Chapter Text
Chapter one: “I’m what?”
Was it clear to Jesse that she was acting irrationally? Yes. Was maybe going on a secret adventure a bad idea, especially after everything that has just happened? Yes. And yes, leaving only a vague map of where she was going was a bad idea.
Jesse was well aware of how bad this sounded on paper.
A sigh escaped her lips as she stared at the map Ivor had given her.
She squinted her eyes at the worn paper before taking in annoyance.
“How can he be so cryptic all the time?” Jesse stuffed the map back in her pocket and huffed. “No one is this paranoid…” She grumbled to herself, looking at the setting sun over the trees. No. She needed this. A simple adventure by herself to celebrate her birthday.
Her friends were all busy with their things, and since Radar can mostly more or less take care of Beacon Town, she now has free time.
Jesse ran a hand through her hair, sliding down a birch tree. At least the scenery is nice. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the crisp air. The rustling leaves and distant chirping of birds soothed her nerves. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all—It gives her a chance to clear her mind and try to remember the point of all of this.
.
.
.
Yeah nevermind. This is weird. Like, beyond weird. Which, I mean, that's fine. She's been on plenty of solo adventures…like that time she snuck out of the house and found Ruben— No, wait, her parents were with her for that. Um, Or what about that time she uh..when she- wait, no. Oliva was there at that time… Oh! That time she…Wait, no, Axel helped her with that. Ugh, nevermind. Her friends have always been there. Even in the beginning, before she was the leader of The Order of the Stone.
Granted, Jesse's adventures, however, have been more real than some…previous attempts, but she digresses.
She hears a zombie groan in the distance, which makes her grumble. Oh well, she can make a quick shelter for the night. A quick and dirty hut would be fine — sorry Oliva. She could make it through the night either way. She’d survived worse before, and with her friends by her side—even if only in memory—she felt a little better. With a determined sigh, she began gathering materials. Well…it was just dirt and enough wood to make a campfire, but, y'know.
Luckily, she found some apples from the tree and declared that they would be dinner for tonight.
Munching on a red apple, she looked around. If she's right, Luca's cabin should be around her somewhere. He hasn't forgotten her birthday; she knows for a fact he hasn't. Or at least, he couldn't. They spent too much time together for him to not not forget it.
.
.
.
The morning Jesse woke up could've been a bit better. She woke up to a stray puppy that wandered in to escape the rain, and that was currently getting mud and dirt all over her clothes. Once again, Oliva was right. She yawned, picking the dog up and getting out of the shelter.
Wow. This place looks a lot different from last night. She sat the dog down, looking around the hazy world. Was there a storm last night or something? Then again, a storm wouldn't make everything so…wonderland-ish. It kinda looks like the fake world Soren built in The End. It looked real from far away, but oddly colorful close up…
She looked back at her dirt hut and- Oh. It's gone.
Right. This has to be a joke.
“Alright, guys…come on!” She nervously laughed, looking around the strange world. Her friends couldn’t have got rid of her entire hut that fast. Even if they did, she would’ve heard one of Axel's explosions.
Looking up, the sky was a light pink color mixed with blue -early morning, if Jesse had to guess. The clouds seemed to be more abundant yet…colorful? They seemed to swirl around the now twisting trees. Were they this pointy…last night?
The forest didn't look like this when she went to sleep. Then again, maybe it did. Was it? Her head hurts now. She inwardly groaned as she rubbed her eyes. If she weren't so selfish, she'd be in her office right now and not lost.
But, alternatively, listening to Radar prattling on about how she should take a break, and then immediately follow it up with the wants and needs of Beacon Town wasn't always the best. Someone wants this, someone needs that... blah blah blah...then she'd sign some papers and go out into town. Talk to Stacy and Stampy, listen to Nell about how she should just ‘Relax Brooo..and take some deep breaths’.
Yes, of course she loved her friends but when the same thing happens everyday, it gets boring.
On the other hand, around lunch time, Lukas would come by on horseback and talk about his books. Strangely enough, Jesse didn't mind listening to him. She'd stare into his eyes as he talked passionately about writing, and then he'd catch her staring and ask her questions about the type of adventures she'd been on. Of course, that's when her smile faded, and she scoffed.
“I've gotten at least three paper cuts today. Does that count?” She wiggled her fingers to proudly show off her bandaged hand. She saw Lukas laugh, writing a note in his journal. Jesse craned her neck, trying to look at the scribbled-down letters.
“What do you mean by ‘workaholic'? She attempted a laugh, but the remark slightly offended her. She wasn't a workaholic; she just…has a very strong work ethic. But the defensiveness would make them both laugh.
After a talk with Lukas she would sign more papers, and help Beacon Town and sign more papers and help Beacon Town and-...where was she going with this?
Agh, nevermind. Fine, whatever. Maybe her friends had a point. A small, simple break wouldn't hurt. An adventure even.
Jesse looked towards the narrowing path ahead of her. After a quick survey of the surreal area, she sighed. She's been her fair share of nonsensical -thank you, Ivor, for the adjective lesson earlier- worlds. The whole Pama world was a nightmare, though she couldn't fault Harper for it. She would happily admit that she and Ivor made for a great couple. Whether that's because she keeps Ivor out of trouble or that she's no longer lonely….that's still up for debate.
Looking at the swirling sky, which is now an orangish blue color, told her she had been standing and thinking for way too long, and the only way to go on the path was forward. A long…long path forward..Ugghhh Why can't things ever be easy? Also, this forest didn't look so…dead yesterday. She craned her neck up to look at the trees on the far mountain.
…Is that wool? What no, It couldn't be. Why were there wool trees on the mountain? She didn't think anyone from Beacon Town or Champion City lived here, even villagers. Nerm would've ‘hrmm-ed’ about it. Her eyes snapped to the puppy beside her. Why was he growling?
“What is it, boy? You see something?” She crouched down to the little gray wolf, patting his head. Her words were met with a little yip, and he just started running.
“Wait, Puppy! Come back!”
She took off after the wolf, running into uncharted territory. Why the hell is there lava everywhere? She didn't go that far away from town, and Ivor is with Harper exploring the other dimensions in the hallway, so…what-
“Yip! Yip!”
Puppy, right. She was beginning to remember why she liked pigs more. Not saying she doesn't like dogs, but pigs are better. She smiled when she found the puppy barking at the pork chop vendor.
Hm. Ironic.
“Are you hungry then?” She looked at the vendor and smiled. It was Amelia working, which was good.
As the mayor of Beacon Town, it came in handy when she wanted something from one of the vendors. Not that she didn't try to pay, but they never let her due to ‘all she's done for them’. She cleared her throat, patting the wolf on his head.
“Hey Amelia! Can I get two pork chops, please?
She saw Amelia pause for a second before turning around, her smile faded, and she dropped her tongs. Jesse watched as Amelia’s eyes filled with horror, and a hand went over her mouth. “Jesse? You, you’re…”
Her eyes darted from her body to the wolf beside her, looking around
frantically.
Jesse eyed the way words would form on her lips, but at the last second, would drop at the very last minute.
Ameila pointed an accusatory finger at Jesse, her face a mix of pain and confusion. “No. I refuse to believe this. You're just a, a, a made up figment of my imagination! You're not real..!” She watched as Amelia laughed, her eyes wide and crazed as she ran a hand through her brunette hair. The puppy must've sensed something since he hid behind Jesse’s leg, whining.
“Uhm..Ameila? You..alright?” She reached her hand out to her but she immediately recoiled.
“Shut up! You’re not real! You're just an illusion! A fake!” Amelia took a step back and ran out of her stand, leaving a confused mayor and puppy in her wake.
Jesse watched in confusion as Amelia ran away. But instead of following the poor, confused woman, Jesse pulled a few minecoins out of her pocket and tossed them into the jar on the wooden counter. She stepped behind the counter, grabbing two steaming hot pork chops off the furnace. The puppy yapped happily, jumping up and snatching it out of her hand.
“Heyyy..” Jesse laughed, walking over to the sidewalk and plopping down. “You greedy little thing.” Jesse looked around her town. It's a lot different… quieter. Surely something didn't happen? Maybe it's a holiday. Though Jesse doesn't remember either organizing a holiday or being told about a religious holiday. She huffed, wiping her fingers on her jeans before standing up.
“Well, it's just me today, I guess, little one..” She smiled as she leaned down to pet him.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and laughed. She knows those clumsy footsteps anywhere. “Hey Axel!”
She greeted him with a smile, a wave, and a hug. He, however, stayed still. His face was frozen in terror. When she realized he wasn’t hugging her back, she paused, looking up at him.
“Axel..? You okay, buddy?” Sure, she didn't think much of this behavior coming from Amelia; she's always been a little off. But Axel? Her best friend, King of Boom Town, was uncharacteristically quiet.
His hands stopped just above her shoulders, shaking slightly. His mouth kept going to form words before falling short on his lips. But before Jesse could speak and ask again if he was okay, she was cut off by a bear hug.
“Woah, Axel!" She laughed, hugging back. I guess he missed her from last night. He really has always loved his friends.
“Jesse! I can't believe it..!” He sounded close to crying. “After Romeo, And-and, seeing you die and-”
What? Die? She just went on an exploration; she didn't die.
“Axel-”
But he didn't stop; it was just an endless waterfall of her supposed death. Which, no. She's right here. Didn't die. At least he set her back on the ground. She loved Axel to death, but holy diamond ore, he hugs hard. You'd think he hadn't seen her in months.
“Axel!” She said just loud enough to catch his attention. “What are you talking about? You saw me yesterday.” She pulled away, laughing at what she thought was a joke. “I know I didn't tell anyone about the adventure last night, but can you blame me? Yesterday was my birthday and—”
Her words fell short as she made eye contact with the hurt, yet horrified expression on her best friend's face. Jesse tilted her head to the side, squinting at him. Did she really hurt him? I mean, he was in Boom Town. He was busy, and Jesse didn't want to bother him.
“What? Don't tell me you're mad about the fact I didn't say anything.” She placed a hand on her hip, laughing slightly as she rolled her eyes. "Really, Axel? I don't tell you one thing, and you act like it's the end of the world.” Nope, he just stared at her with a pained expression. Okay, uhm, maybe a different approach?
Jesse sighed as she dropped her hand and thought. She's so confused.
“Jesse.” The other voice called, pulling her out of her thoughts. He sounded tired; he definitely looked the part too. She looked up, a slight hint of hopefulness in her eyes.
“You're supposed to be dead."