Alternate Destiny: Sloth's Reign

Author's Notes: This chapter is about memories and a (sort of) recount of how the Rebels came to be- it also reveals something about Artemis the Wielder from previous chapters! And it talks about Dana's brother, I bet you didn't know she had one!

The only question is: Whose memory is it from? WARNING:Drowning occurs in this chapter, read thischapter if you want to cry. This series might turn into a dark Neopets fanfiction. Lol, I can't believe I just said that...


Memories. They can be precious or upsetting, created- but not purchased. They can mean the world to someone- or instead be their darkest secrets.

Memoirs are what made us iridescent, but they can also reveal the dark shadows of the subconscious mind. Such as these events can inspire, they can also bring pain…

The dark shadows were roaming across Neopia, foreshadowing and menacing. They glistened in the sharply focused moonlight, gleaming metallic shards against the unnaturally quiet forest.

The robots whirled and stopped as the leader of them commanded all to halt. Now was the time to attack- leaving no trace behind!

There was a shrill beep as they all leapt as one upon Neopia's high stony walls, clambering upwards with their hooked, three-pronged 'hands'. Sloth watched from a distant window, grinning.

Meanwhile a young human was also gazing, fear-ridden. His name was Artemis Wheeler, and he knew this was the end of everything that Neopia had gained! He had to warn everyone! This moment was vital to all Neopets!

Sloth's plan was working perfectly, in the dead of night when most were asleep; the robot army will strike upon the Neopians!

Swift and brutally, the robots worked at ripping down the barriers of the various Neo-home walls- tearing down the only things separating them from the innocent Neopets inside.

Artemis rode urgently intothenight on his friend's Diaconate, calling out her name desperately.

There was screaming and howling as each Neopet woke up to a hideous sight to behold. It was too late; Neopia was taken as François's army advanced…

"It's not safe here, not any longer!" yelled Artemis to the other desperate Neopets. "Flee to outside of Neopia, for Sloth has come to take most of you!"

Some of the Neopets obeyed him, but others just stood there, gobsmacked... They were snatched by the robotic army of Sloth, who took them as prisoners for the future Arena.

TheunfortunateNeopetscried out as the Owners tried to free them from the robots. Suddenly a familiar face appeared and Artemis recognized it. It was his friend.

"Art!" yelled the blonde haired neighbour of Artemis, "It's impossible, how did it happen! Did you see 'him'?"
"Believe me, it can! I saw him with my own eyes." promised Artemis,

"Here, ride her and escape the wrath of Sloth; you other Neopians follow her. I will NEVER be taken! But I must help others to safety, so I'll stay here in Neopia."

The magnetic-haired boy gave the Diaconate's reins to the blond girl as the other people followed her to the riverbank. The finely finned aquatic/hybrid Neopet seeped into the water- gliding gracefully. But the robots were coming...

"There's no time- HURRY!" screamed Artemis against the wind of darkness.

With a roar, the Diaconate-powered raft pulled some of the Neopians along the rough river as they hung on with the conviction of being saved…

The space-robots swam at them, but their density was too heavy and they sunk rapidly into the water. They fizzled and sparked in the damp as the rocking motion of the raft brought the Neopians further and further away from their fearsome enemies.

In rapid propulsion, the Diaconate powered up as one of the boys urged it to go faster, but the Neopet had enough. Suddenly, there was a sharp scream as a browned haired lass fell into the water, losing her balance. "She can't swim!" yelled Maxine, who was unsure. "She's drowning! Someone save her!"

A violet haired boy swiftly dove into the water, but soon, the two were overcome by the rising tide, sinking out of sight. "NO!" sobbed Dana as she watched-"Brother- Dalais!"

Her cries were like sirens in the night as the Neopians wept for them…"DALAIS!" Max comforted her, but the grieved girl couldn't respond. Her eyes welled up with unspoken but clear tears- her brother was gone forever.

Night left the sky to be replaced by dawn; soon the land came in sight as they trod the green grass of the new territory. Seemed like some of the Neopets had migrated there, and it seemed safe for now.

The Neopians might even start a society there, away from Sloth- but what will they be called for now? "The Rebel Resistance," suggested Calais. They could stay here until the threat subsides.

But the Neopians knew that one day, they would have to return to Neopia and oppose Sloth-

And when they arrive back there with a passionate vengeance, they will be known as the infamous Rebels- Neopian owners of the Outlands.