Winter Morgan - Clash of the Villains (for Fans of Creepers)

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Copyright 2015 by Hollan Publishing, Inc.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover photo by Megan Miller

Print ISBN: 978-1-63450-591-8
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63450-592-5

Printed in Canada

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

BORROWED MAP

S teve was hard at work on a new irrigation system for his wheat farm when he saw familiar faces in the distance.

Steve, Lucy called out, as she sprinted across the field toward him.

His friends Henry and Max raced behind Lucy.

I didnt know you guys were in town, Steve said. He was happy to see his old friends.

We arent staying, Henry told Steve. We just came to pick you up and take you on a treasure hunt.

Thats nice of you but I think Id like to stick around the farm. Im working on a new irrigation system. My crops arent growing and I think they need more water. Steve stood by a patch of carrots that were in desperate need of irrigation.

That can wait, demanded Lucy. We heard about a magical mountain that contains endless diamonds, and we want you to come find it with us.

How do you know it even exists? questioned Steve.

We dont, but were going to find out, replied Henry.

I dont think Im going to leave my farm to travel through the Overworld in hopes of finding a mountain that you arent even sure exists. Steve was annoyed.

But you have to come with us, pleaded Lucy. Youre so resourceful and such a skilled fighter.

You have Max, hes the fighter. Steve went back to working on his irrigation system.

Max walked over to Steve and showed him a map. Look. This adventure map has the mountain on it. According to the map, the mountain is past the jungle and by the ocean biome. Weve traveled through all of those biomes before, and we know how to survive in them. This is a no-brainer! We have to make this trip.

How did you get that map? asked Steve.

We were treasure hunting when we stumbled upon a group of explorers. We wound up mining with them, and one of the explorers started to talk about the mountain. Apparently they had been there and it was amazing. It has countless diamonds. Lucy was so excited she rushed the words out in one breath.

And they gave you the map? Steve was curious. After being attacked by griefers in the past, he didnt trust anybody not in his circle of friends. How did his friends know this wasnt a trick? That a griefer gave them a fake map leading them to a trap?

Well, they didnt give it to us, Max fumbled with his words.

Did you steal it? Steve couldnt believe his ears. These were his good friends, and he knew they werent thieves.

Lets just say we borrowed it, Henry said and smiled.

You stole it! Steve raised his voice, How could you do something like that?

Its not as bad as you think, explained Lucy. They dropped it when they were destroyed by a creeper. We escaped, but I was able to pick up the map.

But this isnt our map, said Steve.

Lucy defended herself, I do want to find them and give the map back.

Yes, we just want to do it after we get the diamonds, Henry said as he looked over Maxs shoulder and studied the map.

And the group had already been to the mountain and mined for diamonds. They were only keeping the map so they could return when they needed more, Lucy told Steve.

Steve wasnt sure what to make of his friends proposal. He needed to work on his irrigation system, but he also wanted to go on an adventure with his friends. Steves one serious issue with the trip was he didnt trust the map.

Are you sure they didnt drop it on purpose? Maybe they wanted you to take it and once we get to the mountain they will trap us. Maybe your new friends are griefers, Steve guessed.

Well, there is only one way to find out, said Max.

If it is a trap, we can fight the evil griefers and save others from the same fate, Lucy reasoned with Steve. She knew that he loved to stop griefers from terrorizing innocent people.

The sun was setting. Steve looked at his friends and warned, We need to get back to my house before hostile mobs start spawning.

The gang heard a shrill scream coming from his neighbor Kyras house.

Oh no! It sounds like Kyra is being attacked. We have to help her, Steve shouted to his friends. They sprinted toward Kyras house.

As they approached the house, they could see through the window that Kyra was battling four zombies with her diamond sword, while more vacant-eyed zombies lumbered toward her.

Help! Kyra screamed as she destroyed two zombies with her sword.

Max shot an arrow at a zombie. The others charged at the undead creatures, striking them with their swords.

Good, we destroyed them! Quick, come inside my house before more zombies spawn, yelled Kyra.

Steve looked around and didnt see any zombies. Everyone ran inside Kyras house. Steve lit a torch and placed it on the door outside the house to protect them from hostile mobs. He also placed another torch on the wall inside.

Oh Steve, Kyra smiled, youre always thinking ahead.

You know me, Steve blushed.

Lucy, Max, and Henry, Kyra remarked, I had no idea you guys were in town.

Were not staying very long. We want to search for a magical mountain that has an endless supply of diamonds, Lucy told her.

Mine Mountain! exclaimed Kyra. Ive heard about it. I didnt know it really existed. I thought it was just a myth.

Well, we have a map. Max showed Kyra the map.

Wow! Can I come with you? asked Kyra.

Of course. We were planning on coming over here and asking you, Lucy told her friend.

Are you going, Steve? Kyra questioned as she stared at the map.

I wasnt planning on it, but now I think Ill go. Truthfully Kyra, I dont trust this map. I think its a trick and someone is trying to trap us, and I want to be there for you guys if something goes wrong, said Steve.

Oh Steve, you are always worried about something. Cant you just be excited for our adventure? Kyra asked her friend.

After all our run-ins with griefers, replied Steve, I just want to be cautious.

I understand. But if this isnt a trick, we can actually go to Mine Mountain. Ive heard there are so many diamonds, the mine is filled with a blue glow. Kyra couldnt believe her friends had a map to this mythical place.

We should get some sleep before we head on our journey to the mountain, Steve suggested to them.