Now where do I begin? Well, I guess I should start with my beginning.

I don't really remember much about my folks. When I was still very young, I was left on the doorsteps of the pound in a cardboard box, with hardly any protection from the cold. "Take good care of Dragon" was written on the side of the box.

Lani, the pink uni who runs the 'adopt' portion of the pound, immediately took pity on me and took me inside.

I remember I was always asking why my parents left me here. Dr. Death, that old geezer techo who runs the 'abandon' portion of the pound, told me that my parents probably didn't want me, but I never believed him.

Lani, who was more sincere and sympathetic that Dr. Death, told me that maybe my folks wanted to keep me, but had no other choice but to let me go. Now that sounds more likely.

Believe it or not, Lani was probably the only person in the pound who was nice to me. Dr. Death certainly didn't show sympathy to me, let alone all the other pets in the pound. And some of the other pets would tease me, while the others would keep to themselves.

But there was something that made me ignore all that, something I truely enjoyed.

**********

One day, when I was about seven, I heard this wonderfull sound coming from Lani's office. I wanted to know what it was, so I went and knocked on her door.

Oh, hello Dragon. What is it? Lani asked me in her warm, friendly voice. I...I wanted to know what that sound was. I answered shyly.

...What sound?

From in there. I pointed inside her office.

Oh, that. That's music. Lani brought me inside and showed me a round object, where the 'music' was coming from. Is that where the music comes from? I asked, pointing at it. Yes, Dragon. She answered. That's a speaker. The music's being played by a group called the Neopian Philharmonic. You like it?

Yeah...It sounds pretty.

Since then, I've loved music. I spent the rest of that day humming the melody of the song I heard. Lani told me that there are other kinds of music besides the Neopian Philharmonic.

And since then, I wanted to get out and here it.

**********

After I turned ten, I decided to leave the pound. I waited until nighttime, when everyone was asleep, to make my escape. Before I got out, I left a note on my bed for Lani to read.

Dear Lani,

If you're reading this, I've left the pound.

I have decided to go out and hear the different kinds of music you told me about. If I don't come back, I've either found a new home or I'm lost.

Sincerely, Dragon.

(PS: Thanks for caring for me all these years.)

**********

After my escape, I kept my ears open, listening for any music.

I didn't hear any at first. So I kept searching Neopia Central, until I bumped into a tree.

Whoa there, young fella! Watch where you're going! The tree said in a friendly tone. (To my suprise, the tree could talk.) I stared at him for a while, then I asked ...Who are you?

Why, I'm the Money Tree! People come here to leave items and money for those who are less fortunate.

That's very kind.

Do you have anything to donate?

Nope.

Well, in that case, feel free to look around. But don't be greedy!

I looked around, and then I saw someone appear and take a bag of neopoints, revealing something underneath. It was rectangular in shape, and had little holes in it on both sides. I picked it up and blew some air into it. And, to my amazement, music came out.

That's a harmonica, my dear boy. It's yours if you want it. I turned around, thanked the Money Tree, then went off to practice playing.

**********

I first tried playing that Neopian Philharmonic song, which was the only tune I knew at the time. It took me a while to get the right notes on the harmonica, but I eventually mastered it.

I would sit in front of the Soup Kitchen and play my harmonica. I would often attract small 'crowds', which mostly consisted of small petpets. Sometimes people would give me neopoints, which I would then give to the Soup Faerie. Since her Soup Kitchen is kept running by donations, I would give her any neopoints I would come across in return for her delicious soup.

Everything was sweet, like her Golden Juppie Soup, until one day...

**********

One day, while I was sharing some soup with Popples, I saw a man with a large net approach us. My small petpet crowd dissapeared into the bushes. Something wasn't right.

The next thing I knew, the man thrusted his net over me. I was captured. What was he gonna do with me?

To my suprise, I was taken back to the pound. Apparently, the pound has 'pet-catchers'- people who search for stray pets.

Well, well. Look who's back. Dr. Death said to me in his gruff voice. I was then thrown into a kennel. It wasn't my old one. This kennel was in the far back, and was locked up tight. There was no way I could escape again.

**********

The next day, a new pet was thrown into the kennel next to mine. He was a bori, and he looked scared and traumatized. I introduced myself to him, and he told me his named was Lichoni. He also told me that he had a rough past. His mother was killed by rogue lupes and then he was captured by a scientist who turned him into a bori.

When he finished his story, I replied Gosh, that's awfull. I feel sorry for you, Lichoni. Lichoni turned towards me and said Thanks, but I would like to know what pet I got turned into. I looked at him and said Hmm...you look like a Bori.

A what?

A Bori. By nature, bori are quiet, peaceful creatures who are rather timid. They originated in Terror Mountain, but can now be found all over Neopia.

Wow. Where did you read that?

I read that here.

Cool.

Lichoni and I instantly became friends. We both hoped that one day someone would adopt us. In fact, one day a young girl visited the pound to find a pet or two to adopt. And what do you know? She adopted us! We were ecstatic.

And...That's about it.

The End

Sulvis
For "Secret of Mana NightTime Evolution (OC Remix)"

Inflicts
For "Leaving Spectre" by Danny Elfman (From the movie Big Fish)

Kazzi
For "I don't know the name of the song yet. xD"

5380
For "Room of Angel" by Akira Yamaoka

Thomason
For "Pure Feelings" from the Code Geass OST

Lassna
For "Make a Wish" by Cindy Mizelle (From the movie Pokemon: Jirachi Wish Maker)

Maayia
For "Ice Queen" by Within Temptation

Fericeus
For "Tears After the Cloudy Weather" from the Pokemon OST (Season 1)

Tosca
Taken ^^

Badiel
Taken ^^

Mossy
Taken ^^

Yalup
Taken ^^

Customs:

Adopted:

*DISCLAIMER*: Dragon isn't a disco zafara yet, but he will be someday.