A True Friend

      Halfway there, I was intercepted by Lily, my Ixi friend. Her fur was a plain, ragged blue. Her family was... less fortunate than mine, shall we say. They couldn't even afford to send her to a private Neoschool.

      "Star!" she cried when she got to me. "I'm so glad to see you. I really needed to talk to someone."

      "Not now," I said breezily, brushing past her. I knew I was being a bit rude, but stopping would make me late for my first-class spa appointment. Oh, well. I'd buy her something later to make up for it.

      When I got to the spa, I strode past the line of waiting pets to the counter. "I'm here," I announced grandly. "Are you ready to pamper me?"

      A yellow Gelert glanced up at me. "You'll have to wait in line, like everyone else."

      I stared at her. "Like everyone else?" I repeated in disbelief. What nerve! "I grace you with my presence, and you treat me like a common Neopet!" Snorting with disgust, I stormed out of the room. I wouldn't be too hard on them, though---no doubt they were only jealous of me.

      Since there was nothing better to do, I figured I might as well go home. At least the numerous maids, servants, and butlers could pamper me there.

      On the way I again ran into Lily. "You'll never believe what happened at the spa," I said. "They were so rude to me there! From now on, I'll have to depend on my family for luxury."

      Lily nodded sympathetically. "At least you have a family who loves you," she said softly. "My owner---"

      I quickly cut her off. "We're talking about me here, remember?" Why was she being so selfish?

      Lily looked down, then gave a small sigh. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

      The next day, Lily was gone.

* * * * *

      Everyone was talking about it when I stepped outside. Apparently her owner couldn't afford to keep her, so he had abandoned her at the pound.

      I couldn't believe it. How could Lily, my one true friend, be gone? My tail slunk between my legs and I almost whimpered. That must have been what Lily was trying to tell me. Why hadn't I listened to her?

      As I walked aimlessly through Neopia Central, I could feel people staring at me and heard them whispering behind my back.

      "That's him... he always took Lily for granted."

      "He takes everyone for granted."

      "Those darn rich folks... never appreciate what they have."

      "And poor Lily was barely able to afford food."

      "That Lupe calls himself her friend?"

      I looked down guiltily---I knew it was true. I had always taken Lily for granted. Had made her listen to me but never listened to her. But she had been so patient, so tolerant, so kind... even when I didn't come close to deserving it. Why hadn't I appreciated her?

      And now, when I finally realized it, it was too late. Lily was gone. I would never be able to apologize for the way I treated her, never be able to tell her how much she meant to me...

      The clouds, matching my mood, let forth a torrent of stinging rain. I hung my head, not bothering to seek out shelter. I deserved this. I deserved to be wet and cold and miserable.

      "Punish me," I yelled to the howling wind. "Punish me for what I've done!"

      But there was no one to hear me. I was alone.

      So is Lily, I thought, hating myself even more. In spite of everything I was thinking of me!

      I had to change. But how? What had made me this way?

      "Those darn rich folks... never appreciate what they have."

      That was it. All my money, all my riches, all my luxuries... I was blessed to have them, but I thought of them as rights, not privileges.

      I had to change. I would not be rich anymore. I would have nothing more than what I needed. Slowly, a plan started to form in my head.

      I would set out alone, as alone as poor Lily was now. I would take nothing with me, just a few Neopoints and some food.

      I was going to find Lily.

* * * * *

      My mind made up, I went back to my Neohome to pack. All the expensive furniture and extra features that I had once been so proud of now disgusted me. How had I valued these more than friendship?

      I tossed some food and Neopoints in a backpack and scribbled a quick note to my owner: Gone to find Lily. Please don't worry. Then I was on my way.

      I hurried to the Adoption Agency in Neopia Central. "Excuse me," I said to the friendly-looking pink Uni behind the counter, "I'm looking for a blue Ixi named Lily."

      The Uni shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry," she murmured gently. "There's no one here that fits that description."

      My shoulders slumped, and another wave of sadness washed over me. Someone had already adopted Lily. How could I possibly find her?

      Trying to shake off the sense of defeat, I turned to the Uni again. "Do you happen to remember who adopted her?"

      The Uni bit her lip, thinking. "I believe I do," she said at last. "A user by the name of seabiscuit_starling."

      I was so happy I howled with joy. "Thank you!" I cried. The words tasted slightly strange in my mouth, and I realized that I'd never said them before.

      The pink Uni watched me with amusement. "You're welcome," she said, laughing pleasantly. "I hope you find who you're looking for."

      "Me too," I said eagerly. "Thanks again!" Then I bounded out the door.

* * * * *

      I was hopeful again! That username was all the information I needed. Now I just had to find out where they lived.

      Unfortunately, that was easier said than done. I asked a few random strangers on the road if they could help me, but they just shrugged and turned away.

      Finally, a purple Kacheek took pity on me. "Go to Faerieland," she suggested. "The Faeries know everyone. They'll help you find your friend."

      And so I began the trek to Faerieland. My paws were beginning to hurt---I rarely walked anywhere. I felt a sudden longing for a fancy, Uni-drawn carriage.

      Stop thinking like that! I told myself. Focus on finding Lily. "No one likes a materialistic Lupe," I muttered to myself.

      Finally, I arrived in Faerieland. Licking my lips nervously, I entered the cloudy gates of Faerie City.

      "Excuse me," I said to a passing Light Faerie, "I'm looking for---"

      "You!" she screeched, pointing an accusing finger at me. "You're the selfish Lupe that caused such a scene at the spa!" She waved me away angrily. "Off with you, you arrogant beast!"

      By now, everyone was staring at me. I hung my head in shame, wishing I could sink into the fluffy clouds beneath me.

      Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a purple-and-green-striped Kougra staring at me.

      "Y-Yes?" I stammered, gulping at the sight of his two long fangs.

      "We can help you," he hissed. We? I looked around, and to my horror I was surrounded by mutant, purple and green pets.

      "We can help you," the Kougra repeated. "For a price."

* * * * *

      The menacing animals dragged me roughly along with them, until at last we arrived at a bunch of clouds that was neither white nor fluffy. It was a dark, formidable purple, and wisps of green smoke rose from puddles of bubbling goo.

      "Well, well, well," a voice rasped from the darkness, and I trembled at the very sound of it.

      "W-Who are you?" I squeaked.

      The harsh, taunting laugh sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "I think you already know."

      I felt like I might faint. "Jhudora?"

      "Yes, you fool!" she snapped. Then her voice took on a kind, though obviously insincere, tone. "Don't worry. Do as I ask and I can almost guarantee that no one will rip you to shreds."

      "What do you want me to do?" I stammered nervously.

      "You know Illusen, don't you?"

      "Of course," I answered uncertainly. My owner had often done quests for her.

      A box was thrown roughly at my feet. It was covered with purple wrapping paper and wrapped with a green ribbon. "Give this to her," Jhudora hissed. "Then come back here, and I'll tell you what you want to know."

      So I began the long walk from Faerieland to Meridell. Halfway there, I stopped to rest.

      Looking curiously at the box, I wondered what it contained. A threatening note, perhaps? Or maybe a potion that would turn Illusen's hair green.

      These silly thoughts were proven wrong, however, when I noticed a soft ticking sound coming from the box. I gasped when I realized what this meant. Jhudora's box contained a bomb!

      Leaping to my feet, I grabbed the box and threw it into the surrounding sea. It sank to the deep bottom immediately, where it could explode without causing any harm.

      I sighed. Jhudora would never help me now. I was right back where I started!

      Or was I? Suddenly it occurred to me that if Jhudora had the knowledge I needed, Illusen probably would, too. And surely she would be kind enough to give it to me without obligation.

      Energized once again, I set off in the direction of Meridell.

* * * * *

      "Of course I can help you," Illusen said after I had told her my story. She patted me gently on the head. "I'm glad to be of assistance."

      My tail wagged with gratefulness, an emotion I was experiencing for only the second time in my life. "You really know the address?" I said, unable to keep the giddy excitement out of my usually smooth voice.

      "I'll get it now," Illusen offered. "Just a minute... " She snapped her fingers and a leaf scroll appeared out of thin air. She quickly scanned the list. "Here it is!" she said at last. "Seabiscuit_starling: 533523 Chia Close, Neopia Central."

      I hate to admit it, but I actually jumped for joy. "Thank you!" I cried. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

      Illusen smiled. "Lily must be a very important friend."

      "She is," I said, grinning back. "And now I'll make sure she knows it."

* * * * *

      And so that's how I found Lily. I offered to have my owner adopt her, but seabiscuit_starling turned out to be a great owner herself. Lily and I are much closer now. We visit each other every day, and when she wants to tell me something, she is my very first priority.

      And me? As you can see, I'm a changed Lupe. Because I learned a very important lesson that day---a true friend is worth more than all the Neopoints in the world.

The End