*5 Months Later*

Mum and I were finishing the last light pink strip of paint for my little sister’s nursery.

“Zara is going to love this when she is born!”

“Exactly why I picked that color.”

She gave me a tight hug that was always comforting, “My moonshine, thank you so much. You can go and meet up with Amaria.”

“Okay, I love you Mum,” I walked joyfully out of our house, humming a random song. I started walking towards Amaria’s house when I heard Ambrose’s iconic noise. “Ambrose?” I asked and turned backwards. It was almost as if Ambrose was looking up at me.

He shivered and floated up to me. I held him and hugged him. He wiggled free and flew towards the jungle and I followed him. “Hey, Ambrose, wait up!” He paused as I ran to catch up with him, then he started to fly again.

Eventually we got to a meadow, “I didn’t even know this existed.” I was awed. Ambrose shook a little and flew around. A huge opening showed itself. The grass looked thin, swaying in the wind. Every size of flower was spread around in the middle. On the left side of the meadow there is a small pond. The water sparkled blue.

I walked towards the pond, gently touching the warm water. Spiraling ripples went outwards from my finger. I looked closer. The water looked deep. At the very bottom I saw a light. “What would happen if I went into it?” I asked. Ambrose flew towards me and shook back and forth, as if to say “No.”

“Why not?” I questioned. Ambrose continued to say no, getting more annoyed with me.

“Well, fine,” I stepped away from it, and suddenly I slipped, “Ah!” I cried out. Ambrose flew towards me quickly and I reached for him, thinking that somehow it would help. He fell into my arms.

We both fell down into the deep pond. I reached towards the ledge, panicked. Warmth filled around us and I gasped, “I can breathe..?” Bubbles came out of my mouth. “Woah...”

Ambrose slowly floated out of my arm. “Wait!” I reached up for him and he shook fast, quickly turning around. “A-are you okay?” I stuttered, bubbles still coming out of my mouth. Water pressure pushes us down. “Are we in a waterfall?” I asked, as the pressure got stronger.

I could see the bottom and started getting tense and ready for a painful fall. I closed my eyes and felt lighter, slowly I opened them. Ambrose was glowing brightly. Slowly, I touched the ground. Ambrose came tumbling after me, I caught him. “Ambrose, you saved me!” I hugged him. “Are you okay?” He shook a bit. His bright red and gold colors were now dull. I put him down and he sat on a rock and leaned over, “Ambrose? You are just sleeping right?” He didn’t reply, “Yeah, he is just sleeping,” I attempted to reassure myself.

I stood up and started looking around, “Oh wow, this place is beautiful.” The cave was a circle, big enough to live in. The walls were gray-blue rocks. Lots of rocks were scattered around the ground. Some stalactite showed from the ceiling. The repetitive noise dripping drops of water. The lighting was tinted blue, reflecting off of the shimmery water. Clovers were sprinkled across the water.

I walked around a bit, seeing if there was any way to get out. I eventually gave up and I grabbed a flat rock and attempted to skip it, it just sank to the bottom. I tried again and got the same product, “Darn, I guess I suck at this.” I sat down defeated, putting my feet in the water. Suddenly, blue sparkles no bigger than my thumb nail came out of the water, reminding me of pixies. They went towards Ambrose, “Don’t hurt him!” I exclaimed in alarm. They seemed to ignore me, “Can you hear me?” I asked as I got close to the ground, no response. They marched towards him. In fear I jumped in front of him. They walked right through me. Something that felt like electricity shot through my body.

Each one marched towards Ambrose, stopping and lightly tapped him. Vanishing. Each thing that tapped him slowly started vanishing, with each one Ambrose brightened up a bit. After he was fully bright again. “We should probably go, huh?” I asked. He flew upwards, vanished and came back a little later, a vine dropped down. I grabbed onto it, the rough texture rubbed against the palm of my hand as I slowly climbed it. There was enough groves to grip on to. When I got to the top, Amaria was there. My hands ached, as I looked at them, scratches and blisters showed.

“How did you even get down there…?” Amaria asked, worried.

“It’s kind of a stupid story,” I laughed.

“I don't care tell me,” She smiled as her bright teeth showed. My stomach grumbled, “How about, I tell you on the way to my house?”

“Fine by me!” She replied. I lifted up Ambrose, “You coming too?” I asked the Egg. He nodded, telling me yes. The sun was getting in its position to set. I started telling her the story.

By the time we got to my house it was almost dark. Mum greeted us, “Amaria, are you staying for dinner?” She asked, then cringed.

“Alba, are you okay?” She held onto her stomach, “I think I just need to sit down.”

“Mum?” I asked, getting panicked.

“I’m fine, Moonshine.” She took a deep breath and started walking towards the couch. “It’s just Zara, it’s about time.”

“Mum,” I reached to her.

“Lunar, I’m okay,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, now go make us some dinner! Amaria can help too.” Mum exclaimed.

“Alright… Amaria, would you like to help me make dinner? ” I hesitantly replied, then asked.

“Of course, what are we making?”

“Uh?” I questioned, “I guess we will figure it out.”

“Okay,” She smiled.

We walked to the kitchen, “Lunar, what do you even know how to make?”

Embarrassed, I looked away from her, “A sandwich…” She giggled, “Let me teach you how to make tomato basil soup.”

“Alright.” She put the red, metal pot on the wood burning stove and some ripe tomatoes from our garden, along with: garlic, onion, basil, and thyme. The fresh smells swirled around the room.

“Here,” She handed me a silver knife. “Cut up the spices, I will make the tomato paste.”

I took the knife without realizing and asked, “What is tomato paste?”

She looked at me almost as if she wasn’t sure if I was lying, “Uh, like a sauce, I guess..?” She wondered.

“Oh, I should of guessed, sorry for that stupid quesion.”

“It wasn’t stupid, I’m curious myself,” She went back to her smooshing the tomatoes.

“What did your tomatoes do to you?” I asked, smiling.

“Nothing?” She looked at my face, “Oh, I get it.” She started laughing, “I’m sorry, I just get in the zone when I cook.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I should stop distracting you.”

“No, you are okay. It’s entertaining.” As she said that we heard a thud. We looked at each other panicked, running into the living room.

Mum was breathing heavily and her eyes were closed. “Mum!” I was scared and so was Amaria. “What am I supposed to do!” I asked, my voice getting high.

“I-i don’t know-” Amaria stuttered. “Wait! Where is Ambrose!” My heart dropped, “I’m not sure…” My eyes started to water. Amaria looked at me, “Hey, it’s okay,” She squeezed me. “I’ll grab my mums, you look for Ambrose.”

“O-okay,” stutteringly I responded. Amaria headed out of the house. I called for Ambrose.

A few minutes passed and Ambrose came to me. Amaria came back with Aria and Clara. They hugged me tightly. “Where is your mum?” I led them to the living room. “There,” I pointed towards Mum. She was laying on the floor. “Oh…” They started to worry, as they lifted her, “We need to take her to the herbalist. Now.” I started to panic more, “Is she okay?” I cried out reaching for her, “What about Zara?” I shook, Amaria rubbed my hand, smiling, “She will be okay.” I started crying. “It’s okay, I’m here and so is Ambrose.” Like Ambrose was on que he rubbed against me. I smiled as I realized how lucky I was to have them.