Alternate Destiny: Sloth's Reign

The huge brownish canine with wildly rustled fur prowled through the long unshaven grass, his eyes slowly shifting to the horizon- where the fiery reddened sky met the natural beauty of the lake beyond the last untamed hill. He could sense someone coming; feel it's presence in its very soul… The Gelert yelped as Maxine came out, the human Rebel was concerned with his 'owned' Neopet…

"What is it, Rexford?" Maxine asked the brown Gelert "Is someone coming?" The couth boy stroked the rough fur of his 'partner' as Rexford whimpered… "Don't worry; you don't have to tell me- I already know." he soothed the terror.

"I smell- despair." whined Rexford, "It's getting stronger."

Just then, the other Rebels came… Dana Edge-Wing- with her blue Eyrie, Calais Felix- with his red Peophin and Kali Star- with her rare Diaconate. The Rebels were all quite kind and were willing to help any 'Arena' Neopets they came across- but unfortunately not all of them accepted their help. Instead the Arena Neopets growled that they would never accept any assistance from any 'Rebel'- the numerous Neopets seemed like they were influenced by the Arena's harsh discipline, they decided to form their own packs- each for their separate species- e.g. The Paw Tribe (Gelert), Psychic Pack (Aisha).

Some of the Arena Neopets back in the Outlands turned savage as time passed. They started developing an intense loathing of the Rebels because of inferiority- and attacking them in packs. They also fought the Rebels over territory- they also claimed the hills were theirs only, not the Rebels. Thus the ongoing conflict between 'wild' Neopets and Rebels began. Several hills were founded for the wild Neopets, the other side of the desolate peak's plain was for the Rebels…

"Maxine, don't you think the Gelert tribe is playing up today?" said Dana, "I mean look at them near the second hill, they seem conspicuously happy." The quiet purple haired girl patted the furry thigh of her aqua-coloured griffin.

"I better send Rex over to the Gelert tribe- after all; he was one of them once." muttered Maxine. "Rex, go and see what's happening over there!"

"Aye, Maxine!" woofed Rexford as the passionate Gelert scampered over the plains like a brown tornado on legs. "I'll get back to you as soon as I can!"

Soon Rex smelt a familiar smell, forming a picture with his mind… The tribe! They were chasing someone- but who was it? He sniffed the dirt, it was a human smell. They were chasing a girl who had a touch of Faerie dust on her.

Rexford was certain she was a teenager- teenagers reeked of sweat according to Gelerts. So that's why they were happy! His former tribe chased out a human teenager or a Faerie from their territory! He felt disgusted- Nowadays he had nothing in common with his tribe. Could he find the girl? Rex thought- could he ever! Gelerts can follow a scent anywhere and be right most of the time! So he took a deep breath of the human's scent and followed the trail.

Unknown, Maxine was also following Rex's path several metres away... Soon he came to a grassy glen, where the brown Gelert's paw prints were evident. "Rex!" Suddenly, a head popped out of the grass- but it wasn't Rex's head. Instead, he saw an Asian teenage girl sitting there on the grass; she had long black hair and bitter amber eyes… AAHH! REX TURED INTO A- Maxine panicked as a familiar face appeared and slurped his cheeks- Rexford barked happily. The teenage girl didn't smile though. "Who are you?" he asked the girl in awe.

"My name isn't important," she said indignantly, "What I need to tell you is- Fawn has been captured." Maxine's heart fell within his chest. Fawn-Bella? Oh no! "Anyway, can you do me a favour?" said the Asian girl briskly.
"Anything," said a love-struck Max. If he was hoping for a love-letter, it would be perfect! Instead, he heard: "Can you help me get my Neopets out of the Arena?" There was a comical sound as Max felt disappointed.

"What's your name? Where did you know about Fawn-Bella?" said Maxine. Gloom filled the girl's eyes as she recounted what happened recently.

"Fawn got shot with darts?" said a confused Maxine. Sabrina nodded.

"Yes, that evil Sloth got her…!" Maxine felt crestfallen.

"All those legends you heard about the Rebels are not always true," he told Sabrina, "We're not always successful. One of us was caught years ago."

"Who was it…?" said Sabrina curiously.

"She was known well to us back then… It was: Gardenia Sera. She was investigating something in Artesia- got caught by Sloth and that was the last we ever heard of her… I think that Sloth had brainwashed her."
"Then let's get back Gardenia and the rest of the Rebels from Artesia." said Sabrina, her voice seemed to have a tinge of unspoken pain in it.
"Will you join the Rebels?" asked Maxine, there was a pause as Sabrina nodded silently, she knew that she had to get stronger in order to survive Artesia.
"I'll do anything to get my dear friends back from that place, so… Yes."