The New Light of Hope Book VI: Corrupted Aftermath.

Chapter XXI: First Meet.

Amethyst:

Date: August 21, 2020.

Lord, I pray that today goes well. I told myself as I woke up to get the day started along with the rest of the group.

As we were getting ready, I went up to Aurora and said: "Good morning, Aurora. I wanted to speak with you and the rest of the group and I also have to show you something important."

Commander Aurora: "Okay. Everyone! Amethyst has something important for us to see. Once you guys are ready, let's go with her."

Jemma: "All right, that sounds like a good plan to me."

Sadie: "Same here."

Bellatrix: "Yeah, I agree."

And so after everyone got ready, I led them to the room where the Spies were staying.

***

Commander Aurora:

"All right, Amethyst. Show us what you wanted to show us." I said when she led us to one of the empty rooms. All right, here goes nothing.

Then I opened the door, revealing that all of them were still asleep. Just then, Abigail shoved her way to the front and furiosly bellowed: "And just who in the fuck are you people?!"

Summer: "Abigail!!"

The shouting startled the group and were confused as to what was going on around them. "Calm down, y'all. It's just my boisterous excuse of a friend!"  Amethyst said, blocking the pathway so that way Abigail wouldn't be able to hurt any of them with Summer helping her out. "Don't you even think about it, Abigail! Do you hear me?!" Summer scolded. But of course, she didn't listen and she struggled to try and get free. "Amethyst, Summer, Milly, y'all take Abigail out of here while me, Jemma, Sadie, and Bellatrix tend to the Spies!" I yelled.

Summer: "We're on it!"

As they dragged Abigail away while she yelled and growled, Jemma, Sadie, Bellatrix, and I went up to the Spies and I asked: "Are y'all okay?"

Kendra: "Yeah, we're okay. Thank you."

Commander Aurora: "You're welcome. You must the Spies, am I correct?"

Kendra: "Correct. And you must be the leader of the Protectors, right?"

Commander Aurora: "Yes, I am. My name's Aurora Anderson and herewith me is Sadie, Jemma, and Bellatrix. ¿Y tú?"

Kendra: "Well, I'm Kendra and this is my sister, Ma'Kayla. And here with us are Maverick, Walter, Wanda, William, Alan, Waverly, Oaklyn, and Zelda, the leader of the spies."

I looked over at Zelda and saw that she still had her hood and mask on and said: "May I see your face, Zelda?"

And so, she slowly took off her hoodie and the moment she took off that mask, I recognized her instantly! She was a zebra just like all of my maternal relatives and one pink eye with the other one covered up. But this was not just some random zebra, this was my relative, my maternal relative. My aunt Zanella –or Zee as we called her– I hadn't seen her face since 2007 before my younger sister was born and I had not seen her since up until now that is. But what really shocked me the most is when she said: "H-hey, Aurora."

I was taken aback a bit, hearing her speak for the first time in years was a complete shock to me as my family had been told that she was mute so hearing her speak was a complete shock to me. "Where were you?" I asked. "Were you here for the past thirteen years?"

Zanella: "It was for the better."

Commander Aurora: "For the better of what?"

Zanella: "Aurora, sit down and let me explain, okay?"

Commander Aurora: "Okay… Sadie, Jemma, Bella, talk with the rest of the spies outside while me and my aunt here talk. Apparently, there's a lot more to the story."

Bellatrix: "All right. Come with us you guys."

Milly:

As Sadie, Jemma, and Bella came out of the room Abby's eyes turned feral but was then stopped by Summer before she could do anything. "Abigail, what did I just tell you moments ago when you tried to attack them?" She chastised. Abby stopped what she was doing but gave a little snarl at the same time. "What's going on now?" Amethyst asked.

Bellatrix: "Apprently the leader of the spies just so happens to be Aurora's missing aunt who mysteriously disappeared the same year Zoey was born."

Ma'Kayla: "Who's Zoey?"

Sadie: "Her younger sister."

Ma'Kayla: "Ah."

Bellatrix: "Let's just give them the privacy that they need to talk more about this and see where it goes from there."

***

Commander Aurora:

"All right, Aunt Zee, tell your story." I said. My aunt took a deep breath and whispered: "All right, here goes nothing."

"Now, I know you were a bit freaked out by the fact that I talked because I'm sure you can recall that before and after you were born, You know that I couldn't talk because according to the family, I was mute. But that wasn't the case actually. I was cured by TIO the moment I was born; For what reason? I have no clue even to this day. And because I was cursed by him, I couldn't talk even if I wanted to. But knowing that TIO wanted something from me, I had no other choice but to leave because TIO blackmailed me and threaten to hurt you guys if I didn't join him in his cause. And upon joining, I was given the ability to talk in full sentences. I'm so sorry I missed out on pretty much everything; from birthdays, to holidays, to family vacations, even. And I am… so sorry for missing out on… pretty much everything."

Commander Aurora: "Oh, Zanella… I had no idea you went through all of that. And it's okay because what matters is that you're here now and I'm sort of glad you didn't have to go through this hell we're living through right now as we speak."

Zanella: "What hell are y'all going through?"

Commander Aurora: "Well, a lot has happened besides missing out on almost everything. A virus that originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019 spread across the globe and we're currently going through a lockdown which no one cares about, of course. But that's Lucella for you."

Zanella: "Oh, I see."

Commander Aurora: "But now that you're here, you'll be okay and so will the rest of the Spies as well. You're all allowed to stay here and help us out if you'd like."

Zanella: "You mean it? You really mean it?"

Commander Aurora: "Yes, I do."

Zanella: "Oh, thank you!"

I smiled, knowing that now my aunt was safe and I was hoping to bring her back home at some point and I was happy to have reconnected with her at that moment.

And we went about our day like any other of tending to the Forest and then head back to the base that same evening and rest for the next day.