The Jelly Chia's New Home

      He continued to watch before he accidentally knocked over the table he was leaning against. Without missing a beat, the young Neopians ran out of the factory in terror, leaving behind all of their goods. Jelly walked over to their bag and rummaged through their items. Pictures, some chocolate, plushies, and a book called “The Gallery of Evil.” He was sure Wizzle was inside making an edible friend. Jelly flipped through the pages and slowly read each section. Doctor Sloth, Malkus Vile, and... the Jelly Chia!? Jelly dropped the book in shock and stared out into the darkness of his empty home. It was impossible for him to cry with his Jelly eyes, but he wanted nothing more than a few drops of sadness to escape his body at this moment. He didn't think he was evil at all. He looked down at the book and read about himself. “In a fit of desperation, the Chia launched himself at Wizzle, enveloping him, and slowly dissolving him. Nobody ever saw Wizzle again after that day.”

      So, they understand it was only done in desperation and fear! He flipped through the other pages hoping to find Wizzle, yet there was nothing. He flung the book as hard as he could and screamed without letting out a sound. How could he be in this Book of Evil? He was just defending himself! Any Neopian would do the same!! And there wasn't even a page about Wizzle in the book! He should be here making an edible friend! Surely other Neopians could understand the precarious situation he was placed in that day. He was not evil... just lonely and afraid. Why didn't the world understand the loneliness of his existence?

      "Why did Wizzle teach me things when he knew he would simply take it all away one day? He could have left me as a mindless blue pile of jelly, but no! He taught me all about the world," Jelly muttered angrily to himself.

      Jelly wanted to hate Wizzle, but deep down he still felt affection for his creator. They had read books, played games, and enjoyed each other's company... or at least he thought. He remembered the last look on Wizzle's face, and remorse or regret was not at all what his creator and only friend felt. In fact, Wizzle looked positively overjoyed before he tried to eat him. It hurt Jelly to know that their time together meant nothing. Jelly would have done anything for Wizzle before that final terrible day.

      Jelly sat in a depressed stupor while mindlessly rummaging through the goods that were left behind again. He also found a copy of the Neopian Times at the bottom of the bag. He sat back and read about what the world was up to now, a world that clearly would never accept him. He read about the recent Grey Curse spreading throughout the lands and couldn't help but laugh at the irony. Jelly thought maybe others would finally understand how he had felt all these years - isolated and scared, with no control over one's place in this world. Jelly didn't ask for this miserable existence alone in the factory, just as the Grey Neopians didn't ask to be plunged into sadness by an unknown evil.

           As he continued reading about the Curse and the rift in the sky, he imagined what it would be like in another world. Maybe he should find this rift and jump inside, for perhaps there was a land out there that would accept him, and friends that would not try to eat him. Jelly often spent his days looking out of the windows at Neopians passing by. He saw groups of friends in all different shapes and sizes, laughing and playing together. He had only ever talked with Wizzle, and also the occasional Spyder that passed by, but those Petpets never spoke back to him. Deep down he knew he could be a great friend to others if given the chance.

      “Hopeless,” Jelly whispered into the darkness. Was it hopeless for everyone? As the word echoed into the factory's many rooms, he finally looked closely at the pictures the young Neopians had drawn. The pictures were of a Jelly World! Everything was made of Jelly: there were Jelly buildings, Jelly trees and flowers, Jelly Neopians, and even a Jelly statue that looked just like him! Three pictures all showing Jelly World, and a note on the back of one that read, “Dear Jelly Chia. We heard there might be a Jelly World somewhere out there. Maybe you'll be happier there. Best of luck!”

      Were those three Neopians trying to help him? Did they want to reach out to him so they could give him this? A Jelly world... and Jelly Neopians! He could finally have real friends!

      First, he needed to learn more about Jelly World. He looked outside and saw it was still dark. He grabbed his dusty old cloak and headed quickly to the bookstore. He often borrowed goods from shops at night (and of course returned them later), so he was quite skilled at picking locks now.

      He searched around the rows of books and found a section about Jelly World. He brought as many as he could hold back to his factory and promptly started reading. Unfortunately, all the books clearly stated that Jelly World was just a fictional place and not real...

      One book, however, was different. It was written on notebook paper, and seemed to be of a lesser quality than the other books. He picked up the papers and started reading:

      “I know I have been called crazy, but I'm not. Everyone else is crazy for not believing me. There is a Jelly World out there! I know because I have seen it with my own eyes! You know the Catacombs under Neopia? The one that used to hold various shops, but is now sealed off? I have included a map in this book. Reach the very end of the tunnels and you will find the entrance to Jelly World...”

      The book rambled on and on for pages, but at the very end was the map. Jelly didn't know about the Catacombs under Neopia, though apparently the entrance was right nearby! He was going to try and find this fabled land and turn his life around.

      The following night he returned the other books to the bookstore and followed the map toward the supposed entrance. “Hidden by fruit bushes and trees...” He found the area and pushed through the bushes until he saw a hole in the ground. He took a deep breath and ventured inside, into a cavernous-like area with dusty, old signs and shop stalls. He looked down at the map and followed the tunnels marked by the author. Well, this was much easier than expected, he thought happily; though unfortunately, the sudden sound of a growl quickly pushed that thought away.

      Jelly stood still and listened to heavy footsteps coming closer. He flipped through the book to see if there was anything about monsters underground, and sure enough scribbled on the corner of one page were the words, “Oh yeah, and be careful. The Catacombs are now home to all kinds of creatures and shadowy figures.” Jelly regretted not reading each page thoroughly, but it was too late now. The growls and footsteps were getting closer and closer, and he could see a large shadow growing behind him.

      He decided to run. He ran as fast as his little legs could take him and did not look back at whatever was now chasing him. He couldn't go back to his miserable existence, all alone in the dark factory with only his painful memories to keep him company. He also couldn't show his face around Neopia, since they thought he was evil.

      This was it – he would either get eaten or he would find Jelly World. He hoped he could reach Jelly World but getting eaten wouldn't be so bad. His suffering would end, and he would finally find peace. He ran faster, and soon he could see a small light at the end of the tunnel! He was out of breath, but he would not give up.

      After a few more steps the light was now right in front of him! He took one last step and jumped into the golden light as he felt the creature sink its teeth into his legs. "Oh no, I was so close," he whispered as everything turned black...

      Hours later he blinked his eyes open and looked around. He looked down at his body and saw that he was alright! He wasn't sure if he was dreaming, had finally lost his mind, or was possibly even dead. It didn't matter though, because he was in... Jelly World! He didn't care about what was real or not, since this felt real enough to him. Jelly Neopians passed by him and smiled, and no one ran away in fear! He was normal here!

      He walked up to the Giant Jelly at the center of town and greeted the guard nearby. The Jelly Wocky smiled at him and waved. “Greetings fellow Jellian! I haven't seen you around here before? Are you new to town?”

      Jelly was nervous. It was his first time speaking to another Neopian besides Wizzle. He took a deep breath and answered, “Yes! I just learned about this place. Um... How do I find a home or job or...” Jelly suddenly felt overwhelmed at all the things he needed to do. His main goal was reaching Jelly World, but now that he was here, he needed to find a way to make a life for himself. No more hiding alone in abandoned factories! He wanted to go out every day and explore!

      “Well, you're speaking to the right Jellian! I guard this Giant Jelly here, and I also guide newcomers to town. I'll get off work in a couple of hours. Why don't you take a helping of some Jelly and relax? I promise to get you all sorted out!” Jelly was overjoyed at the kindness being shown to him. He grabbed a slice of the Jelly and sat down on a nearby bench. The juicy flavor of strawberry filled his entire being as he munched happily.

      Jelly looked up at the sunny sky and let the warmth wash over him. There was still hope to be found, and there were nice Neopians out there. He vowed to work hard and make lots of friends. He would prove to the world that he was not evil, and maybe one day he would explore the other lands of Neopia as well. He wanted to thank the three kind Neopians for trying to help him last night. He thought about Wizzle and found it in his heart to forgive him, for without Wizzle he wouldn't be sitting on this soft Jelly bench right now. He also apologized for what transpired that last fateful day, and hoped that Wizzle, wherever he was, would forgive him too.

      Jelly finally let go of the past and looked toward the bright Jelly rainbow in his future.

     The End.