Author's Notes: Here's a slightly longer chapter (two pages!) for all you fans of this alternate-dimension story! Sabrina unexpectedly meets a Rebel Grey Faerie in Artesia! But will the malicious dictator, Dr. Sloth catch them first? Or will they be redeemed from the very start?
Plus: The very first look at the Death Arena!
Before I go, remember: The more reviews this story gets, the more I update!
Alternate Destiny: Sloth's Reign
Suddenly as Sabrina crossed the bleak cobbled streets, a person stepped out from the shadows of the alleys… The silvery-haired girl cast a mournful look as sorrowfulness surrounded her like a cloak of despair. A shiver went down Sabrina's back as the young teenage girl stepped back in fear and doubt.
"I know you- come with me, Sabrina." said the girl briskly, her eyes radiated wisdom beyond her years and she seemed older that way. It was then that Sabrina noticed that the girl had frayed wings of clear crystal…!
"Who are you? Do you have a Neopet?" managed Sabrina, despite the girl's shifty eyes, Sabrina never trusted people nowadays without analyzing them first- experience taught her that personally. The girl laughed highly… It startled Sabrina that the girl could laugh in Artesia… Clearly, she wasn't from here.
"I am one of yours- A Rebel grey Faerie. My name is Fawn-Bella. You have lost the light; I can see it in your eyes." Sabrina had no idea what Fawn meant, but she could guess… Reluctantly she offered her hand to Fawn.
Paws moaned in his sleep as the Arena Master screamed at him in his ears.
"WAKE UP! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE TRAINING FOR YOUR NEXT BATTLE!" A roughened hand caught his sore face as the green Kougra winced in pain… "Now get out there!" The roar of the crowds grew louder as Gardenia -the Arena Master- shoved Paws ruthlessly towards the sharp metallic bars which separated the Arena from the abused Neopets.
Light streamed from the spotlights overhead. This was it, there was no turning back. Do it- or die…! The gates open with a screech of metal as Paw's opponent appeared…A Gelert whose coat was of pure dusk and had more battle scars than he could count. The nameless Neopet growled at him as Paws leapt at the dark canine. The attack was swift and derisive- within minutes the Gelert had the Kougra in a deadly grip- before Paws in desperation, swiped at his face. The Gelert howled in pain as the multiple red lines raked his wounded face…
Just before Paws hit the sandy ground, he thought of his Owner… He hadn't seen her for more than two years and already he had started to forget what she looked like… He thought back to when he last saw her…"Promise me that you won't forget me," I won't, he had told her… But now he felt guilty. How could he face her after all these years? Wearily, with the Gelert being fainted, he made his way back to the gate… Thus another foe had gone by- but he regretted the recall.
After being chased by some vivid Neo-humans through the streets (don't ask), Fawn and Sabrina had made some progress… But not enough, they still had to hurtle through the gate to the Outlands- and that was the most difficult part… Because Dr. Sloth was watching their every move!
"Fawn, how long is it until we get to the Outlands?" said an anxious Sabrina…
"Just a couple more metres, we just have to get through the gate!"
"Master! The Grey Faerie and the Rebel are escaping!" cried out a female called Lexicon. The ugly green alien in the dark cloak snickered as he strode…
"No matter let them run- but they can't hide for long from me! ME!" yelled the dictator of Artesia as he moved over to a silvery control panel. Dr. Sloth laughed like a classic megalomaniac as he pressed a big red button…What did it do? Only the dastardly Sloth knew…
Immediately, there was a rapid springing sound as many deadly darts were launched in Fawn's direction, each of them were tipped with a razor sharp tip and were specially maneuvered for quick movements… The darts were machinelike in the way they ploughed through the air. Like red wasps they latched onto Fawn- draining her of her life force.
Suddenly it looked as though the Grey Faerie was losing her inner strength, just lagging behind Sabrina… Sabrina felt concerned, dropping her usually cold exterior… Then she noticed that the gates were closing rapidly- if they didn't hurry up, they'll never get to meet the other Rebels!
"Fawn! Are you okay? Here, let me help you."
"You go on without me… I'll see you on the other side." There were clear tears in Fawn's green eyes as Sabrina realized what was happening…! There was a horrifying pause of silence...
"But Dr. Sloth will-!" exclaimed Sabrina, before Fawn interrupted.
"Don't worry about me- You still have yourself! Tell the other Rebels that I'll be waiting here for them. NOW GO ON!" yelled Fawn as Sabrina ran for the Outlands.
Sabrina arrived on the other side just in time, for a few seconds later there was a glass barrier between Fawn and her. Meanwhile Dr. Sloth was furious that the Rebel escaped, but he couldn't do anything about it; he only controlled Artesia- not the vicious Outlands where the feral Neopets roamed freely…
