Ami woke with a start. It took her a minute to gather her basic human intelligence to figure out what startled her awake, but the sound came again. Izzy was screaming. Plus, Ami wasn't the only one who was awake. Doing a quick scan of the room she was able to see that everyone else was in the same boat as her. She watched as Michael got up, stumbled a little, and ran outside to where Izzy was. Ami followed suit, confused when she saw Izzy on her knees, sobbing.
"Izzy? What happened?" she asked, concerned. Izzy said nothing, shaking and covering her face.
"Guys," Michael said absently. "You might want to come and see this." Ami looked at Izzy, giving her a reassuring pat before she got up and joined the others. A collection of signs, fifteen in all, stood behind a deep hole. When Ami glanced inside the hole, she felt her stomach cringe. A pool of lava sat at the very bottom, and this was only made worse by the signs.
"Dear everyone," Michael read. "If I've put up these signs already...I'm dead. How cliche. I couldn't take it. It was going to end like this anyways. A last note for you guys: Ami - you're a doll. Thanks for trying. Michael - Keep the group together. Charlotte - Lead them. I know you can do it. Luke - You're a no good piece of - ." Michael paused. "He scratched out the last word. I'll keep going." He cleared his throat. "And finally, Izzy. You're the one who helped me keep my cool. You stood up for me when no one else would. You saved my life. You brought me joy. I love you. But I've made up my mind, this is goodbye. Goodbye. -Aiden." There was no sound, other than Izzy's constant sobbing which escalated in volume after Michael finished reading. No one talked or moved an inch. Ami could barely wrap the situation around her head. Aiden committed suicide? But...he never looked like the type that would. Had she been wrong about him all this time? With heavy hearts and a lack of motivation, the group set out once again, marking their destination as the sky house.
"I really like your hair, by the way. How did you get it to be so bright?" Izzy played with Aiden's hair, which shone a vibrant pink.
"Well, it was only dyed a couple days before the incident. I dunno how long it'll last though; I'm hoping at least a few weeks."
"Either way it really suits you. Who knew that pink was a boy's colour?" She giggled, crashing back into the leather couch. Aiden smiled, getting up and sitting beside her.
"Now that I think of it, thanks for letting me stay over at your house. It's great over here. You even have a plasma TV!" She smiled, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear.
"No worries. Don't you have a house, too? Maybe next time I can come over to your house." Aiden's grin faded.
"No," he said firmly. "You can't come to my house."
"Why not?"
"It's not safe." he gulped. Izzy's eyes widened.
"Oh," she said. Aiden sighed, crawling over to her and pulling her in his arms. "I just don't want to see you get hurt because of me."
"Funny," Izzy chuckled. "You're one of the best things that's happened to me." He smiled again, holding her close. Aiden didn't know much about this girl, but he knew one thing for sure. He would rather die than see her in the same situation as he was.
"...mi. Ami. Ami!" A voice called to her. Ami opened her eyes. She was back in the sky house, sleeping in her bed. A hand motioned for her to follow it.
"Hey!" Ami called, getting up and following it. "Who are you?" No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't make out the face of who was leading her. It climbed up the vine ladder leading up to the roof, opening the trapdoor and vanishing.
"Wait!" Ami yelled. "Don't-" she stopped, standing on the roof with the mysterious hand gone.
"Don't what? You seem troubled." Ami couldn't believe her eyes. Sitting at the lava pit was a boy with tousled black hair, dark ebony eyes, and a crooked nose.
"Jack?" She slowly approached the boy.
"Yeah? Hey, don't stand over there. It's warm right here, come on over." Ami sat beside him, unable to take her eyes off of him. Jack noticed this, looking a bit uneasy by her staring.
"But...you're supposed to be dead...I'm so confused." She held a stub to her head, which was now throbbing.
"Dead? Well, let me check." He hit his arm, legs, and stomach. "Doesn't seem like it. I'm perfectly intact. Here, want one?" He held out a marshmallow.
"Sure," Ami said, taking it without thought. She looked at the squishy marshmallow, her mind coming to a slow realization. "Wait...marshmallows don't exist in this world." Her eyes fell on Jack, who had a few in his mouth already. "You're not real." Jack's body suddenly faded away into a cloud of smoke. The marshmallow in her hand disappeared, as well, and soo nthe entire world around her was crumbling away.
Ami woke up for good this time, relieved to see the bodies of her friends sleeping soundly. She was in the right house, at least, having remembered that their travel yesterday brought them here. Then that meant...she looked to the roof. Today was the day that some of them would go back to the Nether. She could only hope that they would all come back in one piece.
"So we're gonna have as many people as we can going to the Nether. I'll be going for sure, Luke wants to stay, Rufus can't come, Charlotte wants to come, so Ami and Izzy can stay or come if they wish." Michael finished announcing his plan.
"I-" Ami began.
"I'm going." Izzy stood up, determined.
"Are you sure?" Michael asked, a little surprised.
"Positive."
"Er, okay. So that means Charlotte, Izzy, and I are going to the Nether...Luke and Rufus are staying, Ami, are you alright with staying?"
"Huh? Didn't you want as many people as possible?" Ami raised an eyebrow.
"I have a thing with equal numbers. Plus, I think we'll be fine, for once." Ami bit her cheek, glancing at Luke and Rufus.
"Alright, if you're sure," Ami said. Michael took a deep breath. "Then I suppose the rest of us should make sure we're ready to go. Do the both of you have your weapons and armour ready?"
"Crap!" Izzy exclaimed. "I still need to grab my armour. Um...Ami, can you grab my sword for me? It's in the chest room...the middle one."
"Sure thing." Ami walked over to the vines leading to the chest room and climbed them, finding herself surrounded by chests. Michael really needed to find a hobby that didn't involve these things. Shoving these thoughts aside, Ami went to the chest in the very middle of the room and opened it. Inside was surprisingly empty, except for one item: a diamond sword. Ami grasped the hilt of the sword, bringing it out of the chest. She was about to go back out and give Izzy her sword, but she noticed something inscribed on the blade. Along the very bottom of the blade a name was etched into the diamond.
"Aiden?" Ami read out loud. She felt an ice cube sit in the pit of her stomach. Izzy must be going through so much...
"Ami, you got my sword. Cool." Izzy came up behind her, dressed in full armour. Ami turned around and handed her the sword. "Are you alright?" Izzy asked.
"You don't have to do this, you know." Ami said.
"No one said I have to. I want to. I just want to get stronger, so that I know I can take care of myself. What better way than going to the Nether? It'll be great experience."
"Just don't get overconfident, okay? You could hurt yourself."
"Alright. I know what I'm doing, though. I'll see you tomorrow, probably. I doubt we're going to sleep tonight." Izzy smiled at Ami. Ami gave her one back.
"You take care of them, okay Rufus?" Michael knelt down, staring into the wolf's eyes.
"Michael you're talking to an animal." Luke raised an eyebrow.
"A smart animal," Michael objected. "You protect Luke and Ami, okay? Don't let them get hurt. Good boy." He pat the wolf on the head. In response, Rufus licked his face, and even looked a little sad when Michael stepped towards the portal. "I expect we'll be back later. Maybe not tonight, but if we're not back by tomorrow evening you two should come in and look for us. With that said...see you later." He gave one final look to Ami, Luke, and Rufus before disappearing into the violet, swirling vortex. Charlotte and Izzy soon followed, and Ami was left alone with Luke. And Rufus. Sometimes she forgot about him, that wolf could be quiet when he wanted to be. There was also the fact that she hadn't seen him in a while, what with Michael forgetting about him for several weeks.
"So...what now?" Came Luke's voice, snapping Ami out of her thoughts.
"I dunno," she said. "we could just chill inside for a bit, I suppose. Hey, what about we try and see if we can fish from the house?"
"That's probably impossible," Luke protested. "let's try." So they made their way up into the house and brought out two fishing rods. Then Ami and Luke went where the so called water slide was, and sat just before where the water would carry them away. Ami dipped her feet in the water, feeling the cool sensation of it washing downwards.
"How do you think this thing keeps running?" she asked. "I'm sure that the water would eventually run out, right?"
"Perhaps this is what Michael would call 'video game logic'. That is, if we're assuming that we're in one." Luke cast out his line, watching it fall all the way down into the cool depths of the pool below.
"Well, there's not much else for choice, is there? I can't think of what world we could be in. A video game seems like the most logical answer, all things considered." Ami cast out her line too, smiling when she heard a very faint 'plop' in the water. Luke furrowed his brow. "But that makes it all sound too simple. 'Just a video game' could be giving this entire world an understatement!"
"What are you saying?" Ami faced him, staring at him thoughtfully.
"I'm saying that we could be in some sort of different universe! Maybe a parallel one, if you stretch it."
"A different universe? I dunno, that seems a little too farfetched, even for this world."
"Well, it's not like it's an absurd idea, is it?" Luke stared at her with determination. Ami scooted away from him. "I guess?" she commented. "But the idea of different universes just seems a little extreme, you know?"
"Extreme enough that it could work!" he exclaimed.
"Look," Ami ran a hand through her hair. "I appreciate the enthusiasm and all, but I think it would be best to think that we still have a chance of getting home. Parallel universes don't exactly sound like they connect to our world."
"But that's just it!" Luke said ecstatically. "There could be ways that parallel universes connect, right?"
"Let's just drop this idea, you're thinking too hard about it." Ami averted her eyes from Luke, who scowled.
"Fine," he said irritably. "It was just a theory. I thought it was cool." His line suddenly got caught, the rod bending downwards. Ami told him to reel in, but Luke remained stationary, letting the fish go.
"That could've been our dinner." Ami sighed, staring at her immobile line. Luke said nothing, suddenly getting up and stomping away. Ami looked back to her line; bubbles were circling around it. Just one more second and...yoink! Somehow a fish sailed all the way towards her, landing on the ground behind her. Ami half-smiled. Maybe they would be able to eat tonight.
"Duck!" Michael's call echoed trough the fiery corridors. Everyone dove to the floor, luckily missing three balls of heat. Her face charred, her body burnt in multiple places, Izzy stood as soon as the fire passed over her. She yelled, striking the oncoming Blaze with her sword, sending it to a cloudy doom. Izzy wiped her brow with her hand, unwilling to give up.
"Izzy! You can fall back now, you've done enough!" Charlotte's words rang from behind her.
"No! I can keep going!" Izzy protested, raising her sword once again.
"We have plenty of rods! Enough to get us to the End, so come back with us!" Michael pleaded. Izzy stood her ground firmly, staring at the oncoming Blazes. Scoffing, she withdrew her sword and ran back to Charlotte and Michael, who then led the way out if the Nether Fortress. Outside, they all paused to catch their breath. Michael pushed back his sweaty hair, panting.
"Why did you hesitate?" he glanced to Izzy, who blushed slightly.
"I don't know," she said.
"You...you can't hesitate again, okay? It can get you killed. I...I don't want to see anyone else dead." Izzy's jaw tightened. "Well that's good and all, but you're going to have to face the facts sooner or later."
"What?" Michael breathed, taking a couple steps towards her.
"We're all going to die here. You know that, you have to. I just want to do my part and help before that time comes. That's all." She said it so matter-of-fact that it was like it had already happened.
"That's not true," Charlotte interjected. "What do you think we're doing right now? Finding our way out is what has kept this group alive, hon."
"And it'll be our greatest downfall," Izzy said, drawing her sword and marching ahead, leaving Charlotte and Michael alone. They exchanged glances.
"We'll figure it out, right?" Charlotte asked.
"It's what we have to hope for," Michael said glumly.
Ami was quite proud of herself; fifteen fish in just a few short hours! They would all eat like kings tonight, that was for sure.
"Luke!" Ami called, searching for him through the house. No answer. Was he still mad about earlier? Now that she had those hours to think about it, Ami thought that she did come off as a bit harsh. He was just throwing out ideas, after all. Idiot! She should have been more accepting. Maybe the fish would make up for it all.
"Luuuuuuuuuuke!" She called again, climbing up vines and checking all the rooms. Still nothing. Maybe he was on the roof? Ami climbed up, finding the snowy place deserted. He wasn't by the lava pit, nor the gallery. Maybe inside the gallery? Still no. Ami began to get frustrated. That guy had to be somewhere. She glanced at a set of vines leading to the top of the gallery. Well, she was willing to try anything at this point. With a grunt and a heave, Ami rolled on the top of the gallery, getting her clothes soaked in snow. And on the other edge sat Luke by himself, deep in thought. So deep, in fact, that he didn't notice Ami's noisy arrival until she poked him on the shoulder.
"What?" he muttered irritably.
"I caught a crapload of fish - like fifteen in all - and I was looking for you. We should cook 'em up and have ourselves a feast!" she felt herself grin at the thought. Luke seemed to feel otherwise. "I'll have some later. You fill up." He stared off into the clouds.
"What? No, eating alone sucks." Ami protested. "Besides, you look like you've been up here a while. Come down with me!"
"You...don't understand." Luke shook his head. "I need to be alone right now." Ami rolled her eyes. "Stop acting like you're a kid. You need to eat." She paused, waiting for an answer, but only silence ensued. "I'll bring you your half later, then." Ami didn't want to give up, but she knew better than to press it with Luke. A little annoyed, she hopped down from the gallery and slipped inside, throwing the large heap of fish into the hot, stone furnace.
She watched the flames tickle the underbellies of the not-so-raw fish, gently cooking them to a point of deliciousness. Ami's mouth watered at the thought. But her mind also raced elsewhere, worried for her friends in the Nether, concerned for Luke's well-being, and also curious as to the whereabouts of Rufus. She never knew just where that wolf was hiding. There was no way she could contact Michael, Charlotte, or Izzy, since the earpieces never failed to malfunction whenever they went into the Nether, so she could only hope for the best. As for Luke, well, the only person that she could think of who knew more about Luke than anyone else was Charlotte. Ami sighed, wishing she had asked Charlotte about Luke a long time ago. She swam around in her thoughts, twirling a strand of hair around her block hand.
Light footsteps came from behind her. She didn't notice. The unsheathing of a sword drew her attention. As she turned she saw the blade swinging towards her. Ami screamed, jumping out of the way, but not fast enough. The cool metal cut through the skin of her left arm, and hot blood dripped from the wound. Ami's eyes darted to her attacker and she felt a mix of fear and shock. Luke stood before her, rearing back his arm for another strike.
"Luke!" Ami screeched. "What are you doing?!" She got up and dodged his next swing, trying to make sense of this. Ami grabbed her bloody arm. "Stop this! We can work this out...somehow." Luke swung again, aiming to kill. Ami hid behind the table, terror seeping through her skin.
"I'm done," Luke finally said. "with being pushed around. I'm done with this group. I'll take you out first and then the rest when they get back!"
"Are you insane?! Since when have we ever pushed you around? And killing us?! Luke, you sound like a psychopath! Just calm down and we can settle this like sane people!" Ami backed towards the doorway.
"No!" Luke lashed out again, but this time was met by the fangs of a wolf. Rufus snarled, sinking his teeth into Luke's hand, causing him to yell out in pain. Ami took the opportunity and ran. Out of the room, through the hallway, and down into the main room. She started towards the door, but tripped and fell on the hard wooden floor. The thud, instead of sounding rather light as usual, sounded heavier. She knew she didn't have much time, but felt she had to investigate. Ami smashed through the floor with her stubs, falling to the darkness below.
What an idiot, she thought. All that and I fell out of the floor to my death. Although she was on firm ground, which didn't make sense. And the sense of falling to her death didn't seem to be happening. Ami opened her eyes, startled to see an entirely new room. It was small. Only big enough to fit herself and perhaps one other.
"Agh!" A shout came from above her. Luke. Looking at the hole in the ceiling, or, floor, there was no way Luke wouldn't see her. Ami picked up the blocks of wood that had fallen when she crashed in and quickly placed them where they were. Now that she was sealed off from Luke, Ami breathed a sigh of relief. But she didn't stop worrying. Rufus was still somewhere up there, possibly fighting for his life. Unless it had already ended... Ami blinked moisture out of her eyes, shaking the thought away. Luke wouldn't have killed Rufus. You can't just kill a dog.
Ami looked in front of her, walking through the small corridor of a room. Before her was a stand full of diamond armour, and a chest. Above the two were signs that read "EMERGENCY ROOM: Take armour and weapons. Refill when danger is cleared. Good luck! -Michael and Steve." Upon opening the chest, Ami was amazed to see three bows, two hefty stacks of arrows, and three diamond swords. Along with those were every kind of enchantment book she could think of. She gazed to her right, noticing another sign that read "In case of long stay, look to the one over there -" Following the direction of the arrow, Ami's eyes fell upon a large chest that sat above a set of doors that presumably led outside.
Opening the large chest, Ami was even more amazed by six more sets of diamond armour, a stash of bread, apples, and potatoes that could last her days, two beds, a fishing rod, clock, shears, compass, flint and steel, and even a stack of TNT. For extreme emergencies, she supposed. She filled her inventory with the food, sparing nothing. She grabbed the beds, fishing rod, and everything else that was in there. She even took the TNT.Just in case, she told herself. Making sure to suit herself in armour and weapons, she stepped out of the doors that led outside.
The wonders of the sky house never failed to amaze her, even now, as she stumbled upon a big, wooden pool. So that's why they put a fishing rod in there, she thought. If need be, someone could live up here for days, months, even. Ami could very well spend the rest of her life in this small little shelter. But she had to get out of this area, and quick. There was no telling how long it would take Luke to discover this little secret. But Ami did realize that her arm would need tending to. The bleeding had definitely slowed, which was good, but Ami knew she had to clean it.
She carefully dipped her arm into the cool water, gasping as the water was colder than she had realized. She rinsed out her arm the best she could, but didn't know a better approach to patching it up, so had to leave it as such.
Ami was just about to find a way down the mass groupings of vines when a thought hit her. She couldn't leave Rufus here. If he was still alive, she would have to take him with her. Ami gritted her teeth. She'd have to slink around Luke and not get noticed. A difficult task in itself, and she was down an arm until she recovered more strength. But Ami knew that it wouldn't sit well with her if she didn't at least try.
First, she'd have to peep in and see what Luke was up to. And the only way she was ever going to get that high was through a lot of muscle. Ami grabbed onto the vines beside the doors. This was going to hurt.
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