Alternate Destiny: Sloth's Reign

The cold night was foggy as a familiar chill descended over the Artesian streets. There was subtle but quick movement as lone figures prowled in the unending darkness of the former Old Neopian ruins.

Over the dense cobblestone streets, their 'human-paws' pattered rapidly and insistently- almost like loud raindrops.

There was a semi-human yowl as the Neo-human Moehog (called Jacobin) raised his hackles in immediate defense. "Elena," called Jacobin, the human voice sounding savagely distorted by his snorting.

"Is it you?" Not expecting a reply, he shrugged. Times were really tough now in Artesia, he knew.

Ever since Francois caused the fall of Neopia, Jacobin was forever changed- literally. The mutant Guards had caught him trying to usher Neopoints into the Artesian capital.

He was brought before the Dictator, along with his Neopet, aMoehog called 'Martine'. He shuddered at the final verdict etched upon his mind: Guilty of illegal trading.

As a final 'punishment' in the chambers (actually, it was more like torture) Jacobin and his Moehog were tied with iron chains to a wooden table...

And before he could even scream with extreme terror, the Ray fired a pulsing rainbow laser at both of them.

Jacob's senses tingling, the chains were released upon finishing and he turned to look at his Neopet- but she was no longer there!

There was only scorched wood where his friend was. "Martine?" he whispered softly, there was an eerie silence. "It is done, Jacobs!" smirked Gardenia watching the entire affair,

"You are punished!" Holding up a mirror, Jacob fearfully looked into the mirror. His face was not his own!

Instead, his face looked slightly like Martine's face (ivory coloured tusks and Moehog ears intact, but the rest was unchanged). His hands were as hard and as black as his Moehog hooves and a light red fur covered his entire body. I am Martine!

Jacobin wanted to shriek for eternity, but no human sound came out of his altered mouth. There was only a loud, piercing squeal that echoed throughout the chamber, mingled with the Arena Master's cruel laughter…

Jacobs shivered at the memory; understandably he was an outcast of Artesia. He was neither Neopet nor human, but somewhere in between.

Back in the present, Jacobin faced the glowing-eyed human with the grungy black cloak.

It's Artemis the Wielder! But what was he doing here? Did Sloth told him to do a special duty within the Old Neopian Ruins?

"It's you," snarled Jacobin the mutated Neo-human, "What do you want with me? Your only duty is to check the Arena for stray Neopets, you know that?" He challenged Artemis, the legendary Wielder of Forces.

"Jacobs," spoke Artemis smoothly, the Wielder's human voice sounded sort of rigid and had a strange tone to it. "Contraire, my friend, I am not here to inspect you for that matter..."

"Instead, I am here to scourge the Ruins." His eyes blazed a fiery scarlet and the Neo-human stepped back sensibly- one mustn't interfere.

"Likely story," huffed Jacobs, "See those homes? See those desolate buildings? They don't look cursed to me." His hand-hooves cracked with applied pressure.

"They soon will be," grinned Artemis slowly, "Sloth had sent me to make sure the Ruins are never resurrected from their original devastation."

"And if the Rebels ever come back here, they will have to face me…These grounds are actually afflicted. Whoever comes here will be struck with a tremendous disaster!"

"I'll believe it when I see it," confessed Jacobin, hiding a snicker.

Artemis's normally amber eyes were a radiating lavender, further highlighting his malicious smile. "Very well, you've been warned, Jacobin… I promise you, this curse… It is deadly."

The Wielder of Forces slinked back into the deepening misty shadows of the Ruins…

"I don't believe in some outlandish silly curse, Artemis!" bellowed Jacobin,

"Curses are for impractical Artesians!" Curse indeed, what rubbish Artemis comes up with! Jacobs was about to leave the Ruins, when suddenly...

There was a familiar sound and –without any warning- a flash of condensed lighting struck the Ruins- causing a fiercely burningring of fire surrounding the Neo-human…

There was no way out- and poor Jacobin clearly was trapped in the middle!

"Help, Artemis!" called Jacobin, "I believe you now! Get me out of here!" Familiar laughter came and floated around him, taunting him terribly.

"Why should I help you? You didn't believe me in the first place!"
"Help, help me! HELP ME!" shrieked the Neo-human as the golden-red flames rose up to claim him…

Suddenly and as soon as it started, the cursed flames stopped blazing around Jacobin… "Now do you believe me, Jacobs? Never, ever snicker when I warn you about the Old Neopian Ruins!" shouted Artemis as he stopped the fire, "Now, leave the Ruins alone!

"It's meant for the Rebels." Jacobs was too startled to reply. Instead, he paid respect to Artemis and stumbled away in shock…