Pep's Great Halloween

It’s been a while since we last saw Neopia’s favorite Christmas Noil, Pep. Anyway, he now lives in Happy Valley with his snow Wocky owner. Riku wanted to peruse her schooling and asked her friend, wocky_cutie_543 (Cici), to take care of her precious Pep. Cici happily accepted and Pep has been warming up to the idea beautifully. (After all, it was his dream home in Happy Valley.)

     ***

     Pep ran around and whined as he bounded out the door, his hat jingling.

     Cici giggled as she grabbed her jacket and followed after the petpet.

     It was a chilly October morning, but Pep didn’t care. He was outside, rain or shine. They were headed to Super Happy Icy Fun Snow Shop to pick up supplies for the Halloween party. There was only one week until the party and everything was in place. It was at Riku’s and they were helping put it together.

     Derek the yellow Lenny was always there and loved to see Pep and Cici.

     “Hello! How are you guys?” he asked warmly, despite the freezing weather.

     Pep chirped and jumped and ran around behind the counter, like he always did.

     Derek laughed and reached into a locked drawer.

     “Good to see you too, Pep. Here’s your treat like I promised last time,” he said happily.

     Cici smiled and remembered what she had really come for. “Oh, yes. We came to get more supplies for Riku’s party. Got anything interesting today?”

     “Of course, as always! You may take a look and let me know when you’re done.”

     Cici looked into the many fridges and freezers, looking for treats for the Halloween party. She found Spooky Chia Pops, some Snoranges, and Pumpkin Snow Puffs. She carried the bundle of things to the counter, paid, gathered up Pep, and headed back home.

     Pep danced happily down the trail back to Happy Valley. Cici looked at him and asked, “What are you going to be for Halloween this year, Pep?”

     Pep looked at her with a strange look. He knew that Halloween meant you had to dress up as something new, but he hadn’t considered what he wanted to be.

     He tilted his head as if asking what she was going to be.

     Cici smiled and replied, “I think I’m going to be the Snowbeast this year.”

     Pep looked confused at her, but just kept walking.

     Later that night, Pep lay in bed and stared up at his ceiling.

     What AM I going to be for Halloween? There’s so much to be, but what would I want to be?

     Thoughts ran through his mind until he finally fell asleep.

     ***

     He woke up to the thick smell of Boiled Egg on Toast and Faerie Pancakes. His favourite! He bounded out of bed and ran into the kitchen to meet Cici.

     “Good morning, Pep! Have you decided what you want to be for Halloween? I thought maybe we could go shopping today and pick something out. The party is in a few days, you know.”

     Pep pawed at the ground and made an unsure whine.

     “Ok, that’s fine; we can go another day.”

     Pep sat down hard in front of his breakfast. The gnawing question kept coming back to his mind.

     He knew the whole point of dressing up on Halloween was to be something or someone else for a day. Pep continued to think about the question and decided he needed to eat his breakfast before it got cold.

     Pep got ready in one of his many Christmas outfits and he and Cici went for their daily walk.

     “Where would you like to go today? Are you sure you don’t want to just look at the costumes to see if you like anything?”

     Pep made a reassuring chirp and they headed to the base of Mountain. They waited for a boat and rode along. They stopped on Roo Island to ride the Marry-Go-Round, like they always did on their way to Neopia Central. They caught the next boat to Neopia Central.

     Pep looked out at the vast waters surrounding him. They reached Neopia Central and he knew they had to be fairly quick because he didn’t want Cici to melt.

     “Ok, Pep, let’s take a look here.”

     They walked into the store with the big sign that read “Petpet Supplies.”

     Pep’s eyes widened as he saw rows and rows of toys, food, climbing things, and accessories. He followed closely behind Cici. She smiled and waved at the shopkeeper and went towards the windows. He saw costumes small and big scary and cute. There were character costumes and just plain costumes. Some were simple and some were complex.

     Pep stood at the vast wall and blinked a few times.

     Cici smiled and asked, “So, what do you think? See anything interesting?”

     Pep got into deep thought and made his decision.

     ***

     Cici thanked the shopkeeper and they walked out the door. They headed to the pier to the boat back home.

     As they passed Roo Island, Pep whined. “Not again, Pep. It’s getting really warm for me and we need to get home for dinner, ok?”

     Pep sighed reluctantly and slumped back in his seat.

     As they stepped off the boat, Pep and Cici trailed up the hill to get to the tram, heading for home.

     Pep danced and twirled the whole way there and to their house.

     Cici sighed and sat down in her favorite chair. “That was fun, Pep, thanks for going with me,” she said, smiling.

     Pep smiled back and made a chirp.

     She continued, “Well, we better get you to bed. It’s been a long day and tomorrow is the Halloween party.”

     Pep flipped and danced in excitement. Despite his earlier feeling of not wanting to go, now he was more anxious than ever.

     Cici tucked him into his warm covers and said goodnight.

     Pep closed his eyes, but could hardly sleep with all his excitement. He then remembered that he was going to see Riku again too! He finally fell asleep a little bit later.

     ***

     He woke up, smelling omelettes in the kitchen. He raced out of bed and down the stairs.

     “Someone’s up early! Oh well. Hurry and eat so we can get ready. We’re going to Riku’s to help set up,” Cici said as Pep almost slid past his breakfast.

     They ate quickly and got ready.

     “Bring your costume with you so you can get in it when it’s time for the party!” Cici yelled as she gathered her things.

     They started off down the mountain to catch another boat. They left early so that Pep could ride the Merry-Go-Round, like Cici had promised.

     They got off the boat on Roo Island and then caught another boat for Neopia Central. Cici had worn a special suit this time, so she’d stay cool and not melt. Even though it was October, it was still warm in Neopia.

     They reached Riku’s house and rang the doorbell.

     “Hi! It’s so good to see you guys! Hi Pep!!!” Riku shrieked happily.

     They all went inside and set up the remainder of the party and put on the finishing touches. They caught up on what was going on and played a few games.

     Time passed by all too quickly. It was then time for the party.

     “Ok, Pep, time to get ready. Go get in your costume!”

     Pep bounded off into the other room and heard the doorbell ring. He knew people were arriving.

     He came back out and saw his favorite band, Wock Til You Drop, standing in the middle of the room! He knew this was going to be the best night ever.

     ***

     The night went on with games, music and fun, Pep in the center of attention. He decided then to go find Riku. She had been busy earlier with talking and eating.

     He strolled over to where she stood and danced and chirped happily.

     “Hi Pep! It’s so nice to see you! How are you?” she said, her mouth moving rapidly.

     Pep danced, twirled, spun, and flipped all around Riku. Riku scooped him up in her arms and cuddled him.

     “Hey, where’s your costume?” she wondered as she noticed his jingly hat and traditional Christmas outfit. She continued, “Halloween is a day where you can be anyone you want to be...”

     Pep whined and looked at her with big eyes.

     Riku then realized what he was doing. “But you wouldn’t want to be anyone other than my petpet, Pep?”

     Pep smiled and buried his head in her Vira costume.

     Her eyes slowly filled with tears. “I’ve missed you so much. But don’t worry, I’ll be back in a few months... probably.”

     Pep looked up at her, sad, but with some hope. He nodded and whined. She looked up to find that the band had stopped playing and everyone was gathering their belongings.

     ***

     She set him down gently after one more hug. Cici walked over to them with a sympathetic look on her face. She smiled at Riku. Pep gave one last hug on Riku’s leg and waddled over to Cici.

     “I can’t thank you enough for taking care of Pep. He is very happy with you in Happy Valley.” Riku said looking down at Pep. “I will be out of school soon, though. I’m considering moving to Tyrannia so I will be close to Mountain. He loves it there...” she trailed off.

     Cici looked at her and asked, “So after you’re out of school, do you want me to continue to look after Pep?”

     “That’s what I was hoping. He loves being in Happy Valley, and me being a Ruki, I don’t think I would last in the snow. So, I think I’ll go to Tyrannia so I’d be closer to you guys. I guess we’ll get there when we get there,” Riku replied.

     Cici nodded and hugged Riku goodbye. Pep was feeling happy that in the near future, Riku was moving closer to them.

     Pep danced in the middle of the room, his hat jingling. He took his hat off and handed Riku and Cici the treats he had bought from Derek the Lenny earlier that week.

     They all laughed and ate together.

     Pep was so happy he was what he wanted to be for Halloween. He was Riku’s petpet and a friend of many. He wouldn’t want to be anyone else.

The End