Chapter 9 - Wrath Reborn

-Before The Invasion-

Stella was sitting with Jesse in Champion City's famous park eating today's lunch. She had an apple and carrot. Jesse was loafing down his cooked steak.

This wasn't what the two leaders would do at all. They would usually meet up professionally and do some business, yet today was an exception. As soon as Jesse saw something wrong with Stella's mood, he invited her to eat under the warm sun.

Jesse wiped his mouth. He glanced at Stella who was still holding her food. "Hey, you're still feeling down?"

Ignoring his question, Stella tiredly looked at her food.

"If something is wrong, you should tell me. I can help if possible."

"..."

Jesse looked at her. "Stella, I-"

Stella closed her eyes. "No."

He coughed. "No?"

"I don't want help."

Jesse shook his head in disappointment. "Are you sure? I don't mean to be nosey, but I can see right through you. As a friend, I-"

Stella quickly ate both her food and stood up. "Sorry but I have some affairs to attend. So-"

Grabbing her arm, Jesse pulled her away from the public, behind a small building.

"Hey! Why are you-"

Jess covered her mouth. "Stop."

"Hmph?"

"Cut the 'I have some affairs to attend to' crap. I've heard that a million times already."

Stella began to tear up. "I..."

Jesse sighed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be aggressive... Please, just listen to me."

*Sniff* "Uhm..."

"I need to know why you're always trying to run away whenever I say the word friend. It's been bothering me for quite a while."

Stella looked down. "I... I don't want to bother you."

He sighed again. "And yet you are." Shaking his head, Jesse looked straight in her eyes. "Look. Sure, we might not have spent much time together because we each have to lead our people, but I truly consider us as friends. I'm here to back you up if you're in trouble. So, stop trying to run away from me. I don't have any alternative motives."

"Friends..." She turned away with her hands clenched to her chest. "I... Haha. I have forgotten all about it. What's the point of friends? They... only betray you in the end."

Jesse frowned. ...This doesn't feel right. My... my heart hurts seeing her like this, he thought.

"So, just forget about being friends. It isn't worth your or my time. I really have to be somewhere," Stella started to walk away. "I'll see you later Jesse."

In frustration, Jesse gripped his hand. "Fine... But listen to me Stella!"

She stopped and almost turned her head, but she forced herself to keep looking away.

"I don't know what's happening and I can't do much right now, but... remember that I'm still here if you're in trouble."

As if she didn't hear that, Stella continued to walk away.

-Many Days Later-

Jesse walked along the main street as it was filled with many people who survived the Witherstorm and people who came from different places around the world. There were many who were building new homes and many who were trading for goods. Some simply hung out with their friends near well-known shops.

"Hey Jesse!" Petra rushed over to his side.

Jesse turned around. "Petra. What's up?"

"Nothing much. Where are you going?"

"I am planning to visit Champion City again. I want to investigate what's with all the ruckus lately."

"Oh yeah," Petra nodded. "Champion City's security has become tighter. Many people from that city have been trying to move into our town. I wonder if something happened."

"Since Lukas isn't here, do you want to come with me?"

"I can, but who's gonna watch after Beacontown?"

"Oh, don't worry about that. We'll go there and come back... and don't forget to wear armour and take your weapons."

Petra curiously looked at him. "Why?"

"Just in case things go south. I don't like how silent the city has been on us."

Waiting at Champion City's gate, Jesse tapped his feet impatiently. "We've been standing here for about half an hour! Why is nobody opening the damn gate?"

"It's definitely strange..." Petra glanced at the towering skyscrapers. "You sent a letter to Stella notifying her that you were coming, yet the gate is still shut."

"Okay. This is the last time I'm going to push the button." Jesse smashed the stone button, hoping this time it will finally alert the people inside to open.

The gate slowly opened as two big security guards came through.

Jesse placed his hand against his side. "Finally! Took you long enough. You just had to open at the last attempt, huh?"

The guards stood straight. "Sorry for the inconvenience. We were busy handling something important for our leader and were unable to come in time."

"Okay... So, can you take us to Stella?" He asked. "We need to talk to your leader."

"Stella isn't here anymore."

Jesse released his arms. "What does that mean?"

"We can't explain everything. But we can take you to one of her most trusted friends. He will explain everything. Follow us."

Trusted friend? Jesse glared at them. "Okay. Show us the way."

They both followed behind the guards and walked through the streets until they reached inside one of the biggest skyscrapers.

The guards stopped and turned around to look at them. "This is as far as we can take you. We have to go somewhere else. Take the elevator up. You'll find our leader there." They quickly walked back out the door.

Jesse and Petra went inside a redstone elevator and arrived at the highest floor. They entered the room where Stella used to stay.

It's been a while since I've been here. Jesse thought. Stella only showed me her room once. After that, we'd usually meet outside the building. So, seeing it like this now...

Looking around, Stella's room was a mess. There was torn paper and glass shards everywhere. The window balcony had open cracks. Bookshelves were busted beyond repair. And much more.

What happened here?

"You must be Jesse."

"GAH!" They jumped as they suddenly heard an unfamiliar voice from behind.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

They turned to see a person in a fancy suit. "Are you Stella's friend?" Jesse asked.

"I am. My name is Travis, the new leader of Champion City." He walked towards him. "What brings you here, leader of Beacontown?"

Jesse stepped forward. "Why is this room in this state? What happened to Stella?"

Travis made a sly smirk before quickly covering his mouth. "She disappeared one day. I don't know what exactly happened, but my suspicion is that she might have grown frustrated, left her position as the leader, and went to live in the wilderness."

"Really." Petra curiously observed him. "And how did you become leader?"

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Just simply did. As her best friend, it should be natural that I am next in-line to become the leader."

"Uuhh..." She shoved him away. "Please keep your hands to yourself. And also, I don't think that's how becoming a leader works."

He waved his left hand. "Tch... It doesn't matter. Someone has to take over and lead."

Jesse grabbed his iron sword and without hesitation, threw it at Travis, pinning his hand against the wall.

"AAAGH!"

Jesse pointed his Silver Memory at the Travis.

Petra was bewildered. "Jesse! What are you doing?!"

"We shouldn't trust him." The shimmering energy from his diamond sword gleamed brighter. "This isn't Stella's friend."

Travis glared at Jesse with pain. "What?! Are you out of your MIND!?" He looked at Petra. "Hey, you there, tell your friend to stop the madness at once!"

Not sure how to take this, Petra silently glanced at Jesse for answers. Jesse shook his head. "Travis, I heard from Stella that she doesn't waste her time with friends because they would only betray her. After I see her expression get worse day by day, seeing this mess of a room, and even your scummy behavior just now, I know for a fact that you're just shit talking to me right now. You're not Stella's friend."

"The heck! You are just making it up!" Travis growled.

"And the fact that the people of your city are moving to my town all of a sudden doesn't make this any better..."

Feeling like he has no other options, Travis grabbed the handle, pulled out Jesse's blade from his broken arm, and threw it at Jesse's head.

Jesse knocked the flying sword up and caught it mid-air. "Ha. Did someone ever tell you you're not supposed to throw your only weapon away?"

Travis gritted his teeth. "Jesse. You've seen what a crybaby Stella is, right? So, why are you doing this? Why show any consideration for her? She is nothing but a stupid weakling!"

"Oh? Finally showing your true colors?" Jesse kicked him to the ground. Travis fell against the quartz wall.

*COUGH* "So... it has come down to this. Fine!" He placed down a fancy diamond button on the floor and pressed it.

Jesse and Petra were confused. "Is that your plan? Press a single button?"

He smirked. "It's too late. Recently we have installed redstone inside every floor in the building. With this activated by using this very unique button, every guard in this building will come chasing you to the ends of-"

Jesse moved his blade near Travis's yapping mouth. "Shut up! I heard enough of your bullshit."

Suddenly, the door opens.

Travis finally relaxed his shoulders. "Yes! It's over for you! Guards take them awaaaay..."

The security guard who came in was burning alive in blue flames. He screamed and scratched as he fell to the floor. His skin was completely pitch black like charcoal before he vanished into dust.

Jesse and Petra stood there in horror as the dead man's items were all burned up as well.

"W...w...w-w-w-WHAT WAS THAT!?" Travis backed up in fear.

Somebody else appeared at the door. Jesse froze. This person was familiar. He is wearing the same black jacket, but this time with a black shirt instead of green and black armour with pulsating blue stripes.

"Well well well. If it isn't Jesse... Heh... AHAHAHA! I've been searching for you for quite some time, DUMBASS! At last, we can finally finish this shit!"

Petra couldn't believe it. "Aiden!? How is this possible!?"

Jesse gripped both his Silver Memory and iron sword uncontrollably. "You... You BASTAAARD!" He charged at Aiden's face with all his might but was immediately blocked by his left hands. Aiden took the slash like it was nothing. Noticing something unusual in Aiden, Jesse jumped back.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Jesse." Aiden grinned sinisterly as his right arms burned in blue flames. "For every pain I receive, I would only get stronger with this amazing power!"

Remembering the man who was burned alive, Jesse decided not to waste time and charged again with his blades, but this time, he kicked right into Aiden's stomach.

This knocked back the surprised Aiden slightly. "Oh no you DON'T!" With his flaming hand, he released a huge blast as he threw his blazing sword through the air, destroying the room in half, blowing the wall apart, and after traveling at the speed of sound, the sword destroyed one-tenth of another skyscraper not far from where they stood.

Jesse somehow managed to dodge the blast by a hair away. He stood up and looked around for his friend. "Petra? Petra! Where are you?!"

Petra placed her hand behind his shoulder. "I'm, *Cough* alright." She looked at the weaponless lunatic and took her enchanted golden sword out. "Aiden has nothing right now! Come on Jesse. Let's attack!"

*ZWIIIP* The flaming diamond blade flew back to Aiden's hand.

"Or not..."

Aiden laughed manically. "You thought you stood a chance? THINK AGAIN IDIOTS!"

"I am already tired of your voice. So please..." Jesse charged once more, "WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP!" He punched Aiden's face so hard that it made him stumble back from the blow.

Aiden tried to quickly stand up while Jesse and Petra already escaped the room. He covered his face with his right hand and began giggling unstably. "Oh... Jesse. Jesse Jesse Jesse..." He began walking heavily with each step trembling the whole skyscraper.

Jesse ran down the stairs as quickly as possible. He didn't look back as the whole building shook and trembled.

That maniac somehow came back from the dead. And he had some stupid power! Jesse gritted his teeth and looked at Petra who was running beside him. "We need to get to the Beacontown and evacuate everyone to safety!"

Petra nodded. "I was about to say that! That monster is literally at the same level as the Witherstorm!"

As they continued to run down, they finally reached the bottom floor.

"- — – · — – - -"

"That sound." Jesse took out both his weapons. "I remember hearing that echo before..."

An endermen covered in fog spotted them. It screeched so loud that it almost destroyed their ears. It warped in front of Petra.

Petra blocked the monster's attack while Jesse swung his sharp blades, piercing its heart and head.

"- — – - - — — · - – —!"

The enderman vanished to smoke and dropped a pearl.

Another tremble. Petra shook her head. "We don't have much time. We need to get out of her!" She took Jesse's arm and started to run towards the exit.

"I know that already!"

Making it out the door, they couldn't believe their eyes. Hundreds of monsters covered in fog roamed the streets. They destroyed anything they could find. Structures, animals, and even people. The screams of both monsters and people echoed through the chaotic atmosphere.

"What I am looking at..." Jesse shook his head. "No, we need to get out of here! My town is definitely in danger!"

*Thunk*

Two people in black from both left and right jumped down.

The women stepped forward. Slamming her diamond sword to the ground, it split into multiple burning fragmented shards and waved around in the air like a floating chain. "You're not going anywhere."

"Yeah! We aren't letting you leave yet," the guy on the other side agreed. He was holding a metal shield. The edges around his shield turned into a blue flaming chainsaw.

Jesse noticed it was Maya and Gill, Aiden's lackeys. He was growing tired of this. "You got to be kidding me! There are more of you?!" He looked around for an escape.

*BAM* Aiden smashed through the doors.

Petra backed up until she hit Jesse's back. "What do we do now? We are surrounded!"

"...Escape. Run to Beacontown and make sure everyone is safe. I'll distract them here."

Petra glanced at Jesse. "What?! Please don't say that."

Jesse shook his head and whispered to her. "Remember the monster we killed a bit earlier?"

Realizing what he was saying, Petra nodded. "Okay. I'll go. Just stay safe." She sprinted away to the main gate.

"Hey! She's escaping!" Gill yelled.

Jesse put away his weapons and made a mocking smirk. "Aiden! I bet you are sooo afraid of me that you couldn't kill me with your fuuull power back then."

Aiden stepped forward. "WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME YOU LITTLE PUNK?!"

"Oooh nooo. Is Aiden crying? Maybe he needs a big hug!" Jesse opens his hands widely. "Come here. I'll caress you with my love."

Aiden fists shook in extreme rage. "KILL HIM!"

Everyone ran to Jesse with their weapons at the ready. But before they could do anything, Jesse threw an ender pearl as far as he could.

It did not teleport him straight away. So, Jesse had to survive somehow. Gill threw is shield, Maya whipped her sword, and Aiden who cut himself, launched his sword with wrath.

Before any of their weapons made contact, he vanished in front of their eyes. In fury, Aiden burst into flames. "JESSEEE! I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN TILL THE ENDS OF THIS UNIVERSE! ONCE I FIND YOU, I WON'T GIVE YOU A SIMPLE DEATH. I'LL SHRED YOUR SKIN PIECE BY PIECE, TORMENT YOUR SOUL AS I TORTURE YOUR FRIENDS, AND YOU WILL SUFFER TILL YOU BREAK!"

Reappearing behind a destroyed building, Jesse leaned against the wall for a moment. "That was too close..." He touched his hot head. "I can still feel my face melting."

Running out of the city, he saw his town consumed in dark fog. He rushed as fast as he could to Beacontown. Arriving at the broken gates, he saw Petra pushing the monster down to the ground and cutting its head off.

She stood up as it vanished to smoke. Five more fog monsters appeared. Seeing her friend, she waved at him. "Jesse! A little help please!"

Jesse ran to her side. "What's going on?"

"I can't get inside the Beacontown. These monsters just keep popping out!" she explained.

*BOOM* A loud explosion echoed behind them.

Jesse moved back. "We need to hide."

"What? What about the people?"

"..." He shook his head in frustration. "I...It's already too late. We can't save them all. There are too many monsters to fight, and Aiden is coming. We don't have the power to stop all of that." Jesse grabbed her hand. "Let's get out of here."

Sitting inside a dark cave, Petra looked at the gray clouds. "It's going to rain soon... Hopefully it will drive those Blazers away."

"Blazers..." Jesse, who was sitting against the rocky walls, gripped his hands.

"Jesse, didn't you say that Aiden died in Sky City?"

Jesse stood up. "I definitely saw him die before me. I find it impossible that he's even alive right now."

Snow began to fall. They were both confused. "Um. Is this a snow biome?"

"No. That should be impossible. We are in the middle of a flower forest."

Curiously look at the snow, they noticed it started to burn down the whole forest in blue flames until nothing was left.

"I don't get it. What is up with the blue flames?" Petra asked.

"I wish I knew..." Now that the trees are gone, Jesse could see his town from afar. "With this weather, Beacontown is for sure a lost cause."

Petra glared at him. "Hey! Don't give up yet. We don't know that for sure. Somebody must have survived and is taking shelter out there."

Jesse took a deep breath. "You're right. A lot of things have happened at once and it is almost a bit too much to take in... Okay. After the snow stops falling, let's see if we can go back and find any survivors."

Walking along the ruined buildings in Beacontown, they searched for any signs of life. Jesse went to the left and Petra to the right. As Petra continued her search, she heard a faint voice nearby.

She jumped down and snuck around the rubble. There was someone who was looking through a half block hole under the dirt floor.

"WOAH!" The guy with glasses backed up.

Petra could hear another guy draw out his sword. "There are still some monsters left out there?"

"N...No." He adjusted his glasses. "It's a survivor."

"Are you guys alright?" Petra asked.

"We are. Is it safe out there?"

She nodded. "All the monsters are gone."

They quickly dug out the ground. "Aah. Finally, some fresh air."

"I'm Petra. Who are you?"

"Petra?!" The guy in glasses exclaimed. "You mean Petra from the new Order of the Stone? That Petra?"

"Yes, that's me. Can you please tell me who you are?"

"Oh sorry. I'm Radar!" he quickly said. "I come from Champion City."

The tough looking man stepped forward. "I'm Jack and this here," he pointed at the villager beside him, "is Nurm. We came here to visit Beacontown but I wasn't expecting a monster invasion to suddenly come out of nowhere."

"I don't think anyone was." Petra shook her head. "Anyways, let's go meet up with Jesse. He must have found some more survivors."

"Okay."

Petra began to walk as the others followed behind her. After a while, they found Jesse and four other people next to him.

She noticed them immediately. "Jesse, are these people Alpha's friends?"

"They're saying that they are no longer friends with her," Jesse explained. "Which I'm not surprised."

The guy in red sunglasses stepped forward. "Hi. My name is Captain Sparklez. But you can call me Sparklez for short. And this here is Stampy, Stacy, and Dan."

"I see. Nice to meet you all." Petra turned to Jesse. "I've found some people as well. This is Jack, Nurm, and Radar."

Radar jumped up and down in excitement. "Hello Jesse!"

Jack waved. "Sup."

"So, should we continue searching?" Petra asked.

Jesse nodded. "Yeah. Let's go in groups so we can find any other survivors much faster." Every person nodded, split into groups of three, and spread out.

By the time the sun fell down, everyone gathered back together. Nobody found anybody else in the ruins. Jesse slammed a random wall nearby, venting out his frustration.

"What now?" Jack said.

Jesse shook his unnecessary feelings off. "We need to keep moving."

"Move where?" Stacy asked.

He looked down. "Well, I'm not sure where. We are not even strong enough to stop this world's newest evil..." With his fist in the air, Jesse looked up at everyone with steadfast eyes. "Yet it doesn't matter if we aren't strong enough. All I know is that we should not give in to this chaos. We should continue to survive, live, and maybe one day, we will find a way to fix the mess."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Jesse continued. "So first, let's build some kind of base to have a place to stay safe out of the rain and monsters. Preferably an underground one. Sound good?"

"Yeah. Better than nothing," Petra said.

"...I'm in," Jack nodded. "I'm sure my buddy here agrees too."

Sparklez agreed. "Sounds like a plan."

"Well, this is much better than aimlessly running around with Alpha," Stacy said.

Dan was a bit hesitant and didn't say anything. He just followed everyone by nodding his head.

Radar, who was too shocked by how awesome Jesse's speech was, was stuck in his little dream world. But he did nod at some point.

"Good. Then let's start building before another snowstorm comes."

...

...

Where am I? What happened to me?

She tried to remember the last thing that happened to her.

I was going to my room to get something... and then...

The realization hit her.

Aiden! That traitor! I should have never trusted him.

Suddenly, white eyes appeared before her.

"- — C – - H · – O — – - O – — S — - - E - · –"

Choose?

Two white words appeared before her.

-The ANSWER-

-The ESCAPE-

She had a feeling that if she chose Escape, she would lose everything about herself and restart. And if she chose Answer, she would retain herself and continue to live on.

But no matter what option the white eyes gives her, her guts was telling her that she would have to serve under him completely.

I won't fall yet. I have a duty to uphold.

She selected Answer. Her eyes start flashing brightly as she felt she was being pulled back to reality that she was used to.

Opening her eyes for what felt like forever, she looked at land before her.

Land... Actual land... But where are the trees? The flowers? The grass?

She stood up and looked up at the full moon. "What happened here? This isn't the world I remember." She looked through her inventory, there were two diamond blades. "I thought I had iron not diamond swords... Ah whatever, this works quite well for me."

She raised her blade up. "People of Sky City, worry no more for I will come and save you from the tyranny of that scum, Aiden!"