Donny yawned, stretching and clearing away sleep from his wrinkled eyes. He grabbed his winter robe, tucked himself away inside of it, and went to his stovetop so that he could make his usual cup of Borovan to start the day.

Donny was the Red Bori shopkeeper at the Toy Repair Shop at the top of Terror Mountain. He had a grey beard tinged in red and wore a blue-striped nightcap. His business was one of the longest-running in all of Neopia.

However, nowadays, many Neopians choose to buy new toys and send their old, broken ones to the Money Tree instead of to him. His business was slowing down and so was he.

BLECH, COUGH. COUGH! COUGHHH. Ahem.

“Excuse me,” Donny said to no one, wiping his mouth with a clawed hand.

He sauntered over to his dining room table, the familiar cup of Borovan in hand.

That was when Donny noticed a letter on the floorboards beneath the mail slot on his front door.

He walked over to pick it up. It read…

"I hope you are doing well. Anyway, I apologise for the short notice, but I would like you to come to my toy factory as soon as you receive my letter. It's important; I'll tell you the details when you arrive.

"See you then!

"Sincerely, Yillan."

A furious coughing fit shook Donny and he nearly dropped the letter and his cup of Borovan. He turned it over to inspect the address after he had calmed down, and he scowled.

Once upon a time, Yillan was his apprentice, learning the ways of simple and effective toy repair. But eventually, they yearned more and more to open their own toy-making business, and after not a few arguments, left Donny of their own accord and got a small toy factory in Terror Mountain running.

A toy factory, of course, that continued to pump new toys into the economy, giving Neopians far less incentive to simply get their old playthings repaired at Donny's shop.

Donny crumpled the letter in his claw furiously, tossing it onto the dining table as he sat down to drink his Borovan, his thoughts flicking back and forth to the days when he and Yillan actually spoke to each other.

He blew on the steam rising from his cup and took a sip before making a noise that was a cross between a cough and a snarl.

"That no-good Mozito," he grumbled. "Took everything they learned from me, and then...and then..."

His voice trailed off as he pondered whether or not to pay Yillan a visit. Finally, when his Borovan was almost gone, he decided...

Donny hung a "Be Back Soon" sign on the front door of his repair shop with a scowl and headed out into the snow, wondering if anyone would even approach to see his sign.

His rumination was interrupted abruptly when he arrived at the doorstep of Yillan's factory. The lights inside were all dark, and the hum of machinery that normally reverberated through the snow here was quiet.

He stepped up to the door and raised a claw to knock, but noticed that there was another hastily-written note taped to it: "Come inside. Hurry."

An uncomfortable feeling settled in Donny's middle. As sour as he was about the business his apprentice had chosen to pursue, he didn't want anything bad to happen to him.

Donny opened the door and stepped into the dim, quiet, cold factory. It didn't take him long to find Yillan intent over a workbench, studying a spread of papers and schematics.

"Well?" Donny asked. "What's all this about?"

"There's a problem," Yillan said, turning toward Donny, his face grim. "I wouldn't have called you unless-- I know-- Look, we don't have time for this right now. There's something wrong with toys in Neopia. All of them. We have to figure this out and put a stop to it before..." he trailed off, unwilling to say what he thought might happen.

Donny stepped forward to survey the notes his apprentice had assembled, and a chill of horror raced through him. From Yillan's notes, it was obvious that...

Donny's frown deepened as he flipped through the pages. "These ain't just defects, Yillan. This is...something else."

His former apprentice nodded gravely. The Wocky reached a hand out and retrieved the reports from Donny. "At first, I thought it was just something with my factory. Then I started hearing rumours from other factories around Neopia - Meridell, Mystery Island, even Shenkuu - of similar anomalies. And it seems to be spreading."

Donny exhaled sharply. He wasn't one for tall tales, but this was something else. His apprentice had always been very meticulous - if this was worrying them, there was probably something to it.

"Have you checked the source materials? Maybe there's some kind of magic residue..." Donny was cut off by a shake of Yillan's head.

"I ran tests," they began, "but...Donny, I think this has something to do with..."

“The Pant Devil?” Donny responded, louder and less bothered by silly superstition. “I don’t recall ever hearing that he had the power to make things come alive!”

Yillan winced, dropping his head. “Me neither, but I’m thinking that perhaps there’s been a new development--maybe he stole something magical that gave him the power. Not only are the toys developing strange phenomena, it seems that after they’ve had time to scare their owners, they disappear from sight entirely, as if they’ve been taken away!”

Donny put a claw to his beard, stroking it thoughtfully. It was true the Pant Devil had a knack for stealing, but was something like this truly in his realm of power?

A large banging noise pulled him from his thoughts, and the Bori spun around as a giant Meowclops Plushie staggered out of the shadows. He took a step back, alarmed at its height, and Yillan let out a yelp.

“My- My latest project!” The Wocky cried, reaching out for the meticulously crafted fabric. The giant Meowclops Plushie seemed to glare at them for a moment, slightly subtracted by the way its head seemed to droop under its own weight, before it began to move sluggishly towards the door.

“What in the world?!” Donny shouted as Yillan tried to block his creation’s escape to no avail. The plushie knocked him aside like a boulder and continued on its journey, squeezing through the door with considerable strength and effort. The Wocky only watched, wide-eyed, as it escaped.

“This must be a new phase! I- I didn’t think they’d actually seemingly come to life.” Yillan shook his head and turned to his old master. “I’ve been working on a line of giant plushies, they were a massive hit with my audience. If all of them come to life, then- then I don’t even want to think about what might happen!”

Donny was staring at the spot where the Meowclops Plushie had disappeared, thinking. It did look like it was... headed somewhere.

“What do we do!” Yillan cried.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Donny said, sparing a glance at his former apprentice. “We follow it...”

They were going to follow the strange creature, but they needed to do it stealthily or else it might attack them or run fast away.

Thankfully, the giant Meowclops Plushie was still in view, steadily making its way through the deep snow, clearly determined to get somewhere.

Donny and Yillan did not say a word as they followed the Plushie past the shops, through the snowfield, and finally into a cave.

They watched as the Meowclops disappeared into the darkness, and they were more than hesitant to follow its footsteps now.

Unfortunately, Donny felt a coughing fit coming, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He tried to cover his mouth to muffle the sound, but it was too late.

Soon, they heard footsteps coming from inside the cave, and after a few moments, a figure emerged.

"Cover yourself in the snow," Yillan whispered to Donny in a panic.

While buried under the snow, they could still see the figure clearly in the sunlight.

They were now looking at...

As if following his thoughts, Yillan continued, "Everyone knows about her mirrors. How much harder can it be to curse some toys?"

Donny fumbled for a handkerchief and coughed loudly into it, his mind racing. Yillan slid a mug over to him, and he looked at them with surprise before taking a sip. Borovan, steeped just the way he liked it.

"Has anyone been hurt?" Donny asked after the cough had subsided.

"Not that I've heard of yet, but I'm worried that it's only a matter of time," they said. "I actually have a few of the affected toys here. Could you please examine them with me and see if you notice anything I didn't?"

Donny nodded, and Yillan led him to a back room. On the table inside were a handful of plushies and one wind-up robot that was ticking loudly.

Yillan frowned, their brow furrowing. "That's strange," they said.

"What is?" Donny asked.

"There were five toys in here when I went up to my workroom about an hour ago. Now there are only four..."

“It’s going to the cave where we saw Vira,” Donny stated. “Someone needs to confront her and find out what this is all about.” He looked pointedly to Yillan.

“Me?” the Wocky squeaked. “No, no, no, this isn’t what I signed up for. I just wanted to sell toys. Not fight evil, magic-wielding sorceresses.”

“If this continues, you won’t have any toys left to sell,” Donny pointed out. Then to himself, he thought, maybe that would cause Yillan to have to close shop. Isn’t that what Donny wanted? Perhaps this fiasco actually worked in Donny’s favor. People would be avoiding buying new toys, forcing the production of toys to slow down.

“You’re right, of course,” Yillan sighed. “Always the pragmatic one. That’s why I knew to contact you. You’re smarter and braver than me.”

Donny noted the sadness and resignation on Yillan’s face. He growled low under his breath. “Come on. I have an idea.”

He led the way from Yillan’s shop, snow crunching under his feet. Instead of the cave they visited earlier, he detoured to a much larger cavern ahead.

“Uh, Donny?” Yillan cried towards the Bori’s back. “Are you aware you’re leading us straight to-“

“Yes,” Donny cut him off, ducking into the darkness, pulling Yillan along.

A slow but steady rumble met their ears before a giant hoard of treasures appeared slowly out of the darkness.

“Maybe he can help us,” Donny whispered, ignoring the incredulous look on Yillan’s face. “If any Neopian would be upset and ready to confront a toy stealing adversary, it would be the Snowager…”

“Hello, Mr. Snowager,” Yillan said in a voice that was unusually high in pitch. They cleared their voice, wringing their paws nervously.

The old Bori placed a calming hand on his mentee before stepping forward to take the lead.

“There’s something that we may need your help with,” Donny began. “From one toy repairman to a toy… Erm, hoarder.”

The Snowager chuffed in response as if laughing at the last part, causing Yillan and Donny to exchange a hopeful glance.

“Vira is somehow cursing the toys of Neopia, even my own creations,” Yillan explained as they gained courage. “We’re afraid the toys will end up hurting innocent Neopians.”

“Not to mention, this type of toy and Plushie sentience is not good for business…” Donny added with a hacking cough.

In response, the Snowager’s eyes widened in surprise and then settled skyward in thought. There was a beat of silence as the great, icy beast pondered its answer.

With fluid, slithering movements, the Snowager retrieved something from a nearby pile of treasure. It released its coiled, glacial tail to reveal…

How will this story end?

Both Donny and Yillan were expecting some kind of magical weapon to defeat Vira and her Plushie army; still, they hesitantly took the mirror and stared at it in silence.

Donny looked up at the Snowager, hoping for some kind of clue, but instead he was already fast asleep on top of all his treasures.

They whispered a confused thanks as they headed out of his lair.

"Donny, I've got no idea..." Yillan turned the mirror over and over again in their hands, hoping for something to happen.

"Hmmm... Well, what do we know about Vira? She hands out cursed mirrors, reflecting an ugly truth that isn't there for others. Her mirrors bring desperate Neopians down to her level..." A strong coughing fit temporarily stopped Donny’s train of thought, though Yillan felt like they had almost reached something.

"Yes, that’s right. Her pride can’t stand the thought of others being more beautiful than her. You know Donny, I heard about her long before the Grey lands happened and now this Plushie army she seems to be gathering. It’s sad really, if it’s true that someone cursed her, then why didn’t she ask for help? I’m sure Fyora could have reversed the curse... Vira’s pride really brought her down a twisted path..."

"That’s it, Yillan! Her pride... You are a genius! Follow me!"

A bolt of energy and a new sense of purpose swirled around Donny’s body. He held the mirror tightly in his hand and returned to the cave they had visited earlier.

"Vira! We know you’re in there! Come out!"

Yillan gasped at their old master with their mouth agape and eyes full of shock. "Donny, I trust you, but I’m still scared."

"Yillan, I need you to do as I say..." Donny quickly explained the plan to his old apprentice who, of course, understood right away. Though they were currently in a precarious situation, Donny was happy to be working alongside Yillan again.

After a few tense moments, a shadow appeared at the mouth of the cave. As Vira stepped out into the light, they saw the army of plushies and toys behind her. An adorable mix of creatures stood behind Vira, and their cute eyes were now red with anger.

"Oh, well if it isn’t the toymaker and... some old geezer. Thanks toymaker for that giant Meowclops! I just sent him off with some friends into town to have some fun! Well, well, well, would you listen to that? Seems like the party has started!"

A chilly wind circled around Donny and Yillan, and soon they could hear screams and shouts in the distance. There was no time to waste!

Donny stepped forward and smiled at the dark creature before him.

"Vira, what is it you hope to achieve? To make everyone miserable? To turn the toys they love into something twisted... like yourself? You are hideous. Absolutely disgusting to look at. And..."

Before he could finish what he wanted to say, a blast of magical energy knocked him off his feet. He flew back and landed in the snow, with Vira now towering on top of him. Her foot pressed hard into his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

He couldn't see Yillan, but he could hear them now fighting off the plushies.

"Disgusting? You... called.... ME...DISGUSTING?! Take a look at yourself old man! And what do I hope to accomplish? I am helping Neopia. I am helping everyone to see how rotten their world is, how rotten they all are. Neopia needs to be cleansed, to disappear into a dark Void. Only then, can it be rebuilt. I can build a better world, one where no one hides behind false beauty and pretty words."

Between gasps for air, Donny couldn't help but ask, "Why...toys...?"

"I was just a child when this curse happened to me. Even my toys withered away in my paws. My childhood was taken away..."

Donny wasn't sure if the lack of air was making him delirious, but it seemed like there were tears in Vira’s eyes. She stepped off for a second to wipe her eyes, giving Donny the chance to catch his breath and stand up.

"I don’t mean you are hideous because of your physical appearance. In fact, if you had a kind heart I would call you beautiful. There were so many paths you could have chosen, yet you decided on the darkest one. You could have been helped, if you just asked for it. You have dissolved into a monster... When was the last time you looked in a...MIRROR?!"

At the word "mirror," Yillan jumped forth and grabbed Vira, shoving the Black Mirror from the Snowager before her eyes. Donny was thankful Yillan could play their part, even with a handful of Plushies still attacking them.

As Vira gazed into the mirror, the plushies began to slow down.

She quickly blasted the mirror away, but the damage was done.

"NO! NO! NO!!! I don't look like that! That wasn't me! That wasn't me in that mirror!!"

As Vira writhed and screamed into her paws, the plushies, too, began to shake and spin around violently. Soon, the mental anguish was too much, and the magic needed to sustain the toys was broken.

It was a strange sight to see - toys scattered all around the snowy field; an old, coughing Bori; a tired-looking Wocky, and a screaming Acara.

Vira looked up at them with nothing but hatred in her eyes. Donny hoped she would have learned something, though that didn't seem to be the case.

"You haven't seen the last of me. I will come back, and I will come for you two first." With those parting words, she disappeared in a cloud of dark smoke."

Donny and Yillan hugged in the snow quietly before finally speaking again.

"Donny, I knew I could count on you! You saved the day!!!"

The old Bori, however, still felt a deep heaviness in his heart.

"Yillan... Thank you for reaching out to me. I'm... I'm sorry for being such a stubborn and prideful old man. Much like Vira, I let my pride get the best of me. I was angry at you for leaving, and for so long I wished your toy factory would fail. Forgive me..."

Tears fell down Yillan’s face as they hugged their former friend even tighter.

"You taught me everything! Without you in my life, I don't know where I'd be right now! I'm sorry for not reaching out sooner... Let’s go back to my place! I’ll make my special Borovan and we can talk all night, like we used to way back when...Oh... First, we need to clean up these toys and check on the town!"

As they cleaned up and helped the hurt Neopians in town, Donny felt a weight lift from his shoulders. No matter what happened in the future, he would keep in touch with Yillan and support them no matter what.

The End.