Pick the glue stick

The Fortune Teller gives me a pained smile. “You have a difficult future ahead of you. Many obstacles lie in your path. Death will chase you at every corner. But you must not falter. If you wish to be the glue– if you wish to bring people together, you must not give up your kindness for power.” I didn’t know what to make of the old Psychic’s speech, so I all could say was,

 “Okay.”

“You have potential–the potential to change this world. Never forget that, and carry it with you always.” As she was speaking, she pulled out a small chocolate bar, and handed it to me. “It’s the last one. I’ve held onto it, knowing you’d come here one day.” She gently waves me away. “Go on now. The world awaits you.” I stare at the chocolate, surprised by her kind act. This is the last piece of chocolate in this place… and she’s giving it me? It must be extremely precious. I look up, teary, and she gives me a toothy grin. I suppress a gag. Hesitantly, I smiled back. 

“Thank you.” I slipped the chocolate bar into my pocket.

“Keep walking. Soon you will meet those who can aid you, if you know what to tell them.” And with that, I was out of the Fortune Teller’s shop. 

I keep walking, but I don’t know my destination. My feet were starting to ache. Just when I was starting to think that it was all a sham, I felt hands on my arms and shoulders, pulling me into a dark alleyway. Before I could react, they shushed me. “Don’t scream. We’re the Sky Pirates. We’ve been sent by AZ4. We’re here to get you out.” Before I could ask what kinda person had a name like AZ4, the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on appears from the darkness. 

“My love!” they say, “It’s been far too long. I’ve missed you!” It took all I had to get myself together, and all I could muster was,

“What?” This person–if you could even call them that–although beautiful, I didn’t recognize them. Their smile slowly fades as they come to this realization.

“You… don’t remember me?” They ask, crestfallen. I wasn’t sure how I ever had the good fortune of meeting them…but they did look oddly familiar. 

“No! Um, I mean– I think I recognize you!” I stammer, trying to reassure them. Their face lights up with that dazzling smile again. 

“Do you? I knew you would! You’re not like these other depraved humans!” They laugh manically. I stop and look at them.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

They laugh, and smack my arm. “Oh my love, you’re so funny! Just look around you! Look at state of these humans! They’re such disgusting creatures!” Not too far off from the alleyway, three children were playing while their mother was hanging up laundry. The house was cracked and caked in filth. Bugs swarmed around them. There was a dead rat in one corner. Their clothes were tattered and covered in mud. They were playing with a ball made out of trash. But they were laughing. Laughing and having fun. Even the mother was smiling, looking at her children contentedly. “I don’t even understand how they can live in such a state,” AZ4 continues. “They’re worse than pigs!” They laugh again, wiping tears from their eyes. “Come on, we must leave immediately.” They pull my arm in anticipation. “We must go back to our home; the Floating City!” I stare at them. What? Floating City? What are they talking about? An image of a pristine cityscape with towering skyscrapers flashed in my mind. The complete opposite of this place. But as curious as I am, I’m repulsed at how such a beautiful creature can say such awful things. What should I do?

Should I reason with AZ4, or should I leave them and stay underground?