Back in the End dimension, Valerie and Willow set up for the next mission to the Ender Kingdom, but they had some different plans to ensure their success in freeing Herobrine from his prison. Neither knew the others plan in its entirety, but they were not as different...

''For Notch's sake sis, give me a little warning next time you do the Netherburst! That really freaks me out!

''Where are you going now? If you get caught up in some crazy trap again, you're on your own.'' Willow said to Valerie as she was about to walk through their portal which could take them anywhere in the Overworld.

''Outlands.'' Valerie replied. ''I'll see if we can get some humans to get the next part of the Machine for us. I'm not that good at sneaky tactics.

''Oh, and you expect me to shout, Hey! I'm going to destroy everything in a sizable range, so stay where you are!, Jeez, what do you take me for? Everything those guys know about us is because of you! And why would you want to use humans? They're unpredictable, leaderless and primitive. They'll kill any mob that enters their realm, friendly or not.''

''They'll listen to anyone who has money. Just let me handle it.''

''Oh, like you handled it last time? That went so well, didn't it?''

Valerie scowled. ''I'm going whether you want me to or not.''

''Fine, but I've got other stuff to do so I won't be there if it all goes wrong. Oh, and I heard it's monsoon season all over the server, so you may want to wait until the rain stops before you go.''

''No. No help on this one. You two have caused enough trouble separately. If we are to succeed in our goals, you must learn to work as one.'' A vision of Herobrine appeared out of nowhere. ''Your next mission, to the Ender Kingdom, will be to retrieve the Ender's Eye ruby, currently on display at the Museum of Treasures. It is the last component required for the Machine. It will be your most challenging task yet, as simply breaking in will not yield the results we need. You will spend the next two weeks working together to get past the various security mechanisms guarding the ruby, and then you will steal it without setting off anything. If you fail, you will no longer be worthy of freeing me. Two weeks starts now, my children of destruction.'' The vision disappeared and what Herobrine had said to Valerie and Willow began to sink in. Valerie was the first to speak.

''In that case, screw my idea, I'm going over there to check out the perimeter defenses of the Ender Kingdom. You coming?''

Willow seemed slightly worried. ''Our biggest concern will be those eight interlopers. The Netherburst doesn't last forever, and I doubt they've all died.''

''So how will you stop them?''

''If they want to reach a level of technology in which they may be able to defeat us, they'll need resources only available in the Nether. We simply set up a base there, turn the nether mobs against any visitors, and they'll walk straight into the trap. I don't think they will be able to survive an entire dimension designed to kill.''

''You always were the smart one.''

''I always knew it.''

Stephanie's PoV

We were all so relieved when the rain started to come down. The lava around us began to fizz and harden into obsidian. We were all cheering and Steve cut his way through the crystal we were on to take us back down to ground level.

''That was too close.'' I heard the slime girl say. Yaebi replied that she was right. ''We need to get out of here.'' I told the others. Salvage what supplies you can and get out of here, okay? We need to find a suitable, safe place to make a forward base and build up out tech so we can get back at those two.''

''We'll get lost if we go any further off into the Outlands, we need to get to the Ender Kingdom. The archives there might have a map of any locations that fit the bill.'' said Andr.

''Well then, I replied. Do you know the way?''

''I don't think we should.'' said Vanessa. Those boss mob girls have raided every kingdom except the Enders and the Creepers. I don't think I've heard them mention anything about going to the Creeper Kingdom.'' That means they must be going to the Enders next.''

''But why?'' The Enders are lovers of art and treasures, not hyper advanced technology.'' said Cupa. ''And the creepers are mostly adept at demoition and landscaping, that level of destruction would certainly make me want to go there if I wanted to blow up the world.''

''We can only hope they're going to the Creepers then.'' said Steve.

Advanced circuitry, an electron cannon, and a fusion reactor from the spiders, electromagnets and gold from the skeletons, and a giant wheel from the zombies. It just doesn't add up, I thought to myself. These don't necessarily have anything in common.

''I know of a shortcut through to the Ender Kingdom.'' Crystal told us. If we get through that valley, it's a two day walk.''

''It's dangerous, but it'll have to do.'' said Vanessa. I looked over at her. She still never lost her own way of thinking even after all ths time. I had missed her so much, I just wanted to hug her right there and then, but then I remembered she really didn't like to be hugged. After crossing the valley, the long trek to the Ender Kingdom began. But, on our way there, we discovered something I never thought I'd see again…

Authors Note

I'm having a hard time getting these chapters up on a regular basis, but I just want you to know, more is coming. Also, as usual if you have any suggestions, drop a review or PM, I'd prefer PM as I can reply. See you next time!

-GoldBlockIngot