Free Descent Into Overworld: An Unofficial Minecraft Adventure by Liam O'Donnell Page B

swirled inside the blocks. A Nether Portal. Jaina recognized the gateway to the world of the Nether instantly.
    Four large maps hung on the far wall. Three maps made the points of a wide triangle with a single map in the center. Each map had a label at the top in large letters. Jaina strained to read the labels as the skeletons led her into the middle of the room.
    The outside maps each had a different title. The map at the top was labeled Overworld. The maps on the left and right were labeled Nether and End. Jaina recognized each of the maps as the different worlds in Minecraft. Each of these maps showed wide areas of discovered land. Someone had done quite a bit of exploring to uncover all that land in this Minecraft world. The map in the middle was blank, with only a small part of land uncovered. Jaina read the final label. Her heart skipped a beat.
    “Recognize your home?” Slashax said.
    He walked over to the map and tapped the label with a bony finger. It contained a single word: Earth.
    A tiny green patch stood in the middle of the map of Earth. The patch looked vaguely familiar. A small brown building stood on the map inside the patch of green.
    “My school!”
    Slashax’s red eyes shone brightly. “Soon, this map of Earth will be completely uncovered. And it will completely mine.”
    “You’re going to invade Earth?” Jaina said. “Is that why you want me?”
    “I don’t want you. I want this!” Slashax held up her diamond sword. “Unfortunately, it’s a package deal. For this sword to do what I want it to do, you must be part of the fun.”
    Slashax led Jaina over to the far side of the chamber. Whiner was already there, walking around the weirdest bicycle Jaina had ever seen.
    Actually, it looked more like four bicycles had crashed into each other. Four blocky seats were on each side. Instead of handlebars in front of each seat, there was a long slot that ran down the metal frame to the ground.
    “Is this it?” Principal Whiner said. “Is this the diamond condenser?”
    “It is,” Slashax said. “Give it a try. Just like I explained to you on our walk here.”
    Whiner grinned. He hopped onto one of the blocky seats. Slashax handed him back his diamond sword. Whiner put the sword into the long slot. It fit perfectly.
    Nothing happened.
    Whiner turned to Slashax. “Not very impressive.”
    “Oh, it will be,” Slashax said. “When I take my place in the middle and your three brats are also here, the condenser will tap into each of your swords and transfer that power to me. With that power, I will be the ruler of all the Minecraft worlds and more.”
    “But what about Herobrine?” Principal Whiner said. “He is expecting you to deliver the Seed Generator.”
    “Never mind that fool,” Slashax chuckled. “He is not getting anything from me. Help me capture the other two brats and you will have more power than Herobrine could ever give you. That is a promise.”
    Jaina had the sudden urge to run away very far and very fast. Her brain screamed for her to rush out that door, past the skeleton archers and through the minefield of creepers. She wouldn’t get far, but she had to do something to stop this bizarre plan cooked up by her demented principal and a power-hungry skeleton.
    A large painting on the wall above the enchantment tables glowed brightly. A line of redstone circuitry ran from the painting, down the wall and into a single block that flashed with colored lights.
    Jaina recognized the command block right away. She had used blocks like this before on Hamid’s server. They held a lot of power to those who knew how they worked.
    Slashax followed Jaina’s gaze to the flashing command block. The skeleton king scowled.
    “Get her away from here,” he snapped to Whiner. He moved to stand in front of the glowing painting. “Take her to her holding cell.”
    Principal Whiner nodded to the skeleton guards nearby. They followed his silent command and grabbed Jaina by the arms.
    Jaina