Note From Alora

~~So I was going through old stories I’d written years ago to find inspiration for my LA assignment, and I found this really old Gameknight999 fanfiction. XD

I nearly died reading over it again. Oh, the cringe. I think I started writing this in 6th or 7th grade and then never started it up again. But this whole thing is 48 pages, and even I’m impressed while I’m reading through it. So, enjoy this unfinished fanfiction and please feel free to laugh at my horrible spelling/grammar/storyline. There are probably lots of unfinished sentences while my 6th-grade self tried to edit and then forgot about it. Anyway. If you all enjoyed and want more, maybe I’ll pick it up again (after doing MAJOR edits). 

Thank you and enjoy. (honestly tho, I could make a parody of this and probably die laughing.) 

:3

An Unofficial Novel

Herobrine’s Secret

Astella’s War

Book One 

<<<A Gameknight999 Adventure>>>  

 

Chapter One

The Secret of Herobrine

 

Shalikute, the new queen of the spiders, was sitting in her cave. 

Before Shaivalak had died, she transferred her powers into Shalkute, making her the new queen of spiders. She surveyed every one of her subjects, the sisters and the brothers. Her new batch of hatchlings would be here soon. 

Suddenly there was a big noise. As if someone were fighting. 

A sister scurried up to Shalkute. “Sssshalkute,” said the spider. “There’ssss an intruder . . .”

“Hmm,” the queen mused. “What issss it?”

“We don’t know,” said the spider. “But we know that it’ssss a threat.”

“Then kill it, and end itssss misssserable life.” said the queen, impatient. 

“But we can’t,” said the spider. “Sssshe hassss a sssstrange ability. Sssshe’ssss able to teleport and sssshe has great sssskill in combat. It’s almost like . . .” 

Suddenly a great bang echoed through the chamber. All the spiders stopped and looked at the entry tunnel. Coming out of it was a person. 

It was a girl. She had blonde hair that reached down to her waist. Her eyes were a sea-green, with patches of silver, unlike any color the spiders had ever seen. 

The girl walked into the cavern fearlessly. “Well finally I found you,” said the girl, exasperated. “It’s taken me forever. Now which one of you is Shalkute?”

The spider queen quickly came over her shock. “Attack you foolsss. Why are you just sssstanding there? Attack!”

The other spiders came at the girl, claws razor sharp.

The girl just smiled.

Just as the spiders reached her, she disappeared in a wave of purple teleportation particles.

The girl appeared behind the spider queen. 

“That’s the spirit I’m looking for,” said the girl. “Spiders need to be quick and merciless. But you know, my daddy wouldn’t be too happy if he heard about this. He expects all the creatures of the dark to obey him and his daughter.”

The spider queen whirled around. The girl was leaning against a wall, arms folded, and was looking at the spider queen with an air of annoyance. “This isn’t making my job any easier if you attack me whenever I’m in sight,” said the girl.

She yawned as if she were bored. “I need the spiders in order to defeat Gameknight999.”

The girl rolled her eyes.

“Please, that boy has the stupidest name ever. Seriously? Gameknight999? I know pigs that have more interesting names.”

Shalkute narrowed her many eyes. The girl wasn’t even phased when the spider queen extended her claws.

“I suggest we do this without a fight,” said the girl.

Then she smiled.

“Anyway, we got off on the wrong start. My name’s Astella.” She walked up to the spider queen. “And I know that you’re Shalkute, queen of spiders.”

Shalkute tensed, ready to pounce. She didn’t trust this stranger and yet, she was almost like someone she knew very well.

“Anyway again,  I was wondering if I could borrow you and a few thousand spiders for an army I’m making. It would help me out a lot.”

“Why sssshould I give you sssspiderssss?” asked the spider queen.

“Because if you don’t my father won’t be happy.”

“You keep talking about your father. Who isssss your father?” asked the spider queen.

“Let’s see,” said Astella. “Does this give you a clue?”

Suddenly a bright harsh light came from her face. It was coming from her eyes. They were glowing a bright white. The only other person who did that was . . . 

“All bow for the Maker hassss returned,” shouted the spider queen. All the spiders bowed in Astella’s direction. 

Astella laughed. “You’re forgetting that my father is “the Maker”. I’m his daughter.”

She tossed her blonde hair. Her eyes changed back to sea-green silver. She smiled. “I want an army. An army of a thousand of the worst monsters you can get. We need Gameknight to suffer for my father’s death. It’s time for me to take over,” she shouted.

The spiders clicked their mandibles with excitement. 

“Me, Astella. The daughter of the Maker, the most wonderful virus in Minecraft history. The daughter of Herobrine.”

 

Chapter Two

Banned

 

Tommy was just finishing his new book, Zombie Invasion, when he heard a knock on his bedroom door. 

“Come in,” said Tommy, without looking up. 

His father walked in. “Son, can I talk to you for a minute?” 

“Yeah, sure,” said Tommy, putting his book down. 

“I’m leaving again tomorrow,” said his father. 

“Oh,” said Tommy looking down. His father sighed. 

“I know how much you hate it, but remember, it’s to help my family.” 

“But, dad, when you sold your last invention, someone stole it, and nearly destroyed Minecraft.” 

Tommy’s dad sat down on the bed and looked at his son straight his eyes. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that,” said his dad. “This may seem hard for you but . . .” 

Tommy’s dad took a deep breath, a look of pain on his face. 

“I’m not allowing you to go back in Minecraft.” 

“WHAT!?” Tommy yelled. 

“I know it may be hard at first, but I’m done with you taking risks. Neither one of us knows what will happen if we die in the game. You’ve had so many close calls, that I’m done.” 

“But Dad, all my friends are in the game. If I can’t go to them . . .” 

Tommy’s dad put a hand on his shoulder. “You can still play the game, and, can’t you still talk to them?”

Tommy looked down. “But it wouldn’t be the same.”

“I know this may be hard for you, but you have to understand that this is for your own good. I can’t have you risking your life for electronic people. Real people are what matters.”

Tommy stood up. “They are real,” said Tommy, a dark look on his face. 

Tommy’s dad looked at him for a moment, then stood up. “I’m closing down the digitizer,” said Tommy’s dad. “I’m not letting you risk your life for things that aren’t real. I know this is hard, but I’m doing this because I love you.”

At this, Tommy’s dad tried to ruffle his hair, but Tommy smacked his hand away. Tommy’s dad looked hurt for a second, but only for a second. 

He walked to the door and said, “Dinner is in 30 minutes,” then left. Alone in his room Tommy sat down, and wept.

 

Chapter Three

Astella’s Rage

 

“Astella, are you ssssure thissss issss the besssst idea?” asked the spider queen. “Even the Maker Herobrine . . .” 

“My father,” corrected Astella. 

“Yes, well,  your father, well even he couldn’t defeat The-Usssser-that-issss-not-a-Usssser.” 

Astella smiled. “That’s because my father always underestimated him. But now I’m here and things will be different.” 

Astella smiled again. “I personally think that girls plan better than boys. We have the skill. Boys know how to get messy when sword fighting. I say let the boys roll around in the mud, while the girls actually win.” 

“But you injured about a hundred of my sssspidersssss without even a sssscratch,” said Shalkute. 

“Trust me, that was only like, 1% of my powers,” said Astella. “If Herobrine created me, it’s a big duh that I’m powerful.”

Shalkute looked thoughtful. “But, do we really want to go up againsssst Gameknight?” asked the spider queen. “It’ssss impossssible to defeat him.”

 “I wouldn’t say impossible. Hard, yes, but I know we can win. We just need to train first. How else do you think I’ve master all my powers? By sitting around? No. I trained. While my daddy was out and fighting with his army, I was left alone where I could practice my powers and finally was able to master them. Don’t mention this to anyone, but my dad won’t admit that I’m stronger than him. One I beat him in a match so bad, I had to carry him to his chambers myself. Which is why training an army in a crucial part in a war. But we can’t have an army without the zombies.” 

“Yessss,” said the spider queen. “But . . .” 

“You’re still concerned, aren’t you?” asked Astella. 

The spider queen backed away, knowing the wrath of Herobrine herself. 

When she was a little spider, she was part of the big army when Gameknight was at the jungle temple. She remembered Herobrine almost destroying her when she had failed to capture Gameknight. As she being one of the spider queen’s generals, she was counted on by Herobrine. 

Shalkute glanced down at a scar on one of her many legs. That’s where Herobrine had got her. Shalkute glanced at Astella and lowered her head, prepared for the worst. 

Astella noticed and rolled her eyes. “Okay there’s one rule we have to settle,” she said. “I’M NOT MY DAD!” she shouted. 

Then she lowered her voice. “You don’t need to fear me. Think of me as your friend. A friend with the same goal.”

Astella closed her eyes. Then snapped them open again, a fierce look of anger in them. “I’ll do anything to avenge my dad, and to get revenge against Gameknight for destroying him. I don’t say this often but, GAMEKNIGHT DESERVES TO DIE!” 

At this Astella pulled out her sword and swung it against the wall with so much force, that the stone blocks making it up, cracked and chipped. The sword was stuck in the wall. 

Shalkute backed away even more. 

Astella pulled out her sword, breathing heavily. She inspected it. It had cracked right down the middle. She put a hand over it, and moved it across the entire tool. The sword glowed with a red light for just an instant, then it faded. The crack was gone. The sword looked like it was just barley crafted, not a scratch on it. 

Shalkute looked up at Astella and a look of fear came across the spider queens face. The color of Astella’s eyes had changed from blue-green to a blood red. Shalkute could literally see fire in her eyes. Astella’s hair floated on an unseen wind. 

Astella looked at the cracked wall and said with vengeance, “It’s time to die, Gameknight.”

Chapter Four

Dinner Strife

 

Tommy sat on his bed, angry. They’re my friends, he thought. Why should I be separated from them? No one deserves to be apart from his friends. 

Suddenly he heard his mom call him to dinner. He went into the bathroom to wash up. 

As he was drying his hands, he thought he saw something in the mirror. 

A figure with blonde hair, and glowing eyes. But when he looked back up, there was nothing. 

Are my eyes playing tricks on me? he thought. 

He shook his head, and went down to dinner. 

He sat down right as his mom put a big turkey on the table. He reached out to grab the drumstick, when he noticed his mother’s questioning look. 

Tommy pulled his hand back, cheeks red.

 His sister, sitting across the table, smiled at him. He glared at her, not in the mood. 

Then Tommy’s father sat. 

Usually, this was a momentous occasion, because his dad was never home. But today, Tommy was almost wishing his dad was gone. 

His father didn’t say anything, but gave him a sad look. 

Tommy’s mother sat down and they were finally able to eat. 

Tommy helped him to the drumstick he wanted, then started eating. 

His mother could somehow sense the tension between Tommy and his dad. “Is there anything we want to talk about? she asked. 

Son nor father spoke. 

Tommy’s mother frowned but didn’t say anything. 

Tommy finished dinner quickly. “I’m going to bed,” he announced. 

“This early?” asked his mother. 

“Well, I’ve got a big test tomorrow in math, and I want to be able to stay awake.” 

“Okay . . . if you feel tired.” 

“Thank you,” said Tommy, then cleared his plate.

 As soon as he was able to get to his bedroom, he walked to his alarm clock, and set it for midnight. Then he sank onto his bed, and fell asleep.

 

Chapter Five

Suspicions

 

Hunter roamed the forests, looking for something to shoot.

She finally had some time to relax. 

Ever since all the monster kings were destroyed, Minecraft had been at peace. Sure, there had been the occasional zombie attack, but the village was able to destroy them easily. The monsters are completely unorganized. 

Hunter chuckled, but kept alert. 

She saw a cow, and aimed. She was about to shoot, when there was a voice. “Are you killing him because you need food, or are you just doing it?” 

Hunter whirled around, arrow in drawstring. 

Before her was a girl villager. She had blonde hair, and the strangest colors of eyes. They were blue-green, and silver. Hunter had never seen such eyes. She was also dressed very strangely. 

She looked at the girl. “Who are you?” she asked. 

“Hi,” said the girl. “My name is . . .” The girl faltered for a moment. 

Hunter raised a brow. “You can’t even remember your own name?” asked Hunter, suspicious.

 “Sorry, but that bow is kinda distracting me,” said the girl. “If you could just put it away.” 

“That won’t be possible,” said Hunter. “What’s your name?” 

“It’s Fisher,” she said.

 “Okay Fisher, what are you doing in the forest at this hour?”

 “I got kinda lost,” she said.

 “Are you one of the Lost?” Hunter asked. 

“No.”

 “We don’t have a Fisher in our village, and I’ve never seen you before. If you’re not from here, where are you from?” 

“A different village, by the ocean,” said Fisher. 

“What are you doing here?” asked Hunter. 

“Exploring,” said Fisher shrugging. 

“This far from home?” asked Hunter, inquisitive. 

“Well, I walk fast, and I lost track of where I was.” 

“Hmm,” said Hunter, lowering her bow. “It’s almost night. I don’t suppose that you can get home in time. Why don’t you stay at our village?” 

“That’s very kind, but I can’t.” 

“Why?” asked Hunter. “It’s suicide to try to go back to your home, even if all the monster kings are gone.” 

“It’s fine,” said Fisher. 

Then she walked behind a tree, leaving.

“Just wait a second,” said Hunter. She peered around the tree, but there was no one there. Hunter was very confused. No one can just disappear like that thought Hunter.

Then she looked up at the sun. It was near the horizon, the sky turned from light blue to an orange. Hunter mounted her horse and rode away, still confused.

What she didn’t see was Astella sitting on top of a tall oak. Shalkute was with her.

“How are you able to do that?” Shalkute asked.

“Do what?” Astella asked.

“Turn into a villager.”

“Well, using my powers, I can turn into a villager version of me. I’m not quite sure how it works.”

Shalkute looked thoughtful. “Why don’t we just attack her?” the spider queen asked.

“Because, we need all the monsters for my plan to work. Anyway, she’s too close to the village. The Watchers will see us. Then it would spoil the surprise.”

Shalkute nodded. “What exactly is your plan?” the queen asked.

Astella smiled, then brought something out of her inventory. It was green, but turned to yellow, then went back to green. It gave off a high pitched whine. Astella put it away, which silenced it.

The spider queen looked at Astella in fear, and wonder. 

“If you want things done right, you have to destroy everything your enemy cares about.” Astella turned to the village. “Starting with Gameknight’s dearest friend.” 

Astella looked back at the spider queen. “Go back to your hive, and prepare your troops. There’s no need for you to follow me around. I still have a lot of work to do.” 

“What kind of work?” Shalkute asked. 

Astella looked at her. “I’m going to make you some friends.” 

 

Chapter Six

Back Again

 

Tommy awoke to the loud sound of his alarm clock. He scrambled out of bed, desperate to turn it off before it woke up anyone. 

Once he turned it off, he put on a warm jacket. It always got cold in the basement, especially at night. 

He crept downstairs, careful to not wake up his parents. 

Silently he got to the stairs that led to the basement. They were dark, almost like a menacing cave warning you to go back. But Tommy didn’t go back. He kept going. 

He opened the basement door, and stopped. 

He wasn’t the only one in the room. His sister was also there, already logged into Minecraft, the digitizer ready. 

Tommy shut the basement door and spoke. “Jenny, what are you doing here?”

 Jenny jumped at hearing his voice. But then she said, “I’m going with you.” 

“What do you mean?” Tommy asked. 

“I heard your conversation with Dad. So I want to go into Minecraft with you, one last time.” 

“You got the digitizer on? I thought Dad deactivated it.” 

“No,” said Jenny. “He was going to do that in the morning, before he left.”

 “I can’t have you coming with me,” said Tommy pushing past her to another computer. 

“Why not?” she asked. 

“Because . . .” 

Jenny waited for an answer. She never got it. “The monster kings are gone. There’s no threat anymore.” 

“Well, remember the last time you went in? The digitizer overheated. What would we do if that happens? No one would be able to get us out. Dad could, but that won’t be until six. That’s in six hours.” 

“Yeah, but what if it doesn’t overheat?” asked Jenny. “I want to say goodbye too.” 

“No,” said Tommy. 

Jenny sighed. 

Then suddenly she ran to the digitizer and pushed the button, and stood in front of the light. 

“No,” Tommy yelled. 

But it was too late. 

His sister was enveloped in the bright white light, and was gone as the light faded. 

Tommy growled. “That little irresponsible brat,” he said aloud to no one. 

Then he sighed. I’ll have to go get her again, he thought. I don’t want to do that. Then Tommy thought about it. But I want to say hi to my friends before Dad shuts down the digitizer. 

Tommy sighed again. 

Then he stood in front of the digitizer, and pushed the button. 

There was a loud buzzing sound. Then the familiar shaft of light shot out of the digitizer. It wrapped him in a painful embrace. He felt freezing cold and burning hot at the same time. Then the room started spinning around like he was in a massive whirlwind. And then, Tommy’s world went black.

 

Chapter Seven

1. F. F.

(Minecraft Friends Forever)

 

Gameknight999 woke up in a bed. He sat up and looked at his surroundings. He was in a wood room, with a birch door to the outside. There were glass windows wrapping around the room, spaced 2 blocks apart each. 

Someone was standing near the window next to Gameknight’s bed. She turned around. It was Gameknight’s sister, Monet113. 

“You’re awake,” she said. 

“I’m aware of that,” said Gameknight. 

“I woke up earlier than you, so I had to carry you here,” she said. 

Gameknight scowled and then lost his temper. “WHY DID YOU COME IN HERE!” he shouted. “THIS IS WHY I CAN’T TRUST YOU WITH RESPONSIBILITY!” 

Monet looked down. “I just wanted to say goodbye, you can understand that.”  

Gameknight scowled. “I always have to pick up after your messes. I always have to fix things because of your impulsive attitude. This is basically deja vu since your used the digitizer the first time!” 

“But . . .” Monet tried to say, but was cut off. 

“You’re going back home right this instant. You can always say goodbye through the game Minecraft.”

 Monet didn’t move. 

Gameknight growled. “Go home now!” he snapped. 

Then, for the first time, he noticed his sister’s face. She looked like she was about to cry.

  Gameknight sighed. “Well, we’re already in here, so you might as well stay.” 

Monet113 gave her brother a big hug. “I won’t let you down,” she said. “You won’t regret this.” 

“I already do,” Gameknight said, looking up at the ceiling. 

Monet just smiled. “Now come on,” she said. “There’s someone who wants to really see you.” 

Gameknight brightened a bit. “Let me guess . . .” he started to say, but was interrupted when the door burst open, and he was embraced in another big hug. 

It was Herder. He smiled up at Gameknight. Gameknight couldn’t help but give a big smile back. 

“Gameknight, I’m so happy that you’re back.  You’ve been gone forever.” 

“I’m glad to see you too,” Gameknight999 replied. “It has felt like forever.” 

“Crafter wants to see you,” said Herder. 

“Crafter?” asked Gameknight, excited.” 

Herder nodded. “Come on,” he said, opening the door. 

Gameknight999 looked back at Monet. “You go on ahead. I already said hi to everyone,” she said.

Gameknight smiled, then went with Herder.

They headed down the bustling streets of the village, until they arrived at the cobblestone watchtower. They entered into the stone building, and moved into the far corner of the floor. Herder pulled out a stone pickaxe and hit the cobblestone block, and with three quick hits, the entrance to the crafting chamber was revealed. Gameknight and Herder stepped onto the ladder, and climbed down into the tunnel. They walked through the torch-lit tunnel quietly.

In a few minutes, they reached the end, and walked into a large chamber. At the far end of the chamber, there were two iron doors, the entrance to crafting chamber. They walked up to the iron doors and banged on them. The doors creaked open, and they walked into loud chamber.

It was a complicated maze of minecart tracks, swerving around clusters of crafting benches and chests, each with an NPC standing by them, crafting. Then they’d put their creations into the nearest minecart, and once it was full, pushed them down the tracks, which eventually went to the next crafting chambers in the other villages. 

Looking around Gameknight spotted Crafter in the middle of the chamber, his black smock distinctly showing that he was important, being the Crafter. 

“CRAFTER!” Gameknight shouted over the cacophony. 

The young boy turned around and his bright blue eyes found Gameknight in the misds of the chaos. Crafter ran towards Gameknight999 dogging NPCs in his haste to get to his friend. Crafter stopped in front of Gameknight and smiled. 

“Hello, it’s wonderful to see you again.”

“You too,” Gameknight replied. “Wow, you’ve changed since the last time I’ve seen you,” said Gameknight, impressed. 

His friend looked older, and more mature. He had the look of a teenage boy, now about Gameknight’s age. 

“I suppose I have changed a bit,” Crafter said, smiling. 

“HEY, GAMEKNIGHT!” A mass of curly red hair appeared from the room at the top of the stairs. “Don’t think that I’ve haven’t waited for my greeting,” she said. 

It was Hunter. 

She bounded down the steps, two at a time. “You should have come back sooner,” she said as she walked over. 

“Sorry,” said Gameknight. “With all my schoolwork, it’s kinda hard to find free time. I’ll try better next time . . .” 

Then Gameknight’s face fell. Crafter, Hunter and Herder looked at him, concerned. 

“What’s wrong Gameknight?” Herder asked. 

“This is my last time I can come into Minecraft using the Gateway of Light,” Gameknight999 said, sadness washing over his face. 

“WHAT!?” yelled the three friends. 

Gameknight nodded. “It’s true,” he said. “My dad doesn’t want me to take risks anymore. So he banned me from using the digitizer. But I came in here, one last time, before he shuts it down.” 

Gameknight looked down at the ground. “Monet, I’m guessing, never told you.”

 Crafter shook his head. Then put a hand on his friends back. “It means a lot to us that you came in here, without permission, just to say goodbye.” 

Gameknight smiled a little. 

“If you’re going to be in here one last time, we might as well make the best of it,” said Hunter. 

Gameknight’s smile widened. 

“Let’s have some fun,” said Hunter. “The last visit of the User-that-is-not-a-user.” 

Gameknight laughed. “Thank you,” he said. 

“Don’t mention it,” Hunter replied. 

The four friends walked away talking, and catching up. 

But what they didn’t notice, was the lone girl NPC in the corner, watching silently. 

“So, this is Gameknight’s last time in Minecraft.” The girl smiled evilly. “Looks like I’ll have to put my plan into action before he leaves.” 

Then she disappeared into thin air, with her precious information. 

She appeared outside the village, and on top of the tallest tree, but made sure to be hidden out of sight from the Watchers. 

With a small red glow, Astella turned back into her normal self. 

“It’s time to do a little crafting I think,” she said. Then she laughed a laugh filled with so much evil that the trees themselves wanted to flee.

 

Chapter Eight

The New Zombie King

 

Astella looked around. She saw the glowing lava, and the cool, blue water. 

This was it. 

The entrance to Zombie-town. 

She looked around for the block that would let her in. She saw it instantly, a single stone block against the flat wall. She moved towards it, placed her hand on it, and pushed. There was a loud click, then the stone wall swung open.
In front of Astella was a long tunnel, the end illuminated with a green glow. Astella ran forward into the passage. 

As she ran, she could she the end of the tunnel growing closer. She reached the end of the corridor and looked around. 

She was in a massive room, big enough to fit at least twelve NPC villages. Around her where a whole bunch of small homes, each one built out of multiple blocks. Blocks that only an enderman could gather. She could see a clearing in the center of the chamber, with an obsidian platform. That’s where she wanted to go. 

She teleported to the platform and stepped onto it. There was another zombie on it, the leader of the community. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, “OI, YOU LANGERS. LISTEN UP!” She smiled. I always wanted to do that, she thought. 

All zombies turned to Astella. The clan leader glared at Astella, claws ready.  

“A user!” it exclaimed. “You aren’t in control here. I am. And you’re not welcome here.” Then it lunged at her, claws at the ready. Before the zombie reached her, Astella teleported away, behind him, making the zombie slam into a stone wall. 

“You’ve got spunk, I like that,” said Astella, smirking as the zombie peeled itself from the wall. It looked at her for a second, and then spoke. “How interesting,” it growled. “How do you have such a power as Herobrine?” 

Astella looked at the zombie, rolled her eyes, then let them glow white. All the other zombies in the room gasped and bowed. 

Astella smiled, letting her eyes fade back to their regular color. “I’m Herobrine’s  daughter, Astella, in case you didn’t know” 

“This zombie apologizes. Ur-San didn’t know you were the Maker’s daughter.” 

Astella shrugged. “Don’t worry about it,” said Astella, cheerfully. Then lowered her voice. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t recognize me.” 

She smiled and raised her voice. “So, I’m guessing you’re Ur-San, the leader of this community?” 

Ur-San nodded his sickly green head. “That’s correct,” he said.  

“Okay,” said Astella, nodding. “So, the reason I’m here is that I’m making an army of monsters. I’m doing it to get revenge on Gameknight999 for destroying my dad. It turns out that this is my last chance of being able to avenge him, because it turns out, he’s not coming back in the game.” 

The zombies gasped, but Astella didn’t care. “So, do you want to be part of the revolution?” 

 “Ur-San would do anything to avenge the Maker.”

 “Excellent,” said Astella clapping. “The only thing is, we need a new zombie king. Since that last on, Xa-Tul was such an idiot, I need one with brains.” 

Astella looked at Ur-San and then smiled.  

“ I know that you have what it takes. But first, we need to upgrade you.” 

Astella looked around. She pointed at seven zombies standing around the stage. “You there,” she called. “Come up here.” The zombies glanced nervously at Astella, but obeyed. Astella flashed Ur-San a smile. 

“Okay, get ready.” 

Suddenly Astella drew her sword, and slashed out at the zombies near her. She attacked with such ferocity that the zombies couldn’t fight back. The monsters fell, their HP almost at zero. Then Astella did the same to Ur-San. 

“W-what?” asked the monster, scared for his life. “What is it that you are doing?”

“Don’t worry, this won’t hurt,” Astella said. Then, dropping her sword she drew her crafting powers and started to change the computer code that ruled these monsters. Astella’s hands glowed with a red light as she kept working. She looked down and started to see the code change, transforming the monsters into something new. And dangerous. The eight zombies combined, merging into one big one. Longer, thicker arms and legs. A gigantic torso, muscles bulging. She took some diamonds out of her inventory and laid them across her creation. The diamonds attached to the creature, coating him. Then giving it one finally touch, she finished her creation. 

She stepped back, the color from her hands fading, to see her work. The creature stood up, looking at Astella in awe and wonder. 

“This is most unusual,” said the zombie, for you see, it was still Ur-San, only more powerful. 

He had a giant coat of diamond armor, covering his entire rotting body. It was about three times the size of a normal zombie, and its claws were extended out in front of its hands, each looking like a mini sword. 

Ur-San looked at Astella, marvoling. “Ur-San will be honored to be the new zombie king.”

“Hold on a second,” said Astella. “Your name isn’t Ur-San anymore. I promote you to Yut-San.” 

Yut-San nodded. Astella smiled up at the new zombie king. “I’m going to give you a gift, something that will perfect you,” she said. Then out of her inventory, she produced a golden crow of claws. The same one, that the previous zombie king used to wear, preventing him from burning in the sun.  

“That’s impossible,” said Yut-San. “It was destroyed when he died.” 

Astella shook her head. “I managed to snatch it before the Xa-Tul died, with that traitor of an enderman king. I now give it to you, as a symbol of your true calling.” 

Yut-San took it from her, and placed it on his rotting head. 

Astella nodded. Her creation was finished. 

Then Astella looked out at all the zombies in the cavern, looking up at her. 

“Be prepared,” shouted Astella. “If we want to destroy Gameknight, then we have to be ready. I want two hundred zombies at my hand right now!” 

Her voice echoed all throughout the cavern, making the zombies look at Astella with fear. 

Then Astella smiled sweetly at Yut-San. 

“Or whenever you can.”

 

Chapter Nine

More Suspicions

 

Gameknight was overwhelmed with greetings. 

Everyone knew who Gameknight was, the hero who saved all of their lives multiple times. 

Monet113 walked by him grumbling, “I wish I had that many people who worship me,” but Gameknight999 didn’t say anything to her. 

Suddenly, one of the Watchers on the tower suddenly banged on a piece of armor with their sword. “Open the gates!” he shouted. 

While the metal doors slowly opened, everyone crowded around to see the reason, Gameknight pushing his way to the front, Crafter alongside him. As they fought their way to the front, a lone figure walked into the village. 

It was a young girl, around the age of Crafter. 

“Who are you?” asked Gameknight.

The girl looked up, and Gameknight couldn’t help but notice her eyes. Sea-green, with patches of silver here and there. 

He’d never seen a villager with eyes such as those. 

In fact, he’d never seen a villager like her at all.

She had blonde hair that reached down to her waist. She was wearing a really strange smock. In fact, Gameknight999 didn’t even think it was a smock. She wore a lime-green glittiry shirt with a silvery strip running diagonally across it. She had a small black jacket that she wore over her shirt, to cover up her shoulders. She had on blue jeans that went to her ankles and she was wearing black high-heels. 

“Hi,” she said brightly. 

“Er, hi,” Gameknight999 said, still stunned by her appearance. 

He looked over at Crafter and found his friend looking at her, mouth agape. He nudged Crafter in the shoulder, which snapped him into his senses. 

“H-Hi,” he said nervously. “I’m Crafter, who are you?” 

The girl looked at him gave him a flashy smile. “I’m known as Fisher,” she said.

“Fisher?” asked someone. 

It was Hunter. 

“I remember you,” she said. 

All the other villagers looked at her. 

“Wait, you’ve met her before?” asked Crafter.

 Hunter nodded. “I was out hunting, and suddenly she was right there,” said Hunter. 

“I asked her name, and I offered her a place in our village, but she refused. I was about to go after her, but when I looked for her, she just disappeared.” 

Hunter looked at Fisher. 

Fisher shrugged. “I told you I walk fast,” she said. 

Gameknight999 looked at Fisher. “Since when was there a villager called Fisher? I’ve never heard of someone like that.”

“That’s what I asked too,” said Hunter. “What’s your skill?” 

Fisher smiled down at Hunter. “I’m named for my task. I sing. I’m meant to entertain other villagers and users. It’s a new thing that the developers of Minecraft have been working on. I’m the only one created so far, but they’ll be making more.” 

“What’s with the outfit?” asked one of the villagers in the crowd. 

“Another thing that the developers are trying out. They want to make us Fishers . . .different.” 

“So, why are you here?” asked Hunter. “Don’t you live in an ocean village?” 

Fisher looked down at the ground. “Not anymore,” she said. 

“What do you mean?” asked Crafter. 

“My village was destroyed,” she said. 

“What?” snapped Gameknight. “Is this true?” 

Fisher nodded. “I should probably tell this to only a couple of people,” said Fisher. “It’s bad.” 

She looked at Crafter. “Do you know where we can talk?” she asked. 

“Yes, in a tower in the crafting chamber, but Gameknight999 should probably come along.”

She looked at Gameknight. “Why?” she asked. “He’s a user. He wouldn’t understand.” 

“Look at the server thread,” Crafter suggested. 

Fisher looked up high, confused at first, but then she realized who was in front of her. Lowering her eyes, she looked at Gameknight, and for a second, Gameknight though he could see a flash of anger on her face. And it wasn’t ordinary anger. For just a second, he felt so much hatred and malice towards him, that he felt weak. It was something that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

 But it was only for a second. 

“Gameknight are you alright?” asked Crafter.

 Gameknight nodded. “Yeah,” he said. 

He looked back at Fisher. She was looking at him in wonder, knowing the User-that-is-not-a-user was the ultimate hero in Minecraft. There was nothing bad about her. 

Maybe I’m coming down with something, he thought. Can you even do that in Minecraft? 

“W-wow,” she stuttered. “I’m p-pretty sure that the User-that-is-not-a-user will u-understand what I have to say. W-welcome aboard.” 

Then she, Crafter, and Gameknight walked off to the crafting chamber. 

All the other villagers were still in shock of having such an amazing stranger come into their village. 

But there was one person who wasn’t exactly so thrilled. Hunter stood back in the shadows of a nearby building. 

“Who are you really Fisher?” she asked softly to herself. 

“What are you really?”

Suddenly, she saw Fisher turn around. She gave Hunter a wink and smile. 

Hunter recoliced. She knew that smile!

She looked back at Fisher, but she had turned back around, and was talking to Crafter.

Hunter frowned. 

What was going on?

 

Chapter Ten

The ‘Story’

 

The trio arrived in the crafting chamber, loud and full of work. Crafter pointed to the circular room high above the crafting chamber. “Let’s talk up there,” said Crafter. 

Fisher rolled her eyes, and scanned the room.

Man, these guys are idiots, she thought. I want to reveal myself to them super badly, but I’ve got to be patient.

Gameknight started to ascend the steps, Crafter and Fisher close behind. 

They reached the top of the steps and walked into the room. 

Closing the iron doors, Gameknight asked, “So what exactly happened to your village?” 

“It was attacked by monsters,” Fisher lied. 

“Monsters?” asked Crafter. 

Fisher nodded. “They came out from the north, at midnight. The Watchers sounded the alarm, and everyone got to their battle positions. There were a whole bunch of zombies, at least one hundred. We were able to fight them off very easily, and it wasn’t hard. But then that’s when the creeper detonated.” 

Fisher sighed, and took a shaky breath and continued. 

“They came from the back where there were barely any defences. Group after group of spiders and zombies. A bunch of cave spiders, and at least fifty creepers.

“They destroyed your entire village?”

Fisher nodded. “I was the only one who was able to escape. And that was only to tell the story. A big zombie pinned me to the wall. But he didn’t look like the rest of the zombies. He was coated in huge diamond armor, and was wearing a golden crown of claws.”

“What!” Gameknight999 exclaimed, afraid of what he would hear next.

“The zombie leaned down close to me and said, ‘You will report to the other villagers on what is happening to this village. Tell them that I, Yut-San, the new zombie king, will wipe out all the villager scum.’” 

Crafter jumped up to his feet. “A new zombie king?” he asked. “Are you sure?” 

“Yes,” said Fisher. 

Crafter ran blocky fingers through his hair. 

“He also said something else.” 

Crafter looked at her. “What?” 

“He said, ‘If you see the User-that-is-not-a-user, that you have a very special message to deliver to him.’” 

Gameknight frowned. “What is the message?” he asked. 

Fisher looked at him solemnly. “He said, ‘Astella is looking for him, and once she finds him, she will destroy everything he cares about. And when he is overcome with grief, drawing his final breaths, he will take the Gateway of Light, and she will escape into the Physical World and Internet. There, she will punish those pathetic users that think they have so much power, but in truth are scared little kids. She will exact her revenge.’ And then he left me weak and helpless, only being able to watch as the mobs snuffed everyone’s life into nothingness.” 

Crafter started pacing. “Things are far worse that I thought,” he said. “A new zombie king.” 

“Oh, and did I mention there’s a new spider queen?” 

“WHAT!” yelled Crafter.

“Did I forget to mention it?” asked Fisher apologetically. 

“Yes,” said Crafter. “But we shouldn’t focus on that right now. Since there are two new monster leaders, we will now have to fight. I’ll need to speak with the other Crafters.” 

Crafter started to the door, turned around and said, “Gameknight, are you coming?” 

Gameknight looked up. “Yeah, but first there’s something I just don’t get.” 

“Like what?” asked Crafter. 

“Remember the part about my special message? From a girl named Astella? How she wants to take revenge and go with me through the Gateway of Light? Who is she?” 

Fisher bit her lip. Unfortunately, Gameknight999 and Crafter both saw. 

“Fisher . . . what aren’t you telling us?” asked Gameknight999. 

Fisher sighed. “There’s one part I left out, hoping you wouldn’t ask that. But now I suppose I’ll have to tell you.” 

Gameknight looked at her expectantly. “Well, who is she. A monster?” 

“No, she is worse than that I’m afraid. Far worse.” 

Fisher looked at Gameknight. “Do you really want to know?” 

“Yes, I need to know who the real enemy is.” 

“Who is this Astella, you speak of?” asked Crafter, moving to stand by his friend’s side. 

“Okay I’ll tell you,” said Fisher. “Astella is not a monster, user, or villager. She is the daughter of everyone’s nightmares. And a particular nightmare at that. One with harsh, white, glowing eyes, and so much hate that he would destroy everything in his path just to get what he wanted.” 

Fisher faced Gameknight. “You’ve fought him many times, finally outsmarting him by the Great Lava Ocean, where you took the Gateway of Light, where then, your dad smashed all his code, snuffing him into non-existence.” 

Gameknight’s blood turned to ice, his breathing shallow. “No, it can’t be,” he moaned, quivering. 

Fisher nodded. 

“Your true enemy is Astella, the daughter of Herobrine.” 

 

Chapter Eleven

Enemy Revealed

 

Gameknight just sat there in shock. 

No, no, this can’t be happening. Herobrine’s daughter? No, no, no! 

Crafter walked over to Gameknight and put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked. 

“No, I’m not okay,” Gameknight said. “He’s my worst nightmare, and I thought he was gone for good. But now, I find out he has a daughter, who has already created two new monster rulers. She bound to be just like him. What am I going to do?” 

Crafter bit his lip. “Let’s not think . . .” 

“Were you about to say to not think about this?” Gameknight snapped. 

“Because we have to think about this. Don’t you understand? This is a big threat. She’s mad that I killed her dad, and so she’s going to do what he couldn’t do.” 

Fisher watched Gameknight from the corner of the room. Crafter looked back at her for some support, and he thought he saw the faintest of smiles on her lips. But it was gone in an instant. 

She came up to the couple, a look of concern on her face. “Is there anyway I can help?” she asked. 

Gameknight looked up. “No, but thanks for the offer.” 

Fisher looked at him, then shrugged and walked to the iron doors. “I understand that you’ve a lot to . . .um . . . figure out. I’ll just be wandering the village.” She walked out of the room quietly. 

Crafter looked down at Gameknight999. “We should probably tell all the other villagers.” 

Gameknight stood up and nodded. “You’re right.” 

The couple walked out of the room and descended down the stairs without speaking. 

A couple villagers looked at Gameknight with concern, seeing shock and fear on his face. They followed him up and out of crafting chamber, and to the surface. 

Gameknight met in the middle of the town, villagers wondering what was going on. 

Gameknight turned toward the gathered crowd. They looked at him, unsure of what he was going to say. 

Gameknight sighed, not wanting to give the news, but knowing he would. 

“My friends, I’m afraid I have some bad news. There’s a new threat to Minecraft. And it just might be the worst one we’ve had to face.”

The villagers moved closer, uncertainty flowing through them like an inky black cloud. 

“We’re up against Astella, Herobrine’s daughter.”

Instantly the village broke into chaos.

“But how can that be?”

“Is she like her dad, or worse?”

“What are we going to do?”

Gameknight held up his hands for silence. “Quiet! QUIET!” he yelled. “I know that this sounds insane, but . . .”

“How do we know it’s true?” asked Digger. “I mean, we’ve never seen her, and if it’s true, Herobrine certainly never mentioned her.”

“Ahhh . . .” Gameknight didn’t know how to answer.  But suddenly, Hunter stepped up.

“He’s telling the truth, because I’ve seen her.”

The other villagers trained their eyes on her. 

“What?” asked Gameknight.

Hunter glanced around, then spoke. “When I was Malcacoda’s prisoner, they held me inside of the base, before placing me outside. While I was inside, I kept noticing a girl, one with pale yellow hair, and eyes I’ve never seen before. Well, she was never far from Herobrine and the other monster generals. But, one day, she came up to me. She started talking to me. She said her name was, Astella.”

Gameknight was suddenly very interested. “Well, what did she do?”

Hunter continued. “She just came up to me and talked. The monsters always gave her weird looks, and at one point, Erebus even tried to shut her up. She ended up shutting him up instead, but that’s not important. 

“I ignored her at first, but what she had to say was actually really interesting. We almost were friends, but not quite. She visited me everyday, without her dad noticing. It was the fifth day, and while we were visiting, Herobrine walked in on us. Well, she got in a really bad argument with him. You know, that was actually the funniest thing I had ever seen in my life. You wouldn’t believe how sassy she was. She was a strong talker. I never saw Herobrine argue like that. Anyway, after awhile Herobrine glared at me, then told Astella to walk with him. She gave me a look of exasperation, then left with him. 

“Well, that was the day they moved me outside. Astella wasn’t allowed to talk to me anymore. But, wow, that girl has an attitude. When everyone else was busy, or I was during the day, she always snuck up on me, and we continued chatting. And then you came to rescue me, and I never saw her again.”

“But I did,” said Crafter.

All eyes turned towards him.

“While we were escaping with Hunter, I saw a bunch of monsters were coming after us. There were a whole lot, more than I could count. I was going to tell Gameknight, but then a girl suddenly materialized next to the hoard and said something to the leader that I couldn’t hear. The leader gave her a questioning look, and began arguing with her. In the end, the leader stopped the hoard. She . . . saved us. Maybe there isn’t all bad in her heart.”

Gameknight looked thoughtful, but Digger was the one who spoke. “That was before we killed her dad, and every monster general ever created by Herobrine. I don’t think she’d want to save us now.”

Hunter suddenly looked around. “Where’s Fisher?” she asked.

Everyone looked around too. They didn’t see her anywhere. 

Hunter looked back at Gameknight. “Do find that odd?” she asked. Gameknight nodded. “I wonder where she went?” 

They didn’t see Fisher slinking away between the buildings. She laughing quietly.

“Thanks for listening to my story Gameknight,” she said to herself. “That just bought me time to craft.”

 

Chapter Twelve

Whose Bones Are These?

 

Astella appeared in a long, dark tunnel. The floor was uneven, and the farthest Astella could see was two blocks in front of her at a time. 

Astella sighed. “They could have at least put lava somewhere so I could see where I’m going. Seriously, not all people have night vision, ya know.” 

And right as she took one step forward, she tripped and fell flat on her face. She got up, cursing, “Why did the tunnel have to be so uneven!?” 

She continued to walk forward, carefully making sure not to trip. 

Teleporting, she found the end of the corridor. It was a blank wall of gravel with a single cube of stone sticking out of the middle. Astella pushed gently on the block, and could hear stone moving. Then the wall of gravel slid to the side, showing a new passage.

This tunnel was different, the floor and walls were smooth. 

A relieved smile crossed Astella’s face. “Now this is a quality tunnel.” 

She stepped into the new tunnel, which led forward for quite some time. Suddenly it turned to the left, then the right, until it sloped downward steeply. 

Astella took one step on the steep part of the passage, lost her balance, and started to run down the passage to keep from falling. As she went down the tunnel, it kept getting steeper, and she was picking up more speed. She let out screams of terror, but that didn’t stop her feet. 

As she ran, she saw clusters of bones and arrows, and could hear the sound of clattering bones. She was closing in, and closing in fast. 

She could now see a red glow; redstone torches. Among the torches were sparking white fountains, where glittering white HP fountains flowed. Connected to the tunnels were other perpendicular passages, with torches and HP. Skeletons filled the passages, standing around the glowing HP fountains, rejuvenating themselves. 

“MAKE WAY!!!!” Astella yelled out. 

The skeletons looked up and pressed themselves against the wall just in time. She barreled past them, screaming to high heaven. 

She ended up in the gathering chamber that was at the center of the tunnel system. Skeletons glanced up as a rocket came into the room, tripped again, somehow flew up in the air, hit her head on the low ceiling, and fell face first onto an unsuspecting skeleton.

Other skeletons crowded around the crash sight as Astella sat up. 

“That’s gonna leave a mark,” she groaned. 

She opened her eyes, saw that she was sitting on the skeleton (who was face down groaning), gave a shriek, and jumped up. 

“Oh my gosh! Are you okay?” she asked the skeleton. 

“Well, besides just getting hit in the head by a multicolored rocket, I think I’m okay,” the skeleton said, being helped up by Astella.  

Astella was surprised to see that it was a girl, but she shrugged it off. 

And then it was the skeleton’s turn to be surprised. When it glanced at Astella, it’s dark eyes widened. “A user,” she yelled. “There are no users allowed her. Skeletons, get her!”

The skeletons drew their bows, arrows notched. 

“Hold it,” Astella yelled. “No need for violence.” 

The skeleton that Astella had landed on raised a hand, signaling the skeletons to not shoot . . . for now. “Why not?” the skeleton asked. “Who are you?” 

Astella groaned and looked up at the ceiling. “Why does nobody know who I am? First the spiders, then the zombies, and now you. What is wrong with you people?”  

Then she let her eyes glow white. The skeletons gasped. 

“Tada,” she said sarcastically. 

“Why are you here?” asked the skeleton she landed on. “What privilege do we have of having the Maker’s daughter with us?” 

“I’m here for an army. We need our archers. Let’s team up and destroy Gameknight999” 

The skeletons cheered. Astella raised her hands for silence. “But first you need a leader.” 

Astella motioned for four skeletons to come closer. They came, unsure what was happening. She looked at the girl skeleton and grinned. 

When the skeletons were all together, Astella pulled out her sword and brought all five monsters to the brink of destruction. Gathering her crafting powers Astella worked on her newest project. Her hands glowed blood red, looking like freshly spilt blood. As she crafted, the skeletons slowly merged together, forming something new. Minecraft chemistry, Astella always called it. She crafted ribs that arced around the spine. Soon, a blocky torso appeared, then a head. 

When she finished, the creation crept towards a sparkling HP fountain nearby. It drank up the life-giving sparks, giving it strength. As it drank, the creature slowly stood.

Astella gave the new creature a shiny smile, then turned to the other skeletons. 

“This is your new leader,” she said. 

“You have suffered for quite a bit in these passageways,” Astella said in a softer voice, forcing the creatures to draw nearer. 

“You are shackled to these fountains. And then, your privilege of seeing the sky was ripped from you. But, you will see, and live under the blue sky of daylight,” she said in a loud, clear voice. “You have been punished for far too long.” 

Astella pointed to the skeleton queen. “Your commander will lead you, and then, we can finally get revenge on the NPCs and Gameknight!” 

The skeletons cheered. Astella smiled, but then was troubled. 

She turned to the skeleton queen. “Hi,” she said. “Now I know I didn’t ask you if you wanted to be the queen, but I got carried away in the heat of the moment. If you want, I can undo it.” 

“Oh no, don’t undo it. If you undo, I will hit you ‘round the head with my bow.” 

Astella laughed. “See, now she knows humor,” she said to the other skeletons. “Be like that.” 

The skeletons look confused. 

Astella just shrugged and looked up at the queen. “Although, I never asked for your name, what is it?” 

The queen looked confused. “I don’t have one,” she said. “I would be honored to have the Maker’s daughter pick it for me.” 

Astella blushed. “Ah shucks. Okay. I think you look like a . . .” 

The skeletons listened, excited for the name. 

“You’re a Jayden.” 

“I love it,” said Jayden “So what now?” asked Jayden. 

“Now, you go gather all your forces. Or at least half of them, I don’t care as long as we have our archers.” 

Jayden nodded. “No problem,” she said, smiling. 

Astella smiled. Everything was going according to plan. She disappeared, leaving her new creation to carry out delivsh orders.

 

Chapter Thirteen

Ashlyn (Get It?)

 

Astella appeared on a ledge overlooking the Great Lava Ocean. The landscape around her was a mixture of reds, oranges, and yellows. Big streams of lava flowed down from the ceiling amid patches of glowstone, and made pools of boiling stone. The ground was made of netherrack, with nether quartz placed once and awhile. 

Astella smiled. She always loved visiting this hot place. 

Concentrating, Astella teleported across the shore of the Great Lava Ocean, looking for what she wanted. 

Then she spotted what she was looking for: a big nether fortress sticking right out of the ocean. Teleporting, she materialized onto a walkway. 

Moving carefully along it, she came to an end abruptly. It stopped at a wall of netherrack and soul sand. 

Most users would have turned around, but Astella didn’t. She knew what her dad had on the other side. 

Stepping up to the wall, Astella closed her eyes and gathered her crafting powers, her hands glowing a blood red. She plunged her hands into the barrier then concentrated. 

Slowly, the wall disappear, revealing the rest of the fortress. The structure stretched out in all directions, far larger than any user of NPC had ever thought. Long raised walkways spanned the landscape, with tall pillars of nether brick holding them aloft. They loomed high above the Nether, some of them intersection through boxy chambers while others stretched straight out into the distance, disappearing in the haze and smoke. At the center of the complex maze of passages sat a giant rectangular structure; all the raised corridors slowly snaked their way to this massive building. 

Astella teleported into the huge square building in the middle of the fortress.

She listened for the familiar robot-like breathing of a blaze. There, behind her was a group of blazes.

Drawing her diamond sword, she lashed out at them, carving deadly strokes in the air. The blazes fell to the floor, almost to the brink of death. 

Using her powers she made a bigger, tougher, powerful blaze. 

As the new creature’s life force stabilized, Astella disappeared, then reappeared an instant later with a bucket full of lava. She poured the boiling stone next to the new blaze. The blazed leaned forward and drank the burning liquid, the molten stone causing its internal flame to grow brighter and hotter, restoring its fiery health. 

As the large blaze became stronger, it stood up and floated over the small pool, continuing to gain strength. 

Now the massive chamber had been filed with the monsters of the Nether. Astella looked up and saw all eyes on her. 

As more monsters moved into the huge chamber, Astella teleported to the pedestal that stood at the center. “Wow, I never expected a crowd.” 

She smiled at the creatures. “But, I suppose a speech is in order for such an occasion.” 

She cleared her throat, preparing to speak, the monsters eager to hear what she had to say. 

Her first words surprised them. 

“Yeah, no. I don’t really do speeches. Again, not my dad.” 

The monsters looked at her, perplexed. 

Astella laughed. “Now, maybe I do pep talks, but if you want to hear me speak, we’ll have to get all the monsters together. And we’re not quite there . . . yet. But we’re close.” 

She smiled her sweetly smile, then glanced over at the new blaze, who now had full HP. “This is your new leader,” Astella announced. “I give you, Ashlyn, queen of blazes and queen of the Nether.” 

The monsters cheered in Ashlyn’s direction. 

Astella looked over at her. “Now, I need you to gather every blaze, ghast, zombie pigman, etc. that you can. We need a big enough army to overpower Gameknight’s. Think you can do that?”

“Yes,” said Ashlyn. “I believe that’s possible.”

“Well, possible is a good sign,” said Astella. “I’ll get you when you’re ready, and bring you to my base. Until then, just collect monsters.”

Ashlyn nodded her flaming head. “I can do that.”

“Great,” said Astella. “See ya soon!” Then Astella disappeared, leaving Ashlyn to prepare for the final plan.