We tumbled out the other end of the teleport in a heap, and I squawked as we hit smooth marble floor and slid down the long, art decked corridor leading to Fyora's throne room.

I coughed out a mouthful of dust and for the moment, ignored the NeoPet guards that charged into the hall and slid to a stop at seeing our bedraggled state.

"Luvin, *cough* if I ever want to go spelunking again, *cough* please remind me how much I hate caves." I said, slowly pulling myself to my paws and wincing as a sharp pain shot through my shoulders. Lovely. Felt like I had pulled something while lifting Luvin's weight.

She muttered something darkly from her upside down position at a wall and shoved away from it, causing her hind paws to swing down out of the air and back to the ground where they belonged.

We were both so covered in dust that we were totally gray and a fine trickle of it poured off of both of us. Luvin made a spitting sound and growled, "They say you eat a pound of dirt in a year. I've discovered two pounds in an hour. Ptooie!"

After pulling ourselves together, the guards escorted us to the Faerie Queen's Throne Room to report.

"It seems that you two have been quite busy," Fyora said, looking us both over mildly, "Care to explain why the tunnels leading into the deeper catacombs have collapsed? I assure you the Art Centre is still intact, but the citizens of Neopia are not pleased with having a cloud of dust roar out of the tunnels and coat everything."

It took at least two hours to explain the whole thing and finally she sat back with a nod and a sigh, "Well, then I suppose we are all very lucky aren't we? I have to say Luvin, that idea was very good thinking. Even the Wraiths cannot get through several tons of rock. For now, they are trapped and harmless. It will take time for us to get prepared to dig in and deal with the Wraiths, but it will be done."

I sat on my haunches with a plop, raising a small cloud of dust out of my fur. By the Faeries... I needed a bath.... "Excellent... But Your Majesty...we are both tired, and filthy. If you are willing to excuse us, we'll be on our way out of your immaculate palace to get some rest. I am sure your chamberlain will be grateful." I glanced at a prim looking Shoyru, who looked ready to explode at the dust we were leaving on the floor.

Fyora smiled and nodded, "Very well. But if you will both come forward I would like to reward you for your efforts."

We approached her and bowed. Fyora reached out and touched a stone on each of our pendants, making them glow with a soft blue light before the light faded, "You now have the power to take on your Neopet forms outside of Neopia," she whispered very softly to us, "Do not ask questions, and do not use them without your ability to go invisible. You MUST understand this."

We nodded, looking puzzled by the urgency in her voice. She knew something and wasn't going to tell us. Tired of it all for a while, we simply leaned against each other and teleported home.

***

I sagged in my computer chair, exhausted but unable to go to bed just yet. I was clean...finally... but I needed to feed my pets before I climbed into bed. I signed onto Neopets one more time and checked on them. Yes, they were hungry.

Suddenly the image of Alkuna began to change. Her usual fierce smile changed to a grouchy scowl and the images of all four of them began to distort. I scrambled back from the computer as the screen bulged outward. I did NOT want to be dragged through the screen again. But nothing was pulling me in... Something was coming out!

There was a yelp, and Alkuna tumbled through the screen, followed by my other three pets. I went pale. Oh this was just great...

The phone rang and I picked it up. For a moment, all I heard on it was the angry barking of Luvin's dogs, and then Silverblur yelled back, "Oh yeah?! Well YOUR father herds Slorgs for a living!!" More barking.

"Oh Alkuna..." said Luvin, sounding very tired, "We have a problem..."

The End