Everyone's Neopia

     Once, he had even rescued a Kadoatie from a burning building, but others rushed it away from him with hardly a thanks. They acted like he was going to eat it instead of comfort the poor Kadoatie.

     Continuing to admire all the decorations, he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the figure of Axlotta, a Maraquan Lutari. Axlotta was fast, carefree and rather whimsical, who everyone liked. Axlotta brought a smile to everyone whenever they were around. Her joyful attitude was quite contagious. Not only was she one of the fastest runners around, but last year she was so fast she was 1st to find all the Neggs during the Festival of Neggs. Not only fast, but so helpful too. Always willing to help with anything somebody needs. Even after she found all her Neggs she spent time with others making sure they got all theirs, being the perfect balance of helpful without spoiling the fun.

     With over a week of pouring rain, today the sun was teasing through the clouds making a subtle rainbow in the sky, making Voodle excited again even as he was terrified. As Voodle stepped outside and Axlotta came closer, he could see the glint in her eye. Axlotta gazed with the affection of 548 bright cheerful Cybunnies. She said, in an excited voice, "I'm SO glad you are coming to the party, I want to enjoy this year's birthday party with you. Last year wasn't as fun without my friend."

     Voodle looked down "Axlotta, no one will want me there, and you have a ton of friends you can meet up with. Are you sure you want me to hangout with you" he replied.

     "Are you kidding Voodle?" Replied Axlotta, "You're my best friend, this day is going to be amazing now!"

     Two tall Tonus walked by heading to the birthday party, and music started playing in the distance

     "It's starting!" Squealed Axlotta, "Let's GO!"

     Heading toward the festivities Voodle got more and more nervous. He was scary looking and he just knew no one was going to want him there.

     Arriving at the town square, Voodle was quite overwhelmed at just how many Neopians were around.

     Axlotta looked thrilled, her emotions bubbling to the surface like the magma pool. "This is amazing!" She gushed, "They really outdid themselves this year, come on let's get some food, then we can play some games."

     Voodle could really see how much everyone was have a great time eating and playing fun party games.

     "Axlotta," he said quietly. "I really think I should go home, I'm going to make people nervous, since I'm so scary looking. I really don't fit in at a party. Especially not Neopias birthday, it's too special."

     "OH, Voodle!" exclaimed Axlotta, throwing her arms over him in a big hug. " I didn't know you felt this way. I don't think you look scary, and even if you did look scary this party is for all of us. I can see how you may be nervous but please just look around. Neopia was made for everyone!"

     "That's not true, Axlotta." Voodle said as he Pulled out of the hug. "Everyone always looks at me like I'm gonna mess up."

     "Voodle, do you remember when you saved that Kadoatie?" Axlotta asked. "Yeah, but they took it away really quickly and once again everyone was looking at me like I was going to eat it!" Grumbled Voodle.

     "Oh, dear! Is that what you thought? Exclaimed Axlotta "Not at all, the PPL took it away because they wanted to make sure it was safe, and everyone was looking at you because you were SO brave and you actually got to TOUCH a Kadoatie. Those are so rare!" Leaning in she lowers her voice to a whisper. "Not to mention expensive."

     Pulling out of the hug Voodle took a deep breath and looked around. "Really look, Voodle." Whispered Axlotta. Voodle scanned the crowd. A Grarrl with swirling purple eyes and sharp teeth was herding a whole gaggle of babies to play in a ball pit. "That's Murduh." Axlotta says, pointing. "He's been working at the training school. He wants to be a great fighter, but he is awesome at keeping babies happy. He always volunteers to babysit at events, so the little ones stay safe. He also makes a delicious kelp pie. All around Voodle, Neopians of all shapes and sizes, wearing all different styles, smiles filled with sharp and blunt teeth, paws and claws waving and clapping, everyone mingling, laughing and overall having a good time.

     "Voodle, do you remember when you saved that Kadoatie?" Axlotta asked. "Yeah, but they took it away really quickly and everyone was looking at me like I was going to eat it!" Grumbled Voodle.

     "Oh, dear! Is that what you thought? Exclaimed Axlotta "Not at all, the PPL took it away because they wanted to make sure it was safe, and everyone was looking at you because you were SO brave and you actually got to TOUCH a Kadoatie. Those are so rare!" Leaning in she lowers her voice to a whisper. "Not to mention expensive."

     "Voodle, I wish you could see yourself as others do." Axlotta said as she looked him in eyes. "You are so nice to everyone all the time. You use manners constantly, I wish I was that gracious. Not to mention how amazing you make Halloween, we all look forward to it, mainly because you make it so special. We can barely contain our excitement, or from asking you what you have planned. Every year without fail you volunteer during trick-or-treat event. People start speculating on your costume in SEPTEMBER!"

     Voodle smiled fully for the 1st time since Halloween, turning to Axlotta "Let's get going before all the food is gone." Voodle runs to the party. "Hey!" Shouts Axlotta "You can't outrun me. I'm faster!"

     "I know." Calls back Voodle, as he races away faster "But, I can still try!"

     Smiling, Axlotta looks at her friend slowly but as fast as he can race away from her, his laugh joining all the other laughing Neopians at the party. Picking up Voodles dropped gift bag, she starts following him through the crowd. Looking up as the sun fully breaks through the clouds, Axlotta says to herself. "I knew today was going to be perfect."

     The End.