Review Replies:

DaFlameDF: jgkjdagkjga, thank youuu!

Northern Goshawk: Honestly? It was 'cause of this review that I was finally able to get off my butt and write this. So thank you ::)

BananaMoe21: *proceeds to not update for seven months* T^T

SicklyGrimReapersHugs: Thank youuu! I hope you're still willing to stick around, despite me being gone for so long

Dad: Sorry for not updating for so long T^T I really, really didn't want to abandon this and I thankfully haven't. I hope you enjoy ::)

toxic wolf: Thank you!

jessicanightmarewolf: I think I PMed you saying I was okay? I can't remember T^T Sorry if I didn't. But I am okay! I have a really stressful December, but otherwise it was mostly just... me struggling to write XXD I was finally able to get back into it!

Aw: It's still alive! And there's an MCSM Unofficial Discord where all the fans have gathered, so a lot of content gets posted there if you're interested.

ChibotleKentucky: College is kinda boring, honestly XXD Mostly 'cause I'm still in a level that's not challenging me. But thankfully I'll be in level 3 next year! Thank you for asking

ChoyofBonk: Thank youu! Decibels is honestly such an amazing story. It's okay if you don't update it again (although I think I would start squealing excitedly if you did). Thank you for blessing us with it to begin with!

ASL: Now

TheDragonTale: Honestly, that is so so close to what's actually going on! / Oh my god, that honestly means so much. Thank you T^T I'm really happy that you enjoy my story so much! / I turned 18 in December, which is weird kjgkjdakj I Be Adult Now. / I'm actually writing a book! Have been for a few years now, I just keep rewritting it XXD Hopefully I'll be able to publish it one day.

BookLover21213: Sorry it's been so long T^T I hope you're still interested. I try to update every Friday!

Roar: *sad Nurm noises*

Potato: And now it's been seven months T^T So sorry for taking so long. Thank you! I hope you enjoy the chapter, if you're still reading ::)

Happygoluckymegami: Same XXD

TheSparklyKitten: Hehehe, same

TheAmberShadow: Oh, yeah, they definitely won't XXD / Drama llamaaaa / Lukas is the only sane one, honestly jkjgd / Stella's a Big Ole Stereotype / Hehehe, yeah / Clocks probably were working when they played Release, but I wrote it so long ago I can never be sure ::/ / Thank you! So sorry this took so long T^T

Diana-the-Parakeet-29: I love Dragonhearted / There is gonna be So Much Chaos

ArizaLuca: Hehehehe, valid / Only took me seven months T^T

AquaEclipse: I love Magnus XXD / Lluna is amazing and deserves better.

Cyfallist: Thank you!

I dunno if many people are still reading, but... if you are, then thank you ::) I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I'm going to try and get back into updating more regularly.


Movie Mode

Episode Ten: Giant Consequences

Part One Hundred and Ten: Frostbitten


"Ow- ow-"

"Alright, that's enough."

Ivor pulled back, letting Sparklez drop his shirt back down with a grimace. The potionologist's brow was creased deeply and he was chewing thoughtfully on the inside of his cheek. Dan glanced between him and Sparklez.

"... Ah… any improvements?"

"No."

"Ah."

Ivor sighed, "You said your legs were numb?"

"Not… numb numb," Sparklez murmured, settling back down on the couch and shooting Anthony a grateful look when he put a blanket around him, "Just… weirdly tingly. Like pins and needles, almost. And I can't move them well."

Ivor was silent for a thoughtful moment, before turning to look at Ellegaard and Harper, "Do you two think you could possibly build me an x-ray?"

Ellegaard and Harper glanced at each other.

"An x-ray?" Ellegaard hummed, "I don't see why not. We can get a start on it after lunch, if you want."

"Yeah," Harper nodded, "We can do that."

"Good… it should help. Thank you."

Ellegaard's lips twitched slightly- Ivor almost never used to say thank you. Harper just smiled warmly.

"We ready to continue, then?" Aiden asked. Ivor considered this, then glanced at Sparklez and Stacy.

"Would you two like some painkillers first?"

"Uh… yes, please," Stacy said. She was a bit sickly looking. Lizze gently squeezed her hand.

Ivor went and got them some painkillers, which they both took gratefully. There was a small flurry where everyone's injuries were given a quick check, as lunch was handed out to everyone (Ivor made sure Jessi had something that her stomach could handle; Romeo just glared when he was offered and no one asked again) and a few painkillers were dished out to those that still needed them- Jesse was fine, in a way, although his arm was still dead and numb and heavy. Nurm insisted Jack take some, since he'd been pale for a while now, which was understandable, considering the chunk of flesh missing from his leg.

Radar accepted his own painkillers with a quiet 'thank you.' His hand hovered over his bandaged face briefly. He was starting to wonder if they'd be able to save his eye.

Jesse took his hand and squeezed it quietly.

"Alright, alright, will everyone sit down now," Magnus moaned, as though he hadn't just spent fifteen minutes checking up on Axel and Olivia, "We continuing or what?"

Ellegaard scoffed quietly, letting him lean into her, "You're so impatient."

"Oh, you love me."

She rolled her eyes slightly, but didn't deny it. Magnus smiled.

Someone pressed play, and the screen came back on. Snow fell from the dark sky in flakes of white, drifting in a gentle dance. The screen panned down, following the swerving path of these flakes, into a small crevice between two hills. The group were making their way through it, treading carefully on a frozen river, with Jesse leading the way by the light of his torch.

Lluna bleated; it echoed loudly within the crevice and Radar nearly jump out of his skin with a startled yell. He slipped on the ice, arms pin-wheeling in an attempt to keep his balance, and bumped into Jack. The adventurer steadied him with a blink.

"Uh… you okay, Radar?"

The real Radar went red in the face- what you could see of his face, anyway, considering half of it was covered in bandages. Harper rubbed his back.

"Yes!" Radar hastily assured, going a little pink himself, "Yes. Totally fine."

"Guys, shh," Jesse shushed them, glancing over his shoulder, "We need to keep an eye…" he looked forward again and trailed off, his eyes going wide, "Whoa…"

Their eyes tilted upwards as the frozen river came to an end like an icy pathway, rising up and up and up to the frigid tower looming high into the glitching night sky. A fountain marked its front, and floating spires twisted on either side of it, leaking turquoise waterfalls that almost seemed to glow within the night. Lights sparkled amongst the falling snow, gleaming off the ice of the tower. It was bright and it was beautiful and right in the centre, almost minuscule compared to the vastness of its enclosure, was the clock. Tick, tick, ticking to no avail.

"Oh my god," Maya whispered, jaw slack. Gill froze in the middle of drinking his juice box. Even the Old Builders looked stunned. Anthony swallowed, but found his mouth dry. Xara pressed her lips into a thin line.

"I'm… actually kind of speechless right now," Jack admitted, almost sounding awe-struck. Petra nodded absently, eyes wide.

"Man… and it's all ice?"

Vos chuckled, "Astounding, I know."

"It looks like the sort of buildings I've always dreamt of building," Stella sighed, a wide grin on her face. Lukas blinked and pointed upwards.

"Hey, found the clock."

They all turned to look at it. Certainly far, far too high for any of them to reach properly.

"I have a bad feeling about this…" Slab muttered.

"Oh, perfect," said Petra, raising her eyebrows, "But… how are we gonna get up there?"

"Well," Jesse said, thoughtfully, and began to lead them towards the tower, "The Admin mentioned 'challenges.' I'm guessing there's gonna be, like, obstacles or something when we get there."

Gill winced, "Sounds about right…"

"Wait," Stella cut in, her perfect brow creasing, "Do I have this right? Are you telling me that this 'Admin' is so powerful that he built all of this instantly?"

Xara clenched her jaw. Romeo hid his twitching lips.

"You sound almost jealous," Radar said, his own lips twitching in a small grin. Stella shot him a scalding look.

"Almost? Of course I'm jealous of power like that. Power is how the world is run, little man."

"That's a… bleak way to look at things," Stampy mumbled. Hadrian grunted.

"Is she wrong?"

No one said anything to that.

"It's what people respect," Stella continued, either ignoring or not noticing the frown Jack shot her, "What they listen to."

Jesse shook his head, brow creasing, "That's not how my world works, Stella. There are more important things than who has the most power."

"That's rather naive of you," Mevia hummed quietly, although surprisingly not all that unkindly. Jesse frowned, absently rubbing his numb arm. Nell looked down.

"Huh," Stella didn't quite glare at him, but her face was hard and unkind, "I wonder who he would agree with."

"Exactly," Stella smirked. Nurm pulled a small face at her.

Onscreen, Radar shook his head, something like a scowl crossing his face, "Oh, Stella, you'll never change…"

Axel blinked, "You two know each other?"

Stella peered at Radar; he shrunk away slightly, hiding against Harper's side.

"Ohh," said Stella, her eyes widening in recognition, "I thought I recognised you! You're the quitter who used to work on my inventory management team!"

Radar stiffened slightly; Jesse came to a stop, turning to look at them, startled.

"Wait, wait, do you two know each other?"

"Uh… yeah," Radar winced, twisting his fingers and hunching his shoulders, "I, uh… I used to live in Champion City…"

"What?" Jesse blinked, then frowned.

"Wait, you used to live in Champion City?" Aiden asked. Radar shrunk in on himself slightly, but nodded reluctantly.

"Yeah…"

"But aren't the people living there, like, there 'cause Stella has them stuck in some kind of deal?" Gill asked. Stella shot him a harsh look.

"That is not how I run my city, thank you very much."

"I was born there," Radar mumbled, "So, um… thankfully not."

Stella huffed. Jesse rubbed his shoulder with his good hand, relieved that he hadn't been there entirely against his will.

"I don't know what he told you to get on this little team," Stella leaned closer to him, lowering her voice, "But I don't think he even knows how to use a sword."

The real Radar went pink again. Harper and Ivor glanced at each other. Maybe they should make sure he knew how to use something, if that was the case… the world was far too dangerous not to know how to defend yourself at least somewhat.

"Oh, you don't know anything, Stella, so… zip it," Radar said, glaring at her, but it was a small glare and he was still hunched in on himself. Stella's lips twitched, amused.

"Oooh, how do you put up with that little voice of his, Jesse? I know I never could."

Jack's face hardened, clearly irritated with her. Jesse shook his head.

"Not everyone needs to know how to swing a sword, Stella. Radar has a lot of his own skills."

"Yeah!" Radar exclaimed, a rather relieved look crossing his face. He leaned a bit closer to his boss, lowering his voice gratefully, "Thanks, Jesse."

Jessi's lips twitched into a tiny, tiny smile. It fell, her chest clenching anxiously, when she realised Ivor was looking at her. She stiffened. After a moment, he reached over and carefully nudged her untouched plate of food towards her, shooting her a small look.

Eat.

She twisted her fingers, the scars on her knuckles stark against her skin. She reluctantly ate. A relieved look crossed her brother's face and he smiled.

Stella laughed, "Can't wait to see 'em. I'll call you if the Admin needs to file anything."

Warden rolled his eyes slightly. Honestly, someone like that working for him in the Institute would be nice…

"Come along, Lluna," Stella said, brushing back some of her hair and still chuckling faintly. Lluna bleated and promptly sat down, dumping her rather startled owner into the snow. She trotted onwards and Stella hurried after her with a huff, brushing snow off her armour.

A few of the audience members chuckled. Stella mumbled something about the llama just joking around. The real Lluna snorted.

"Thanks, Jesse," said Radar quietly, turning to him as the others trailed after Stella, "I appreciate that."

"Of course," said the real Jesse. Radar shot him a rather admiring smile.

"I'm not the person she thinks I am anymore," Radar continued, a tad desperately, "I've changed, and I can prove it. I can be different. Braver. If that's what the situation requires… I'll do it."

Lukas shook his head slightly, a bit tiredly, a little bit out of it from the painkillers. He mumbled something, grimacing when it made his healing jaw ache. Soren hushed him, rubbing his shoulder.

"As far as I'm concerned, Radar, you don't need to change," Jesse said, his face softening, "You just be… you."

A somewhat startled look crossed Radar's face. Then it melted into a warm, grateful smile. "See, and that's what makes you one million times the leader she'll ever be."

Jesse chuckled, and the two went to catch up with the others.

Stella rolled her eyes. Anthony gave a small smile.

"Aw. That's sweet."

Harper rubbed Radar's head gently. The boy smiled at her.

The others were standing before the icy tower, looking around; there was no obvious entrance. Lukas whistled, looking up at the tower. It was massive, both in width and height.

"Would you look at that."

"Haven't seen anything that grand since the last time I visited the Overcompensating Builders of E'gesh," Jack murmured admiringly. Vos chuckled, nodding.

"No kidding."

"Overcompensating Builders?" Cassie echoed, raising an eyebrow. Axel glanced at Ellegaard.

"Uh… what does overcompensating mean?"

"You could ask me, you know," Magnus huffed. Axel blinked at him.

"Do you know?"

"... No."

Ellegaard snorted, shaking her head, "It's a pronounced striving to neutralise or conceal a strong but unacceptable character trait by substituting it for an opposite trait."

"Did you just quote the dictionary?" Stampy asked. Ellegaard paused.

"... Perhaps."

Magnus chuckled and kissed her cheek. She swatted at him with a small grin.

Jesse spotted a lever just off to the side. He cocked his head slightly and made his way over. Petra glanced at him and pulled a face.

"Oh, boy, my favourite," she said, tongue dripping with sarcasm, "Mystery levers."

Ivor heaved a sigh, "Wonderful."

Jesse ignored her and flipped it. Almost instantly, the ground began to rumble. His head snapped around. Just in front of them, a large circle in the floor caved in. From it rose a platform of snow and ice and fireworks shot into the air; they burst just beneath the clock in bright sprays of green and purple and white and red.

Xara resisted the urge to roll her eyes, mumbling, "Dramatic idiot."

"Okay…" Jesse said slowly, backing up to where the others were standing in a cluster, "What's going on?"

From the top of the platform, flurries and sparks of ice and snow rose up; a hat, a head, a blue vest. The Snowadmin laughed and waved a stick arm.

"Hello, everyone!" he laughed again, "Please, please, gather around, don't be shy."

The group did so reluctantly, warily. Jesse sighed under his breath.

"Here we go again."

Ohhh, look how…" the Snowadmin might have grimaced, but it was difficult to tell, "Many of you there are. Lovely."

He jumped down from the platform, leaning towards Jesse but not bothering to lower his voice, "Your choice of company… eh… I dunno. I mean, this place is really for the best of the best."

Jack, Petra and Vos frowned slightly, sharing a small glance.

"Not… how do I say this… losers?"

Radar, Lukas and Stella frowned deeply. Stella took a step forward, straightening professionally and offering him a dazzling smile.

"Mr Admin," she cut in, "Mighty sir. I'm Stella. Founder of Champion City. Maybe you've heard of me." She grinned, brushing some hair back. The Snowadmin looked at her with a blank smile and shook his head.

"No. Never." he turned his attention back to Jesse, as Radar stifled a laugh and a scowling Stella crossed her arms, "It's actually perfect, Champion. I can see you all have dreams of greatness. It's… very cute."

Jesse glanced at the others, who shrugged slightly. The Snowadmin continued.

"This construct before you?" he said, "It's meant to see who's worthy of that greatness."

"Of course it is," Gabriel muttered. Petra frowned a little, but shook her head and shot him a reassuring look.

"I'm… sure we'll be fine."

Gabriel just squeezed her shoulder in response.

"Separate the strong… from the weak," the Snowadmin's button mouth twisted into a grin and he leered down at Jesse, "So… we'll see how your little companions do, 'ey?"

Jack growled, "You watch it, Admin."

"Ohh, that's not a good idea," Anthony whispered.

Jesse glared hard at the Snowadmin, his shoulders coiled. Next to him, Petra took a step forward, her jaw clenched and her face twisted.

"Admin, I gotta ask, sorry if it's rude," she growled, "But what gives you the right to do any of this?"

"Um. My near infinite power?" the Snowadmin almost looked amused, although maybe mildly annoyed as well, "I thought that was obvious."

"Like I said, Radar," Stella whispered, shooting the boy a grin; he glared slightly, "Power runs the world."

Cassie pressed her lips into a thin line.

She wasn't wrong, was she?

She glanced at Jessi. Her chest twisted slightly.

… No. No, she wasn't wrong at all.

Jesse's glare had hardened. The Snowadmin noticed and turned back towards him again.

"Oh, come now, don't be like that," he said, "This? This is all for you!"

He gestured up to the tower with a stick hand. Jesse looked over his shoulder at it; the stuck clock ticked to nowhere. The Snowadmin continued.

"New creatures of my own design," he said, "As well as mining fatigue at every turn!"

Soren's eyes narrowed slightly, "New creatures… ?"

"Wouldn't want you cheating, of course," his face darkened slightly, "I don't like rule-breakers."

Warden winced slightly; he knew that quite well. Otto hummed quietly.

"Rules are usually in place for a reason…"

Mevia shot him an exasperated look, "You're agreeing with him? Really, Otto?"

"Oh, I'm just saying."

"It's simple," said the Snowadmin, "You all want to get to that clock, but only the best of the best get to partner up with me in the future."

Jesse and Stella's eyes widened. The Snowadmin's button grin grew larger.

"That could be you!" he said, prodding Jesse's chest slightly. He turned away from them, glancing around at his work. "Cooked this place up just for you. I mean, it's pretty… well, I was going to say 'pretty cool' but with the whole ice motif that just seems like I was going for a lame pun, so… anyway."

"I find lame puns to be quite ice-ellent," said Mevia. Nell giggled. Hadrian groaned loudly.

"Mevia," he said, covering his eyes, "I swear."

"What? I'm just snow-ing my affection for frost-tastic puns."

There were a few other giggles. Nell beamed brightly. Mevia looked quite proud of herself.

"... I hope they keep their heads on," said Jessi, very quietly, "Otherwise they might be sled to the wrong conclusion."

There was a small, startled pause- most people had forgotten she was even there. Then Lukas gave a weak giggle.

"Tha'... Tha' was p'etty goo'..." his words were a little stiff and awkward with his still healing jaw. Jessi went pink and ducked her head. Harper gently ruffled her hair with a smile. Jesse squeezed her hand.

"I'm here to save my town," Jesse declared. The Snowadmin's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Well, of course you are!" he said, sounding vaguely irritated. Then his voice brightened. "Because you're a hero!" he laughed, and Jesse frowned, "It's awesome!"

Ivor hummed, frowning uneasily, "He's giving me the creeps."

"He's got an odd obsession with heroes," Harper muttered. Jesse leaned into her side quietly.

He just hoped none of his friends got hurt.

"Ohh ho ho," the Snowadmin grinned, beginning to back away from the group, "I am just ecstatic that you see things my way. Thrilled!"

"I- what? We didn't agree with anything you said!" Petra protested, scowling. Gabriel frowned.

"It's almost like he didn't even hear you."

The Snowadmin laughed again and spun around, "So," he glanced over his shoulder at the group, "How about we get this show on the road?"

"No, thanks," Cassie muttered.

It looked like he was targeting the 'weak' people, considering just how much he was emphasising on it.

And Lukas… was among those 'weak' people.

Cassie pressed her lips together.

He better not die.

Slowly, the Snowadmin turned back to face them. He was grinning, but it was a grin that made muscles tense and spines shiver. He raised his stick hands and clapped once.

There was loud, roaring cracking. The group's heads snapped around, eyes wide. Then the floor beneath them shot down once, twice- and opened right up, disappearing beneath them and leaving them to fall, fall, fall down into pitch blackness. Screams tore from throats. The world around Jesse briefly- ever, ever so briefly- flickered a horrible, meaty purple, and he could've sworn, could've sworn there was a terrified squeal amongst the screams.

"No!" Soren yelled.

Above them, getting further and further away, the Snowadmin waved with his button grin. Then his head sunk into his torso and his torso sunk into his ice block and the ice block disappeared into the ground. Gone. But watching.

The screen cut to black.

The audience stared.

Then Jack murmured a curse in another language, rubbing his head. Nurm elbowed him slightly.

"Damn," Em breathed, "They just… fell right through the floor, huh?"

"How… How is he so powerful?" Olivia whispered, a little hoarsely, "Is he just… unlimited?"

Axel shook his head, "But- But he said near infinite power. So there's gotta be a limit." he faltered, "Right?"

"Of course, bud," Magnus said, quietly. Axel didn't look like he entirely believed him, but he smiled a small smile and nodded anyway.

"I hope they're okay," Harper murmured. Ivor nodded and squeezed her hand.

"I'm sure they are."

Jessi leaned against her brother, "... Arm?"

"Arm?" He glanced at her, then at his dead arm, "Still… Still numb."

"Oh."

"Yeah…"

"I'm sorry," she whispered this. Jesse shook his head and leaned it against hers.

"It's… It's okay."

Xara watched them. Her eyes shifted to Romeo.

He was watching the dark screen with a wide grin. All it lacked was the buttons.

Her chest twisted.

She hated him.

God, she hated him.


Did you defend Radar? Let me know in the reviews!

So I'm not dead ;-;

I'm really sorry this took me so long to write... I don't know I was having such a hard time writing these past few months T^T I'm going to try and get back to updating every Friday again, though! I can't promise if I'll be able to next Friday, since I'm working on my Final Major Project for college and I've got Maths exams coming up soon. But I'm gonna try ::)

I hope everyone's staying safe and doing okay! Sorry again for taking so long.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter ::)