'Yes... yes! My experiment is about to be put into operation!'

The Mad Scorchio Scientist laughed maniacally as he pushed a bunch of colourful buttons. He looked over his large control panel to the Lupe that was chained to the dissecting table. A large saw hovered above, dangling as if it could fall and chop the White Lupe in half.

'What- what are you going to do to me?' asked the Lupe, scared. 'I only just wanted to see what it- what it was!'

'You didn't have a map or an owner!' cackled the scientist. 'What would anyone need you for except me? This experiment is going to make me famous!'

'Selling Lupe inside isn't going to make you famous!' the Lupe replied.

'Who said I was going to sell your guts?' asked the scientist. 'No, no... that's way too extreme. I need to test out this time travel device!'

'T- time travel device?'

'Yes, a time travel device! I stole it from that idiot Chia after he managed to fix it. Turns out it wasn't fixed at all, and he was cast away to who-knows-where. I've spent decades fixing it, and now it is finally complete!'

'And how does this involve me?'

'Simple,' said the Scientist, checking how much electricity was coming in through the lightening rod. 'I will send you back in time thousands of years ago. If all goes well, you'll land safely in Ancient Neopia.'

'And if all doesn't go well?'

'You can go join that Chia.' the scientist said, smiling a truly evil smile.

Suddenly, a siren sounded from far away.

'Yes! Enough electricity has finally been stored!' cackled the scientist in delight. He turned to the frightened Lupe, who was shaking like crazy.

'Well, I hope you come out well,' said the madman, surveying the Lupe through his maniacal eyes.

'No- no! Please, I'll do anything...'

'Yeah, yeah, yeah; you and everybody else in Neopia,' he said. The Scorchio Scientist pulled a lever on the control panel, and the machine began to whir. The saw was abducted into the ceiling, and it was replaced by a crystal ray gun which had two large clocks on it. It sort of looked like a smaller version of the Lab Ray.

'You should come out okay,' said the scientist. 'Well, I hope you do anyways.'

He pressed a large crystal button on the control panel, and the shining ray began to glow with power. And then, all of the energy gathered together, and sent a gigantic stream of brilliant light towards the Lupe. He wiggled, but it was useless. The chains binding him were too strong for him to break free.

'No... no... noooooooooo!' He felt his molecules begin to dissolve; his mind begin to waver; his soul being yanked out of him.

With all his might, he screamed, 'NOOOOOOOO!', but not just an ordinary NOOOOOOOO! either. This one echoed all throughout time: when Kevin Poogle died; when Fyora banished the Darkest Faerie; when Maraqua was destroyed. And the NOOOOOOOO!s of those who are lost are joined into the White Lupe's NOOOOOOOO! as he was pulled back; back; back throughout time...

The first thing I felt was my mind and soul. It was as if they were being gathered into one area like the energy orbs in the Crystal Time Ray. My molecules formed using my spirit as a model, and I found myself sitting on the hard, stone floor of Neopia Palace, with the wandering eyes of Eleus Batrin looking at me like I was a freak.

'Who are you, and where did you come from?' the Kyrii asked.

I didn't really know how to answer it. I felt a bit disorientated after my little trip through time. Clumsily, I got up on my hind legs and faced the questioning Neopet.

'I am... I do not remember who I am,' I said. 'I am a White Lupe, and I come from the future,'

Eleus looked at me in a strange way. Even though his face looked like I should go and see the local psychiatrist immediately, somehow or another, I could sense that he believed me.

'Well, welcome to Ancient Neopia!' he said cheerfully. 'I'm not sure exactly who you are or how you got here, but welcome! Welcome! Let me give you a tour of Neopia City! Follow me now, watch your step...'

He led me out of the palace into the brilliant sunlight. I was now facing a small city with many Neopets bustling through it. The Kyrii smiled at me.

I asked, 'Who exactly are you?'

Eleus smiled. 'I am Eleus Batrin, master weapon smith here in Neopia City. I can make you weapons, but first I need the proper ingredients.'

'Like what?' I asked.

Suddenly, a small Pteri flew up to the weapon smith. 'Important notice for Eleus Batrin!'

'Yes, Margo?' he asked.

'Liona has just arrived in the Palace and is awaiting your acquaintance, sir!'

Eleus's expression looked grave. He turned around to me and said, 'I am afraid that I must leave you for a small amount of time while I take care of some business. Please feel free to explore around the town, but whatever you do, DO NOT LEAVE THE CITY LIMITS!' Then, he turned and left.

Margo the Messenger flew off into the sky. I watched him fly through the ancient clouds until he was out of site, far, faraway in the mountains. I sighed, and sat down.

Many Neopets passed me. Some looked at me with pity, and some with curiosity. Only one person that I saw really mattered though, and that was Lummock Sendent.

A Tuskaninny surveyed me through his rough beard. 'Oi! You there!'

I looked up and saw the massive form of a Tuskaninny. He was carrying a huge load of lupe pelt, lupe teeth, and a whole assortment of other items. He looked like a very sickening pat rat or a weapon smith.

'What do you think you're doing, sitting in front of Neopia Palace?' he asked in a gruff voice.

'I- I-'

'Don't give me the I's!' he roared. 'Come with me!'

He slithered off in the north east direction. I had nothing better to do, so I quickly ran after him. He led me past a small structure and stopped at the most north east one in the city.

'Here it is! My workshop!'

It looked more like an abandoned shack than a workshop. Tiles were falling off from the ceiling, and a shatter went BAM! BAM! in the wind. There were no doors either; just archways that led into the house and work area. He led me to the entrance to his workplace, but all of a sudden, a small, floating something darted out from nowhere. It looked like a Baby Fireball, and made of fire it was.

The Tuskaninny dropped everything he was holding on to my forelegs. I struggled to hold everything, and finally just dumped it on to a small pile next to his house entrance. A few nearby citizens screamed and ran off in different directions at the arrival of the fire imp.

'Clear!' shouted the Tuskaninny. A lone Korbat watched, transfixed. 'You go, Lummock Sendent!'

Lummock whipped something from his wolf-skin vest. It was a small stick that was completely Blue. The Tuskaninny focused all his might and with all of his effort, he omitted a small bolt of lightening from the wand. It shot towards the fire imp and hit it directly on the body. It staggered back, and fell. The defeated imp seemed to explode in a flash of light, and in its place was a small yellow gem.

'Perfect!' said Lummock, satisfied. He bent down and picked up the small stone. 'This is just what I need!'

Smiling, he tucked it away in a hidden pocket. Forgetting his large pile of assortments, he ushered the completely amazed me into his work area and pulled a string. A hand-made tapestry fell from it, covering the door. Light still shined through the window, and I could get a good look at his work area. A small table attached to the wall filled one wall.

Everywhere else in the small shack was just basically completely filled with odds and ends, like a junkyard.

'Well, I haven't gotten a chance to fully introduce myself yet!' the Tuskaninny said. 'I'm Lummock Sendent, and I am the junior weapon smith of Neopia City!' He looked at me. 'Do you have any questions? Well, then sit down! We have a lot of time for your queries!'

He pointed towards two small stone chairs. I sank into mine, while Lummock plopped down on his.

'Well, what would you like to ask me?' he asked me. I was still too astonished to think, but I managed to think up a very simple question:

'What- what WAS that little Baby Fireball thing?'

Lummock looked at me like I was crazy. 'What's a Baby Fireball?'

'They're a breed of petpet,' I replied, amazed at how little this Tuskaninny knew.

'A petpet?' roared the weapon smith. 'That was no petpet! That was a fire imp!'

'A fire-'

'Yes, a fire imp! They're just one of those many, many creatures which roam Neopia's countryside these days,'

'And why would they do that?'

'I dunno,' he replied. 'But I'm sure Eleus must know. Anything else you want to ask me?'

I only had one query left, and it was very, very simple. 'What was that blue stick thing?'

'Oh, you mean my Blue Wand?' the Tuskaninny roared. He put his paw inside his pocket and drew it out again. It was vibrating a little after defeating the fire imp.

'A- a wand?'

'Don't act stupid with me, boy! Of course it's a wand.' the Tuskaninny said in reply. 'Wands are the basic source of attack in Ancient Neopia. I can only make the very simple wands which register at damage 3, but I hear that Eleus can make much better ones, if you give him the correct items.'

'Can- can I get a wand?' I asked meekly.

'If you bring me the right items,' he answered.

'And where can I get the right items?'

'By defeating monsters. Sometimes, when you defeat monsters, they drop little items that can be used to make other items. Certain people around still have the gift of crafting the wondrous wands and defense items, but you have to give them the correct items first.'

'But- but I don't have anything to defeat monsters with!'

Lummock slapped himself on the forehead. 'Of course! You're new! Here, I'll give you something for free...'

He stood up and rummaged through all his items until he found five wands. Each was a different colour: Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, and White.

'Each colour wand signifies a different sphere of magic,' explained Lummock. 'Red is the colour for fire magic, your basic attack power. Blue is the proper colour for ice magic, a passive skill trait and one of my favourite. Yellow is a sign of Shock Magic, slowing down your opponent and stopping them altogether. Black is the basic shade for Spectral Magic, which mainly involves defensive skills. And finally, white means Life Magic, which is the art of pure healing. Which one will you choose?'

He held up the five magic wands in front of me. I knew I had a variety of choices, but after a long time of thinking, I finally decided on getting the White Wand.

'Light Magic, eh?' chuckled Lummock. 'Well, each person has their own tastes... well, go ahead, give it a whoosh.'

I waved it through the air. Small particles of what looked like aloe spurted out from the tip of it like small fireworks inside Lummock Sendent's work area.

'Bravo! Now you're ready,' cheered the Tuskaninny. 'I wish you the best of luck! I have some work to do, but please feel free to continue exploring the town.'

'Alright, thanks!' I said cheerfully. I turned and left Lummock Sendent's house with a much lighter heart. Now that I had a magic wand, I felt much more cheerful, and headed in the south direction. I had only just gone past an unused building when I crashed into a Purple Poogle carrying a large gauntlet.

'Good day there!' said she. 'You look lost. Come with me!'

She led me to the south east building: her workshop. It was much more high tech and cleaner than Lummock's, with no falling tiles or flapping window shatters in the wind. I followed the Poogle into her building. As soon as we sat down I asked her, 'Who are you and what do you do here?'

Sipping a cup of tea, she replied, 'I am Choras Tillie. I am the master armour smith of the town. If you bring me the correct items, I'd be happy to make you new items.'

She presented a small tablet with items needed to make armour.

'What exactly is armour?' I asked.

'Hmmm… let's see…' began Choras, pursing her lips thoughtfully, 'Armour is your basic type of defense in Ancient Neopia. You'll need the extra defense power for those dumb monsters that keep roaming around here lately.'

'What kind of armour is there?'

'Well, there's Magical Armour and Energy Armour. Both are good for use in my opinion, but that's your decision. Most armour smiths send adventurers on quests to find certain items before they can make anyone armour.'

Choras's eyes twinkled. 'I don't think you have any items to give me, but that's okay. When you're a little more experienced, you can come see me again.'

I turned to leave, but Choras suddenly spoke up. 'Morax Dorangis, my apprentice in the skill of defensive armour, might be kind enough to give you one for free. He lives in the south western house of the town. I think you should go see him!'

'Thanks,' I said, leaving. 'I'll be back later.'

Waving, I stepped out of Choras's workshop. The brilliant sun was still shining high in the sky, and I could see a small grove in the distance. I ran past the southern building to Morax's workshop.

When I stepped inside, a small bell rang, and a Scorchio turned around from his worktable to survey me. 'Yes, what is it?'

'Choras Tillie sent me,' I replied. 'She said that you might give me some armour for free?'

'Ah, yes,' said Morax, nodding. 'Ol' teach sent me the notice. I haven't had time to prepare both types, but I have managed to whip up this.'

He picked up a bundle of robes from a nearby counter and showed it to me. It was a beautiful purple colour, fit for a magician.

'Thank you so much!' I said gratefully, trying it on. It was a perfect fit. The cloth felt very smooth against my fur.

'Hey, no problemo,' he replied. 'Off you go! I have work to do!'

I left his workshop in a hurry without saying good-bye. I headed north and entered the north western house.

Entering, I saw a small Jubjub with a starry-patterned cloak reading out of a large spell book.

'Abracadabra, alakazam, make Eleus healthy, just as I am!'

That's when he noticed me. The Jubjub turned around and looked at me with mild surprise.

'Oh, hello,' he said. 'I am Boraxis the Healer, your local medic. If you're ever hurt, you can always come and ask for my help, and I'll be happy to serve you.'

'Thanks, I'm sure,' I said. I began to leave, but Boraxis suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly stopped me.

'Oh wait!' he said hurriedly. 'I have just received a message from Margo: Eleus Batrin is waiting for you in the Hills of Jub!'

'Where's that?' I asked.

'Go northwest from my house! You can't miss it!'

'Alright, thanks again,' I said, Once again, I turned to leave, but the Healer stopped me again.

'Wait! The hills are filled with monsters! Just a warning: watch out!'

'What should I do if I encounter one?' I asked.

'You have a wand, don't you?'

'Yes,'

'Then give them a zap with that wand, and eventually they'll fall. Just make sure you don't faint yourself!'

I left into the brilliant sunshine. The plains in front of me didn't seem to be too dangerous. I marched out, extremely happy and confident.

'Oh the irony!' I screamed in agony. I had been attacked by imps whom I had blasted away in two or three hits, but I had now just encountered a humungous Grey Lupe the size of a large bear. It was ripping me apart, and there wasn't anything I could do. My life seemed to flash before my eyes: Eleus, Margo, Lummock, Choras…

Suddenly, a large blast of magic hit the lupe, and it retreated. I looked up to see Eleus Batrin staring at me with concern.

'Here, drink this!' said the Kyrii. He gave me a small potion of some sort, which I drank down quickly.

'That was a Healing Potion,' the Kyrii explained. 'Some monsters drop them when you defeat them. They're important when people like Boraxis the Healer aren't around anymore.'

Thanking him, I got up.

'Now that you're healthy, I need you to do a special task for me.'

'Yes?' I asked, curious.

'I need you to go into the Dank Caves and retrieve the Ring of Xantan,' he explained. 'The Ring is worn by Xantan the Foul, the foulest creature in the area. I can't go through those caves; I'm too old! But you can. Just step inside and get to Xantan near the end of the cave, but watch out for the cave monsters. Once you defeat Xantan, I'm sure he'll drop the ring for you to get. Also, some monsters inside might drop items needed to make better armour,'

He smiled. 'I wish you the best of luck! Now, here's the entrance.'

I noticed that there was a large cave that led into a hill. A small ladder descended into complete darkness.

'Go- go down there?' I stammered.

'Yes,' the weapon smith replied. 'You must. I need to get that Ring, because I feel that it might give me a small lead on all this monster nonsense,'

'Well, if you insist...' I said. Silently, I climbed down the rope ladder into pitch darkness.

'Good luck!' yelled Eleus from the opening. 'And be careful!'

'All right Mr. Batrin!' I cried. 'I'll do the best I-'

But before I could finish, a low growling came from the darkness. I wheeled around to see the HUGEST cave lupe ever!

And it was hungry. Very hungry. I could tell from the drooling and the absence of food stuck in its fangs. And it wanted me alright, but it was in a rather special way.

It wanted me eaten.