Attack of the Wild Pets

by oojaxoo182

One day, I decided to take my pets on a trip of exploration. We visited all the different worlds and did almost everything possible in each one. Finally, as the sun began to set, we arrived at the Haunted Woods. I did not believe in superstition, and besides, my Korbat really wanted to have a look at the Brain Tree.

We entered and I purchased a lantern so we could see in the dark. Then, we stumbled off to see the attractions. I never realised how big the Haunted Woods were until we must have taken a wrong turn and found ourselves far into the heart of the forest.

My Gelert, Yellowie_11725 must have caught a hint of my anxiety. "Mom, we're lost, aren't we?" she asked.

"Well, yes," I said, "But there's no need to worry. We have the lantern with us." From then on, my pets seemed to get more anxious and nervous, jumping at each sound and sniffing each scent on the breeze. I tried to retrace our steps, but it just made us more confused.

Finally, I stopped. We were in a clearing with a small stream running through the center. "We might as well stay here," I said, "Maybe someone following the stream will find us here. I bet in daylight it will be easier to see anyway."

Though I tried, I couldn't fall asleep. My Uni and Gelert were soon in a snoring heap and only my Korbat and I were awake. Eventually my Korbat got bored and began searching the edges of the clearing for bugs to eat. However, I was hopeful. I had remembered seeing a stream the last time I was in the Haunted Woods when I wasn't lost. Perhaps it was the same one we were camped by.

I guess I did finally fall asleep, the rest of these events went by in a blur. I woke up searching for a noise. I knew something had woken me, but I heard nothing. I settled down again, figuring it must have been my sleepy pets and then I heard it. It was a low growl coming from a bush several feet to my right. The growl was like nothing I have ever heard. I was full of despair and sounded nothing like a Gelert or a Lupe or even a Kougra. I began to slowly crawl away from the bush, fear making it very hard to move. Then a movement caught my eye. Yellowie_11725 was snoring loudly in the space between me and the bush, though off to the side a bit.

A pair of yellow eyes peered out of the bushes. They followed my gaze to my innocent Gelert sound asleep. The growl sounded again, although this time there were numerous ones. I inched back toward Yellowie_11725 and then it happened.

Suddenly, the bush exploded with movement. About 10 horrifyingly ugly creatures leapt out. They looked like a cross of so many different species of NeoPets. They stood on four legs and had a tail like a Gelert, but their body was heavier like a Kougra. They had spikes on their tails like Zafaras and had rippling manes like Kyriis. One bared its teeth and they looked very much like a Grarrl's. Whatever these mutant pets were, I knew they were dangerous.

One loped over and scooped Yellowie_11725 up on its back. She sprang awake and tried to fight the mutant away. My Uni, Starfire_0013 tried to help her, but she was viciously sliced with those monstrous teeth. The one with yellowie_11725 disappeared back into the bush, my Uni following after. I tried to fight and run after them, but I was outnumbered. The last thing I saw was my Korbat bravely swooping to the rescue.

When I awoke I was in a small broken down cottage. I recognized it as the witch's house. There were several Neopolice and a doctor around me.

"Thank goodness you're awake," the doctor said, "The police would like to talk to you." I stumbled to sit up, pain racking my brain.

"Y-y-yes?" I stuttered.

"Well, little missy," one officer said, "We'd like to know what happened."

"Um, well we got lost in the woods, my pets and I, and I decided to spend the night in a clearing. Then I woke up to hear some growl and these mutants jumped out of a bush," I said trying to describe them," They attacked my pets and ran off with my Gelert, Yellowie_11725 and then I was knocked out. Speaking of which, could I see my pets now?"

"Pets?" the police man said puzzled, "No one found any pets. One of our rangers found you out in the woods. They patrol regularly, you know," he said.

"But I have three pets!" I yelled, "They're out there all alone and they're only babies!"

"I'm sorry missy," the officer said, "I'll try to start a search for you, but I doubt anyone will want to waste their time searching for some pets, least of all in the Haunted Woods. We're lucky we found you!"

"But what about the mutant pets! You have to stop them," I exclaimed.

"There are plenty of mutated species here ya know," he said, "People try and breed different pets and come out with something horrid, so they just loose it here. I'm afraid the only thing we can do is caution the people and inform the Neoscientists about a new species. I don't think there's ever been one like this before!"

"But my pets!" I cried.

"There's not much we can do," he said sorrowfully.

The End

Wait, what? Do you think I'd just give up on my pets like that?! NO WAY!!!!!!!! That day, after I was released from medical care, I took a trip to the Uber Light Faerie (I couldn't get an appointment with the Faerie Queen). I entered her palace and was escorted to her entrance room.

"Um, hello?" I said.

"Over here dear, how may I help you?" the Faerie asked. She was sitting on a lovely golden throne.

"Yes, my pets are lost in the Haunted Woods and no one will help me. Do you think you could?" I asked.

"You should have been more careful. Misplacing your pets like that. Tisk-tisk," she replied.

"But we were attacked by mutant pets!" I cried. The Faerie jumped and looked up.

"What did you say?!"

"Mutants....we were attacked."

"Well, now I shall have to help you. It is our fault...you know, those mutants are all our fault. If we knew people would use our kind to make a new pet species we would have never........."

"Pardon?" I choked.

"Well to make a new species you must take portion from each animal you wish to combine and then you must add a Faerie. Very painful. Obviously they must destroy all the NeoPets and the Faerie. However, some people are so stupid they combine terrible pet mixtures and use a Dark Faerie or use an Earth Faerie on something meant for water. Do you know what I mean? The result is horrible. Mutants destroy everything and cannot live with humans. These pets get dumped in the Haunted Woods. That's how the woods really became so spooky. It's a biologically engineered pet junkyard," she said, "So of course I have to help you because a Faeries the main ingredient and obviously these mutants you talk of were made with Faeries." I stared in shock, trying to take this all in. "Now here, I can't join you, but I'll give you some things to help you on your way."

The Faerie rummaged through some cabinets and produced a few items. First she gave me a lovely opal the size of an egg. "If you need me, throw this on the ground and I will help, but don't waste it, you only get one." Next she produced a lantern and and some magic fluid. She handed me several paintbrushes. "You can use these to confuse any mutants or you can enjoy them once you recover your pets." Then she gave me a sword and shield. "I'd hate to see any fighting, but I'm sure you can't fend off mutants with your bare hands," she chuckled. Finally, she gave me a rainbow Quiggle toy. "There's a compass in the back."

So I headed off. I entered the woods again and searched for the clearing. It was fairly easy to find because there was an orange flag in the center. The police must have put it up for investigation. I entered and swept along the ground. Suddenly, a white ball flew at me. I was about to draw my sword when I realised it was my Korbat

"Where did you come from?" I asked.

"I was lost, I was hoping you'd come back for me," he replied.

"Where are your sisters?" I wondered.

"I don't know, the monster ran away with Yellowie and Starfire took off after them. I lost them, I can't fly fast enough," he sighed.

"Well, let's find them, which direction did they go in?" I asked My Korbat pointed north and we headed off.

Midday, I noticed some footprints. They were made by four legged animals with big paws and there were the marks of a long tail being dragged behind. I figured we were on the right track.

As night came, I filled the lantern with oil and held it above my head. Soon, we came upon a shimmery puddle. It shone liquid gold and silver and I knew what it was almost instantly--Uni's blood. There were sporadic pools of it every few feet. My Korbat, 2001Butterscotch2001, flew slightly ahead of me to check for danger.

Suddenly I heard the shriek of my Butterscotch and barely caught him as he came flying at me. "What is it?!" I asked, afraid to know.

"Starfire!" he wailed. I quickly walked forward to where he had come from. There in a pink heap was my Uni. I bent down and saw a huge gash in her belly. I took a yellow Healthshroom out of my traveling bag and fed it to her. Starfire_0013's eyes fluttered open as I applied a bandage to her wound. I knew Unis had lots of blood and could regenerate more quickly, so I wasn't worried of losing her. I wanted to call the Light Faerie, but remembered what she said and decided to hold on to the opal. I slung Starfire over my shoulder and trekked off again.

The footprints became softer and veered off right toward a cave. Outside the cave, there was a huge bonfire. Some huge animals that looked half Kacheek, half Moehog were dancing in the firelight. They began to chant something and the mutants I had already met emerged from the cave with Yellowie_11725. She was wearing a lovely, flowing dress and had a wreath of flowers on her head. She looked up and spotted us in the bushes, but she quickly lowered her head.

Yellowie was brought to the fire and one of the mutants emerged from the cave, helping a stumbling Dark Faerie. She approached my Gelert and smiled.

"Alas, I have a spirit to take!" she said. I gasped as I realised what they were doing. I put starfire by a bush and told butterscotch to stay in the trees. Then I drew my sword and charged into the circle of wild pets. A Kacheek/Moehog approached me and I pointed my sword. A ray of white light flew out and he was knocked unconscious. They began to surround me so I took out the paintbrush. I threw a scritchy-scratchy and then a checkered. Finally, I tossed the rainbow one. They were briefly confused but then continued the attack. I touched the opal and then whipped it out, throwing it at a nearby boulder. There was a huge burst of light and the Faerie appeared. The mutants all cowered under her gaze. The Light Faerie spotted the old Dark Faerie "Merclinda, we meet again," she said, "This time you shall not escape."

There was a piercing sound and more white light, brighter than the Faerie's coming. I could hear the yells of the dark Faerie. And then it was over and the Light Faerie was gone.

I stood stunned for a minute and then took out the Quiggle I used to navigate us back to the main part of the woods. Then, we went home.

I was sure to send a note of thanks to the Uber Light Faerie and the witch for letting me stay at her cabin, but I never did go back to the Haunted Woods. Well, not for a while anyway.

The End