PART 1
I let out an echoing sigh as I nestled into my hoard of treasures for a nap. "Great," I grumbled. "Another hour of constantly disturbed sleep. I look forward to it." You see, those pesky Neopians are very interested in me, particularly when I decide to take a nap. Always climbing into my cave, trying to steal my precious items. It's very annoying! However, I do get a chance for revenge every now and then. But doing a bit of damage to these Neopets once in a while just isn't satisfying enough. I long to make those nuisances realize how badly they're messing up my beauty sleep! Shaking my head in dismay, I rested my head and drifted into sleep.
I woke up thirty seconds later, staring down a frightened little Ogrin, with its owner shaking a few feet behind it. I was not in the mood to hurt them, so I gave them an intimidating stare and went back to sleep. My peace would not last long, however. Mere minutes later I was awoken by an arrogant looking Skeith. I felt no sympathy for this ugly thing, so I reared up and fired icy shards at it. Why don't they just let me be? After an hour of being constantly torn away from my nap, I decided I might as well stay awake. It was then I noticed a bright light towards the end of my cave. Strange, my home is usually dark and cold. The light seemed to be shining in my direction, giving me a weird feeling. Warmth! How did the sun get in? I thought that since I was up, I had better see what caused it. I slithered towards the exit of the cave, something I've never used. In fact, I've never been outside of my home. I've only seen the sun a couple of times in the summer when the ice surrounding me melted slightly. But now the sun seemed brighter than I had experienced. As I slid closer my body started to feel... Warmer? I finally reached the obstruction and gasped.
Neopians and their pets were everywhere! Shopkeepers selling items, a beautiful Faerie flew past me, headed to a structure with a sign atop it that read "The Neggery". Nobody seemed to notice me, and I realized why. My scales were the same colour as the ice, I was camouflaged. I felt another unusual feeling. Shyness. I had never been face to face with more than a pet and an owner, seeing all of these unfamiliar faces was making me somewhat self conscious. Even though I was invisible to them, I still longed to go back into hiding, back into my cave. As I started to turn to slither back into my home, my tail hit the side of the entrance. I watched in shock as the ice started to tremor. Cracks started appearing, and very suddenly the whole entrance collapsed. The Neopians noticed now. "Oh no! The Snowager's cave! He won't be able to breathe!" One Poogle yelled. "Quick! We need to dig him out!" Another Chia screamed. Well what do you know, I thought. They actually care. I watched in awe as a dozen Neopets charged at the now caved in entrance and starting yanking at the huge pieces of broken ice. I felt a mix of surprise and relief, because now no one would see me slide away.
I searched for a way out of this all-too-pretty town, and that's when I saw it. A huge split in the ice about twenty feet away from me. Dare I stray away from the only place I'm familiar with? My whole life all I've known is my icy cave. I took a deep breath and headed towards the large crack in the ground. I reached it and peered in. I could see nothing but darkness. I picked up a small rock with my mouth a dropped it in. After a moment I heard an audible "UGG!". I took one last look at the Neopians frantically trying to dig 'me' out and dove into the split in the ground.
It took me a few moments to figure out what was going on. The sun was brighter and hotter than ever here. I opened my eyes and blinked. It was not ice that I was now lying on, but something I was totally unfamiliar with. Grainy and rough. I looked around at the place I had landed. It was horrible. Rocks and mud surrounded me and I became aware of several people staring at me. I realized I was no longer invisible in this strange place. I turned my head to see the Neopets openly and unashamedly watching me. I recognized a Neopet from one of my books that I kept in my cave. An Usul, but uglier. She had a bone through her hair and was wearing a cheetah print cloth.
I thought I might as well introduce myself. I cleared my throat. "Excuse me, but where am I?" I asked politely. The Usul continued staring, along with the other Neopets behind her. "Ugga-ugg!" She yelled. I was confused. Was this some sort of foreign language? I asked again. "What is this place?"
An ugly Mynci stepped forward. "Me sorry, Durg no speak English. Me Tok. This Tyrannia." He stated. Tyrannia? Yes, the name sounded familiar. A hot and arid place where... Less educated Neopets lived. I'd read about it in one of my books. I turned towards Tok. He seemed somewhat taken aback, possibly scared by my size. I tried to smile, but it felt more like a twisted grimace, although Tok seemed to understand, because he smiled back. "Why you here, big blue snake?" Tok asked. I was amused at this name he had picked for me. "Well Tok, I came here through a giant split in the ice where I live. I must say, I'm rather disorientated." Tok looked puzzled. "Big blue snake use many big words. Tok not know what you mean. Big blue snake come with us to Tok's hut?"
It was a good thing Tok had a big family, otherwise I would have never been able to fit inside his hut. His home was more than big enough, although there were definitely some hygiene issues. Little baby Myncis were running around, while Tok's wife was making what smelt like Spicy Blumaroo. Tok sat at the bamboo table, while I lay on the ground. He was kind enough to lay some leaves on the ground for me to lie on, making me slightly more comfortable. Tok sat at the table twiddling his thumbs. Durg the Usul and a Peophin who I hadn't yet spoken to sat on opposite sides of him. They were staring, again. It became clear to me that they had never seen a Snowager before. I started to feel shy again, I wasn't used to being the center of attention. Tok obviously sensed my discomfort and tried to make conversation. "Big blue snake, where you come from?" the Peophin nodded, seemingly interested in what I had to say. Apparently he understood English. "I come from a place called the Ice Caves. And call me Snowager."
Tok look strained. "Snoo... Agg...Oo?" I chuckled. It was the first time I had ever done that. "Close enough." I said. Tok grinned. "Snoo-Agg-Oo want go home?" He asked. I thought about that for a moment. Did I want to go home? From what my books back in my cave told me, there were so many other places to see in Neopia. Why should I leave it at Tyrannia? I smiled - properly this time - as I imagined seeing Coltzan's Shrine, The Healing Springs and Geraptiku. It was then I made a decision. "I do want to go home Tok, but not until I've been to every land in Neopia."