The Nether Attack

by Winter Morgan

Daniel shouted, “Not for long! I am going to escape and destroy this village. You can’t keep me trapped in here.”

  Nobody listened to Daniel’s protests. As Violet stepped outside the jailhouse, a blaze shot a fireball at her. She was destroyed.

  “Violet!” Noah cried out. He was devastated. Noah raced back into the jailhouse and stood in front of Daniel’s cell.

  Daniel laughed. “Your friend was destroyed.”

  “You need to stop the Nether mobs,” Noah demanded.

  “Not unless you free me.”

  “I’ll never free you, but this is a warning—you must stop summoning the Nether mobs.”

  “I love this little window that Violet built for each cell. Now each day I get to watch as your town is destroyed by Nether mobs. Maybe I was wrong. Being in prison might be fun, especially given the fantastic view.”

  Noah was infuriated. “If you don’t stop summoning the Nether mobs, I will force you to stop.”

  Daniel replied with a laugh. “And how will you do that?”

  Noah grabbed a bucket of lava and held it up against the bars. “I am going to flood your cell with lava. It’s going to be very hot and will destroy you.”

  “And then you’ll have to find me when I respawn in the Overworld. Within a short while, I’ll have a new and stronger army, and we’ll stage another attack on your town.”

  Noah was shaken by the thought of Daniel getting the better of him. And he had no clue how to convince Daniel to stop summoning the mobs. Maybe the town would just learn to live with these constant attacks? Noah wasn’t sure what to do next.

  As if in answer to his dilemma, Lucy walked into the jailhouse.

  “Look out the window.” She smiled as she spoke to Daniel.

  Daniel stared out the window. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Exactly,” Lucy chuckled. “There aren’t any Nether mobs terrorizing the town with their fiery explosions.”

  “What?” Daniel was shocked.

  Lucy explained to Noah, “Daniel wasn’t the one summoning the Nether mobs. He had someone in the desert palace calling for the Nether mobs with command blocks. Otto told us all about it. Otto teleported back to the desert and stopped the attack.”

  Daniel was speechless.

  “It’s over now, Daniel,” Lucy stated calmly.

  “You can’t terrorize us anymore,” said Violet. She was happy to be back with the gang after respawning.

  Daniel looked out the window at the quiet town. He tried to think of a way to escape from the jailhouse, but he couldn’t come up with a good plan. He simply stared out the window and watched as the town worked together to rebuild. He shuddered at the thought of people working together. Daniel liked to destroy things.

  “Maybe sitting in here and having a time-out will be good for you,” Violet said to the silent Daniel.

  “Yes, it will give me time to stage my next attack on your town!” Daniel shouted.

  “If that helps you pass the time, go right ahead,” said Violet. “But you’re not getting out of here for a very long time … and if you ever do, I promise you’ll be a changed person.”

  Noah added, “A person learns a lot when his freedom is taken from him.”

  Daniel pondered that thought. He wanted to shout at Noah and Violet. He wanted to break free from the prison they had stuck him in, but there was no way out.

  The gang left Daniel alone in the prison and walked into the town. Valentino the Butcher called out, “Is the town finally safe? Are the flying monsters gone?”

  “Yes,” Noah told Valentino. “It’s time to rebuild.”

  The townspeople crowded around the group of friends. Violet announced, “Now that we have the jailhouse, we need to work together to keep a close eye on it. We don’t want Daniel escaping.”

  Hannah added, “We also have to feed the prisoners and treat them fairly.”

  Valentino said, “If you can promise we are safe from those flying monsters and jumping cubes, I will serve them some food every day.”

  It was dusk, so the townspeople returned to their homes. Violet and Noah and their treasure-hunting friends headed to the tree house. Ben and Hannah wished them a good night and went to their house near the village.

  “This is so cool,” Lucy exclaimed as she climbed the ladder to the tree house.

  Henry reached the top of the ladder and stepped into the living room. He liked to look out of the large window. “You can see the jungle from here!”

  Max joined him at the window. “I think I can make out that arch in front of the jungle temple, too.”

  “I want to go back to the jungle temple,” said Violet excitedly.

  Noah was surprised. “I thought your treasure-hunting days were over.”

  Violet remembered the jungle temple and she imagined all the amazing treasure she might find in a chest there. “I think I’d like to go on a treasure hunt to that jungle temple. I just don’t want to go back to the Nether.”

  “I don’t want to go back to the Nether either,” said Trent.

  “Really?” Lucy couldn’t believe it. “You don’t want to find treasure in a Nether fortress?”

  “Well, not for a while,” replied Trent.

  “I agree with him,” said Will. “I’d go back to the Nether, but I don’t want to go back any time soon.”

  The group sat at the table and plotted a treasure-hunting adventure to the jungle temple. They all got into their beds and went to sleep. Violet closed her eyes and dreamed of unearthing a big treasure chest in the jungle temple. She hoped they’d find diamonds inside.

  16

  OLD IDEAS

  When she awoke in the morning, Violet gave her new treasure-hunter friends cake for breakfast and asked, “Are you ready for a treasure hunt?”

  “Thanks,” Lucy said as she took a bite of cake. “Yes, I’m definitely ready to go on an adventure.”

  “The jungle temple isn’t too far away, and we will have enough time to head back and help the town rebuild after,” remarked Noah.

  The town had been severely damaged during the Nether mob attack and the gang needed to help rebuild it.

  Violet said, “We won’t be gone long. I have so many plans for rebuilding the village. I am going to help make this town better than it was before.”

  When the gang finished their cakes, they climbed down the ladder of the tree house and headed toward the jungle. The sun was shining and the sky was clear of hostile mobs. Everyone was hopeful they’d have a successful treasure hunt.

  Noah stopped suddenly. “Wait! We can’t leave without Hannah and Ben.”

  “Oh my gosh.” Violet couldn’t believe they had forgotten their friends. “I was so excited to go treasure hunting that I didn’t even think about Hannah and Ben. That is awful.”

  “We all make mistakes.” Lucy understood that Violet’s excitement had made her forgetful.

  The group knocked on Hannah and Ben’s door. The two were ready for adventure—they wore armor and helmets, and carried pickaxes.

  “We aren’t going mining,” joked Noah.

  Henry said, “They’re just being prepared. When you’re a treasure hunter, you always have to be ready for an attack. I think you both are dressed appropriately.”

  The gang passed the village shopping area on their way out of town. Valentino the Butcher came out of his shop and asked, “Where are you all going?”

  “We are finally going on a treasure hunt,” Violet blurted out.

  “When you come back with your treasure, make sure you stop by my shop, and I’ll trade with you. I have some very good meat in stock.”

  The group promised to trade a portion of their treasure for meat. They would have a large feast once they returned, and then they’d start rebuilding the town.

  After trekking through the grassy biome and passing fields of cows grazing peacefully, Max led the group down the sheared path toward the majestic jungle temple. Once they entered the temple, Max said, “We have to be very quiet. You n
ever know what is in a jungle temple.”

  Violet immediately regretted that they didn’t stop by the jailhouse to see if Daniel was still in his jail cell. Maybe he had escaped in the middle of the night and would stage another attack on them while they were in the jungle temple.

  “Hannah,” asked Violet, “did you happen to see if Daniel was still in his jail cell?”

  “No.” Hannah paused and said, “Ben, did you?”

  Ben hadn’t checked either and replied with another question: “Are you worried that he escaped?”

  “Yes,” admitted Violet.

  “I thought somebody was in charge of watching Daniel. We have to trust that they’re doing a good job,” said Noah.

  Violet decided that when they returned to town, she would devise a plan to warn the townspeople if Daniel escaped. She wondered if a siren might work. Although Violet was excited to be on the treasure hunt, she had this feeling that they could be attacked at any minute.

  As the gang explored the three-story temple, Max stood on the moss stone floor and said, “We need to go to the bottom level to get the treasure. There is usually a trip wire. I can help us unearth the treasure without getting us destroyed.”

  Violet tried to ease her discomfort and said, “I’m so excited to see what we find. And I still can’t believe we’re finally on an adventure with Will and Trent and their treasure-hunting friends.”

  The group walked down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, Hannah called out, “Ouch! What was that?”

  The gang searched for skeletons that might have spawned in the dimly lit temple basement, but, to their relief, there were no skeletons lurking around.

  17

  SHARING

  Who’s there?” Henry called out.

  Noah grabbed his bow and arrow and readied himself to shoot the hidden attacker.

  “Stop!” cried the voice. “It’s me, Otto! I didn’t realize I had hit Hannah. I thought you were treasure hunters who wanted to rob me.”

  Violet wondered if they should trust Otto. He had helped them end the Nether mob invasion, but he had also worked with Daniel. She asked Otto, “What are you doing here?”

  “I am returning to my old treasure-hunting life. I left the town this morning.” Otto stood by the levers where the treasure was hidden.

  “Well, we aren’t going to fight you, Otto,” said Will. “We can all share the treasure.”

  But Otto didn’t like that suggestion. “No. I got here first. This is my treasure.”

  “We’re your friends!” exclaimed Violet.

  Otto shouted, “Violet, you aren’t a treasure hunter! That isn’t how it works. In the world of treasure hunting everybody is working for himself.”

  Will defended Violet. “No, that’s not true. Trent and I are a team, and we also work with Henry, Lucy, and Max.”

  “Well, I work alone, and I am claiming the rights to this treasure.”

  Lucy was upset with Otto. She had gone on other treasure-hunting adventures with him and they had always shared the treasure. “Otto, we have worked together and shared treasure in the past.”

  “After what happened with Daniel, I decided that I should work alone. I can’t work with others.”

  Trent confessed, “I’ve also worked with Daniel. He is an evil person who forces you to become a bully. Now that you are free of him, you should be able to live the life you want. You shouldn’t condemn yourself to a world without friends.”

  Otto paused, and then he walked over to the levers. He wanted to release the piston door, grab the treasure, and dash out with an inventory filled with diamonds or whatever might be in the chests. Instead, he said, “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should treasure hunt with you guys.”

  Violet didn’t want to tell Otto that he made the right decision, so she just stood silently.

  “Ouch!” Hannah called out again.

  The group looked for other treasure hunters lurking around the jungle temple. Instead, they quickly spotted two skeletons at the end of the hall.

  Otto aimed his bow and arrow at the skeletons and destroyed one. Hannah used her bow and arrow to obliterate the other skeleton. She walked over to the bones the skeletons dropped on the ground and asked Otto, “Do you want these bones for your inventory?”

  “Thanks,” Otto replied as he took the bones and placed them in his inventory.

  Max offered his help to Otto. “I’m really good at unearthing treasure without having any explosions.”

  So, Otto let Max lead the dig for the treasure. Max carefully made sure not to activate the tripwires or to set off a TNT explosion. Max pulled out two large treasure chests. “Before I open these, I want to make sure that you’re not going to attack us for the treasure, Otto.”

  Otto looked at the group of friends. “I promise. I will share the treasure with you. You are right—working together is better than working alone.”

  Violet gazed at the two treasure chests. She was overflowing with excitement. Part of her didn’t want Max to open the treasure chest—she loved the idea of not knowing what they’d find. When Max finally opened the lid, Violet was glad he did.

  “Emeralds!” Hannah called out. The green gems glowed.

  Max handed out emeralds to everyone in the group. They each placed them in their inventory.

  Henry opened the second chest.

  Violet called out, “Diamonds!”

  Then Noah cried, “Ouch!”

  18

  GREAT FINDS, GREAT FRIENDS

  An arrow struck Noah as more skeletons spawned in the temple. The group aimed their bows and arrows at their target.

  Max battled the skeletons and Otto joined him. Once the bony beasts were annihilated, Otto said, “I’d like to go on a treasure hunt with you, Max.”

  Max smiled and replied, “That would be fun. Let’s go!”

  The gang climbed up the stairs and exited the jungle temple. Violet, Noah, Hannah, and Ben were heading back to the village to help rebuild. Violet asked the treasure hunters, “Do you want to join us and come back to our village?”

  Hannah added, “We’d like you to be a part of our town.”

  Lucy smiled. “Thanks. We’ve had that offer before, but we prefer to travel around the Overworld and search for treasure.”

  Max said, “If you ever want to join us on a treasure hunt, please do. We’d love to take you on another adventure.”

  Violet and her friends said goodbye to their new treasure-hunting friends. “Where are you headed now?” Violet asked.

  Henry replied, “We’re going back to the desert. We thought we saw a large temple when we were helping you rescue Will and Trent.”

  Will said, “I think there is a lot of treasure in that part of the desert. Also, I believe Daniel has buried treasure there.”

  “Sounds exciting!” exclaimed Hannah.

  Will looked off in the direction of the village. “If Daniel ever escapes or stages another attack on your town, call us. We’ll be happy to help you.”

  Violet and her friends thanked the treasure hunters and began their trip home. The sun was beginning to set, and they didn’t want to get stuck battling hostile mobs.

  It was dusk when they reached the town. Violet walked through the streets and inspected the damage. There was a lot to rebuild, but instead of being overwhelmed, she saw it as a fun challenge.

  Valentino rushed toward them. “So, did you find any treasure?”

  “Yes!” exclaimed Hannah, “We found emeralds and diamonds.”

  “Would you like to trade any of those precious gems for some meat?”

  Violet didn’t realize she was extremely hungry. She had used up most of her health bar during the treasure-hunting expedition. “I would,” she volunteered and walked toward the butcher shop with Valentino.

  “Before night sets in,” said Noah, “we should have a big feast.”

  The group went to Valentino’s butcher shop and exchanged a couple of gems for lots of beef.

  When the
y exited the shop, Violet said, “I just want to check on something before we go home and eat.”

  Violet jogged over to the jailhouse. She peeked through Daniel’s window. He appeared and asked, “Looking for me?”

  “Yes, I was. I want to offer you some food,” said Violet.

  “Why are you being so nice?” Daniel sounded suspicious.

  “I have a lot of good food and I thought I should give some to the less fortunate.”

  Hannah said, “But he doesn’t deserve a good dinner.”

  When Violet handed Daniel the meat she said, “I hope you realize what you’ve done to this town and how much damage you’ve caused with all those attacks.”

  “I do,” he grumbled and grabbed the meat through the small window in the cell.

  The group walked away and began their feast. They had lots of celebrating to do before sunset. There were good reasons for their jovial celebration—they had finally trapped Daniel and they had inventories filled with treasure. And soon they’d have tummies filled with good food.

  As the sun set, Violet and Noah climbed up the stairs to the tree house. Violet stood looking out at the dark sky. She was glad it was emptied of Nether mobs. Violet climbed into bed and thought about the amazing treasure-hunting adventure she had earlier that day before she drifted off to sleep.

  DO YOU LIKE FICTION FOR MINECRAFTERS?

  Check out other unofficial Minecrafter adventures from Sky Pony Press!

  Invasion of the Overworld

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  Battle for the Nether

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  Confronting the Dragon

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  Trouble in Zombie-town

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  The Quest for the Diamond Sword

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  The Mystery of the Griefer’s Mark

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  The Endermen Invasion

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  Treasure Hunters in Trouble

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  Available wherever books are sold!