Talent
Kiara and Flye were blissfully unaware of
the Thieves poised on the rooftop, the assassin lurking in the shadows and the
honour bound Aisha under the banquet table. They were having a good time. Going
back for another round of Gourmet food (although their request for a bottle
of wine went unfulfilled), the two swept off again. The place was huge and filled
with all species of pets. The pair giggled as a dignified Bruce gave them a
cold eye and swept off again.
Soon, however, the novelty wore off and they
began to pace around the room slowly. It wasn't long after the hall's lights
were turned up that Flye and Kiara started to notice. They spotted a patch of
darkness in one of the alcoves and a small shadow under the banquet table. There
was plenty of light, yet these areas remained obstinately dark.
"Look," Flye whispered. And in the alcove a
small eye showed. Almost immediately it was replaced again by blackness.
"They must be painted Shadowed," Kiara told
him back.
"Why are they hiding there though?" asked Flye.
Kiara shrugged. "Who knows? It's their business."
"What if they're trying to assassinate Lord
Tanqueroy? Or...or pirates from Krawk Island? Or thieves?" Flye felt a shiver
of excitement pass through his body. He loved to hear about exotic places and
adventure. Kiara remained resolutely calm.
"More likely they're extra security. Let's just
have fun, shall we?" But before Kiara could tug Flye back onto the dance floor,
the lights flared up.
A short Shoyru, dressed expensively with designer
sunglasses, stood at the front of the large hall.
"My friends..." He waved his paws expansively.
"You are all here tonight to witness the most powerful, rare and expensive item
Neopia has ever seen. Now, as you all know, I'm very, very rich."
Flye began to intensely dislike the Shoyru and
Kiara looked uncomfortable.
"And I would bring my personal fortune past
my 100 million Neopoints mark, perhaps even to double my fortune. As this item
is quite something. Everyone will want one, from the Battledomers to the pacifists.
Something for everyone. It shall be locked up inside my most secure vault tomorrow
and, for only one night, you will be able to view this item. I assure you will
be most impressed."
"I hate him already," whispered Flye. Kiara
sighed.
"I must admit he's not the walking example of
exemplary manners and humility. Still, he is the richest pet in Neopia."
Flye merely growled back. "Doesn't give him good
reason to brag about it." Kiara shrugged again. "It gives him every excuse to
brag and to some people, that's as good as a reason."
"And now, I give you..." The Shoyru stepped
aside, signalling for the servants to pull open the double doors. "The rarest
item in Neopia!" Everyone craned forward towards the tiny object lying on a
pedestal surrounded by glass. A huge surge of people flooded into the room.
***
Up on the roof, the two Thieves removed the last roof tile from the top and
slid into the small space between the ceiling and roof. It was time to go...
***
Kiara caught sight of it and gasped. She let Flye step forward to see it too.
It was a tiny object, about the size of a pea, and it seemed unremarkable. Only
when the light glittered on it, could he see the faint writing.
"Talent?" he questioned Kiara.
"A Talent Orb, my friends," said the Shoyru
Lord. "It is untraceable, undetectable but it will bring the greatest rewards.
Battledome prowess, artistic ability, writing talent, game playing, even magic
- soon every trophy will belong to you, if you will use it. You will gain everything
through this - NP, fame, status. Soon, Neopia could belong to you...if I choose
to sell it." Kiara's jaw dropped open. "Think of what we could do with that!"
Flye frowned. "Talent should come from the person,
not a machine. Neopia will lose it's individuality, it's spirit."
Kiara didn't reply still lost in the wonder of
the Talent Orb. Flye sighed and let his eyes rove over the room. He saw the
two Shadowed pets, poised for action. Something was up: but what?
Lord Tanqueroy smiled at the gaping pets. He
called out over them.
"And now, my friends, a little demonstration
is in order." He reached over for a switch next to the glass case and pressed
it.
***
"Go!" hissed the Aisha Thief. The other took out a pair of wire cutters and
delicately snipped a carefully selected wire. Speedily, one swung into the glass
case and removed the Talent Orb. The plan had worked.
***
The lights went out.
"No need to panic," said Lord Tanqueroy cheerfully.
"Obviously the switch to switch off the infra red security system got mixed
up with the light switch..." His voice died away.
The Thieves stood on top of the glass cage, one
tossing the Talent Orb in a black paw. The Shoyru indignantly spread his wings
and headed for the Thieves at the same moment that one of the Shadowed Aishas
on the ground threw a knife. The steel sung through the air to embed itself
in Lord Tanqueroy's shoulder. As the Shoyru collapsed onto the ground, the Aisha
slipped out of the doors.
***
Akoi cursed. He had thrown his knife but missed and he'd failed on a job.
However, personal safety came first. He was off into Neopia to lay low for a
while. In his purse, the generous deposit by the Aisha Thieves' Council jingled.
He'd be fine until next time...
***
The Thieves leapt upwards, disappearing into the shadows of the roof. A smaller
Shadowed figure jumped up from the crowd and bounded after them. For a few minutes,
there was a shocked silence. As reality crept in, the crowd began to pour out
of the room. The most valuable, rare and the best item in Neopia was out there
- the chase began.
Flye cursed and knelt down next to the prone
figure of the Shoyru Lord. He'd known something was wrong with those Shadowed
pets hiding in the shadows - one turned out to be an assassin and the other
was chasing the Thieves across the rooftops.
He summoned a weak Heal ability and began to
try to slow the spread of the poison into the Shoyru's body. He heard Kiara
approach from behind.
"You coming or what?"
Flye gritted his teeth. "No, I have a more important
job to do."
"I thought you didn't like him."
"I don't."
Kiara sighed. "Flye, the servants will deal with
it. Why don't we go and join in the fun?" The offer was tempting - Flye always
longed for adventure - but he knew what was the right thing to do. "Anyone else
will come too late."
"It's the rarest item in Neopia, for Cobrall's
sake!"
"I think a life is more important!" Flye snapped
back at her. "Are you going to help?" He knew this was it - another junction
in the paths of their friendship. Kiara, torn by indecision, faltered but finally
sat next to him and used her superior Heal to help him. This time they were
together but Flye knew it would not be long. Not long till he lost Kiara forever.
They were growing up and they were growing apart...
To be continued... | 
