The Enderdragon's Baker (A Minecraft Story)

B-Day Cupcakes

*Ding!*

"Hm? One moment!" The sunny woman behind the counter popped her head out the kitchen doorway and smiled at one of her favorite customers. She grabbed the big box filled with cupcakes and walked up front, handing it to him. "Hey, Endie. Here for the cupcakes?"

"Yeah, and thanks for staying open longer." He gave her a once over and his smile grew a little. "Does someone have a date tonight?" She giggled and shook her head, her face warming slightly.

"No, no. Nothing like that. I'm having a night out with my friends, they said I work too much and need a break."

"Well their right, you know." He chuckled and patted her head, careful not to mess up her hair. "Be careful, Anna. You don't exactly live in the safest city."

"Oh, you worry too much. Go ahead and get back to the party and remember I said Happy Birthday to Creeps."

"Will do, thanks again, Ann."

With that, he teleported away. She glanced into the mirror against the wall one final time before walking out the door and locking up shop behind her. He wasn't wrong, the city she lives in is notoriously full of shady people, but she's lived here for years. She's use to it all.

The sun was setting as she entered the small restaurant downtown, almost wishing she could stay outside to see it. She fidgeted with her dress and coat some, scanning the room for familiar faces. She heard the tell-tale yell of her name across the restaurant and sighed. Of course they'd do that..

"You know, you could have just come to get me." She sighed but smiled.

"I didn't want to get up." Wendy groaned, making Tara roll her eyes. Her eyes landed on her outfit and glowed.

"Awe, you look so cute in that! I knew you would!" Tara cooed, hugging Anna tightly.

"Thanks, Tara. Where's the guys?"

"Henry went to go wake up James, he overslept again. He's so lazy, why do we invite him to anything anymore?"

"I know the one who just yelled my name across a crowded restaurant because she didn't want to take a few steps to the enterance isn't calling him lazy." Anna said, flatly. Tara laughed hard and Wendy melted onto Anna's shoulder.

"Noo, don't scold me tonight, I get enough of that from Tara and Henry!"

"So what's up? What were you two talking about before I got here?" Wendy lit up at the mention of it, sitting up and pulling Tara closer to them.

"Have you heard all the rumors, Annie?" She asked. Anna frowned and shook her head. "Really?! Everyone is buzzing with it all lately!"

"Well I'll never know if you don't tell me."

"Everyone thinks that Herobrine is back." She whispered. "It's all over the city! Cruel and evil people getting taken out only to never respawn again. Isn't that so cool?!"

"Yeah, that's a word for it." Ann mumbled, looking away. Wendy and Tara frowned, sharing a look as they tossed an arm around the smaller woman.

"You aren't worried, are you, Annie?" Wendy asked, softly. "You have nothing to worry about! Your the sweetest, purest girl we know."

"Guys, do you remember last time there was a sighting? The town that he destroyed?"

"Oh, I see your point now." Tara sighed. "That was a town full of no good, girly. We have nothing to worry about."

"What makes Cobble Rock different from there?"

"People like you, Ann. Don't worry about it so much." Tara squeezed her reassuringly, smiling down at her friend. "Come on, let's go ahead and order some food, OK?"

~~~

"Wow. What are these?" Herobrine asked, holding up what looked more like a piece of coal than anything edible. Endie turned and frowned, snatching the plate of rocks and tossing them into the lava incinerator.

"The cupcakes I made earlier."

"What? Really? Than where'd you get the other ones?"

"I'm friends with a baker over in Cobble Rock City. She was nice enough to make me a big batch on short notice and even stay open a little later so I could get everything done in time." He explained,  washing wooden bowls and iron spoons. The party had ended and since he'd come late, Endie was forcing Brine to help him clean it all up.

"She, huh?" Brine smirked and Endie scoffed, daring to smile.

"Don't you start, I like her but not like that."

"Like how than?"

"Like someone who needs protecting. She has that effect on just about all her friends, actually. As much as they annoy me, at least they are there."

"Why?"
"Did you not hear what city she's in?"
"What city?"

Endie grabbed a leftover beetroot and chucked it in his direction. The phantom dodged it, popping up beside Endie to set down more dishes.

"Cobble Rock, Brine. She lives in Cobble Rock."

"Why there of all places?"
"I don't know, but she plans on staying."

Endie paused and sighed, cleaning his hands off. Having water on him still felt weird, hybrid or not. A single thing wrapped around his mind and he was having a hard time getting it out. He doesn't usually interfere in Brine's 'Job' but this time had to be an exception.

"Brine. I need to ask a favor of you." Brine frowned, giving they tall guy a worried look. "If your going to do to Cobble Rock what you did to the other one, save her. For me, please."

"What if she's just as bad as the rest of them and is just tricking you all?"

"She's not. I'll even introduce you to her tomorrow, just..." Endie sighed heavily and looked away. "I can't imagine letting what happened to all those other people happen to her. She's innocent, I swear it. And I care about her too much to let that happen."

"....Fine. Let me meet her tomorrow and we'll decide from there."