*Author's Note: The first chapter of the story branching from "A Fateful Night" (by me!) is here! I know, I changed the name of the OC, but this is one of my friends. Please note that this story is a Real Life/Minecraft hybrid. People look like people on Earth, and people look like Minecraft people in Minecraft, and it's also in an alternate reality. Some stuff that's impossible in real life is possible here, just like floating dirt! Enjoy and review!*


Kat's Pov

It was night. I could see the sun slowly sinking below the horizon. I pulled some items that I would need from my chest. My full suit of iron armor, with at least one enchantment on each of them, food, a bucket of water in case I finally found some lava, and then my new, prized possession: my diamond pickaxe. I didn't need to know it was magnificent, I had crafted it myself. I only took it because I was serious about this trip. This would be my last trip to the mines, the last one before I sought out The End. I was so close, and nothing was going to stop me.

Or so I thought.

As I headed toward my favored cave among the blocky landscape, something in my peripheral vision caught my eye. Turning to look, I didn't see much of anything until I peered closer, inspecting the landscape. There was a sign on the ground. Did I place a sign down in that spot? I could see some writing on it. I walked closer, suspicious, keeping my mic turned off. I recognized the message all too well.

You are not welcome here.

Great. Don't tell me that jerk is stalking me now. *Sigh* Just leave the sign alone, Kat. Maybe he won't kill you.

I trudged on, heading toward my mine again. I was determined to not let him know I was so scared I was almost shaking. How would he know, though? I'm sitting on this side of the computer screen, there's no way he's going to actually get me. Not the real me, anyway. Cautious as I looked at the edge of my mine, I pulled up my commands. Yeah, I play with cheats, whatever. I typed in the command, and was put into Creative mode after hitting "enter" on the keyboard. There, now he wouldn't be able to kill me in the game. I stepped into the mine, looking around, seeing no mobs. I tched at the sight. He was nearby, oh yeah, definitely. I knew I had it on normal difficulty. Just to be sure, I typed in the command, and continued on my way. Dropping down many levels of the mine, I suddenly came to what I had always called a drop-off. It was a large hole on the ground that went down thirty or so blocks, and had steep cliff-like sides. Carefully, I began placing torches, keeping count of how many I placed, and mined out the blocks specifically to make a four-block tall staircase. Finally reaching the bottom, I saw another sign.

Well, isn't that a surprise. No mobs, yet I have it on normal difficulty. Oh well, what is he telling me this time?

I walked over to the sign. Strangely enough, it was blank. Taking a few deep breaths, I raised my head to see him there. Then he was gone again. I cursed loudly, but I really didn't care if he heard me.

That bastard! I have everything with me right now! Wait… I'm still in creative, so he thought it would be a good idea to approach me, get me scared, then move in for the kill once I'm in survival again. I need a plan… but what?

Using my cheats once again, I showed him I could teleport just like he could. I snickered to myself behind the screen, and eventually teleported home. What I saw made me less than impressed.

Oh boy, another sign.

How are you able to do that?

Surprised, I did a double take. Yep, he was asking me a question. I looked around for him, just in case he was watching from behind a tree or something, but he wasn't there. I was alone as far as I could see. I sensed he was right behind me, but it was just my paranoia from all those videos I saw. I pulled a sign from the creative menu, and placed it down. Pausing for a moment, I thought about what I should say.

I'm not telling you unless you tell me why you are stalking me, and don't even think you're going to be able to kill me. Maybe I will tell you more if you don't corrupt these files.

Satisfied, I clicked "done," and entered my house, using the creative inventory and putting away all my stuff. I went outside and saw him staring at the sign. He was simply just staring at it, so I turned on my mic and yelled into it.

"Hey!"

His gaze snapped onto my character. I knew I had startled him a little, so I giggled silently, and waited for him to say something, watching the chat box. Since he wasn't saying anything, I sighed and began typing, sure he could hear me through my ultra-sensitive mic.

'How long have you been watching me,' I asked in chat.

'Since you began playing these files.' I was surprised he had even replied. 'My code is embedded in these files specifically, by Notch himself. I cannot leave this world, nor can I corrupt it.'

'Perhaps you'd like some help?'

'Not from a mere mortal such as yourself. Especially since you are a girl.'

'How did you know I'm a girl?'

'Your voice.'

'Oh…'

'I much prefer hearing your voice. If it is easier than typing on that thing you call a keyboard, talk into the voice collector instead.'

"Okay… then I will, but it is called a microphone, or mic for short."

'Alright. So, tell me, mortal, why would you help me? I'm sure you know I'm evil.'

"Of course I know that. I have a name you know."

'I do not care for names, except my own. My name is—'

"Herobrine."

He stopped for a moment. After a few minutes, he said, 'What?'

"Your name is Herobrine. At least, that's what everyone calls you. Some people with different accents say it differently."

'You say it so matter-of-factly. Perhaps you mortals are not what I thought you were.'

"So your name isn't Herobrine?"

'It is. How well am I known?'

"You have a fanbase, and there are girls who are crazy over you."

'A fanbase?'

"You wouldn't understand it, living in the world of Minecraft."

'How about you tell me about this world of yours?'

"About Earth? Oh jeez, where would I start?"

'I want to learn.'

"That's not something I ever thought I would hear someone say…"

'You didn't hear my voice.'

"Whatever, I just… this is kinda scary for me. I know I'm in creative, but… you're Herobrine, the urban legend thought to be fake! Yet, here you are…"

I sighed and asked him to wait a moment while I pulled up the internet and did some research on my region of the world. I told him everything I could, and he was silent, listening to everything I said. When I finished, he walked up close to my avatar in the game, as if inspecting it.

'Sounds amazing… what does respawn there feel like?'

"There is no respawn here. Once someone dies, that's it… they don't come back to life or respawn or anything like that."

'Oh. So I'd have to restrain myself.'

"You could see me and a little of my house if I had a camera, and if I could put the pictures in the game…"

'You think of this as a game?'

"That's how all players see it, usually."

'I want to see the real you,' he commanded.

"That's very rude."

'I don't care, mortal.'

"I have a name, you know! Maybe you could ask me what my name is!"

I knew he was startled by the sudden anger in my voice. I had had it with him calling me "mortal." I waited until he replied.

'I would like to know your name, then.'

I sighed, thanked him, and said, "My name is Kat. It's nice to meet you, Herobrine."

'Will you show me your world now?'

"You aren't going to kill me, are you?"

'I'll leave all my weapons here.'

I placed down a double chest, and he opened it, taking a while before he closed it. Then he looked at me. I had realized I would need him to put his hand through the screen for me to get him out. Sighing, I explained that to him, and he replied saying it wouldn't be a problem. I saw an incredibly human hand come through the screen, waiting to be taken. I took hold of it and helped him through, until I fell backwards onto the floor, and saw him standing above me, the glow of his eyes the only illumination besides my computer screen, and the low lights I usually kept on while playing. His gaze wandered, so I took the chance to stand up and give him some space. After a moment, his gaze settled directly on me. I shivered, and I saw the glow dim a bit.

"You are Kat?"

I nodded, too surprised by the deep, almost rumbling, smooth baritone of his voice. He gave a slight nod and I went to ask something, but the question caught in my throat from fear.

"You are afraid of me. I have no weapons, Kat. Your fear is misplaced, I believe."

"But you're supposed to be incredibly strong. I can see your muscles through your shirt. You could easily snap my neck! I'm terrified!"

A soft hum came from him as he tilted his head in thought, holding one side of his face with his hand. I could see a tooth-baring smile slowly spread across his face.

"While that is possible for me to do, I do not think I will. You are pretty."

I felt my face heat up slightly. He had just called me pretty! Seriously!? Pretty? I was about to reply when he continued.

"You remind me of… a girl I once knew. One who broke my heart, but I got her back for it… I wonder, are you any different from her?"

"Each of us humans are unique. I'm sure I'm much different."

"Understood… I am going to take a look around this house of yours. I will not touch anything."

"Would you like to take a shower?"

"A shower sounds refreshing."

I told him where the bathroom was upstairs, and the thanked me as he strode off, and I noticed a small diamond dagger at his waist as he climbed the stairs. I nearly fainted from the fact he was him, and yet still hadn't killed me. He always had weapons with him, there was no way to know if he would kill me or not. I flopped back down in my gaming chair and held my face in my hands. I let myself tremble, having tensed all my muscles after pulling him through. I heard him coming down the stairs after about an hour, and looked up to see him much cleaner. I forced a small smile, but he knew I was faking it. He bent to be eye level with me, his white eyes staring at my blue ones.

"So, Kat," he began softly, "why don't you tell me about this little plan of yours," he asked, placing his finger on a folded piece of paper labeled "Plan for Herobrine trouble."

I gulped, nervous, and took a deep breath. I picked up the paper, and found the dagger to my throat, and became like a statue. I opened the paper slowly, and began reading about signs that may make one wonder if Herobrine was in their world. I felt the dagger move away when I became more tense, but press closer when I relaxed even the slightest bit. When I finished, I was nearly crying from fear, and the dagger moved away.

"I never thought you liked me. I don't know how to feel now, guilty, or or grateful that I know how to tug your little heartstrings."

"You could feel guilty and please don't kill me!"

I covered my head, shaking now, and I felt a gentle hand placed on my shoulder.

"Good idea, Kat."

I was surprised, and tried to discern emotions from his face. A warm smile was plastered on his face, but I couldn't tell if it was sincere or fake. I scooted away from him, and nodded, thanking him for telling me "good idea."

"I won't be able to sleep unless I know you're serious…"

"Serious about what?"

"Feeling guilty and not wanting to kill me."

"Then how's this…"

I felt him place the dagger in my hands, and press his palm to my collarbone. A jolt of energy flowed through me, making me shake.

"What was that?"

"Immortality. I like you, Kat. Let's rule Minecraft and Earth together, shall we?"

"C-could I think about it?"

"It was in your plan, wasn't it? Come on, I know you want to. You'll be like my… advisor, how does that sound?"

I stared at him, shaking. When I didn't answer, he began staring back, becoming angry. He grabbed my wrist, and pulled me into my computer. I saw the blocky world around me, but then I felt like we teleported, and the heat of the new atmosphere made me look around. We were in the Nether. Ghasts looked at us from high above, wondering what we were. I suddenly remembered he was dragging me along, and began to struggle. His grip was too strong, however, and I felt like we teleported again, and found myself in the air. I hit a wall, and went unconscious.

I woke to find myself in a cell made of obsidian, blocked off by iron bars. I felt the obsidian, and was sure this place no longer worked like the game. I saw him leaning comfortably against a wall with a scowl on his face, on the other side of the bars. I became terrified, and realized I wasn't feeling very well. I held my stomach, and looked up at him, tears forming in my eyes. I turned away and cried, and heard him sigh, then two iron bars being broken. I began trembling, crying harder, even though I was a grown woman, I was simply terrified.

"P-please don't hurt me, or kill me… or torture me, Herobrine… I know you take joy in that sort of stuff, but please… I live alone…"

"You don't have to," he said, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. "Become my advisor and rule over Minecraft with me. You'll be powerful, and become a supernatural being like myself."

"No! I don't want that! I'll have to kill people!"

"In Minecraft, they'll respawn. I'll make sure of it, even if they're playing hardcore. I'm not going to keep you here as a toy, but I will not take 'no' for an answer. You will be staying here until you agree to become my advisor."

"Get away from me," I muttered. "I'm never becoming your advisor."

His hand moved away, and he left me in the cell, alone. I didn't spare him a glance, but he left me with a warning before leaving my cell completely.

"I have many abilities at my disposal, Kat. Don't make me force you into becoming my advisor."

I trembled from anger and fear, mostly my fear of him. What had I gotten myself into?