Shades and Hues

     The little Cloud Ruki had been in the Pound for a while now. It wasn't that she was a mean Neopet, not at all. It was that she was a cheaply-coloured Ruki, one of the least popular pets out there. A pet like that tends to stay in the pound for a while.

     "Don't say stuff like that, Rui. Miracles happen," the yellow Bori, named Diggaleg across the hall said. "I mean, you've got a chance of being adopted by a labbe," he said, trying to be positive.

     "Oh, I wish, Digger. Just imagine. I could be turned into something beautiful, like an Eventide Aisha or a Water Cybunny. Or maybe even something cool like a Robot Poogle." Ruestilla lay down on her bed, dreaming of the colour combinations.

     "There's an adopter looking for a Neopet!" The two heard the Pink Uni who ran the Pound call out. "Come on, everyone! Get ready!"

     "Ooh, do you hear that, Rui? An adopter! Maybe they can adopt either one of us!" Digger said excitedly.

     "Or better yet, the both of us!" the two said at the same time.

     "Who's looking for a pet?" somebody called out.

     "Looks like a Faerie Wocky," another replied.

     Ruestilla's heart sank. A Faerie Wocky? They'd certainly be going after the occasional painted pet. After all, why would such a pretty Neopet want to adopt such a sorry pet such as herself?

     "And there goes the Disco Bruce. I never expected him to stay in here for more than a day," the same pet as before called out.

     And it was done with as soon as it began. Ruestilla sighed and climbed back on her bed.

     Diggaleg tried to smile, but he could tell that his friend just wasn't in the mood. He tried to think of something to encourage her, but his mind was drawing a blank.

     He got into bed herself. Maybe tomorrow will bring better results, he thought.

     ---

     The next day wasn't much different. Different pets came and went, with nobody even passing a glance at either the Ruki or Bori.

     Until after lunch.

     "So, how much are you willing to bet that the Rainbow Kau will be here for less than twenty minutes?" Ruestilla was asking Diggaleg about the new pound pet until the Uni called out again.

     "There's an adopter! Get ready, everyone! Look your best!" her voice echoed throughout the Pound.

     "Who is it this time?" someone asked.

     "Definitely a Green Eyrie." another responded.

     "Do you hear that, Rui? It's only a Green pet! We might have a chance!" Diggaleg cheered.

     The Eyrie wandered down their hallway, looking around at the pets. When she reached the two pets, she looked straight at the Bori.

     "This one, please?" the Eyrie asked the Uni.

     Diggaleg couldn't believe his ears.

     Ruestilla's heart sank yet again. Her best friend was getting adopted.

     Ruestilla gave her friend a weak smile as she watched the Eyrie fill out the paperwork, and left with her friend. "Congrats..." she said hesitantly.

     Her friend looked back sadly at her as she walked off, eventually disappearing around the corner.

     Thunder reverberated throughout the building. Ruestilla looked outside. A storm was brewing.

     "Rain. How fitting."

     ---

     The next few days were lonely, as the Ruki watched as Neopets got abandoned and adopted with every passing hour.

     Except now, her best friend wasn't by her side.

     However, she watched with some bemusement as she saw even the most beautiful of pets get thrown in here along with the Red Skeiths, Green Chias and Cloud Rukis. One especially surprising pet was a Baby Cybunny that got put in the room next to Ruestilla. However, that didn't last long, as many people clamored to get the precious Cybunny with an eventual victor.

     Why would anybody throw these into the Pound? They're not anything like me, she thought.

     She was instantly reminded of what her friend used to tell her.

     "Who knows, I have a chance of being adopted by a labber," Ruestilla told herself. "Then maybe I'll get a home..."

     Yet again, images of her as an amazing pet like an Eventide Aisha danced within her head, as she began to regain her confidence.

     One day, Rui. One day.

     She'd always imagine how life would be like as a lab pet. Being turned into all sorts of interesting things would certainly bring a spark into her dreary life in the Pound. Sure, there's a chance she could become a horrid Mutant Elephante, but there's also a chance of her becoming a Woodland Uni.

     It was unpredictable, but it was certainly an exciting thing she wanted to see for herself. Or better yet, experience it. It would certainly beat being a drab Cloud Ruki. Anything would.

     All she had to do was to wait for that day to come.

     ---

     One day, she had a Faerie Xweetok come into the room across from Ruestilla's.

     Ruestilla was just staring at the Xweetok in bewilderment. It certainly didn't escape the Xweetok's notice.

     "Hello," the Xweetok said.

     "H-H-Hello." Ruestilla couldn't believe why anyone would abandon a pet like him. "S-Sorry if you don't mind me asking, but why are you in here?" she asked.

     "Oh, I was a lab pet. Sometimes, lab pets are picked up just so they can be turned into something people would like. Then they take them back to the Pound where somebody would give them a good home. Although, there are those who manage to keep the home they were zapped in," he explained. "I'd bet you'd never think that I was once just your run-of-the-mill Yellow Lenny!" he laughed. "Trust me, everyone has a chance. All they need is the right owner to lead them the way."

     Ruestilla was amazed. So her dreams of becoming that pretty Aisha or Cybunny weren't unreasonable.

     "But, however, it usually takes months, maybe even years to get somewhere. I just got lucky," the Xweetok explained. "Usually just your stats grow. Sometimes, you end up even worse than when you started. I've heard of pets becoming Mutant Kaus and staying that way for months. I mean, have you even seen those things? You just have to hope you get lucky, but more often than not, a whole lotta nothing's gonna happen."

     Just what I needed to hear, Ruestilla thought, as her confidence faded away.

     A Neopet came up to the Xweetok, and got him out of the room. He was being adopted.

     "Hope you get the right owner!" the Xweetok called to Ruestilla as he was taken away.

     Hope. What is there left to hope for? Even if she got the zap of her dreams, which could potentially take forever, she could still get thrown back into the Pound. It didn't look like there was a way out.

     Ruestilla sighed. She just didn't know what to do now.

     "There's an adopter, everyone! Look your best!" tThe Uni called out again.

     "Who's there now?" "Looks like a Pastel Hissi." "Is it that Jewel pet again? She comes here every other week!"

     Ruestilla's interest grew. Jewel was rather well known among the Pound pets, as she came often to adopt a pet. She was rather popular, as she didn't have much of a preference about the pets she adopted. She even adopted a sickly Red Xweetok once; the bottom of the barrel. And she usually kept the pets or gave them to loving homes.

     This may just be my chance! Ruestilla perked up.

     However, time passed and still no Hissi came close to her door.

     Maybe she's already found the pet she's looking for...? Ruestilla started to wonder.

     At that moment, a softly-colored green and pink Hissi came into the hallway.

     So that's Jewel... The Ruki stared in amazement.

     The Hissi went around viewing the pets... then came to a stop outside of Ruestilla's door.

     She looked at the ragged little Ruki. Ruestilla could feel her heart skip a beat.

     Could she...?

     "...This one, madam. I'm sure of it," the Hissi told the Uni.

     She did. I'm getting adopted! Ruestilla thought in surprise.

     As the Hissi filled out some paperwork, Ruestilla came over.

     "H-Hello... Jewel, is it? I'm Ruestilla, but my friends call me Rui..."

     Jewel looked up, and smiled. "Ruestilla? That's a rather pleasant name. I understand you've been here for a while, yes?" she asked.

     "Y-Yes, ma'am."

     Jewel chuckled. "There's really no need for formality here, Rui. I'm just going to take you hope and fix you up a bit."

     "T-Thank you... Jewel." Ruestilla smiled.

     ---

     "So... This may come completely out of the blue, but are you a labber?" Ruestilla asked once they were outside.

     "I guess you can say I am. We've had varying levels of success, but I promise you, you're most likely going to have a nice home once we're through. In fact, I have no less than five pets I've adopted from the Pound that I've given a tune-up, then a nice home," Jewel replied.

     Ruestilla felt relieved.

     "Are you hungry? We can stop by Neopian Fresh Foods if you want."

     "No, I'm fine, thanks."

     "If you say so."

     "...This may sound a little demanding, but... can I see the Lab Ray? I've always dreamt of seeing what it could do," Ruestilla asked.

     "Interesting. Most of the pets I've adopted either wanted nothing to do with the Lab or have never heard of it. I do believe you're the first one who actually wanted to go there. If you want to, we could go." Jewel smiled.

     "I would love it."

     ---

     "Ok, are you sure you want to do this?" Jewel asked. The two were at the Lab.

     "I'm sure."

     "Ok, but don't be discouraged if nothing happens."

     "Don't worry, I've been through a similar conversation before."

     "Are you sure? Then step in front of the Ray," the Scientist told Ruestilla.

     Ruestilla looked up at the giant contraption. It looked rather well built, but there was no telling what it could do to her.

     But that was a risk she was willing to take. As long as she didn't look so plain, at least.

     "Ready, aim, FIRE!"

     And the Ray was blasted at her.

     As the light from the ray subsided, Ruestilla went to get a good look at herself in the mirror. She was disappointed with what she saw. She had become Purple. She was hoping for a bigger change, like being turned into something like a Poogle.

     "I think it's lovely." Jewel came up from behind her. "In fact, this is the first time I've had a pet change color. I'm rather a fan of basic colors; that's why I chose to become Pastel." She smiled. "You know, I think it would be nice if you stayed with us for a while. What do you think?"

     Ruestilla looked at herself in the mirror again. Suddenly, being a plain color didn't seem so bad.

     "You know, it's always nice to have a change of pace. I don't see why not. I certainly hope it'll be nice!" The Ruki beamed.

     Hope. There was so much left to hope for.

The End