Preach to the Choir

Fractures Series
Storyline by Rainimator and the Production Team

"**Preach to the Choir**" is the seventh episode of the third season of *Fractures* and the 27th episode overall. It uses Blacklite District's song of the same name, and focuses on Stella, Rain and Nostra exploring the lush caves and Deep Dark for an End Crystal.

## Synopsis

*Our heroes explore the lush caves and deep dark in search of the missing end crystal. Will they win against the wardens?*

## Plot

The video begins with Nostra telling Rain Wynter and Stella about the Wardens, a mob that lives in total isolation away from the surface world. Nostra concludes that the end crystal is most likely in the Warden's possession. Rain questions why a species of isolation would have such a powerful artifact, to which Stella responds that Ceris may have deliberately sent it there as a test to prove his worthiness as the remaining Ender Watcher. Nostra chuckles and asks Rain if he finds himself worthy as the last dragon tamer.

The trio make their way through different biomes, eventually stopping at the lush caves. Nostra finds seemingly deceased skeletons and shakes their bodies before shrugging, unsure of the cause of their deaths. As they attempt to leave, Rain gets strangled by a vine coming from Azalea, an undead marauder. Nostra runs forwards and cuts the vine. Azalea uses her Grovetender to revive the skeletons, who are armed with Nightshades and attack the trio. As Stella and Nostra battle the Undead Marauders, Azalea attacks Rain, using her powers to choke him once again. However, Stella finishes her off with Arcane Blades, and the trio ventures into the Deep Dark.

The trio finds the End Crystal, held down by long wires. When Stella tries to take it out, however, some invisible force explodes from it, causing Nostra's mask to fly off and land on a nearby Skulk Sensor. It sets off the Skulk Shrieker and a Warden crawls out of the ground. While Stella and Nostra stand dumbfounded, Rain distracts the Warden and fights him, both of his eyes turning into Ender Eyes and an Ender Armblade popping out of his wrist.

While Rain confronts the Warden, Nostra uses a potion to free the End Crystal. The Warden obtains the upper hand and grabs Rain, pinning him to the ground. Rain is released after Nostra throws a splash potion, which stuns the Warden. More Wardens emerge, and the trio begins to flee the Deep Dark. Just as they enter the lush caves, Azalea stands in their path, seemingly reanimated. However, she barely approaches before being knocked back by a Warden emerging from below. Rain dashes forwards with the Ender Greatsword, but the Warden blocks it and snatches Rain up before tossing him. Stella channels the energy of the End Crystal through her book, which emits an energy ray. The Warden fires its own beam, but Stella overwhelms it, piercing the Warden's chest. Stella collapses from the excessive use of energy, and Nostra kneels over her in alarm as Rain emerges from the bushes.

## Cast

* Nostra
* Rain Wynter
* Stella
* Azalea (debut)
* Ceris (mentioned)

## Trivia

* Nostra made their first speaking appearance in this episode, as revealed by one of Rainimator's posts on Twitter.
* This is the first episode since Wither Heart to hold an Undead members debut.
* This episode marks the debut of...
	+ Locations: Lush Caves & Deep Dark
	+ Mobs: Wardens, Cave Spiders & Axolotls.
	+ Characters: Azalea, the Lush Cave guardian.
	+ Factions: Lush Cave Marauders
* This is the first episode since Wishing Dead, where Stella and Rain are not travelling with Ciara and Kane's company.
* This episode marks the first appearance of a confirmed Undead Lord (Azalea).
	+ Blackbone, Infernius and (possibly) Naeus are potentially Undead Lords, but this has not been confirmed.
* This episode runs cocurrently with Already Dead, Back into Darkness and We are the Danger XL.
* The story told by Nostra shows a scene of the Battle of the Tundra Outpost in "Gotta Get Outta Here".

## Gallery

Stella, Rain Wynter and Nostra around a campfire in a promotional render.Stella, Rain Wynter, and Nostra in the Lush Caves in a promotional render.A warden in a promotional render.Stella, Nostra, and Rain Wynter about to enter a cave in a promotional render.Nostra pondering in the lush caves in a promotional render.Azalea with her undead pawns in a promotional render.Rain Wynter, Stella and Nostra surrounded by Lush Cave Marauders in a promotional render.Rain Wynter vs Azalea in a promotional render.Rain Wynter, Stella and Nostra sneaking through the Deep Dark in a promotional render.Nostra and Stella taking an End Crystal in the Deep Dark in a promotional render.Nostra and Stella preparing to fight against a Warden in a promotional render.Rain Wynter and Azalea in a joke shipping render.Nostra and Stella observing Rain Wynter's failed parkour in a promotional gif.Nostra, Stella and Rain Wynter being stalked by Azalea in a promotional render.