(Mitch's POV)

I can make my sorcerer bring back your friend.

The words rang in my head like bells.

"You...you could bring back J-Jerome?" I whispered. Squidlox nodded. I clenched my fist.

"For...some....information on Sky, on the entire Sky army?!" I breathed. Squidlox nodded again.

I sat still, the choices swimming in my mind like fish in a whirlpool.

"So, let me get this straight. If I give you info, I betray my friends and my army for my friend. But if I don't say anything, I lose my best friend for good, but keep Sky and the rest of my friends safe, as well as all the recruits." I mumbled.

"I'll give you 5 minutes." Squidlox said. As I thought deeply, memories of Jerome washed over me.

*Flashback*
Mitch walked along the dense woodland of the forest, nervous and scared. Banished from his home village, he was sent wandering and scouring the forest to find food and water by himself. It was his first night alone, with many mobs roamed the forest in silence. The moon was covered in a thick cover of grey clouds.

As Mitch walked, he heard something rustle a nearby bush. Jumping to the side quickly, he dashed behind a tree. Peering around it cautiously, he saw a baby zombie stumble out of the bush. Sighing with relief, he stepped away from the cover of the tree, and approached the little monster.

"Heh, your not so menacing, are ya?" Mitch said, squatting down. The zombie squinted its eyes, and grabbed a nearby stick and started beating Mitch's leg with it. Mitch rolled his eyes. Grabbing the stick from the zombie's hand, he waved it in it's face and then threw it deep into the forest. Smirking, he looked down at the zombie.

The zombie, who was clearly not happy with losing its stick, let out a angry cry.

"Awe, are you sad your widdle stick is gone? Huh? Is that why your crying?" Mitch teased.

Suddenly, 3 adult zombies popped out the ground. 1 approached the baby, clearly trying to comfort it, while the other two advanced on Mitch.

Mitch, started, turned to flee, but tripped on a stump that was hidden in the darkness. He grabbed his ankle, it starting to swell and throb.

"Ugh! Stupid stump! My ankle is twisted!" He cried angrily. As the zombies approached closer, Mitch tried to stand, but only fell after every attempt. The zombies were only a few block lengths away, and Mitch had nothing to defend himself. Now he wished he would've kept that stick. He closed his eyes, and waited for death.

But death never came. Opening his eyes, he gasped at the sight of all 4 zombies dead. But there was another new comer, hidden in the shadows of the trees.

"Um...hello? Who's there?"Mitch called out. The shape dashed into the woods, and disappeared. Mitch heard a rustle behind him, and jumped as he realized the person was now behind him. As the clouds parted, the moon shown through, and lit up the ground, as well as the new comer. The new comer was about as tall as him, and was covered in thick, furry, brown fur. He smelled like fish, and He had brown eyes, and He wore a tux. A new diamond axe was hanging on his belt.

"Hey, are you ok? A kid like you shouldn't be running around the woods at night. It's a dangerous place you know." The furry creature said, stretching out a paw to help Mitch stand. Mitch didn't take his hand.

"I can't stand. My ankle is twisted." He said, pointing at the swollen ankle. The furry creature bent down closer to his ankle, and gave it a sniff.

"Yea, that definitely twisted. Well then, let me help you up." He bent down, and slung an around Mitch. Mitch wrapped his arm around the stranger, and pulled himself up.

"Come on, my village isn't too far from here. You can get fixed up there." The creature said. Mitch just nodded.

"Say, what's your name anyway? You don't look familiar." The furry creature asked as the trudged through the forest.

"My name's Mitch. What about you?" Mitch asked.

"My name's Jerome. I'm a Bacca." He said proudly. "So Mitch, where do you come from? Are you from a nearby village?" Jerome asked. Mitch quickly shook his head.

"No. I have no home." Mitch said dully.

"No home? Well then today is your lucky day! I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind if you came and lived with us!" Jerome said happily. Mitch stared anxiously at him.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a problem."

"It's no problem! I'd love to have another kid around my age around the village! So, what do you say?" He said, grinning at Mitch.

Mitch smiled back. "Well, It would be rude to decline!" Jerome let out a little squeal of happiness.

"Great! Come on Mitch, my village isn't to much further." He said with a grin. "You know, I have a feeling that we are going to be good friends."

Mitch, smiling, replied happily,"I couldn't agree more."

*End of Flashback*

"So Mitch, times up. Do you have your answer?" Squidlox asked. I nodded.

"Great. So, what are Sky and his friends planning on doing here?" Squillium asked excitedly.

I smirked. "You never let me answer." Squillium looked at me, confused.

"What do you mean Mitch?" He asked, a hint of coldness in his tone. I chuckled.

"I would never sell out critical information to you. Jerome may be my bestest friend, but I know that he would never want me to sell out my other friends just for him to see me again. And I don't know why, but I have a feeling that he's watching me right now, and is proud of my decision. He would want me to keep fighting, and protecting our recruits. So, do what you want to me. I'm not telling you anything." I said, smiling.

Squillium and Squidlox looked nervously at one another. Squillium quickly whispered something to Squidlox, and he nodded. Quickly regaining his composer, Squillium left the room without saying a word.

"Well, that was quite a choice you made Mitch." Squidlox said. "Too bad it was the wrong one."

Before I was able to react, Squidlox had pulled out a sword from behind his back, and had the blade to my throat.

"And to think, you could've been reunited with your best friend in life. Too bad it's going to be in death." Squidlox sneered. I stared calmly at Squidlox, and closed my eyes.

Jerome. My best friend. My brother. I can't wait to see you again.

I took a final breath, and the blade struck with a crisp swing.
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Jerome: Mitch! Oh my gosh! Mitch!

*in the distance, a light appears*

Jerome: Mitch? Mitch is that you?

Mitch: Jerome! *runs to Jerome and gives him a huge hug*

Jerome: Mitch! You sacrificed yourself...

Mitch: yea I did biggums. But it was worth it. The secrets of Sky army are safe, and I get to see you again.

Jerome: you have always wanted to go out with a hero's ending. Was that heroic enough for you?

Mitch: I think so. *laughs*

Me: Welcome Mitch, to the Spectator Realm. Follow me.

Mitch: What is that pool for?

Me: it's the viewing pool. There,  you can watch your friends as they embark on their adventure.

Mitch: So...were you watching me Jerome? *Jerome nods* I knew it! *laughs*

Me: well, I'm going to leave you two to catch up. As for the story, I hope you enjoyed! Please comment your thoughts on the story so far and like!

Until the next chapter, bye!
~Citrus