The Courageous Ocelot, Book 4: A World In Peril

by Mark Mulle

“Really? That’s cool. We should be going there anytime now, with Olly and Seph. Mom and Dad are planning to go out and visit the part of the forest that was being restored… They want to visit the old place where we lived.” I said.

  - “Nice! They should go and visit.” Greg said.

  - “Great to hear that. But here, take a rest. You should pace out for a bit, Greg!” I said.

  Day 7

  I wanted to talk with Greg about his work.

  - “So Greg, you told me that you and Edd are working hard now, and sometimes it’s hard to get out of the cities even for a day because it demands a lot of your time.” I said.

  - “Yes, that’s how busy it has been.” Greg said.

  - “I was thinking… Why don’t you guys hire someone to help you there?” I said.

  - “Well, actually we’ve elected some new local leaders to take over neighborhoods and other areas of the three cities, and they bring forward the requests from the citizens living in those locations. But still, there so many things to be done!” Greg said.

  - “I see. Well, what do you think of me helping you two out?” I said.

  - “You?” Greg said.

  - “Yeah. I know I can’t craft anything and all, but I could help you talk with people and do stuff.” I said.

  - “That’s a good idea, Lilly. Your help is always welcome! After all, you’re the Talking Ocelot. Everyone in the three cities know who you are, and of your story as Herobrine’s protégée.” Greg said.

  - “Haha, I wouldn’t say protégée. More like chosen, but whatever.” I said.

  - “Sure, if you really want to come work with us, you don’t even have to ask twice. But I need to tell you… It’s really tough, and it will take a lot of your time. Are you ready for that?” Greg said.

  - “Yeah. I’ve been here with my family for a year now; we’ve rebuilt our home and everything at the cities has been settled down. I need something else to keep my mind busy!” I said.

  - “Alright. We’ll be going back tomorrow, then! And since you’re going to work with us now… There’s something I need to tell you. But you’ll know about it from Edd.” Greg said.

  - “Uh? Okay.” I said.

  Day 8

  I told my family that I would be leaving them to work in the West City.

  - “Are you sure, Lilly? City work isn’t easy, and you won’t be able to come home often.” Mom said.

  - “I think we should allow her, honey. I’m proud to see my daughter helping the humans once more!” Dad said.

  - “Mom, don’t worry. Like Dad said, I just want to help them again. I want to see how I can make a contribution on how to improve the city and speed up the rehabilitation of the forest” I said.

  - “I would like to go too, but not being able to talk to humans can be a problem. I won’t be of any help!” Seph said.

  - “Me too…” Olly said.

  - “Guys, if you want to come with me, feel free to.” I said.

  - “I would rather not. I mean, we would just drag you down. You need to focus on helping the humans, not serving as our translator so that the humans can understand what we are saying.” Seph said.

  - “Dude, it would be so much better if we could talk like Lilly. Isn’t Herobrine around anymore? We could ask him for some help…” Olly said.

  - “Haha, don’t be silly Olly. Herobrine doesn’t distribute powers like that.” I said. “Anyway, I shall be going, then. But don’t worry guys – I will come back often to visit you.” I said.

  - “When the city work tires you, come back here to rest honey.” Mom said.

  - “Good luck, Lilly! Show them how we Ocelots do things.” Dad said.

  - “Thanks Mom and Dad! Olly and Seph, I’ll be waiting for you two to pay me a visit there! I’ll be living in the West City with Edd and Greg.” I said.

  - “Sure!” Seph said.

  Day 9

  We headed to West City and we arrived there a few hours later. West City was only a few miles from our home.

  - “Here we are.” Greg said. “West City in all its glory!” Greg said.

  - “Woah. This city has grown so much in such a short period!” I said.

  - “I told you! It’s our pride and joy. To think we had the city in shambles after Loki’s attacks.” Greg said. “But that was just the past. Now we’re heading towards a brighter future!”

  - “A bright future, I see.” I said. “A city full of life which is also environmental friendly. A great example for other cities and servers!”

  - “Exactly. We live at peace with the local fauna and flora. Players are encouraged to plant trees in the city’s outskirts and not build anything near rivers without permission. Wood is taken from a local wood farm, where new trees are planted every week and the older ones are cut down to keep the wood supply.” Greg said.

  - “Amazing. I see you and Edd are giving your best!” I said.

  - “Oh, it’s nothing. The good people of West City are the ones who should take the credit.” Greg said. “Now let’s go to the town hall, maybe Edd is there.”

  At the town hall, we couldn’t find Edd anywhere.

  - “Maybe he’s dealing with another case somewhere… We can check again later!” Greg said.

  - “Sure, we can wait.” I said.

  Day 10

  We came back the next day to meet Edd. Greg had to be there early in the morning to start working again. This time, Edd was working on some papers.

  - “Good morning, Edd.” Greg said.

  - “Oh, welcome back Greg! The secretary told me of your return.” Edd said. “And how was it at Lilly’s home?”

  - “It was fine, and actually we’ve got a visitor.” Greg said.

  I came in and greeted Edd.

  - “Hello Edd! We missed you.” I said.

  - “Lilly, you’re here? What a nice surprise!” Edd said. “Sorry, I couldn’t make it this time. Things around here have been… tough!”

  - “Yeah, I figured. No worries, but you definitely should visit us sometime though. It’s always good to take some time off from work.” I said.

  - “And Edd, Lilly is here to help us with work!” Greg said.

  - “That’s right, guys. I came here to help you.” I said. “I mean, we’ve been through a lot in the past, we worked together and we won together. I think it’s unfair of my end to just stay home and relax while you guys work hard to keep the cities running.”

  - “You don’t have to, Lilly. But we appreciate your offer, and it will be nice to have you around once more.” Edd said. “Everyone here talk about the Talking Ocelot, you’re famous in these parts!”

  - “Heh, I suppose Herobrine is the one to blame for that.” I said. “Anyway, you guys can count on me!”

  - “Thank you, Lilly! Stick around with us here at the office and we’ll get to discuss all types of cases together.” Greg said. “You can help us take decisions and talk with the citizens.”

  - “Exactly. Some decisions must be taken internally, and it’s usually just me and Greg.” Edd said. “But when the decision impacts the whole city or even all three cities, we bring it forward to the citizens to decide. It’s a democracy, after all.”

  - “I understand. Sounds like my type of deal!” I said.

  - “Great. We’ve got some paperwork here to complete today, so let’s get to work.” Edd said.

  That’s how I started my first day at work in the West City!

  Day 11

  My time here in West City working with Greg and Edd has been very promising. We finished some of the pending paperwork from weeks ago.

  - “I didn’t realize how much easier it was to decide on these matters with another head helping us.” Edd said.

  - “Exactly! Having Lilly here to help us discuss everything has made it much easier.” Greg said.

  - “Oh guys, it’s my pleasure.” I said.

  - “Well… I am really happy to see you with us again, Lilly. And remember that thing I had to tell you that
Edd will explain to?” Greg said. “Edd, could you tell to Lilly what’s going on in the forest?”

  - “What is it, guys?” I asked.

  - “Lilly, as you know, we’ve been working day and night to recover the forest Loki destroyed. We’ve hired hundreds of citizens from all three cities to plant new saplings and plant bushes, trees, grass, etc. And since Loki’s fall, we’ve only recovered around 30% of the total forest outside of West City…”

  - “Yes, but I am sure you will accomplish it in no time!” I said.

  - “You see, that’s the problem Lilly… It has been almost two years since I took over as the Mayor of all three cities, and we should be done by now. It doesn’t take that long for a sapling to grow. And the main problem is…” Edd said.

  - “The trees are not growing.” Greg said.

  - “What?” I asked them.

  - “Yes. As a matter of fact, they actually grow but… they die shortly after. The trees don’t last more than a month so we can’t move towards the other part of the forest because the 30% we’ve re-planted would be destroyed in a few days.” Edd said.

  - “Exactly. It’s as if the trees are cursed or something – they grow, and then they die without any apparent reason. And no matter how many trees we plant, they always die.” Greg said.

  - “We didn’t mention this to the public yet, but I’m afraid most people know about it… The people working at the forest are citizens, after all. And believe me Lilly, we’ve done everything we could! We removed the dirt from the soil and replaced it with a new one, we created new lakes and other water sources, and we even imported saplings from other areas. Nothing worked.” Edd said.

  - “Oh my… How is that even possible?” I said.

  - “And here comes the worst part, Lilly.” Greg said. “We don’t know the answer to that question… But someone says they do.”

  - “And who is it?” I asked them.

  - “Guess who.” Edd said.

  I thought for a moment when I realized who they were talking about.

  - “Oh, no… Don’t tell me Loki has anything to do with this, please?!” I said.

  - “He does.” Greg said. “A few months ago, he overheard about what is happening in the forest and told me that he knew what was going on.”

  - “But of course, he won’t tell us until we set him free.” Edd said.

  - “This is an outrage… How could he possibly know the solution to it?” I said.

  - “Maybe he’s just bluffing. But we also must take in consideration that he was the leader of the two cities and the one who ordered the forest’s destruction. Perhaps he could know a thing or two, but at this point even the smallest hint at whatever is happening with the biome would be of great help.” Edd said.

  - “Gee, guys… This is quite the standoff we’re at.” I said.

  - “That’s not all, Lilly…” Greg said. “Some of the scientists working in the East city have noticed an increase in the ocean waters off to the East coast, mainly due to the defrosting of ice in the polar regions caused by global warming.”

  - “And the global warming can be reduced by planting more trees.” Edd said.

  - “I see… we are now struggling against time to save the environment once again, and don’t know if what Loki is saying is true.” I said.

  - “Exactly.” Edd said.

  - “Now I see what you mean with hard work.” I said.

  Day 12

  Edd and Greg have been doing their best to save the environment the past months. They’ve led a group of citizens to plant more trees in the forest, but their efforts were useless. The trees are not living for long, and dying within days.

  Now, I can’t imagine what in the world is happening to the forest. Why can’t the trees live in the biome anymore? And what can we do to bring everything back to what it once was? But my deepest fear now is… Does Loki really know what is going on?

  If Loki is the only person who can answer our question, I don’t see any other way out other than asking him for help. He is the last person in this world who I would ever go beg for help, but I see no other option.

  Edd and Greg are worried with the ocean waters rising in the East coast, and although the East City is quite far from the ocean, it could be in danger. We need to recover the forest and restore the environment, otherwise the consequences will be tough.

  Day 13

  I’ve been living in the Town Hall where Edd and Greg also live and work. We discuss every day what we should do with the forest.

  - “I know you two don’t want to involve Loki in this but… have you actually talked with him?” I asked.

  - “No, I have never returned to that prison since he was sent there.” Edd said.

  - “I have, but only twice. And he told me about the forest the last time I was there.” Greg said.

  - “And don’t you think we should at least talk to him? I am not saying we should comply with his rules and let him free… just hear him out. It won’t do us any harm.” I said.

  - “Maybe… But just the thought of giving Loki a second chance is infuriating.” Edd said.

  - “I know what to do. Let me speak to Loki.” I said.

  - “Are you sure, Lilly?! That guy is crazy!” Greg said.

  - “I think we should not give him the slightest chance, let alone listen to his stories.” Edd said.

  - “I know we all hate Loki for his wrongdoings, but… c’mon guys, he can’t do anything else. He lost all of his powers and people in the cities hate him. Loki doesn’t stand a chance, and he is not a threat anymore. If he knows something, even a small hint or tip about this case, it would help a lot.” I said.

  - “Well… If you want to hear him out, you’re free to do so, Lilly.” Greg said. “You came here to work with us, and we see you as our partner, not our employee. You deserve as much credit for saving the cities as any one of us.”

  - “Greg is right, Lilly. Although I don’t personally agree with this idea, it’s your call. And if you decide to do so, we’ll support your choice.” Edd said.

  - “Okay, thank you guys. Rest assured that I won’t make any deals or anything with Loki. I just want to give him the chance to be heard, even if briefly.” I said.

  I am going to talk to Loki and see what I can find out about the forest.

  Day 14

  Today, I asked some of the guards who worked at the prison to take me to Loki. The prison is located just one mile outside West city. They took me there and I got inside; The prison is not really big. It has a few cells, and most of them are made of Obsidian so that players can’t escape.

  Except for one special cell, totally remodeled and made of wood. This was to keep its prisoner reminded of his terrible mistakes and dark past, as he was unable to break through the wooden blocks surrounding him.

  Loki’s cell looked really plain and simple, the type of cell that even a small child player could break out of. But in Loki’s case, there was nothing he could do other than pay his debt to the society and live there.

  Upon seeing me, Loki smiled.

  - “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the Talking Ocelot, the animal among all animals, the chosen one! Hahahaha.” Loki said, in a sarcastic tone.

  - “I see you are still crazy as ever, Loki.” I said.

  - “Crazy? No. I have always been normal. Those humans out there are crazy, running around and taking orders from an Ocelot.” Loki said.

  - “Loki, no one’s taking orders from me. Edd and Greg are the Mayor and Deputy, I am just their assistant.” I said.

  - “Wait, you’re their assistant now? Pff. Another one joined the circus, then. I heard Edd and Greg are working hard for the people. But they don’t know what it really takes to be a leader! To be followed, to be venerated!” Loki said.

  - “That’s not what a leader does, Loki. That’s what a tyrant does.” I said. “Edd and Greg listen to the people and they work towards a better life for everyone.”

  - “Yeah, yeah. I have heard tha
t speech before. It’s the same old, same old. And trust me Ocelot, it doesn’t work.” Loki said.

  - “My name is Lilly.” I said.

  - “Lilly, Ocelot, whatever. I don’t waste my time respecting an Ocelot, like those outside.” Loki said.

  - “And we all know where this got you, right.” I said. “Locked up in a cell, powerless, useless.” I said.

  - “I wouldn’t really say ‘useless’, Ocelot. Hahahaha!” Loki said. “Cut to the chase, Ocelot. I know you are here because you need something. Those two up there at the Town Hall are too proud to come over here and ask me in person!”

  - “What do you mean?” I asked.

  - “Don’t be silly, Ocelot. I know you guys are struggling with the forest. Everyone knows! The news spread quickly around these parts.” Loki said.

  - “Yes… I won’t lie to you. Greg and Edd have been working really hard to recover the forest which, by the way, YOU destroyed. But it seems they’ve encountered a problem with their progress, and can’t proceed anymore.” I said.

  - “I know that, Ocelot. In fact, you all are just wasting your time. The forest won’t grow back to what it once was. You can continue planting saplings and other plants as much as you can, but they’ll all die out within days.” Loki said.

  - “How come?” I asked.

  - “In other words, you are just extending the inevitable. You’re watching paint dry! Hahahahaha. It’s an useless effort!” I said. “And that’s what useless means, Ocelot. Me? I am not useless! Your work is!”

  - “Loki, what do you mean by that? What is happening to the forest?” I asked him.

  - “Oh, so now you want my help? First, you come here to my prison to insult me and laugh at me, and now you’re begging for assistance. Pitiful!” Loki said. “I won’t say anything, so get lost Ocelot.”

  - “But Loki, we really need to know. Otherwise, this world could be…”

  - “Could be what?” Loki asked.

  - “This world is in peril, Loki. And it’s all thanks to you. Don’t you feel the urge to do something to compensate for your actions?” I said.

  - “Of course not. I don’t regret anything!” Loki said.

  - “Okay Loki. If this is how you want it to be… It seems you’re enjoying your life here in prison. So I’ll be heading back and I won’t bother you anymore. We’ll figure out on our own what to do, so goodbye.” I said.

  - “Wait a minute, Ocelot.” Loki said. “Sure, you guys can try to figure it out and discover what’s going on with the forest. But do you have the time to do that? You said yourself the world is in grave danger!”

  - “Yes… It is.” I said.

  - “So? I know a shortcut. I don’t wanna help this world for nothing, so… If you want my help, I want to be released from prison and acquitted of all charges.” Loki said.

  - “That’s a lot for just some information, Loki.” I said.

  - “I don’t care. It’s either a deal or nothing. Go, talk to your little friends. I’ll be waiting.” Loki said.

  I left the prison with Loki’s proposal in mind. What does he really want, after all? Even if we release him, he won’t be able to do anything. He doesn’t have any powers, abilities, and every citizen from West and East city hate him.

  What’s in for him? I’m sure Loki has something in mind… I can’t figure out what, though.

  Day 15

  Today,