Darren stood at full height, looking at the ruins of the Butterfly. Flames bathed one entire side for the engines had exploded soon after the crash. Unfortunately,there was little chance to going in and seeing what he could scavenge. He patted his bag to assure himself and nodded, saying to himself, "I think I have enough food for a bit. I have my katanas so I should be good on defending myself. Some torches would be wonderful but I can live without them."

He turned and looked away from the Butterfly. Miles and miles of forest lay before him, oaks and birch mainly. Darren reached into his bag and grabbed a piece of paper. He held it over his watch which scanned it. A hologram of the landscape appeared from his watch which he studied. His worse fears had been confirmed. Forest lay all around him. Though in the north corner lay some denser forest. Overwhelmed with curiosity, he tapped the watch, causing the map to zoom out. In the north lay a dense forest, which reached far off his map. After setting the map to radar, he found that many people were in the forest but the watch failed to recognize them as specific players. He sighed, "Let's go check that out." and leapt to the ground, already walking steadily towards the destination.

The forest slowly dissolved into the more dense woods Darren had been heading to. There were more kinds of trees than birch and oak in this forest, a lot from mods such as "Biomes O' Plenty" and "Forestry". He could easily identify many as redwoods, which reached to the sky with their branches of spiky leaves. Less light broke through the canopy, giving the forest a dim eerie look. Despite low light levels, nary a mob was to be seen. Here and there down the path, glowstone nestled in the leaves of the trees, illuminating the path. Signs of life also scattered the path; burnt out torches, broken sword hilts, and bits of paper. Other than this the forest was alive with sound. Animals called from between the trees and the wind brushed along. Darren hummed a tune. Despite everything the forest was oddly calming.

A figure stumbled onto the path ahead though, and Darren stopped humming. He slowly drew one of his katanas, in case it was a mob. It may have been for it had shining purple eyes. Darren stiffened, drawing his gaze to the ground. A second later, he snuck a peek. It was his height so it wasn't an Enderman. Darren called hesitantly, "Hello?"

The mysterious figure turned and asked, "Who goes there?"

Darren called back, "My name is Darren. I'm a traveler in these woods."

The figure started to walk towards him, slowly as if it was in pain, and asked, 'Where do you come from?"

Darren answered, "I'm a refugee of the Sky Army."

The figure finally came in Darren's view, the light illuminating his features. It was a boy with dark brown hair, wearing a shirt with the same swirl Miki had on her cloak. The two stood, lining each other up until finally the boy said, "My name is Xavier. I'm also traveling. I need somewhere safe to go. You say you're a refugee? Of the Sky Army? What happened to it?"

Darren pointed to the path, "I'll tell you on the way."

Once Darren had finished his story, Xavier muttered, "The world's going straight to the Nether. In fact, I've seen it first hand, for I was forced to be a soldier in the Dark Lord's army."

Darren whispered in shock, "Israphel?!"

Xavier nodded,"I'm a mob hybrid. As common as we are nowadays, they seem to be Israphel's favorite kind to recruit. That's why people have mixed opinions of us."

A voice interrupted them, "Intruders!"

A girl leapt from the tree, her eyes almost literally blazing. She regarded them with an annoyed expression, carefully looking them over. Darren looked her over as well. She seemed well armed, a bow in her hands, knives stuck in her belt, and a katana strapped to her back. As far as he knew he had his katanas and Xavier had a sword and an axe, the former made of butter and the latter made of diamond. The same swirl Xavier had on his shirt and Miki had on her cloak was visible on the newcomer's shirt, lime green against the black crop top. Finally the girl asked them, "What brings you here?"

Xavier spoke first, "I needed to find somewhere secretive to hide."

Darren tapped his watch, "My communicator's radar sensed a lot of people here. I didn't want to get caught out at night with barely any supplies."

She beckoned, "Come on then. You seem innocent enough."

Darren asked shakily, "W-what's your name?"

The girl answered, "It's Amber Pyrea."

Xavier said, with more confidence than before" We got it, Amber."

She led them farther down the path, glowstone lamps becoming more frequent and banners hung on the trees, bearing the symbol of a large red oak tree with the swirl engraved in its trunk. Darren watched silently while Xavier watched with slight nervousness. 'I can't blame him.' Darren thought, seeing his partner's pale face and shaking eyes.

Suddenly the path opened to a clearing, tall tree branches lacing to make the roof of the place. It was absolutely huge and pathways connected high above the forest floor, leading into small buildings supported by the trees' massive branches. Paths on the forest floor lead away, presumingly away from this central clearing. Darren gaped in amazement, "Whoa."

Amber smiled at his awe and introduced the place, "This is the Kingdom of the Saplings!

Darren frowned as he murmured, "I believe Miki said something about this place...and there was a guy in Yogcraftia from here."

"King Martyn Littlewood?" Amber inquired.

"Well he never said anything about being a king but that's the one!" Darren exclaimed.

"Well I want to tell him of your presence. He came back after the entire Enderlox attack on Yogcraftia. He told us he wanted to protect us. Good thing he came back when he did. The reficules attacked shortly after. Let's go see him now."

Lord Littlewood's house was actually more spectacular than anyone could give him credit for. A tree seemed to grow around it but the house also seemed to be part of the tree. Embedded in the trunk was the actual home whereas the upper floor balcony encircled the tree. The trio entered to see a modest throne with Martyn napping on it, a small crown of leaves on his head. Amber laughed softly as Toby dropped from above and tapped the blonde on the shoulder. Martyn shot up, blue eyes wide. He looked around slowly until he was fully awake, at which point he asked Amber what she was doing there.

She responded, "This is Xavier and Darren, newcomers to the Kingdom."

Martyn addressed Xavier first, even though Darren piqued his interest,"What brings you here?"

Xavier spoke nervously, "I am looking for shelter. I recently escaped from the Army of the Dark Lord. I was enrolled against my will, kidnapped by a vampire. I think you should know Israphel is on the rise, secretly though."

Martyn muttered, "Not any less dangerous with Enderlox about, this weakens many to Israphel AND Enderlox."

Xavier nodded and added, "I don't know much else. He seemed to be amassing forces from what I saw. He is by no means inactive. Just in the background."

Martyn smiled nonetheless, "You're welcome here though! If you need somewhere to stay that is safe, you found a wonderful place!"

He turned to Darren next, "I remember you! The recruit of the Sky Army, was it?"

Darren nodded solemnly. Martyn asked, "What brings you here?"

"Enderlox" was Darren's quiet reply.

Martyn turned his head to the side and murmured sarcastically, "That's a surprise. How?"

Darren explained, "Not only did Sky go after him...to the End but we lost our ship via an Enderdragon slamming into it! We haven't seen Sky in weeks so we can only presume he's dead or captured. The dragon, commanded by Enderlox, attacked us. We believe the dragon was Captain Sparklez. We fled the ship via jetpack, Ender teleportation and the rings but we are all scattered. Miki told me to go to the north with the place with our leader's name but I have not the faintest idea of what that's about!"

Martyn shrugged but Toby cut in, "Well we have a fair amount of maps so all we have to do is look in the north for a place that has the word, "sky" in it!"

The trio of Martyn, Darren, and Toby went up to the library and began to look at maps after maps until there were maps littering the tables. Toby held one up after a while and exclaimed, "How about the SKYHold?"

Darren took it from him and looked, "I don't see any reason why not!"

Martyn commented, "It's the home of the Skylords! There aren't many now but I don't see any reason why they couldn't offer sanctuary to some lost recruits."

Toby giggled, "Especially if they're part of the SKY Army!"

Martyn chuckled, "That wasn't even funny! Why am I laughing?"

Darren smiled. "That's my next destination, I guess."

Martyn mused, "Maybe we can send someone with you."

"Someone who knows the terrain and can move like a ninja!" said a voice from above.

The owner of the voice dropped down behind Toby. She was a girl with long brown hair and a partial mask, hiding her mouth. She dropped the navy hood of her hoodie and lowered the mask to greet Toby, "Hello, cousin!"

Toby jumped slightly, startled by the sudden voice so close to him. He whirled around but visibly relaxed once he saw that he was in no danger. He introduced her to Darren, "This is Katrina, my cousin. I wasn't aware she came over here to the Kingdom. "

She laughed, "Can't someone just come to visit? Though I'd be happy to direct this guy to the Skyhold! The only problem would be the sail across the ocean and the fact he'd have to get up there. Though I can just guide him to the coast!"

Toby nervously asked, "How long were you up there?"

She smiled at him as she stood by Darren, "Long enough!"

Darren asked, "So it's a deal?"

Toby and Martyn nodded while Katrina howled, "We ride at dawn!"

Darren studied the black and grey horse. He laughed, "You were serious about riding at dawn."

Katrina, sitting on a brown horse, nodded and said, "Let's go then! You got a boat right?"

Darren mounted his horse and nodded. Katrina grinned, "We're off then!"

The two rode for most of the day, crossing plains and forests until they came to the coast. Darren looked out at the expanse of water. Admittedly he was nervous. He felt exposed to evil. There was no one out there to fight aside him. No cover to hide with. Nowhere to go but down. Not to mention...them. He eyed the water with a mix and fear and anger. A Sky Army Recruit wouldn't be caught dead near water alone under normal circumstances. Katrina broke him out of his thoughts by saying, "Hey, let me see your communicator!"

He unstrapped it and handed it to her. She fiddled with it for a minute or two and handed it back. She explained, "I set a waypoint at my home. In case you need help."

Darren smiled, "Who knows! I may need it one day! See you then, I guess."

He threw the boat on the water where it grew in size until it was big enough for him to comfortably sit in. He climbed inside, waved farewell, and began to paddle forward. He knew he wouldn't make it before the day was over for the sky was already turning orange. Nothing hostile, for the most part, would spawn out here. He paddled for a bit until the moon began to come out. At this point he set the paddle across his lap and leaned back. He didn't want to go to sleep in fear he would go off course. He gazed at the sky, tracing the various constellations with his fingers, trying to remember their names. Minecraftia was an ever-changing place but the sky was one of the only things that never changed. There was the Ocelot and the Warrior. Across the sky was the Twin Guardians, one composed of bright white stars and the other with multi-colored stars. Those represented Notch and Herobrine, he knew. He yawned. 'No sleep' he scolded himself.

He stood up and looked around. No land in sight. He turned on the communicator and saw, with joy, a white building in the corner of the map. In a few hours he'd be there! A voice cut through his thoughts, "HEY."

He looked to his right and sighed, "How did I know this was coming."

The squid quipped, "HEY. RECRUIT. WHATCHA DOIN'?"

Darren grabbed the paddle and said happily, "Not much. But..." and he swung at the squid.

The first hit left the squid dazed while Darren yelled, "That one's for Deadlox!"

He delivered a second whack straight on it's square cranium followed by a cry of, "Not to mention Sky would like this one!"

The final drove the squid underwater whilst Darren screamed, "And I just like hitting squids!"

Next he took the paddle and began to paddle away with adrenaline, now wide awake.

As predicted, in two hours the Skyhold was well in sight, but sadly unreachable. Darren stared at it with frustration. He could wait until morning but it still was a small chance someone would see him, much less rescue him. He called out, "Hey!" but the sound just echoed to none but Darren's ears.

Meanwhile Lysander was readying for a midnight flyaround. It was just part of the guard activities, which he and Nina kept up with. They had considered looking for apprentices but in the two years of peace, never had. When, and if, Enderlox was defeated he knew they would be opening up the Academy of Skylords again, for sure. He slipped on his goggles and a part of his mind wondered, 'Where in the world was Jasper'. In the years of peace, he never came back nor sent word. He seemed to abandon his summer home. Lysander was still anxious about his return, if there was one, for Jasper was probably still angry about the state of mind that they had left with. He wasn't judging the...flamboyant Skylord...just confused about the whole ordeal. How did the irritable grouch become some bright stalker? He pondered this as he got the plane ready and set off.

He circled the Skyhold, like he did every time it was his turn. He saw the boat almost instantaneously, a teenage boy laying back in it. He flew by yelling, "Hey! Get ready and I'll pick you up next flyby!"

When he came back he carefully hovered by the boy so he may climb into the plane. After this he shot up towards the Skyhold. The kid said, "Thanks! I thought I'd be there all night!"

Lysander assured him, "Turns out you won't! Do you happen to be a recruit of the Sky Army?"

Darren nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! I'm Darren!"

Lysander began to land the plane and said, "You're in the right place! I'll show you somewhere you can sleep for there are some friends of yours here!"

"Miki and Annie?"

"Yeah, but they're sleeping now. You might as well too. How long have you traveled?"

Darren stepped out of the plane, "Since sunrise."

Lysander nodded sagely, "Come along then. Let's get you a place to sleep."

Katrina belongs to QuickFemaleNinja on DA

Xavier belongs to a guest on FF

Amber belongs to a guest on FF