Week - 323 Storm at Sea: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Two figures ran through the darkness. They were some of the very, very few who were unafraid – they had grown up on these shadowy streets...

Week - 324 Storm at Sea: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: The spell had pent up enough energy to keep the storm going for years. Not that they would need that long. Soft-hearted Fyora would see the chaos and do the only thing she could do to save her people – hand over Faerieland...

Week - 325 Storm at Sea: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Vivian was very uneasy. The electric Ixi sorceress whispered to Ivy, "Why haven't we seen any Dark Faeries?"

Week - 326 Storm at Sea: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Embyrr looked around in near-panic – they couldn't possibly last much longer. The Fire Faerie told her companion, "Ivy – we have to get out of here! We're being overwhelmed!"

Week - 360 A House, A Home: Part One by saphira_27

Description: "There's open space here, which is a lot more than you can say for Neopia Central. Come on! It's a whole new life – a splendid adventure story – four sisters moving to the moon!"

Week - 361 A House, A Home: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Juju bent down. Was this piece of floor slightly darker than the rest? She felt around it and got her fingers in the grooves. She lifted it up. A ladder led to a tunnel below.

Week - 362 A House, A Home: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: The Grundo said patronizingly, "I'm duty-bound to check out all serious claims. It was probably just a few teenage thugs hiding in the shed."

Week - 363 A House, A Home: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: That was when a large door opened across the room, revealing Commander Garoo. And yes, he had giant robots.

Week - 378 Her Majesty's Champions: Part One by saphira_27

Description: It was a time for Champions. Six mortal heroes with ties to each of the six elements, who were sworn to obey the Queen and fight for good.

Week - 379 Her Majesty's Champions: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "The Champions of Air and Darkness are arriving today... I will speak to all of you together, and explain your purpose."

Week - 380 Her Majesty's Champions: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Someone banged on the door of the Grand Council Chamber. "Milady Fyora! I must speak with you at once!"

Week - 381 Her Majesty's Champions: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: The three masked Neopets waited until the blast shook the Citadel before they acted. They jumped out of their hiding places...

Week - 382 Her Majesty's Champions: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: The six Champions dismounted outside the Faerie Palace and bid their mounts goodbye. Sartos muttered, "Here goes nothing."

Week - 383 Her Majesty's Champions: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: "I wish you to go inside the Palace... I need you to guard the Vault of Queens."

Week - 426 Hearts of Fire: Part One by saphira_27

Description: She crept into one of the narrow corridors of the Virtupets Space Station. The only light came from the intermittent blinks of the status buttons...

Week - 427 Hearts of Fire: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Carmen helped Niklausse up onto the top of the escape pod. They both squinted in the early-morning sunshine – they weren't used to it at all after a few years on the Space Station.

Week - 428 Hearts of Fire: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Carmen was starting to be a little uneasy about that plan... one night, she'd found the Neopedia articles on "Sloth" and "Mutants" while the others were asleep. A few phrases from the latter particularly haunted her...

Week - 429 Hearts of Fire: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Pinkerton was forcibly marched along a narrow ramp down into the belly of one of the Invader ships.

Week - 430 Hearts of Fire: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: As the sounds of battle crashed around them, Carmen, Niklausse, and Musetta crouched behind a barricade...

Week - 431 Hearts of Fire: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: "Better to die here and free than surrender and die a prisoner of Sloth."

Week - 448 Tatterwings: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Ioni the Grey Faerie looked out of the mouth of the cave into the setting sun. Behind her, the firelight flickered.

Week - 449 Tatterwings: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: She tried her best to stab at the creature – but how did one stab a shadow? It didn't seem to have any effect at all!

Week - 450 Tatterwings: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: "Edna's tower isn't too far away from here... she's said to be friendlier than others in this accursed wood, so I think we should start there."

Week - 451 Tatterwings: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: The seven travellers soon found that they couldn't keep up the pace that they had originally set. Bruno didn't appear at all tired, but finally, when even Rafe was drooping, Ioni said, "We can't go on like this... we need to slow down."

Week - 452 Tatterwings: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Jennumara felt the magic connection between herself and Archos snap. She dashed to the top of her tower and looked in her mirror, waiting impatiently for the mist to clear.

Week - 453 Tatterwings: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: The Darkest Faerie threw back her blue-black head and laughed. "Look at what's become of you, Jennumara!"

Week - 454 Tatterwings: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Ioni cried, "Baelia, run! I'll hold her off... you'll be more help as a Fire Faerie!"

Week - 475 The Wheel of Glory: Part One by saphira_27

Description: It was too much for Miles to keep track of at once. Arcadius – the builder of the five wheels of Neopia – speaking of a first wheel, which he hadn't invented!

Week - 476 The Wheel of Glory: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "What happened, Miles? I got here first, and you were just lying on the floor by the magic paintings, all tied up! Doc said that he thought he smelled sleep gas, but how did sleep gas get in here?"

Week - 477 The Wheel of Glory: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Miles rewrapped his makeshift turban around his head as Thag and Plesio rowed the boat up the River Sakh.

Week - 478 The Wheel of Glory: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Doc laughed. "Imagine it – we're in one of best worlds in Neopia for a journey, and Vile's on a wild-Mallard chase in the middle of the desert!"

Week - 480 Lady Sandstorm: Part One by saphira_27

Description: "It may be best to do what we did last time – remind him that Sakhmet and Qasala are allies. Unless he's tripled his forces since his last attempt, he can't possibly hope to stand against us together."

Week - 481 Lady Sandstorm: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Jazan blinked a few times, but he didn't let any other signs of his weariness show. There were quite a lot of Qasalans watching his small group leave the city...

Week - 482 Lady Sandstorm: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Hanso and Brynn only looked confused – Jazan realized that they probably had no idea what was going on. He asked, "Nightsteed, could we have a history lesson for all concerned?"

Week - 483 Lady Sandstorm: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Nabile twisted a strand of hair anxiously as Jazan said, "She was a Fire Faerie gone bad. She’s the reason the Lost Desert is a desert."

Week - 484 Lady Sandstorm: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: "So that way must be the room that fills with water! It's down a flight of stairs. Tomos and I fell in there, and then we went that way – so that way must be the library we found!"

Week - 485 Lady Sandstorm: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Jazan didn't even look at him. "Thief, if you dare to compare me to Razul..."

Week - 486 Lady Sandstorm: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Jazan stood in front of his scrying ball, wondering one final time if this was a good idea.

Week - 487 Lady Sandstorm: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Jazan looked back at the statue behind them. "That's King Jazan the First – he led the city against Lady Sandstorm the first time, all those millennia ago."

Week - 488 Lady Sandstorm: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: "Have the faeries arrived yet?" Nabile shook her head. "Not a sign of them."

Week - 489 The Squire and the Scholar: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Lisha tried to suppress a snort. "It'd be nicer if your example was realistic, sir. Jeran won't let me any closer to a battle than he can help."

Week - 490 The Squire and the Scholar: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "So, what are we not to do once we don't sneak out of the castle?"

Week - 491 The Squire and the Scholar: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Lisha shook her head. All of these knights and their ideas of "duty"...

Week - 492 The Squire and the Scholar: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Lisha gripped her wand. It's just me and Ro now. A squire and a scholar, out to save Meridell.

Week - 493 The Squire and the Scholar: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: She remembered how she'd felt as she watched Jeran waving goodbye to her. She'd been so proud of doing something without his help...

Week - 494 The Squire and the Scholar: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: With a thunderous roar, a Werelupe came out of a doorway up ahead. Lisha shrieked...

Week - 495 The Squire and the Scholar: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Jeran held Lisha so tightly she could hardly breathe as he scolded, "Lisha! What possessed you to do such an insane..."

Week - 496 My Enemy, My King: Part One by saphira_27

Description: It has been many years since you have wielded your blade in the service of Qasala. As your king, I command that you return...

Week - 497 My Enemy, My King: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "These directions, coupled with my own notes and translations, will lead you to the underground chamber where the 'Son of the Sun' hid his greatest treasure."

Week - 498 My Enemy, My King: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: He'd lived too long, travelled too far, and made too much of a life elsewhere to let himself die back in Qasala. He had to survive this.

Week - 499 My Enemy, My King: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Alaric eased himself down to the bottom of a long, slick wall with only scant handholds, then looked up at the dot of light at the top of the slope and lit his own torch. "The rest of you can come down now!"

Week - 500 My Enemy, My King: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Alaric awoke with a ferocious headache – he put a hand to his head as he opened his eyes.

Week - 501 My Enemy, My King: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: "The tiles on the floor are traps – there's one real path to each place, but other than that they open up into spike pits."

Week - 502 My Enemy, My King: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: "It doesn't matter – what matters is getting that Fyora-forsaken Orb out of this palace before your father finds out that it's gone!"

Week - 503 More Powerful than Magic: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Had it really been twenty years since the curse had ended? The Old Qasalan runes written on banners at every street corner proclaimed it, but Jazan still had trouble believing it.

Week - 504 More Powerful than Magic: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "How? She's been a statue for fourteen years! How in Neopia could she have gotten loose?"

Week - 505 More Powerful than Magic: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Hanso said with fake cheer, "King Jazan actually agrees with me? I feel so loved!"

Week - 506 More Powerful than Magic: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: "I am the Games Master! Please leave, unless you wish me to utterly defeat you."

Week - 507 More Powerful than Magic: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Hanso muttered to Jazan, "Congratulations. I think we've managed to find someone who's even more annoying than I am!"

Week - 508 More Powerful than Magic: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: If it had been any other night, Jazan would have been excited. The Vault of Queens contained some of the most powerful artifacts that had ever existed in Neopia, but mere mortals were rarely allowed inside.

Week - 509 More Powerful than Magic: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: The next morning, Jazan and Altador leaned over a large map of Faerieland and the surrounding land in Fyora's main library as Hanso consulted the golem book.

Week - 510 More Powerful than Magic: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Brynn asked, "Are you sure you can lead us to Xandra, King Jazan?"

Week - 511 More Powerful than Magic: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Jazan wasn't swayed for a second by Xandra's talk of power and conquest. He'd heard words like that before – that was the way Razul had talked.

Week - 513 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part One by saphira_27

Description: "If I wanted that blaster fixed with Mallard tape, I'd have done it myself!"

Week - 514 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "I'm glad we found you. This isn't a standard shipping lane – Spaceward 6 is here to patrol for pirates. Has your ship been attacked?"

Week - 515 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Cassius slid into his seat as Marzai began, "The sorceress Jalitha has been a problem for Eoxan-zortha for centuries..."

Week - 516 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Trinian shouted, "Any sign of the shadows?" Bea commented, "I'm pretty sure they're back there pointing and laughing."

Week - 517 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: As the flame subsided, a little Grundo wandered up. "May Mira bless our meeting, my friends! I'm glad that you've finally arrived!"

Week - 518 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: A portly Tonu snorted. "Surely you jest, Lord Firetamer."

Week - 519 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: It wasn't as if he had the same skills – the useful skills – that everyone else had, anyway. Unless Jalitha needed some pipes fixed, he was pretty much useless.

Week - 520 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: It was all too clear that the mine's tunnels had been abandoned for lifetimes – there were drippings and scuttlings in the darkness beyond the range of their iridan lamp. Yaxal asked nervously, "Just how stable is the rock?"

Week - 521 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: And then he realized that the darkness seemed a little... blacker... than it should have. Horns rang out from the tops of the towers. "Shadows! Shadows! Shadows attacking!"

Week - 522 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: Cassius said, "We'll save her. And when she sees us she'll start complaining about how we took our own sweet time and how she could have gotten herself out easier." Despite his joking, though, he couldn't get Jory to smile.

Week - 523 Starblaze and Blasterfire: Part Eleven by saphira_27

Description: Then he felt a draft. There was a bigger room up ahead. He was close – he could feel the darkness lurking beyond.

Week - 526 Houseguests by saphira_27

Description: Jazan sighed. Nabile loved throwing herself into holidays, and he supposed it would be fun for the children. But he had no fond memories of them, himself – for him, a holiday had been a day when he successfully avoided his father. Razul had certainly never hung a stocking or a sprig of holly in his life.

Week - 529 Once a Scarab: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Tomos didn't find it that hard to elude the palace guards as he snuck into one of the many gardens that surrounded the building. Everyone was still too busy celebrating the defeat of Razul...

Week - 530 Once a Scarab: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Bokan snapped, "Tomos, are you paying attention?"

Week - 531 Once a Scarab: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: "Tomos upset an Ummagine cart to let him get away, but couldn't get away fast enough himself. He's cooling his heels in the dungeons right now."

Week - 532 Once a Scarab: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: It was people like Jazan and Amira who were royalty to the bone, not her. But the guard was holding out his key. "Shall we go, then, milady?"

Week - 533 Once a Scarab: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: And all they had was this useless mirror. He muttered, "You'd think King Jazan could have given her some sort of magic weapon or something useful."

Week - 534 Once a Scarab: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Yari asked, eyes wide, "You really turned him into a Scamander?"

Week - 535 Once a Scarab: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Tomos was getting irritated quickly. "Once a Scarab, always a Scarab. Don't talk about her like she's some sort of traitor."

Week - 536 Once a Scarab: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: "The news has gotten out. We'll have allies, and his soldiers and sorcerers won't help him too much if the whole city has turned against him."

Week - 537 Once a Scarab: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Tomos couldn't help but look around in amazement as he jogged down the street toward the Scarab hideout. To an outside eye, the bustle of the street looked normal. But Tomos knew...

Week - 538 Once a Scarab: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: Nabile slipped her knife onto her belt – the only thing she had left to do was to cover her face and hair with a wrap like the desert traders used, so that no one would recognize her before the fighting began.

Week - 539 Once a Scarab: Part Eleven by saphira_27

Description: Amira said, "I want to go to the palace, and the throne room." It was official – Nabile was the only sane royal person that he knew.

Week - 540 The Scarab and the Sea: Part One by saphira_27

Description: It still seemed strange to Tomos that he was in charge of the other four Neopians, instead of being marched along in irons behind them.

Week - 541 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Jaryth hit his head against the table repeatedly. "He convinced the captain to leave without us? How in Nuria's name..."

Week - 542 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Tomos looked around the deck of the Sea Queen at the sailors preparing for a battle with pirates, wishing that any second he would wake up and it would have all turned out to be a nightmare.

Week - 543 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: "There's not much we can do until we get to wherever they're sailing to. Then we'll try to free ourselves and get those jewels and the treaty back."

Week - 544 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Lura finally pronounced Tomos fit to get up and move around the next morning. Tomos was glad – he had slept fitfully in that Fyora-forsaken hammock. He stepped out onto the deck of the Black Pawkeet...

Week - 545 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: "I'm a pirate. I don't need to be dignified."

Week - 546 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Tomos took several steps back – the Scarabs and the other urchin gangs took care to steer well clear of the Thieves Guild and its enforcers.

Week - 547 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Tomos had never had a lock pick that was more than a bent bit of wire, and now that he was in a position to actually afford real ones he had no need for them.

Week - 548 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Kipras blurted, "Behind the throne! Door! Caves – they lead to the sea! He's got his treasure down there, and a boat to escape in..."

Week - 549 The Scarab and the Sea: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: Scarblade only laughed – a cold, harsh noise without a trace of joy. "You're in an interesting position to be making demands, Captain Tomos."

Week - 550 Kings and Curses: Part One by saphira_27

Description: At that moment, the door swung open, and Jazan looked up – it was his son, Caspar. At sixteen, the desert Ixi was now just as tall as his father...

Week - 551 Kings and Curses: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: As soon as the Lutari had left, Esmeralda burst out laughing. "He's crazy!"  Caspar added, grinning, "Wackier than a Weewoo."

Week - 552 Kings and Curses: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Nabile asked, "Has something gone wrong, milady?" Fyora closed her violet eyes briefly. "I've received word that the tomb of Aurajar the Cruel has been rediscovered."

Week - 553 Kings and Curses: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Mirzah grumbled, "What do they put in Faerieland's water that makes them think it's such a good idea to do things at dawn?"

Week - 554 Kings and Curses: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Jazan threw his magic out in a brute wave – no finesse, just power – in order to try and keep himself from being swamped and buried in the merciless tide of sand.

Week - 555 Kings and Curses: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Only Jazan's weariness would keep him from having a wakeful night. He stared up at the stony ceiling, wondering what it would take to defeat an ancient king thoughtlessly released into the world.

Week - 556 Kings and Curses: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Jazan found that his fists were tightly clenched. Why couldn't the evil kings of Qasala stay dead?

Week - 557 Kings and Curses: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Jazan was the most powerful sorcerer that they had. If there was anything magical that could be done, he would be able to do it...

Week - 558 Kings and Curses: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Sambar bellowed, "Press through! They're a distraction! We've got to get to the guards at the palace!"

Week - 559 I Will Stand Alone: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Prince Jazan the Fourth of Qasala strode down the halls of the palace, his long legs eating up the distance quickly. At sixteen, he'd finally reached his adult height...

Week - 560 I Will Stand Alone: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Jazan stared at Nightsteed. "What's Lord Asyir been arrested for?"

Week - 561 I Will Stand Alone: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: He hoped Nightsteed had managed to find Seji. The dungeons were full of listening spells – and Jazan didn't like his chances of managing to foil all of them...

Week - 562 I Will Stand Alone: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Outside of the palace, these tunnels weren't particularly well-maintained. The stone was dank with mold and mildew, and many of the cobbles under their feet were crumbling...

Week - 563 I Will Stand Alone: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: He shut the door behind him, and as he locked it again he heard a noise that made him jump and almost drop his tray. It was only after it repeated that he realized it was a snore...

Week - 564 I Will Stand Alone: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Kiri said, her voice small, "Could you win if you fought him?" Jazan merely shrugged. "Maybe." If Razul were half-asleep. And dizzy.

Week - 565 I Will Stand Alone: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: She sniffed. "How can it be that we did everything right, and it still went wrong?" Jazan offered his best explanation. "Because Fate is a vindictive twit?"

Week - 566 I Will Stand Alone: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Asyir and Seji would be ready to deal with anyone who broke through, or fight if it all went wrong. Jazan, with both sword and magic, had to be prepared to fight the Werhond.

Week - 568 Mr. Cuddles by saphira_27

Description: Katrina asked, not liking the cold feeling at the pit of her stomach, "What in Neopia would scare a Meepit?"

Week - 572 Honor Among Thieves: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Everything on Marlos's desk was just the way he liked it. His brass lamp was polished mirror-bright, his case of colored inks was set out with each color in order...

Week - 573 Honor Among Thieves: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Marlos thought as he crouched in a shadowy alley not too far from the palace. He wanted nothing more than to go home, get in bed, pull his covers over his head, and make this all go away.

Week - 574 Honor Among Thieves: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Many of the buildings were boarded up, with signs on the boards saying the buildings were unstable. Nabile and Tomos went straight to one of these. Marlos frowned. "Is that safe?"

Week - 575 Honor Among Thieves: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Stealing the proof they needed would be, as it turned out, far easier said than done. It would either be in Lady Marcia's apartment in the palace or the mage's rooms in the Mages' College. And both, to Marlos, sounded about as wise as throwing gold coins into the middle of the Sakhmet marketplace...

Week - 576 Honor Among Thieves: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Zina complained, "I don't like it. I don't see how they run in these." She kicked at the hem of her long skirt.

Week - 577 Honor Among Thieves: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: "Do you relish the title of thief?"  Dom stood straight and tall. "Thief's a sight more honest than traitor. Wouldn't you say?"

Week - 578 Honor Among Thieves: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: By the time Marlos woke the next morning, Nabile had already returned with several Tchea Fruits and a carved walking stick. The Draik resolved to never ask any questions about where they'd come from.

Week - 579 Honor Among Thieves: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: If the king had been at his desk, the black thing would have been upon him in an instant. But the study was large, and they were far enough away that King Coltzan was able to draw his sword...

Week - 581 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles: Part One by saphira_27

Description: She hesitated. Going into the Haunted Woods – into the very darkest, deepest, worst part of it, at midnight – that was so reckless that Katrina could hardly even get her mind around it.

Week - 582 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles - Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Katrina yawned in the greyish light of early dawn. She wasn't a morning person by nature, but they had to catch a stagecoach – a stagecoach, of all things – to get into the Haunted Woods, and it left early.

Week - 583 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles - Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Zillie held on to Mr. Cuddles as tightly as she could. That was the only thing that the Purple Kyrii could do, lost and alone in the howling storm of wraiths.

Week - 584 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Katrina didn't know how long she knelt there in the cold, the foul mud of the Haunted Woods soaking through the legs of her pants. She didn't want to get up. She didn't want to have to decide what to do next.

Week - 585 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: If she got half a chance, she wanted to see all four of those stuck-up maniacs, plus this Overlord dude, taking a face-plant in the dirt.

Week - 586 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Zillie thought she had dozed again – the next thing she knew, Mr. Cuddles was nudging her and there was the sound of a key rattling in the lock.

Week - 587 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: It hadn't been hard to decide on a plan of action. Zillie, Mr. Cuddles, and whoever had taken them were all inside Castle Nox...

Week - 588 The Mysteries of Mr. Cuddles: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Zillie had heard a howl like that before – she would remember it anywhere. Werelupes. Close Werelupes.

Week - 591 King of the Land of the Sun: Part One by saphira_27

Description: The Darkest Faerie, once called Melanthe by those who knew her, stepped out of the middle of the flames in the dark space. "Why, hello, Altador."

Week - 592 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "I've had some word from my contacts. The Thieves' Guild is trying to move further into Altador."

Week - 593 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: They'd flush out their quarry and hunt them down, and even the notoriously tricky Thieves' Guild would be no match for a righteous thief and two powerful kings.

Week - 594 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Jazan clearly wasn't listening – he was lost in his own thoughts. Altador stopped trying to make conversation and focused on their surroundings instead. So he saw the shape on the rooftop in front of them raise a crossbow...

Week - 595 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Julius and Hestra were running around checking pulses as Altador had – Julius reported, "Everyone's alive, sir. Though with the headaches they'll have..."

Week - 596 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: "They believe in you, Altador. They believe that you will lead them through this fear and uncertainty. As does your Council."

Week - 597 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: The Darkest Faerie, once called Melanthe by those who knew her, stepped out of the middle of the flames in the dark space. "Why, hello, Altador."

Week - 598 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: The fortress ahead of them was larger than Altador had anticipated – a sprawling ruin of dark stone stacked into hole-riddled walls and crumbling towers...

Week - 599 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Altador couldn't strike at the heart of the fortress right away – and he had a feeling that the heart was where Masila would be.

Week - 600 King of the Land of the Sun: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: Altador couldn't see what was happening around him – waves of flame and dark magic swamped his vision. It almost seemed that they formed the shape of a Faerie tall and slender, graceful and dark...

Week - 604 Rogue and Rover: Part One by saphira_27

Description: "Kanrik!" He looked up and smiled at the sound of that familiar voice. "Hannah!"

Week - 605 Rogue and Rover: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: There was no such thing as waiting for the weather to clear on Terror Mountain. The sun shone through the clouds on only a handful of days each year, and even if there wasn't new snow falling, the wind still whipped the existing drifts back up into the faces of anyone unlucky enough to be slogging through them...

Week - 606 Rogue and Rover: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: The air was already thick with snow as they approached Castle Whitestones – true to the name, the whole fortress, hanging on the side of Howling Peak, was made of pale stone that was practically invisible against white flurries and grey sky...

Week - 607 Rogue and Rover: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Before Noni had even finished the word "recognized," Kanrik knew the game was up. He flung himself to his feet and ran straight for the door...

Week - 608 Rogue and Rover: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Rahm was clearly intent on being a knight in shining armor, despite the fact that the little fire Korbat was small enough that Kanrik could beat him in a fight with one hand tied behind his back...

Week - 609 Rogue and Rover: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik's arm muscles burned as they scaled the top of a cliff so steep that they'd had to use their full climbing kit. Hannah grinned impishly at him from her seat, dangling her legs over the edge above him. "Come on, slowpoke!"

Week - 610 Rogue and Rover: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik had expected that the tiny frost-witch would slow them down. But she walked icy ridges and steep slopes as quickly and easily as though they were paved streets...

Week - 611 Rogue and Rover: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: The ice knight's armor and helmet were studded with wicked ice spikes – Kanrik noticed those very clearly as the knight swung his shield at him in an attack that would have crushed him like a Grackle Bug.

Week - 612 Rogue and Rover: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik had always thought that the idea of "wealth beyond one's wildest dreams" was entirely foolish. He could dream of quite a lot.

Week - 613 Rogue and Rover: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik looked around the cave – it was about the size of his room back at the inn in Happy Valley. "I wish we could risk a fire, but they'd see the smoke from miles off. Looks like we're eating nuts, dried fruit, and jerky again."

Week - 620 It Takes a Thief: Part One by saphira_27

Description: "Nabile, are you coming to the marketplace with me or not?"

Week - 621 It Takes a Thief: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik took a deep breath. He had to lose the Queen of Qasala – she might be a noblewoman, but apparently it took more than twelve years of queenship to get the street rat out of somebody.

Week - 622 It Takes a Thief: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Hannah snickered. "You scare small children." Kanrik merely grunted...

Week - 623 It Takes a Thief: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: It was starting to look depressingly like Jazan actually didn't hate thieves – he just hated Hanso.

Week - 624 It Takes a Thief: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik had to admit that, though King Jazan was potentially Meepit-in-the-moonlight mad, he exhibited fine desert hospitality.

Week - 625 It Takes a Thief: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Hanso twitched nervously.  Jazan snapped, "Stand still."

Week - 626 It Takes a Thief: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: The Nimmo began, "I am Lord Norheim. The name will mean nothing to you, and that is as it should be."

Week - 627 It Takes a Thief: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Brynn asked Jazan, "Sir, what are the chances of there being trouble at the tomb?" Paselle snorted, flinging back a short lock of purple hair. "Certain, Miss Knight."

Week - 628 It Takes a Thief: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Hanso was typically honest with himself, even when he was lying to everyone else. It tended to keep him from doing things that he'd view as stupid later.

Week - 629 It Takes a Thief: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: Udiza snarled, "We shall take this desert back from the mortals, King. I only wish you would live to see all the mortal rulers in chains, kneeling at the feet of the Faeries!"

Week - 630 It Takes a Thief: Part Eleven by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik didn't have to argue with her again, because Mortman said, "When the king started throwing fire around, all of them ran for it. Sweet Fyora, I'd have run for it..."

Week - 631 Fireballs Among Friends: Part One by saphira_27

Description: The fire gleamed bright in Rasala's hand as she whispered the words of the spell...

Week - 632 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: "Remember that. Always use as little energy as you can to achieve what you want to – you'll never regret having saved some power for later."

Week - 633 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Rasala had to half-run to keep up with King Jazan, which wasn't easy after the long trek across the hot sand...

Week - 634 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Esmeralda said, "Look, Father! Mama let us have coffee!"

Week - 635 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Yvenya scoffed, "Even with three gifted mages you could hardly attempt all those... oh. Oh. Twins."

Week - 636 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: If sixteen years as king had taught Jazan absolutely nothing else, he knew how to recognize a power play.

Week - 637 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Yvenya sniffed as the four Order mages followed Seradar up to the second story of his tower. The old Xweetok said, "Hardly behavior becoming of a mage and a king."

Week - 638 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Jazan felt the surge and the wild magic – it woke him up. Caspar started with a gasp, and Esmeralda fell off her chair. Then he heard, "Downstairs! Downstairs! Now, now, now!"

Week - 639 Fireballs Among Friends: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Miskal said, worried, "We need to get shelter before nightfall. The borderlands are a bad, bad place after nightfall."

Week - 649 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part One by saphira_27

Description: So what was a priceless statue doing in the hands of the two-bit mayor of this two-bit little place?

Week - 650 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Theft. It made him feel a little nauseous, really. Corbin and Kell regularly lied their tails off, but theft was another level entirely.

Week - 651 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: Kanrik smiled despite himself. He would have preferred to break in tonight, but the Ogrin and the Wocky had clearly seen Kanrik and Hannah trailing them...

Week - 652 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: Corbin had officially decided that their life of crime was over. Somehow they'd gone from "grab the Arnsian and get out of here" to holding a little Usul woman hostage.

Week - 653 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Corbin said, "My brother and I call ourselves the Monster Hunters. But that's not a good name for it, really. We try to protect everyone..."

Week - 654 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Corbin didn't like the idea of going back to Marius's house. That hadn't gone well the last two times...

Week - 655 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: And as everything had managed to go spectacularly wrong thus far, he had absolutely no confidence that this wouldn't come to a fight. Not when their plan was a trap with themselves sitting prettily inside it.

Week - 656 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: This was a warrior's weapon, and, frankly, Corbin wanted nothing to do with it. That had been one of Dad's rules: when the weapons come out, the best place to be is gone.

Week - 657 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: Masila sneered at Hannah as she stepped backward from a strike. "Still following him around like a good little Spardel?"

Week - 658 Where the Wind Blows Wild: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: Kell said, "Quick, nasty, and actually stands a chance of working. I like it."

Week - 659 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Maestro Marcus believed the Virtupets Community Orchestra could be the equal of any musical ensemble Neopia had to offer, and no trifle like reality could convince him otherwise.

Week - 660 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: A space sky, but full of colors. That was the place where Paloma's mysterious lady was. At least that ruled out Neopia itself...

Week - 661 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: "I've got arti-grav – artificial gravity – once we're in flight. You'll want to stay strapped in until I say, though."

Week - 662 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: "We'd better be ready – gravity will be light, but this landing's still going to be rough."

Week - 663 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: The spokesperson of the black-armored warriors said, "Your people will be exterminated. There is no longer a place on Filion for the Children."

Week - 664 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: Abruptly, the dress didn't seem so bad. If they were going to meet the non-missing princess, formal was probably better. Subi called back, "Five minutes!"

Week - 665 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Up on the stage – the Children of the Lonely Stars called it a dais – Princess Arabel and Madame Ruska were quizzing Paloma as she sat between them clutching her bowl of soup.

Week - 666 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Eight by saphira_27

Description: Rin said carefully, "Don't want to rush you people, but them getting in here would be bad, right?"

Week - 667 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Nine by saphira_27

Description: "Heave-and-ho and turn the wheel, Hull of iron and sails of steel, Shining bright in the frozen night, On to find the morning!"

Week - 668 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Ten by saphira_27

Description: "Look at them. That one's slouching, and that one's leaning against the spell anchor. And that matte black armor is so they don't have to clean it regularly. Disgraceful. Even Sloth had more pride in the appearance of his soldiers."

Week - 669 Children of the Lonely Stars: Part Eleven by saphira_27

Description: Diamal merely raised her hand and pointed. A swirl of magic, a feeling of vertigo, and the top of the spire was simple gone...

Week - 670 Hotshots: Part One by saphira_27

Description: Mortman peered out into the dimness and the mist of the fens that surrounded Kiko Lake. It was midnight...

Week - 671 Hotshots: Part Two by saphira_27

Description: Mortman waited with the two young hotshots in the cabin. They didn't talk much – it seemed they had just enough sense to know that someone would be listening.

Week - 672 Hotshots: Part Three by saphira_27

Description: "He used to be Guild?" Paselle asked dubiously. "Can we trust someone who used to be Guild?"

Week - 673 Hotshots: Part Four by saphira_27

Description: The scroll was an important part of their mission – at least to Galem, which meant it had to be to them as well. But Mortman had decided since he'd met these two last night that he had another goal...

Week - 674 Hotshots: Part Five by saphira_27

Description: Mortman sidled in and took a table near the edge, but not so far that it looked obviously like he was trying to hide himself in the corner...

Week - 675 Hotshots: Part Six by saphira_27

Description: When Mortman returned to Tobey's inn after his excursion, he'd expected to go straight to bed. Instead, he found Kanrik sitting up...

Week - 676 Hotshots: Part Seven by saphira_27

Description: Roane was up late working. Frustratingly late. Mortman crouched, watching the window, though if he had to crouch much longer his muscles would seize up. He'd sent Kanrik and Paselle to check the perimeter.