[Jesse's POV]
(Reuben, who was in the front cart, lets out a scream.)
(I look forward to see what the problem is, only to see that we're on a straight collision course with several mobs near the end of the tunnel.)
(Before anyone can even react further, the minecarts crash and we're all sent flying.
Jesse: "Aaaahhh-Oof."
(I scrape the ground hard.)
(Man, now I wish I still had that mask on.)
(Thankfully, it was grass I landed on.)
(I try to stand up to see what the heck was going on.)
(Shit! We're in the middle of a mob field! And I don't have any weapons to fight with!)
Jesse: "Guys! I need help!"
Lukas: "Wait, Jesse, look! It looks like the mobs are running away?"
Jesse: "What?"
(Observing the mobs, I realized that not one was attempting to attack us.)
(In fact, they were all running in the direction we came from.)
Olivia: "Um... I think you're supposed to be more worried about what they're running away from..."
(Olivia trembles as she says that, and now I understand why too.)
(It was probably a few hundred blocks away, but it was so massive that it looked like you were right under it.)
(The giant creature growled.)
(We were right in front of the Wither Storm!)
Axel: "Is it just me or did it get bigger?"
Olivia: "It did."
Ellegaard: "There you are!"
(A familiar voice suddenly calls us out.)
Magnus: "So glad you could make it!"
(A dozen blocks away, Ellegaard and Magnus run towards us after engaging with some mobs.)
Jesse: "Umm... where were you?"
Magnus: "Leave?"
(Magnus scoffs.)
Magnus: "We're right here!"
Jesse: "Are you really joking at this critical moment?! You ditched us!"
Ellegaard: "Save the apologies for later; we've been fighting this entire time!"
(As angry as I am right now, I can't deny what Ellegaard said.)
(We're in the middle of a battlefield, with the Wither Storm right on our front doorstep.)
Lukas: "What's going on?!"
Jesse: "We'll talk later. It's Formidi-Bomb time."
(I gesture to Soren to get the Super TNT, but for a moment, I can't find him anywhere.)
Jesse: "Soren?"
(Soren had been hiding behind Axel's back since Magnus and Ellegaard showed up.)
(I guess seeing old friends again isn't easy for Soren to comprehend.)
Ellegaard: "Soren?"
Magnus: "It's him! It's you!"
(Magnus waves.)
(Soren comes forward with an ashamed face.)
Soren: "Hello... old friends..."
Ellegaard: "Where have you been? We've been thinking about you!"
(Soren is unable to respond, and the awkward reunion is interrupted by the creatures' roar.)
Jesse: "Shit. We need to move. Axel, get Petra and Reuben behind cover somewhere."
(Axel quickly gets to his objective.)
Jesse: "Soren, we need your help now!"
(My sudden yell snaps him back.)
(He turns towards us with the Super TNT.)
Soren: "We only get one shot at this. Remember, once the Formidi-Bomb is crafted, it'll explode in a matter of seconds. It means whoever is doing the crafting will be in great danger."
(We look at each other, obviously unsure of who'll be in that position.)
Soren: "Well, I was hoping perhaps we could draw straws."
(*sigh* We're not going anywhere with this.)
(Lukas seemed to freeze up again, Olivia was trembling, Ellegaard looked away, Magnus was looking at the others, and Soren was just secretly hoping it wouldn't be him.)
(I originally said I would never volunteer again, but the longer we argued, the more time we lost.)
(I just want this nightmare that we have landed in since EnderCon to end.)
(I sighed one final time before coming forward.)
Jesse: "I'm going to set the Formidi-Bomb off."
Lukas: "W-Wait Jesse, you don't have to-"
Jesse: "No, it's okay. Someone has to do it, and it's better now than sooner. Who knows how destructive it can become after time? After it almost killed my friends several times in just under 3 days, it's time that thing finally gets what it deserves!"
(Lukas backs down.)
(I guess he also understood that it had to be done.)
Lukas: "I know I can't help more than this, but good luck, Jesse."
(I smile back. I can't help but feel even more motivated to bring that abomination down.)
Soren: "That's what I was hoping for. The rest of us will build distractions in its path. Hopefully, it will buy you some time."
(Soren gives me the Super TNT.)
Soren: "But Jesse, as much as I don't want to admit it, even with your Enderman Suit, it might not be enough to protect you throughout the battle."
Jesse: "I know, and I'll accept that this is how things will go."
Magnus: "Wait, Jesse, take my armour; it will help."
Ellegaard: "Wait, are you insane?! Do you realize how dangerous this ferocious storm is?! With no armour to protect you, you could get killed!"
Magnus: "Oh Ellie, do you even know who I am?! I'm the former king of Boom Town! I won't let just some wither defeat me!"
(Ellegaard wanted to say something but stopped herself.)
(Magnus takes off the armour and hands it to me.)
(I take it on as we start running towards the monster.)
Soren: "Jesse, you're going to have to set down a crafting table out there to make that Formidi-Bomb! Everyone else, grab a buddy and split up! We need to keep that Wither Storm on track, so build, build, build!"
(Excluding Axel, Petra, and Reuben, we had six people.)
(Soren and Magnus split off to the left, while Lukas, Olivia, and Ellegaard went right.)
(While I'm running towards it, The Wither Storm starts its attack by swinging one of its arms at me.)
(I throw myself to the ground as the trees around me get cut off by that tentacle.)
(This action causes me to slide forward for a few seconds.)
(Although the creatures' arm missed me, I could still feel the shockwave created from that swing.)
(Is it just me, or did its arms, tentacles, or whatever you want to call them become more powerful?)
(As I get up, I'm already forced to dodge the next attack.)
(I can start to predict its attack patterns, so I'm able to keep running and avoid the swings better, but it's still nothing to sneeze at.)
(The others had already begun building
random stuff, so the Wither Storms' attention got partially diverted.)
(I was now directly under the wither storm, one way or another.)
Jesse: "I hope this works."
(I place the crafting table down and begin to build the F-Bomb as fast as I can.)
(Don't forget! Super TNT in the middle and gunpowder all around!)
(As I craft, I could hear one of the builds getting ripped apart and pulled in.)
(That just encouraged me to craft faster.)
Jesse: "Yes! It's done!"
(I managed to arrange all of the items correctly.)
(However, just before it can combine into the bomb.)
(a purple beam shines over the table and I, along with the ingredients and crafting table, are sucked into the sky.)
Jesse: "No no no!!! Not yet!!!"
(Crap! Don't give up, Jesse! Don't panic right now! You have to grab the ingredients before they float away! Right, right.)
(They're right in front of me.)
(I can just swim along the beam to get to them.)
(Before they completely disperse, I manage to grab 4 of them while they're still grouped together.)
(But the rest is starting to float away, towards the Wither Storm's eye!)
(I don't know what happens when you near the eye, but if I don't, I'll never get the items back I need! I repeatedly said this to myself.)
(if you don't do this, everything will be lost! I managed to calm myself down a little.)
(And with this, I started swimming up, towards the eye.)
(As I get closer, the light starts to really blind me when I look at it, and I'm only halfway through the beam length!)
(But I know the ingredients are right in front of me.)
(I reach forward, and 2 more pieces of gunpowder fall into my hands.)
(I swim further up and collect the last two pieces of gunpowder.)
(Now all that's left is the Super TNT! I look away for a second to keep my eyes safe.)
(only to see that a floating tree is heading towards my direction! I frantically swim away from the collision course.)
(Once I gain my sight a little, I spot the Super TNT a few blocks away from me.)
(I swam straight for it and grabbed it successfully.)
(Yes! Now only the crafting table is what I need, and thankfully the Wither Storms beam already brought it up for me! Ha! Your own actions will be your downfall.)
(You miscarried squid! As I reach for the table, I accidentally catch a glimpse of the others.)
(down below. Soren and Magnus were building a pig sculpture, and one of its arms was swinging directly at it!)
Jesse: "WATCH OUT!"
(The growl of the Wither Storm dwarfed my yell, and when they realized it, it... was... too... late...)
(They only had enough time to turn around as the tentacle hits head-on, destroys the sculpture.)
(and hits Magnus and Soren right in the chest, sending both flying away.)
Jesse: "NOOOOO!"
(I could only watch as Magnus hits a nearby tree, causing his body to bounce back like a ragdoll.)
Jesse: "MAGNUS!"
(It felt almost cartoony, or maybe that was just my brain thinking this way to avoid the sight of what I just saw.)
(But more importantly, it fueled me with rage.)
(I couldn't help but roar at the Wither Storm for what it did, even if the scream was completely dwarfed by the chaotic sounds that were happening around me.)
(I turned over to the crafting table, only to realize that the ingredients were already laid out there.)
(Was I so angry that I didn't even notice myself doing it? Whatever happened, it was exactly what I needed.)
(The Crafting Table started spinning, and with a ball of light.)
(the entire table transformed into a grey version of a TNT, with a F painted on the front and other stuff that looked similar to the command block.)
(Now there was only one thing to do.)
Jesse: "Eat this! You deranged monstrosity!"
(As I throw it at the monster's mouth, something suddenly grabs onto my armour.)
(Looking back, I could see Lukas, Olivia, and Ellegaard trying to pull my back from the beam with a fishing rod.)
Jesse: "Yeeeaaahh!"
(This is it! The deed is done!)
(Now you're done! psychotic demon! But wait, how powerful is the explosion gonna be???)
(Seeing as the Formidi-Bomb is only a few blocks away, and the creature is opening its mouth to try and eat.)
(it's going to blow up right now! I quickly tried to close my eyes and look away.)
(But even doing that, my vision still turned white, my ears went deaf, and I lost consciousness right there.)
(When I finally woke up, I couldn't hear anything other than a high-pitched sound.)
(I can see Lukas and the others trying to say something, but I can't understand them.)
(Looking at the sky, it wasn't dark anymore and the Wither Storm wasn't hovering over us.)
(Actually, I could feel the shockwaves of the individual parts of it falling from the sky.)
(Now the scenery was filled with these Wither Storm parts and burning trees.)
(But more importantly, it's over.)
(The Wither Storm has been defeated.)
(I try to stand up, but I'm met with intense pain and the others stopping me.)
(Right, I didn't even realize.)
(I got pretty injured by that blast.)
(Axel encouraged me to drink one of his regen potions, which I did.)
(At that point, I could finally pick up a few sounds again.)
Axel: "Is that it? Is it over?"
Olivia: "I-I can't believe it's... actually dead!"
Lukas: "You did it, Jesse! You actually did it!"
(Reuben springs up in joy as he comes out from cover. Petra poked out as well.)
Petra: "It's... dead...?"
(Axel ran to her.)
Axel: "How are you feeling?"
Petra: "I can't say. I can walk fine now, but it still feels like it's lingering a bit."
(Petra places her arm on her forehead. Thank God, at least she isn't sick anymore.)
Jesse: "Okay, I think I can stand up now."
(I still had Lukas help me, but it was a step in the right direction.)
Ellegaard: "Not that I'm saying I doubted you but I did, a little -- but now I don't! And I never will again!"
Jesse: "Um... thanks?"
Lukas: "I know it wasn't easy, but..."
Olivia: "About time we got a real win."
Jesse: "I know. And thanks for saving my life back there. I couldn't have done any of it without you guys."
Olivia: "You're giving a little too much credit to me, but thanks for saying it, I
guess."
Jesse: "Oh, come on! Cheer up, Olivia! We're not in that old treehouse anymore!"
Olivia: "I know, I know..."
Ellegaard: "Um... not to put a damper on the party, but... anyone seen Soren or... you know, Magnus?"
(That sentence Ellegaard just said sent a chill down my spine.)
(No... We frantically looked for them, and of course I had to be the one to find them.)
(It was right where I remembered.)
(Past the broken pig sculpture on that nearby tree, was Soren with Magnus lying on his arms.)
Jesse: "Magnus..."
(Blood... His torso was covered in it... and he couldn't move his legs.)
(I couldn't see his back, but judging from how he hit the tree, it must be even more gruesome.)
(He looked like he was on the verge of death, no... he pretty much was.)
(Soren also didn't look in his best shape, but he had his armour to protect him, Magnus didn't.)
(And this armour... was on me...)
Soren: "You fought valiantly, my friend."
Magnus: "We both know... my fight... is over, man..."
Soren: "Stuff and nonsense... stuff and nonsense... Save your strength, Magnus. We'll take care of this. We'll take care of you!"
(Magnus turned his head to me.)
Magnus: "Jesse..."
Jesse: "Magnus."
Magnus: "My armour... looks... great on you, man. I want you to keep it, okay? It's not gonna be... much use to me... anymore..."
Soren: "Don't say such things!"
Jesse: "Magnus - no! This armour belongs to you!"
Magnus: "You... earned it, Jesse..."
Jesse: "Magnus... no..."
(Magnus turned back to Soren.)
Magnus: "Hey.. at least I... finally got to be a real hero... right?"
(Soren didn't respond.)
Ellegaard: "Magnus..."
(Ellegaard suddenly speaks up.)
(I turn around to realize that she was standing behind me.)
(How long were you there?)
Magnus: "Ellie..."
(Magnus wanted to sound rough but didn't have the energy to do it, and neither did Ellegaard.)
Ellegaard: "Idiot... you idiot... you always show off at the worst moments... you wouldn't have died if you hadn't given your armour away..."
Magnus: "If I didn't do that... Jesse would've been the one lying here..."
(That sentence made me feel guilty.)
(I was wearing the armour that would've saved him.)
(I couldn't reply.)
(We weren't close, but to think that I in some way indirectly caused his death.)
(It was too much for me...)
Axel: "Magnus! Don't go! We can still heal you! You just have to stay a little
longer! I have some potions left. You can still drink them!"
(Axel and the others arrive on the scene.)
Magnus: "Axel... I think we both know... that I'm already done for... You have to save them for the people..."
(What? We turn back to the Wither Storm to see a crowd of people trying to get out of it.)
Jesse: "All those people... they're alive! The Wither Storm didn't kill them!"
Magnus: "You - you guys gotta help them. All of 'em. Make sure they get out. Don't leave anybody behind."
Jesse: "Of course I'll save them every one of them."
(I hold Magnus's arm. It felt heavy.)
Magnus: "Promise... me?"
Jesse: "I promise... we're the good guys, right? That's what we do."
(Magnus smiles back, before lowering his head and closing his eyes.)
Axel: "M-M-Magnus..."
(Magnus looked like a baby that had drifted to sleep.)
(There's nothing we can do now...)
(Ellegaard, unable to look any longer, turned her head away.)
(I think everyone came to the same conclusion now...)
[Magnus: Deceased]
Jesse: "C'mon, Reuben. We've got a job to do. You guys help the survivors. I need to make sure we find the people who might be trapped."
(The gang nods, and we split up.)
(I and Reuben head towards the crater, where the Wither Storm's biggest piece of its corpse is resting.)
(It wasn't long until we find someone stuck under one of its arms.)
(I lift up the tentacle arm to help that person escape.)
Jesse: "Don't worry, there are people out there that are going to help you."
Survivor: "...Thank you..."
(Further in, Reuben calls out to another person stuck.)
Jesse: "You're going to be okay - I promise."
Survivor: "I- Thank you..."
(Reuben calls out again, even further into the crater.)
Jesse: "Don't worry -- it's all over now. My friends are gonna help you."
Survivor: "I hope you're right... thank you."
(I guide the people out of the crater.)
Jesse: "I think that's everyone in this area..."
(Reuben suddenly calls out with a terrified squeal.)
(What did Reuben see? I come over to check. No...)
(At the center of the crater was the main body of the Wither Storm, It looked really cracked open; it must've been from the Formidi-Bomb.)
(And looking into it, we could see the Command Block...)
(with no visible scratches... at all... The feeling of dread suddenly takes over.)
Jesse: "I-I don't understand... Soren said the Formidi-Bomb would destroy it, but it
looks-fine!"
(Suddenly, the command block starts powering up again.)
Jesse: "D-Don't tell me."
(I quickly try to yell out to the others.)
Jesse: "GUYS! OVER HE-"
(Before I could finish my sentence, some kind of force suddenly started pulling me towards the command block.)
Jesse: "No -- no!"
(Reuben freezes in fear, not knowing what to do.)
(Despite my best efforts, I can't stop myself from getting pulled in, and soon after, my body leaves the ground and starts Floating.)
(Just before I lose my hope, someone suddenly appears and grabs my hand.)
(He had blue shining armour, and the face of someone I've seen before... The Command Block suddenly gives up pulling me in, and we're both thrown to the ground.)
(When I stood up again, I was able to confirm my theory. It was Gabriel!)
Jesse: "B-But I thought... you were..."
Gabriel: "What... what happened here?"
(The dead Wither Storm suddenly starts reanimating.)
(Oh god... oh god...!)
Jesse: "I'll explain everything. Just-not right now!"
(Suddenly, the corpse of the Wither Storm surrounding us, starts to float up again, the sky dims, and blocks start flying around us again.)
Jesse: "C'mon, we've gotta get out of here!!"
(I and Reuben storm off, but Gabriel, for some reason, didn't seem to come with us.)
Jesse: "Gabriel, let's go!"
(I storm back to get Gabriel, but he only turns around with a confused expression.)
Gabriel: "Who's... 'Gabriel'?"
[To be continued...]