Freedom Pets: Part One

by luvpugz

A long time ago, people and NeoPets lived separate lives. Humans went about, alone, and the NeoPets lived in the wilderness. Until one day, when hunters appeared. They tracked down the NeoPets and killed, or kidnapped the NeoPets, which is worse, I do not know. For when they were kidnapped, the poor pets were forced to work, cruel merciless jobs. It was unfair, and some humans began to realize this. They sneaked into the factories, and other places where the pets worked. Silently, the pets where freed, and saved. The humans called themselves, the NeoPet railroad.

A mother Wocky cuddled her new baby. The baby squeaked, and nuzzled its face into her mother's yellow fur. The mother smiled, love and affection showering down on the cub. She watched as the cub nestled in closer, ready to rest. After all, she was only a newborn. "I will have to think of a name for you, my precious Wocky," the mother cooed. The baby looked up into her mother's face, and smiled. "Ah, how can I think of a name for someone as perfect as you?" The baby rested its head back into the yellow fur, and soon was fast asleep. A rustling came from nearby bushes, and the mother sprang up instinctively. Immediately, fears of the human hunters sprang into her mind. Relief flooded her as a small Shoyru appeared. It flexed its red wings nervously, and looked around.

"What are you doing here, Ryoru?" The Wocky asked, settling down next to her child.

The Shoyru replied, "Oh, it's awful, Lyssa. Human hunters have been spotted this way. I came to warn you and your baby. My husband awaits with our children now. I would advise you to evacuate immediately."

Lyssa nodded, and looked at the sleeping Wocky. "I will start moving, as soon as my baby awakes."

Ryoru looked ready to protest but smiled anyway. "All right. I hope I will see you again, Lyssa. Until then, good luck."

The two embraced and held each other's gazes. Then the Shoyru fluttered off, in search of her family. The mother nuzzled the Wocky baby, but the child rolled over. Lyssa debated just waking her daughter up, and start moving, or letting them rest for only a little while.

She laid down nose to nose, and murmured, "I still haven't named you. I will call you, Ettne, after my own mother." Then Lyssa closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

***

A gunshot rang through the forest, and a pair of Lennys took to flight. Lyssa's eyes opened, and she jumped up. Silence followed then a yell. Not a yell of a NeoPet, but of a human. Lyssa gasped, and nudged Ettne awake. Ettne awoke quickly and stood next to her mother. It had been months since the first sight of humans. Ettne and Lyssa always were on the run, and Ettne was sick of it.

"Mom, I'm sick of always running!"

Lyssa smiled down at her child, realizing how much her child had grown. Most of her life consisted of running and hiding from humans. "I know, sweetheart. I am too, but we must keep moving. We can't be caught."

Ettne sighed and dropped her small head. She was only one year old, but still she hated her life. Lyssa gently pushed her daughter forward, toward a field of tall grasses.

"Silently now. Get going," Lyssa advised, following her child and glancing over her shoulder.

A Chia raced in front of Ettne, causing the Wocky to jump and yell. "Oh, dear, so terribly sorry," the Chia said, then looked around frantically. "You haven't seen a small Chia by chance? He is green, but only a baby."

Lyssa's angry face softened, "No, we haven't. How long has he been missing?"

The Chia burst into tears, saying between sobs, "I don't... know! He gets… scared so… easily. Please, help…me find him."

Lyssa was torn; get her child to safety? Or help this poor mother Chia? "We will help you," Ettne said, patting the Chia on the back.

Lyssa's eyes widened as she said, "We? No, I will. You, Ettne will keep moving. I can catch up."

Ettne glared at her mother, "No! I want to help!"

The Chia watched them argue and felt her time slipping away. "Dear girl, I'm sure your mother and I will find my son. There is a hollow tree that way," the Chia said, pointing at a rotting tree. "You should be safe in there. Until your mother comes back."

Lyssa agreed and escorted her daughter towards the tree. The Chia followed, still searching. Another gunshot rang this time closer. Lyssa stuffed her child in the tree.

"Mommy, help me!" The Chia eyes shot wide open. "My baby! That's my baby!"

Lyssa hushed the Chia, and said, "What is the boy's name? I will go get him."

Excitedly, the mother replied, "Nack. His name is Nack!"

Lyssa nodded, and hurried toward the sound of the crying child. Moments later, Lyssa returned, baby Chia in mouth. Right behind her followed the human hunters! Lyssa placed the child by the Chia, not seeing the happy but short reunion.

"Ettne get out now! You two Chias, run!"

They obeyed, and the four raced away, hunters right on their heels. Nack was crying in his mother's arms, and the mother hugged him closer.

"Split up!" Lyssa ordered, and the Chias veered right as the Wockys hurried left. The humans also split one after each set of NeoPets Ettne tripped and fell, unable to get up. Lyssa stopped, and jumped in front of the young Wocky. The human reached out, but Lyssa lashed out with her teeth. The human jerked back, and yelled a word the Wocky had never heard. As the human reached for his gun, Lyssa attacked again. The human pulled the trigger, and Lyssa fell to the ground. Blood poured from a wound on her leg, and she cried. Another human appeared, carrying two cages.

"Look here, two new workers. Watch out for the older one, she's mean." Ettne watched, terrified and confused, as her wounded mother was shoved into a metal cage. One of the humans grabbed the scruff of the Wocky's neck and held her up. Ettne squeaked and shook, as the human laughed, and threw her into a cage.

"I love you honey!" Lyssa yelled through her cage.

"I love you too, Mom! I promise I will find you!" Ettne cried, tears streaming down her face.

That was the last Ettne saw of her.

To be continued...