The Oracle sounds like a wise person, a line of text said in Gameknight’s mind.
Shawny, is that you? Gameknight thought, his words appearing in the chat window.
Nope—it’s me, your dad.
“Dad?!” Gameknight said aloud.
“DAD!?” Monet shouted. “He’s back?”
Gameknight nodded. What are you doing on the chat? he asked.
I came home early and found Shawny in the basement, his father explained. Shawny explained about the digitizer, and I fixed it. I’m disappointed that you messed with it.
It wasn’t my fault; it was Jenny’s! Gameknight explained. I was just doing what you told me to do … watch after my sister.
Well, we’ll discuss this when you get home. Are you ready?
Just a moment, OK? There are some things I need to do first, Gameknight said.
His father waited for a moment, then replied.
OK.
“Great,” Gameknight said.
The others looked at him, confused, but he didn’t care.
Gameknight moved to the king of the golems. The mighty giant looked down at him with his dark eyes, an angry scowl on his iron face.
“Thank you again,” Gameknight said, bowing his head. “The iron golems helped save Minecraft once more. All will hear of your bravery and might.”
“We are always here to protect villagers,” the metal giant said, then turned and led the other golems back into the forest, the rumbling thunder of their metal feet slowly fading away.
Moving back to the painted zombies, Gameknight found Ba-Jin being congratulated by her fellow monsters. Nearby, he saw Hunter standing next to Crafter, her eyes cautiously darting to the green creatures. Moving to her side, Gameknight grabbed her hand and pulled her toward Ba-Jin.
“Ba-Jin, thank you for your help,” Gameknight said. “But the challenges are not over. We must find a way for NPCs and zombies to live in peace.”
Ba-Jin looked up and found Hunter staring down at her.
“You gave the Salute for the Dead?” Hunter said, a sound of surprise in her voice.
“We call it the Salute of Sacrifice,” Ba-Jin answered.
“None of our people should have to sacrifice or die because of hatred,” a voice said from behind.
Turning, Gameknight found Stitcher approaching, pushing her way through the users and zombies.
“There is much in common between our people,” Stitcher said, her voice echoing with strength. “But we must learn more about each other so that we can find more common ground. It’s not necessary for us to always be killing each other … we can live in peace.”
Hunter looked down at Ba-Jin, then glanced across the army of painted zombies. Bringing her gaze back to Ba-Jin, she nodded her head, her crimson curls bouncing like coiled springs. Ba-Jin reached out with her clawed hand, touched Hunter’s red hair, and smiled.
“Your hair is beautiful,” the young zombie said as her dark claws caressed Hunter’s shining locks. “I’m going to paint a picture of it when I get back to our zombie-town.”
“Maybe I could see it, someday,” Hunter replied.
Ba-Jin smiled and nodded her head.
“It is time we went back home,” the zombie said as she turned to face Monet113. “Will I see you again?”
“Absolutely,” Monet answered.
Ba-Jin smiled again, showing her sharp, jagged teeth. Raising her hand over her head, she led the painted zombie army back into the forest and toward the caves that led to their portal.
Turning away from the painted zombies, Gameknight found Crafter and Digger standing before him.
“I knew that the User-that-is-not-a-user would not fail us,” Crafter said in a loud voice.
A jubilant cheer rang out from the NPCs as they moved out from behind the defensive wall, many of them holding a block of dirt or stone. They moved to the cobblestone cube that held Herobrine and placed the blocks on top of the prison, each wanting to contribute to the enclosure.
“What do we do with him?” Gameknight asked, pointing to the growing pile of blocks.
“Every year, we will have a celebration in this village,” Crafter explained. “NPCs will come from all around to place a block onto the tomb of the evil Herobrine, and all will help keep him trapped here in his pig-body, forever.”
Gameknight moved to the mound that was already four blocks high and placed a hand on the cool stone. He thought about Stonecutter, and the sacrifice he’d made to protect him. Likely, Herobrine would have defeated Gameknight if it hadn’t been for the stocky NPC’s strength when he was trapped within the vile shadow-crafter’s mind. Stonecutter had finally protected those who were relying on him. In fact, he had protected everyone.
“I won’t forget you, Stonecutter,” Gameknight said to the pile of stones, then turned and faced his sister.
“OK, Jenny, it’s time to go home.”
CHAPTER 29
GOING HOME
Gameknight put an arm around Monet113 and gave her a hug.
“Believe it or not, I’m glad I had to chase you into Minecraft,” Gameknight999 said. “If we hadn’t been here, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“Likely, Herobrine would have taken over Minecraft and destroyed us all,” Crafter said. “We needed the symbol of the User-that-is-not-a-user to bring us all together and stand up against his evil plans.”
“And if Monet113 hadn’t come into Minecraft, the painted zombies wouldn’t have helped us,” Stitcher added. “Her art allowed NPCs and zombies to work together for the first time … maybe it will lead to a lasting peace between our people.”
“I hope so,” Monet113 said. “But next time, I will—”
Suddenly, a circle of light enveloped Monet113. Its intensity made Gameknight feel as if he were staring into the sun, forcing him to step back and look away. When the glare faded, she was gone.
Dad, is she OK?
Right as rain, his father replied. Now it’s your turn.
Gameknight looked at his friends and could feel small square tears running down his face. He felt incredibly sad. These were his friends—his family—and he hated to leave them. But he knew that he was from the physical world, and that was where his physical family lived … his home. He had to go.
“I’m going to miss all of you,” Gameknight said, his voice choked with emotion. “But I will be back to visit … this time sooner than the last time.”
“You promise?” Stitcher asked with a scowl.
Gameknight nodded his head, causing the young NPC to smile. Running forward, Stitcher gave him a gigantic, bone-crushing hug, then stepped back, wiping tears from her eyes. Suddenly, a pair of bodies slammed into Gameknight, knocking him to the ground. Looking up, he found Topper and Filler wrapping their small arms around him, hugging him with all their strength.
“You can’t go,” Topper said.
“Yeah, you have to stay,” Filler said, her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry, kids, but my world is out there, in the physical world. But I will come back and visit … I promise.”
“You promise … for real?” Filler asked.
Gameknight nodded his head as he stood, helping the twins to their feet.
“I’ll be back,” the User-that-is-not-a-user said. “Besides, someone has to keep you two out of trouble, and since I’m the biggest rule-breaker in Minecraft, I know just what you’ll be planning.”
The twins giggled, then ran to their father, Digger, who was approaching. The big NPC walked up to Gameknight999 and placed a muscular hand on his shoulder.
“We started out as enemies, Gameknight999,” Digger said, making Gameknight lower his head. Reaching out, Digger lifted his chin so that they were looking eye-to-eye. “But now we are like brothers … we are family … and family always takes care of family, right?”
“Right,” Gameknight answered.
Turning, he faced Hunter. He could see that there were tears in her eyes, and that made him smil
e.
“Shut up,” Hunter snapped as she wiped her cheeks dry.
“I hope you have found peace, Hunter,” he said.
She looked up at him and smiled, then nodded his head.
“Maybe,” she replied. “These new zombies … maybe there are things in common between them and us … I don’t think they need to be exterminated. Maybe I can put aside the need for revenge and just live my life.”
Gameknight smiled, causing her to smile back, nodding her head.
The User-that-is-not-a-user then turned to his oldest friend in Minecraft, Crafter.
“Are you going to be OK?” Gameknight asked.
“I think so,” Crafter replied. “We’ll take the minecart network back to our village. It may take a while, but since we don’t have armies of monsters chasing us, we can take our time getting back home … for a change.”
The young NPC placed a hand on Gameknight’s shoulder and looked up at him with his big blue eyes.
“Be at peace, User-that-is-not-a-user.”
“And you, Crafter,” Gameknight replied.
A warm glow started to surround Gameknight, making Crafter step back and wave, triggering all the NPCs to wave and say goodbye. As the glow grew brighter, Gameknight could hear the music of Minecraft build within his mind. Suddenly, the ancient voice of the Oracle rose up.
Take what you’ve learned here in Minecraft back to the physical world, the Oracle said as the music of Minecraft swelled. You have grown a great deal, but still have much to learn.
Thank you for everything, Oracle, Gameknight thought. I will carry your lessons with me.
That is all I can hope for, she replied.
As the music of Minecraft grew louder and louder, the Oracle left Gameknight999 with one last message, her words echoing in his mind as he disappeared from Minecraft:
Imagine what you can accomplish … then do it!
MINECRAFT SEEDS
I had a really fun time choosing some cool and exotic settings to send Gameknight999 and company to throughout this book. Below, I’ve listed some seeds that you can be entered into Minecraft so that you can actually see the landscape described in the story! These seeds will definitely work with Minecraft 1.8, but you’ll have to check to see if the edition of the game you’re playing on supports seeds.
If you need a primer on seeds, a quick search on YouTube should give you what you need! You’ll find countless tutorials on the subject.
Chapter 2
Mushroom biome seed: -1709377804482683860
Chapter 3
Buried desert temple seed:
1264417242569508116
Desert temple on surface: 1766653575
x: -223
y: 66
z: 91
Large desert seed to the west:
-9065479248748140566
Chapter 7
Birch forest and grasslands seed:
-2472569073260569022
Ice plains: 5855666058316996616
Swamp and witch’s hut: 2020
Mesa: 7500265628670811614
Roofed forest: 3145708
Jungle biome: 2835344613182623992
Chapter 8
Massive zombie-town cave:
-7724690690182843954
x: -774
y: 83
z: 628
Chapter 10
Desert villager seed: -9065479248748140566
x: -412
y: 83
z: 106
x: 1556
y: 79
z: -456
Chapter 17
Fishing village seed: 3066265633229975217
Chapter 20
Ocean Monument: 5345405787186960689
x: -281
y: 61
z: 151
AVAILABLE NOW FROM MARK CHEVERTON AND SKY PONY PRESS
THE GAMEKNIGHT999 SERIES
The world of Minecraft comes to life in this thrilling adventure!
Gameknight999 loved Minecraft, and above all else, he loved to grief—to intentionally ruin the gaming experience for other users.
But when one of his father’s inventions teleports him into the game, Gameknight is forced to live out a real-life adventure inside a digital world. What will happen if he’s killed? Will he respawn? Die in real life? Stuck in the game, Gameknight discovers Minecraft’s best-kept secret, something not even the game’s programmers realize: the creatures within the game are alive! He will have to stay one step ahead of the sharp claws of zombies and pointed fangs of spiders, but he’ll also have to learn to make friends and work as a team if he has any chance of surviving the Minecraft war his arrival has started.
With deadly endermen, ghasts, and dragons, this action-packed trilogy introduces the heroic Gameknight999 and has proven to be a runaway publishing smash, showing that the Gameknight999 series is the perfect companion for Minecraft fans of all ages.
Invasion of the Overworld (Book One): $9.99 paperback • 978-1-63220-711-1
Battle for the Nether (Book Two): $9.99 paperback • 978-1-63220-712-8
Confronting the Dragon (Book Three): $9.99 paperback • 978-1-63450-046-3
AVAILABLE NOW FROM MARK CHEVERTON AND SKY PONY PRESS
TROUBLE IN ZOMBIE-TOWN
The Mystery of Herobrine: Book One: A Gameknight999 Adventure: An Unofficial Minecrafter’s Adventure
Gameknight999 was sucked into the world of Minecraft when one of his father’s inventions went haywire. Trapped inside the game, the former griefer learned the error of his ways. He transformed into a heroic warrior and defeated powerful endermen, ghasts, and dragons to save the world of Minecraft and his NPC friends who live in it.
Gameknight swore he’d never go inside Minecraft again. But when his little sister, Monet113, accidentally enters the game herself, the User-that-is-not-a-user has no choice but to return to a digital world where very real danger lies around every corner. With the help of some old friends as well as a few unexpected new ones, Gameknight will journey deep into a zombie village and face Xa-Tul, the powerful zombie king crafted by a shadowy figure with bright glowing eyes and a hatred for Gameknight and all things living. Gameknight will have to learn a few new tricks if he is to have any chance of defeating this monstrous creature and saving his sister.
$9.99 paperback • 978-1-63450-094-4
AVAILABLE IN 2015 FROM MARK CHEVERTON AND SKY PONY PRESS
THE JUNGLE TEMPLE ORACLE
The Mystery of Herobrine: Book Two: A Gameknight999 Adventure: An Unofficial Minecrafter’s Adventure
Gameknight999’s true enemy has finally surfaced: Herobrine, an artificially intelligent virus that wants to escape Minecraft and destroy mankind with its own creation—the Internet. If he is able to escape the game and get online, Herobrine will infect millions of computer systems and turn machines and weapons on their masters, threatening all of humanity.
After facing Herobrine in battle and nearly dying, Gameknight realizes he’s going to need much more help to defeat this seemingly invincible enemy. His NPC friends tell him of the ancient Oracle residing in the oldest jungle temple in Minecraft who knows the secret to defeating this terrible threat. The path to the temple is extremely dangerous, with zombies, spiders, and creepers lying in wait behind every tree and bush. Gameknight will enlist the help of his friends on his quest, but will they reach the Oracle in time to stop Herobrine? Gameknight999 will be tested to his limits, and perhaps beyond, in this spine-tingling new adventure.
$9.99 paperback • 978-1-63450-096-8
EXCERPT FROM
SAVING CRAFTER,
A BRAND NEW GAMEKNIGHT999 ADVENTURE!
The musty smell of the ancient stronghold instantly assailed his nose. The aromas made Gameknight feel the timeless nature of this structure; it was older than anything he’d ever seen. Likely it was from the very first version of Minecraft, pre-alpha or earlier.
Breathing in again, the dusty smell made his nose tingle and itch. It brought the memories from the last time they�
�d been here instantly to the forefront of Gameknight’s mind. He could almost hear in his mind the breaking of the blocks that held the spiny little monsters. They had chased them from the library and out of the stronghold the last time they’d dared invade these solemn halls; but not everyone made it out … alive.
And now they were back.
Looking at his friends, Gameknight wondered if the end result would be the same again.
Would some of them never see daylight again? Gameknight thought.
A thunderous explosion from above rocked the stronghold, making dust and dirt fall from the walls and ceiling, choking the corridor; Gameknight’s TNT had sealed the entrance behind them.
“That should slow them down for a bit,” the User-that-is-not-a-user said as the cloud of dust cleared, then turned to his father. “Dad, you embarrassed me back there … pulling out your wooden sword … then dropping it.”
“No … I distracted the monsters on purpose so that we could get inside,” Monkeypants said. “There’s a saying. ‘All warfare is based on deception.’ That’s what I just taught all those zombies.”
When the air had cleaned, he found Hunter smiling at him, her enchanted bow held in her hand. It cast an iridescent glow on the corridor, painting the walls with shimmering sapphire light and casting eerie flickering shadows.
Looking down the passage, he could see torches on the walls, having been placed there the last time they’d been here. Around the entrance, Gameknight could see brown speckled blocks of soul sand; they were the cubes Crafter had placed to keep the silverfish from making it out of the stronghold.
THE SWARM!
“Everyone be careful about the blocks,” Gameknight said. “Some of them contain silverfish and there are hundreds of them down here if not thousands.”
“Hmm,” grunted Digger. “That’s right … if you see a creeper, it must be destroyed before it can explode. I don’t look forward to facing the Swarm again. Last time we barely made it out alive.”
“What?!” Monkeypants asked. “Barely made it out alive? Is there something I should know, son?”
Last Stand on the Ocean Shore Page 20