My Life-Changing Realization: Part Two

     “Looking for something?" a strangely familiar voice asked.

     Saphirie whirled around to face the source of the eerie voice. She came face to face with a red Gnorbu, that same one from the Parade earlier that day.

     The Gelert's fur began to bristle as she filled with rage. "You! You are the one who did all this? The one who separated me from my friends? The one who trapped me in this stupid room? Where are Emerelda and Amberosia? Wh-"

     “Quiet, Saphirie!" the Gnorbu snapped. "I couldn't care less about your little friends; they are of no use to me! But you however, are the one I need," he said with a conniving smile.

     “Wh-what do you mean? What do you need me for?" Saphirie asked with a trembling voice. She had never met the mysterious pet and had no intention of wanting to meet him again at this point. But then something dawned on the Gelert. How did he know my name? I knew something was off about him, but this definitely means that sinister Gnorbu had been planning this for a while. Gotta think of a way out. And fast.

     The red neopet continued, "I've been around Shenkuu longer than you think. Watching and waiting for the perfect pet in mind for my plan. There's a lot of qualifications necessary for this, so I expected it to take time. Days turned into weeks which turned into months, and I wasn't assuming it would be this long. But when I heard about the Roseatte Celebration coming up, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to see a lot of pets. A lot of potential candidates all in one spot where I could see them.

     “I decided to explore the area a bit more and get a little closer look at everyone that was attending. I heard hearing about someone named Emerelda, their owner was practically gushing about them. They kept saying all this stuff about...”

     This fact began to drive the Gelert insane. You've got to be kidding me! My owner basically brags about that know-it-all and not one word about me? Realizing her captor was still speaking, she continued listening.

     “From what they were saying, I figured they could fit into my plan. So I went to go investigate, but the Draik wasn't quite right. Then I came across you in the process. You were the right size, had a good brain, but most of all, you wanted change around here.”

     “Wait, wait, I want change? What do you mean by that?" asked Saphirie.

     The Gnorbu looked confused and said, "Well isn't it obvious? Now I may not be able to read your mind, but I can tell what you're thinking. You want change in your life. I saw how you always look at your sister with envy. Whenever she gets praise, you roll your eyes, and whenever she corrects you, you sigh to yourself with impatience. Face it, you want things to change, and that's the attitude I need to accomplish my deed. So are you in? If not, you'll have to face some costly consequences. But I'll give you time to think about it." And with one last look, the unnamed Gnorbu left the room for Saphirie to think.

     The captive Gelert sat down in the corner to ponder her decision. What am I going to do? Only two choices, and one I don't even know what of them are. I guess the only thing to do is just join him. But what about Emerelda and Amberosia? What will become of them if I do? Or what will if I don't? The only choice I have is to probably join. That way I'll figure out his plan so I'll get out of here and save the others. But wait-

     Just then, the Gnorbu was back. "Your decision?”

     The Gelert met his eyes and replied solemnly, "I'm in."

     Looking pleased, the Gnorbu said, "You made the right decision. Now come, I have things for you to do." Saphirie was about to mention something about the barred door, but realized that the bars were no longer there. Well duh, he obviously isn't going to lock himself out! But when did he remove them? I guess it's not the first time things aren't what you'd think around here.

     She was led through a series of hallways, very bleak and dark. It almost sucked the hope right out of her. But finally they reached a room full of machinery, and with it, her two lost companions.

     “Emerelda! Amberosia!" the ecstatic Gelert cried. They were both behind a glass panel and she was trying to wave her paws to attract their attention. "I'm coming-"

     “They can't hear you," the Gnorbu said calmly. "It's mirror glass. You can see them, but they can't see you. All they're seeing is their own reflection. And they are with me to stay.”

     Filled with anger, Saphirie began to yell, "Get them out of there! Come on, I already decided to help you; what more do you want?”

     “There is one more thing I need of you before we can begin. You see, I did say they were with me to stay. But I can't keep both of them, having one extra with me is enough as it is, it's a bit hard to keep enough supplies around here. So I've decided to let you take them with you. But-”

     “Oh thank you!" the Gelert rejoiced. "Thank you, thank you so much-”

     “But," the Gnorbu interjected, "as I was about to tell you, there is a catch. You are only allowed to take one of them with you. I need at least one of you to stay and help me, as I said. This is what I needed you for, to pick as for who shall stay with me and who shall go. So which one are you taking, Emerelda or Amberosia?”

     Saphirie's heart dropped. Only one of them?! How can I pick just one of them to come with me? I should take Emerelda; she's my sister after all. She was about to voice her decision when another thought crossed her mind. But what has she ever done for me? Made my life miserable? Always outshining me? And constantly correcting me? Why should I save her? What's the point of taking someone who will probably not appreciate it and will continue to put me down?

     “Come on, I don't have all day!" the Gnorbu exclaimed impatiently.

     I need to hurry, otherwise he probably might change his mind to something more... Don't think of that, just make your decision! Okay, so why not save Amberosia? She's been one of my best friends for years. Always beside me in times of trouble, and I can talk to her about anything! Definitely fits my description of a great friend. I think I'll pick her; she's going to be the one that I'll continue on with.

     Confident with her decision, she finally answered the anxious Gnorbu. "I'm taking Amberosia, you can keep Emerelda with you."

     “Glad to hear you finally made a decision. Now that it's done, your job with me is complete, and you're free to leave with your friend." The former captor began to retrieve Amberosia when Saphirie exclaimed, “Wait!”

     The Gnorbu turned around irritably. "What now?”

     “I want to change my decision. Let Emerelda and Amberosia go, and I'll stay.”

     The Gnorbu, looking surprised, answered, "Very well, but tell me, why let them go? Why not go free with one of them?”

     The Gelert began to explain, "I could go with them. I could live the rest of my life in peace, forgetting this entire experience ever happened with whomever I choose. Except, I can't choose; I don't want to decide someone's fate for them. It isn't fair to them.”

     “Life isn't fair. I've seen how Emerelda treats you these past few days; why not leave her behind? You can go back to your life of peace, as you said," the Gnorbu questioned.

     “Life may not be fair, but we are in the situations we are in for a reason. Things may happen to us we don't like; we are surrounded by neopets we may not be friends with. But we are to make the best of a situation, and when we truly love someone, we will let them go. So that is why I chose to stay, I love Amberosia and even Emerelda dearly, and I will let them go live their lives in peace. That's what's best for them, and there they can decide their fate on their own. So take me and let them go back to Shenkuu." At first Saphirie wasn't sure if he was listening, or really cared for that matter, but then when she looked up, the Gnorbu was smiling. Not a sinister smile, but a happy one. A proud one at that.

     “You've passed. Congratulations," the Gnorbu said.

     The Gelert was dumbfounded. "I... what? What do you mean-"

     “None of this was real; everything was set up by me. But I'm not recognizable to you, am I?" As he said that, he transformed from the plain red Gnorbu to the beautiful Queen Fyora.

     “F-F-Fyora?!" the Gelert exclaimed in shock. "Why did you do this? What was your purpose behind testing me?”

     Fyora smiled and replied, "I don't really do this a lot, but I saw something in you. I saw how you could be determined and strong-minded, but I wanted to test your morals. Those past few weeks a potential inside you was noted. A potential that, when worked on in the correct manner, could brilliantly shine through you. You have something that most pets don't have, and it's something I'm looking for. What I said was true; I was looking for someone who could fulfill my task well. And the task that I'm looking to complete is to fill the position of Lieutenant General in my personal army. Will you accept my offer?"

     This was all way out of Saphirie's comfort zone. Lieutenant General? Of Fyora's personal army! She didn't know what to say. But before she accepted, she had one thing she needed to resolve.

     “Queen Fyora, I would be delighted to join you. However, before I do, what about Emerelda and Amberosia? What will happen to them?"

     “They will be returned to Shenkuu safely and won't remember a thing. Don't worry, they will be fine, I will make sure that they are protected, whether they know it or not.”

     It was a very generous offer, a prestigious position and her loved ones would be satisfied! Yet, what will happen to them? Sure they will be living blissfully without a care in the world. But what is the point of me going off to Faerieland without them? It's no fun to have the world, but no one to share it with.

     “Miss Fyora, it was very thoughtful of you to consider me for such a high position in your land, and I thank you for the opportunity. However, I must decline. I don't want to live a life without my close friends and family. It wouldn't be the same. However, I wish you luck in finding a new pet to fill the position. I'm sure whoever they are, they will be very happy and could appreciate it more than I.”

     Fyora was once again stunned by the Gelert's decision. "I respect your wishes, and appreciate the wish for luck. It will be hard to find someone to replace you, but it shall be done. Here are your friends, and I will send you back to Shenkuu." A bright light surrounded them and when the Gelert opened her eyes, she was back at the Roseatte Celebration at the beginning of the day. It was as if nothing had happened.

     “Hurry up, Saphirie, the Parade is going to start soon! And they told us to be there early!" said Emerelda as she was once again pushing her way through the large crowd of pets.

     “Coming, Emerelda!" she answered as she rushed to keep up with her Draik sister.

     Once they found a clearing, Saphirie decided to stop. She wanted to make everything as it should be before they continued.

     “Emerelda, wait!" she said and watched as her sister stopped suddenly in her tracks.

     “What is it, what's wrong?" she asked in alarm.

     “Nothing is wrong, but I just wanted to apologize for my actions. I'm always having this attitude with you, and I know you try your best to have a good relationship with me, and I really appreciate it." Saphirie began to hug her dear sister tightly, which came to Emerelda's surprise, since she didn't remember anything that had happened.

     “Uh, well, thanks, I guess. Glad to hear things are back to normal. I know I can be a pain sometimes, but I'll try to work on that. We both have stuff to work on, don't we?”

     Saphirie laughed and said, "Yes we certainly do! But I wouldn't change any of it for the world." She hugged her sister again and said, "Come on, we're going to miss the Waterfall Parade; we gotta get in that boat quick!"

     I guess everything is back to the way it was, and that's just how I like it. Things may not always be perfect, but I guess I realized that things are the way they are for a reason. I may not know that reason right now, but I'm sure it will all make sense in the future. But for now, I just want to enjoy spending time with my great sister and good friend. And with that, they both ran towards the waterfall, satisfied with themselves and not a care in the world.

The End