Winter Morgan - The Skeleton Secret: An Unofficial Minecrafters Mysteries Series, Book Three

This book is not authorized or sponsored by Microsoft Corp., Mojang AB, Notch Development AB or Scholastic Inc., or any other person or entity owning or controlling rights in the Minecraft name, trademark, or copyrights.

Copyright 2018 by Hollan Publishing, Inc.

Minecraft is a registered trademark of Notch Development AB.

The Minecraft game is copyright Mojang AB.

This book is not authorized or sponsored by Microsoft Corp., Mojang AB, Notch Development AB or Scholastic Inc., or any other person or entity owning or controlling rights in the Minecraft name, trademark, or copyrights.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Sky Pony Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Sky Pony Press books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Sky Pony Press, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

Sky Pony is a registered trademark of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Minecraft is a registered trademark of Notch Development AB. The Minecraft game is copyright Mojang AB.

Visit our website at www.skyponypress.com.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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

Cover design by Brian Peterson

Cover photo by Megan Millar

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-3189-9

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3195-0

Printed in Canada

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE SKELETON SECRET

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

E disons brewing station was covered in fermented spider eyes, Nether wart, glowstone dust, and a myriad of ingredients used to craft potions. His brown hair fell in his face, his gray T-shirt was stained with various potions, and his black sneakers were hurting him because he had been standing so long. For the last two days, he had been consumed with brewing countless batches of the potion of invisibility. Once Edison was finished brewing, Billy would measure how long the potion lasted.

I was invisible for more than five minutes, right? asked Edison.

No, it was two minutes. He showed Edison the watch.

Seriously? Edison was irritated at himself. He thought he was a better alchemist than that. Im never going to win a medal.

I think youll win, said Billy.

Not with a potion that lasts only two minutes. I need to be invisible for much longer.

Well, try to brew another batch. Ill time you again. Billy, dressed in his usual khaki shorts and a blue button-down shirt, looked down at the stopwatch.

Okay, and this time I hope I stay invisible for much longer, Edison remarked.

He had to perfect his ability to brew quickly while not letting the swiftness of the process sacrifice the quality of the potion. If the potion was too weak, hed lose the contest. His house was a mess because he had done nothing but brew for the past few weeks. Edison was putting a lot of effort into getting ready for this renowned competition. He admitted that he wanted to win first place, but he knew that there would be many alchemists from all around the Overworld at the competition, and some were incredibly fast at brewing. Edison tried to brew his potions quickly, but he felt as if the more he practiced, the worse he became at brewing. It didnt make any sense.

After all the time Ive spent practicing, shouldnt I be getting better at brewing? I feel like Im getting worse, and I dont understand why. I am trying my hardest, Edison wondered aloud.

I think you are working too hard and youre exhausted, and its slowing you down. You need a break, suggested Billy as pushed his wavy blond hair from his eyes.

A break? I dont have time for a break! Edison dropped another fermented spider eye into a potion of night vision, which resulted in a fresh batch of the potion of invisibility. He took a sip. Time me now, he said.

Billy timed Edison, but he was distracted when he saw someone appear at the door. He opened it.

Amira! Omar! He was excited to see his old friends.

Amira and Omar walked into Edisons house juggling water bottles in their arms, trying not to drop them as they made their way to the brewing station.

Youre back! Billy exclaimed.

Wheres Edison? asked Omar.

Hes here. Hes just invisible, Billy said. Hes practicing for the brewing competition, but I think hes overdoing it. Hes consumed with this competition. I think he needs to take a break.

Just because Im invisible doesnt mean that I cant hear you, Billy, Edison warned.

Edisons potion wore off, and he reappeared by the brewing station.

Youre back! Edison exclaimed. His friends had been away for a month and he had missed them, but that didnt stop him from asking, Billy, did you time how long I was invisible?

Billy fumbled with his stopwatch. Im sorry, I was distracted. I was just so happy to see our old friends.

No need to apologize. Edison smiled. Ill brew another batch, and you can time me later. He walked over to his friends. What are you doing back here?

We told you wed come back to Farmers Bay for your brewing competition, said Amira.

Really? Just for me? The competition is no big deal. You shouldnt have traveled all the way back here.

No big deal! Billy raised his voice and sighed. Youve been obsessing about this competition forever.

Okay. Edison looked at the floor as he spoke, his cheeks were red, and he was embarrassed. Its a big deal. Im honored you came back to watch me. Im just worried youre going to see me lose.

Amira said, We are so happy youre in the competition. Its such an honor. You should really just have fun during the brewing event and not stress over winning and losing.

And we brought you a present. Omar pointed to the many bottles on Edisons brewing stand.

Edison counted the bottles. Wow, this is great. I cant believe you brought me all these bottles. How did you know I was running low on them?

Good guess, said Omar.

We did a lot of fishing when we were on our trip, and we kept pulling in bottles. We thought theyd be helpful to have in the competition, said Amira.

Thank you. These are incredibly helpful, said Edison as he looked at the bottles. You have to tell us about your trip. Did you return most of the stolen treasures?

Not all of it, but a lot. Omar listed the various places he had visited with Amira. And we searched for all the people who had their treasure stolen. They were so excited to get it back, which was very nice to see. Yet I just couldnt get used to a life at sea. I missed Farmers Bay.

Does this mean youre going to stay in Farmers Bay? asked Billy.

Yes, Omar replied. When the brewing competition organizers found out I was coming here to see you, they asked if I could build the stage for the brewing competition. After I finish that I am going to design another building for Dante. He wants a large beach house on the shores of Farmers Bay. Im going to build it and when Im done, Ill stay here.