The Numberland Princess

Birthday Surprise

It had been 18 years since that fateful day, when One had come to life and found a baby Brooke. Numberland was now a thriving community, and today everybody came together to celebrate what had come to be considered Brooke's birthday, as it was the same day One had found her.

The celebration took place in a huge ballroom within the giant house the Numberblocks all lived in, which was really more of a hotel. Brooke stood up on a stage, facing the large crowd before her. "It's crazy to think how far we've come in two decades," she spoke into a microphone. "We've explored so many places, made so many friends, and our numbers just keep getting bigger. I may be the only human in the world, but I've never felt out of place thanks to the love and support of everybody here. At this point I don't care who my birth parents are, because I'm with my true family right here in Numberland."

All the Numberblocks, Numberblobs and Times Tables were touched by Brooke's words. They'd done everything they could to give her the perfect life, and it was clear their efforts were a success. One had the biggest grin of all, the memory of her first meeting with Brooke still clear as day in her mind. She and the others were so proud of the person she'd grown into.

Now that Brooke was done with her little speech, Sixteen took the microphone from her and announced, "What are we all waiting for? It's time to party!" At this, the Numberblocks moved onto the dance floor, with Brooke not far behind. However, Twenty-Six yanked Fifteen away to discuss something with her. A super special secret surprise he wasn't sure Brooke was ready for.

"Fifteen," he whispered. "Are you certain what you have planned for Brooke is the best idea?"

"Of course it is," Fifteen whispered back. "I know Numberland is where she belongs, but I want her to finally be able to meet with her own kind."

Twenty-Six's sunglasses were down, hiding his worried expression as he watched Fifteen return to the party. After a few seconds he followed her, still unsure of their "gift" for Brooke.

The night carried on, with everybody having fun and enjoying the festivities, unaware of the bomb Fifteen was soon to drop. Eventually it came time for Brooke to receive her birthday presents. She hadn't requested much, so it was only a modest amount.

From Four she got a new fidget cube. She already had several, but liked collecting them and other fidget toys. From Five she got an album, from Six she got a board game, and so on. Brooke suppressed a sigh when she got to Three's present, which was a snowglobe... with a figurine of Three inside. And printed around the base was the phrase, "It's great to be THREE!"

"It's... lovely, really!" Brooke told a beaming Three. Looks like this snowglobe would be going in the closet with all the other Three-related merchandise she'd received on her various birthdays.

After all the presents were opened, Fifteen took to the stage to make her huge announcement. "Attention everybody," she called into the microphone. "I have a very special surprise for Brooke. As we all know, she was first found all by herself, and the identities of her birth parents remain a mystery. Well that may soon change."

There were murmurs amongst the crowd, nobody quite sure of where this was going. Then Fifteen outright said: "Me and Twenty-Six have found a way to return Brooke to Earth." At this nearly everybody gasped, a simultaneous intake of air that felt like it could've left the room devoid of oxygen. Protests began erupting from all around.

"But Numberland is her home!" Four cried.

"She'll never fit in with other humans!" Three claimed.

"Did you even consult Brooke about this?" asked Five.

"Not really," admitted Fifteen. "But getting the opportunity to meet other humans is exciting, right Brooke?"

Brooke was completely silent. She had no idea what to think of this. Sure, it would be interesting to meet other members of her own species, but that was never what she really wanted. And in a way, Three was right, for how would she fit in among other humans after being raised by Numberblocks?

"I..." She took a deep breath. "I think me and Fifteen need to speak in private." She walked up to the stage and pulled Fifteen down, leading her into the hallway.

Twenty-Six just sighed. "I knew this was a bad idea."

Brooke could hear the party starting to resume as she and Fifteen walked down the hall to where they could hear each other clearly. "Fifteen, why did you decide on this?" Brooke asked.

"Haven't you ever wondered who your parents were?" Fifteen replied. "Even if we don't find them, I just thought you might want to be around your own kind for once."

"When did I ever even imply I wanted to be around other humans? I might as well be a Numberblock myself."

"But you're not a Numberblock. I just think it's time for you to see where you came from."

Brooke fell silent again, finally deciding to respond with, "Okay, we'll go see Earth. If only for a day. But remember: Earth will never be my home. Numberland is and always will be where I belong."

"I understand," said Fifteen. "We'll go tomorrow morning."

As the two of them returned to the party, Brooke wondered, Just what will Fifteen be getting us into?