Chapter 4

The New Plan

When Jesse opens his eyes, he really doesn't want to get up.

But sleep leaves him anyway, thanks to a loathsome woodpecker; and Lukas, humming in harmony.

It was the same tribal chant tune that nearly killed him forty- eight hours ago.

Jesse groans.

"Oh, good you're up."

Jesse's already burying his head beneath his pillow, "Do you really have to hum that?"

He can hear the smile in Lukas's reply, "Sorry it's catchy."

"Too soon Lukas, far too soon."

"Too soon for breakfast then?"

Jesse flips the pillow off, eying the steaming tray of food, and a mug of something warm. "Never too soon for that!"

Lukas sits down into a nearby recliner as Jesse tears into his meal.
"Don't burn your tongue."

Jesse grins mischievously, sipping from his cup, "Hot chocolate isn't that hot."

Lukas shrugs and takes a sip from his own mug.

"Besides, what better way to fight off a fall chill than with a mug of this delicious stuff?"

"Yeah," Lukas mumbles, "Hard to think that when we started from here it was almost summertime."

Jesse goes quiet, lowering his mug into the nightstand. "I'm sorry; I really thought it was the door. Our door."

"It's not your fault, we thought so too. But even though the color matched, the world didn't." Lukas pulls out his book, flipping through his notes, "Color and make don't seem to matter. I'm mean, we found a door trimmed with hedges and the world was covered in ice. Then we went through an ice block door and it was a green flourishing world."

"Greenland and Iceland," Jesse says thoughtfully.

"That's what I labeled them." Lukas replies.

"Have you marked every one?"

"Yeah, you think the Old Builder's would have made signs, or at least a map."

"Maybe they did and someone took them down." Jesse suggested.

"Like sabotage?"

"Maybe, how many doors have we been through so far?" Jesse lifted his mug.

Lukas flipped to the front of his journal, "We have traversed," he made a mark on the paper, "Including yesterday's adventure, One hundred and seventy-three doors."'

Jesse chocked on his chocolate.

Lukas sighed, "I know. I'm starting to think we're getting nowhere." Stress dripping from the edges of his voice.

Still coughing Jesse gave Lukas the best smile he could manage, "Well, you know what they say; two hundredth time's the charm."

"I don't want to go through twenty - seven more doors Jesse!" Lukas drops his book down with a heavy thud, his sudden burst was startling.'"I want to go through one! This journal doesn't need to get thicker! I'm sick of introducing myself! I'm tired of nearly freezing to death, nearly burning to death, or any other means of demise! I don't want to be attacked by everything under the sun. I'm done with hurting all the time; I have more scars than teeth! I'm sick of it Jesse!"

Jesse just stared, sadly.

Lukas's anger sputtered out and he leaned down, resting his brow on his hand, "I just want to go home Jesse. And I'm sorry you didn't deserve that I-"

"It's all right," Jesse slid out of bed; he kneeled in front of Lukas, "I wanna go home too. We're all tired and we need to rely on each other. It'll work okay?"

"Okay..." Lukas laughed feebly, "Notch, I even miss Axel teasing me."

Jesse laughed.

"It's just been so difficult, with everybody on edge. Mow Ivor and Petra want to split up and-"

Jesse stopped laughing at once, "Could you repeat that?"

Lukas picked up his journal. "Aiden fetched the local physician this morning while you were asleep. Ivor's busted leg is worse than we thought. Without the brewing station for a healing potion, He's going to be down for weeks at least."

"Does no one in town have a single potion?"

"Not so far, Trust me, Petra and Milo have been searching all morning."

Jesse leaned back, running his fingers against his temple, "And Petra and Ivor want to do what?"

"Split up," Lukas explained, "Ivor stays here to recover while the three of us keep checking doors. I told them it was crazy-"

"How long is Ivor going to be recovering?"

"Mid winter at earliest."

Jesse thought on this, "Brewing stands need blaze rods right? We can only get those in the Nether. Which at the moment we don't have access to. Aiden says Sky City is infested; we could lose someone up there trying to get supplies. With winter closing in on top of it all, supplies are going to be even harder to come by..."

"Please don't tell me you think this is a good idea."

"Unless we find a potion while traveling, I see no other way."

"Jesse, so many things can go wrong," Lukas argued, "We could get stuck in some far-off world and Ivor would have no idea what happened to us."

"But he'd be safe here." Jesse countered, "We can leave signs and markers, like we've been doing. We can check in after each world."

"Jesse-"

"And if we do find home, we know where the other door in our world is. It goes straight to Sky City; we can run through and bring Ivor back."

Lukas sighed, eyes drifting towards the ceiling, "You're set on this aren't you?"

"If you're that against it, maybe we can think of something else..."

"No you're right," Lukas replied," We need to get home, and we can't risk hurting Ivor. We'll leave him with Aiden and keep looking."

"Ooooh Aidens gonna love that," Jesse stood, "Where are the others?"

"Aiden and Ivor are obtaining a wheelchair, Petra is milling about town."

"Sweet, I'll get dressed, and we'll secure our game plan." Jesse looked around, "Where is my armor?"

"Getting cleaned. Ivor made it indestructible, not self cleaning. Aiden has spare clothes in the trunk."

"Ah," Jesse lifted said clothes out of their storage, "This should be fun."

"Meet you in town? Or walk together?" Lukas asked.

"Just give me a sec, I'll meet you downstairs."

"It looks like you are still pretty popular,"

Jesse shifted uncomfortably as he and Lukas walked through Ground Town's square, groups of people were starting to gather, cheering and waving. All of them pining for Jesse's attention. "I don't see why you guys aren't treated like this. You were there too you know." He gave a small wave to a little girl, who squealed in delight.

"Nonsense," Lukas laughed, "You did everything by yourself."

"Lukas..."

"I'm just teasing," Lukas eyed Jesse closely, "Are you alright? You seem uncomfortable?"

"I am!"

"Is it the clothing or the people?"

"Both."

"Well what's wrong with the clothes? I can't do anything about the crowds."

"I don't know," Jesse tugged his tunic sleeve, "I feel exposed,"

Lukas gave a worried sigh, "You are going to have some serious PTSD issues when we get home. Look we'll hit the blacksmith's first. I'm sure they've scrubbed the blood off by this point."

Jesse never it admitted it. But he knew Lukas was right, he had spent so much time in his armor since this adventure began. It wasn't the armor he couldn't live without per say. He didn't actually wear it unless they were adventuring back at their home world. It was here that was the issue. Every strange alien world, another unknown door; nine times out of ten their group was attack. Jesse couldn't stand the thought of being unprepared anymore. Lukas was right, when they did get home, how was he supposed to adapt to the normal again?

"I'm fine, let's just find Petra,"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Lukas reluctantly nodded, and took the lead, weaving through the bustling square, while Jesse followed after; occasionally stopping to wave to some random passerby.

"Hey guys!" Petra called suddenly, she waved by the fountain.

Jesse and Lukas waved and quickly made their way over. Petra looked at Jesse, "So I'm guessing Lukas already fed you?"

Jesse nodded, "No food poisoning. Any luck with a potion?"

"Nope," Petra heaved a great sigh, "Milo and I checked with every citizen of Sky- Oops my bad - Ground Town. They have nothing. Milo says they probably used their last one when a guard had a bad creeper accident a week ago." Her attention turned to Lukas, "Did you tell Jesse-"

"The details to this crazy plan? Yes."

She glanced Jesse's way, "And?"

Jesse shrugged, "If we can all come to an agreement, I'm game for the plan. Lukas?"

The other male sighed and looked hard at the two, eyes shifting between the pair, "If you think it will really help-"

"We don't want to force you-" Jesse started.

Lukas held up his hand, "You aren't. I just feel uncomfortable splitting up like this. But Aiden will be keeping an eye on Ivor, so it's not like we're leaving him in the woods somewhere." Lukas sighed heavily, "We'll find home and we'll be back, I just have to keep telling myself that."

"Ahhhh! There you three are!" The trio turned to see Milo quickly approaching; the golem Jesse had given him not far behind.

According to Aiden the stone creature had been knocked off of Sky City shortly after the trio had left. It had landed in a hillside not far away, and surprisingly remained intact. It took the elated villagers over a week to dig it out; the concept of having something to protect the growing town had been an excellent motivator. Strangely however the golem only followed Milo around, which meant the poor man spent most of his time at the city wall's construction. Other golems had been built to protect the town, but none seemed as durable as the stone behemoth, who had withstood over a dozen creeper explosions since its arrival. It eventually gained the fitting name Fortis, which meant strong.

Fortis stopped just short of Jesse, lifting his large hand to pat him on the head. A painful but sincere gesture.

Petra laughed, "It acts so strangely with you,"

Milo smiled in agreement, "Perhaps he knows you built him Jesse."

Jesse smiled slightly, flinching as Fortis continued to pat him down, "Ow! Okay big guy! Missed you too."

Fortis immediately stopped and resumed his position behind Milo. The builder hummed, curious, "It's a wonder he only listens to you Jesse."

"He listens to you..."

"Only so much, I tell him to stay and he stands still for hardly a minute."

"Golems don't stay still very long," Lukas coughed, "Trust me I know."

"Mmm, yes well," Milo brushed aside his thought. "We didn't come here to speak golems. I have good news and bad news."

"You found a healing potion?" Jesse asked.

"Sadly no," Milo answered with a shake of his head, "We've asked everyone, told them it was a matter of great importance. We all want to see you get home Jesse we really do, but I'm afraid we are without at the moment. Unless we build a brewing station or are lucky enough for a spawn to drop one; sadly I find that to be highly unlikely in the near future."

"Isa?" Petra asked.

"Dear sweet Isa and I have asked Benedict over and over. But she says that the chicken has hardly ever hatched a Blaze egg in all the years she's known him. I'm afraid Ivor is going to have to heal the old fashion way."

"Sounds pleasant," Ivor cut in, as Aiden wheeled him up in a wheelchair.

Jesse turned to Aiden, "Are you okay with this?"

Aiden shrugged, "I've had to deal with worse. It's just me and a cranky old man while you go off adventuring. What could possibly-"

Ivor pushed the wheelchair back with his good leg, allowing the wheel to his Aiden's foot.

"OWWWW!" The brunette hissed, glaring hard, "You are seriously making me reconsider."

"Choose quickly," Ivor hummed.

Aiden gave Jesse a look before taking a deep breath, "Just check in often okay?"

"You never gave us the good news," Petra suddenly said.

Milo's eyes widened in surprise, "Oh did I say good news? I apologize!"

Everyone stared in silence.

Milo flushed slightly, "I'm so used to giving good news with bad I just suppose it's habit."

Jesse nodded, "Its fine Milo, what's the other news?"

"We have very little traveling supplies to give you." Milo explained, "This trip-"

"It's gotta be the last," Jesse finished.

Milo looked devastated, "I'm sorry, I really am. But we have limited supplies and winter is coming soon. Isa is tearing her hair out trying to take care of the citizens. What we have left to offer is going to have to last."

Jesse placed a hand on the other's shoulder, "Its okay Milo, we shouldn't have taken so much to begin with. We'll make do with what we have, and try to bring stuff back that can help you when we visit Ivor."

The comforting statement did little to appease but Milo accepted it, "Just be careful." He looked to the others, "When will you be leaving."

"As soon as we have everything together I guess," Lukas said, "As soon as Ivor is settled in and we're sure he won't drive Aiden mad."

"What all do you need?"

"Jesse's armor is the main thing," Petra said.

"Well..." Milo let out a weak grin, "I'll go check on the blacksmith then, shall I?" He quickly departed. Fortis gave Jesse one last pat, then followed after.

Petra gave a shake of her head, "Poor guy. He wants to help so badly."

"I feel bad taking more supplies," Lukas said nervously, "We don't know how well they'll handle their first winter down here, and we keep taking stuff."

"We'll go through everything at Aiden's place," Jesse suggested, "Take only the basics. They less we take from them the better. We can always find stuff in the other worlds anyway."

The others nodded in agreement.

"Alright let's get sorted."

"Good luck man,"

"Hopefully the next time we see each other it will be with good news," Lukas grinned.

Aiden gave a firm handshake, "Maybe the book will be done by then."

Lukas gave one last smile then followed Petra through the portal door.

It had taken a few hours longer than planned, but the group was ready to go. Every member determined to make this time the last time. Isa and Milo had stopped by briefly to wish them luck, but Aiden was the only one to actually follow them to the magical exit.

Jesse was the last one by the door. His armor once more equipped, he gave Aiden a smirk,"Glad to see you two have made up."

Aiden shrugged, pretending indifference, "Well, what can I say; there was a third party who was very persuading." A smile tugged at his lips.

The cold wind picked up briefly and Aiden tugged his jacket tighter, "Just be careful okay?"

Jesse gave a quick glance towards the door, "We'll be fine. We just won't die, remember?"

"Just take care of each other you ass."

"Don't let Ivor get the best of you,"

The Blaze Rod member scoffed, "What harm can he do?"

"Witherstorm."

Aiden coughed slightly, "Well besides that. We'll be fine. Isa and Milo will help so I'm not alone on this. You better get going Petra's going to think I killed you."

Jesse stuck his foot in the door, the tingle no longer a strange sensation. Aiden stuck out his hand. "Good luck."

Jesse took it, "Thanks."

With that, Jesse slipped through the portal and departed from this world.

Aiden stood there, watching the ripples fade, "Better not die dweebs." He mumbled with a crooked grin turning and walking back to the house. "I don't want to be stuck with Ivor till death do we part."

# Everyone will have an emotional breakdown before this story is up

#I swear on my grave haha

Next Time on Minecraft Story Mode: Immortal's Child

Chapter 5

Ancient Worlds

'Do you feel that?"

"Feel what?"

Petra looked around, the trees towering high above her, "Guys...this world feels...different."

Jesse and Lukas looked around, but it was the blonde who spoke up about their joint confusion, "Petra what do you mean."

All around her the forest echoed with soft whispers. It almost seemed like a tune, a song sung through many ages. It was old, but a held a deeper meaning to it. "I don't know. It just feels different."