Heart of Gold: Part Five

by Baloyarn

The Destruction

After a few days of restoring my strength, Starlight led me out of the forest to see what had happened over the period of my absence. Buildings were charred and burned. Smoke rose from a few lively black fires. NeoPets worked to build a dark palace in the distance. Faeries of all sorts were there too. "How terrible, that low down..." I began.

"Remember this, it is not your heart of gold that will get you killed, it is your hatred," Starlight interjected. I nodded. "We must move quickly now!" Starlight cried, flying through the air effortlessly. I followed on foot, hiding myself behind the charred buildings. Using my powerful ears, I located the Uber-Darkness Faerie. I got ever nearer to it. Scorchios and Shoyrus all looked half starved and near exhaustion. I couldn't bear it much longer.

Finally, coming into a clearing where Kikos were attempting to capture the numerous faeries, I bolted into the open, my eyes drawing in the sights. Horrid they were, I was in the process of making Neopian History. I crept about until I came upon the last building standing in Neopia's shops. It was the food store. I crept in as Starlight hovered overhead. I leapt over the counter and into the little room in back. Yes, I was sure of what I'd find.

Yup, Neopoints, MILLIONS of them. Finally, after marveling at the Neopoints for a while, I continued to the back of the room. I hit a piece of paper, which unrolled. I read its contents. "Today's Schedule: 1. Make everyone miserable. 2. Get Rich. 3. Finish Palace Construction. 4. Find Twincklezz. 5. Dispose of entire Family. Boy, some schedule." I replied, shocked. I quickly grabbed some of the stolen items, whispered a small apology to the Faerie Queen and to all the Faeries, and crept out, my sack bulging with ammo. I was ready.

I paced out, determination etched in my expression. A bolt of dark lightning tore through the clouded sky. The fright rose within me, but I did not halt. Starlight and I continued through the now destroyed streets of Neopia. Finally, I halted in front of the palace, now finished.

"They'd be down in the dungeon," whispered Starlight. I heard the approach of a ghost.

"This way!" I commanded as I leapt up the steps.

We closed the door, bolted it, and continued. I took out her "schedule".

We continued down the corridors and had many a close call. We finally made it down to the dungeon. Katrycia and Mysteey were completely starved, as were the other two occupants.

"I never thought I would see the day when I told my sister I was happy she decided to steal," Katrycia said, devouring one of the stolen apples.

"Sorry about that, Faerie Queen. Now, Starlight, lead the others out of here. I have some business with the Uber-Darkness Faerie. If I'm not back in two hours, presume that I've been destroyed. Get the others out of here. Good Luck," I replied.

Katrycia and Mysteey wanted to help, but I flat out refused. I didn't want them getting hurt again, or worse. Starlight guided them up the stairs and I hid down there. Hid until the moment had come.

A ghost crept down the steps to check on the hostages. What he got was a Poison Snowball right in the face. He fell to the ground. I, satisfied with my performance, skipped merrily up the stairs and into a large room, lit by only black fire. I made a tiny sound.

"Who's there!" a ghost shouted.

Many of them peered about. I could hear their movement. "Improved Lighting Beam!" I bellowed, shocking all of them into fainting. I smiled and skipped around until I spotted a door. Dashing through the many corridors, destroying many ghosts as I went, freeing NeoPets and their owners, I came across various items that helped me. Once, I even got good wishes from a Fire Faerie. I bowed and she fluttered out. I continued into the castle when all of a sudden, I was bombarded with black lightning, shooting in all directions.

Starlight, I hope you're right, I said, dodging the many attempted blows. A light panting filled the room. "I know you're there, Uber-Darkness Faerie," I whispered. Again, the lightning filled the room. I dodged every one of them. She panted again. "I have no desire to fight. A surrender would be nice though..." I began as another fury of lightning filled the great hall. I dodged them again, effortlessly.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up," she said slyly. I was hoping my last attack had finished you off, but since it didn't, I'm going to let bygones be bygones and..." she paused, another fury of lightning shooting from her finger, striking me in the side. I fell to the ground as she laughed and said, "I've decided to destroy you now." I struggled up.

"Not on my life," I replied, getting ready to counter. Again, the lightning filled the room. I remembered the book, "Use the Darkness Faerie's power against her advantage," I recalled. I curled into a ball, sticking only my ears out. I felt a static like shock on them, but that was all. I was actually absorbing her attack. Maybe I was more than average. I felt the attack end. I immediately uncurled and landed, unharmed. She stared in bewilderment. "Didn't see that coming, did you?" I asked in a polite voice. She spiced up another attack without a reply, and, I believing it was going to be more lightning, prepared myself for it.

A pain struck my body, worse than any I thought possible. I screamed with pain. The attack stopped. I hit the wall, the ground. I opened my eyes. It had been black fire. "Foolish NeoPet, join me and you'll never know pain again." She laughed her wildly evil laugh.

"NEVER!" I bellowed.

"Then all of Neopia will be destroyed." She laughed. "Do it, or be done permanently."

I rose meekly, peering about for some possible weapon.

"A Poison Snowball," I muttered inaudibly. I backed up a tad and said, "I think not..." I said, kicking the snowball with my back left foot into the air, concentrating my hardest, and, using my ears as a bat, swung with all my might.

Before I hit it, those little twinkles entered the snowball, surrounded me, and filled the entire place. Just as another dose of black lightning neared me, it was lost in a magnificent blue lightning. The palace collapsed and it spread, larger and larger. Bewildered gasps and delighted squeals filled the area. "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" came the desperate shriek of the Uber-Darkness Faerie. It was too late. She was destroyed.

When the dust from my attack had cleared, the little blue twinkles remained. Some swept over the many NeoPets, who regained their strength and confidence. Others surrounded the charred buildings. I landed as a stream of them swept over Neopia. They remained for three days and three nights. All we could do is stare. But on the fourth day, something extraordinary happened. Neopia had become restored. I had saved Neopia. Something told me that this would happen again. I was now ready.

The days went on as usual, we got up, ate, spent NP, received thanks from all, and were literally idolized. I told them it wasn't necessary, and eventually they stopped. I now had a purpose. I continued to live with my owner as I always had. Everything that was destroyed or stolen was restored or brought back. The ghosts would stay away from me. Starlight came to visit often. And now, I can truly say, I am the one of the few with a heart of gold.

The End