by Terry Mayer
*****
Just dropping of to sleep in the temple, Jay is jarred awake as a huge explosion rips through the night.
"What the heck was that?" asks Hailey, rubbing her eyes.
"No idea, but whatever it was it can only spell trouble."
"Should we check the temple and make sure it's secure?"
"Nah, Medousa will tell you if anything approaches, she beats the heck out of a watch dog," he laughs but quickly stops as Medousa raises her huge head and blows a small stream of smoke though her nostrils.
"Ok, cool, it was meant as a compliment but I guess comparing you to a watch dog does not do it for you."
BOOM. The canon sound explodes in the air and then the thunderous voice announces...
The ninth competitor has been eliminated. Natasha has not proven worthy. Three competitors remain to fight in The Final - Continue the tournament.
"Oh Jay, not Natasha, I can't believe she's dead. Poor Nate, he'll be on his own now"
"This is all my fault Hailey," screams Jay, banging his head against the wall. "If I hadn't been suck a jerk neither Jack nor Nate would be here. I've killed them both, just because I wanted to prove I was the best at some stupid game. What have I done?"
Jumping up to comfort her friend, Hailey hugs Jays and whispers into his ear. "Jay, it's not your fault Natasha's dead and Nate's still alive."
"Yeah, but for how long Hailey, he's never played this game before."
"Well, he seems to be doing quite well Jay."
"Great, so he's alive for now, but it's still my fault that he's here at all."
"No it's not Jay. You never made this crazy world, Herobrine did and he's the reason that we are all here, so if you want to get angry then get angry at him."
"OMG you're right Hailey."
"What?"
"You're right. Herobrine is the problem here, not the other players. If we kill Herobrine then we can stop this game."
"Uh, I don't know Jay. Herobrine is so powerful in the normal game, how powerful do you think he is here?"
"He's a GOD Hailey, but it's about time he was taught a lesson."
"Nice idea Jay, but do you really think we can beat Herobrine?"
"I do Hailey because we have a secret weapon."
"What's that?"
"Not what, but who," he replies, pointing at Medousa.
*****
The jaws of the Wolf are within inches of PowerGlides's face he swings his sword upward and in one clean motion he cuts the wolf in half. Turning and swinging his sword in one fluid motion he dispatches the next wolf just as three others jump on his unprotected back. Dragged to the ground under a pile of razor sharp teeth and sinking fur he battles valiantly, punching and stabbing, all the while feeling his health slowly diminishing. More wolves pile onto him and start their death match, biting and clawing at any exposed flesh. In a blind rage he throws two of the wolfs off his back and grabs a third by the throat, swinging his sword in a deadly arc at the same time.
The wolves jump out of range of his lethal sword but do not stay away for long. As the wolves once again approach, growling and snaring he throws the decapitated head at them, and screams his battle cry. Momentarily confused at their preys lack of fear they pause and this is the opening that PowerGlide needs to dash up the hill, killing two more of the wolves as he runs, and he throws himself into the glitch.
All is dark as he lands face first and skids across the ground. Quickly rolling over and raising his sword, ready to repel the wolves next attack he is happily surprised to find himself alone in the cave. Franticly backpedaling he pushes himself to the caves entrance, never taking his eyes from the glitch, just in case any of the wolves follow him through. After a few moments of heart stopping fear, he takes a breath and lets out a huge belly laugh. Struggling to his feet he screams into the glitch. Take that you stinkin' mutts. It'll take more than a few pathetic wolves to take down the great PowerGlide. Ha!
Stopping suddenly he ducks and crawls back into the shadows, realizing that he is back in the savanna biome and the last time he was here a huge Wither was after his blood. Scanning the surroundings as best he can with night falling he is relieved to find no sign of the Wither. Lucky break there Power, you need to get your act together or it will be your undoing, he laughs out loud.
"Just what I was thinking, " replies a voice from out of the darkness.
*****
Stuffing the bread into his mouth Nate is on the verge of death as his last half heart starts to blink. Nearly choking as he swallows huge mouthfuls he is aware that his time is over, just too little too late. Preparing himself for whatever happens when you die in this God forsaken land he is surprised as his health suddenly jumps back to three hearts then immediately drops back to two and half.
What the? Realizing that the food had just saved him but the poison was still robbing him of health he searches quickly for any remaining food. Finding the last of the pork and bread meal that he and Natasha had eaten earlier he hungrily swallows it, feeling his health returning to full and the poison finally leaving his body.
Dragging himself to his feet he guiltily picks up Natasha's belongings and puts them into his inventory. Bowing his head slightly he wipes a tear from his eye, and says out loud, "I said not to make me say I told you so. That's the last tear that I will cry in this place. You saved me more times than I can even remember and now you're gone. I'll never forget you Natasha but now I need to go."
With a last look over his shoulder, Nate pulls himself from the huge hole that the Wither had blown in the ground upon its death and starts walking towards the hills where he saw PowerGlide disappear.
*****
11 - Explain One More Time
"Come Notch, The Final has begun."
"Where are we going?"
"To the Desert Temple of course."
"Uh, not to seem unappreciative, but why?"
"Really Notch, you still do not remember?" Seeing a blank look on Notch's face, Herobrine continues.
"We are going to the Desert Temple because that is the very centre of the Overworld and it is there that the world will be born when the tournament finishes."
"But the world is already here, so how can it be born again?"
"Really Notch, I am starting to think that maybe you are my stupid brother after all and we are not one and the same."
"Yeah yeah, I know but my recollections of what is supposed to happen must be messed up because none of this makes sense. So, why don't you just explain to me one more time what is going to happen at the Desert Temple."
"Very well." Turning to face his altered ego, Herobrine resignedly prepares himself to explain how the world works.
"As I explained earlier, when one of the competitors wins the tournament the computer will have learnt how both itself and other species survive and the world will become real. The centre of the Overworld is at the Desert Temple so we need to be there when the tournament ends, so we can witness the rebirth and all that we have achieved."
"Yeah I get what you're saying Herobrine, but what is going to happen. The world already exists so in theory, as far as my groggy mind remembers it, the world will simply carry on at the end of the tournament."
"That is correct Notch, I am glad that you appear to be returning to normal. Now let's go."
"Hang on a minute. If the world simply continues on after the tournament why do we need to be at the Desert Temple, and for that matter why do I even need to be here."
"Really Notch, we don't have time for this. You know as much as I do, for we are the same person, so maybe you should just wait for your memories to return. In the mean time let's be productive, are you ready?"
"No way, you're not telling me something, what is it?"
"Really Notch, it is hard to believe that you are me, as I would never behave the way you are now. "
"Now I'm really getting worried Herobrine. Stop dodging my questions and tell me."
Looking into Notch's eyes Herobrine smile
s and replies. "You don't want to know the truth Notch. You have been hiding it from yourself for months so let's not damage the status Quo."
"What the heck does that mean? How can I be hiding it from myself when I don't even know what it is?"
"Notch, how many times do I have to say this. We are the same person, everything I know, you know, so in effect this is all your idea."
"What's my idea?"
Sighing, Herobrine replies. "I do not have time for this now and I grow bored with your denials. You have always known what the true purpose of this tournament was but you were just too scarred to admit it, even to yourself. That is why you have invented this memory loss to cover your own guilt. I grow bored pandering to your inadequacies Notch and will do so not more. As you well know, when the tournament is finished the computer will be sentient and a portal will open between the Overworld and Earth allowing us to invade and take control of all that is rightfully ours. Now Notch, that is the truth we have been working towards."
With a dawning look of horror, the memories come flooding back. "But, they were just nightmares, this isn't real."
"Really Notch, take a look around, we created this. All those late nights coding, developing the organic computer, are you saying that you still don't remember?"
"No, no it's not true. They were just dreams. I don't want to build a sentient computer, it's not true."
"Really Notch, and yet here we are. The computer is real Notch, we built it. The world is real Notch, we built it and the Invasion is real Notch, we planned it. Now stop whining and celebrate our achievements, our time is growing near."
"No, I won't let you do this. You cannot invade Earth, this is insane,"
"Maybe Notch, but one man's insanity is another mans dreams. This is happening, the tournament is almost over and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Guards, bring him, we leave now."
Stepping from the shadows, two huge Iron Golems grasp hold of Notch and drag him after Herobrine, on their way to the Desert Temple.
*****
Looking up at where the voice had replied PowerGlide is shocked to see Nathan standing with an arrow notched in his bow.
"Ah Nathan the Noob, looks like you got the drop on me."
"PowerGlide, I just want to tell you how much I hate you before you die."
"Now Nathan, there's no need for language like that, hates such a nasty word, and after all it's only a game."
"You killed my friends and I hate you," screams Nate in reply.
Silently pulling his sword from its scabbard on the floor, where it fell when he came through the glitch, PowerGlide tries to distract Nate.
"Come on Nathan, we are all just playing the game, no hard feelings," he croons as he jumps to his feat with sword in hand.
"No hard feelings at all," replies Nate as he fires his arrow straight into PowerGlide's heart. As the arrow hits PowerGlide, Nathan is thrown backwards off the cave ledge by the force of his own arrow.
Knocked to the floor, PowerGlide quickly checks his health, damn, just half a heart left. Looking around franticly he notices that Nate is no longer standing on top of the opening, grasping the slimmest of opportunities he lunges for the glitch and throws himself through.
Struggling to his feat Nathan pulls himself back over the cave ledge just as PowerGlide disappears into the glitch once again. "Noooo," screams Nate, watching his arch enemy escaping from his grasp.
Rolling twice as he exits the glitch, PowerGlide can't help but laugh as he struggles to his feat. "Man, you have more lives than a cat," he laughs out loud, gingerly moving the arrow stuck in his chest.
From behind him he hears a low growl, followed by another and another. Turning slowly, fear spreads across his face a more than a dozen wolves launch themselves at him, determined not to loose their prey this time.
BOOM. The canon sound explodes in the air and then the thunderous voice announces...
The tenth competitor has been eliminated. PowerGlide has not proven worthy. Two competitors remain - Finish the tournament.
Pulling himself to his feat Nate lets out a whoop and punch's the air. "Yes, take that PowerGlide, that was for Natasha, Jethro and Jack."
Looking around at the darkened landscape Nate has never felt so alone. So what now? It's just me and Jay left and there's no way I'm killing jay. Feeling lost and dejected, he lights a torch, placing it on the wall of the cave, placing three blocks of soil across the entrance and settles down for the night.
*****
"So, we are agreed. We leave at first light and try to track down Herobrine. If we can kill him this whole game may reset and send us home."
"Uh, I'm still not sure about this Jay, after all, it is Herobrine we are talking about."
"I know Hailey, but what other choice do we have."
"You could finish the tournament. If you win then you will go home and this will all be over."
"Maybe, but what about Nate, I'm not killing him."
"Not to sound cold Jay, but maybe you won't have to. Now Natasha is dead he's all alone out there and like you said, he's never played this game before."
"I can't believe you are even thinking that Hailey. I am not making plans based on Nate dying, that's just sick."
"No Jay, it's life here in Minecraft. It's not like I want him to die it's just that he probably will, and that will leave just PowerGlide and you. You kill PowerGlide, you win, then you go home."
"I must admit, killing PowerGlide would be a pleasure, but not at the expense of Nate."
"Come on Jay, we don't have a choice. We don't know where Nate is so we can't help him."
BOOM. The canon sound explodes in the air and then the thunderous voice announces...
The tenth competitor has been eliminated. PowerGlide has not proven worthy. Two competitors remain - Finish the tournament.
"Well I guess that option is now off the table. Way to go Nate. So what now Hailey? You want me to kill Nate?"
"Stop it Jay, that's not fair. I was just saying that killing PowerGlide would have been a better option, oh forget it, he's dead already, and NO, I DO NOT want you to kill Nate!"
Staring at each other, shaking with anger, they face off until Jay shakes his head and sits.
"I'm sorry Hailey. I know none of this is your fault, it's just the pressure of everyone dying."
"I know Jay, I feel it too. So, what should we do?"
"I don't think we have any choice Hailey, we need to find and kill Herobrine. That's the only way to end this."
Looking into Jays blood shot eye's Hailey nods once and walks over to Medousa.
"You hear that girl, you think you can take Herobrine?"
Looking up at Hailey and blowing a small stream of smoke from her nostrils Medousa seems to smile.
"Good girl, in that case we leave at first light."
*****
Watching the sun rise Nate still feels hopelessly lost. Most of his friends were dead, with just Jay and Hailey left, and he was now supposed to kill Jay, yeah, like that was going to happen. Kicking at a small rock he idly passes the time, not sure what to do now that his mission to kill PowerGlide was finished.
"Oh Natasha, why did you have to die, what am I supposed to do now?" he screams into the air, before throwing himself to the floor, curling into a ball and crying.
*****
"Medousa, do you thing," whispers Hailey into the dragons ear. Immediately the great beast launches itself into the air and soars out of the jungle temple, flapping its wings, she heads higher and higher into the clear blue sky.
Clinging to Hailey's waist Jay is still a little afraid riding on the back of this huge beast, but in contrast Hailey punch's the air and lets out a holler. "Yeeha, this is so awesome."
"So Jay, where do you want to look first?"
"No idea Hailey, maybe we should just fly around for a while and maybe he will come to us."
"Oh great plan. Just fly around and hope that the most powerful being in the world decides to attack us. Nic
e Jay, I'm flying with a genuine genius."
"You have a better idea?"
"Uh nope, your it Jay, so lets hope Herobrine is paying attention."
"Ok Medousa, we are looking for a skinny little fella with glowing white eyes. If you spot him feel free to dive down and eat him up," laughs Hailey as they swoop down to skim above the treetops.
*****
12 - Let The Finals Begin
Arriving at the Desert Temple just before sunrise Notch is horrified at what awaits him.
"Impressive, don't you think?" taunts Herobrine.
"What have you done?"
"Why Notch, as you well know, we have created an army the likes of which has never been seen before. Spread before you is the amassed might of Minecraft, all waiting for the portal to open and commence the invasion of your puny little world called Earth."
Looking with undisguised horror, Notch surveys the scene before him. Thousands of Skeletons, Zombies and Creepers are lined up on the plains before him, surrounding what can only be described as an arena. All standing silent, in anticipation of the forth coming battle.
"This is insane, I've never seen so many mobs in one place."
"Yes, it is a beautiful sight."
"I never said beautiful but it will be in just a few minutes," he smirks.
"Oh really, and what will happen to make this a thing of beauty for you Notch?"
"In one word - SUNRISE."
"Oh Notch, you are so predictable. Do you really think that I would go to all the trouble of spawning an army only to have them burn at the first light of day?"
