Part One:

Note: Neopets is property of Neopets, Inc. The author would like to thank his great friend Spritzieblue for her help in writing this story.

Ten years ago...

"Long, long ago, Neopia was a barren wasteland," began the Island Mystic, as the audience listened intently, "It was ruled by wild beasts, all devouring and preying upon each other for eons. Then one day, they all vanished somehow. Over the years, various species came and went, but the land was still not habitable for very long. Then, it is said, that eventually, a group of powerful, magical families of creatures from other worlds, whom we call Ancient Ones, came and settled on Neopia. Using patience and enchantments, they gradually made the land habitable, until we got what we now see today as Neopia. Nobody knows for sure what happened to those original inhabitants who began Neopian civilization. There are many legends. Some claim that the magical creatures eventually left Neopia, in search of a new world to tame; others claim that they blended in with new creatures who found their way to the land, and their descendants are still here, living as part of Neopian society."

The Island Mystic bowed as his audience clapped in appreciation of his tale. He was in his Hut, telling a story to tourists. He fared well enough on customers coming to have their fortune told by the mystic, although they often ridiculed his predictions. He occasionally brought groups to the hut and told folk tales and legends, as a way of bringing in extra neopoints.

"Thank you," he commented, "and don't forget to come by sometime and have your fortune told!"

"Yeah, right!" snickered a young Korbat, "What will happen tomorrow? Raining Mortogs?"

"Kyeila!" reprimanded a young Chia standing next to the Korbat, "that's not very nice!" the Chia turned toward the Island Mystic. "Thank you for your story, it was wonderful!" he said politely.

"You are very welcome," said the Mystic, as the group left.

He sat down at his cauldron, and began concentrating. Soon, images began to appear in his mind. Strange images. Suddenly he got a clear vision, very unlike his normal ones. He fell into a trancelike state, and began writing down his vision:

Far into the future,

The world ruled by darkness!

Three great evils, formed into one,

Are we all doomed? What can be done?

Do not fear, do not fret!

We will be saved by eight brave Neopets!

Not normal pets, no, I say!

Ancient magic runs through their veins!

The power of the ancients will awaken within,

then shall the Faeries unite with them.

As he finished writing, the Island Mystic came out of his trance. He read the riddle he had written, pondering what meaning it could have. He then put it in a safe place, among his other predictions he was compiling for a book soon to be published. He somehow knew it would be very important someday...

The Island Mystic just gave a strange prediction. His prophecies are usually completely off-the-wall, but this one could have some significance. Not long after, a few Neopians are enjoying themselves, having a completely normal day. But that is about to change...