Author's Notes

I 'pre-wrote' this chapter. I used the little air quotes because it wasn't truly preweitten. I just finished typing it out before publishing date. :)

Welp, Reviews!

ThinMint, I'm really glad you liked the chapter! And you'll have to find out if they're ready soon enough.

GiggiEba, yeah, I know what you mean. :) You'll have to wait a little while longer before the skeleton showdown starts, though.

Anywho, on with the story!

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Darkness's POV

One of the monsters still stationed at my brother's valley sent a latter via phantom a couple days ago. I had one of my generals translate it to me.

"Well... it roughly means," he said, "the mutant zombie was killed by Thomas and his friends. By the endergirl, just like with the creeper. It got very close to destroying their house, but it was still overtaken by them."

I considered this for a second. "Then I guess it's time to send my dear friend over."

"The skeleton? I don't know, my lord. It might be best to keep him here and send him when the battle comes."

I smirked at him. "How long do you think he'll wait? A week? Two? At the rate this is going, the bridge will be finished in a month and a half. Perhaps more. This monster will not stay still for that long. If I don't send it, it will go by itself."

My general frowned and bowed. "Very well my liegé. I suppose you should go to the nether, then."

I nodded and called Trudy over. She had grown more and more confident, almost as if she'd accepted her role and embraced it. The terrified blaze maid was no more. In her place stood a cold, calculating, ruthless servant who did not hesitate to voice her disagreement and ideas.

She had been hounding a skeleton for not standing properly in formation when I called for her. The blaze walked over and bowed. "My lord."

I turned around and walked towards the portal. "Come along. We have good news to give to our bony friend."

She walked along silently. I passed through the portal and sat on my throne. The monster was, once again, sulking against the wall with it's arms crossed. I smiled at it.

"Monster, I have a task for you. One you've waited for since your spawning."

The mutant monster immediately perked up. I chuckled. "You know what you have to do."

It growled hungrily and climbed onto the fortress corridor's roof. It stalked away, heading towards the large nether portal that would send it closer to the valley. Trudy huffed in annoyance. I smiled at her.

"You have to admire his determination."

Trudy rolled her eyes. "I'd admire it if he didn't bring down the entire fortress."

"I like this you, Trudy."

"Pardon?"

I got up and stood in front of my royal servant. Her dark hair shined in the gloomy magma light. Her amber eyes were inspecting my face, flicking from here to there, a disinterested frown on her lips. I smiled devilishly at the pretty blaze.

"You look more formidable. Stronger. Sexier."

She scoffed and began walking towards the hallway. "Lord Darkness, I may be your royal servant, but I am not your fuck-toy."

I quickly stepped in front of her. "You are my servant, and that means you must serve me in any way I please."

She huffed again, her frown becoming one of disgust. "Absolutely not. I am not a degenerate like the rest of those sluts cleaning the walls of the fortress."

My smile widened and I stepped closer. "So you're a virgin."

She didn't miss a beat. "That is none of your business my lord. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to. Your army does not keep itself in line."

She stepped around me and I blocked her path with one arm. "Trudy. You should know better than to defy me."

"And you should know better than to test my patience, lord Darkness. I don't fear you anymore. Let me pass."

I used my arm to embrace her, placing my head in the crook of her neck. She was very tense, but her face gave nothing away. "I'd like to see where your patience ends, and what happens when it does."

"Believe me, my lord, you do not. Let me go."

I licked her cheek slowly, but she didn't react. Disappointed, I growled and stepped back. "Fine. You may leave."

She gave me a curt bow and walked away, her high-heels clacking against the nether bricks of the fortress. I stared at her hungrily for a moment longer before sitting back down on my throne. "Got riled up for nothing," I muttered. I sighed and closed my jet-black eyes.

The clock is ticking, brother. I hope you've had fun with all my monsters. War is approaching. Are you ready yet?

Because I can hardly wait.

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Valory's POV

Lila was sitting by herself at the edge of the forest, carving new knives out of bone. I walked over to her. Adrian was helping Kaitlin cut down trees to make a nest for the egg or something like that. I sent off Falconheart to do whatever it is phantoms do on their free time.

I reached my sister and plopped down on the grass beside her. "Hey Lila."

She looked up from her weapon. "Hi Val. How're you doing?"

I shrugged. "Well I'm not dead, so."

"Uh-huh. Finally stopped mooning over Thomas enough to see what's around you?"

I nudged her playfully. "That was so long ago. And you would know a thing or two about mooning over someone."

She smiled, returning to her work. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, you know. A couple of skeletons treading in your shadow at all times."

She raised an eyebrow at me. "A couple?"

"Adrian counts, doesn't he? As a skeleton?"

Lila looked genuinely confused. "Then who's the other one?"

I blinked at her in surprise. "Jack."

She groaned and went back to her bone carving. "Right. I don't moon over that guy. There's nothing special about him."

I stared at her in shock. "How could you be so mean? Don't you know the lengths he's gone to just so you would talk with him?"

She scoffed. "Like interrupting me when I'm talking with Adrian? Or when I'm practicing with my knives? Or when he almost dropped a tree on me?"

"You're always talking with Adrian! And he called for you to stop for a second before getting in your way! And... well, the tree thing was kind of his fault."

"Kind of?"

"It doesn't matter! Just... just give him a chance."

"Why should I? I don't like him."

"Why not?"

"He's annoying, and full of himself."

"That's not true! I mean, he is a little annoying at times, but that's not the point!"

"I think you're the one who likes him."

I frowned. "Yes. I do like him, that I won't hide. But he doesn't ever talk to me. Jack only has eyes for you."

"I'd rather he just left me alone."

I held back an urge to strangle her. "Why can't you just feel flattered? His devotion is something you don't find everywhere."

"Good for him. I want nothing to do with that stray."

"What, you've already promised your heart to Adrian?"

She inched away from me. "No. He hasn't said anything about an us. And I don't want to be the one to bring that up."

"Why? With the time you two spend together, we were beginning to think you were already a couple."

She scooted farther away. "I don't want to talk about it."

I sighed and stood up. I walked towards the house, wanting to see how Jack was doing. "You should be grateful for every boy that's ever liked you. Flattered by everything they've done. Because Adrian isn't like any of them. He is a soldier through and through, and friendship is the only thing you'll ever have with him."

I didn't stick around to hear her response. It didn't matter anyway. She can defend herself all she wants. Jealousy made my thoughts dark and bitter, my hands curled into tight fists. Kaitlin waved at me from where she and Adrian were trying to build the nest thing. I waved back with a smile and walked into the house.

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Thomas's POV

I sat up, a dull pain in my chest reminding me to take it easy. Three days had gone by since the mutant zombie attacked us. Everyone had been fine for the most part, but Jack and I are still not allowed to help out or even leave the med-bay. Izabell checked up on us every so often with Simon close behind.

Sarah brought me food and helped me walk around. Izabell said it was fine but that I shouldn't try running for a couple more days. It was torture not being able to help.

"My chest hurts, but my arms and legs are comepletely fine!"

"It doesn't matter Thomas. You need time to heal. If you hurt yourself, it'll take longer and you'll be stuck in here for at least another week."

"What about Jack?"

The stray turned from the window to look at me. "What about me?"

I shrugged after a moment of hesitation. "Nothing. I got nothing."

Izabell sighed and shook her head slowly. "Neither one of you is allowed outside of the med-bay. You'll be staying here for a month if I catch you out there."

I chuckled nervously. "Alright. We won't miss behave, momma."

The slime frown in exasperation and stalked off with Simon. The creeper boy gave us a curt nod before following her. Valory entered shortly after and sat down on a cot beside Jack's. I gave her a friendly nod and put my head back on my pillow. I listened in on their conversation, which wasn't hard since we were in the same room.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better. Izabell said I would probably be able to walk again in a week. I'm not allowed outside until then."

"That's too bad. But there really isn't much going on at the moment. Adrian and Kait are making something for the egg to rest on."

"Really? You'd have thought Kaitlin gave birth to that egg. It's honestly pretty cute."

"I know. When do you think it will hatch?"

"I heard Simon say in a few more weeks. Don't quote me on that though. How's Lila?"

Valory barely stifled a sigh before she spoke. "She's alright. Not hurt. I'm okay too."

She spoke the last few words almost hopefully, as if expecting a worried response, but Jack didn't notice. "I'm glad."

The spider gave him a smile that was on the edge of being sad. "Yep. Everyone's a-o-Kay."

"Well, except for me and Thomas."

"Right. Well, I have Uh... I have stuff to do. I'll... I'll see you later."

"Sure. Bye."

Valory's shoulders slumped in disappointment. She waved sadly at me. "Bye Thomas. Hope you feel better."

"Thanks. You too, I guess." She nodded and left the house. Jack went back to staring out the window. I sighed and closed my eyes. I hadn't felt sleepy, but when I opened them up, I was dreaming. I think.

I didn't feel the pain in my chest anymore, and I got up. Everything was a dull white. I looked around curiously, passing my hands on the bleached walls. They were smooth, almost soft.

It didn't seem to matter how far anything looked, if I stretched my hands out I could feel it. There were large white blocks and rectangles here made of the same stuff as the walls. I sat down on one of them. I thought about Sarah and suddenly the walls and structures began to shift, revealing a blank wall.

An image blinked into existence, one of the gorgeous skeleton girl smiling at me. More and more images appeared of her, most of them of us kissing. Or rather, of her kissing the screen. At least that's how it looked to me.

I stood up and walked closer to the wall. I focused on one of the images, and the rest whirled into different places. The one I was looking at was an image of her walking barefoot at the lakeshore, holding hands with someone. "Must be from my perspective," I muttered to myself.

I stretched out a hand and gingerly touched the image. It rippled like water and began to move. I stepped back in surprise, staring at the image in motion.

"I like this. Just us two," I heard Sarah's voice say. "Walking along the sands of the lake, no worries or thoughts."

The screen bobbed up and down for a second. "Yes, I like this too. The way the sun feels on my skin, and the way the sand moves beneath me." I was surprised to hear my own voice coming from the screen.

Sarah giggled. "You can be so weird sometimes, Thomas." I blinked. I remember this. "But that's why I like you."

I took a couple steps back. It's when we had our first kiss... All the other images were gone, this one occupying the entire wall. I stared in wonder as the screen turned black. I could hear the sounds of kissing, and knew that I had closed my eyes at this particular moment. I turned away, not knowing how to react.

"What is this place?"

When I turned back, the screen had vanished. The wall was blank once more. I placed my hand on the wall, feeling the smooth surface for any clues so as to why it existed. Simon would know what to do.

Suddenly, the images came whirling back. I jumped away in surprise. Instead of Sarah, the creeper boy stood in every frame. He had his poker face on in most of the images, but he held thoughtful frowns in a couple. Even a few smiles here and there.

I got close and touched a random image. It rippled like last time and began to move. The creeper boy was sitting cross-legged on the grass next to a fireplace. I was sitting too, and Sarah was right next to me.

"What's a whisperer?" i heard myself say.

"Well, it's a trait, or ability that some people get," the creeper answered. "But it's got some weird... rules. For example, I can only talk to creepers. They can understand me as well as I can understand them. I'm sure that if Sarah was a whisperer, she would only be able to talk to skeletons."

"Umm..." The screen turned around to reveal Eba sitting on the other side of me a couple feet away. "When did you... *munch*... realishe that you where a wishperer? What doesh it... *munch*... feel like to talk to creepersh?"

Simon smiled at the endergirl. "Well, it feels just like normal. Like learning a new language. Except I felt like I know creeper better than english."

I Remember all this. From when we met Simon. Are these my memories?

I turned away and when I looked back at the screen it had gone blank. Maybe...

I debated what to think about. The wall came to life with a flood of different images with no set correlation between them. One of the screens caught my eye. I focused on it, and the river of screens stopped. I touched the image.

There were flames everywhere. On roofs, walls, doors and people. Everything was on fire.

I don't remember this. Where did it come from? The screen ran frantically from home to burning home, helping people who were trapped or injured. I wanted to look away, but my eyes were glued to the screen. Everyone was screaming, the crackle of flames leaving me hollow with dread.

At the end, the screen pushed someone through the door as the roof collapsed. The screen went black for a few seconds before if flickered back to life. Three people were staring worriedly at it from above. The sky was grey, and heavy rain made little puddles on the screen. One of the people sighed in relief.

"Thank the lords. I'm so glad you're okay."

I don't recognize her. What is this?

Another person nudged her back. "Give him space. His wounds are severe. I don't think he'll make it," he added in a hushed voice. The third person blinked at me.

"Thanks, Thomas. You saved my life again." He sighed sorrowfully. "You need to stop doing that."

My voice coughed and groaned. "No... Wait..."

The other person, an old man, returned to my side and pressed a hand on my chest. His eyes darkened. "You need to save your strength Thomas. Help me move him to somewhere dry, Stephanie."

The girl nodded and moved out of my field of vision. One of my arms shot up and grasped the old man's wrist. "N-no... Wait... J-Ja... J."

The guy stepped closer. "Listen to the Healer, Thomas. Save your strength."

I tried to stand up, but the two strangers held me down. "No... no, lis... listen to me."

The old man frowned. "Thomas, as Healer, I command you to stop this pointless struggle."

The screen shook from side to side. I grasped the boy and leaned closer. "Th-the sun... gather the sun."

He looked startled. "What? Thomas, you're delirious. Please, just lie down."

The screen shook again, more urgently this time. "Y-you need... to gather the sun. In a year... you'll have to t-travel north... the f-flask will be full... it'll shine like a million stars..."

They finally managed to bring me back down. The 'Healer' was calling for someone, but the screen moved closer to the boy. "Search... th-the taiga. I'll... be there... gather the sun... bring the flask..."

The screen began turning dark, and I could hear my own heavy breathing coming from it. "Gather the sun... travel north... search the taiga... bring the flask... gather the... sun."

The breathing, and all the sounds from the screen, suddenly ceased.

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Theridas's POV

I picked up Ella in my arms and put her up on my shoulders. The young ghast girl squealed in delight. Pepper giggled and planted a kiss on my cheek. Lady Anastasia finished paying for a hat and walked up to us.

We were out on the busy and frankly quite snowy streets of Veridon City. Pepper wanted to spend time with Ella, Ella wanted to spend time with Pepper, Lady Anastasia wanted to go shopping, and I wanted to be out of Pepper's cold apartment. Everybody wins.

We walked into the snow-covered park. Pepper and Ella ran off to play on the park's playground. Swings, slides, monkey bars, the sort. I stayed behind and sat down next to lady Anastasia on a bench. She put on her new hat, smiling lightly.

"Kaitlin would have loved this place, despite the cold."

"I'm sure she would've my lady."

She sighed. Her words became heavy with sadness. "I had to send her away, but... I wish she was with me. I miss her. I miss Fergus."

I placed a hand on the ex-monarch's shoulder. "We all miss them. I'm sure princess Kaitlin is okay. You know she can fend for herself, especially with the magma-stone you have her."

Her gaze shifted from depressed to worried. "But what if Darkness found her? What if he captured and tortured her? He may have killed her! And taken the maga-stone for himself! Oh, my poor baby..."

I rubbed the old blaze's back. "My lady, if I may. She is no longer a child. Kaitlin has grown into a formidable young blaze. I'm sure she's alive somewhere."

Lady Anastasia took a few deep breaths and nodded. "You're right, Theridas. I need to believe that." She turned to look on as Ella chased Pepper around, holding a snowy stick outward. Both the woman and child were giggling and smiling, playing happily around the park's playground. The ex-Queen smiled.

"I didn't like Pepper at first. She seemed much too laid-back. A party animal. But... I mean look at them." Pepper had fallen into the snow and Ella was on the ground, giggling like crazy. Pepper got back up smiling mischievously and dumped some snow on the young ghast girl.

I felt a smile bloom on my face. "They're happy. I hadn't heard Ella giggle so loudly since the last time I visited her and her parents."

"Indeed. And Pepper did that. She is the reason why Ella feels so elated." Lady Anastasia nudged me gently. "The reason why you have felt so happy. She makes the both of you smile, and laugh." She looked back at the joyous girls, now flinging snow at each other. "She is optimism. Light. Happiness."

I watched fondly as Pepper kneeled down to help a still giggling Ella remove the clumps of snow that cling to her white hair. "She truly is. I'm very glad I met her."

My girlfriend (still feels weird to think of her as that) picked up Ella in her arms and brought her over to us. She had the most beautiful and bright smile I had ever seen. "Hey, Love. Anastasia. Could you perhaps play with her for a second?" She snuggled the young ghast girl causing her to giggle. "She's a real handful."

I took Ella from Pepper and sat her on my lap. "How are you doing today, Ella? Are you having fun?"

"Yes! Pepper fell in the snow!"

Her enthusiasm made me smile. "I saw. Did you help her up?"

"I tried but she's so heavy!"

Pepper shoved her gently. "Who you callin' heavy?"

Ella giggled again and got off my lap. She crawled up onto Pepper's legs and hugged the beautiful creeper woman tightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."

Pepper hugged her back. "It's okay babygirl. You didn't offend me one bit. You ready to go home yet?"

"No! I wanna keep playing with you!"

"Alright sweetie. I just want to talk with Theridas first, okay?"

"Sure!"

Ella hopped off Pepper and ran towards the playground. She left a trail footprints in the snow. Pepper looked wistfully at the little girl.

"I've always wanted a child. A family of my own."

I held her hand gently. Pepper was used to the cold, but I wore thick wool gloves since it very much bothered me. "Well, you have Ella for now. And me."

She frowned for a moment and turned to face me. "For now? Are you leaving?"

I sighed. "Well... yes, but not right now. Once... once the battle is over, we will go back to the nether."

Pepper's good mood dissolved before my eyes. She didn't say anything, though. I scooted closer to her. "I'm sorry. It's where we belong."

Tears were forming in her eyes, and she angrily wiped them away. "No, I... I understand. I, uh... I should have known you would be leaving."

But I don't want to leave you! It took everything I had to stop myself from saying this. Instead, I pulled Pepper onto my lap. She resisted only a little. "I'm sorry Pepper. But we're not gone yet. You can still play with Ella."

I hugged her tightly. "You can still spend time with me. I don't want you to push us away because of this. I'd rather you did the opposite. Ella really likes you, and it would break her heart if you stopped spending time with us."

Pepper searched my eyes with a sad frown. She blinked slowly and a tiny smile lit up her features. "It would kill me to break that little girl's heart." She hugged me back tightly. "I'll spend every moment I can spare with you guys."

"Thank you. I love you Pepper."

"I love you too. Just as much, if not more."

A single snowball exploded harmlessly beside us. "Aren't you gonna play, Pepper?"

The gorgeous creeper woman smiled and got up. "I'm coming, Ella." She turned to kiss my forehead before walking towards the young ghast. She had a bunch of snowballs piled up beside her, a mischievous smile on her little face.

Lady Anastasia sighed, and I suddenly remembered that she was there. "I know it's hard for you, Theridas. But I'll need you if I want any chance of rebuilding my husband's kingdom. And of finding my daughter."

I looked on as Ella pummeled Pepper with snowballs, both girls laughing excitedly. "I know my lady. If only Pepper could come with us."

Lady Anastasia heard me even though I muttered the last few words. "You know she wouldn't survive. Overworld mobs need water, and such a thing does not exist in the nether."

"I know that too."

"You promised to leave with us to the nether, Theridas-"

I turned sharply towards Lady Anastasia. "I know! I know all of this! I swore my alliegance to you! I chose my duty over my love! I made my choice! To go back to the nether. To go back home."

The ex-Queen gazed calmly at me. "But you are home, aren't you Theridas?" Her words caught me by surprise. "It feels that way now, correct? Since you met Pepper. This feels like your home, doesn't it? More than the nether ever did."

I processed this information slowly and didn't answer lady Anastasia. Her words haunted me all day. I remained awake thinking about this while Pepper slept quietly beside me.

It does, I realized. This does feel like home. This cold, colorful, lively world... I feel better here. I found love here.

I closed my eyes. So this is why you wondered. This is why you always spoke about the overworld, isn't it dad? You lived here once. You loved it here. I get it now. You loved this world, and the people who lived on it.

I rolled over and snuggled up to Pepper.

I wonder if it hurt this much when you had to leave...

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Author's Notes

I feel very proud of this one. Don't know particularly why.

Anywho, I hope all of you have enjoyed the story so far!

Thank you for your time and support, have an awesome day!

~ LeMafiaKreb