Theo rested on the edge of the island. Mercifully, he was clothed, but his patience was growing threadbare. This has been a complete waste of time! he growled. There's more worlds in this Multiverse than I know what to do with.

Kevin stood at his side, having returned from patching another world hole. We'll find it soon, Theo, he said in an attempt to comfort. Maybe it'll be the next one we try!

I don't even recall which one leads back to Apricot Bay. Theo stood back up, his spine cracking and sore. We are pitifully lost.

Kevin only looked upwards, a finger to his mouth. Let's do that one, he said, pointing up at a sky blue bubble. And if it's not it, maybe we can sleep there!

Assuming a large bird doesn't eat us first.

The weariness settled inside Theo as he clung to Kevin's back a final time. The chance that this bubble would be the one that brought them home was miniscule. Sure enough, as Kevin hoisted them through the world hole some distance up the bubble, they'd once again gotten it wrong. It was another desert, this one more sandy than the other was rocky. The gentle sound of water flowing around them suggested civilization nearby. The peaks of crude sandstone buildings could be seen over two opposing cities' walls in both direction, and a monolith with alien symbols engraved along the south side towered over their portal.

Once again, the two had changed form. Their eyes grew bigger, shinier, their features a little more rounded off and their colors a little warmer. Kevin's snout was blocky like a wolf's, not delicate like an aardwolf's. Theo swore the both of them grew shorter.

I pray we can speak the language, the bunny thought aloud.

The disembodied head of a wolf not unlike Kevin's materialized in front of and over their heads. He appeared old, even for a ghost, and wore a headpiece molded to look as if a cobra flared from his browline. No need to worry, Neopets, he spoke, his voice deep and authoritative.

Is—that what we're referred to as? Theo asked, shielding his eyes from the sun.

Indeed. Welcome to the Lost Desert. My name is Coltzan. Thank you for visiting my shrine.

Kevin, meanwhile, was awestruck. Cool.

In a cloud the same color as Coltzan's floating head came a strange fruit with stringy leaves poking from its top. It was hard as a rock, and Kevin wasted no time plucking it from the air in front of them.

Perhaps this will help you in your travels, Coltzan said before dissipating.

The bunny stared blankly at the space where his head once hovered before cringing at a devastating crunch in his ear. Kevin had managed a large bite straight through the fruit's shell and core.

Delicious! he exclaimed with his mouth full.

Theo only groaned, stumbling with his large paws through the sand towards civilization. Kevin followed, munching on the rest of the fruit.