Sorry for the very (very very) long wait on the next chapter to the story. I suggest you reread the rest of my stories before you start this chapter (if you've read the stories already). And without further ado, here is

Chapter 5: Two More Ancients

"Ooh," Illusen winced as she heard the story. "That's bad."

"Uh-huh," Rash said. "We need your help, and any Heart Novas you may have." She gestured toward the glade. "You must have collected some."

Illusen nodded. "Thirteen, to be exact." She walked into a small room, grabbed a sack of Heart Novas, and brought them to Rash. Thirteen Neopian faces, among them Thyassa the Chia, Jhudora and Jeran the Lupe, stared back at Rash as she looked into each Heart Nova.

"Very good," Rash said. She then frowned. "Where is King Skarl's?"

"Haven't got his yet," Illusen replied. "Sorry."

"No matter," Rash sighed. "We'll get his when we leave Meridell."

"Check Bleue and Elliot," Kauvara suggested. Rash agreed, and instructed the two pets in how to grab Heart Novas. Indeed, there were two Heart Novas in their throats. Rash stuffed them in the bag after checking them.

"That brings the count to five hundred and eighty four," Dr_Death nodded.

"We're barely half way?" Azul wondered. "And we need to defeat Sloth? Impossible."

"Relax. We have the Master of Form Transferal, who are vital to the Ancients prophecy."

"What prophecy?" Verderato asked interestedly.

"The Prophecy of Slaed," Faelinn stepped in. "I'll explain.

"Long ago, Slaed the Cerpull appeared in Neopia with no notice. Slaed was the first Ancient. He selected Rash, Kauvara and I to become Ancients. He was sent to Neopia with a prophecy to fulfill.

"The Heart Rod will be wielded by the Ancient King so strong

and everything Neopians will need will be on its way along.

The Four Faeries will help the way to victory at last.

But only after lots and lots of grave events have passed.

The Form Transferal Master will be in the final battle with her sword

her greatness be so powerful that she can be a Lord.

The Ancient King's Relations will be great with godly might.

May they live in happiness and help him win the fight.

Taurus, Delphinus, Lacerta and Sagitta will guard King as they may

each one of them special in a very different way.

The Guardians of Magic are the key to success.

Their magic brings the King along; these Ancients are the best.

These Ancient will create an army most powerful of all

so that the King of Evil, The Monstrosity will fall."

"Wow," said Azul.

"We figure Kalora is Taurus and Kauvara and I are Guardians of Magic, and Allegra is the Master of Form Transferal, and the Faeries are obvious, but that's as far as we've gotten," Faelinn added at the end. "There are fifty Ancients, but only fourteen or so are mentioned. That means anyone could be any of those people."

"My job," said Rash, "was to find the Ancient King. As far as I know, he doesn't exist."

BOOM!

An Ixi's scared cry was recognized. Azul immediately changed form, prepared to fight. Illusen became a cougar-like creature, and barked to everyone else to stay back. Together, they ran and flew through the forest.

The red Ixi appeared to be very scared. Huge, flailing roots rose from the ground. Azul swooped down and picked the Ixi up. "Thanks," the Ixi said, pulled a Heart Nova from her throat, and ran away.

"Huh?" Azul exclaimed as he picked up the Heart Stone. It was authentic. "That was weird." Illusen, however, was staring at the vines. She became a faerie again quickly.

"Oh no," she whispered. "Lord Darigan." A small tear leaked down her cheek. "We're doomed."

"Who's this Darigan guy?" Azul wondered. He pulled out his Shoyru Sword in preparation. Illusen smiled weakly and shook her head.

"Darigan," she said simply, "is the most powerful Ancient ever. He is also the most powerful rogue Ancient ever."

"WHAT?!" Azul exclaimed.

"We thought Darigan was the one," she whispered. "We thought we was the King. But we were wrong. He was that one who brought me here."

"Ah..." Azul sighed. He flapped upward, and charged into the sky, preparing to look for Darigan.

"NO!" she exclaimed. "You don't get it! This Ancient is more powerful than Sloth! He'll kill you!"

Small Drackonacks were falling from the sky. Illusen wept unhappily. "Tell Jade, 'Rato and Allegra to come here. Bring the rest to the H.Q."

"What H.Q.?" Illusen asked curiously.

"There's gotta be some storehouse for the Heart Novas!" he said. "I'm fetching my little brother." And he flew into the sky.

Mud and Cervinus, however, were extremely freaked out. They had reached Quinto and were attacking the Drackonacks falling from the sky. "What's happening?" Cervinus whispered.

"No idea," Mud replied. And with a red flare, he charged at the Drackonacks. A single charge had destroyed three full-sized Drackonacks. Cervinus gawked. Mudeforma looked upwards and saw fireballs being blasted at falling Drackonacks. Mud stood, watching.

The pet who fired these balls swooped down towards the ground, towards Mud. Mud screamed when the Shoyru (it was now apparent what time of pet it was) flew over his head and landed on the ground. His wings were weird and like butterfly wings. The wings became normal. Quinto stared at the Shoyru.

"Azuldragao," he whispered. "You're alive." The Shoyru nodded.

"You got one," he started muttering. "You got another one. YOU GOT ANOTHER PET!" he was yelling by the time he'd said that. "It's hard enough keeping our scheme together as it is! WHY DID YOU DO IT!"

"I-i thought you were dead," Quinto stuttered. He his eyes narrowed. "What scheme?"

"Oh hell," Azul muttered. He creased his eyebrows. "You have to promise not to say anything until I'm finished." Quinto nodded. "Okay." He paused. "I'm an Ancient." Quinto fainted.

"Cool!" said Mud.

"Listen, Mud," Azuldragao said. "You and your buddy here-"

"Cervinus."

"-Cervinus, whatever, are powerful pets." Mud and Cervinus looked pleased. "We need you. We need you to be Ancients. It's complicated to stay one without both of you doing it too. You'd hate us, Mud, for leaving you alone. Please accept my offer." Mud and Cervinus glanced in each other's eyes, and then nodded, smiling. "Thanks. Now, I need you to wish you were Ancients. This will make you ones."

"I wish we were Ancients," Mudeforma chanted. And Azuldragao granted their wish.

"Now, Mudeforma, your power rest in a magical charge. You now can destroy a target with a single horn charge. While doing this, your body will blur because you are moving very fast. Cervinus, your power is telekinetic. You can lift things of 500 pounds or under iinto the air with a glance. Your eyes will become completely gold, and so will your horns, hooves, nose and tail, while you do this.

"You may now float 1 foot above the ground." Mud and Cervinus attempted this, and were pleased to see themselves float in the air. "And best of all, you can grant wishes. And you can check to see if the wish will turn out good or not. For example, you can ask for a small toy, and you will find out what will happen; if you will like it, if you won't use it, etc. Now," he spread his butterfly wings, "Cervinus, hop on. Mudeforma, you can follow." And together, they went toward the spot they were to meet the others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry I haven't posted in a very long time. Check out the prequels to this story. Please read and review!