My Last Hope (Truth Series 4)

18: Sparkly

A/N: Once again I forgot to update on Wednesday. So now that I've forgotten three times and now that I have both track and Girl Scouts on Wednesday, I am changing my update schedule. For now, I am just going to stick to pasting two chapters every Saturday. So, you'll still be getting the same amount of chapters just not spread out over the week. Sorry.  

Third Person POV

Star's father doesn't seem too pleased about meeting his daughter's friends. His eyes narrow when he spots the male.

"You should not be here," he growls.

"I brought him here," Star's female friend states.

Star's father's eyes widen as he recognizes the female as well. "Sierra?"

"Yes." She laughs. "I know it's been a while Gunnar but the least you can do is remember who I am."

"You disappeared over twenty years ago."

"Has is really been that long?" She sighs sadly.

"Yes, it has."

"Tell me, do you know how my husband and son are?"

"That is a question you should ask your father."

"Excuse me," Sly cuts in. "I don't mean to interrupt but can someone tell me what the Nether is going on?"

"I apologize of being rude. My name is Sierra Whitefire." Star's female friend introduces herself. "I met Jennifer in Herobrine's prison. A long time ago I lived here in the Aether with my father and my brother. I was in the process of moving with my husband and our newborn son when I was taken by Herobrine."

"I'm Jordan also known as CaptainSparklez," Star's male friend introduces himself. "I'm Hero's son."

"If you're his son, why did he lock you up?" Double asks.

"I did something he didn't like."

"What'd you do?"

"I helped Star find a way to escape."

"How?"

"He gave me the things I needed to write the book," Star explains for him. "Then, after I finished writing it, he left it somewhere it would be easily found."

"Then how'd it end up in front of our house if you're not allowed in the Aether?" Chim asks Sparklez.

"I'm not technically allowed in the Aether, however, I can pass through the portal without being invited."

"But how is that possible!?" Spoon exclaims.

"I am related to an Aetherian born."

"Never mind how you got here, why'd you come here in the first place?" Star's father demands.

"I came here before with the book because Herobrine found out about it. This is the only place I can go where he cannot. If I left it anywhere in the Overworld, End, or Nether, he would have found and destroyed it." Sparklez explains slightly annoyed by the were-lions accusatory behavior. "I am here now because Star insisted and Sierra invited me."

"Fine." Star's father accepts the answer through gritted teeth.

"Hey! You never told us who you are." Seamus demands the were-lion.

"My name is Gunnar. I am the father of James and Jennifer as well as Notch's right hand and friend. That reminds me. Notch would like to speak with you all."

"That's great. Where is he then?" Seamus asks sarcastically.

"He's at his castle." Gunnar replies. He then turns around and walks off most likely in the direction of the previously mentioned castle. He doesn't say a word and makes no motion, he just expects everyone to follow him. And they do. The ginormous group that now consists of thirteen people journies through the Aether. They travel across everything from flatlands to hills and large land masses to small cloud veins. Along the way Ant's hand slips into Sparklez's and equivalent grins spread across their faces. The only ones who notice are Ryan, Sierra, and Star. They do nothing to acknowledge it out loud but smile at the sight none the less. Gunnar also happens to notice the occurrence although, he doesn't smile like the others. The only thing that changes is his hardened glare which softens upon his discovery. The were-lion takes pity on Sparklez. After all he's just a boy with a cruel twist of fate. It takes approximately two hours but the group finally arrives at Notch's castle. Notch's castle is a large, tall, majestic, white building. It is made up of multiple towers, peaks, arches, blue stained windows, and lapis block accents. It's too grand and elaborate to be explained in full detail. Gunnar and Clash walk through the castle's main gate with ease. However, the rest of the group is cut off by the guards that stand at the gate protecting Notch's castle. Clash stops to wait for his friends. Gunnar simply continues walking and calls out, "They're with me."

The guards let the other eleven members of the group through without question. As they walk through the front courtyard Star runs ahead of the others. She dances in a circle admiring the castle with a gleeful smile. "It's just as beautiful as I remember." She stops mid dance and stands facing the group. "Sierra, you said you grew up in the Aether, right?"

"Yes," the woman replies with a smile.

"Have you ever been here before?"

Sierra chuckles softly. "Yes, many times."

Star beams at her. Then she turns around gracefully and runs like a joyous child up the stairs to the large front doors of the pristine castle. Upon traversing through the doors the group enters a large room. In the center of the room is a red carpet that leads up to a gold throne. The throne is elegant but it seems untouched. On each side of the room there are three large pillars that hold the ceiling at least ten blocks above the floor. Leading off of the back of the room are two tunnels that must lead to other parts of the castle. One tunnel leads to the right side of the castle starting from the right side of the throne room and the other leads to the left side of the castle starting from the left side of the throne room. Standing at the end of the left side tunnel is none other than Notch. He is talking to a young man in a trench coat.

"Notch! Ridge!"