AvA: Domination

Chapter 1: After the Battle

King groaned.

Everything hurt, especially his spine.

He tried to recall what had happened.

Purple. Second. A green stick. Another blue one. Betrayal. Two blows on the back. The blue stick falling into a dripstone cave.

Purple, Second, and the green stick were undoubtedly all together; the blue stick, on the other hand, was most likely dead.

A hot balloon of anger expanded in his chest. He wanted revenge against the three sticks for ruining his chances of world domination, but knew he wouldn't able to in his current state. He needed allies- as many as possible- and a plan. A good one.

He opened his eyes and began to take in his surroundings.

Beside him was a pool of water; behind him were plains. Trees populated the base of a hill, and on the hillside was a village.

King looked up at the sun. It was setting.

Probably not a good idea to visit a foreign village just yet, he thought.

He cleaned the grime and dust off of himself in the pool. Getting out, he began to make camp: a small tent with a bedroll and a lantern. It wasn't much, but it would do for now. To keep mobs away, he constructed a dome of barrier blocks around the tent. Just as the first mobs spawned, he curled up and was soon fast asleep.

The next day dawned. King quickly broke camp and set off for the village. As he drew near, a horn blared, and something came hurtling towards him. King raised his hand, stopping the unidentified missile. Taking a closer look at it, he saw that it was a block of Reinforced Deepslate.

How would villagers be able to obtain such a thing? He pondered, knowing how hard it was to break those things.

More Reinforced Deepslate flew at him. King caught them all and combined them into a giant arrow. Aiming it down at the village, he watched as armed villagers gathered at the bottom of the hill. A turquoise stick stood among them. They held a dark-colored staff with a glittering green gem held between its two pincers.

King narrowed his eyes before remembering that he was here to find allies, not start a fight.

"I come in peace," he called down to the stick, "but if you attack, I will rain arrows upon your village."

The stick surveyed King. Two wristbands circulated his arms. He'd heard of power bands, and he knew they were only used by the most skilled of stick figures... which was why he used a staff. He didn't want to mess with someone stronger than himself. And besides, if he really was coming in peace...

"Lower your weapons," he said to the villagers.

Everybody except one villager obeyed.

"Sire, are you sure-" he began uncertainly.

"What, have you seen this guy before?"

"Well... no." The villager lowered his crossbow.

The stick turned back to look at King. "Point taken," he called, "Are you hoping to form an alliance, perhaps?"

"You read my mind," King confirmed smugly.

"Come on down, then," said the stick, "and let us talk it over."

"Alright," the stick said, "Your story is fairly interesting."

They now sat in the stick's meeting room. King had just finished telling him what had happened before he came to the village.

"This Chosen One you mentioned," the stick said, "I know him as well."

"He's a troublemaker," King stated.

"Exactly," the stick agreed, "He messed with my plans a few years ago, which is why I moved here, to the Outernet."

"Wha- we're in the Outernet?!"

The stick nodded. "Don't you know that?"

King shook his head, bewildered.

"Oh well. Anyways, I accept your offer. I'll help you achieve your goal; in return, you'll let me rule by your side. Deal?"

"Deal," King replied.

"Well then." The stick stood up and held out his hand. "And now, for a proper introduction."

King got up as well and shook it. "King Orange."

"Bitrage, but my friends call me Bit."

"My friends call me King."

"Guess we have something in common. I'll go announce this to the village, then we can begin planning, okay?"

"Sure." King nodded and sat back down in his chair. "I'll be here waiting."