Chapter 5

Chapter 5 JOIN THE DEFENSIVE CIRCLE TODAY! YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID. Harper led the way into the forest. She let the footprints guide her. "Evoker King?" cried Jodi, creeping along behind her. "ARE YOU OUT HERE, EVOKER KING?" "Man, that name is a mouthful," said Po. "When we find him, we should really suggest something a little easier. Like Bob!" "I don't think we should be shouting anything right now," said Morgan. "It's dark under these trees. Something dangerous could spawn here." "We might be following something dangerous," Harper added. "If these are the Evoker King's tracks… IF HE SURVIVED WHATEVER HAPPENED BACK

THERE…WHY would he have come this way? Why avoid us?" "Yeah. Hope for the best," Theo said. He pulled a splash potion from his inventory. "But be prepared for anything." Harper certainly hoped they would find the Evoker King. He was an AI so advanced that he had emotions—and he loved Minecraft as much as Harper and her friends did! Her mind reeled thinking about how much they could learn from him, if only they got the chance. As they walked on, Harper noticed something strange. A block of wood was missing from a nearby tree's trunk. A minute later, she saw the missing block of wood on the ground ahead. Based on the footprints, whoever they were following had moved that block of wood. And now she saw similar signs all along the path: A block of dirt missing from the ground. A block of spruce wood stuck onto an oak tree. The signs appeared completely random.

While she wondered about that, Harper spotted a butterfly flitting between the trees. It took her a moment to realize—there were no butterflies in Minecraft. She looked back at where it had been. There was nothing there. Maybe Po was right. Maybe she needed to get her eyes checked. The trees parted, revealing a clearing in the forest. Clouds had moved in to cover the square sun, making the light dim, but Harper could see a figure standing on the far side of the clearing. It was tall and blocky, and it seemed to be stacking blocks. "I think that's him," Jodi said.

"It looks like him," Harper agreed. She felt a rush of hope, and cried out, "EVOKER KING! HELLO? OVER HERE!" The figure paused at the sound of her voice. It turned to look at them. "That's not the Evoker King," said Morgan. "That's an enderman. Harper, don't look!" Too late. Harper turned her head, but the enderman had seen her staring. And endermen hated to be stared at. The mob emitted a low, terrifying shriek. Harper risked taking another look—but it was gone. "IT'S TELEPORTING!" she said, and as soon as the warning left her mouth, the enderman appeared right in the middle of their group! With a wave of its long arm, it sent Harper stumbling backward. Then it swung at the others. Jodi and Morgan were both hit.

"OH NO, YOU DON'T!" said Po, and he readied his weapon. If it weren't such a serious moment, Harper would have laughed at the sight of a butterfly armed with a sword. Funny or not, Po's attack was useless. The enderman teleported away again, and Po's sword swept through empty air. "IT'S FAST," said Po. "Unusually fast," said Morgan. Then the enderman appeared right behind him, striking him again before blinking away. "Ow!" said Morgan. He looked around the clearing, frantic. "I don't think I can take many more hits like that one." "Everyone, clump up!" said Harper. "Put your backs together so it can't sneak behind us." "No, we should go on the offensive!" said Theo. "I'VE FOUGHT PLENTY OF ENDERMEN BEFORE."

Po and Morgan joined Harper. They drew their weapons and stood back to back. Fighting mobs was not Jodi's preferred way of experiencing Minecraft, but she knew a good idea when she heard it. She quickly joined them in the defensive circle. Theo, however, stood alone. "Don't be careless," said Po. "Theo," Jodi hissed to get his attention. "Get over here," said Harper. Thunder rumbled overhead. Suddenly, the enderman reappeared right in front of Harper. She slashed with her sword, and its eyes flashed— And her sword disappeared.