The Five Kaus: Part Three

      The speed at which he traveled and the ferocity of his attack passed over the land so quickly no one was able to retaliate against him. And by the time there was a force strong enough to contend with him... he was gone. It was as if he wasn't on Neopia anymore.

     ********

      Later that night, Jacob, Whooper and the four Metonots sat around a campfire. Whooper was still quickly looking back and forth to each Metonot before him, still trying to decide which one was its true master, while Yellow Metonot kept shaking and crying out little yelps of surprise every time a loud snap from the fire went off.

      "So," said Jacob as he scratched his cheek. "I think we all need an introduction, seeing as we don't all know each other that well."

      "What do you mean you don't know me?" whined Blue Metonot. "You've been my caretaker for the past few years. How can you-"

      "What I think he means," interrupted White Metonot as he put a hoof to his chin, "is that he doesn't know what we, the essence of Metonot, have become."

      "The 'essence of Metonot'?" asked Jacob.

      "Ever since I have awoken from the experimental ray's effect, I have been observing each of us and how we act, each of us believing that we are Metonot. I know for a fact that I AM Metonot, as I have memories of my life with Jacob. But when all of you mentioned these memories as well, there involves a paradox, as only one of us could have memories."

      "Are you saying three of us aren't the real Metonot?" yet again whined Blue Metonot. "I AM the real Metonot. Why would I lie?"

      "I didn't say you were lying," reassured White Metonot. "If you would let me finish-"

      "Oh no!" cried out Yellow Metonot, who began to shake even more. "Does that mean I might not be real? It can't be true! I know I exist!"

      "Be quiet, all of you!" screamed an exasperated Jacob. "ALL of you are Metonot!"

      "Precisely," said White Metonot, clanking his hoofs together with victory. "We are all Metonot, or more like the essence OF him. We are each a part of that which makes him whole."

      "Well, what does that mean?" questioned Yellow Metonot, who was now getting over his shakes after hearing he did indeed exist.

      "The experimental lab ray was designed to alter the five basic attributes of all Neopets: strength, speed, defense, intellect, and endurance. However, no Neopet body could possibly contain such power in itself. An explosion would most likely occur!" Jacob scratched his cheek at hearing this. "Thankfully, this did not happen in our case. Instead, Metonot, our original form which we have sprung from, split into five pieces, each accompanying the five attributes.

      "However, physical traits can be separated into different bodies, but not a whole mind. Therefore, when we were split into each of our distinctive forms, Metonot's mind also split apart, giving us each a certain aspect of his psyche."

      "I still don't have any idea what that means," said Yellow Metonot.

      Jacob grunted in frustration, and kicked fiercely out at the fire, sending sparks of flame almost within reach of Yellow Metonot. He cried out in surprise, and went immediately running off, his ultra fast feet taking him to a hiding spot fifty feet away in just two seconds.

      "What he means," cried out Jacob, cupping his hands so that Yellow Metonot could hear him, "Is that you have super speed, and that you have Metonot's cowardice, which I don't particularly enjoy!"

      "Exactly," said White Metonot. "Although I would have used a much more pacifist way to get the point across, that's exactly the point."

      "Whatever," said Jacob with a wave of his hand. "As long as things get done, I don't care. Anyways, let's figure out the rest of you guys. You," pointing at Blue Metonot, "have inherited the sadness of Metonot."

      "What?" said the Blue Metonot. "Shouldn't sadness be the trait Grey Metonot has?"

      They all looked at Grey Metonot, who had remained silent throughout the whole proceeding. It looked like he was almost asleep, and didn't care about the bickering of the others around him.

      "I don't think so," said Grey Metonot matter-of-factly. "I wasn't the one whining the whole time."

      "Hey! It's not my fault Jacob set up camp in direct contact with the cold wind," complained Blue Metonot.

      "That's settled then," said Jacob. "Now we just need to figure out what attribute you have super powered... hey, what's that up in the sky behind your shoulder, Blue Metonot?"

      Curious, Blue Metonot looked behind him, and suddenly felt something bang off his head. Stunned but not hurt, he turned back to Jacob and exclaimed, "What was that?"

      "You're not hurt?" asked Jacob, sounding surprised.

      "No, I don't think so," replied Blue Metonot, who began to check his body for cuts or bruises... when he noticed the large boulder sitting a few feet away from him.

      "You threw a boulder at my head!?!" cried out Blue Metonot, devastated that Jacob would do such a thing.

      "Well, I already figured you had the defense attribute, so I didn't think you were going to get hurt. Now I've got proof."

      "And what if I did get hurt?"

      Looking rather sheepish, Jacob ran a hand through his hair and said, "Then I suppose you would be going to bed early tonight."

      Blue Metonot began to whine even louder than before, but this did not stop White Metonot from saying, "I, on the other hand, and I am sure it's apparent to you, have inherited super powered intellect and the logic of Metonot's mind."

      "It's painfully apparent," said Jacob. "And the red one that ran off somewhere inherited super strength, all of which is fueled by Metonot's anger."

      While White Metonot nodded with approval, Jacob looked over at Grey Metonot, who was now almost asleep. "And just what part of Metonot's mind do you represent?" asked Jacob.

      "Isn't it obvious?" said Grey Metonot, eyes still closed.

      "Well, you certainly aren't his sadness, as was pointed out with the blue one over there, so I don't really have a clue."

      Grey Metonot grunted a laugh and said, "I'm Metonot's happiness."

      "What? That can't be right. How can you be Metonot's happiness? I mean, you're... miserable."

      Grey Metonot opened one tired eye and looked straight at Jacob. "I know," and he turned over, going right to sleep.

     ********

      Outside the atmosphere of Neopia, a spaceship was docking into the Virtupets Space Station. To the workers there it was just another cargo ship, and they would follow the routine as they always have. They never expected a Red Kau to burst through the steel cargo bay doors and into the Space Station.

      "Sound the alarm!" cried out a Grundo. "Sound the-"

      The unfortunate Grundo was kicked into a nearby spaceship, and was soon accompanied by another as the alarm sounded. Gun turrets opened up from the walls and entrances into the Station started to close off.

      "Shut that racket of an alarm off!" yelled Red Metonot.

      Guns began to fire upon Red Metonot, who ran straight for one of the closing doors. He was halfway there when it slammed shut.

      "Do you think a stupid door can stop me? DO YOU?"

      Crashing through the doors, he was greeted by a squad of soldiers. Needless to say, they didn't fare as well as those in the docking bay.

     ********

      The sun rose to find Jacob and company rising to the new morning, smoke still rising from the ashes of the previous night's fire. Being what he was, Yellow Metonot was the first up and quickly scanned the perimeter of the camp to make sure nothing was stolen during the night and no thieves were going to rob them while they were still groggy.

      Instead of finding anything along those lines, he saw a squad of flying troops off in the distance, bearing down right at them. Freaking out, Yellow Metonot began to quickly tap awake the still resting Jacob. And because of his extreme agility, he was tapping Jacob close to ten times a second.

      "What? What is it?" moaned Jacob, pushing away Yellow Metonot and then wiping at his eyes.

      "There are flying soldiers coming in our direction! They will be here any minute!"

      Awake but still muddled, Jacob looked in the direction Yellow Metonot pointed and grunted. "Troops from Faerieland. I was wondering when they would come."

      "What do you mean they are from Faerieland? You knew they were coming? Why didn't you tell me? What are we going to do?"

      "Calm yourself, Yellow Metonot," said White Metonot, fully awake and ready for travel. "Faerieland, as the most powerful of lands, maintains order within Neopia. At this time, they aren't at war, so they mainly deal with civil disputes between Neopets and their masters, or when a Neopet should ever escape the care of their master."

      "Exactly," said Jacob as he got to his feet, dusting off the dirt from his clothes. "They have probably found Red Metonot or will give a status report so we can help capture him."

      "But how were they able to find us?" worried Yellow Metonot. "We are out in the wilderness! How could they have known?"

      "Aw, come on!" whined Blue Metonot before Jacob could reply. "They are protectors of Neopia and outfitted by Faerieland's armory. Don't you think they would have a seeing stone or two to help them?"

      "Oh no! They are always watching us! They know everything we are doing at all times! What are we going to do?" and Yellow Metonot began running about the camp at top speed until Jacob placed an open sack in his path. He ran into the bag, and Jacob closed off the opening and threw him over his shoulder.

      "Well," Jacob sighed. "I'm ready to go. Grey and Blue Metonot, get yourselves ready for the visitors."

      "Hey! Let me out of this bag! I'm scared of the dark!"

      "Don't you worry, Yellow one," patting the bundle over his shoulder. "You have nothing to fear, since you are right next to me. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

      A whine escaped through the confines of the sack, but nothing more. While all of them got through their morning routines, Jacob overlooked the Metonots with amusement. He noticed all the little quirks they did, recognizing them for what Metonot truly was.

      White Metonot began to systematically do all the morning chores, first by putting out the still burning embers of the fire. Then he began making breakfast for everyone present, making sure everyone got an equal portion.

      Blue Metonot whined that it wasn't enough food for him to eat, to which White Metonot replied that it was, and that he shouldn't eat too much, something Jacob would have said. Blue whined at hearing the statement he knew he was going to hear, and nibbled at his portion of omelette resentfully.

      Grey Metonot, being true to the essences of Metonot's happiness, ate his omelette without any emotion at all. He seemed so withdrawn, which was to be expected, as he had been living a life that didn't have much joy in it since visiting the lab ray. Jacob made a note to try and change all that in the future should their current situation be solved.

      All the versions of Metonot weren't the only things of interest. Whooper was sitting atop the head of White Metonot, apparently choosing him as its current master. Perhaps it was because the White one's essence was logic, which counterbalanced the illogic that Whooper always displayed.

      They were all travel ready when the flying troops landed in front of them. Jacob walked forward to the apparent captain of the squad, a Scorchio in brighter colored armor than the rest. "Greetings! What news do you have for me?"

      "Not good news, I am afraid," sighed the captain. "I'm very sorry to do this to you, Jacob, but I have my orders," and he signaled to the others behind him, who then circled Jacob and the Metonot's, weapons drawn.

      "What's going on here?" asked Jacob, alarmed at this sudden show of aggression.

      "It has recently come to our attention that you have taken under your wing four new Neopets, exceeding the limit you are allowed to raise. We are placing you under arrest."

      "What? Wait a minute, this can all be explained-"

      "You and your new Neopets will be taken into custody, at which time you will have your say. But as of this time I must ask you to surrender."

      "You are being highly unreasonable!" complained White Metonot. "If you would just stand down and listen you will see this is a huge misunderstanding."

      "Failure to comply," continued the captain, "and we shall have to use force, your caretaker contract shall be void, and all your Neopets shall be placed in the pound."

      "The pound?" cried out Yellow Metonot from the sack over Jacob's shoulder. "NO! I don't want to go to the pound!" and began fighting frantically to get out of the bag. Jacob, not ready for such a struggle, dropped the sack, and Yellow Metonot flew out, knocking over several of the soldiers that were guarding the side of the ring he had rushed.

      "They're attacking!" said one of the Eyrie soldiers. "Get them!"

      Before the captain could call for them all to hold their ground, they all charged in. Jacob quickly rushed into the fray, hoping to stop some of them before the Metonots got harmed. But he really had nothing to fear, as he noticed after tossing several of the guards to the ground. They were outfitted with Swords of Domar and other such obsolete weapons. 'Really wish Faerieland would give more funding to their army,' thought Jacob after punching a Pteri. 'These soldiers would never be able to defend anything!'

      The poor weapon choices of the soldiers weren't the only thing in Jacob's favor. The Metonots were also putting up quite a fight. White Metonot ducked and dodged all blows with perfect accuracy, and with help from Whooper was able to put his opponents off balance. Blue Metonot was getting highly offended by the soldiers bossing him around and beat down one after the other while their weapons bounced off his invincible hide. And Yellow Metonot, of course, continued running about, sending opponents flying when he ran into them.

      The only Metonot that seemed to be having trouble was the Grey. But even that wasn't right, as his opponents were going down as fast as the others were. He fought on, feeling the pain of every blow the soldiers happened to land on him, but kept right on fighting. 'Just like Metonot,' thought Jacob with great satisfaction. 'His hope for happiness will endure no matter how bleak things may seem.'

      In less than two minutes, the entire squad of soldiers was either knocked unconscious or had retreated to the skies. Blue Metonot cried out, "Yeah! That teaches you for trying to bully us around!"

      "You tell 'em, Metonot," laughed Jacob, dusting off his clothes once again. "Well... let's get going. We better start off at a run, since their reaction speed to a defeat is much better than their combat prowess."

      "That's right!" exclaimed White Metonot. "Once the troops that escaped return to base, they shall have even more powerful reinforcements."

      "Oh no!" screamed Yellow Metonot once more, and ran off... once again.

      "For once I agree with his cowardice," sighed Jacob.

To be continued...