AN: It's not Thursday yet!
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd try and write adventure plots for Telltale.
Beta: AxeHelix
Chapter 87
Group Dynamic
[Cobb]
Even after escaping Ringwood, we were further pursued by several ambitious guard patrols that hunted us through those charred woods for miles. I never realized how annoyingly dedicated the guards were at their jobs. And unlike Griefers, they were actually well-trained, making them a greater pain that we couldn't fight out of fear of killing them.
When our stamina began to dwindle, Lenz, carried between Floyd and I like a sack of dirt, suggested a tactic he used when first avoiding pursuing Griefers: Burying oneself. Pretty self-explanatory. Just pry open the nearest patch of dirt, dig down, and cover. Simple.
While it was more of a nighttime tactic since any brain-dead moron would notice a random patch of dirt in a field of grass, it worked for us because of a certain tool of mine that could pry up grass blocks. With my golden shovel, we covered our dug holes with grass and waited in silence as the guards trampled past us. In a few moments, their footfalls died out. We were safe.
Using the light of one of my torches, my friends and I looked over the map I got from Brett. It still showed the area between Ringwood and Mt. Mur. We talked back and forth about figuring the best route to take.
"Going around the mountain will take longer. Let's go right through."
"You mean with that railway we used to escape Carys?"
"Railway?" Lenz perked up. "As in a redstone railway?"
"We'd have to find it first." Floyd continued as if Lenz hadn't said anything. "Were there any noticeable landmarks by it?"
"It was somewhere between tree and tree."
"Fantastic…"
"Why is that fantastic? He has only narrowed it down to anywhere in this forest!"
"That's why I said it sarcastically."
"…Oh."
"Anyway, we need to avoid the guards at all times. So we either travel at night or underground. We can use Cobb's clock to alternate."
"We could also just ender pearl."
"Ender pearl…?"
"Yeah, I used it before." I explained, remembering how I got to that Endward Cult outpost. "We can throw them to gain some distance. In fact, if we throw them off the top of Mt. Mur, I bet we can reach near the Origin Zone."
"You want to stop by the Origin Zone?"
"Is that wise?"
"Sure! Who's gonna turn us in, Helena? The only Crafters we'll have to worry about are fresh spawns. Plus, I want to show her Herobrine's latest book." I held up Advanced Mob-Slaying. "I wouldn't mind making a copy for her."
"We would require paper and leather for that. And then an ink sac and a feather."
"Don't forget about a hundred ender pearls."
"Ah, yes, that too. We are still getting an airship, though. Right?"
"Yes, Lenz. We're still getting the airship."
"...I want the airship."
We weren't very prepared. We had food, thanks to Erin, but the whole wanted thing had been sprung on us out of nowhere. We didn't have the time to grab ender pearls or maps. We almost died on the wall without a bucket of water. Lenz wasn't wearing any armor. Did we even have a compass? Maybe Lenz or Floyd did. Notch knows I had a load of crap in my Inventory. Why and how did I still have an oak wood door!?
How were we going to reach Zeppil like this?
"We need more supplies." I reasoned to the others. "We can't just wander South with the hopes of stumbling upon Zeppil." Even though the same tactic had worked for Ringwood, that was only because it was so close to the Origin and stood out from the woods. "We need to resupply at a village or a—"
"Jolin."
"What?"
"Jolin." Lenz repeated, looking between us. "The Jungle Kingdom. I have a pen pal there studying Jungle Temples. We can resupply there and then move on to Zeppil."
"This isn't another excuse to fawn over redstone, is it?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny that statement."
"But Wynn warned us that Jolin might have our wanted posters." I pointed out. "What if we get caught?"
"The two of you will just have to conceal yourselves and rely on me." Lenz commented with a bit of pride. "I can get us supplies while also selling grass blocks for emeralds. We need to stock up for the airship anyway and a village will not have the proper auction houses."
"Bah, you're right." I conceded. Without an exact idea of where to go, we could wander well out of our way. Maps. Emeralds. Supplies. If we wanted to reach Zeppil, we would first need to stop in Jolin. "We'll have to go in and out quick though. The shorter we stay the better."
"Alright, good, we have a plan." Floyd said. "Origin Zone. Jolin. Zeppil. In that order. Any questions?" Lenz tentatively raised his end. "Yes, Lenz?"
The engineer pointed down at the map. "Why are there two white blips?"
All of our eyes darted to the map where, just as he said, there was more than one white blip. And it was steadily moving towards our white blip.
"Someone else must have the same map…" I began before realization hit me. "Oh!"
The others looked perplexed, but I quickly dug out the ceiling of dirt to let fresh sunlight in. Then, poking my head up, I looked around and spotted the Crafter I had been expecting. "Soul, hey!"
The axe-wielder whipped around before looking down at me. "Oh, gross, it's some sort of giant deformed gopher."
"Haha. You have no soul." I deadpanned humorlessly as I hoisted myself out of the hole, followed by a surprised Floyd.
"Soul? What… how… I thought you already left for Akasha."
"I did." Soul replied. "Until I saw a set of wanted posters. Figured you could use an ally since half of Minecraftia is trying to catch you." He held up the copy of my map where I saw our two white blips nearly on top of one another. "Lucky thing Cobb still had that map. Otherwise I never would have found you."
"Hold on." Lenz dragged himself out of the hole last, but regarded Soul warily. "How do we know you are not here to apprehend us?"
Soul scoffed. "Believe me, nerd, if I was here to apprehend you, you'd already be apprehended."
"Well, if you were really here to apprehend us, you'd be detained." I countered smugly.
"Well, neither of us are apprehended nor detained so that can only mean I'm not here for the bounty." Soul reasoned in a way that made us all pause for thought.
…
"I suppose that makes sense…"
"Oh, give it a rest. Soul wouldn't rat us out. He knows we're not cultists." Floyd defended before adding, "Right?"
"No. As tempting as having a bathtub full of emeralds is, I'm pretty sure you three aren't cultists." He narrowed his eyes at Lenz as if he still wasn't too sure about him. "Anyway, I figured I'd come with you to Zeppil to keep you all from getting arrested."
"But what about your mission in Akasha?" Floyd asked. "Brett said—"
"Brett says a lot of things that I don't listen to. There's no way he would be okay sending you to Zeppil on your own—" Lenz and I coughed pointedly. "—with only the aid of two limp noodles, when you're a wanted man. But if I come with, we can handle both our missions, no sweat."
I tried to ignore the limp noodle jab, but I couldn't help but pinch my arm and frown over the lack of muscle tone. Perhaps I was forever doomed to be a limp noodle. How did Endermen live with it?
"You're sure you want to come with us?" Floyd asked. "I mean, we're wanted criminals. There's no reason for you to get wrapped up in that—"
"I'm not going to abandon a guild the second things get tough." Soul argued back with folded arms. "I'm the type of guy who sticks with you through thick and thin. And with things as thick as they are now, you'll need all the help you can get."
Floyd smiled. "Thanks, Soul. Really. You're… well… you're a good friend."
"Well, it's like the old saying goes, if you can't trust a friend to go on the lam with you, then what kind of friend are they?" The axe-wielder smirked before turning his attention to me. "So, Zeppil, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah. We're going there for Floyd's mission and also to pick up an airship. But first, we agreed to stop in Jolin." I clapped the axe-wielder on the shoulder in an overly friendly way. "Got any ender pearls by chance?"
"No."
"Oh." I deflated, letting my arm fall off him. "That was pretty much what we needed. You would have been our hero if you had them with you like any seasoned Crafter would."
"Hey, I don't see any ender pearls on you, either." Soul shot back, glancing at my belt. "What's your excuse?"
"Not a seasoned Crafter." I explained with a shrug. "More of a lightly peppered Crafter, really."
"Just because I don't have ender pearls doesn't make me a newb!" Soul defended with a hint of anger.
"He's right, Cobb." Floyd chimed in with a small smirk. It was fun messing with Soul like this. "Soul is a seasoned Crafter all right. Why, just look at how salty he's being!"
"I'm not salty! Shut up!" The axe-wielder growled.
"Oh, you're right, Floyd. The salt is practically springing off of him."
"On second thought, maybe I will turn you assholes over for the emeralds." Soul hissed. "Maybe buy some new friends."
"Man, I never thought a Crafter could have so much salt."
"Why are we talking about seasonings?" Lenz questioned in bewilderment. "Is this another social thing?"
"OKAY, smart-asses and smarter-asses!" Soul accused, losing his temper. "You want to see salty? You want to see fucking salty!? I'll show you fucking salty! We need pearls to travel far anyway, right? Tonight, I bet I can gather more ender pearls than all three of you chuckle-heads combined!"
"Must we make a competition of this?" Lenz reasoned carefully. "We are still being hunted down and cooperation is the best—"
"You're on, axe-twirler!" I accepted, my competitive nature shining through. "They'll cut down on our travel time. Whoever gathers the most ender pearls by tomorrow morning wins exclusive bragging rights!"
"Fine by me." Floyd nodded before withdrawing his sword. "And if there's an Enderman too tough for either of you to handle, just give me a call and I'll come to your rescue." He spoke smugly.
"And give you an extra point?" Soul scoffed. "Fat chance! Just don't cry too badly when you lose."
"I was about to say the same to you." Floyd shot back before he marched into the woods with Soul close behind. They were eager to hunt for Endermen as soon as the sun went down.
I was about to follow, when I paused to look back. "Hey, Lenz, you coming?"
Lenz looked a bit out of place as he rubbed his shoulder before nodding. "I will catch up. Do not worry." He spoke with a sad smile. "Do not let me slow you down."
Seeing that he was okay, I followed after Floyd and Soul, oblivious to the dejected engineer dragging himself along in our wake.
[Lenz]
I did not like our new traveling companions.
As if becoming wanted fugitives was not bad enough, now I had to endure the company of two meat-headed Crafters and their corrupting influence on the only Crafter I could call a comrade. Honestly, ender pearl contests? It reminded me of the bullies that escorted me during my first weeks of Minecraftia. Throwing their weight around, having meaningless games when our lives were on the line, disregarding me as another expendable nerd…
…
I did not want to be just an expendable nerd again. I had already proven my usefulness—my dependability—to Cobbert. I had shown him I could fight. That I could be strong.
But that meant nothing to Floyd and Soul. To them, showing strength was simply a prerequisite of being a Crafter rather than the hurdle I viewed it as. They were strong all the time. They could wield swords and axes whereas I could barely run a mile without losing my breath.
Looking at them engaging in their meat-headed competitions, it was clear they found no struggle in doing what I desperately sought for ever since day one. They could joke and laugh without a care in the world, even as wanted criminals, because they had the strength to overcome it.
I wanted that strength.
I wanted to be able to laugh the situation off and forget the severity of it all.
I wanted to be able to talk to them without worry of sounding uncomfortable or awkward.
But… but I was scared.
I was a wanted criminal.
I… was a wanted criminal. Every day of my life from now on would be a struggle to evade capture. The guards that used to instill me with a sense of security would now be hunting us day and night. How could I possibly be prepared for that? I was not strong like the others! Like Cobbert or Floyd or Soul! My victory over Veronica had been staged! Any other Captain would have pinned us to a wall!
My survival now rested in the hands of these three companions. And already they were distancing themselves away from me. I glanced down at my bow and paled. How was I supposed to hunt Endermen like the rest of them when my arrows—the only combat skill I possessed—would not work on the teleporting Mobs. What would they think when, come tomorrow morning, their arms would be laden with pearls and I would be the only one empty-handed.
How useless would I look compared to them?
And how much longer would it take for them to distance themselves from me entirely and lose all interest in keeping me around?
I looked up to where Cobbert was happily laughing with the blue-haired one.
If he already had a best friend, then what did he need me for?
I clenched my fist over my bow. Repeaters, I was weak compared to them.
I needed to get stronger. Strong enough to stand beside Cobbert as an equal.
[Floyd]
Nighttime came pretty quickly, allowing us to hunt for Endermen. Cobb had said we needed a lot of pearls to make it over Mt. Mur, so I was quick to search for the tall Mobs.
But finding them wasn't so easy. Cobb's Advanced Mob-Slaying book told us everything we needed to know about the Mobs… except where to find them. I went through seven Zombies, eight Skeletons, seven Spiders, and five Creepers before finally finding one Enderman.
Herobrine's knowledge also proved helpful in killing the Mob. I just hit it once before hiding under a tree with low leaves. The Enderman flailed its arms at me, but couldn't reach due to its freakish height. It futilely tried to teleport around every time I hit it, but eventually I landed the finishing blow and was rewarded with one fine ender pearl.
"Only thirty-nine more to go." I sighed, realizing the amount of effort one pearl took to find. I stashed it away in my backpack before resuming my search. Soul and Cobb weren't going to beat me!
…And the other one too, I guess.
Come to think of it, I didn't really know much about Lenzington. Just that he loved redstone and hated contractions. He was also something of an archer if his performance against Veronica was any indication. He had admitted she had thrown the fight, but still he was a good archer.
"I just feel silly carrying this around, though." I spoke to myself when I withdrew the bow I hadn't used in so long. Its durability was fairly high—since I didn't have many arrows—and it didn't really make sense why I had been holding it for so long. Wouldn't it make more sense for Lenz to have it? He had arrows and was a pretty good shot. Meanwhile, I had dabbled in archery—better at it than Cobb or Soul—but it wasn't really something to fall back on. I stuck with a sword and—
I traced a hand over my eye.
Well, I was going to stick with a sword.
It was kind of simple, but hey, lots of people had only a single method of combat. Soul had his axe, Lenz had his bow, and Wynn had her rapier. There was nothing wrong with just using a sword.
And I was getting better with it, too.
I heard moans and groans coming from my left and I quickly held my sword defensively. Three Zombies hobbled out of the forest, fixing their soulless eyes on me.
I rushed in low and sliced at the first Mob's torso, sending it crashing into another. I then deflected a scratch and unleashed a flurry of blows upon the undead horror. It burst into rotten flesh and much more useful EXP, which floated into my arm.
More levels meant better enchantments. That's what I needed. Both for my armor and my weapons. The upgrades would go a long way towards trumping the more fearsome cultists.
Like Teal.
I shivered while dispatching another Zombie. The memories of that night flooding back into me.
I had been helpless back there. Forced to watch as that psychotic Lieutenant crushed the life out of Cara and Soul. I hated feeling that way! It was just like back when Silent died. Just recalling her face split into that sick, euphoric smile made me… made me—
I blinked back wisps of smoke as I put on a tremendous burst of speed, launching into the final Zombie like a torpedo.
"Wha…? NO!" I cried out in alarm as I fell to my knees, holding my shaking arms in front of me. The Hacker smoke was swirling around them and past my knees. I hadn't been trying to activate it! I never wanted to use it again! So why was it going off at the worst possible time?
"Crap…" I cursed as I tried to shut it off. "Turn off. Turn off!" I waved my arms around and concentrated on… I don't know, something! I was still in the dark about how to stop or start it and moments like these weren't helping.
Did I have to calm down? Did I have to think about something specific? Was it activated with a word? By emotion? By some random time of the month!? I had no idea!
After a few moments of panicking and futilely trying to end things, however, the smoke abruptly vanished and I flopped onto the ground, exhausted.
No, it was worse than exhausted. Everything felt numb. I couldn't even turn my neck so that I wasn't eating grass. It was just like in Nitebane. Less than a minute of using my Hack shut down my entire body.
Which really sucked when I was in a forest at night. And hey, my voice had attracted more Zombies. I sure was nice tuckering myself out so they could enjoy a late-night snack chalk full of blue-haired vitamins!
Thanks a lot Hacker Powers! I bitterly thought while struggled to lift a finger. I can always count on you to ruin me!
The Mobs marched closer and closer until they were standing right above me. I tried to thrash or move anything, but was only rewarded with a slight twitch of my pinky.
The first Zombie to reach me raked across my back with its arm. My armor took a good chunk of the damage, but it still hurt. It raised another arm to attack, only for an arrow to catch it in the neck.
"Repeaters! Floyd, get up!" Lenz warned as three more arrows forced the Zombies to back off. His footsteps sounded close and I let out a sigh of relief that my life wasn't in immediate danger anymore.
A few more arrows later and the Zombies were dead. Lenz tentatively absorbed the EXP, but wrinkled his nose at the rotten flesh.
Fair enough. Only Cobb was desperate enough to choke that down.
Lenz hurried over to my side and looked me over, much to my concern. "What is wrong? Your arm is… your Health is barely touched and you are not afflicted by any potion effects." He raised his tinted glasses to scrutinize me further. "Why were you just lying here?"
"I wasn't." I defended while my mind desperately sought for a reasonable explanation. He couldn't know about my Hack. "I… I froze, I guess." That was the best I could come up with. "My body just locked up."
Lenz frowned as he looked down upon me. "Well, the danger is gone now. There are no nearby Mobs from what I can see."
"Good." I spoke into the grass.
"…"
"…"
"So… you will get up then?"
"Yeah, definitely." I paused before adding. "The grass just… smells really nice. I just want to get a good whiff of it." I inhaled deeply, causing the engineer to raise an eyebrow.
"Ah… hm." He finished lamely before taking a step away from me. It was a good thing we were past the first impression point. Otherwise I would have come across as some blue-haired weirdo.
A weirdo with finicky Hacker powers. I internally cursed as feeling finally crept into my arm. Enough so that I could prop myself off the grass and flash the engineer a grateful smile. "Thanks."
"You would have done the same for me. Right?" He added with a twinge of doubt that offended me. Of course I would have saved him. Cobb and I had carried him when he was too winded to run, hadn't we?
"I thought I already had." I countered coolly, to which Lenz frowned.
"Then I will be sure to assist you further in turn." The engineer stood up straighter, tightening the hold on his bow. "I will not be the Beginners' dead weight, I assure you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" My eye twitched as I massaged feeling into my other arm.
"Nothing offensive." He waved his arm to diffuse my simmering agitation. "Just that… well… I do not wish to be this guild's burden anymore. I will carry myself proudly and strive to assist Cobbert however I can. I will not simply lay about—I mean, ah, f-forget I said that."
My eyes narrowed even further at his slip-up. "I wasn't 'laying about', alright? I was just… I… Bah, it doesn't matter what I was doing!"
"That was just a slip of the tongue!" Lenz waved his arms with wide eyes. "Really, I did not mean to say—"
"Nothing offensive, Lenzington," I spoke harshly, feeling insulted, "but I've been assisting Cobb long before you came along. So trust me when I say I can handle myself."
"Clearly you cannot…" Lenz mumbled under his breath, not realizing I could hear him.
Feeling a fresh wave of indignation, I reached into my backpack and shoved an item into his tinted-glasses-wearing face. "Just look. An ender pearl. I killed an Enderman by myself along with a bunch of other Mobs. I'm not a burden on Cobb."
"I never said you were!"
"That's not what your slip-up implied."
Lenz shook his head. "I was not—"
"Do you even have any ender pearls?" I asked, internally cringing at the low blow. I knew full well he wouldn't have killed an Enderman since they were impervious to arrows, but it was his fault for starting something he couldn't finish. "Or will the rest of us have to go out of our way to share some with you."
That did it. Lenz's face heated up in anger. "Speaking of going out of my way and sharing resources," Lenz hissed coldly through clenched teeth, "the arrows I wasted rescuing your frozen, locked-up self." I bristled at his word choice. "I am not getting those back. Maybe next time you will fight from a distance so that the Mobs will not frighten you."
…That son of a—
The engineer turned on his heel and stormed away while also looking like he was fleeing potential retaliation.
His words had gotten under my skin, though; Just as mine had gotten under his. Saying I was frightened? That was the old me. I had been a guy that fled from his friend's killer. But I wasn't that same person anymore. How dare he assume I hadn't changed? I had risked my life to protect my friends! I wasn't the same weakling I was before!
I was shaking, I was so mad. So much so that I actually whipped out my bow, aimed at the engineer's retreating back, and… and…
*TWANG*
*THUNK*
Lenz gasped as the arrow impacted the tree just to his left. He whirled on me, his expression unreadable behind those tinted glasses. My hand was still shaking, anxious for him to respond in some way. The shot wouldn't have killed him if it had hit, but I couldn't deny I attacked him.
He raised his hand and worked the arrow out of the bark before storing it in his backpack with the rest of his ammunition. "Hmph. Cannot even land a straight shot."
I glowered at the engineer's parting shot as he backed away, careful not to turn his back towards me.
Once he was gone, I glared down at the bow clenched tightly in my hands. I'd show him. He wasn't the only one who could use a bow. I just needed a little practice and I could make all the straight shots I wanted.
I'm not a frightened boy anymore. I thought to myself, turning in the opposite direction of the engineer.
I'm not going to be a burden. I thought determinedly as I looked for more Endermen.
And I'm not going to be burdened by this stupid Hack, either! I internally spat as I dug a finger into the dark lines over my eyes. I'll get stronger than it! So much so that I won't even need it anymore!
I could expand my arsenal. Bows, splash potions, flint and steel, TNT. Mastering them all would be the best way to prepare for those cultists. Screw the Hacks. I could kill monsters without becoming one.
I needed to get stronger. Strong enough to stand against anyone.
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Unbreaking III], 1 Stone Pickaxe, 1 Golden Shovel [Silk Touch I, Unbreaking III], 1 Flint and Steel {Weak}, 15 Cobblestone, 2 Ender Pearls, 12 Flint, 12 Torches, 5 Coal, 2 Oak Wood Planks, 2 Sticks, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Oak Wood Door, 1 Clock, 43 Dirt, 1 Water Bucket, 4 String, 6 TNT, 64 Steak, 64 Cooked Mutton, 56 Baked Potatoes, 1 Pumpkin, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Unbreaking I], 1 Iron Leggings {Weak}, 1 Iron Boots, 18 Rotten Flesh, 46 Emeralds, 1 Map {Ringwood Region}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}
[EXP: 10]
Inventory (Floyd): 1 Iron Pickaxe, 1 Iron Sword, 1 Bow, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Furnace, 1 Crafting Table, 3 Sticks, 3 Ladders, 8 Cobblestone, 1 Oak Wood Door, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Ender Pearl, 1 Potion of Regeneration II {0:22}, 1 Potion of Regeneration II {0:22}, 1 Potion of Regeneration II {0:22}, 1 Potion of Fire Resistance {8:00}, 2 Flint, 8 Rotten Flesh, 5 Bones, 6 Gunpowder, 16 String, 10 Ink Sacs, 64 Cooked Chicken, 61 Apples, 3 Wool, 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Iron Leggings, 1 Iron Boots, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 16 Arrows, 1 Paper {Entry Pass}, 4 Emeralds
[EXP: 22]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Bow, 1 Shears, 2 Levers, 4 Wooden Buttons, 1 Stone Button, 5 Redstone Torches, 17 Redstone Repeaters, 3 Redstone Comparators, 16 Redstone, 64 TNT, 7 TNT, 1 Hopper, 1 Dispenser, 3 Blocks of Redstone, 5 Pistons, 10 Cobblestone, 10 Torches, 13 Wheat, 2 Sticks, 1 Minecart, 1 Compass, 9 String, 25 Gunpowder, 60 Steak, 8 Arrows, 1 Potion of Night Vision {8:00}, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Pumpkin, 64 Emeralds, 14 Emeralds, 1 Book {Airship Piloting 101}, 1 Book {Notebook}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}
[EXP: 6]
Inventory (Soul): 1 Iron Axe, 1 Shield, 3 Ender Pearls, 1 Splash Potion of Healing II, 1 Splash Potion of Healing II, 1 Splash Potion of Healing II, 1 Potion of Strength II {1:30}, 1 Potion of Strength II {1:30}, 1 Potion of Invisibility {8:00}, 1 Potion of Invisibility {8:00}, 1 Potion of Invisibility {8:00}, 1 Iron Helmet, 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Iron Leggings, 1 Iron Boots, 1 Crafting Table, 20 Oak Wood Planks, 15 Steaks, 9 Emeralds, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Map {Ringwood Region}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}
[EXP: 35]
AN: I just want to clarify that neither Floyd nor Lenz are jerks. Lenz just subconsciously voiced his insecurities and Floyd took it the wrong way. Much like how real life arguments take place. Though each of them is more similar in their motivations than you think.
Also, Soul's tagging along because otherwise the group would get mauled by Polar Bears or something. It would just spring on them too, with little warning. Just - bam - Polar Bears.
The Omake below miiiight be M-rated? I dunno. If you're not eighteen, don't read it.
Review, fav, follow, be a boyscout/girlscout/hooplahscout. Whatever.
Omake: Teal and Mark
After several days of travel, Mark and Teal had reached Minecraftia's woodland forest, just west of the Cadboro Bridge. The Ocean Monument was still a few days away, but they would first have to make boats. There were no islands in between so the voyage would be long and wearisome. That meant Teal would be ten times more likely to throw herself onto his own boat and capsize the both of them just for some affectionate cuddles.
He didn't want that.
But he also didn't want Teal playing hide-and-seek in the middle of the woods!
"Teal!" Mark called out from atop a giant mushroom known to sprout in the woodland forest. "Teal, this isn't funny! Come on out!"
"Maaaaaark~!" A feminine voice echoed from deep within the woods. "Come find me, Maaaaark~!"
"…Do I have to?" Mark groaned to himself.
"Yes, you dooooo~!"
Mark frowned as he dropped to the forest floor and trekked in the direction of Teal's voice.
"Where oh where could I be hiding~?" Her sing-song voice rang out, putting Mark's nerves on edge. He wasn't afraid of her attacking him. He was afraid she would glomp him from behind and do unspeakable things to him. Things that would weaken his position on their friends-only relationship.
He didn't want to think about how soft she felt. Nor did he want to remember how she made him feel back in that tent. He didn't want any of that.
…
Well, maybe a little—No!
He slapped himself across the face. He couldn't let her tempt him. They were Lieutenants! They had no time for romantic relationships.
Come to think of it, just who was leading their subdivisions in their absence? Knowing Abyssmal, he would just have given them all a short vacation, and if any of them asked where Lieutenants Mark and Teal were…
…the one-eyed bastard would smile knowingly and say they were on their honeymoon!
Mark hated how his Executive always assumed he and Teal were a couple. They weren't! He had explained it multiple times.
"Maaaaaaaark~!" Teal called out again. "I see your thinking face. It's sooooo adorable. It makes me want to just pounce on you."
There was a rustling from behind and Mark immediately responded by whipping out a Splash Potion of Slowness and hurling it towards the noise. The bottle smashed against an innocuous tree, wasting its contents on nothing.
"Looks like you missed me~" The voice called out, sounding all around him. "Am I making you… nervous~?" Teal giggled suggestively.
"Very!"He called out, unable to keep his voice from cracking. This made Teal laugh even more. "Seriously, Teal. Don't you dare glomp me!"
"But I'm having such fun." Her voice dropped low, suddenly concerned. "Am I hurting you by doing this? I wouldn't want that."
"No, you're not hurting me." Mark admitted, his cheeks dusted red. "But it's making me uncomfortable. So just… just please come out, okay? Slowly." He added. "And in plain view. No sneaking up or anything."
"Siiiiiiiiigh. You're no fun." Teal whined.
There was a rustling to his left and Mark instantly turned towards it, splash potion at the ready. He should have known Teal wouldn't show herself in front of him.
"Look out!"
Mark whipped his head around, confused by Teal's warning since it wasn't coming from the rustling bushes. If Teal wasn't in front of him though, then who was?
His question was answered when a Splash Potion of Harming crashed into his face, taking out three hearts of Health. Mark fell back and tried to clear his vision as the Witch advanced from the bushes. Two more Witches and a Skeleton accompanied her, and soon a volley of projectiles were hurled at the Lieutenant.
He narrowly dodged the arrow, but was forced to take the splash potions of Poison and Weakness thrown at him. Acting fast, the alchemist withdrew a bucket of milk and downed it quick, nullifying all detrimental potion effects on him. Then, he withdrew a Splash Potion of Regeneration II and chucked it at his feet to fix his Health.
Three more Skeletons emerged from his right, however, and shot several more arrows at him. But before the Lieutenant could dodge, he let out a surprised yelp as something darted forth, sweeping the Lieutenant off his feet in a gentle hold, before whisking him away from the enemy fire.
Teal smiled down at the Lieutenant in her arms. He held on tightly as she bridal carried him in a flurry of movement, her blue hair fluttering in the rush of wind. Only when Teal was behind the cover of a thick tree away from the Mobs did she dare put Mark down.
And once she was sure he was safe, her vibrant blue eyes darkened to glare at the Mobs that dared to attack her love. She cracked her knuckles, counting her opponents. Three Witches and four Skeletons. Not as entertaining as Crafters, but she'd manage.
Her eyes widened when she felt something splash against her back, followed by an exhilarating rush of energy and strength. She grinned at the alchemist who had just thrown splash potions of Strength and Swiftness at her. They were hardly necessary, but knowing Mark cared made her feel all warm inside. "Thanks, hot-stuff~!"
"I'm only trying to speed things along." Mark dismissed, unable to look at Teal's flirtatious grin without blushing. "Make it quick."
"Consider it done!" She cheered, falling into a sprinting position before darting forth in a blue blur and a rush of wind.
The Skeletons and Witches could hardly keep up. The blue-nette darted and weaved between them, occasionally lashing out with a well-timed kick or punch that sent the Mobs reeling. Their heads spun and arrows and splash potions were flung in every direction in the hopes of hitting her. It was futile, though. Teal could dodge projectiles in her sleep, even without the potions aiding her. It only took her a minute to finish them all off.
"Done!" Teal tittered as she suddenly came to a stop before Mark, startling him slightly. She was beaming proudly, however, and fishing for praise. "Wasn't I amazing?"
"Yes, you were. Very amazing." Mark nodded to the Lieutenant before glancing around for any other Mobs. It wasn't long until night, and even though Teal could have taken hundreds of Mobs, he didn't want her to take any unnecessary risks. Just one stealthy Creeper was all it took. "We should make our boats fast and set up camp on the outskirts. No sense in us sleeping in a Mob-infested forest. We should probably make back-up boats just in case ours break while at sea."
Mark took a step towards a tree, intending to craft the needed boats, only for Teal to suddenly dart in front of him, barring his path. She had a pout on her face. "Uh… Teal?"
"I was kind of hoping for more praise than just 'Very amazing'." Teal argued, mirroring Mark's movements to keep his path barred. "A head-pat at the very least."
"What are you, a dog?" Mark shot back, causing Teal to quirk an eyebrow. "Your hide-and-seek game brought the Mobs here to begin with. Don't make that face! You know I'm right."
Teal's pout deepened before she suddenly glanced away, looking hurt and vulnerable. "I'm sorry, Mark. All I wanted was to have fun with my favorite person in the whole wide world." She made an exaggerated sniffle and her eyes misted with tears. "You're right, though. I was being too selfish." She covered her eyes and sobbed softly into them.
"Forget it, Teal. I'm not buying your sob story." Mark replied, looking unimpressed.
Teal cursed to herself and lowered her hands. Her crocodile tears were gone in an instant. "Drat. Plan B, then." She announced before rummaging in her backpack.
"Plan B? What's thaaaaaaaa…"
Mark's words were suddenly slow and drawn out as Teal wore her prized light blue leather cap. The slowness radius emanating from it engulfed Mark completely, making his movements painfully slow.
Teal, wearing the cap, was immune to the effects. "I'm sorry, Mark." Teal apologized, looking far from remorseful as she circled the Lieutenant helpless to her mercies. "I really wanted something more than praise." She grinned as she hugged his sluggish form from behind, pressing herself against his back and nestling her chin into the crook of his neck. "I wanted something I could wrap my lips around~"
"Fuuuuuuuuuu…" Mark hissed slowly as his hand made its way to seemingly push Teal away from him. The action was so slow it was laughable.
"What's that, Mark?" Teal cupped a hand to her ear mockingly. "You want me to ravish you?"
"—uuuuuuuuuck…"
"Hmhmm. Well, if you insist~"
Teal watched him lustfully, nibbling on his neck. She reached a hand under his shirt and ran it over his chest. With his movements slowed by that damned cap, there was little he could do to resist.
Still, Mark's hands reached towards his back.
Teal eventually released Mark only to swing around him and link her arms around his neck. "I just want one." She promised as her vibrant blue eyes locked with Mark's. "Just a small one…" She leaned forward, her eyes lidded. Her breathing got heavy, but her advance never faltered. She moved to capture his lips with hers.
Mark finally reached his back, or, more specifically, his backpack.
He took out the golden deep-sea diving armor specifically designed to explore Ocean Monuments. The helmet and chestplate with Depth Strider, Respiration, and Aqua Affinity Enchantments were quickly equipped, giving the Lieutenant his mobility back. Teal's mysterious leather cap's radius had effects similar to water. It only made sense they could be countered by Depth Strider.
With his mobility restored, Mark raised his hands and grabbed Teal by her forehead and chin, stopping her formidable kissy face in its tracks. Teal's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing with determination as she pushed harder while yanking Mark's head forward by her linked arms.
"No… kiss… for you…" Mark gritted out as he peeled Teal off of him long enough to put the rest of the deep-sea diving armor on and stumble away from the blue-haired temptress. She made a grab for him only to receive a splash Potion of Slowness to the face. "See how you like it!" He shouted back, both in defiance and exasperation.
He hobbled further into the forest with Teal slowly in hot pursuit. Emphasis on hot.
"Come on, Mark~!" She called out in amusement. "Just one kiss! Followed by one sex, if you're feeling adventurous."
"Keep away from me!"
AN: Seems pretty tame, honestly.