Jhudora’s Quest - Level 1000

     “Mom, it’s here!” Zaf yelled, holding the newspaper above her head triumphantly. She sped to the kitchen table where her plate of Slorg Flakes was waiting and plopped down to read. Her Gelert brother Zin just rolled his eyes from across the table.

     “It’s just another dumb newspaper,” he muttered through a mouthful of Appriberries. “What’s so special about this one?”

     Zaf ignored him, already engrossed in the colourful pages detailing celebrations across Neopia. There would be a festival in Meridell, a carnival in Roo Island, and a parade featuring giant Petpets floating down Main Street in Neopia Central. Zaf longed to visit all the festivities, but most of all she hoped to meet other Neopians who shared her passion for writing and reading. She was already daydreaming about interviewing her favourite Neopian Times reporters when something odd caught her eye.

     In the back corner was a tiny advertisement that simply read: Zafara Author Event. Talk with published Zafara writers and celebrate Issue 1000. Click for location and time details.

     Zaf gasped and almost spilt her cereal. This was exactly the kind of event she’d been hoping for! She wondered why the details were so vague—wouldn’t they want lots of Neopians to come to their big celebration?—but she clicked eagerly, ready to mark her calendar.

     Suddenly, green smoke started pouring out of the newspaper. Zaf leapt back in shock. The smoke curled and solidified into a tall shape with glittering purple eyes that Zaf recognized immediately: Jhudora the Dark Faerie.

     “Well hello there,” Jhudora purred, clutching an autograph book tight to her chest. “Aren’t you lucky you clicked on my little advertisement?”

     “Jhudora!” Zaf cried. “W-what are you doing here?” The faerie’s lips curled into a cold smile.

     “I want autographs, of course! From the most famous Neopian Times writers in honour of Issue 1000.” She waved her autograph book around, cackling. “And you’re going to get them for me.”

     Zaf’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”

     “It’s simple, dear. You fetch the ten authors listed there—” she gestured at the inside cover of the autograph book “—and convince them to sign. Do that, and I promise no harm will come to your precious newspaper. Refuse, and,” she shrugged, “I might just curse the Times’ office with a plague of Meepits. Understand?”

     Zaf glanced at the intimidating list scrawled in spiky handwriting. She recognized legendary Neopian Times contributors like Peter the Brave, Sarah the Amazing, and Rookie Reporter—how was she supposed to get their autographs?

     “Well?” Jhudora tapped her foot impatiently, eyes flashing.

     Zaf took a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll do it.” The things she did for the newspaper she loved!

     “Excellent,” the dark faerie purred. “Meet me here in one week. The celebrations will make it easy to catch all those writers in one place. And don’t even think about trying to escape this little deal.”

     With another burst of green smoke, she vanished, leaving only the faint scent of purple potato aperitifs lingering in the air.

     Over the next week, Zaf travelled all around Neopia, tracking down writers one by one and explaining her predicament. Some, like Sarah and Rookie Reporter, agreed easily, wishing Zaf luck on her quest. Others took more convincing before they finally signed, perhaps out of pity for the desperate young Zafara.

     By the end of the week, exhausted but triumphant, Zaf had collected nine signatures. She returned home and picked up the Neopian Times, bracing herself as Jhudora appeared in another cloud of smoke. Wordlessly, Zaf held out the autograph book.

     Jhudora leafed through, looking impressed despite herself. “Well done. You’re just shy one name...where is Cylara the Champion? She casts blessings on Meridell heroes every year! Surely you’ve seen her at their ceremonies.”

     Zaf’s heartbeat quickened. She had completely forgotten about the reclusive Cybunny healer. “I guess she never left Meri Acres farm,” Zaf mumbled, panicking internally. Jhudora would curse the Times for sure without Cylara's signature!

     “Tsk tsk,” Jhudora sneered. “I suppose I’ll have to punish your little newspaper then...”

     “NO!” Zaf yelled. “I mean, uh, just wait! Please! I only need one day to find Cylara, I know I can do it!”

     Jhudora raised one eyebrow, then shrugged. “Very well. But tomorrow is your last chance. And no cheating!” With her final warning lingering in Zaf’s ears, she disappeared once more.

     The next morning Zaf rushed to Meridell, frantically asking Symol villagers if anyone had seen the elusive White Cybunny. No luck. She was about to give up hope when she heard a faint chant coming from a nearby barn.

     Peering through the dusty window, Zaf saw a Cybunny with snow-white fur sitting in the hay. Cylara! Zaf burst through the doors telling her why she needs her autograph.

     To her surprise, Cylara just chuckled. “My dear, if Jhudora wants my blessing so badly, who am I to refuse her?” She swiftly signed her name with a whimsical touch. As Zaf tearfully thanked her, Cylara leaned closer and whispered, “Be careful, young one. Dark faeries often promise more than they deliver.”

     Clutching the now-complete autograph book to her chest, Zaf raced home once more. When Jhudora appeared, Zaf shyly held out the final signature.

     Jhudora cackled with glee. “At last! Now I possess the magic of the greatest Neopian Times legends!” She held the book open and began reciting an incantation. The autographs peeled off the pages, glowing brighter and swirling into Jhudora’s outstretched palms. Power visibly rippled through her.

     Zaf shrank back, remembering Cylara’s warning. “W-what are you going to do now?”

     “Why, bless the Neopian Times, of course!” Jhudora proclaimed. “A thieves’ blessing, a dark faerie blessing—cursing it to fail and fade into obscurity!”

     She began to chant again when suddenly the glowing ball of magical signatures hovering above her palms turned bright white. Jhudora shrieked. “What’s this?”

     Cylara’s sparkling laugh echoed around them as her signature glowed hottest of all. “You didn’t think my blessing would serve your darkness, did you Jhudora?”

     With a loud POP, the ball of light flashed out of existence, and Jhudora collapsed to the floor, utterly drained. Cylara's magic had counteracted her curse and destroyed the stolen blessings.

     Zaf couldn’t help giggling at the dumbstruck look on Jhudora’s face. The dark faerie turned furiously to her. “You knew, didn’t you? That meddlesome Cybunny tricked me!”

     Still laughing, Zaf said, “I guess you can’t judge a blessing by its cover! Cylara believed the Neopian Times is meant for better things than your schemes.”

     With an anguished howl, Jhudora erupted into purple smoke and vanished, leaving the Neopian Times—and Zaf—in peace.

     Clutching Issue 1000 gently, Zaf sighed with happiness, already thinking of the perfect title for her next short story: “The Cybunny Blessing.” She couldn't wait for it to be featured alongside Issue 1500 one day. Thanks to caring Neopians like Cylara, she was certain her beloved newspaper had thousands more issues yet to come.

     The End.