Hi.

Bye.

~<>~

"I mentioned I have a fear of heights, right?" Abby said from behind Gordon.

"Yes. Yes you did."

"Don't worry, Abby." Gordon got a serious look. "I'll protect you from the air."

We were going up a glass elevator on the side of the building. It was really cool because we could see the whole city as we went up to one of the top floors (it was an amazing view), but Abby was still afraid.

"Very funny." Abby rolled her eyes.

"It's actually a very rational fear." Mastermind shrugged. "Many deaths are caused by falling to the ground each year. In fact, over 100 deaths were caused just last yea—"

"NERD!" Infinity said. She paused, then she added, "Actually it's not much of an insult. Nerds rock."

"Thank you for terrifying Abby, Mastermind." I sarcastically said.

He looked ashamed. "Sorry."

"It's alright. We're here." Jake said.

The elevator stopped at the third-to-top floor. When the door opened, Abby was the first to leave.

"Am I the only one who has a fear of something practical?" She asked.

No one answered.

She threw her hands in the air. "Oh come on!"

"Alright." Gordon took a deep breath. "For you, Abby. I'm afraid of deep waters."

Infinity shifted. "I'm scared that the people I care about will reject me for being me."

"We would never do that." Jona said.

"I'm afraid of death." Skye said.

"I'm allergic to death." I added, smirking.

Jake laughed. "Especially in the face!"

We all laughed along.

"So you're the representatives from Notch City?" A stiff voice said.

We all turned to the man who spoke. He had gray hair, and a suit and tie on. Judging by the clear grouchy look, he must've been one of the politicians.

I quickly composed myself. "Indubitably."

"Sup." Infinity tilted her head up.

"Infinity." Jake hissed.

The man inhaled. "I knew you weren't professionals, but I did not know that we would be raising children."

"I assure you that we can handle ourselves." Mastermind said.

He exhaled deeply. "Very well. Let us go. We are late."

We all walked after him, trying to keep up with his hasty footsteps.

Finally, we reached a door, and he turned around to face us. "When we get inside, you will walk up one by one. State your name and occupation. If you don't have one, list your best skill. Once you are all finished, you will remain standing and we will continue with the meeting."

"Got any advice?" I awkwardly smiled.

He thought about it, then sighed. "Do not be straight to the point. It lets the conversation die too easily. But do not stray from the topic too much. And it would not hurt to insult your opponent as well as make yourself look better."

"I can insult people." Infinity rubbed her hands together, grinning wickedly.

The politician rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. Now, follow me."

"Wait a sec." I narrowed my eyes at him. "You just helped us."

He looked exasperated for a second. "I only gave you advice! Now let's go." He opened the door.

I grinned at my friends, and we walked inside.

~<>~

ITS SO BIG.

Lol just kiddin.

It was actually smaller than the council room in Notch city, and more cramped.  Dozens of old men (and some occasional women) stared down at us from elevated platforms, which were formed in a semi circle around the room. In front of us, at the other end of the room, there was an even more elevated platform with five people. Guessing from my previous encounters with councils, they were more important. But this council was different. More hostile. Everyone seemed to be glaring, judging us, or looking extremely tired.

Our politician cleared his throat and walked to the middle of the room, on the shiny dark oak floor. " Mullian, present."

"You're late." One of the five people said in a deep voice. His ice blue eyes owned up to their preferred color, and gave us all an icy look.

"With all due respect, I was in charge of bringing the... guests, here."

"And why have you failed?" The guy asked Mullian. Wait, was Mullian his first or last name? Wait, no. I am the only one who has a last name. Or am I? But dude, if his first name was Mullian, no wonder he looked so grouchy. Poor Mullian.

"Their train was late. Actually, it was not there in the first pla—"

"Enough." The dude raised a hand to silence him. I noticed that he had a gavel in the other. Sweet. "Take your position."

Mullian gave us a look, but it was too quick to read. Then, he walked up to the side of a stand and sat down in the only empty seat.

I remembered that we had to speak our names and such. So, responsibly, I shoved Jake forward.

He shot a glare at me, but regained his composure, and spoke loudly and truly like a true politician: "My name is Jake. I am the leader of the army base, Pali."

So that's the name of his base? Pali?

A few seconds passed, and Infinity walked up. "Infinity, brother to Jake and co-leader of the army base, Pali."

Normally, because I'm all important and such, I would go last. But nah. I'm a rebel.

I walked into the center of the room, excepting to hear whispers. Dead silence was the result, however. So silent, you could hear a piece of sheep's wool hit the ground.

"I'm Katherine Moone." I reluctantly said my full name. "Apparent chosen one of the prophecy."

A few furrowed eyebrows, some angry glances, scoffs, anything but nice things. This is why we can't have nice things.

And our friends continued on.

"My name is Abby, I'm a pretty good builder."

"Gordon, redstoner, and destructive genius."

I'm sure if people could back away from Gordon, they would.

"I'm Skye, owner of Skye's Swordfighting Skills."

"Jon. Miner." Of course he didn't use more than a few words.

"I'm Mastermind, apprentice of BajanCanadian."

About a minute passed with people just looking at us. I stared at the floor, suddenly developing a fear of crowds. These people... they were all judging me, whether they'd admit it or not. The council of Notch City looked so much nicer, despite being larger and more important. But this time was different. I couldn't do this. What was I doing here?

"We are aware—" a female voice said. "—that you have come to convince us to be your ally in the war."

I jerked my head up and looked around for the origin of the only nice-sounding voice in the room. I finally found a lady on the higher council, smiling at us. She was the only person who didn't look like she didn't want to kill us with words. She had a brown bob hairstyle, and ember colored eyes.

The smile she gave us all made me forget about everyone else. Someone cared about us. We were safe.

"Yes." I found myself saying. "We would like to explain why it would be the best decision to choose us over Herobrine."

Some guys shifted in the stands. Aha! That got a reaction. Not all of these people were comfortable with the name of the evil dude.

"Well?" The icy man said. "Get on with it."

"Wait." The woman said. "These teenagers just got here. Should we not be respectful and give them time to settle down?"

The man grumbled. "They should already be prepared."

"There's no reason to give them some more time."

The man glared at her, and she stared at him with a calm expression. Then, he sighed. "Very well. You have until tomorrow at 2 o clock pm to prepare. You are dismissed." He banged his gavel.

Wait. That was it? We came in here just to introduce ourselves and be intimidated? Was that their plan all along?

"Come on, Kat." Jake urged me.

I realized I was staring off into space. I turned around and followed my friends out the door. And this time, I didn't run back inside.

~<>~

"It's even more terrifying going down." Abby looked up with her eyes closed.

"How are you scared about this more than jumping on those slime blocks?" Skye asked.

"I don't know! I just didn't think about how dangerous it was until I was out the door. By then I couldn't turn back, and you guys couldn't see my terrified facial expressions."

"True." Skye stepped back, shrugging.

The elevator stopped. Again, Abby was the first one out into the lobby. But this time, she wasn't waiting for us. She was staring at something from somewhere else in the lobby.

"What is it?" Gordon asked her.

We all looked to where she was staring, and saw the councilwoman from before walking toward us.

"Hello." She said, stopping right in front of us. "I am councilwoman Jane." She extended her hand out for a handshake.

I was the first to accept it. "Hello."

"How'd you get here before us?" Infinity blurted.

Jane laughed. "Us people have a special and more efficient elevator. Special privileges, you know?"

"No..." Infinity muttered, but Jane didn't seem to notice that she said anything.

After we all shook hands, with an awkward and confusing handshake exchange with Mastermind and Gordon, she spoke again. "I wanted to personally welcome you all to Bladville."

"Thank you. For welcoming us, and giving us more time to prepare." I replied.

She smiled wider. "You're welcome. Sorry about Ivan, he can be a little... harsh."

"Is he always darude?" Jake asked.

She laughed again. She seemed very joyful. "Not all the time. He's quite sensitive at home."

After seeing our confused expressions, her eyes went a bit wider. "Oh dear! I'm sorry, I forgot to mention. Ivan and I, we are married."

~<>~

Where was I going with this? Lol I don't even know.

Ummmm I got nothing. Things are going to be heating up a bit.

Ignore that.

Question: What is your favorite thing to do in Minecraft?

Rock on, my little rebels.