centre?"

Jun stopped at his pet's voice.

"Unfortunately, you cannot play with them any longer," the Quiggle continued. "I've forgotten my Dark Faerie Brush at Usera's. I must have left it there after we stopped playing with the Usukis, but I need it now."

She picked up her Babaa. "That means we'll have to go and see Usera and Ati again. And she'd better apologise to you..."

"Ati, Eden, we're just going to my room to look at my Usukis," Usera called from the door, before she and Reia disappeared upstairs.

Ati smiled innocently at the door until they were sure that their owners had gone up to Usera's bedroom. Her smile dropped instantly, the moment she laid eyes on the evil Babaa once more.

Tell me who else spoke it! Bluemoon demanded, growling deeply and baring his small teeth.

That's for me to know and for you to worry about, Goldwing replied with a devious grin. They'll reveal themselves when they are ready.

I'm not here for games. Goldwing. Just tell me who it was that said the prophecy, while you still can.

All right, I'll tell you. On one condition: you'll have to beat me first.

"Bob, please. I never meant to call you a Meepit-hugging liar. I'm sorry," Laluzi pleaded, swinging her magical hair to and fro.

"I just can't be friends with you. Everything about you is dramatic -- even your hair. It's bad for my health," Bob replied, shaking his head, and his whole body.

"But, Bob, you're the most popular guy in school. If I'm not friends with you, nobody will be my friend."

Reia raised an eyebrow. "Really, the most popular Usuki in Neoschool is named Bob?"

"Yes!" Usera protested stubbornly, placing Laluzi gently onto her bed. "Why does everyone have such a tough time with Bob? It's a great name."

"Sure," Reia said sarcastically. "If you really want to call a limited edition Werelupe Usuki Bob, then I have no pro--"

Reia was cut off by the second shriek of the day, this second one not unlike the first.

Usera gasped, jumping to her feet quickly, and grimly looking at Reia. "Oh no, not again." She picked up Laluzi to use as another weapon, if necessary, and ran out of the room, followed by her Aisha friend.

Upon entering the room, Usera found no need to use Laluzi to punish any kind of offence against her Angelpuss. Instead, it seemed that it was Ati who was attacking Eden, ripping her claws into the poor Babaa's wool.

"For the love of Fyora, what is she doing?" Reia screamed. "Gimme that Usuki; I'll throw it so hard."

"No. I'll handle it," Usera cried. She quickly dropped Laluzi on the floor and ran across the room to the two Petpets. On reaching them, the Usul forcefully pulled Ati away from Eden, cradling the Angelpuss in her arms firmly.

"Oh, my poor Eden," Reia said, running over and picking up her Babaa. "Did that mean Angelpuss hurt you?" she asked, giving the Petpet a hug.

"Ati, what has happened to you today?"

Reia glared at Usera. "I'm starting to think that Okina is justified in her dislike of that Angelpuss. I wouldn't be surprised if poor Jun was attacked too."

"But she didn't! Ati is probably just a little on edge after earlier. She would never usually do this!"

Ati purred deeply in the arms of her owner. You've got a spy in your clan, Bluemoon...

A spy? murmured Bluemoon. Ridiculous. The loyalty of my clansmates is... Here he paused, realising Reia was moving toward the door. Her words sank in. A few days?! he howled at Reia, who heard only a frustrated "baaaa!" There's no time! We cannot tarry! We must act! Frantically, he dashed out of Reia's arms... and plummeted three feet to the floor. Undaunted, he tried to run toward Goldwing and Usera, but could only hobble, slowed by a sprained back hoof.

Goldwing snickered, the burble from her throat piercing like daggers at Bluemoon's ears. Perhaps the prophecy has decided to start early, eh, Bluemoon? Why don't you leave now, while you still can? No one's ever outrun the prophecy before, but you're welcome to try to be the first.

"Oh, Eden!" cried Reia, once again picking up her injured Petpet. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to drop you, but you were squirming, and... oh, Eden, let's get you home where you can rest. Please don't be hurt too badly, Eden, please!" She turned back toward the front door, still cooing at her wounded Babaa, opened it absentmindedly, and began to walk out -- but instead collided with the Neopet already in the doorway. Surprised, the Aisha lost her grip, and Bluemoon again fell to the ground. He stifled a whine of pain, and instead looked up at the obstacle that had caused his fall: Okina, with Blackheart snugly in her arms.

It's happened, Bluemoon managed to choke out, wincing. The words have been spoken twice. Their revenge is imminent.

Impossible! cried Blackheart, as Reia frantically and apologetically scooped Bluemoon back into her arms. The words must first be spoken by an Immobile, and I have already disposed of all the Immobiles in Goldwing's clan.

It wasn't one of theirs, Bluemoon muttered ruefully. It was one of ours. As Reia carried the wounded Bluemoon away to be tended to, the Babaa called back to his clansmate. Go home, Blackheart. Go home NOW. You haven't much time to find your traitor...

"Okina!" Usera said, sounding rather half-hearted. "Have you come to apologise to Ati?"

The Quiggle scowled. "You should be apologising to Jun -- he's been jittery all day thanks to Bob the Usuki and that vicious Angelpuss of yours. She was the one who tore up Eden that way, wasn't she?"

"Yeah, well, if Jun hadn't upset her she wouldn't have done anything," Usera fired back. "What are you here for, besides insulting my Petpet and me?"

Okina set Blackheart down and crossed her arms. "I left my Dark Faerie Brush here, probably lost somewhere in that mess you call a room."

Usera blinked. "Oh. Well. Wanna come up and I'll help you search for it then? And I can get us some cookies or something, too."

The Quiggle paused a moment, and then smiled. These little spats were entirely normal in their friendship -- quick to flare up and quicker to die out. "Sure -- Jun, behave."

"Ati, no scratching."

The two pets left, and Blackheart was finally getting around to deducing the traitor. If there were only two Immobiles in the clan, and one had disappeared ages ago, then that left... oh, Fyora, no. Fangface wouldn't do that.

Fangface didn't.

Blackheart frowned in confusion. But... but I don't get how... he left, gone, vanished...

The Angelpuss smiled smugly. You see, this is exactly why my clan was smart, making sure our Immobiles still resembled us so we'd at least know when we got beaned in the head with one of them.

The Babaa gasped, his eyes widening in horror as he realised what Goldwing meant. Bob...

Exactly. Goldwing licked a paw disdainfully. I'm not stupid. You sent him here to spy on me, convinced your owner to give that Immobile as a present. You know, the cute little baaing trick you always use. He was in my home, but still a part of your clan. What you don't understand, though, is that Bob forgot all about your clan when he met another Immobile... one that wasn't in my clan, but was in this house, and he forgot all about his friendship with you.

Blackheart hissed. Impossible. You merely seek to discourage me.

The Angelpuss drew the paw back to wash her ear and glanced at the window.

Isn't it a lovely sunset? she asked sweetly.

Blackheart ran.

"I'm sorry, Laluzi," Bob said, his tail drooping. "I didn't mean to say that about you. Seriously, you're a wonderful Usuki. And I'm cool with the hair, even if I trip over it sometimes."

Laluzi hugged the Werewolf Usuki back. "Does that mean we're friends again?"

Bob playfully shoved her to the side, almost knocking her into the pile of books that was representing the Neoschool building. "Of course, silly."

Laluzi pushed him back and then dramatically stumbled over her long locks, hitting the carpet. She righted herself, feeling her hair. It was a bit snaggled.

"Do you have a brush?" she asked him.

"Duh." Bob would have stuck his tongue out at the Magical Hair Usuki, but that part of him was not crafted for action. He produced a Dark Faerie Brush that was almost as large as he was. "I have to keep this tail in check somehow."

"It's so sweet when they get back together," Usera crooned.

Okina giggled. "Which is why you've played this story out at least three times?"

"Well..." The Usul frowned. "It was better than that weird Angelpuss story we once did, with that weird rivalry thing. It's a shame you lost your Babaa plushie, though, because it might be fun to try that again. For old time's sake, you know?

"Hey, do you hear something?"

Blackheart leapt up the stairs, his tongue lolling. He had to destroy the second speaker before nightfall, or the prophecy would come true.

Bob! The traitor! How could he ever feel a loyalty greater to anything else other than his rightful clan? He, the noble Blackheart, would tear his fuzzy body to shreds. And then trample him.

Goldwing was nigh literally on his fluffy tail, only a step behind him. She was less winded, being more used to stairs, and she also could use her tiny, hideously cute wings to propel herself further into the air.

The Angelpuss was smug, even though her words came through pants. It's no use, Blackheart. Watch out for the Angelpuss when her halo reflects the moonlight. Silent avenger she will be today after the prophecy has been spoken twice. The words have been spoken twice; both by my fallen clan and your traitorous one. The way things have been is going to change. Can't you feel it?

He grunted in response, hopping up the last stair and breaking into a full sprint through the hallway.

Angelpi are good climbers, perhaps, but as far as racing across flat stretches goes, a Babaa is king. They are adept runners, with stocky legs and strong hooves.

The door was wide open. His slave was in plain sight. Goldwing's Neopet was there, too, holding the object of all his wrath in her supple paws.

Things do change, Goldwing, he snarled to the Angelpuss behind him. Like my miserable facade!

And with that, he gave a mighty leap, a great, airborne charge as he angled his hooves toward the unsuspecting Bob...

Usera shrieked as all of a sudden, a ball of white wool came flying through the air toward her. "Okina," she cried, pulling back the arm that Jun was aiming at. She only partially succeeded. Though the paw holding Bob was not hurt, the Babaa's hooves collided with the Usul's forearm and left a long, red scratch along its inside.

Her Quiggle friend jumped up and stormed after her Petpet. "Jun, stop it! What are you doing?"

But before she could catch the Babaa, Ati was in the room and flying after Jun. The Babaa whirled around, facing his opponent.

The prophecy will not come true. This will end tonight with your clan being whipped out once and for all. He had to finish Bob, but the Werelupe Usuki was currently out of reach, held high up in the air by a shrieking Usera.

"Look at what your Petpet did." She pointed at the scratch on her forearm.

Okina's eyes darted between Jun and Usera, the Quiggle torn between the wish to catch her Petpet and end the madness and help her friend. Finally, she made a decision and rushed over to Usera's side. "Gosh, I'm so sorry! I'm going to punish Jun for this, I promise. He's not going to get any of his favourite treats for at least a week." She took Bob from Usera's hand and dropped him to the floor to take a closer look at the damage done.

Blackheart saw the traitor hitting the ground. His chance had come. He leapt toward the Immobile --

-- and was intercepted by a hissing Angelpuss. You cannot stop the course of the prophecy. The story of your clan will end tonight.

When the prophecy has been spoken twice
And the sun disappeared below the horizon
Justice will come and find its way
To punish those who have done wrong.

Goldwing laughed as she heard Bob speak the words of the prophecy once more. He was on her side, bound to her through the friendship with Laluzi. Nothing could go wrong anymore.

But then the Immobile continued to speak.

Two clans fighting against each other
So much harm done in their war
Too much harm for the prophecy
To continue being as it was.
Destiny has changed its course
Justice will still come tonight
To punish those who have done wrong,
Punish evil on both sides.

Goldwing's laughter ended abruptly and the smile fell from her face. No, she gasped. That's impossible. The prophecy cannot change. The words have already been spoken twice, it's too late for it to change.

Blackheart's eyes laughed as he let out a low "Baaa." Of course, it can. We all knew it was not set in stone. It has recognised your evil heart and will keep you from doing us any harm. Still, the danger had not been averted. Evil would be punished on both sides. If he wanted to get out of this unharmed, he had to destroy Bob and make everything undone.

Apparently, Goldwing had the same idea. The Petpets leapt forward, their wrath directed at the Werelupe Usuki.

"What are they doing?" Okina asked as Ati and Jun prepared for what looked like a race. She quickly bent down to pick up Bob and take the Usuki out of their way before he took any damage.

"That's enough for today. Jun, we will go home now. You will not get any of your favourite treats for at least a week. And you can be sure that you're not going to see Ati for a long time. If you cannot behave while we're here, then you have to stay at home."

A stern expression on her face, the Quiggle picked up her Babaa and held him tight when he began to struggle in her arms. "Usera, I'm sorry again for Jun's bad behaviour."

The Usul smiled. "The scratch isn't as bad as it looks; it should heal quickly. I'm sorry about Ati. She's been acting pretty strange today. I think it's best to keep her away from other Petpets for a while. And no treats for you anymore either," she said, glaring at her Angelpuss. "Maybe you can come over tomorrow again, but without Jun? I've got a brilliant idea for a story we can act out with my Usukis."

The sun had just disappeared below the horizon when Blackheart and Bluemoon met at the "window" in the fence. In a few sentences, the white Babaa explained what had happened. I'm banned from seeing her. If we want to finish that clan, you'll have to be the one to do so.

The blue Babaa sighed. I fear that's not possible. My pet talked to Goldwing's pet. I'm not allowed to go over there anymore either. They feel it's better to keep us separated. He growled. To make things even worse, I'm not getting anymore of my favourite treats -- "as a punishment for upsetting Ati."

Blackheart spat on the ground. So the prophecy has come true, after all. We have been punished all three. But one day, we'll get our revenge. They can't keep us separated forever.

Bluemoon nodded in agreement. One day we will.

The End