Okay, here's the opening to an action/adventure tale starring my skunk Usul, Hiko FlashFlame. This is just the beginning part, and kind of sets the scene for what's gonna happen. I'd really like to get feedback on this story; C'mon, please? Really, any comments are welcome… Oh, and I don't own the rights to Neopets, just my three cute little pets, okay?

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The skunk Usul stepped back and took a long look in the mirror, studying her reflection carefully with sparkling blue eyes. Silver-gray and purplish-pink metal encased her chest and stomach, surprisingly comfortable: the Usul Armour fit nicely, and didn't appear to hinder her movements much at all as she tested a few moves. The soft, velvety folds of her Forest Cloak swept gracefully around her moving body, causing her to smile all the wider.

She knew her outfit might appear slightly mismatched to some, since she didn't have the Usul Helmet or Axe to match her armor, but she didn't really care. Secretly, she thought the helmet looked a little too confining: Hiko preferred being able to look around quickly in a fight, not dealing with something bulky and heavy strapped over your head. Plus, it looked more like something the bad guys would wear in an adventure movie…

…That axe didn't look so bad, though… that bright red bow on the handle was a bit of a stretch, but it still looked pretty strong…

For now, though, she preferred her trusty Sword of Domar, along with her other weapons. Lifting the thin blade in her paw, she made a few mock-swipes, imagining some powerful enemy falling before her.

"I look like a real warrior, just like Alabaster," she whispered, flashing a confident smirk and wink in the direction of her mirror.

The very thought made Hiko grin in pure excitement. Adventure… something she longed for more than anything else. While most other Usuls were apparently satisfied with playing games and looking cutesy, she preferred fighting in the Battledome and exploring new areas.

The thought of a new outfit only excited her if it was durable and stood up well during her somewhat rough activities, like her much-loved and much worn out denim overalls. Fancy jewelry and ribbons didn't interest her much, and heaven help you if you tried to get the feisty little thing in a dress. Makeup seemed icky, though she'd once used a tube of red lipstick to write on a sleeping Yukiko's face once, with… interesting results…

It still struck Hiko as funny how everyone save her younger sister had found that particular experimentation hilarious.

While these things had earned her the label of 'tomboy', she wasn't bothered in the slightest. In fact, if being called a tomboy meant others recognized her love of battle and risk, then the little Usul welcomed it. She could bear any taunts and teasing she got from those who didn't share her views.

…'Sides, I could probably take most of those guys in a fight, she added silently with an impish grin.

Something in the back of her mind reminded her that she wasn't that skilled of a fighter yet, that she hadn't exactly won every battle she went into. Hiko told that part of her to shut up and did a few more 'action poses' before her mirror.

Finally, she turned and half-walked, half-skipped over to her bed. Spread out over the red covers were all of the items she was planning on taking with her on her journey.

Naturally, she had a Tent-in-a-Box already packed and ready to go, along with her other battle items and some denim overalls: she couldn't wear her armor all the time, after all. For food, she was bringing some sandwich packs and a couple of omelettes, planning to stretch these supplies for as long as possible. She knew she could forage a bit if she needed extra food, but wasn't foolish enough to trust entirely on her skill and good fortune alone.

For that same reason, she was bringing some Neopoints and Potions along too. Getting hurt without any method of healing herself was not her idea of adventure…

She also made certain to tuck her red hairbrush in with the rest of her supplies as she gathered them and slid everything into her traveling pack. Just because she didn't fuss over her looks constantly didn't mean she wanted to end up with tangled fur… especially since if she did come back looking a mess, her guardian would likely throw a fit.

Shouldering her pack, Hiko turned around and gazed at her reflection once more. Once again, she smiled: she really did look like an adventurer, ready for anything the world threw in her path.

Just as long as one of those things isn't one of my sisters waking up and finding out about this, the skunk Usul amended silently as she tiptoed over to her bedroom's doorway and eased it open.

Sky blue eyes scanned the hallway for any sign of her family, and Hiko sighed in relief when nothing came into view. Moving as quickly and quietly as she could, she stepped out of her room, closed the door, and sneaked along, almost on her tiptoes.

Hiko had a feeling that her guardian Precischan already was aware of the fact that she was planning to sneak away and go on a quest: after all, she'd been the one to buy practically all of her supplies. The fact that she hadn't said anything one way or the other about it indicated to her that Precischan trusted the little skunk Usul to always do what she thought best, and recognized that she could take care of herself for a while. The idea that her guardian understood this overjoyed Hiko, but she couldn't help but worry that her sisters might have different views on the subject.

Yukiko, she knew for certain, was against the idea. The little striped Shoyru liked to keep on top of current events, and lately had started grimly predicting that something terrible was going to happen in Neopia very shortly.

She'd also learned about the fact that Doctor Sloth, Neopia's resident madman, had created something called an Usul Transmogrification Potion, a fact that had filled Yukiko with fear for her slightly elder sister. The Shoyru had kept waving articles on the subject in Hiko's face, and practically cringed at the mere mention of the skunk Usul going anywhere on her own.

Hiko certainly understood her sister's concern, and even appreciated it: the two shared a bond akin to that of twins, and the concept of harm coming to one greatly effected the other. Still, there was such a thing as being too protective, and in Hiko's eyes, that was what exactly Yukiko was. Since the little Usul was the self-proclaimed fighter, and the only member of the small family interested in such things, she felt that the Shoyru should have been able to recognize she could take care of herself…

A murmur from nearby caused her to freeze, and Hiko fought back the urge to gulp as she slowly turned her head towards the source of the sound. The doorway to Melodi's room was slightly ajar, and the little Usul's pricked ears picked up the sound of soft whining coming from within. Curiosity and concern temporarily replacing her desperate desire to leave, Hiko carefully eased the door open just enough to pop her head into the room.

The little blue Cybunny was curled up with her plushies, her cuddly white-and-blue blanket pulled over her shoulders. However, said blanket was currently becoming dislodged as Melodi kicked in her sleep, whimpering slightly.

All thoughts of leaving right away were instantly pushed out of the skunk Usul's mind, and she quietly stepped into the room and crept over to her little sister's bed. Standing next to the sleeping Melodi and silently debating whether or not to wake up Yukiko and their guardian, Hiko was startled out of her mental argument when the young Cybunny abruptly cried out.

"…No… no, get away, Sloth, don't touch me, please…" murmured Melodi, while trying to curl up into an invisible ball under the sheets.

Hiko's blue eyes widened, then softened with understanding. Gently brushing her little sister's forehead with her paws, the little Usul quietly made a mental note to punch the evil doctor right in the face if she ever got the chance.

"Don't worry," she whispered to her little sister despite the fact that the Cybunny was still asleep, "Nothing bad is ever gonna happen to you, I promise…"

Hiko's face brightened as a sudden idea hit her, and she quickly darted out of the room, barely avoiding tripping over anything in her haste. A few minutes later, she returned, clutching something to her chest.

Careful not to disturb Melodi, she slid a Red Usul plushie into place directly beside the blue Cybunny. The stuffed doll was one of her most treasured possessions: the first toy she had received from her guardian, a reminder of how she had looked the day she was born.

"But I can't take it along with me, and I'd rather know that somebody was enjoying it while I was away 'stead of gathering dust," whispered Hiko, smiling as she stroked her baby sister's cheek.

Melodi appeared to calm down at her gentle touch, her whimpering fading away as she snuggled up closer to the Red Usul plush. Hiko carefully replaced the disheveled blanket over her sister's sleeping form, then backed out of the room, easing the door closed behind her. For a long moment, she stood there in the darkness, one paw resting on the handle, light blue eyes wavering.

Her sisters… Hiko already knew that going on her quest would mean leaving her family behind for a while. She'd thought she had already prepared herself mentally for the temporary separation… Leave it to Melodi to find a way to prove her wrong without even trying. The little blue Cybunny probably had no idea that the skunk Usul had been there: she'd never awakened, not even when she cried out.

…No. …No, I promised myself that I'd go on this trip. I can't chicken out now. Besides, I'll be a lot stronger by the time I get back, and I'll be able to protect them better…

Hiko slowly raised her head, resolve glittering in her sky blue eyes.

…That's right… I'll become so strong, that nothing will ever be able to hurt them or anyone else I care about… Nothing bad will EVER happen, 'cause I'll be there to protect them…

Creeping over to the front door, Hiko soon was outside. She locked the door and slipped her keyring back into its hiding place, then turned and took a deep breath, savoring the feel of the cool night air. For a while, she stood on the porch, sky blue eyes sweeping over her surroundings as she slowly spun around in a circle, taking in every detail. She wanted to remember this sight, the start of her grand journey…

When she finished her spin, Hiko was facing the street. Her home was behind her, an unknown road ahead. The skunk Usul's eyes sparkled in the moonlight, filled with both delight and a small trace of fear. However, she did not hesitate any longer.

Pulling the hood of her Forest Cloak up, Hiko FlashFlame stepped off of her home's front pouch and started forward, silently promising herself that she wouldn't return until she had her great adventure. She had no idea where she was going, or what she was going to do just yet, but that didn't bother her. All that mattered was the experience, the thrill of the journey itself.

Maybe if she had not been caught up in dreams of her future travels, she might have noticed a pair of dark eyes watching her from the cover of the shadows. However, these eyes only lingered there for the space of a few heartbeats before closing and vanishing completely, dissolving into the darkness. And when the first rays of the already rising sun touched the area where they had been just seconds later, there was nothing in sight.