"Hmm-da-dmmm," the island Kougra hummed as he sat on the docks of Mystery Island. Dipping his toes in the cool water, he baited the hook to his fishing pole. "Such a lovely day..." the Kougra said to himself before casting the line into the water.

He lazily watched the water lap against the dock as the day passed by. The warm sun shining on his body relaxed him, and it was hard to keep his eyes open. The Kougra rolled his shoulders and pulled the straw hat he was wearing down over his eyes a bit, then leaned his back against a protruding leg of the dock.

He didn't know how much later it was when he awoke, but the Kougra was sure that it must have been awhile, since the sun was already getting lower in the sky. He shook his head and laughed at himself, then noticed as he began to sit up...

"Wow, that store owner must have been right about this special new bait!" the Kougra exclaimed as he scrambled to his feet, fastening his grip on the pole just as it looked like it might go flying off into the ocean after whatever he'd caught.

Even as he caught hold of the pole, the Kougra found himself stumbling a few steps toward the water, caught off guard by the strength of his catch. He dug his paws into the wooden planks and heaved backward with all his might, and for a moment, the creature he'd caught seemed to give up its fight and allow itself to be reeled in.

That's when, all of a sudden, it gave one more mighty tug -- the Kougra, caught completely off balance, went flying head over tail over fishing pole into the water.

He splashed to the surface, spitting out the salty water and shaking it from his face. The Kougra groped about for his fishing pole, but it was nowhere around him. Just then, in the dimming light, he made out something coming towards him through the water, and he froze...

...however, because of the dying rays of the sunset that reflected off of the surface of the water, it was hard for the Kougra to determine exactly what it was that was heading his way. He didn't want to stay and find out, however, so instead he turned and began to paddle back towards the dock as fast as he was able.

Fortunately, growing up around the ocean had made him a fairly fast swimmer, so it wasn't long before the Kougra had reached the safety of the sandy shores. Finally, he turned to look back at the ocean's surface, hoping to catch of the monstrous "fish" that had dragged him into the water.

By now the sun had completely set, so all he could see was the starry night sky as it was reflected on the waves. Deciding that he would come back in the morning to look for his fishing pole and hat, the Kougra started back towards his house, eager to put as much distance as possible between himself and the enormous creature.

As soon as he got inside, the Kougra ate a hurried dinner before going upstairs to change his clothes and go to bed. His bedroom window faced the dock, and as he stared out at the water for a long time, the Kougra wondered what had become of the mysterious "fish".

After a while, his exhaustion got the better of him and he sank into bed, finally lulled to sleep by the soft sound of lapping waves and crickets that drifted in through his open window. The next morning, he rose and went down to eat breakfast.

The Kougra ate quickly and headed out the door, eager to start a new day. He intended to go back and look for his fishing pole at the dock, but around the time he'd gotten halfway there, the Kougra found his way being blocked by a large group of Neopets. Pushing his way to the front of the tourists and locals who had gathered, the Kougra gasped at the sight that met his eyes...

"Perhaps a very large Jetsam?" an island Aisha murmured to her neighbors. "They sometimes come out of the water."

Many heads were nodded as if they agreed, but most still looked very perplexed at the strange imprints in the sand.

The Kougra thought back to the "fish" he had nearly caught, and considered that the mysterious creature that had came onto the beach was one and the same. However, who ever heard of a fish that could come onto land?

"Confused?" a voice asked, in a slightly sly tone. The Kougra turned to see a glowing Korbat. Considering that the Korbat didn't look like a native, the Kougra guessed that he was a visitor to Mystery Island... just another tourist coming to see the sights.

"Yes." the Kougra replied, rather rudely; for like many natives of Mystery Island, he had a slight scorn of tourists. Besides, it was best to be brief with tourists, for they were usually rather confused themselves.

"You look like a trustworthy fellow..." The Korbat stated. "Step this way." The Korbat then pointed towards the dock.

Confused, the Kougra looked to the docks, but saw nothing. "What?" the Kougra asked, looking even more puzzled.

"I said, step this way, for I have a tale to tell." the Korbat said, as he began to move towards the dock. Feeling like he had very little say in the matter, the Kougra followed.

Once they were on the dock, the Korbat...

...Cleared his throat and started speaking. "Many years ago, when I was a lad about your age, history repeated itself. I awoke one morning, to find that my family was trying to pack our belongings and leave Mystery Island. 'Why are we leaving?' I asked them.

My sister answered by pointing out the window, towards the beach. It was there that I saw huge imprints in the sand... the same prints you see over there." he said, pointing to the beach. "Obviously I was terrified... but I was usually the braver sort, so I decided to investigate."

The Kougra stared at the Korbat, wide-eyed. "You investigated? Really... you?"

"Yes, me." the Korbat replied. "I flew out of the house and closer to the beach. That's when I saw the largest Jetsam I'd ever seen, towering above my head. Its teeth were sharp as daggers, and I thought that I would faint. The Jetsam slapped its tail hard against the water, summoning a massive tidal wave."

"What did you do?" the Kougra asked in astonishment.

"I did the only thing that made sense to me. I took off flying, as fast and high as I possibly could." the Korbat answered. "Why, what did you think I would d-d-d-o-o?" the Korbat asked, starting to shake violently while staring past the Kougra.

The Kougra whirled around, then shuddered at the sight...

The Kougra stared at the giant creature, mouth opened and eyes wide with horror. The Korbat, meanwhile, was shaking so hard that he nearly fell over onto the wood of the dock. Head in hands, the glowing form hovered in the air -- a quivering mass who was unable to observe what was about to happen.

Frightened Neopets (citizens and tourists alike) streaked in a horrified, screaming mass, away from the sandy shore and the giant blue creature that towered over them.

That's when a yellow Lupe suddenly tripped over a large, pinkish-colored spiral shell that was lying on the beach, half buried in sand. With a cry he fell to his knees, flinching in pain and fear. Attempting to rise to his feet, the Lupe failed, his right leg giving way underneath him.

Unfortunately, the Jetsam had already pulled itself up and out of the water. Its jaws opened in a wide grin, and its eyes glinted and curved down in an evil glare, fixed on the running Neopets that were dwarfed by his giant bulk. Suddenly, his eyes moved towards the helpless Lupe.

The Kougra saw this. Without thinking, his legs began to move, and soon he was streaking toward the Lupe with lightning speed. His arms pumped, and sweat ran down his forehead and into his eyes, yet he was unable to get one thought out of his mind: I MUST save that Lupe!

The Jetsam suddenly pushed against the beach with great force, his huge fins and tail creating a vast sheet of grainy sand that flew through the air in all directions.

The Kougra covered his eyes with an arm, still running, but the yellowish grains still managed to work their way into his eyes. Although still in a frenzy, the Kougra briefly wondered how such little tiny objects could hurt so much when flung into one's eyes.

Suddenly, the Kougra gasped. Through the stinging and tears that had enveloped his eyes, he could still manage to see the towering shape of the Jetsam as it lunged towards the Lupe with great speed...

...Just then, the Kougra found himself knocked off-balance by something small and glowing. It was the Korbat! He stared in disbelief as the tiny Neopet positioned himself between the injured Lupe and the mighty Jetsam.

"The last time you were here, you destroyed my family with that tidal wave!" he cried, his voice high-pitched with fear, "I'm not gonna let you hurt anyone else... Go AWAY!!!"

Something lying on the nearby shore caught the corner of the Kougra's eye. Turning, he saw that it was his trusty fishing pole lying there, apparently washed up by the ocean's waves. A plan began to form itself in his mind, and he crept over to it as quietly as he could.

The Jetsam was now so focused on his Lupe victim that he failed to notice that, behind him, the Kougra had snatched up his trusty fishing pole and baited it with some of the bait he'd been carrying in his pocket.

Special new bait, eh? the Kougra thought to himself as he prepared to cast the hook towards the Jetsam. Let's hope it's really as special as that shopkeeper claimed.

With a flick of the wrist, the Kougra sent his line flying through the air until the hook came to rest just a few feet from where the Jetsam stood. The Jetsam's gaze shifted and, with a sudden lurch, he went for the bait.

The Kougra gripped his pole tightly, sweat breaking out all over his paws. With a loud crunch of his grinding jaws, the Jetsam snatched the hook in his teeth.

Furiously, the Kougra began to reel in the line. The Korbat, seeing what he was doing, soared over to help. Somehow, the Korbat was able to summon the strength to actually lift the Kougra and place him onto the dock, then hold him steady while he reeled in the massive beast.

The Jetsam pulled and snarled with rage, but the hook was caught between his teeth, and he was not nearly as mobile on land as he'd been in water. The two determined Neopets managed to gradually haul him in.

When the Jetsam was close enough, the Korbat snatched the line and tied it around the nearest post, hoisting the Jetsam into the air where he dangled and writhed furiously, unable to get free.

The injured Lupe, still lying prone on the sand, was gaping at them.

"You two will be famous!" he exclaimed, "You're heroes!"

However, the Kougra merely grinned. "Famous?" he said, "Who cares? That's the biggest fish I've ever caught!"

The End