Neopian Fun Run

Authored 3-04
Author's Note: All of the mentioned items, breeds, and locations are "real" in the Neopets.com universe. If you don't play Neopets, this isn't going to make any sense.

Disclaimer: Neopets are part of the Neopets.com universe and belong to someone else. No infringement is intended.


The Six-fourths Fun Run


Breakfast at 12053 Alpine Avenue

"I can’t believe you’re serious about this," whined Lucent, a young blue Gelert from the breakfast table. Neo, his younger sibling, a red Ixi sitting across from him, looked up from his study of The Six-fourths Youth Fun Run rules.

He raised an eyebrow at his older brother, "jealous?"

The Gelert snorted derisively. "Puh-lease. Why should I be jealous of someone who’s just going to be left in the dust by the first turn?"

"Be nice, Lucent," called their den mother, Johleena, from the kitchen as she appeared from around the corner with a hot skillet in one paw. Lucent looked away guiltily while the blue Eyrie served portions of Bacon Omelettes to the boys.

"Why is it called ‘six-fourths’ anyway," grumbled Lucent to change the subject.

"Because the youth race is six circuits of a quarter mile track," Johleena explained, "or a mile and a half run in all. Kind of a joke the sponsors made to keep things light for St. Patrick’s Day. But you’d know it was a mile and a half if you read the flyer last week."

Lucent ignored the jibe. "Well, I’ll still be rooting for Demosthenes," he proclaimed, indicating his Scorchio friend from the Training School. Neo made a sour face at his brother.

"That’s fine," said Johleena, pouring juice for the boys then coffee for herself, "but I want you to remember it’s a fun run for a reason."

"Right, right," answered Lucent, just managing to avoid rolling his eyes before digging into his breakfast. "Good sportsmanship and all that."

"Yup," piped up Neo, indicating the rules sheet in his hooves. "It says so right here, along with ‘no magic items, potions, or petpet a-ssis-tance.’ Right?" He looked up at the Eyrie for confirmation on the long word.

Johleena took the opportunity to take the page out of his hooves. "That’s right, now eat!" she said with a grin.



Sign-in at the Ice Arena

"Man," complained Lucent, as he picked his way through the exiting crowd, "the tram was packed!"

"What’s the matter," asked Neo slyly. "Someone step on your paws?"

"Yeah, and it felt like hooves," retorted the Gelert.

"Now, boys," chastised Johleena lightly as she broke a path through the crowd to the arena.

The two were still ribbing each other by the time they got to the ticket window. Johleena produced Neo’s registration slip from her shoulder bag and reported to the yellow Chia within the kiosk. "One contestant and two spectators."

"Contestants are free," the Chia explained. "Check-in is just inside the gate on your left. That’ll be twenty NP’s, please." Johleena paid the Chia and thanked him, then guided the boys along with one wing.

Once inside the gate, the three strained over the heads of other pets to find the check-in counter amidst the various food and souvenir booths. Finally, the right line was spotted and the two boys dashed off to secure a place in line. Barely had the two taken their places at the end of the line when they were both pinched from behind. Hard.

"Ouch!" they both chorused and spun around to glare at their attacker. Lucent’s friend, Demosthenes, a green Scorchio, stood there grinning mischievously.

"Hey!" Exclaimed Lucent sourly, "what was that for?"

"Don’t you know? It’s St. Patty’s day, and you’re not wearing green!"

"So what," growled Lucent, "technically, you’re not either."

"No, but I have the benefit of being green; therefore, I’m more festive than either of you!"

"And tomorrow you’ll be just as ordinary," riposted Neo.

Demosthenes ignored the insightful Ixi. "So," he said, turning his attention to Lucent, "trying your paw at the race?"

"No," his friend corrected, still smarting from the sneak attack, "actually, I’m here to support my little brother." If he noted the Ixi’s surprise he made no sign.

"Really." The Scorchio looked Neo up and down disdainfully. "Well, he’ll be eating my dust by the time he gets past the first turn."

Lucent started at the familiar words and was saved from trying to make a reply by an interruption.

"Demos," chided a deep voice, "what did I say about sportsmanship?"

Lucent turned to identify the source of the voice as an intimidatingly big green Lupe. Demosthenes had the decency to look down, "Sorry."

The Lupe offered a paw to the youngster. "You must be Lucent. Johleena has told me all about you and your brother Neo."

Lucent tried unsuccessfully not to gape. "How do you know Johleena?"

"We’re in Techo Master’s Intermediate adult class," Grimm explained.

As he was speaking, Johleena appeared next to him. Johleena caught the end of the conversation and added mildly, "did you think I didn’t make friends at the Training School, too?"

All this time, Neo was watching the milling crowds with widening eyes. He didn't think so many pets lived in all of Terror Mountain! And they all seemed to be here at the Ice Arena to watch him race! The nervous flutters in his stomach grew stronger as the time approached for his race. Finally, a stadium door opened and he got a good look at the huge arena with all those thousands of seats. Those flutters suddenly felt like full-grown Faeries!

"Neo? Neo, are you all right?" Johleena asked, concerned as she watched the red Ixi's face pale noticeably and take on a green tinge.

Neo looked back with a look of full-blown panic, his eyes watering, and all he could say was, "um?"

Johleena recognized the look immediately and pointed sharply to the boys' room nearby ordering him, "go!"

Neo ran to the lavatory just in time to loose his breakfast.

By this time, Demosthenes, who had seen the whole thing, was having a hard time standing up, he was laughing so hard.

Lucent nudged him. "Demos, what's so funny?"

"I pinched him too soon!" his friend gasped. "Don't you get it? He turned green after all!"

Lucent snickered and the adults tried to hide their grins.



Show Time in the Stands

Once Neo had recovered from his sickness, Johleena had given him the Zenanna she'd had in her shoulder bag to give him extra energy for the race. After a pep talk and assurances that he would be fine, she, Lucent, and Grimm found some seats together to watch the other festivities.

Lucent, having no one to talk to, spent his time ordering food from the roving vendors, while the grown-ups chatted to themselves.

During the first event in which contestants were trying to catch greased Snorkles in a pen, Lucent chortled at the pets' antics in between bites of a slice of Flaming Fire Faerie Pizza.

He cooled off with a Space Slushie during the chuck wagon relay race in which teams of Techos scrambled to get an old pipe stove into wagons while Unis drew them around obstacles.

By the time he'd polished off a Juppiemint Bar, the contestants for the Youth Fun Run were lining up. He could just make out a red Ixi -- Neo -- and a green Scorchio -- Demos -- next to each other on the starting line.

While waiting for the officials to finish speaking to the contestants, Lucent ordered and received his most coveted treat from a passing vendor -- a double-sausage-with-mayo Creamy Hot Dog from Hubert's Hot Dogs. He got off one bite before the starting gong. Then he was up on his feet with amazement. Neo and most of the other Ixis, as well as some Unis and Cybunnies, sprinted ahead of the pack as it thundered down the track like a rampaging herd of Elephantes.

Lucent quickly scarfed down the rest of the hotdog so he could cheer without worrying about the treat in his paw. By the second lap, many other pets were gaining on the leaders, predominantly Quiggles and Nimmos who used their long legs and giant leaps to great advantage. By the third lap, Neo had fallen back into the middle of the pack, clearly wearing out, as Tonus, Kaus, and Skeiths stampeded to make their mark. By the fourth lap, Demos had passed the still struggling Neo, as had about half of the contestants, and most of the early leaders were falling behind.

By the fifth lap, most of the contestants started to pour on the energy, and they really started to jockey for position, with pets falling in and out of the lead constantly. Every spectator was on their feet, and even though Neo couldn't possibly win, Lucent kept cheering for him anyway.

At last, the sixth lap was eaten up, and the lead pets crossed the tape, amid a flurry of flashbulbs from reporters and photographers. The audience had to wait while the officials posted the results.

First place by a nose, went to a lean white Kougra. Second place to a shadow Uni who had run with the pack during most of the course. Third place went to a green Zafara who had shocked everyone with her last minute sprint.

Though the event was over, Lucent continued to shiver with excitement, though his stomach started to protest the combination of overeating and nerves. Lucent followed Grimm and Johleena as they made their way out of the stands to find their companions who were coming in from the race.

When they found Neo and Demosthenes amid a crowd of sweaty pets, they found them exhausted, sitting together, guzzling Neocola -- one of the race's sponsors. The boys stood when they saw their families arrive.

"Neo," intoned Johleena to the Ixi, who was still shaking from exertion, "I'm very proud of you."

"But I didn't win," Neo said dejectedly. "I didn't even come close close to winning."

Johleena put a heavy paw on his shoulder. "But you committed to something and finished it all by yourself. And I think that deserves some reward." She removed her paw and put it into her shoulder bag, drawing out a large gem on a circular black cord.

Neo watched agape as she put it around his neck like a medal.

Lucent spoke first, "An Ixi Battle Gem!"

"I don't understand," said Neo, overwhelmed.

"Your achievement tells me you're willing to stick to something difficult even when the odds are against you. You've let me know that you're old enough to start attending the Training Academy with your brother -- when your schoolwork is done."

Neo spun around to look at his brother, stunned. Lucent gave him a celebratory hug and patted him on the back while the Ixi recovered. "Way to go, bro!"

Even Demos gave Neo a friendly slug on the shoulder.

"This is great," said Grimm, pleased with the boys. "After the closing events we should all go out and celebrate!"

"That's a good idea," agreed Johleena. "Neo, where would you like to go?"

"Hubert's Hot Dogs!" shouted Neo excitedly.

Lucent suddenly paled at the thought of food. Demos caught sight of the wild look first and called out with a laugh, "Now look who's turning green!"