Bri hesitated for a moment. Something about the voice seemed familiar... she couldnÕt place it. Her mind slammed into panic again as the words sank in. Her legs melted into jelly and she swayed slightly as two shadows flew towards her. Then she collapsed.
ÒYou seemed to have developed a nasty habit of passing out any time dangers rears its ugly mug,Ó mused a island Eyrie, surveying the Kougra from above.
ÒItÕs just a system malfunction, IÕll have to get it checked out ... Tam?!Ó BriÕs eyes shot open instantly and she jumped up, rubbing her her bruised cranium gently. She noticed Mech there as well and a frown formed on her face. ÒWhat are you two doing here?Ó
ÒI think the question is, what are you doing here. We were sent by the Commander to guard this suitcase that seems to have conveniently fallen into your possesion.Ó Tam glanced meaningfully at the large luggage.
ÒOh no, this all just a misunderstanding. I was sent by Sergeant Smithers to retrieve it!Ó
ÒThe commander said someone might try this...Ó Mech frowned. ÒI guess we have found our other traitor.Ó Bri was on the verge of protesting when the Chomby carefully pried her fingers from the handle, pointed a small lazer at the lock, and fired. Click! A spring mechanism opened it instantly, and the three pets gasped at the foul things inside.
At first it appeared to be an innocent batch of data disks. Though it was likely they stored top secret information, the emblem portrayed on the disks was a horrifying clue as to what these small information databases contained. A dripping dagger... three eyes... and that dreadful spike on its forehead... Bri slammed the case shut again, visibly shaken by its contents. Tam put her paw on the KougraÕs shoulder.
ÒItÕs alright Bri, you didnÕt know. But right now we have to get back to the commander. He was holding a staff meeting today... about the secret weapon... for all high-ranking officers. IÕm sure Smithers was invited. WeÕve got to warn him!Ó Tam and Mech led Bri across the room, pushed a hidden switch on the wall, and stood back as a passageway opened before them.
Standing in front of them was Commander Cumous. A ragged shirt desperately clung to his torso, a big gash in the material from his shoulder to his hip threatening to rip it in half. Its white color was tarnished with a pinkish stain from a trickle of blood flowing down his chest. ÒYou must not go back! The Neopian Defenders are no more...Ó he lurched forward suddenly, and the three friends hurriedly placed him on the floor. He trembled for a moment, then his head shot back up. ÒThere is no time to rest! Go to the Lost Desert.. I have an ally waiting at ColtzanÕs Tomb. He will meet you there on the eve of the full moon... hurry now, leave me here and go in haste! Neopia must not fall!Ó His eyes flicked upward, and he fell upon the cool ground.
Bri did not waste time to check his vitals. There was no time, certainly the enemy were right on on his tail. She took off in a sprint towards the south, where she could only hope her help still remained...

The three pets traveled south towards warmer weather and a brighter future. Fall was awakening, and everywhere signs of its beauty made themselves known. The dirt path they followed was littered with brilliant leave the color of a bold flame; golds, crimson, and aurburn streaks that resembled the sunsets above. Pteris overhead arched across towards the tropics, and the very essence of the world was at peace in the comfort of predictability. And so it was in the second week of their travels, when the trio experienced their first night in the Haunted Woods...

Darkness crept upon the crooked trees, decayed by eminent death. Each gust of wind caused them to groan in anguish. The weathered stones clung to scorched earth. A particular strong gust whipped through the branches and caused a loud moan to fill the air. ÒMMmmmmmmÓ
The pets jumped. ÒWell, this certainly isnÕt the place I would have picked to host a campout. IÕm sure itÕs excellent for ghost stories, though!Ó Mech said sarcastically. A water droplet fell on Bri suddenly. Knowing how exagerated its other aspects were, she did not want to see a full-fledged thunderstorm in the Haunted Woods. A jagged overhang jutted out from a large precipice, leading into a large crater-like expanse on the mountain.
ÒWeÕve got to get there before the storm hits,Ó she said urgently. Tam and Mech nodded. The last of the sunlight had faded and the darkness grew stronger, overpowering, smothering them in its solitude. ÒMMmmmmmm!Ó A light drizzle had begun suddenly, and the crescent moon was barricaded by ominous grey clouds. A Lupe howled, far off in the distance. A twig snapped nearby. The trio clung together and began tip-towing slowly towards the refuge in the mountain. The rain steadily gained momentum, but the sky remained unmarred by the white whips of lightning.
The silence was broken by a deafening blast of thunder. Or was it? Bri hadnÕt seen any lightning yet... ÒARRGHHH!Ó
The trio froze in their tracks as the ground before them quaked, and then ruptured. A massive creature rose from the rocky ground. ÒII AMMM HUNGGRRYYY..... feeed mmeee annndd I wwilll reeewwaardd yoouu....Ó Bri thought that he looked a bit bloated herself, but didnÕt dare tell the monster this.
ÒYou see... we were just trying to get through to the Lost Desert... we donÕt really have time to go on a quest for you...Ó The creature gave a gurgle of contempt. ÒItÕs for the good of Neopia,Ó Tam managed to squeak. The Esophagor gnashed its fangs and lunged at the pets. Mech looked to the horizon and saw the mountain. They just might have a chance.. ÒFollow me!Ó he screamed, and plunged off through the foliage.
Dead leaves crackled noisily as Bri, Tam, and Mech trampled off towards their exhile. The Esophagor was not far behind, plowing through the soil like a knife through butter. The trees began to sway as a fierce wind picked up. ÒMMmmmmm!Ó they screamed, their branches seeming to grasp for the intruders.
A bright flash struck the ground and an old oak bursted into flames. Bri veered left to avoid it, her companions following. Dead, dry wood seemed to be the fireÕs sustenance, and it hastily devoured everything in sight. The flames joined together to create a single entity, angered by the pounding rain, lashing out at anyting that came near it.
Bri stumbled to a stop and gasped. The cave was directly above her.. but there was no way to get there. ÒWeÕre trapped!Ó She screamed, looking desperately at her friends who had just caught up. Mech flapped his wings gently in reminder, and Tam nodded. ÒThatÕs fine for you, but how am I supposed to get up there?!Ó a small patch of flames was sneaking towards them from the monster beyond.
ÒBack at the hospital you were upgraded to the latest hardware. It was still in Alpha stages at the time, so its instability is what has been causing your blackouts. We couldnÕt tell you at the time because becoming aware of the issue would only have made your more succeptible to the crashes. One of the new features installed was a small jet propulsion system into your hind legs. It has a limited supply a fuel, but if anything was to be considered an emergency, I think this is it. The only problem is... IÕm not sure how itÕs activated.Ó A splash of fire doused the conversation. Tam and Mech soared up onto the ledge above and waved at Bri, beckoning her to join them in safety.
The Esophagor had finally caught up. The heat did not seem to bother it as it glided towards the Kougra in a fury. ÒII AMMM HUNGGRRYYY!!!Ó Bri focused all her concentration on flying off to join her friends. Nothing happened. The ground rumbled again, and a huge hand rose slowly from the opening. It turned to face the poor pet, then made a snatch for it. Adrenaline pumping, Bri jumped as high into the air as she possibly could.
A small ding sounded as the fuel ignited and sent Bri rocketing upwards. She was thrust sharply onto the cliff as the jets shut off again. Mech helped her up and they sat breathlessly for several minutes as Tam went to explore the cave, watching the creature below grumble and groan, then eventually slide back into the earth. The rain was winning its battle against the fire, and both seemed to be easing their force a bit. The stress of the day had drained everyone.
ÒEeeek!Ó Tam screamed from inside the cavern. Mech and Bri rushed inside immediately and squinted in the poor lighting, trying to make out the form of their companion. A low gurgle arose from the depths of the cave. A final flash of lightning brought momentary illumination, and Bri gasped at the most horrible thing she had ever seen.