Chapter 4: Contact

Cupa's P.O.V.

I was in the End, visiting Andr. We were just hanging out in her room. The floor, ceiling, and walls were made from obsidian. The blanket and even the pillows to her bed a were a deep purple. I laid there, lost in thought.

(It's been awhile, hasn't it...)

(I hope he's doing alright...)

(He's probably dead by now...)

"Cupa."

(I haven't heard any word or rumors about him... Can't believe I'm getting so worked up over some boy. Andr would probably—)

"Hey, Cupa!" I came to from that.

"Huh?"

"You zoned out. What's up?"

"Oh..." I flipped myself upright, using my hand to support my head. "Remember that boy we helped?" She groans.

"Yes, yes, the one who put Ray in his place. What about him?"

"I'm just...wondering how he's doing..."

"He's doing fine, obviously."

"What? How do you know?" I look at Andr more seriously. She started blushing.

"I've been...watching him for the past week."

"You WHAT?!"

"One of my private informants found a campsite, and I've been the one keeping tabs ever since."

"Well...how is he?"

"He's currently in the taiga watching the stupid mutts. No idea why; all they do is chew their own ass and howl."

"That's good to hear...I think." I let my head rest on the bed again. Andr gets upset with me.

"Come on! Let's party, do something stupid! Maybe we can mess with Skelly; put some crushed eggs in her hat again. That always cheers you up."

"No it doesn't."

"Well it cheers me up. What happened to the fun, exciting Cupa I knew?"

"I'm just not in the mood to party, alright?" I turn around.

"You're acting just like him. All he does is dog watch and mope. If you're gonna obsess over the guy, just keep him as your pet!" She had a point. In this day and age, some of us use humans as slaves. But there was one problem.

"He'd probably hate me for that..." I heard a sigh from behind. A blue-green paper was waved in front of my face.

"Don't I already have one of these?"

"Not for you—him. You're gonna give this to him so you two can finally talk."

"Are you crazy?! He'd freak if he saw me!"

"No he wouldn't! It's obvious he likes you."

"And how would you know that?" She started blushing again. Andr quickly disappeared, warping behind me and grabbing my shoulder.

"Let's go!" *Warp!*

\\\

*Warp!* We were teleported behind a tree. The log and even the leaves were a darker shade than the usual. I fell on my butt, landing in cold snow. Its freezing! There was an open clearing with a log still smoldering a little. There was a dark green tent made from wool, probably belonging to someone.

"Wh-Wh-Where are we?" I chatter, trying to get up.

"It's his camp, Cupa. This is where your little 'boyfriend' has been dog watching." I looked at the campsite. Smoke still rose from an absent fire. He must not be here.

"Y-Y-You know what? You can just—!" I watched her wince a little when a snowflake landed in her hair. It made a sizzling sound. She started jumping.

"Owowowow! OW!" Andr quickly huddled beneath a tree, holding her head.

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be fine, just don't take too long!"

"R-R-Right! I won't." I turn around and take a deep breath. I crept into the open clearing, still shivering. Creepers aren't warm-blooded, so I can't handle the cold. And I can only imagine what it's like for Andr to touch water. I pulled the paper out from my hoodie now at the entrance of the tent. Peering in the tent, there was a crafting table with an iron sword resting above it, a still opened chest, an unlit furnace, and an empty sleeping bag. A single fence gate kept me out. The inside was just a mess.

(He really isn't here...) I sighed in disappointment, opening the fence gate. Part of me actually wants to get caught, but another part of me doesn't really know what to say in person. That's what this paper is for; so I don't have to get up close and personal with him. I placed the ender paper on the crafting table, using the sword as a paperweight. I was about to leave...

MG's P.O.V.

Standing atop a spruce tree was me. I pulled back the string, holding the bow horizontally. I know isn't very efficient, but it feels more easy to aim. I continued to creep closer to my prey, ready to fire at any moment. The darkened leaves gently sway with the wind. Below me were a small herd of Cows.

(Just one. I only need one...) I'm hungry—no, starving for some meat... This isn't just natural hunger. My body is actually craving it. I don't even care if it's raw... Licking my lips, I took aim at the closest one and release. The wind shifts the arrow aside, missing its target and alerting the entire herd of my presence. They all started running.

"Oh no you don't!" I fired my last arrow, just missing the one in back. My food was getting away. I can't take this anymore!

"Grrrr...!" I growled as I took off, leaving my bow behind. The Cows ran at full speed, knowing it meant their lives. When it looked like I were being left behind, a black tail sprouted from my lower back and my arms became coated in black. I ran on fours, like it were natural. I caught up to the Cow in back and tackle it from behind. I dug in with both claws and fangs, tearing into the poor creature. It kept crying out and struggling, but I wouldn't let go.

The animal soon stopped moving. It died and faded into six raw beef. I took a slab of it and swallowed the whole thing raw. I gulped down another, still unsatisfied. The cravings began to subside, and my form dispelled itself. I calmed down. Reawakening this kinda power has permanently changed me. The fangs haven't receded, and while I don't mind eating things like potatoes and carrots, I can't go five days without eating meat, or else it gets to me. Everything begins to taste like metal, and my stomach starts to hurt. I also get distracted more easily; but for all I know, I could have ADHD.

There were tracks left behind from the other Cows, but I chose to ignore them and go back. The Wolves can have the rest, I got what I needed. My bow was lost for good; but it was useless without any arrows, so I left it behind and head back to my camp. The smoke in the sky acted as a guide. Walking back, I started to mutter to myself.

"Guess I picked up a thing or two from those Wolves... Oh well." As long as hunting like that doesn't become a habit, I could care less.

"The mobs have been rather quiet lately, too. Probably 'cause it's so cold." Where as a Skeleton would probably freeze its joints out here, my entire body was warm and toasty.

"Hm?" I stopped. There were tracks to my tent. I changed to my cub form, ready for a fight. Someone had been spying on me for some time, but I never found who. Now that person's rummaging through my stuff! Creeping closer, I could hear scribbling from inside. I was to the left, just outside of view. The sound suddenly stopped. The person definitely knows I'm there, so I jumped in with claws at the ready.

"Thought you could just waltz in here and—?!" I purposely missed, tripping into the corner of the tent. I was upside down.

"Ssssss...!" A familiar girl in a Creeper hoodie started hissing. It was Cupa... She stopped when she noticed who I am. Westared at each other for a minute. I noticed she held a weird blueish-green paper in front of her.

"I..." I have no clue what to say. Didn't actually think it would be her... I reverted back to normal without meaning to. A wind suddenly stirred and the paper flew over to my side. Cupa started shaking.

"Hey...you alright?" She nodded, but it's obvious from her restless legs that she wasn't.

"Aren't you cold? Look, why don't I just turn on the furnace?" Cupa shook her head, muttering something under her breath.

"... ..."

"What?" She hopped over the fence and took off in the other direction. I wanna follow her, but that isn't such a good idea after what happened last time. I sighed, looking at what Cupa left me. Another note? The paper was a familiar blue-green. It reminded me of Ray's jewel. Still hard to believe I ripped that out of him. ...There was a message written in lime-green ink.

?: Circle the name in the back and write something.

Flipping the paper revealed Cupa's name written in the back. I decided to humor the piece of stationary. I grab a quill and use some red dye as ink.

Me: Um...something.

?: Seriously?

"What the—?!"Another message just fades onto the paper; I mean the message with the same lime-green color literally just appeared! This must be some kind of magic. I try to calm down. This shouldn't be that big of a shock, considering what I've been through.

?: Um... It's nice to finally speak to you, even if it is on paper.

Me: Who...is this?

?: Cupa, silly.

My expression changed to somewhat happy, checking the back of the paper again. The circle around the name was gone, but the name was still there. I have to keep circling her name every time before my message is sent.

"Cupa..." It's even written in the back, so it has to be her. I peek outside, looking at the trail of footsteps she left behind. They stopped at a spruce tree, where she was nowhere to be found. Another message appeared.

Cupa: Can I...ask what your name is?

Me: I...can't remember.

Cupa: Really...?

Me: ...I had a letter addressed to a Mg3z, so you can just call me MG.

Cupa: Okay, MG, how have you been?

I smiled a little. She's trying to feign ignorance.

MG: Wouldn't you like to know.

Cupa: Hey, I'm only curious...

MG: Says the girl who's been spyin' on me.

Cupa: Spying on you?

Cupa: ...Oh! That was probably my friend.

MG: Your friend? But you were just here a minute ago.

Cupa: That...was me. But the one who's been keeping tabs on you is my best friend.

MG: I see...

I continually glance out to make sure her "friend" isn't around. I never found who it was. As soon as I feel a presence and turn around, the person's already gone. When I look back, all the old messages were fading away; mine and Cupa's. It must be making space for more. This paper really is awesome!

MG: So what kind of paper is this? And why did you give me it?

Cupa: My friend made this. Ender paper—so we can talk, even when we're far away.

MG: Your friend sounds smart. But why not talk in person?

Cupa: That...might not be a good idea.

MG: I'm not gonna hurt you. Promise.

Cupa: It isn't that, it's just…

Cupa: ...

MG: ...It's fine. I won't force a reason out of you.

Cupa: Really?

MG: You asked earlier how I was, right? Well, I'm doing just fine. I took your advice and hid underground for month.

Cupa: UNDERGROUND?! FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH?!

MG: Mm-hm.

Cupa: You...are something else.

"Hmhmhmhm..." I started to chuckle. Whether this was an insult or a compliment, I didn't care. This was the only communication with a person I've had since the whole village incident. My chuckling soon became laughter. "Hahahaha..." This would be the beginning of my relationship with Cupa...

\Two Weeks Later...\

I had now set camp in the plains biome. It was raining, so I stayed inside, where it was nice and dry. Pigs were out and about doing whatever. The repeated sound of water hitting my tent helped to clear my head. I sat in a chair beside the chest. My hand hovered over the paper, still trembling on how exactly I should ask. Eventually, my pen touched paper.

MG: Hey we've been talking like this for a while now. Nothing makes me happier, but...

Cupa: Yeah...?

MG: I...wanna see you.

Cupa: ...

Cupa: I'm a Creeper, you know... That means I'm dangerous.

MG: Funny. That makes two of us. ;)

Cupa: ...

MG: I finished studying the Wolves for a while now. I think it might be possible to pass for one. I wanna meet you in the Zombie & Skeleton Kingdom.

Cupa: If you're there on peaceful terms, then I guess the hostile mobs won't attack you... But your tails are black. That isn't very normal.

MG: I don't think others will ponder about it too much.

Cupa: Those furry ears do look convincing...

MG: Furry ears?

Cupa: Yeah, the ones on your head?

MG: ...

"On my head? What is she—?" O_O I feel the top of my head. What in th...?! My powers gave me Wolf ears! The more I poke and scratch, the more uncomfortable it feels.

MG: No wonder that helmet makes me so itchy!

Cupa: You mean you never noticed?

MG: I've been living in a hole, okay?! I have yet to take a look in the mirror! But that's off topic...

Cupa: ...

MG: I really do wanna meet you in person, y'know. It isn't exactly the same on paper...

Cupa: If you're that crazy about meeting me, can't we just meet somewhere else?

MG: Nope! I wanna see how the mobs live with my own eyes. Cupa, I look around and all I see is empty land... There's nothing to do here and no people to speak with. Because no one dares to challenge any of the Mob Kingdoms, they must be HUGE! Since the incident in the village, I don't think I'll be welcomed elsewhere. The Mob Kingdoms sound like an excellent place to rest and relax. I just have to lay low about my identity.

Cupa: That's just it! There are mobs everywhere. You'll be in the heart of where the most vicious creatures live. Do you really think this is somewhere you can stay?

MG: I know that. Even so...I want to see. The book about this kingdom has a map of the place. It might be a little out-dated, but I'm sure there has to be a private area for us somewhere.

Cupa: Are you sure about this...?

MG: Yeah. My curiousity has gotten the better of me. And for a while now, I've been wanting to tell you something important... It's something I need to say to you in person.

Cupa: Can I bring a friend...?

MG: ...

MG: I don't see why not. Sure.

Cupa: ...There's a bar not too far from the entrance. How far are you from the kingdom?

MG: I'm only a week away.

Cupa: I'll see ya then. Be safe. :)

"She said yes..."A smile grew on my face. "I finally get to talk to her... Awesome!" My moment of victory was cut short by thunder, followed by a deathly squeal. I look outside. A flash of light came crashing down on a Pig. It died instantly; however, half of its own flesh turned a rotten green. It stood on two legs, now carrying a gold sword.

"What...?" Another flash of lightning claimed the life of a Pig, reanimating it as well. More hellish bolts crashed down from the sky, claiming the rest of the Pigs. These were Zombie Pigmen. One squealed and pointed a sword to me, the others became aware.

(Shit...!)

"Rrriiiiii!" They all charge. I quickly pull my iron sword out from against the wall. The first one attacked head-on. I stab through its heart, but—

"Rrriiiiii!" The Zombie Pigman impaled itself further, trying to chew my face. I could plainly see its eyes. They carried no pupils like the other mobs did, they were an empty white. Something's not right here...

"Get back!" I kicked my sword free from the Zombie Pigman. It stumbled back. Another tried to cut me down. I answered in kind, hacking off its sword arm. The creature kept going, trying to tackle me. I kicked it into another. I threw my sword into the head of a fourth, discarding it to transform.

"Will all of you just..." Two tails ripped out from my lower back. The upper-half of my body felt tighter, as muscles swelled. "Go away!" Without even thinking, I grabbed a Zombie Pigman by the arm, and ripped it clean off. I kicked it back, throwing the severed arm at the one behind me. It swung down with a sword only to miss. I rip the sword from its grasp and elbow the Pigman into another one. I decapitated the seventh as it came forward. A much bigger one came, and with one punch, sent me tumbling. The sword I held left my grasp. By the time I got up, the ones I failed to kill were standing again. This resilience, and this strength—I was right; these aren't regular mobs!

"What are you things...?!" I take a look around, seeing those empty, white eyes on almost every side. I felt a tinge of fear, one somehow familiar... My heart started racing. I was backing away on fours. My body entire body is trembling. What is this pressure?!

"Stay back—all of you!" They were closing in, the big one leading them all. The fear forced me to grow another pair of tails, enveloping my entire body in darkness. This isn't the first time something like this happened, but when?!

(Hmhmhmhmh... What's the matter? Are you afraid?) A familiar voice rang through my head. It was that of a middle-aged man. (This time, we play for keeps!) Everything was beginning to turn black. A pair of soulless white eyes were staring back at me. I started freaking out, trying to reject this flashback.

"No...! Never aGAAAIN!" I did a full spin, whipping all the Zombie Pigmen with my tails. The large one held its ground and came stomping. Two of my tails caught its fists. I slid back a couple of feet on my toes, but managed to stop him. The third tail traveled beneath me and impaling straight through its skull. I let it fall on its own, now busy with the others. I tackled one, repeatedly stabbing it with my own two hands.

"Dead, dead, dead! DEAD!" It stopped moving, but I ripped its head off anyway. "YOU'RE ALL DEAD!" I grabbed for another one by its face, kicking its legs out from under and slamming the Zombie Pigman straight into the ground. Stone was exposed, as well as the insides of its head. As another came, I slashed open its stomach and mangled its face with my claws. I grabbed another by the arm and threw it at another. Its ally wasted no time using its sword to cut him in half. The next thing the Zombie Pigman saw was a hand reach for its head. I slammed it against my knee. By its own blade, I forced its arm behind the creature's back and drove it through its chest. It squealed its last... The Pigmen were all dead...

I looked around, still trying to recover my sanity. The battlefield was filled with a mysterious cold vapor. The swords and bodies that littered the ground disappeared. There were no item drops. I was right. Those eyes, and that voice—they're—!

"Aargh! Nngh...!" I held the back of my head as intense pain suddenly scrambled my brain. It forced me to revert to normal form. "...Can't remember! Why can't I remember?!" I tried to resist the pain and find my tent. The vapor made it difficult to do so. I soon found my way around, the pain starting to let up.

"Where is it...?!" I scanned the room, eventually finding my backpack. Inside was the one book I kept: My handbook. I turned to the chapter on mobs.

Mobs of the Nether

—Ghasts fly around the Nether shooting fireballs at others. Their infant-like screams come off as a warning. Their bodies are resilient to fire and lava, but can't withstand an explosion from their own fireball. Time it right and you can reflect it back at them. Another thing to watch out for are its tentacles. They like to constrict their prey and tear them limb from limb.

—Wither Skeletons are different than normal Skeletons. Their bones are black and made of something far denser. Because of this, they tend to favor using a sword rather than a bow. Wither Skeletons have the unique ability to not only damage the physical body, but the soul within. The effect is known as Wither, and it can kill a person if they aren't careful.

—Blazes are doomed spirits, forced to burn for their crimes in life. Because of their resentment for the living, they won't hesitate to burn any man-made structure or living being. They're weak to snowballs. You could also try dumping water, but it evaporates almost immediately in the Nether.

—Zombie Pigman are the most common in the Nether. When a Pig dies, its soul crosses to the other side. Corrupted by what waits for them in the Nether, they become Zombie Pigman. They travel in packs and don't attack, unless justified. Because of their inexperience using a blade, they normally resort to biting.

"Dammit!" I threw the handbook off the chest, kicking that over as well. This book was useless in explaining what just happened. I saw it with my own eyes! They came from lightning, and it wasn't just coincidence that they ALL transformed. They don't just disappear and leave nothing behind either. This had to be someone's work...!

"HB—just what are you?!" His laugh still haunts me, and I can't find out why!

Cupa's P.O.V.

"You two wanna go on a first date there? Sheesh, you two are crazy." Andr tried to tease me. My face turned red.

"This is not a date! And you're coming with me!"

"What? Why me?!" She complained. I lowered my head, realizing I snapped at her.

"Because...you're the only one I can trust. And if things get too serious, I'll need you to help get me out of there." I heard a sigh leave her mouth.

"...Alright, fine. I'll go." I wrapped my arms around her.

"Thanks, Andr." She started patting my head.

"Why are you even making such a big deal out of him? I just don't see the appeal..." Everything was all set. In a couple of days, I would head out to see MG. The thought made me anxious. Does he like me or not? I wanted to know. Maybe that's why I agreed to go there...

Hey guys, sorry for taking so long. I hope you enjoy these two chapters. Don't forget to review!

Notes on Ender Paper

Like how water is acidic to Endermen, the same chemical properties apply to the land of the End.

1.)Stick a block endstone inside a cauldron. The liquid should fizzle and become a blue-greenish color, like that of an Ender Pearl.

2.)Dip in 2 or more papers, letting it absorb the tainted water.

3.) The owner (Person A) writes their name at the top-front. List of contacts (Persons B, C, etc.) go in the back.

—The convenience of instant messaging for the residents of Minecraftia.

—Different inks available to tell others apart.

—To message, just circle the recipient name. The circle will disappear after 3 minutes or when the message has been sent.

—Infinite use! The ink will fade away, so old messages clear themselves to make room for new ones.