Here's Plague

Warnings: None

     ~Vikk's P.O.V.~

"Are you sure I can't punch him in the face?" Jerome mutters to Mitch, casting a sidelong glance at Lachlan.
"Yes."
"What if I just break his nose a little?"

Lachlan clears his throat loudly and I stifle a laugh as Jerome immediately shuts up. Lachlan catches my gaze and rolls his eyes in mock exasperation before a cheeky grin spreads across his face.

"As I was saying..." Lachlan continues, casting a meaningful look at Jerome, "We had decided to send out three teams to round up all the people in the smaller villages. Mitch, Jerome, and I were one of the teams and we were in charge of all the villages to the East. We were gonna have everyone take refuge in either Seto's, Chimneys, or Rob's places, but since it just so happens Rob is a white gem we are currently one base short."
"Well not necessarily. If we can find someone to rule over my base in my place, I don't have a problem with guarding citizens there. The only thing is, having been isolated for so long, I don't know anyone who'd be fit for the task."
I nod, pitching in a second problem. "On top of that, if you three were supposed to be the team in Rob's neck of the woods, we'd need an additional three people to replace you."

     After safely exiting the Nether, and filing several thousand mobs through a large nether portal, Jerome and Lachlan put their differences aside to construct a simple wooden shack. Preston guarded Rob, regularly checking to make sure he was in good health, and I pondered on what the fudge I was going to do with these mobs. For now they're all frolicking in a field, standing by for further instruction. Once Rob finally woke up, more introductions were made, our journeys were shared, and Mitch insisted on one of those stupid bonding games where you go around a circle saying your name, one interesting thing about you, and yadda yadda yadda. Honestly it did work, but I wasn't about to admit it to him. After that we all shared our powers, and Mitch produced a diamond key with a black gem in the centre afterwards. Apparently the three of them had already encountered the endermen hybrid key holder Endi, and along with the help of some others such as King Sky, killed him and obtained the first key. All this talk of royalty made me feel rather self-conscious, so I've opted to stay quiet for now, only speaking when spoken to.

      We voted Rob should be the one to guard the keys, and now Lachlan is telling us about this whole rescue plan they made with the famous Seto. Such important people are involved in this... why did I have to become a white gem? I'm probably the least qualified one here. Even Preston probably has more real-world experience than I do. I ponder inwardly, glancing over to Preston who is silently stroking Silvers head, deep in thought. During our Nether excursion Rob forced Preston to leave Silver at home. And now Preston has forced Rob to teleport her here. Processing this whole situation once again, I find myself thinking back to the simplicity of my old home. Where everything was quiet... laid back... safe. If I hadn't been dragged into this whole thing, I would still be... normal. I pout, looking at my zombified body in disgust. Suddenly I find myself feeling quite homesick. I frown, my mind wandering. I just want to go home.

       "I have an idea." Rob announces, snapping me from my depressing thoughts. "Why don't we just consult Seto himself?"

      Before anyone can question it Rob holds his hand out palm up, and a translucent blue mist rises from it. It flashes a few times and then after a moment or two a holographic image of Seto's face appears floating in the mist. The rest of us look on in various degrees of interest. Preston seems to most interested of all. He's clearly never seen such a variety of magic before.

      "Robert!" Seto greets, smiling, "It's been a while. How have you been?"
      "Pretty good. We've got a little dilemma here and we were hoping you could help us solve it."
      "We?"

      Rob nods, holding is palm out and waving it around the room so Seto can see everyone. Seto's eyes widen in shock, his jaw hanging open.

       "Hold on, is that Mitch, Jerome, and Lachlan? Does that mean you're..."
       "Yup!" Rob grins, proudly flashing his gem.
       "Oh I see..." Seto gawks. "I'm not gonna lie, I'm a tad jealous. But not matter, what can I help you guys with?"

~~~

     Rob closes his fist, and the blue image of Seto disappears from view with a smile and a wave. Seto gave us a perfect solution, quite fast in fact. Like it was nothing. He's contacted a nationally respected warrior named Pat who, along with his wife, have agreed to rule Rob's base in his absence. Seto then contacted three of his old friends, Stampy, Squid, and Dan, and they were eager to form a third rescue team in Jerome, Lachlan, and Mitch's place. With that problem solved, Seto then suggested I command my large army of mobs to split into three, heading to the three bases to act as soldiers to protect the refugees from Herobrines army of mobs. I sent them immediately on their way, watching them go with some odd feeling of loneliness. Seto also suggested as we travel, if at any time we cross paths with escapes mobs, I urge them to join the others in our revolution. As a final parting gift Seto tipped us off as to where he believes Riptide, the elder guardian key holder, may reside. He reported that an unusually large collection of water dwelling mobs have been gathering in the large ocean by Notch's old castle.

     As Preston, Rob, Jerome, Mitch, and Lachlan begin excitedly discussing whether to travel to the End where no doubt the Enderdragon hybrid remains, or go search for Riptide, I quietly slip away feeling overwhelmed and out of place. As the oak door clicks shut behind me, and the voices of my new friends fade away, I sigh and shamble over to the crest of a small hill on these relatively flat plains. Taking a seat on the lush grass I rest my chin on my knees, wrapping my arms around myself and gazing sadly at the horizon. The setting sun paints the sky a brilliant coral pink, the clouds a soft lavender, and the edges of night beginning to creep in all around, soon to swallow the gorgeous sky in a wave of darkness. In this distance I can see a flock of ghasts from the Nether flying along lazily, en route to the North where Chimneys domain lay. Yet another powerful figure much more qualified for this kind of life than I. Off in another direction a dark swirling vortex of angry clouds spins on the horizon, spreading out in a slow corrupted swirl, originating no doubt from Herobrines castle. Letting out a long sigh, a single tear rolls down my cheek.

"Hey."

I whirl around to face the voice, a jolt of panic stabbing through my heart. When I realize it's only Lachlan I nod silently in reply, turning around slowly in an attempt to retain some of my dignity. Lachlan stands there for a few more second, and I can practically feel the contemplative frown on his face. After a minute he sits down beside me, not saying a word, staring out at the vibrant evening sky. And just for a minute, the world seems peaceful. I don't even feel uncomfortable in the presence of such an esteemed person. Instead, it just feels like I'm sharing a beautiful moment with an old friend.

Lachlan clears his throat awkwardly, breaking the serene silence.

"I would like to join you in acknowledging the difficulties of your life."
I can't help but bark out a laugh. "You are the WORST at this comfort thing."
"Hey at least I tried." He jokes, lightly punching me in the shoulder.

A few more moments of silence pass, a small grin plastered unwillingly onto my face. Lachlan turns back to the sky, scans the horizon for a moment, and then pulls out something golden and shiny from his pocket. I glance over, watching with modest curiosity as he fingers a small golden crown with purple gems embedded into its front. He looks... sad.

      "Homesick?" I prod, nodding at the crown.
      "Hmm..? Oh, yeah. Sorta..."
      "Yeah..." I sigh, "Me too."

      Another moment of silence.

       "It must've been hard. Having to leave such a luxurious life." I offer, not begin able to help wondering what his life must've been like in comparison to mine. "Your parents must've been proud to see you going off on such an important mission, though."
      A dark look crosses Lachlan's face and he scowls, his voice suddenly becoming cold and distant. "My parents practically disowned me. My father ordered me to be killed, not believing his son could bear a white gem and thinking I was an imposter. I died falling into a ravine trying to escape."
       "Oh." Is all I can manage.

        Suddenly, I find myself truly reflecting on my situation. Was it really all that bad? Lachlan was disowned by his parents. Jerome and Mitch have both lost all their dear friends and family, and their home has been burnt to the ground. Preston has lived as a criminal his entire life, constantly being outcast from society simply because of his gem. Rob has lived isolated his entire life. Compared to all them, really and truthfully, I've got it good. I grew up in a welcoming community, if judgmental, with loving friends and family who are still probably out there, safe from the evil sweeping the land. And now I have the priceless opportunity to save the world. And if we pull this off, I'll be a hero. Me. Vikk. A commoner. The epiphany renders me feeling a little guilty.

     A sniffle brings me back into reality and I notice Lachlan is crying, gripping his crown so hard his knuckles turn white. I should probably say something. Here goes nothing.

      "... I would like to join you in acknowledging the difficulties of your life."

       Lachlan's laugh could be heard for miles.

~~~
Question of the chapter:

What is your favourite Pack ship?

My answer: Bleh this is hard but I enjoy Merome the most I'd say, followed VERY closely by Vikklan and Poofless. All the other ships are meh for me.