The White Pumpkin Gang

"Oh, not you too!" Radar shrieks as the enderman seems to suck in a pained breath. It turns its eyes to him for a moment before the leviathan slams its tail into its side. Immediately, the enderman shrieks and thrusts its talons into the dragon. The two of them interlock talons, throwing the two of them far enough from the bridge.

"Am I going crazy?" Petra remarks.

"Just run!" You order. You leap over the distorting half of the bridge and most of your group manages to follow. You keep an eye on the portal, just in case it decides to leave. PAMA takes a shaky leap and nearly plummets into the void. They just barely manage to grab onto the side of Radar lets out a yelp as he turns to try and pull them up.

Radar might be 'dueling with a massive behemoth and winning' strong, but he's not going to be able to pull PAMA up on his own. You run to his side and feel something ache when you pull as well. Radar shoves you back and Petra and Tripwire help him. PAMA takes a moment to blink, the injured half of their screen a mess of color, before returning to running.

The two behemoths are still dueling, thankfully, when you leap through the portal. When you make it back onto the roof, you return to standing vigil over it. An agonizingly long second passes before everyone else manages to head through it.

Petra blinks before her face splinters into a strange, almost bewildered smile. "Ha ha! We're alive! We. Are. Alive!" The sky returns to its standard state, clear and without bedrock.

"Yeah. For a second there... I... Woohh... Anyone else feel like they're about to pass out?" Radar begins before his knees buckle. Lukas scoops him up right as his consciousness gives out. His eyes turn to Romeo, who seems to be trying to hide his face.

"Jesse, I... I don't want to rub it in, but I don't think this was the best call." Lukas pipes up. You tense.

"He's gotta stand trial or something at least." Tripwire shrugs. You watch as she keeps an eye on Radar. You can't help panning your eyes over his rising chest. "I'm still surprised he made it."

"He is something else, isn't he?" PAMA smirks before slumping on their side. Tripwire jolts to their side and they push her back. "I am okay. PAMA is simply very dizzy."

"Yeah, no, I'm not believing that for a damn second. See you all on the ground!" Tripwire shouts before she fishes the elytra out of her inventory. You watch her take off before shaking your head.

"Here. I'll watch you while she fetches Harper." Petra sighs and sits next to PAMA. "I still don't get why you did that." She turns to you. You tense. "You almost threw it all away for him."

"He didn't deserve a quick death. That's what he wanted." You click your teeth together. The silence grows thick.

"I could make it easier for you." Romeo's voice is quiet. It's strange to hear someone so eager to distort and ruin so cowed. "I could return to the Underneath. Try to help all the people I left behind. Fix all the lives I… Ruined."

"Are we really going to trust that?" Lukas turns to you. You shrug.

"And I’m going to try and find Xara. See if I can’t make things right between us--"

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" PAMA shouts. "STAY AWAY FROM HER!"

"Yeah. I think everyone here can agree with that." You cross your arms. "If Xara wants to see you again, it'll be to chop your head clean off. Spare her the misery of having to see you, alright?"

"I think a few years stuck underground will suit him." Lukas nods. "And I think Radar would agree if he wasn't napping on my shoulder right now. Which uh, Radar, no offense, but my whole body is kind of going to sleep." Radar doesn't stir nor twitch. Lukas sighs.

"Ahh--oh man--OH MY GOD--!" Tripwire yowls before Harper plucks her out of the air and sets her down. "Okay. Going up sucks. I guess the first time was beginner's luck," She blinks, "I brought some healing potions, though."

"And don't fight her on this one." Harper glares at you as Tripwire hands you one. "I heard you ate shit. You're probably bleeding internally." She turns to PAMA as you down the potion.

"You know, I think there is a very eager welcoming party." PAMA flicks their tail as they look to Romeo. Harper eyes up the crack on their screen before sighing. "If you want to know the best way to make things up, they are your people, after all."

"I do wonder how Xara's doing." You say in between swigs of the potion. "Last I checked that portal was still up and running." Harper seems to throw her head back before flicking her paws. It seems she's settled for healing PAMA with an enchantment.

"Where'd you even manage to lose your antler, anyway?" Harper asks as she seems to debate how she'll restore the lost one. PAMA puts one hand to it before looking to Harper.

"Wait. Do not." They put their hands up. "We match." They point to Radar.

"That doesn't answer my question." Harper narrows her eyes. PAMA points one thumb towards Romeo. Harper sighs. "You don't need to match."

"It makes a cool story." PAMA insists as they beam. Radar stirs and Lukas sets him on the ground. His eye is barely open when he speaks for the first time in a few minutes.

"Look." Radar's voice is quiet, almost wraithlike. "We're home." You follow his gaze to find the sun has begun to peek over the horizon.

"Yes, Sunshine, we made it." PAMA gently presses their head against Radar's cheek. "We missed you."

Radar takes a moment. "I know."

The time after you leave the tower is the most defined in your memory. The next week is a haze of rebuilding and explanations. Romeo vanishes after you bring him to the settlement right outside town. You were there when he headed off, heard the theory the people of the Underneath had about the bedrock being dissolved. Maybe it's true, the sky holds no memory of its attempted bedrocking.

Radar does a lot of sleeping in the first few weeks after everything. Most of the time he spends awake is eating something. You don't blame him. Binta offers to take his place a few times, just to help with the load. You wonder if she'll stick around after it's all done, or if her and the Fredfolk will venture into the world and settle down somewhere.

She does come back one day with the Amulet, speaking of an 'old friend' who gave it to her. Seems Xara's still kicking out. You can't blame her for shunning the loudness of society. Heck, that might be why Olivia's mentioned being so busy in her notes, lately.

At some point, it seems Lluna has wandered out of the map shop. With all the chaos, you can't form a search party. But considering how she's done before, she'll probably be fine. Hopefully.

PAMA stops by often to talk to Radar when he's awake. Sometimes they speak quietly when he sleeps. Other times, it seems they're off at the shop.

Clarity isn't surprised when you tell it of all the nonsense. It insists that the fake-you gave it a bad feeling. Just another reason for it to be glad to be retired, you suppose.

Even Sonar has come out of the woodwork to help with the effort. You suppose there's one good thing in all this, that no one is injured. Tripwire is often at the map shop, trying to put things back together. You wait for Radar to stay awake long enough for a proper vigil.

Val and Soup don't stick around long. You don't dare tell them to stay. There's something about what they say, about needing to see what the new world holds for them, that makes Petra clam up for a moment. And for that moment, you can read her mind.

"And I was thinking, since I already needed some magma cream... You might want to map this place in the Nether? Loads of the cube buggers there." Tripwire speaks up as you lazily lay on top of the bridge between some of the buildings. "You know, catch two parrots with the same seed."

"And let me guess, you already have a cool name for it?" Nurm rolls his eyes.

"Mmm, not really? Unless you consider 'The Great Cube Migration' a good place name."

"That is an event!" Nurm slugs Tripwire. "I swear, if Jack was here..."

"I think he'd laugh, yeah?" Tripwire slugs him back. Nurm sighs.

"He'd tell you to narrow it down a little. Add some flair." Nurm waves one hand from side to side. "I always gave him the naming rights for that reason."

"Hm," Tripwire seems to try her hand at scrabbling something on a piece of paper, "you give me an idea for what it looks like." Nurm takes a look at it.

"Seems like a nest."

"Ohhh... I can work with that. 'Nest of The Fireborn!'"

"Feels more like a blaze name."

"Oh choke on some magma cream! I swear--!" Tripwire snaps. Nurm snorts. "It took him some time to figure it out, right?"

"Vos had a leg up on him for a bit." Nurm puts his hands together. "Don't tell him I said that."

"Eh, knowing him, he's probably eavesdropping."

"Oh. Tell him his accent wasn't that bad for me, would you?" Nurm slugs Tripwire. She laughs. "I'm going to be honest, I've never stepped foot in the Nether. Jack said it wasn't worth it."

"There are a few nice Piglins, but yeah, really hot place. Not very habitable for folks like us." Tripwire shakes her head. "But it has its moments."

"I think they'd say the same about us." Nurm shrugs as he continues walking.

"Jesse!" A voice greets your good ear. You turn. It's Ivor. It seems he's swapped his casual robe for a shirt of a similar color with gold adornments at its parted bottom. He puts his hands up. "I am approaching you from this direction and am coming to speak with you! No ninja trickery, hijinks, or tomfoolery here! Both my actions and my intentions are crystal clear…"

You roll your eyes before smirking deviously. "Huh? I think I can hear Ivor… But I don’t see him!"

"I'm right here! Hello! Clearly in view!" Ivor insists.

"Oh! There you are. Hi, Ivor!" You mock your eyes widening. Ivor's own narrow in turn.

"Yes, hello. Hm."

"Not getting much use out of 'Ninja Ivor' right now, huh?" You laugh.

"Would be a bit silly of me to keep up with it." Ivor says.

"Isn't that the point of life, anyway? Having a little bit of fun with it?"

"To be honest, I think it's probably annoying Harper now."

"If I was annoyed, I wouldn't have dealt with it." Harper plods across the bridge. Ivor lets out a small 'eep.' "You gotta stop neutering yourself, now."

"Well, I've gotten my mileage out of it." Ivor shrugs.

"Okay. Now that's fair." Harper lays down on the bridge. She turns to you. "PAMA didn't cause too much trouble, did they?"

"No, no. Honestly... You wouldn't believe it, but they helped quite a bit." You laugh. Harper raises an eyebrow. "Told you you wouldn't believe it."

"It's good to know they didn't bother you, at least." Harper flicks one wing before putting a paw under her head. "Just feel bad for that poor sap who's in love with 'em."

"I think Radar can handle himself." You laugh. "Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"Here to tell this idiot his buddies have dropped by." Harper nudges Ivor with one wing. He blinks. "C'mon now."

"Well, I suppose it’s time for me to go. This has been fun though, hasn’t it?" Ivor speaks. You nod.

"Jesse! Jesse, hey!" Radar calls up to you before you can speak.

"What’s up Radar? I was just saying goodbye to--" You begin before turning to look for them. They've disappeared without a trace. "Guess ninja habits die hard." You hop down from the bridge and next to Radar.

"I, uh, hope you don’t mind… But I’ve kinda been taking charge of the Beautification Project." He gestures to the floating terminal. "You know, reclaiming it, making it look like it's always been here and all. Makes a nice garden, too. And you wouldn't believe what I've found up there." You turn from the darkened lens covering Radar's scar to the stuffed animal in his hands.

"Is that--?"

"Yeah, yeah. Whaley." Radar looks over the plush. "And in one piece too. Crazy, huh?"

"Guess Romeo was one hell of a sentimental guy." You shrug.

"Aren't we all?" Radar laughs. "It's been nice... Stressful, but a good kind, you know?"

"You've got a knack for it, you know." You elbow Radar gently.

"Had to learn from the best. Lukas." Radar smirks. You stare at him. "Kidding, kidding! Although, he was pretty cool."

"Yeah, he is, isn't he?"

"He did say I'd get a part in his next book. So yeah, I'd say so." Radar laughs. "Maybe I can work in some cool nickname or something." He points to his eye.

"Ehhh..." You shrug.

"Maybe." Radar ponders aloud. Something nibbles at your arm. You jolt. Oh. It's just Lluna. Stella approaches as well and Radar glares.

"Anyway, ah… So with Champion City gone… I was going to make Lluna a new llama-house, get her set up here in Beacontown while I help out up there." Stella looks to the terminal for a moment and then to Radar. He sighs. "But, uh, before I did, I thought I’d double-check and see if you’d already been planning on… You know… Watching out for her?"

You look at Radar. He shrugs.

"Seeing, you know, as she likes you so much and all. If you’ve already built her a llama house when I haven’t been around, I just wouldn’t want to double up. Which, by the way, I’d be okay with you doing. If you’d already built one. Or were planning to. I just wanna be sure." Stella murmurs out that last part.

"But how could you ever trust it, Jesse? I'd be looking over my shoulder all the damn time!" Radar shouts. Xara's gaze snaps to him and Radar quiets a little. "There's a difference between finding someone unchangeable and just... Locking them away comfortably until we trust them or they die. But he knows how to get these powers in the first damn place!"

"Okay, stop, this isn't... This isn't getting us anywhere." You heave and look around. Val and Soup seem to have gone completely quiet. You can't blame them for not knowing what to say.

"Let's get out of here, then. Hand me that trinket of yours--" Xara begins before a thousand snarling things begin to approach. You hear the clicking of things like spiders and the clack clack footsteps of terrible beasts that travel on thousands of spindly legs.

"Oh, hell." Petra murmurs aloud.

"To find me a bed, when I had been so unhelpful…" Xara turns to the horde. "Go. Mobs don't stand a chance." Xara charges towards the horde. You turn to the building the portal is nestled within and begin to approach it.

"Save us a spot, will ya?" Soup shouts as she rushes past. "You've got a sword on ya, right, Val?" Val nods and the two of them join Xara in holding off the horde. You continue your mad dash towards the building before--

A horrible thud shakes the earth. Then another. And another. Your eyes turn to the sky and your group all seems to pull back at the sight of the beast. The massive enderman's gaze sweeps the ground, as if it's searching for something.

"No, no. What are you here for now?" PAMA turns to the enderman as it continues to look around.

"Who's going to die now?" Tripwire's words are shaky.

"It might be the mobs!" Radar suggests as the enderman slowly makes its way through the Oasis. "Maybe that's it. It can sense... Death?" The enderman looks towards the horde of dying mobs for just a moment. And then, its eyes turn. You think it's looking right at you before you see it tilt its head towards Radar.

"Hey, no!" PAMA shouts, waving its hands in front of the enderman. The beast steps past them. "What? Endermen are not usually this aggressive for this long!" PAMA's mouth gapes open as Radar ducks and hides behind one of the ruins.

The enderman begins to tear at some of the surrounding buildings. You swatch as Tripwire rushes by its legs and tries to pierce its skin with her dagger. When the beast doesn't even wince, let alone bleed, she jolts back. Radar pokes his head out from one the buildings before running towards the enderman. It stops and turns to him.

"I don't want it anymore, alright? We'll leave you be if you just take the mobs and--!" Radar yelps as it tries to grab him. He leaps out of its way and begins to run. He manages for a bit before a pained yowl bursts out of his throat and he falls. His eyes turn and lock with the enderman's own. "Please. I'm sorry. I don't want it this time, I don't--!" It's about to grab him.

You jump into the way and its claws wrap around you. Radar slowly rises to his feet as the beast pulls you to its level, its eyes trailing across your form as it does. You watch as Radar winces a few times as he pulls out his shield. The beast opens its jaws for a moment, letting out a strange, strangled shriek. You don't know if it intends to eat or examine you.

Radar slams his shield into its leg. The thing nearly jolts off balance and you wonder how it feels when an enderman teleports. Its grip loosens for a moment as Radar hits it again. "Hey! Let him go! You want me, right? Huh?" Radar shouts up at it and the beast's grip on you loosens. You watch it begin to trail after him as you fall.

Something grabs you, something that takes you into one of the nearby cracked buildings. You wince and let out a yelp and something else runs to your side. It takes a few blinks for you to recognize Tripwire. PAMA leaps to your side and looks you over. She pushes them back.

"You--?" You stammer.

"Seems Jack's teachings rubbed off on me, eh?" Tripwire laughs before turning towards Radar. "You make sure his legs don't get the best of him, I'll cover the mobs." She gestures to PAMA and they nod. Tripwire rushes back into the fray. "Hey, children of the night! You love the taste of iron, don't ya?"

You make your way out of the ruined building to hear Binta's voice cutting across the horizon. "For Fred's Keep! For the future! Fight!" It seems she's arrived with the cavalry. Sonar breaks from the crowd to come to your side, looking you over.

"I see you're still the diplomat." She pays a glance to Val and Soup. "Good to know you're still... You. Despite what I did."

"Took you all long enough!" Tripwire shouts. You watch as Blocco eagerly nips at some of the mobs' heels while the Fredfolk deal blows to the horde with diamond hoes. Petra breaks from the line and Tripwire nods, returning to cutting down the horde.

"I'll cover your back, you activate that portal!" Petra fires out and you charge to the portal's enclosure. You run through and shove the amulet into its frame. The portal explodes into a shimmering rainbow. You swear, for a moment, you were about to go blind.

"Everyone! We! Are! Leaving!" You run out and shout. Petra's just managing to keep a horde of break-away mobs from the portal. You tense. Tripwire diverges from the line and Sonar follows her.

"You need to get back there! I'm not a fighter, here!" Sonar insists.

"We're smack-dab in a feeding frenzy. We can hold them off, for now, but they're not gonna stop coming 'til they get us where they want us." Tripwire turns to the sky and you watch as PAMA hits the thing in the leg with their mace and runs off. The beast yowls before it turns back to chasing after Radar.

"It's got a target... Great." Sonar shakes her head. "Once it loses that, it's going to turn this whole place into rubble." It seems Radar's gone into hiding, as the beast returns to the center. You let out a shout and everyone scatters, even the mobs. One of the Fredfolk's own can just barely escape the beast's talons.

"Everyone's gotta stay together." You say tensely. "We just need to be quick about it." Radar slinks out from the ruins, shivering a little.

"You've got a point, there." He admits, turning to Sonar. "That enderman wants one thing and one thing only. If it has it," He hazards a glance towards it as it skulks around the Fredfolk, "everyone else can leave."

"Radar, no!" PAMA shouts. Radar pushes them back. "I do not want to lose you!"

"Well, it's a good thing I don't intend to get lost, here. But... If I don't come back, understand I did it for the greater good, alright? It has to be me." Radar gently cups PAMA's head in his hands. Tears run down their face. "Listen, I'll be on the surface soon enough. I've made it this far."

"Takes a lot of guts, that." Tripwire nods. "I trust him to make it to the other side."

"That's suicidal!" Petra shouts. Radar shivers a little. "You're our friend, Radar. We're not leaving you down here. We have to stick together."

"I know." Radar's words are shaky. "And I do want to make it back. But it's bigger than me, this time."

"I trust you." PAMA gently puts their head against Radar's own. "Sing me a song of it when you come back to us."

"Well, I never was good at it." Radar laughs. "But I guess I could figure out how to be."

"You don't need to prove anything, Radar, I promise." You say and Petra nods.

"It's not about that. This... This isn't about me. Not anymore." He turns to the enderman for a moment. "But I'm gonna have a hell of a story to tell. Scary one, yeah, but... I've gotta be scared to stay alive, here."

"Just don't be stupid. I'd hate to see the Fox die after all this." Sonar interjects. Radar nods.

"You can't let him do this! We saw what happened with Jack. You don't get anything being a hero down here!" Petra turns between all of you.

"Even if he dies, it is merely a matter of numbers, now. We promised to bring them back, all of them." PAMA turns to the people still fighting. "Not often will you have someone willing to be the one sacrificed. It is... Noble. Let me--"

"Don't come with me." Radar tenses. "I want everyone else back up there. Don't drag yourself down with me. And remember? I'll be there to tell you about it. Just wait for me."

"Okay. I am sorry."

"Don't be. I'd be throwing a fit in your shoes too." Radar hugs PAMA. "And give Romeo hell for me, would you? I think he deserves at least a flick on the wrist. For posterity."

"I may break his nose." PAMA lets out a 'ha ha.' "I will tell you a colorful story."

"It's okay, Petra, I... I appreciate it. It's nice to know you care. But it has to be this way, okay? It was me who brought the enderman here. It's gotta be me who leads it away. So let me do this. Please."

You tense. Isn't this a death sentence? But if you take Radar up, the enderman may never stop chasing you. It might kill the people down here. Destroy the portal, anything! What do you do? What do you say? Radar's right--but what if it kills him?