Return of Viand

by mistress_angie

Hiiro_Yui_01 sat outside of the brick NeoHome he shared with his owner and her pets. It had been at least three months since Hiiro and the rest of Mistress_Angie’s pets had gone on the wild goose chase for their owner, defeated the evil sorcerer Viand, and returned the Castle of the Northwind to its rightful owners, the Faeries. The Mistress had recovered nicely and was presently leaning against a tree studying a book entitled “Elemental Spells”. She had decided to learn some magic since her run-in with Viand. Her other pets were playing a game of tag. They had asked Hiiro if he wanted to play but he had refused.

“Gotcha! You’re it!” _StarJumper_ cried. The once blue, now stars, Shoyru had caught the end of Roami_, the Faerie Kougra’s, tail. He laughed and chased after Aerisiya, Mistress_Angie’s silver Shoyru. They continued to chase each other until they all collapsed into one giggling pile. Hiiro shook his head. They were all older than him yet they could be so childish at times.

“Hiiro! C’mon! We’re going now!” Hiiro’s shadowed, Gelert head snapped up at that call. Mistress_angie had promised they would go shopping today. He trotted up to his owner and the rest of the pets came bumbling after him, still giggling and tripping over each other. Mistress_Angie smiled.

“Let’s get going you guys.” With that she started down the path to the Neopian Shopping Center, her pets following behind. They chattered to each other almost all the way there, but stopped when a crowd of pets ran by, all screaming and crying in fear. Mistress_Angie stopped a blue Lupess who was running with her pups and asked what was going on. The Lupess put down the pup she had been carrying by the scruff of its neck.

“There’s a madman back there!! He threatened to destroy all of Neopia, but nobody thought he actually WOULD start destroying the Shopping Center! Oh, if I didn’t have my pups with me I would take him on myself, but I can’t!” After she had informed the Mistress of what was going on she picked her pup back up and she and her puppies disappeared back into the frantic crowd.

Mistress_Angie and her pets fought their way through the crowd to the Shopping Center. To all of their horrors they found Viand, staff in hand, standing atop a sale’s table firing blasts of dark energy at the few remaining pets. Turning, he spotted them.

“Well, well, well… If it isn’t the owner and pets who defeated me at my first attempt of ruling. Funny you should show up here.” Viand stepped off the table and walked towards them, grinning evilly. Hiiro growled, bearing his fangs, then leapt at Viand, who raised his staff and swung it. There was a sickening crack as the end of the wooden staff connected with the side of Hiiro’s head. The blow sent Hiiro spinning backwards. He landed with a thud and lay still. After a moment he raised his head, shook it, then sprang to his feet witch gave way under him.

Viand laughed a cruel, evil laugh. He started towards Hiiro, ready to finish him off, but stopped when the rest of Mistress_Angie’s pet moved in front of him. All of them were growling angrily. Hiiro carefully stood up again, making sure he didn’t fall this time. He too growled at Viand. Mistress_Angie stepped forward. Her normally happy expression had turned into one of cold hate.

“If it is a battle you want the we will fight, but not here.” Mistress_Angie motioned to the half demolish Shopping Center as she spoke. Her pets nodded in agreement. All the time their eyes never left Viand, who smiled.

“Fine then. We will battle elsewhere.” He waved his hand and the surroundings seemed to melt. The shapes ran like hot wax then they formed themselves into the familiar shapes of the Haunted Woods.

“This will be just fine," Mistress_Angie said, drawing her Sword of Domar. Hiiro and the others stepped up to her sides. They were ready to battle.

“Let us begin, then," Viand said. The battle started. Using her newly learned magic skills and the strength of her pets Mistress_Angie was able to deflect most of Viands magic and to get some good hits on him. Even if the Mistress had the advantage of four pets and herself against one person it was obvious that Viand had more experience. He sent powerful blows at all five of them and was able to block a lot of attacks.

When there was a break in the battle Viand drew back his staff and sent a huge fire curse straight at Mistress_Angie and her pets. The blast of fire swallowed up the small group and much of the forest.

“Mwahahahaha! I am victorious!” Viand laughed as he watched the fire burn. His laughter ceased when he saw 5 silhouettes walking out of the middle of the fire. It was the Mistress and her pets. A strange orange aura surrounded them. When they were well out of range of the fire Mistress_Angie made a slashing motion with her sword and the aura disappeared.

“B-but how?” Viand stuttered. “How could you have survived?” Mistress_Angie smiled.

“A fireproof spell. They can be very useful at times. Don’t you think?” She twirled her blade in her hand. A dark purple glow surrounded her.

“Shadow-kage!” She cried leveling her blade at Viand. The glow traveled down her arm to the sword and shot out at the tip. When the dust cleared nothing was left of Viand but his staff.

“Is he gone?” Roami_ asked, examining the spot where Viand had stood.

“Yup. And this time for good. Now, about this fire….” Mistress_Angie turned toward the fire mumbling under her breath and waving her sword back and forth. As she did this it began to glow blue.

“Mizu-rah!” She called as she plunged the tip of the glowing blade into the ground. There was a great, rumbling sound as water poured in from between the trees, dousing the fire. When the water was gone the forest instantly filled in the empty, charred land.

“Interesting. I guess the forest has some magic of it’s own," Aerisiya mussed, walking over to the newly grown trees.

“C’mon guys. Let’s go home.” Mistress_Angie gathered her pets around her then performed a transportation spell. The pets and their owner found themselves back in the Neopian Shopping Center. Pets and owners scurried around; cleaning up the debris Viand’s attack had left. After helping clean up and buying rewards for them all, Mistress_Angie headed home. Her pets trotted after, discussing the day’s adventure.

When they opened the door to their NeoHome they found a great surprise. There were streamers and confetti everywhere! A large banner hung above the kitchen table where a delicious looking meal was placed along with some items. The message on the banner read “Thank you for your help. You’ve done it again!”. _StarJumper_ smiled.

“It was the Faeries!” She cried jumping up and down happily. Mistress_Angie smiled as well and held up her glass from the table.

“To a job well done!” She cried. There was a clink of glasses and everyone drank the rich tropical juice. Hiiro made a mental note that the food was all of their favourites. Peaches, omelettes, everything. He would have to thank the Faeries sometime, but right now he was going to celebrate. Hiiro smiled and dug into the food with the rest of them.

The End