Herobrine's War

by Mark Cheverton

Gameknight spotted Weaver battling with two zombies. He kicked a spider away and moved to his friend’s side. Swinging his diamond sword with all his might, he destroyed one of the decaying monsters while Weaver destroyed the other. Then clicking came to them from the right. Turning, Gameknight charged at the spider, blocking a spider claw with his diamond sword, then attacking with his iron. The creature moved backward, its eight eyes glowing bright red with hatred. He could see it was getting ready to leap into the air, but suddenly Wilbur dashed forward and bit one of its fuzzy legs. When the monster looked down in surprise, both Gameknight and Weaver attacked, destroying the rest of its HP in seconds.

  “Fencer, take a group of warriors around the left flank!” Gameknight yelled. “Carver, take a squadron to the right. Let’s crush them in the center.”

  The villagers split up and attacked the monsters from three sides. They drove forward, swords slicing through the air and arrows zipping around everywhere. The monsters tried to retreat, but many fell into the massive crater created by the TNT blasts, trapping all the monsters but the spiders. Soon, the only survivors were zombies and skeletons trapped in the huge recession, looking for cover in the deep netherrack hole.

  “We did it!” Weaver yelled.

  “SMITHY … SMITHY … SMITHY …” the villagers chanted, all cheering with glee.

  Though not all celebrated. Gameknight looked about him at all the armor and weapons that floated on the ground. Many had lost their lives in this battle, and their deaths weighed heavily on his mind. But what concerned him more was the ease of that battle. He had expected overwhelming forces, but instead, they faced a force equal in size to their own. That was uncharacteristic of Herobrine. He liked to attack when he had the complete advantage, and in this battle, he hadn’t.

  Suddenly, maniacal laughter filled the air. At the opening to their underground battlefield, backlit by the bright orange light from the lava ocean, Herobrine stood with eyes glowing bright.

  “That was a good warm-up,” the evil virus said. “But now that all of your little traps are used up, allow me to introduce you to my real army.”

  A massive group of zombies and skeletons and spiders and Endermen emerged out from behind the vile shadow-crafter. There were hundreds of the monsters, all of them growling and snarling at the villagers. Slowly, Malacoda floated down next to Herobrine as Erebus and Shaikulud moved to their Maker’s side. The collection of monsters all glared directly at Gameknight999 with hatred in their eyes.

  What do we do? What do we do? Gameknight thought. How do I come up with a way to stop this gigantic army of monsters?

  Waves of panic spread through him.

  The monsters took a step forward, anxious to destroy the blacksmith and all his friends. They were unable to hold back their enthusiasm for destruction.

  “I can see you’re all excited,” Herobrine said. “So please, help yourself … ATTACK!”

  The monsters charged forward, and all Gameknight999 could do was stand there and watch.

  CHAPTER 28

  A NEW PLAN

  “Smithy, what do we do?” Weaver asked.

  Gameknight didn’t reply. All he could do was stare at the approaching horde as their fangs and claws glistened in the light from the glowstones overhead.

  I don’t have any more tricks up my sleeve, he thought. I’ve failed.

  Just then, the music of Minecraft flowed across the Nether. It made the monsters stop their charge as they howled in frustration and pain, many of the zombies putting their clawed hands over their decaying ears.

  You don’t need to do this alone, an ancient voice said in his head. Accept that you don’t have all the answers and ask for help. Showing you don’t have all the answers is not a bad thing. It just makes you like everyone else.

  Gameknight glanced at the Oracle standing to the rear of the army, her strange-looking light-crafters grouped protectively around her. He gave her a strained smile, then nodded his head.

  “Carver, Baker, Fencer … I need your help,” Gameknight said. “I don’t know how to stop all these monsters so we can then destroy Herobrine. We need to figure this out together.” He paused for a moment and looked at his friends with fear in his eyes. “Help me … please.”

  A smile grew on Fencer’s face. He slapped Carver on the back, then laughed out loud.

  “Ha … no problem,” Fencer said, and Carver and Baker both sounded their agreement as well.

  Quickly, the four friends came up with a plan. Some of the ideas Gameknight would have never considered. But because they worked together, each contributed their own special strength and creativity to the discussion, forming a plan that had plenty of surprises for Herobrine.

  Slowly, the music of Minecraft faded, and the monsters could continue their charge.

  “Archers, move now!” Fencer shouted as he pulled out his bow and disappeared into the stairways that led up into the ceiling, a third of the army following him.

  “Villagers, place dirt on the ground, quickly,” Baker said as she slowly backed up, placing blocks of dirt here and there.

  A group of NPCs quickly moved across the netherrack surface, depositing blocks of dirt in no particular order, while others dug holes straight down into the ground, two blocks deep. Any zombie or skeleton that fell into the hole would be trapped and effectively taken out of the fight. Small squads of warriors pulled out shovels and began digging long, two-block-deep channels that extended directly away from the approaching horde. The angry moans and hungry growls made the villagers dig faster than they ever thought possible.

  When all of their preparations were complete, the fastest amongst them, Fisher, ran toward the monsters with flint and steel in his hands. Sprinting to the edge of the crater that had been carved into the netherrack floor by the TNT, he started to place a line of fire across the edge of the huge crater. Instantly, the netherrack took to flame. Quickly, Fisher ran back to the NPC formation, a smile on his face.

  “Now the monsters must pass through the flames in order to get to us,” Carver said. “That was a brilliant idea, Baker.”

  “Well, thanks, I was thinking that if we …”

  But she was stopped short, as the monsters emerged from the huge crater. Their angry faces were visible through the flames that stood between the opposing side, but to the NPCs’ surprise, they didn’t even hesitate, and walked through the flames like an unstoppable flood, the front rank pushed forward from behind. Some of the monsters fell on the flames, overwhelmed with damage and pain. They flashed red as their HP was consumed, but their flailing bodies snuffed out some of the fire. After the loss of a few dozen zombies and skeletons, the fires were all but extinguished.

  The horde of vicious creatures moved toward them, relentless with their desire for destruction. Some zombies and skeletons fell in the holes in the ground, their bodies suddenly disappearing from view, but the holes were too few to make any real difference.

  “Everyone ready?” Gameknight asked.

  “SMITHY!” the villagers yelled.

  “ATTACK!”

  Instead of crashing straight into the mob, the archers all jumped down into the long two-block-deep channels filled with zombies and skeletons. They started shooting along the length of the channel, which was so narrow that the monsters were unable to get out of the way. Arrows struck the first monster until it disappeared with a pop, then the one behind it, then the one after. More warriors stood on the edges of the canal and fired down at the row of creatures lined up. Bowstrings hummed the song of battle as twenty warriors fired as fast as they could draw. The zombies and skeletons moaned in fear and pain as they fell under the storm of arrows.

  At the same time, the warriors in the walkways above the battlefield fired their pointed rain down upon the mob. Arrow after arrow was released, so many that it almost turned the air black, but even with the monsters being destroyed in the channels and from above, there were just too few bows to slow their advance.

  That meant that it was the light-
crafters’ turn. Clumps of long, snake-like grass began to sprout from blocks of dirt, ensnaring the legs of passing monsters. Large green cacti burst into life, their sharp spines poking into those nearby. Walls of cacti soon stood before the monsters, blocking their progress, but still Herobrine’s army did not slow. They ran right into the prickly cactus, then climbed on top of each other until a living bridge was made over the pointy obstacles.

  Across the battlefield, the monsters charged through the barbed hail, refusing to slow. They crashed down upon the defenders like a tidal wave of fangs and claws. There were three monsters battling each villager, with even more of the vicious creatures waiting in the wings for their turn to fight. The NPCs fought bravely, but many fell under the onslaught. There were just too few of them; they were completely outnumbered. Gameknight knew he had to do something, fast, or they were finished. And he knew of only one thing that might help.

  “HEROBRINE, COME FACE SMITHY IN BATTLE, IF YOU’RE NOT A COWARD!” Gameknight screamed.

  The monsters all gasped in surprise and stepped back from the villagers for just a moment.

  An icy chill ran down Gameknight’s spine as Herobrine materialized right behind his monsters, his eyes glowing bright with excitement.

  “Why don’t you come out here and let us decide this, just you and me!” the User-that-is-not-a-user challenged.

  “My, my, the blacksmith has a little courage after all. Last time we faced each other, you had friends there to protect you. Are you going to hide behind your friends again?”

  Gameknight stepped forward and kicked one of the zombies backward so he could face the evil virus. The creature stood and began to attack when Herobrine brought his own swords down on the monster. The creature gave off a sad moan as it disappeared, leaving Herobrine directly facing Gameknight999.

  “You don’t see any of my friends nearby, do you?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Then come out here and face me if you’re brave enough,” Gameknight said. “If you win, these villagers will be your slaves and build your Nether fortress down here on the shores of the lava ocean. But if I defeat you, we’ll be given safe passage to the Overworld.”

  “Smithy, NO!” Carver cried.

  Gameknight held his hand up to silence his friend.

  “This was how the ending was meant to be, isn’t that right, Herobrine?”

  “It was inevitable,” the evil virus said with a sneer. “Everything that has a beginning has an end, and this is your end, blacksmith.”

  “We’ll see, you failed program,” Gameknight growled. “Come on, Herobrine, let’s dance.”

  CHAPTER 29

  FRIENDS

  Gameknight charged forward. Being from the future, he had the benefit of fighting Herobrine before, and he knew the virus’s tricks. But this was the first time Herobrine had ever faced off against Gameknight999, and he didn’t realize that his opponent held the tactical advantage.

  The User-that-is-not-a-user swung his diamond sword, even though he knew Herobrine would teleport away just in the nick of time. It was a decoy, and just as he swung the diamond sword, he spun around, knowing that Herobrine would materialize right behind him and try to catch him off guard. That was exactly what happened, and Gameknight brought his iron blade up just in time to deflect Herobrine’s sword. The razor-sharp weapons smashed together with such strength that it sounded like they were inside a thundercloud.

  Herobrine had clearly not expected his foe to anticipate his powers of teleportation, and block his attack. He was caught off guard, and before the evil virus could adjust, Gameknight brought his diamond sword down on the virus’s arm. It glanced off Herobrine’s armor, ringing like a gong. The virus then disappeared from sight, teleporting to someplace new. Staying low to the ground, the User-that-is-not-a-user turned until he spotted a pair of legs. Leaping high in the air, he brought his sword down and was easily blocked. But before Herobrine could counterattack or teleport away, Gameknight crouched and spun again, this time extending his leg. It struck Herobrine’s ankles, taking his feet out from under him. The vile shadow-crafter fell with a thud. Not waiting for him to respond, Gameknight slashed at the Maker’s legs, striking them hard and making him flash red with damage.

  The monsters around them all gasped as they saw their leader take damage from the blacksmith. Zombies growled and spiders clicked their mandibles together in anger.

  Gameknight stood, but Herobrine had already disappeared. He turned quickly, looking around for his enemy, but couldn’t find him anywhere. It was impossible to think Herobrine had run away; his ego and thirst for destruction would not permit it.

  Suddenly, a scream could be heard from overhead. Herobrine had teleported to one of the overhead walkways the villagers had built. He leapt off and fell straight down on top of Gameknight999, knocking him to the ground and sending his iron sword skittering out of reach. Bringing his diamond sword up, Gameknight blocked his enemy’s attack, then stood and glanced at the Oracle.

  Are they coming? he thought.

  Not yet, she replied, the words flashing through his mind. Keep delaying him.

  Gameknight knew Herobrine and his monsters would never keep their end of the agreement. If he defeated the shadow-crafter, the other monsters would still fall upon them and destroy every villager in the Nether. The User-that-is-not-a-user had to keep them all busy until help arrived, if it came at all.

  Rolling sideways, Gameknight charged at his adversary. As usual, Herobrine disappeared, then materialized behind the blacksmith. But instead of turning to block the attack, Gameknight kept moving forward, lunging toward his iron blade that lay on the ground. Stooping, he reached down and grasped the hilt. But as he lifted his arm to bring the sword around, an arrow from a nearby skeleton struck him in the back. Gameknight yelled out in pain, drawing his enemy’s gaze.

  Herobrine quickly seized on a moment of weakness and teleported right on top of the iron sword, pinning Gameknight’s hand under the handle, his fingers painfully pinched. He tried to pull away, but Herobrine was putting too much force down on the weapon; his hand was trapped.

  “It seems you’re stuck,” Herobrine said as he slid his feet along the blade, moving closer. He pointed his own sword directly at Gameknight999’s face. “You are beaten, Smithy. Are you ready to beg for mercy?”

  “Never!”

  The User-that-is-not-a-user glanced at the Oracle. She shook her head.

  “That old hag cannot help you, Smithy. I have beaten you, and soon you’ll be destroyed.” He moved forward and stepped right on Gameknight’s hand, causing pain to shoot up his arm. “But first, I think we’ll watch as my spiders destroy that old woman. There’s something about her I don’t like.”

  “No, you can’t,” Gameknight pleaded.

  “That is where you’re wrong, blacksmith. I can do anything I want. Minecraft is mine. The Overworld is mine. It’s all mine!”

  “But you still cannot escape,” Gameknight spat. “You’re trapped here and will never escape. Your pathetic attempts to flee these servers will never work. You’re an inept and obsolete piece of code that should be deleted!”

  Herobrine’s eyes grew bright with rage.

  “How dare you speak to Herobrine like that!”

  The zombies growled and the skeletons notched arrows to bowstrings, while the villagers did the same. Gameknight glanced at the Oracle and saw an expression of sadness on her old wrinkled face, her eyes cast to the ground in defeat.

  Then, suddenly, a sound echoed off the netherrack floor.

  “HOOOOOOOOOOWL!” Wolfbrin screamed, his voice like a booming rumble of thunder, filled with strength and pride.

  “Shut your pet up,” Herobrine growled to the Oracle, but she ignored him.

  Another howl floated across the land. It sounded like the echo of Wolfbrin’s, but stranger.

  “What is this?” Herobrine demanded. “Some kind of sound trick?”

  Gameknight tried to pull his hand free from un
der the sword, but it was still held to the ground. He glanced at Baker and motioned with his head at Herobrine.

  “You think that woman will last long against me?” Herobrine said, guffawing. “She wouldn’t stand a chance.”

  “I don’t think she should fight you,” the User-that-is-not-a-user replied. “I was just thinking she should give you her nice sword.”

  “What?” Baker asked. “Never!”

  Herobrine laughed, his eyes glowing bright as he stared at the shining iron weapon.

  “You know,” Gameknight added, hoping she might get the hint. “Like Digger.”

  “Never. I’ll never give up my sword!”

  “After I destroy your leader here, I’m gonna take her sword and throw it in the lava ocean, just because I can,” Herobrine said, laughing.

  The dark shadow-crafter raised his iron weapon high in the air, preparing for the blow that would destroy the blacksmith. Baker then stepped forward, heaving her sword in a strong, overhead throw aimed right at Herobrine’s chest.

  Gameknight watched as time seemed to slow down. Baker’s sword tumbled gracefully through the air as Herobrine’s blade descended toward his body. It was now a race, sword vs. sword. Which would reach their destination first? Herobrine glanced up just as the spinning weapon struck him in the shoulder. He flashed red with damage. With his eyes flaring bright, the evil virus disappeared at the speed of thought and materialized a few blocks away.

  Gameknight leapt up with his iron sword now in his sore hand and his diamond blade held at the ready. Baker stepped to his side and retrieved her own weapon, Carver on her other side.

  “Let’s get him,” Gameknight said in a low voice. “We can’t let Herobrine escape.”

  The trio charged forward, yelling at the top of their lungs. But Herobrine just smiled and disappeared, materializing amongst his monsters.

  “I knew the blacksmith was a coward,” Herobrine spat. “And now everyone has …”

  Wolfbrin let out another strong, proud howl, cutting off the evil shadow-crafter’s words. The light-crafter’s voice echoed in their ears, but louder somehow, as if it were composed of many voices, all proud and strong.