Chapter 7: Time-ticking Tests

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"To begin your training, Young Jake, we must first have you take a few tests so we can analyze where your current levels are," instructed Notch. The duo were walking down the grand halls of Notch's palace. As they passed by golden statues of beautiful looking grass blocks and paintings of grotesque villagers, the two approached a plain wooden door made of mahogany-coloured wood.
"Please step in here Jake," said Notch with a small gesture using his blocky hands. Jake turned the nob of the door and was amazed at the insides of the room. Inside this room, Jake came up to a glass wall. Looking out, Jake was able to see dozens of villager scientists operating numerous machines. The room was scattered with numerous command blocks and red stone contraptions. In the centre of the room stood a giant redstone block with numerous flashing buttons. On the right side of the lab stood dozens of walk-in containers. Villagers were running around with papers flying everywhere and glasses askew.
"Ah a typical day I see..." observed Notch. He went towards a little box and pushed a button. "Attention workers, Mr. Notch will be coming down shortly. Please prepare a test subject analyzer. Immediately. Thank you. "
Jake wondered what Notch meant by a 'test subject analyzer'. "Please come with me," beckoned Notch.
The two went toward an elevator at the far end of the room. As they descended into the lab, Jake wondered what his magical skill could be. How could he, Jake, save Minecraftia??
"Jake. Jake. Hello?" snapped Notch. Immediately, Jake snapped out of his thoughts again.
"Please step in here young man," said one of the villagers in a white labcoat. The doors of the machine opened and Jake stepped in. He was amazed at how simple it looked. The inside was coated with redstone and he was standing on the top of a piston.
Before the door closed, Jake was able to hear part of the conversation between Notch and the villager.
"What tests sir?"
"Only the mandatory ones. I believe I already know his skill."
"But sir, we won't und..."
"I don't care doctor, we're running out of time. Give him..."
"... end up deranged... Peter..."
Jake was very interested in the two's conversation. What tests were they about to do on Jake? And what did Notch mean by 'I already know his skill'? And most of all, Jake was most intrigued by how supposedly time was running out.
Jake was suddenly snapped out of thought. The piston he was standing on popped up and the chamber's redstone coating was suddenly activated. In his ear, Jake was beginning to be able to discern a faint humming. Over the course of a few seconds, it suddenly grew very loud. So loud that Jake fell to his knees in a fit of agony.
"GET ME OUT OF THIS DEATH TRAP!!!" screamed Jake as he felt himself waver. Before he blacked out, Jake thought he was able to hear one of the scientist mumble something about how the results were miraculous.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jake was floating on a white blocky cloud typical in Minecraftia, sipping on his glass of sweet delicious milk when it happened. One of his villager minions came up to him and handed him a letter.

Written upon it were the words:

~Mr. Marcus requests an audience with his Magnanimous Royal Majesty, Archduke Jakiest III, High Ruler of Emerald~

Jake waved away the letter and yelled, "Let him pass!!"

Out from the other side of the cloud appeared a man. This man didn't have many particularly lasting qualities. Other than his black hat. Jake chuckled to himself, reminding himself to buy one of those for Emily later on.
"And who may you be? And what brings you to my land of Emerald?" asked Jake.
Compared to Jake, the air surrounding the man suggested pure nervousness. When the man spoke, it was in very short and quick bursts. "Jake, you have to listen to me... We only have a little bit of time... He's watching."
"WHO ARE YOU TO TALK LIKE THIS TO ME????" exclaimed Jake, furious to be initiated so casually by this stranger.
"Never mind that!" said the man, his voice rising in irritation. "You need to know. The next few days will be crucial. You must be careful of what you do. I can't be very direct with what I say, just in case He's listening."
"What..." Jake was surprised. He was not expecting this from the man with the funny hat after he just bellowed at him.
"Now," started the man, suddenly gaining his composure, "remember this Jake. When you awake, things will feel different. Just be calm. Stay with the flow. But when the pixel's colours of green, red and purple converge, do not kill the person there. I repeat Jake! Do NOT kill that person! They are destined for a great fate. Sacrifices will be made for the integrity of their life. And last of all..." The man was interrupted by a low rumble reverberating from across horizon. "Oh dear... He knows something is wrong... Jake, when the time comes, you will be given two choices: you will either be able to save your friend. Or you would be able to prevent the implosion. You MUST do neither!! Jake, when the time comes, do what you do best. And remember that the roasted chicken will always be right where you need it. It just needs you..." Before the man could finish, black lightning struck him down from the darkened sky above. The world had taken a dramatic turn of colours. It was now the colours of death; swallowing black everywhere was all the eye could see.
In the distance, a disorientated Jake was able to hear one last word.
"JUMP!!!" yelled the voice of the mysterious man. And that was what he did before he plummeted into the darkness which hugged him closely before fading away entirely.

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