Disclaimer: I do not own Neopets, Jeran, Danner, ect. As much as I want to, I don't. I am not Adam or Donna, just another addicted player. (However, Crystal and Potatoes are my original characters.)

The breeze was blowing softly through the trees. The sun was setting in a splendid sunset over Meridell. A few young Ixi's ran and played in a peaceful meadow. Nearby, a soft forest was emitting sounds of Pteri's cooing, trying to calm their younger siblings. Amid the peaceful, serene setting, a young wocky trudged down a dirt road next to the forest, looking helplessly about.

"Well, Potatoes, I guess we're officially lost," Crystal said, and plopped down on a nearby tree stump. "I guess luck just wasn't on my side this time. I knew I should have bought that map from that Poogle merchant!" she said, mentally kicking herself.

"Meep, luck is never on your side! Meep!" a Faerie Meepit squealed as he waddled toward the woods.

"Potatoes, shut up! You know as well as I do that if I don't get this job, we're both going to go starving. And if I don't even find the stupid castle, how am I ever going to attend my interview?"

"Meep, whatever, I must go and plan the downfall of... uh, Doctor Sloth! meep!" the Meepit squealed and dissappeared into the woods.

"Yeah, you go, you stupid Meepit! I don't need you anyways! I can get on fine with-"

She stopped suddenly at a loud crash coming from the woods. She paused. It must only be a figment of my imagination, she thought. Hunger makes Neopets do weird things, but hearing things?

"Potatoes! Oh, what mess have you gotten yourself into this time?" she sighed as she headed for the forest. "Lemme guess, he's getting cooked by Edna, the Brain Tree sent him out on one of his freak quests..." she muttered as the brushed away thorns and bushes to get to a small clearing. But what met her eyes was not her Meepit.

"Soldiers, forward!" a mighty, yet somewhat loyal and comforting voice rang out through the forest. Crystal whirled around. To her great dismay, she saw knights charging toward her. But, it was somewhat comforting that she only saw three soldiers charging toward it. Wait... what was it? She looked toward the sky, and saw the most terrifying Darigan lupe staring down at her with cold, dark eyes.

"Eiiiiieeeee!" she screamed, and ran toward the edge of the clearing. She had barely reached when she was knocked down by a knight, that is, knocked down and knocked out.

-

"Crystal? Crystal? Hey, guys, I think she's coming to."

Crystal opened her weary eyes and looked around. She could see a Lupe, a Gelert, and another Wocky. There was something familiar about that wocky, but she couldn't quite put her paw on it...

"DANNER?" she jumped up and embraced the blue Wocky. "Oh, it's been such a long time since I've seen you, I've missed you so!"

"I've missed you too, Crystal. I'm glad you came to Meridell. But, why were you such a far aways from the castle? You could have gotten hurt, like Turmaculus or Kass or..."

But Crystal wasn't paying any attention. She was looking at a strong, agile - and quite handsome - blue Lupe who was gazing off into the direction of the tower. By the look of his armor and his badges, she could tell that he was quite a leader... none other that Jeran. She noticed he had a compassionate look in his eyes, and had an air of loyalty. He turned towards Danner, who was now becoming frantical. His head turned toward Crystal's. Their eyes met. She blushed and looked away, embarrassed. He just smiled knowingly.

"Crystal, have you heard a word I've said?" Danner was almost yelling now.

"Oh, what? Um, of course I have. By the way, where's Potatoes?"

No one heard her, it seemed. Danner went on ranting about how dangerous it was, she didn't dare to look at Jeran, and the Gelert just idled about.

"It's getting late. We'd better start back to the village. Crystal, you'll be staying with my sister, Lisha tonight. Danner, Mikud, come along," Jeran said with a hint of worry in his voice. Then, he mumbled under his breath, "I just hope the village will be safe," and the statement went unnoticed by everyone but Crystal.

Something was wrong. Something terrible.

-

Sharon: So how was the first chapter?

Potatoes: Okay, but where the heck am I?

Sharon: You'll find out.

Potatoes: I WANT POTATOES! I WANT POTATOES!

Sharon: Um, see you until next chapter? (If I survive Potatoes's attack 0.o)