The Wind in My Wings
Disclaimer: I do not own Neopets in anyway, whatsoever.
A.N.: I want to try and extend my writing and I believe this is a good time to do just that. I hope you enjoy and now, on with the chapter!
Prologue
Garnathan laughed as he flew around his fellow Shoyrus. They were trailing behind him and were no match to the speed of this blue Shoyru.
'Maybe I should let them catch up.' Thought Garnathan but shook off that thought for he did not want them to have a false win.
The white ribbon was carried by two Kacheeks and they each stood facing each other. A group of Neopets were already forming behind the two Kacheeks and were cheering on their favorites.
"Just a little farther." Muttered Garnathan through clenched teeth as sweat ran down his slim body.
His wings pumped back and forth as fast as they could and his body ached for the feeling of rest. But now wasn't the time for that, he had to show that he was still the fastest Neopet that this world had ever seen!
A sudden cough escaped from his lips but Garnathan just ignored it. He could now see the white ribbon so clearly that it was begging to be touched.
Suddenly, Garnathan felt his body spasm as he coughed harshly and his throat went dry.
"I'm so close, I have to get to the finish line." Said Garnathan confidently and he continued to go with all of the strength he had lef.
The others were catching up but they were still too far behind him to pose a threat. His strength was being rapidly drained from his body and his body was growing to a sickly white.
"I-I-I can't lose n-now. …Not now…" was the last words that escaped from the lips of Garnathan as his weak body crashed into the ground below and just inches away from the finish line.
All of the contestants of the race came to a halt as they flew down to see what was wrong with their fellow companion.
"Garnathan!" yelled a Christmas Shoyru by the name of Starfighter48.
He shook his friend hopelessly but he would not open his eyes. His face was flushed and blood had rushed to his head.
"What the heck are you waiting for? Call the ambulance." Ordered Starfighter48 and the Neopets quickly scattered to get help.
At A Neohome:
Ingrid giggled as her Bearog tickled her feet with their tongues. Ingrid was new to the Neopets world and loved Garnathan to death. Her long brown hair fell smoothly behind her and her green eyes were full of joy. Currently, she was under the extreme power of the mighty Bearog!
"Okay, stop that Skippy, Peppy, and Luke. How about we watch some T.V.!"
The Bearog(s) barked in agreement and raced off towards the living room. The house was extremely small and Ingrid could barely afford to feed them. Fortunately, they had the trusty Soup Faerie to cure their woes of hunger.
The Bearog had taken a lot of saving but it was worth it for Ingrid to see the joy on her Shoyru's face as he opened the box with his very first PetPet.
She entered the room and sat on the mucus colored chair of hers. The Bearog jumped onto her lap and they turned their heads towards the screen. Ingrid pulled out her remote and pressed the ON button.
A news report appeared on the screen and Ingrid watched with curiosity. A Techo with a serious expression on his face looked intently at the viewers.
"Now to Carmellia the Fire Faerie with this breaking news update."
The screen changes to suit wearing Fire Faerie with concern all over her face. Behind her was a sign with Hospital written in black.
"Thanks Jim. Today was like any day for the millions of Neopets living here in Neopia Central. But this day turned to tragedy when a sudden outbreak of the The Neo Flu spread like wildfire. Thousands of Neopets are being rushed to the hospital but they are already too full to accept anymore patients."
Ingrid looked in horror at what was unfolding itself right in front of her eyes. Her Bearog was already whimpering, sensing that something terrible was happening.
"This sudden outbreak has caused a dramatic increase of price for the precious Neoflu Jelly Pills. Owners of pets have raised the price to a devastating 20, 000 neopoints per package. The hospitals are unable to receive that much money and so many patients are left uncared for. We have been granted permission to see the inside of one of these hospitals."
Carmellia pushed open the heavy doors with ease and walked inside. Everywhere, Neopets and owners were seen either on the beds, on the ground, or rushing to get supplies. Many stretchers were being carried outback to a place where many other ones were. For on those stretchers were things covered in white blankets to hide them from the outside world.
"This is probably one of the most tragic scenes I have ever seen." As tears cold be seen welling up in the reporter's eyes.
She continued to walk along and made a few attempts to cheer the patients up. She used her magic to help them feel better. They smiled in relief and quickly fell into a deep slumber. This served as only a small distraction from the pain they were feeling right now. She turned to the camera and said,
"They say that the outbreak was first known when a Shoyru in the annual Shoyru 100 fell to the ground in a sick-like manner. So far, we can only identify him by the name of Garnathan."
The Bearog on Ingrid's lap fainted and fell to the ground. Ingrid had turned pale and looked blankly at the screen. She snapped out of it in only a few seconds and quickly flew out of the door and onto the street.
"Why did it have to be him? Why did it have to be my first Neopet!" screamed Ingrid angrily as she quickly ran towards the nearest Shop Wizard.
The Shop Wizard was trapped by a large line of people who were yelling and screaming and crying.
"Why would people want to take advantage of this." Said a person in the crowd.
The Shop Wizard shook his head sadly and with a poof, he was gone. Many people fell to their knees and cried in their hands. The others were as pale as sheets of paper and looked as if they were snowballs.
Ingrid stormed out of there and ran back home. She dug around for anything that could help her and than she saw it. Her one treasure that could save her Shoyru from his fate. Deep inside of her closet in a secret compartment was her most cherished item. A Faerie Queen Doll that her sister had passed onto her before she had died. It was worn out and looked a little dirty but it still looked good enough to get her the thing she needed.
She ran back out and went to the market square. She went into the biggest shop she could find and walked right up to the owner. He was sitting on his Skeith who looked very uncomfortable. The man looked very large and very sweaty. On his counter was a pack of NeoFlu Jelly Pills!
She slammed her doll onto the table and said determinedly,
"Give me those pills!"
At The Hospital:
Ingrid quickly made her way through the hallways. She hoped that it wasn't too late and that he wasn't dea-. No! She would not believe that and barreled past many people before coming to a dead stop.
There was her Shoyru. Tears spilled as she looked at him. He was turning a little green and his eyes were red like a Grey Pet. He cracked his eyes open slowly and looked at Ingrid.
"M-Mom?" asked Garnathan hopefully.
"Yes dear, it's me." She stroked his head and he sighed in relief.
"Don't worry mom, at least I won't die alone." Garnathan hoarsely whispered.
Ingrid shook her head and took out the pills that cold help him get better. She pushed them towards him but he stopped her.
"It's too late for me. Please, could you do me one more favor before I go?"
Ingrid's body trembled as she fought to control how she was feeling. But she sucked it up and kneeled down to her dying pet. Garnathan gave her a hug with his body and whispered,
"Please find a way to help them Mom. Don't let anymore Neopets go too…"
Ingrid felt Garnathan's body go limp in her hands. She felt her heart break as she laid him down on the bed. She put the covers over his head and said in a tear choked voice,
"I promise you, I will not fail! Goodnight Garnathan, for forever you shall sleep."
Ingrid walked out of the hospital and broke down sobbing as she exited the hospital.
In Ingrid's Room:
Ingrid packed her bags without a word and gathered whatever she could in the backpack she was provided when she first arrived. Suddenly, she remembered her PetPet she had left at home.
"Skippy, Peppy, Luke, we have to go now." She shouted but heard not a single response.
Ingrid searched everywhere but could not find her one and only PetPet. A knock was heard and Ingrid quickly answered.
There was her Bearog pounding its heads on the door with what appeared to be a Neopet behind him. He pounded a little to hard and fell back down, swirls apparent on his eyes.
'Who is this?' wondered Ingrid curiously.
She carefully walked up to the Neopet and turned its head towards her. She gasped and put her hand to her mouth. It was a blue Uni who's skin was already becoming a pasty white.
The Bearog licked the Uni's face and it woke up moaning.
"Where am I? Why aren't I in my cage?"
Ingrid raised an eyebrow until her mind clicked. She was from the Adoption Agency!
Ingrid's Bearog looked at her with a sad expression on their faces. As if they were trying to get her to help this poor Uni.
She touched her pocket and remembered the pills that came too late for Garnathan. It was a perfect time to do well on her promise to Garnathan.
"Could you open your mouth, little Uni?" asked Ingrid.
The Uni reluctantly opened its mouth and she felt something delicious enter her mouth. They tasted like Jelly Beans and she quickly gobbled them up.
The Uni was feeling stronger so she slowly rose to her feet.
"Thank you for your generosity. My name is Jasmine. What might be your name?"
Ingrid smiled and patted Jasmine on the head.
"Well, I'm Ingrid and this is my PetPet, Skippy, Peppy, and Luke." The Bearog answered with a growl of happiness.
Ingrid noticed a letter attached to the Uni and she grabbed it. It was caught between the wings and bonded them together. She pulled it out and Jasmine looked at her in amazement.
"When did that get there." Wondered Jasmine out loud.
Ingrid shrugged and opened it up. It seemed to have instructions to lead somewhere. She read the end and it said as followed,
"So many years have passed but I still wonder this world. The cursed NeoFlu Jelly Beans, what use do they have if no one is infected? I shall hide them in secret and I will keep this letter with my dear Uni until it is time to bring them back and make millions. For now, I shall wait until the end of time until I make the money I deserve."
Ingrid pocketed the letter and turned to the Blue Uni who was already looking much better.
"Jasmine, do you think I could adopt you?"
Jasmine smiled from ear to ear and jumped onto her new owner.
"Thank you!" shouted Jasmine as she licked Ingrid's face.
After a few minutes, Ingrid had gathered her belongings and had sold her Neohome. Only one thought was on her mind as she left her home and out into a new world.
'I promise you Garnathan, I will not rest until I have helped the Neopets!'
She did not notice the pirate Neopets stalking but staying far behind her. Or the Evil Doctor who was watching her carefully from his secret base.
"In time, my friends, in time." Whispered the doctor as the pirates nodded in unison.
End of Prologue
End Note: That took me awhile but I hope you enjoy it! Review if you want to and I'm out!
-starfighter48