Its almost been a whole year since I started this…
It started to snow where I live, and I'm here, freezing my feet off, working on this
chapter…
Really brings me back.
Now that that is over, enjoy your shiny new chapter.
Enjoy.
Q
It had been a few days since that certain night with Cupa and Joe, as the day was bright, with a slight breeze blowing throughout the land.
We could see Joe trying to climb a tree, along with Nia and Lily, who sat at the higher branches of the tree, watching Joe climb.
"Come on, Joe! I thought we were getting the apples together!" Lily teased, her legs crossed.
"It's kinda hard to climb when I can't stick to any surface, you know…" Joe argued back, carrying a heavy backpack filled with apples.
Nia scoffed at this. "That doesn't excuse laziness you know."
Joe grumbled to himself, as he climbed on.
"You know, when I asked you two to help with getting food, I didn't mean 'Climb up the tree and tease Joe'." He said, picking another apple and slipping it in his bag.
"We're not the ones with the bag here." Nia said, picking an apple, and dropping it, allowing Joe to catch it.
Joe could only sigh, as he decided to take a break, and sat on a branch himself.
"Oh! Are we taking a break?" Lily asked, excited.
He laid his head back, as a gentle breeze blew upon him and the two girls. After giving a large sigh of relaxation, he used his arms to support his head as he laid back.
"Wonder how the Nether is doing...Hope The Princess is doing alright…" He said to himself, as he enjoyed the breeze.
"Bonzai!"
Joe's eyes widened at this, as he looked up only to see something fall into his lap, yelling as soon as it fell.
Better yet, it was Lily, whose force from falling down on Joe made the branch crack.
Lily then wrapped her arms around Joe, smiling.
"Gotcha!"
"L-Lily, the branch is gonna-!"
At that moment, the branch that Joe was sitting on snapped off of the tree, sending both falling to the ground.
Moments before they hit the ground, Joe grabbed Lily and held her close, as they hit the ground with a thud.
Joe groaned in pain, still holding onto the Spider-girl.
"Oh crap, are you ok?" Lily asked.
Joe slowly sat up, having Lily in his lap.
"Ugh...Next time, look before you leap…" He said, popping his neck.
Lily then smiled, as she dug her head into Joe's chest.
Joe could only roll his eyes with a smile as he patted her head.
"Do you see what happens when you don't think?" Nia said as she climbed down to ground level.
"Accidents happen. And they happen to nearly pop a disc." Joe said, putting a hand to his sore back.
"Well, its a good thing it didn't, otherwise we would have one less worker." Came a voice.
All turned to the voice, and could see Ria walking towards them, carrying her bow with her.
"One less? I do most of the work here…" Joe grumbled.
"And don't act like we don't appreciate it. Anyway, Joe. I need a word with you real quick." Ria asked.
"A word? But the gatherings not done yet." Joe answered.
"Well, I'm sure Lily can pick up your work for you. After all, you were nearly injured from her." She said, looking at Lily in a passive-aggressive tone.
Lily could only give a guilty smile and rub her head.
"Yeah, you got me there. Alright, I'll get to work." She said, as she stood up.
Joe followed after, as he walked over towards Ria.
"Whatdya need?" He asked.
Ria was silent, as she waved her hand to guide Joe to follow her.
He did so, as she guided Joe around the house, and on the pathway towards the lake.
"Mind telling me why you're taking me into the woods?" JOe asked.
"Shh." Ria replied, putting a finger to her lips.
Joe could only nod, as he followed suit with Ria.
After a few moments of walking, They stopped at the small clearing that bordered the lake.
Ria gestured her hand towards a point of the shore.
Joe could see a sad looking Snowy, as she was barefoot, with her feet in the water.
He could see a very low-toned look on her face, almost a home-sick look to it.
"Is Snowy alright?" Joe asked.
"I don't know. I've tried asking her, but she kept assuring me nothing was wrong." Ria replied.
"Weird...I don't think I've ever seen her sad." Joe said, crossing his arms.
"And she's been like this all day. It hurts me to see her like this." Ria said back.
"Here, I'll go ask what's wrong. Maybe he'll tell me, since I'm her 'master'." Joe said, as he stepped towards Snowy.
"Alright, I'll be at home. Keep me updated." Ria said, as she started on her own way back to the house.
Meanwhile, Joe started on his way towards the depressed Snowy.
Joe's footsteps could be heard by Snowy, as she turned towards the young man.
"O-Oh, Joe. How are you?" She said, trying to pull a warm smile.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" Joe asked.
"W-Well…I like the lake view out here, its really serene and-"
"Snowy."
Snowy's smile dropped as she heard Joe call her name.
"I know something's wrong. I've never seen you this sad before." Joe said.
Snowy looke at Joe, as her expression dropped even more, as she hugged her knees.
"Joe…Do you remember when I was first born?" Snowy asked.
Joe's eyes widened at this.
"Of course I remember that. I got knocked out, and got a cold that day." He chuckled.
"Yeah...It was so wonderful that day...The pure-white ground and snow-sprinkled trees, and the cold breeze against my face...Its was all so beautiful and amazing…" Snowy said.
"So...You miss that snowy day?" Joe asked.
"Yes...I don't know If I can see it again…" Snowy said, sighing sadly.
Joe thought to himself for a bit.
So...She's sad because she misses the snow and the cold weather...Perhaps finding a Snow Biome would cheer her up?
"Hey…" Joe said, getting Snowy's attention. "You know, It's gotta be snowing around here somewhere. If It snowed that day, then there must be another spot that is snowing in the area."
Snowy's eyes lit up at this.
"D-Do you really think so?" She asked, with a look oh ope in her eyes.
"Well, yeah. And, if we go soon, we should be able to go there, and be back home by dusk." He said, looking to the sky.
"R...Really!?" Snowy squealed.
"Absolutely. So. You want to go?" Joe asked.
"Oh, Yesohyesohyesohyesohyes!" She said, hoping in place. She then charged at Joe, and wrapped her arms around Joe's neck, rubbing her cheek against his.
"Alright, Alright. But we'll have to tell the others first, and I'll need to get my winter clothes." Joe said, chuckling at Snowy's reaction.
"Oh Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" Snowy squealed, as she released Joe, and sprinted down the path towards home, leaving Joe alone.
"Well...Looks like she won't be able to chill for a while."
He then started on his own way back home after his joke.
"...I'm glad no one heard that."
After about a half-hour passed, both Joe and Snowy were back home, with their friends helping them prepare for their search.
Joe, Cupa, and Andr were all upstairs, while Snowy, Ria, and the Spider-Girls were downstairs.
"So, you're gonna go on a little adventure, to find snow?" Cupa asked, as she helped with Joe's scarf.
"Well, it kinda seemed she was homesick. The only time she got to see snow was when she was created." He replied.
"But do you even know where you are going?" Ander asked.
Joe chuckled at this. "Well, if I know my instincts, there has to be a snowy spot around here somewhere."
Cupa sighed at this.
"I know you want to help out and such, but this seems just a little too much." She said, adjusting Joe's scarf on his neck.
"I risked my life to save you all. Was that a little too much?" Joe joked.
"Any risk on your life is too much…" Andr said, puffing her cheeks.
Joe then rubbed Andr's head.
"I appreciate your concern, girls. But I'm doing this whether it sounds dangerous or not." He said, pulling on his backpack.
"Are you at least going to put on your armor besides the gauntlets?" Cupa asked, her arms crossed.
"I'm only gonna get cold, not stabbed." He said, adjusting the straps on his wrists.
"Food and water?"
"Check."
"Your sword?"
"Check."
"Any other supplies?"
"Cupa, relax already. I'm gonna be fine." Joe chuckled.
"You were nearly killed by Yan that one time. If it weren't for Yaebi, we would be in the Nether right now, and your head would be on that evil king's mantle." Cupa stated, raising an eyebrow.
The name then struck Joe.
"Speaking of that...Where's Yaebi?" Joe asked.
"He went out into the village to trade for supplies. He wanted to help out with around the home, you know." Andr replied.
"Really? Man, I gotta get that boy a watch or something…" Joe said.
"'Watch'?" Both girls asked.
"Er, nothing. Anyway, I should be going now. We should be back by dusk." Joe said, starting on his way towards the stairs., until he felt a tug at his sleeve.
He turned his head to see Andr holding his sleeve.
"Please come home safe. Both of you." She said, smiling.
Joe made a smile back, as he held a thumbs up.
"And if I hear another story about how you almost died again…" Cupa said, stepping up to Joe, and pointing in his face. "I'm going to smack you."
Joe chuckled at this.
"Might want to get that hand ready while I'm gone then. I'm really accident prone." He chuckled. "...In fact, you might as well smack me right now."
Andr and Cupa both giggled at this.
"Just come home in one piece." Cupa stated, smiling.
He nodded at this, as he looked downstairs.
"Oi! Snowy, you ready yet?" Joe yelled.
"Ready!" Came an excited voice.
"Alright then, I'm off." Joe said, as he faced the girls, and walked downstairs backwards, giving a salute.
Both girls then followed after Joe, joining the rest of the house at the front door.
"I hope you both are prepared for this." Ria stated.
"Don't worry, we got all we need." Joe replied.
"Yeah. We're not going to be out that long." Snowy added, adjusting her bag.
Ria then crossed her arms.
"Well, I apologize if I'm worried we might get abducted again, and you're nowhere to be seen." She argued.
"Relax, that king can't do anything now. I killed his general and his best men." Joe replied.
Meanwhile, Cupa and Andr came down the stairs, just catching Joe and Snowy leave.
"J-Joe-kun!" Andr yelled, catching Joe's attention before he stepped out.
She then ran towards Joe, and quickly and firmly embraced him.
"Please come home safe…" She squeaked in Joe's jacket.
Joe was surprised at this, but then quickly smiled, and returned the hug.
"I promise." He replied, rubbing Andr's head.
At that moment, Cupa walked towards the two, and joined in, along with Ria and Lily.
"U-Uh, girls, it's getting a little tight in here…" Joe said, his face a tad pink.
"Consider it a good luck hug. You're gonna need it." Cupa giggled.
Joe sighed in defeat, as the girls all released him.
He then looked over towards Nia, who had her arms crossed.
"What? Don't want a hug?" He jokingly asked.
A little hint of red came across her face, as she looked away.
"N-No, I think I'll have to pass." She replied.
"Then why are you blushing?" Joe said, a smug grin on his face.
Nia only went redder at this, as she started to cover her face.
"I-I'm not blushing, i-it's just hot in here…" She said back.
Joe then zoned in on Nia, wrapping his arms around her waist, and lifting her off the ground.
"H-H-Hey!" Nia yelled, turning even more red.
"Just one hug, then I'll let you down." Joe said, smiling.
Nia only grumbled to herself, as she wrapped her arms around Joe's neck.
"Was that so bad?" Joe asked.
"Do this again, and you'll be eating through a straw for a few days." Nia whispered in Joe's ear, to which he only chuckled in return.
He then let her down, watching as all the other girls were laughing and giggling to themselves.
"Well, we should get going. We're wasting daylight." Joe said.
"Right!" Snowy chirped, with a smile on her face.
He then joined Snowy back at the door, looking at everyone.
"Well, wish us luck." He said.
"Good luck!" All the girls said, as Joe closed the door.
Outside of the house, Joe and Snowy both stood outside the house for a few moments.
"Well, you ready?" He asked.
"Yep!" She said, as she started towards the wilderness, with Joe following after.
Well,nothing could really go wrong with this.
…
...Could it?
A few minutes passed, as Joe and Snowy trekked through the wilderness.
"Oh, I'm just so excited!" Snowy squeaked, as she marched forward.
Meanwhile, Joe thought to himself.
So...I don't know If we can even find this biome...I mean, it snowed in a forest biome, so how am I even to know if we can find an only-snow biome….
...I should talk to Snowy about this…
He then looked upon the excited Snowy, and how the biggest smile on her face was brightly showing.
...Dammit…
"Doing okay back there?" came Snowy's voice, snapping Joe back to reality.
"O-Oh, yeah, I'm okay." Joe replied.
She then went back to her marching, humming a little tune to herself, while Joe felt a sense of dread.
They walked for about a half hour, until they saw a small clearing of trees in the distance.
"Hey, I think I see it!" SNowy said, as she sped up and started running.
"H-Hey! Don't go too fast!" Joe yelled, running after Snowy.
They ran until they reached the clearing, and stopped at the sight on front of them.
They certainly found snow, but it seemed a little...odd.
The snow only started at a fine line between it, and the grass of the forest, and the snow only fell where there was snow on the ground, almost like a wall of snow.
"We found it!" Snowy squealed, as she started jumping up and down.
Meanwhile, Joe was in an amazed stupor at what was in front of him.
"So...The lines between the biomes are real…" He said.
"So? What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Snowy said, charging into the biome, leaving Joe still amazed.
"Man, this world still amazes me somehow." He said, as he followed suit after Snowy.
Hopefully nothing will happen this time, no life threatening situations or anything. It's just going to be a nice time away from home…
…
...Right?
Trust me, I don't want to end the chapter here, but with crap going on in my life, I can't find time to do anything anymore…
You all deserve more updates, because I take too much time to make these chapters.
You are amazing for being so patient, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as the next one shall be posted soon.
Thank you for your time, I'll see you in the next chapter.