I want to thank 'Someone' for telling me that you can get Minecraft: Story Mode on PC. I don't have a Steam account, but getting the disc and using the recreate feature to play it is better than not being able to play it at all. I just got it on Wednesday and have already played through the whole five episodes; now I wanna replay it with different choices (the opposite of what I originally did). I'm one of those people that would rather experience the game themself than watch someone else play it ... it's just better getting the thrill yourself than seeing someone else do it. When you're a gamer that's how you see things ... you want to enjoy the game not watch someone else enjoy it.

I did look up that Season 2 takes place 5-7 years after Season 1 Episode 8, but since we don't know Jesse and his friends exact ages I'll just go out on a limb and guess. They still sound quite young in Season 2, so they're probably not that old. In Season 1 they kind of act immature at times; due to both the Witherstorm or being stuck in a Portal Network - that equals stress. We all know that teenagers feel a lot of this pressure and either explode in anger or get highly stressed not a lot of them are as calm as Jesse. They can't be any older than twenty due to the timeframe between Season 1 and 2. So, I'll make Jesse and his Friends 17 here ... that way most of their 'freakouts' can be explained as teenage anxiety and such.

I'm not so great at descriptive writing, so you'll have to excuse my writing if it isn't that good with describing backgrounds and all that. I'm not that good at describing fight scenes either. I much rather write the characters than explain where they are and where they're going (even though you have to do that at times). That's why most recently I've gotten into writing first-person because it's easier to write from one person's point-of-view while I sometimes write third for a different perspective ... no matter how hard it can be. I do like a challenge at times.

Anyways, hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 2

Dampening Of Strength

"Alright, everyone, let's get moving," I told the group of people behind me as we made our way through the Forest Biome towards Soren's fortress. This was a good idea to go at the cover of night. I mean, we may run into mobs, but at least we'll be ahead of the Witherstorm.

I really can't stand those stupid tentacles!

They always seem to be after me...

Ugh...

That really irritates me...

"Yo!" I turned my head to the side to see Magnus coming up beside me. "We haven't really gotten the chance to chat yet."

Really?

What's there to chat about at a time like this?

"Oh, hello...?"

"Your friend over there says you tried to save Gabe from this Witherstorm thing. You're pretty tough, huh?" He asked me, causing me to lift a brow at the question. "A regular iron golem, huh? Leaving the Creepers quaking in their boots?"

Okay, is he making fun of me?

Because it really does sound like it...

I turned my head slightly with a frown plastered across my face. "Are you making fun of me here?"

He just gave me a simple shrug which made me slightly annoyed. "Honestly? I can't even always tell myself, but you seem alright." I guess ... that's good ... in a way. "Kinda wish you had my back before ... but whatever. You seem alright-ish." I just rolled my eyes.

It's almost as if none of the Order has never gotten their way before.

I guess it's something I have to deal with for the time being ... who knew the real people were so unbelievably rude...

Then again ... they are still people and people can be rude and obnoxious all the time.

"What's the deal with your buddy, Axel?" Magnus asked me, pointing at the green dressed teen; who only smiled, nervously, and waved back at the griefer. Magnus gave Axel a small, unsure smile back before turning his attention back to me. "I can't tell if he's awesome ... or a little bit of a dork. He's just a little ... ah ... doofy? You know?" I raised an eyebrow at the griefer's word-play at explaining how he sees my friend. "He's like a little puppy ... you don't know whether you want to hug it ... or just walk away."

Okay ... now that's annoying...

I can't stand hearing this guy speak like that about Axel.

I turn my head to face the Order member with a frown across my face. "Axel's one of my best friends. He makes me laugh and he always sticks up for his friends," I retorted, defiantly at the griefer.

This seemed to make Magnus quite surprised as I notice his eyes grow wide a little from behind that black mask of his. "Interesting, very interesting. Then why didn't you listen to his plan to come get me?"

Great ... here we go...

And now he's continuously mouthing off about how I couldn't handle Boomtown if I had gone.

Give me a break, please!

I let out a soft sigh, trying not to show my frustration to the griefer. "I figured that we needed brains to fight the Witherstorm and brains meant Ellegaard."

"Yeah, I definitely heard that a lot," he replied, seeming not that impressed at all. Though he let it off with a sarcastic laugh. "I'll try not to let it hurt my feelings too much."

He's messing with me again...

Do those two have some sort of beef with each or what?

Why do they have such a reason to want to fight one another?

It's just ... Ugh ... friends shouldn't fight each other ... it's not right.

It'll only lead to something that can never be fixed...

"Urr ... guys?" Lukas began, but stopped himself short. We all turned around at the sound of groaning to see a mob of zombies, spiders and skeletons heading our way.

Just great...

I looked over to Magnus; hearing him complaining about how we should've waited until morning while Ellegaard argued that we were ahead of the Witherstorm which was better ... in a way.

I sighed to myself; taking my iron sword out from my inventory. "You can hash this out later, right now we have some monsters to fight, people," I told the two as the others got their own weapons ready.

Everybody split up to take on their own mobs; which is good because it covers more ground, but I also feel it's kind of dangerous.

I looked at the three zombies before me and smirked.

Three of them ... this will be a piece of cake.

I moved towards the first zombie, slicing it two times before jumping back, so that it didn't strike me. I sliced it a third time, killing it. I moved onto the second one, dodging an attack with a quick roll to the side. I got back up to my feet; stabbing the second zombie and then jumping back as the third one drew near and nearly got me. I rolled to the side, so I was more in view of the second zombie stabbing it two more times, making it disappear like the first one.

I turned to the third and dodged with a roll as it attacked; just as I got up onto my feet to attack again; I froze.

My arm has that feeling again ... pins and needles ... making me drop my sword in shock.

"JESSE!" I heard Petra shout as she ran over towards me from her own finished fight and attacked my last zombie, jumping over me and digging her sword into its chest. Once the zombie was done with she turned her attention to me as I picked my sword up and put it away in my inventory. "Jesse, what just happened? You're clumsy, but not ... clumsy enough to get yourself killed."

I looked up at Petra and then turned my attention to everyone else as they began heading over towards us. "I...I don't know," I told her; just as confused as she was. "How about we hurry and get to Soren's. The sun's going to come up soon anyway."

She gave me a hesitant look before nodding at me. "Sure, Jesse..."

Minecraft: Story Mode - Withering

Once we got to the mountain that contained Soren's fortress we 'allowed' ourselves in and looked around at the large white and blue structures around as we walked along a bridge to ... another staircase ... Yay...

Lukas seemed to be commenting on how Soren could live here; so far away from civilization.

I have to agree with him there.

It would get lonely after a while.

As we made our way across the bridge and near the pristine-white staircase I felt those pins and needles on my arm again, grabbing it. A cough also broke out of my mouth which caused Petra to turn her gaze on me. I blinked and gave her a small smile before hurrying past her up the steps.

I can feel her gaze on me...

Scary...

I finally got to the top of the staircase with Petra following me; only to see a large chamber with columns leading to the other side.

Oh ... this looks ... fun?

I heard Lukas mention something about the columns before Magnus jumped off our platform and onto one of them, followed by Axel; who gave out a joyful yell. I looked down into the chasm beneath the columns and swallowed, patting Reuben on the head; who was shaking beside me, whimpering.

"Just ... don't fall down..." I told Reuben, but also trying to tell myself that as well.

My eyes lay on Olivia, Petra, Axel and Lukas as they jumped from column to column to make it to the other side. I looked at the gap between our current platform and the column before finally jumping. I landed on the column with Reuben beside me and sighed in relief.

Just a few more to go...

I can do this!

I jumped again and landed again.

I'm doing good so far.

I looked to the next platform and smirked, jumping again ... however I must've miss-stepped because my foot barely caught the edge and I was falling into the chasm with Reuben squealing after me.

I landed on my stomach while Reuben was able to land on his feet ... somehow?

I groaned, standing to my feet again as I noticed Reuben's reaction to something in the distance and my eyes widened; hiding behind a column, so I wouldn't be noticed. Hopefully. "Oh great. We got Endermen."

Reuben moved out of the way as I heard a familiar scream, causing surprise to come across my face when Lukas fell in the same position I did right in front of me. He stood to his feet, wiping any excess dirt or gravel on his person. "I heard your voice and thought I'd come down to help." He turned his head and blinked with shock at seeing the mob group. "Endermen."

"There are so many. I didn't think they came in groups that big," I said, letting my thoughts out. I looked towards Lukas again and rubbed the back of my head with a smile on my face. "That was kind of reckless, Lukas. You could have gotten hurt." He just gave me a flat look causing me to let out a short laugh.

I could hear Reuben squealing from quite a ways away from us.

He must be trying to get our attention.

As we turn around ... oh crap ... an Endermen is standing right behind me and I accidentally made eye-contact with it, causing it to 'scream' or whatever it is they do. Lukas ran off, screaming as I fell over in shock; I scrambled back onto my feet and dodged a grab by one of the grouped Endermen, causing me to fall off the edge and into water?

Seriously, this place goes deeper?

And how is there so much water?

Why am I even questioning 'Soren the Greatest Builder' anyway?

I swam up, taking a deep breath and sputtering a bit along with a cough. A strong shiver running up my body from the sudden coolness of the water temperature. I turned my head to look back at all the 'upset' Endermen as Lukas jumps off the edge and lands in the water beside me.

I notice Reuben still standing on the platform and I blink. "Reuben, jump!" The pig blinked, but followed my command, landing next to Lukas and I in the water.

I turned back around just as we went off the edge of a waterfall, causing me to let off a loud scream. We all landed in the water below and headed for the nearest block-platform which so happened to be the place of Magnus and Ellegaard's newest argument.

I would've rather taken my chances with the Endermen...

Actually ... no, that sounds worse...

But, listening to these two really gives me a headache.

Lukas and I finally made it to the platform to see the arguing duo go their separate ways under a specific statue and tunnel of each of the Order Members, specifically their own.

"It's hard to pick 'glass half-full' when they keep kicking the glass over," Olivia said, turning her attention to me, noticing that Lukas and I had finally arrived.

A sigh left Lukas' lips as he shook his head, slightly with crossed arms. "And I thought they were doing so well."

Olivia shrugged at Lukas' response, causing him to blink. "Yea, I wouldn't go that far."

I let out my own small sigh, putting my hands on my hips as I looked at my friends. "It seems that bickering is kind of their deal, but hopefully they'll work things out and get on with the important stuff."

The others nodded at my response. I felt my arm; realising it had gone slightly numb from that short time in the water. I grit my teeth and looked at the others; who had branched off and started looking at the large statues in the room.

I headed over to a stone block slab to sit and rest for just a little while, looking at my arm with an unsure look on my face.

I've never really had the time to look at it ... I still can't really, but it shouldn't be numb...

A soft snort caused my eyes to drift downward and smile at the pig sitting before me, wearing a worried look on his face.

I bent over and scratched him behind the ear. "Hey, Reuben, I'm just a little tired is all." A small oink was my response and I smirked at him. "Well, I'm not used to staying up all night and fighting mobs upon mobs of monsters, right?"

I just got a glare in return from the pig as if he could sense that something was indeed wrong with me and he could sense that I was lying.

I looked at my best friend; who happened to be a pig and pat him to reassure him.

He could always tell when something was bothering me and I could tell the same with him.

I guess ... we've just been together that long that we know when something is wrong with the other.

It's why I never like leaving him alone long ... he's like my other half ... in a pig...

"Look, buddy, I'm ... not exactly sure myself yet. I'll tell you when I know ... don't worry about me, okay?" I told him, but this didn't seem to ease his worries as he just snorted and gave me a worried look.

I sighed, glancing a look over at where Petra was standing near the water still; she was looking at me again. She then, turned her head away, causing me to lift a brow in slight suspicion.

What's up with her?

I shook my head, standing up and walking across the room to where Ellegaard's statue was with Reuben following closely beside me. I put a hand to my chin, looking down the tunnel before turning and looking towards Magnus'.

Well, we're gonna have to follow one of them.

Unless we end up splitting up.

I felt a tap on my shoulder; turning my head to see Petra standing behind me, looking at me with concern etched on her face. "Petra? Are you okay?"

She let out a sigh and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I don't mean to worry you..." A slight frown crossed my features at those words that came from her mouth as the others came over to us. "I've just got something I want to discuss with you in private."

What does she mean by that?

Well, looks like we're splitting up anyway...

I don't like doing this, but I guess it helps cover more ground.

I turned to the others and gave them a shrug. "Let's split up." Olivia, Axel and Lukas nodded as they turned to head over to Magnus' statue and the tunnel he went through while Reuben, Petra and I turned back around to head through Ellegaard's.

We walked down the tunnel, leading away from the room we had been in before and away from most light. Now any light came from the glowstones on the stone block walls. We turned a corner in the tunnel; the darker it was getting.

I could hear Reuben's soft snorting behind us as I looked over to Petra since she was a little ahead of me.

She finally turned her head to look back at me with ... grim look on her face. Why does she look upset? I know there's a Witherstorm out there, but we're trying our hardest, aren't we? "I feel bad about ditching everyone else, but I just wanted to talk to you about this alone. It's ... a little tough to talk about..."

I gave Petra a sincere look to tell how much I trusted her. "Hey, whatever, it is ... I trust you. You can tell me."

I noticed she gave me a small smile before it was gone almost in an instant. "Thanks for being so understanding."

We rounded another corner as Petra finally decided to stop, so we could continue our conversation here. I stopped beside her, giving her a confused look.

"Jesse, you were grabbed by the Witherstorm on your way to save Gabriel. I saved you, but ... I may not have been in time..." Her words were grim yet they sunk in like gravel.

I heard Reuben let out a short squeak of hearing that, knowing that he was worried about me. "W...What do you mean, Petra?" I asked her, voice stuttering a little.

She held out her arm to grab mine so that she could pull my sleeve up, but I jerked away almost instantly. "Jesse, I need to see. Please! I know the symptoms and you've shown signs of them!"

I blinked.

I have never heard Petra beg before.

Was it really scaring her this much?

She tried to grab for my arm again, but I moved it away again. "A...Alright, but I'll do it. I...I don't know if it's contagious and I don't want you catching it."

Petra stared at me for moment before folding her arms and nodding her head with a short sigh. "Fair enough..."

I looked down at my numb arm and moved my normal arm to pull up my white sleeve. My hand froze when I brought my sleeve to my elbow ... on it was a glowing-purplish substance that could be mistaken as a bruise if it wasn't glowing. The skin around it was pale; almost as if to announce that it was my weaker arm now.

"So, you do have it..."

I turned my attention back to Petra; her brown eyes were glued to my arm as I blinked. "I have what? Petra ... what is this?"

"Do you know what 'Wither' is?" She asked me, putting her hands on her hips with a slight frown on her face.

"The Wither? Of course, we've been..." She just shook her head at what I said, causing me to blink as she took a step forward to explain. "No, Jesse, just 'Wither' or 'Wither Sickness,' I guess." She gave me a worried look, glancing down at my arm before I quickly rolled down my sleeve to cover it up again. "It's sort of like a sickness you can only get by coming into contact with a Wither. I...I don't know much about it though..."

I stared at her for a moment, looking down in worry at my covered arm before looking back up at my friend. "Petra, I feel like this is going to keep getting worse. I was fine when we were at the temple ... maybe a slight shiver, but now..." I looked down at my arm. "I don't know..."

"Jesse, I know you may not want to worry them, but we have to tell the others about this," Petra told me, worry tinting her voice and I lowered my head.

I know that she was right, but I really don't want them to worry.

I look over to Reuben; who gave me a worried look and small squeal and I sighed.

"I know ... it's just..." A hissing sound caused us to turn around just in time to see a Creeper. I took a few steps back; Petra and Reuben got out of the way just as it exploded, taking the ground out from underneath me. I grabbed onto the edge before I could fall as Petra and Reuben ran over to me

"Grab my hand. I'll pull you up."

I grabbed hold of her hand; allowing her to pull me up, but as my foot nearly touched the stone block ... my hand slipped from Petra's grip and I fell onto the floor below with a grunt. The amulet fell from my inventory and rolled away from where I had landed.

"Jesse, are you okay? I'm so sorry!" I heard Petra cry out with Reuben squealing in worry beside her.

I groaned, getting to my feet and dusting myself off. I looked up to my two friends and gave Petra a smile. "I'm fine. It wasn't your fault." She looked unsure about that. I lifted my arm up, coughing into it. "I'm not exactly at my full potential, Petra."

"I guess ... but that doesn't mean I couldn't get you up..."

I waved my hand at her with a small smile. "Don't worry about it. I'll find another way up. You just find the others, okay?" She gave me an unsure look before nodding and getting up and walking away. I looked to Reuben and gave him a smile. "I'll be fine, buddy, stay with Petra." He gave me the same unsure look Petra did before following her.

I turned around towards where the amulet fell, blinking, picking it up and noticing the blue light now glowing in the middle.

Wait ... blue light?

That must mean that ... Ivor's here?!