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Untitled Document
MiracleStar had sent me to the store. We had a good deal
of Neopoints, but our pantry was empty. I personally blame Taffin and Jaix;
the two were like bottomless pits that consumed food non-stop. I guess that's
guys for you, though. Anyway, since our pantry was empty, MiracleStar had given
me a good deal of NP to buy food for the next couple weeks. I had decided to
stop at the bakery first, it always had the best food. I'd bought some sandwiches,
bread, pastries, and other assorted items when I decided there was plenty to
carry home. I gathered up my packages and started back towards the outskirts
of Neopia Central.
I decided to take a short cut through a couple
back alleys. The bags were heavy, the sun was still high in the sky, and I had
taken this short cut dozens of times before. Lots of pets did. There was no
danger in it. So I didn't even give it a second though, ducking into the alley
between a couple shops. However, I must have picked the wrong day to go shopping.
They hid behind a pile of boxes, two of them. I saw them seconds before they
attacked. I dropped my packages and tried to draw my daggers, but the two pets
were ready for me apparently. The first one, a blue Acara, knocked my dagger
out of my hand, the other grabbed my arms and wrenched them behind my back.
I gasped and struggled, kicking behind me, hoping to catch a knee or other vulnerable
spot.
"Hold her still," the Acara growled, fumbling
with some rope.
"Bah, I'm trying!" the other yelped as I twisted,
almost pulling myself from his grasp.
"Fools!" I snarled and flared my wings as hard
as I could.
The wing bone caught my captor squarely on the
face, and he yelped and I was able to twist free. I whipped around, desperately
searching for my dagger. I saw it on the ground and dove for it, but too late.
The Acara reached it first, stepping on the hilt as I reached for it. I started
to scramble to my feet but the pommel of a weapon was slammed against the back
of my head. Pain burst out across my skull and my peripheral vision went black.
I sank into unconsciousness from there.
****
Everyone was used to Nianso DreamWish being out
late. She seemed to have an utter disregard for time. However, when dinner grew
close and there was no sign of the dragon-winged starry Zafara, MiracleStar
started to get worried. She summoned all her dragon-winged pets together, Jaix
the fire Acara, Skyil the desert Aisha, and Taffin the fire Kyrii.
"She's either running very late, or something
has happened."
There were assenting nods from her pets.
"We'll have dinner now, without her. If she hasn't
shown after that, we go looking for her. All right?"
Taffin shrugged.
"What's for dinner?"
"Casserole. I made it myself."
"Can we skip dinner and look for her now?" he
whined.
"Shuddup and set the table."
****
I woke up to someone shaking my shoulder.
"Wha? Where?"
"Shhh. You'll find out when da boss gets here."
I groggily opened my eyes and looked around.
My daggers were gone, but my hands where free. We were in the center of a warehouse.
It was dark outside, from what little I could see from the windows near the
ceiling. The warehouse was dimly lit, only on half lighting. Crates lined the
walls, but the center was fairly empty. A vast array of pets were staggered
out around the area, all bearing weapons. There was no insignia of any kind,
nothing to identify who these pets were part of.
"Why am I here?" I asked of the pet that had
woken me, a pirate Krawk.
"Just wait."
"But..."
"Please. Just be patient. We aren't going to
harm you."
"You already did," I muttered, rubbing my head.
"Well, that was necessary to get you here in
the first place."
I sighed and folded my wings around myself so
that only my head showed.
"How long do I wait?"
"Until the others arrive."
****
Obviously, MiracleStar had to go looking for Nianso when she failed to turn
up by after dinner. As they gathered their things to leave, a newcomer appeared.
Diganis the air Faerie waited in the living room.
Taffin the Kyrii showed up first, stopping at the sight of her. He was covered
in his black cloak with hood up. The glint of a dagger pommel could be seen
underneath the cloak.
"Oh, hello Diganis," he said.
"Taffin. Searching for Nianso?"
"Well, yes. How did you know?"
"She's nosy," Skyil replied from the stairs.
The Aisha was dressed the same as Taffin, also
bearing a dagger.
"Not nosy, merely observant," the Faerie replied.
"Now, do you want to find your sister or not?"
"Of course we want to find her."
"Then tell MiracleStar to hurry in here."
Taffin turned and was met by Jaix, also wearing
a cloak and dagger. The Acara, however, bore a sheathed sword.
"She's coming," he said quietly, and walked to
stand by the window.
Soon enough, the owner of the motley crew appeared.
She was dressed in her usual midnight blue cloak and numerous daggers. She stared
at Diganis for a moment, then inclined her head softly in greeting.
"I have news of your pet."
"I thought you might," the human replied, taking
a seat near the hovering Faerie.
"She is at a warehouse in the industrial section
of Neopia Central. 3469 Seapine Rd. The warehouse is heavily guarded."
"Then how do we get in?"
"Through the front door, of course. They are
expecting you."
"How do you know this?" MiracleStar asked in
a whisper.
"I kind of like Nianso. She's like me in some
ways. I cannot aid you any more than this I'm afraid. But before I leave, there
is one last item of business to attend to."
She gestured, and an object appeared out of mid-air
and dropped at Taffin's feet. It was a glaive. The pole was a little taller
than the Kyrii, the blade on the end curved like a crescent moon. He picked
it up and inspected it carefully, giving it a few test slashes.
"I got it with you in mind," the Faerie said.
"You could use a weapon with a longer reach. I owed all of you something for
the run-in with Balthazar. Good luck, all of you."
She vanished with a soft puff of air. MiracleStar
stood and nodded to the group.
"Well then. Let's go find our missing Nianso."
To be continued...
I'm certain everyone knows what it is to commit a wrong. It is pet and human
nature to have a conscience and know what is right and what is not. There are
varying degrees of morality, and so far, I have avoided feeling any guilt for
my actions. However, there are some things even I cannot bury. I do not understand
the truly evil. I am not like them, for I am bothered by a conscience that refuses
to stay dead. Someday I fear this will be my undoing.
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