We barged into my father’s office; he was taking a nap on the couch.
“Dad, hi, sorry to bother you,” I said.
“Oh, what happened? I was just having an after lunch nap,” Dad said. “Please, come in.”
Dad got up from the couch, and Johansson laid David down on it.
“Wait, what happened to this gentleman?” Dad asked.
“This is Professor David Park, Dad.” I said.
“The missing scientist? Oh, I’m so glad you found him.” Dad seemed relieved. “Wait, is he…?”
“No, Dad, he is very much alive,” I replied.
“He just passed out but he’ll be fine,” explained Peter.
“Oh good that’s a big relief,” Dad said. “What exactly happened?”
“Dad, sometimes I truly envy your ability to sleep so deeply, but this is not one of those moments,” I said. “Something terrible is happening right now outside.”
“Something terrible?”
“Yes, Mayor, as a matter of fact, there is a dangerous creature roaming Crimson City right now, and we have no idea how to deal with it,” Johansson said.
“What do you mean?” Dad looked through the window, and saw the red Dragon perched atop the Police Station. The creature was immovable, staring at the Town Hall in silence.
“Good grief, what’s going on here? What is that thing?” Dad asked.
“It’s a Nether Dragon,” David said from the couch.
“A what?” Dad asked.
“Nether Dragon thought to be a long-lost lineage of dragons, reminiscent of the old times of the Infdev Versions of Minecraft. The Nether Dragon existed in abundance many centuries ago, but it disappeared shortly after the arrival of the Ender Dragon,” David continued, still lying down on the couch.
“How did you learn all that?” Johansson asked.
“I did a lot of research. The period when the Nether Dragon disappeared coincides with the introduction of the Ender Dragon,” David said. “Also, you were right Johansson – the Nether Dragon and the Ender Dragon are relatives. In fact, I believe they are the same entity.”
“That’s hard to wrap my head around,” I said. “They’re not relatives, but the same creature - is that what you mean?”
“Not really. What I mean is the Ender Dragon and the Nether Dragon belong to the same family. Somehow the Ender Dragon came to be a creature living in The End. I’m not certain about the details yet; that’s what I was trying to find out when I ventured out into the Soul Sand Valley,” David said.
“That’s fantastic, David. It’s the research of the millennium,” Johansson said.
“Well, it was supposed to be but it seems I have done a terrible thing. I have awoken the beast. Who’s going to stop it now?” David shrugged. “I fear the Nether Dragon might be stronger than the Ender Dragon. A single human may not be able to defeat it.”
“Then we will defeat it together!” Johansson said.
“Dad, we’re right in the middle of Crimson City. A Dragon fight in a city full of Piglins is too dangerous for the citizens,” Beatriz said. “We can’t fight that beast here.”
“You’re right, darling. The Dragon fight is far too dangerous for such a crowded place. I know that because of the Ender Dragon…” Johansson said.
“Have you battled the Ender Dragon?” I asked him.
“Yes. In fact, most humans have already faced the Ender Dragon at least once,” Johansson replied.
“Wait. If you have already defeated the Ender Dragon, how is it still alive?” Peter wondered.
“The Ender Dragon is an entity capable of respawning after being defeated by a human,” Beatriz said. “However, we don’t know if the same rule applies to this Nether Dragon.”
“We know close to nothing about this Dragon’s fighting capabilities, which is a dangerous precedent for a fight,” Johansson said. “Still, I don’t see any other way of settling things down…”
“How can we get that Dragon out of the city?” I wondered.
“I know!” Peter said. “The machine!”
“David’s device?”
“Yes! The Dragon came after the device after we turned it on, right? Then we should take the device out of town. The Dragon is bound to follow us with it.”
“Brilliant idea, Peter,” I said.
“There’s only one problem. How are we going to retrieve the device from over there?” Peter pointed to the Main Square through the office’s window. The Nether Dragon remained in the same place.
“Yeah… good question,” I said.
“I can do that,” Johansson said. “Beatriz and I can do that. One of us gets the Dragon’s attention; the other goes in and takes the device.”
“We can help!” Officer Tenpen said. “Right, Zimmer?” Tenpen poked Zimmer’s in the arm.
“Oh, right… I guess we can,” Zimmer reluctantly replied.
“I know we aren’t as awesome as you humans, but we can definitely draw the Dragon’s attention away from you,” Tenpen said.
“Thank you, guys. I appreciate your courage and your assistance. I will accept your help,” Johansson said.
“I can also help. The more Piglins, the better, right?” I said.
“I agree!” Peter replied.
“All right, it seems we have our group to face the Nether Dragon. Officers Tenpen and Zimmer, you take the left of the Town Hall. Try to get the Dragon’s attention. Calvin and Peter, take the right. Once the Dragon has gone after you guys, Beatriz and I will spring into action. I’ll grab the device and head out to the Red Forest, near the Nether Portal. There is an open space right there where Beatriz and I can fight the Dragon,” Johansson said.
“Good plan, Dad,” Beatriz said.
“Does everyone know what to do?” Johansson asked us.
“Yes!” We replied in unison.
“Also, remember to run and hide under cover - be it a house or other structure; it doesn’t matter. Don’t stay out in the open for too long,” Johansson advised everyone.
“Got it. Let’s do it, then!” I said.
“What about me?” Dad asked.
“Dad, take care of David and keep him here. We will come for him once the Dragon has been dealt with,” I said.
“Okay. I’ll also call the news stations and declare an emergency. Everyone must stay in their homes until further notice.” Dad said.
“Good idea. Are we ready to roll?” I asked.
“Ready!” Everyone replied. It was time to face the Nether Dragon!