The New Light of Hope: Books I to VI.

Chapter XX: You Are Free to Stay With Us.

Amethyst:

Date: August 20, 2020.

That night at the base when we were all fast asleep to rest up for whatever we were expected to face the next day when it came, I could hear what sounded like the Lauren's voice saying: "Wake up, Amethyst. I must bring you somewhere." I slowly woke up, drowsy and lethargic as I was, turned around to face her and I asked: "What's wrong, Laura?"

Lauren: "I hate to bother you at this time of the night, but please follow me.

Amethyst: "Where're we going?"

Lauren: "You will find out soon enough when we get there. Now, come, follow me."

Amethyst: "All right, all right. I'm coming in just a few."

I managed to get up and without disturbing anyone in the base, stretched and shook before I began to follow Laura to wherever she was taken me and the reason as to why that was.

***

She then led me to Firefly Forest, a Forest, where as its name suggests, fireflies were known to come out at night in that particular part of the forest and put on one heck of a show. When they were young, my parents went into that same Forest and were lost in its stunning beauty where they would even fall asleep in the forest and would later be woken up by the sun as it made its way into the sky to single the start of a new day.

"Does this place seem a bit familiar to you? If not, does it sound a bit familiar to you?" Lauren asked me.

"Why, yes, Lauren, I have been to this part of the forest before but never have I seen it at night." I replied. "So this is the reason why they call it Firefly Forest?"

Lauren: "That is correct. And from my understanding, both your mother and your father used to come here when they were around Wilson's age before he was even born. Let alone you and Rascal at best."

???: "It's true."

Amethyst: "Who said that?!"

Just then, Stroman made himself known to me followed by two others. I was a bit scared, but I stood my ground, firm and ready for whatever trick they had up their sleeves. "What do y'all want from me?!" I asked.

???: "Relax, Amethyst. I know you don't know any of us, but today is the day you get to learn who we truly are."

The spy on the right took his his hood off along with his mask, revealing his face; he was a dark gray wolf, a gray beard, unkempt grey hair, and purple eyes with bags underneath them; then the spy the left did the same thing he did, revealing that she was a she-wolf; she had lighter gray fur with a gray muzzle, grey hair, and blue eyes that also had bags underneath them; then it was Stroman's turn and he took off his mask, revealing his face as well– he had gray fur, a gray muzzle, dark gray hair, and blue eyes. He had a scar on the right side of his muzzle as well. "It can't be, can it?"

Stroman: "It is us, Amethyst. We're your family, your maternal relatives. Your mother's relatives. I'm your Uncle William."

Walter: "I'm your Grandfather Walter."

Wanda: "And I'm your Grandmother Wanda."

Tears began to flood my eyes and I could help but go over to hug my uncle all while crying at the same time. "My mom gave up looking for you!" I cried out. My uncle embraced me and cried as well with my grandparents bringing it in as well. "We're sorry for hiding away from you and the rest of the family for your whole live as you and your brothers were growing up." My grandfather said. "It's just that TIO threaten to hurt you guys if we didn't join him in his cause. But had it not been for Maria, we wouldn't have known our daughter had given us grandchildren."

Amethyst: "Wait *sniffle*… Maria's the reason you know about my existence?"

Walter: "Mmm, hmm, your brothers too. She has kept us informed about what was going on in your daily lives as you three grew up– from your ups and downs, to your good and bad days that you overcame and rose to the top."

Wanda: "We're sorry we weren't there for you and your brothers while you three were growing up."

Amethyst: "It's okay. You're all here now and that's what matters the most."

William: "Yeah."

"…"

Amethyst: "Say, are you the only ones here or are there more of you?"

William: "I'm glad you asked. Come on out, guys!"

Just then, a few other spies came out and made themselves known and all of them took off their hoods and then their masks, revealing their faces except for who I would assumer to be the leader for all of the Spies. "So you're all part of the Insolence Spies?" I asked.

Then, a caribou-moose mix came forward and said: "Yes, and just like Kendra, I've had enough of this bullshit!"

Kayla: "Maverick, chill out, we all know you hate everyone in the Diablos except for us!"

Amethyst: "Well, what if I were to tell you that you won't have to put up with this torment any longer?"

Maverick: "Wait, what? Are you serious? Are you actually being serious right now, kid?"

Amethyst: "Yeah, all of you are free to stay with us if you wish and leave this life behind."

Maverick: "Oh, well, in that case… see you neva, bitches!"

He then went on to tear off his jacket, revealing a black tank top and was followed by him manically laughing. "Are ya good?" I asked, feeling a bit concerned. "I'm good." He replied.

Amethyst: "Well then, if you guys want to, I can lead you all to where our base is and I'll let you stay there for the night and let Commander Aurora and the rest of the group know about y'all's presence the next morning as it rolls around."

Kayla: "Sounds like a plan to me."

And then I led the way to the base and snuck them inside the base and into an empty room and waited for the next morning to roll around and see what would go down next.