Chapter 34: Truce

The two rebel guards in front of Notch's castle were never expecting the enchanted diamond sword that suddenly was pointed straight at their faces in the blink of an eye. They gasped and were face to face with Herobrine's sword that was at the ready to take a life if needed. "Take me to your 'king." Herobrine bellowed threateningly low to the guards who had their hands up in fright, each one of them trembling in front of the presence of the white-eyed devil of the Overworld. Red stared intently at the guards as they nodded in nothing but terror to Herobrine. They quickly went over to open the front doors for Hero and Red to pass through. Herobrine deeply glared them with his flashing white eyes that were beginning to flare more fiercely as they progressed on into the room.

Red remained close to Herobrine's back as they started heading into the large throne room. Rebel guards were all standing on the sides at the ready with their swords up as Hero and Red walked along the red carpeting towards the throne. Herobrine amazingly barely passed the rebels a glance as his eyes were trailed far down the room on Notch. "No backing out now…" Red murmured to herself as she eyed warily at the glaring menacing rebels that Herobrine was too badass to look upon.

Notch's brown eyes widen at the sight of his oldest son parading towards him with his 'Queen' holding onto him from behind. "Herobrine!" Notch says loudly, so much it echoed off of the walls. Herobrine stopped walking once he reached the end of the red carpeting and was in front of Notch's throne. Herobrine stared hard up at him with his sword down at his side.

"Notch… Its been a long time." Herobrine stated calmly. Some of the rebel guards were fighting to charge at him but Notch put his hand up to halt them. Notch stood up from his throne as his eyes were fixated on Herobrine and Red who was staring at him with wide eyes.

"What are you doing here? What possibly would make you show up here of all times?" Notch asked with a serious expression laced on his face.

"I came to inform you of a traitor in your midst. I simply want that traitor dead for my own personal reasons. I request you hand him over without question."

Notch walked down the steps of his throne so he was standing closer in front of Herobrine. Herobrine stood tall and unintimidated by the King in front of him. Notch frowned and shook his head, "What traitor?"

"Your chief sorcerer Nicholas Haysenworth. A fellow follower of the forbidden dark arts. He has not only betrayed you but also myself. I request you hand him over and there won't be an issue." Herobrine stated and glanced over to the side as he saw the very sorcerer walking into the room. The sorcerer took one good look at Herobrine and froze but he was more mystified by the sight of Red behind him.

"Nicholas a traitor? Is that true, Sorcerer Haysenworth?" Notch asks the hooded man that was now glaring over at Herobrine and Red. The sorcerer glanced at Notch and walked over closer towards them.

"Absolutely incorrect! I have been nothing but faithful to you and your kingdom!"

Herobrine snorted at his reply and shook his head, "The evidence is clearly seen throughout your entirety of work. Nobody just bothers to take a look to actually see what you are doing down there in your laboratory." Herobrine said as his eyes looked over at Nicholas who was staring him down with a look of death. "Why don't you just give in, Nicholas? You've pulled the wool over everyones eyes long enough. Why not show your true colors?"

The sorcerer clenched his teeth and felt insecure under the scrutinizing gaze of everyone. "My words still stand. Why would anyone listen to you, anyway? You are a deceptive person in nature. No one should listen to you. You should be killed for dare showing your face here today."

"Thats enough. Herobrine I refuse to let you stand here and make such accusations against Nicholas. You have no proof." Notch said which made Nicholas nod and smirk over at Herobrine who was fuming. Red scoffed and brushed past Herobrine as she began shouting at Notch.

"I should be proof enough! That bastard threw me in the End to have me killed by the Ender Dragon! Little does he know I was able to defeat the dragon by myself and escape!" Nicholas' golden eyes widen at this before deeply glaring.

"Impossible! Nothing can defeat the Ender Dragon! Its nearly immortal!" Nicholas hollered and walked up to Red. "You shouldn't be alive." He muttered under his breath for only Red to hear. Red gave him a cruel mocking smile.

"Well, here I am." Red retorted back nastily. Nicholas bristled at her words and was tempted to kill her on the very spot she stood.

"Quite a feat is absolutely impossible. You wouldn't be alive. That's hard to believe." Notch said back towards Red. Scarlett in turn scoffed and shook her head.

"I have the egg to prove that I defeated the dragon. Your little sorcerer is doing whatever he can to proof he's innocent when he's not. I bet your squirming right now, Nicholas. Aren't you? Terribly angry that I came out alive and your little plans aren't working out the way you hoped?" Red taunted Nicholas to see if she could get him to crack under the pressure. Nicholas' fists tighten and he shook his head.

"I have no idea what your talking about." Nicholas hissed back in aggravation.

"This is going nowhere. Notch either you give Nicholas to me or I'll take him from you. Which will it be?" Herobrine brought up, clearly becoming impatient with the bantering back and forth that was becoming pointless. Notch shook his head as his eyes rested back on Herobrine.

"You will not be taking Nicholas anywhere, Herobrine."

"Then I will just have to kill him where he stands." Herobrine threatened ominously while bringing up his diamond sword that glistened brightly in the light. Notch scoffed and flicked his wrist, his own deadly sword appearing in his hand. Herobrine stalked forwards towards Nicholas but Notch stood in his way. Nicholas looked surprised but smirked menacing behind Notch's back as Herobrine paused in his steps nearing him. "You are seriously going to protect the very one who has been fooling you this whole entire time? Or does your hatred for me surpass that of which he has been doing? Do you honestly think I would come here without a clear reason?" Herobrine questioned and Notch was about to reply, that was until Sapphire and Steve came walking into the throne room together. They both froze and stared at the situation ahead of them. It took only a few seconds for Steve to react impulsively as he took out his own sword and ran straight at Herobrine.

"Get away from the king!" He shouted and clashed blades with his older brother. Herobrine growled and fought him off. During this Blue gasped as she saw her sister standing there. Red's eyes lingered on Herobrine and Steve worriedly before glancing over at Sapphire. Herobrine pushed Steve off of his blade and growled deeply.

"You are all so blind to the truth, all of you!"

"What is going on?!" Blue brought up amongst the chaos that was ensuing. "What is Herobrine doing here!?"

Herobrine slashed swords at Steve for a few moments before they both broke off and glared at each other hatefully. "I want Nicholas dead for putting my Queen in danger. He tried to kill her!"

"Nonsense! I did no such thing!" Nicholas retorted and gasped when Herobrine charged for him with his hand glowing bright with a fire. Herobrine attempted to burn the man in front of him to a crisp but Steve got in the way and blocked his path.

"He tried to kill you?" Blue asked as she looked over at her sister. Red turned and sped over in front of Blue.

"He did! Look at me. I have scrapes all over me from the attack with the Ender Dragon. You have to believe me, Blue. I'm not lying nor is Herobrine! That man is a traitor, he uses black magic! The same forbidden magic that has been outlawed." Red said and began revealing her small cuts and bruises that were left from running and dodging all of the dragon's attacks on her. Blue frowned as she examined her sister from head to foot. By looking at the wounds, Blue could tell they were not self-inflicted. Not that she would think Red would do something like that to herself. Blue looked into Red's eyes and could see she was being truthful. Blue always had this sisterly intuition of when her sister was lying to her or not.

"I don't think she's lying." Blue brought up and she looked over at the others in the room. Notch's eyes narrowed unsurely as he looked over at Blue.

"How can you be sure?"

"I can't but I just have this feeling. Why would Red and Herobrine be here if this wasn't serious? What proof to we have that that sorcerer is not working with the dark arts?" Blue insisted which made Notch stop and moment and ponder. Nicholas seethed out in anger and shook his head defensively.

"I do no such thing! They are liars! This is Herobrine we are talking about!"

"But there is also my sister and I know she's not lying to me." Blue argued back as she glanced from Nicholas and back to Red. "I know you're not lying… That sorcerer has been rather suspicious every time I see him. I swore I saw him chasing an Eye of Ender the other day."

"He was! That was when he took me to the Ender Temple to throw me in the End!" Red exclaimed, trying her best to convince everyone that she was telling the truth. Blue frowned and glared over at Nicholas. Steve backed away from protecting Nicholas from Blue's words and he began to look at him skeptically.

"I do remember that…" Steve said in remembrance and then suddenly brought his sword out towards Nicholas. The sorcerer growled and put his hands up in defense.

"What proof do you have?"

"Two eye witnesses is what." Blue shot back with a glare. Red felt relieved to have her sister come through as they now finally had the sorcerer pinned. It was just enough to frustrate Nicholas enough to the point of snapping, finally at his breaking point.

"THAT PROVES NOTHING! SO WHAT IF I TRIED TO KILL HER!? MINECRAFTIA WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT HER, ANYWAY!" Nicholas' golden eyes widen as he realized what he had just announced to everyone in the room. Herobrine smirked at his confession and finally took another step near him. This time Steve didn't stop him from closing in the the cornered sorcerer.

"How could you do this, Nicholas? I thought you were loyal to us?" Notch said and lowered his head as he shook his head in disappointment. Nicholas clenched his fists into balls and then brought up his hands with two orbs of black magic. Everyone but Herobrine gasped as Nicholas began furiously charging at Herobrine with the magic in his hands. Herobrine in reaction made his own orb that was white like his eyes and ran towards the magician. The two collided with magic that began pushing back on each other. The magic kept going nearer and farther away from Herobrine as he kept pushing his wall of magic towards Nicholas' black wall.

"You disappoint me, Herobrine! You could have been a great king but your desires have corrupted your senses! You're giving everything we worked for up for some petty Otherworld woman!"

"I'm giving nothing up! I WILL be king! Scarlett does not interfere with anything! I just don't need you!" Herobrine argued back and was able to push through with his attack. The sorcerer screamed at the top of his lungs as Herobrine's white wall crashed into him. Everyone was watching with shocked widen eyes as Nicholas began stumbling backwards and steaming smoke from the powerful strike left on him.

"I won't give in! I'll kill every single one of you if I must!" Nicholas focused on his dark magic and suddenly erupted into an explosion of black fire all around him. The black colored fire begun to blaze around him in an aura that protected him if anyone got to close. Nicholas rose his hands up and began cackling loudly as a sword began forming above his head. The sword was made out of rock hard obsidian and had a rugged blade with sharp spikes. The sword lowered into his hands and was also blazing with that black fire he had all around him. Herobrine brought up his enchanted sword and growled under his breath as he waited for Nicholas to come after him. Astoundingly, Steve also brought up his diamond sword that matched Herobrine's own sword in appearance. Herobrine glanced at him with a little bit of surprise as Steve stood next to him and had his sword ready to fight right beside his older brother.

"Like old times?" Steve said to Herobrine with a light smile. Herobrine glared and scoffed at his words but didn't back away from fighting next to Steve. The two identical twin brothers shared one glance at each other before charging forwards at the corrupt dark sorcerer. Notch, Red, and Blue stood back and watched in amazement as the two expertly began fighting Nicholas at the same time. They were more amazed by the fact Herobrine and Steve seemed to make an unspoken truce so they could both take down the magician together.

"They're fighting… together." Red spoke in astonishment as she watched Herobrine and Steve trying to lay a blow on Nicholas, while being careful not to touch the blazing black fire that came from the wizard. Nicholas might have been outnumbered but he was still fighting pretty well considering the odds. Slashing against Herobrine's sword, Steve ducked under them and struck Nicholas across his chest with his own sword. Nicholas roared out in pain and attempted to send a lightning bolt at Steve for being able to make a critical strike on him. Herobrine brought up his sword and magically repelled the lightning strike before it could hit Steve. Herobrine reflected the lightning strike to hit Nicholas. He was seconds from being hit and was just barely able to dodge the attack.

"You cretins will never best me! I WILL PREVAIL!" Nicholas shouted and another eruption blazed from him. The black fire got larger around him and slightly singed Herobrine and Steve as they began to back away with their hands covering their eyes from the brightness of it.

"Be careful Herobrine!" Red called out to her lover while Sapphire glanced at Red and also decided to call out to Steve.

"You too, Steve!"

The two brothers were too busy to reply back but they heard their favorite sisters calls as they went back at Nicholas again. The sorcerer had a difficult time deflecting both of their attacks at the same time. The only thing that was keeping him safe from them getting near him without them getting hurt was his black fire. Herobrine threw a fireball at Nicholas and Nicholas was able to deflect but once again was distracted. He didn't expect Steve to sneak up from behind like a Creeper and smite him through the back.

"AAAGGGHHH!" He screamed and fell to the ground. Steve and Herobrine looked at each other and both smirked before going over and hitting him while he was down. Nicholas screamed at the top of his lungs as they both took their swords and drove their blades right into him above. The wizard coughed up blood that oozed down his mouth. He was also bleeding heavily from the lethal wounds he was now inflicted with. Steve paused and let Herobrine do the honors as Herobrine took his sword up into the air and then plunged down into the sorcerer's heart. Nicholas' fire ceased and he was instantly murdered in cold-blood as he laid there with wide deathly golden eyes, his body finally fell limp.

Herobrine hoisted his sword out from Nicholas' chest and then looked at the bloodied blade in his hand with a satisfied smirk of his lips. "He's finished." Herobrine said and then glanced over at Steve who nodded and looked down solemnly at his own bloodied sword.

"You did it!" Red exclaimed and ran over and clung onto Herobrine with a hug on his side. Herobrine tensed up briefly and looked down at Red and continued to smirk. Sapphire walked over to Steve and set a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" She asked with concern and he nodded again and looked into her eyes with a uneasy smile.

"I'm fine." He reassured her confidently and then looked over at Herobrine and Red. Sapphire also gazed over at the two embracing each other. She usually would feel disgusted by this sight but this time she just felt numb. She still didn't understand why Red loved this man so much but she did. Sapphire frowned to herself and was wondering why she didn't feel more prone into trying to get Red back like before. She wasn't actually accepting this was she!? Sapphire felt confused and didn't know what to do, so she just stood there and watched the two odd lovers with an unreadable expression.

Herobrine and Red shared a quick kiss and then looked back over at Steve, Blue, and Notch. Steve was staring intensely at his brother who still had his arms wrapped around Red. "So you came and got what you wanted. If I would had known Nicholas was working within the dark arts I would have had him dealt with much sooner than this. However, now that he is gone. I cannot let the two of you leave." Notch brought up as he began walking towards Herobrine with his blade at the ready at his side. Herobrine let go of Red and gave Notch a dark glare of his bright white eyes.

"Do you plan to kill me? Go ahead then. Be warned though I will not hold back. I only came here for Nicholas but if you want to fight me too then so be it." Herobrine warned threateningly as he rose his sword as Notch approached him.

"Father! Please, reconsider fighting Herobrine. I don't want to see you harmed or worse!" Steve insisted as he turned to look at Notch. The king glanced over at Steve blankly and then looked back at Herobrine.

"I could kill you here in your place and take my rightful place as king." Herobrine said and took a another step near Notch until both men were feet apart. Notch held tightly onto his sword, his eyes never leaving his oldest son's.

"I told you Hero, many time before. You are not fit to be King of Minecraftia. You're heart is in the wrong place. I cannot afford to let Minecraftia be under the rule of yours.-"

"And why not!?" Herobrine shouted back angrily, "The throne was supposed to be my birthright from the very beginning! You just decided to one day change your mind and give it to Steve! Does Steve even want to be King!? Have you ever even considered that?! I know how to rule this land and I am worthy of having Minecraftia! You just would never give me the chance!"

Notch fell into silence as he lowered his head. It wasn't until Steve took a step forward with a serious expression when he surprised everyone with his words, "Father… As much as it pains me to say this. Herobrine is right…" Everyone gasped and turned to look at Steve in bewilderment at his statement.

"Steve…" Blue murmured and was about to grab onto Steve to stop him from what he was saying but Steve withdrew from her and shook his head as he continued speaking.

"I never asked to be King of Minecraftia. I've never felt like I have what it takes to be King. My brother has done terrible, terrible things but it is clear he still knows how to rule unlike me. He has the entire Nether under his control. I've never reigned over anything. I can't help but wonder… is Herobrine really unfit to be King of Minecraftia?"

Herobrine's eyes widen at his younger brother's words. He… was actually taking his side? Herobrine stared directly at his brother who would not look him in the eyes. Steve had his head lowered as he spoke, he appeared to be serious contemplating in his mind what he was saying. Notch looked appalled by his youngest son's charge. Was he truly inquiring that Herobrine should be king and not himself?!

"Steve… Herobrine's actions do not fit that of a true king. He has slaughtered villages, innocent people for our world and the Otherworld. He has mingled with the forbidden dark arts and uses them for his own selfish reasons. A king fights for his people not himself."

"I fight for my rights!" Herobrine's voice rose a few octaves as he cut in from what Notch was saying. Notch sighed and began rubbing his temples in frustration. "I say you back down now, Notch! Let me have the throne!"

"Absolutely not!"

"Father…" Steve interrupted, "Give my brother a chance. Maybe, all this fighting is for nothing. Maybe, we can solve this peacefully. My brother may not be such a horrible king as we have made him out to being." Steve said, earning another puzzled look from Hero. Herobrine turned to look back at Notch determinedly.

"My brother speaks truth. I think its time you back down… Father."

Red and Blue glanced at each other and watched the uncanny scenario in front of them unfold. Sapphire couldn't believe that Herobrine might actually have a chance at ruling Minecraftia but what boggled her mind even more was the fact Steve was sticking up for Herobrine. Red on the other hand was on edge, feeling hopeful that Steve could convince Notch to back down. The king seemed so uncertain, just maybe he would actually falter and let Hero take over.

Notch looked back and forth between Steve and Herobrine, his eyes eventually lingering on Steve. "Is this really what you want? Do you honestly think this will be a good idea. I can't fathom letting you be king just to hand it over to Herobrine."

"I would… Only if, Herobrine would start reconsidering on acting like a king and stop his attacks on other villages and innocent people. Hero… Would you be willing to change? Willing to stop massacring innocence for the throne?"

Herobrine's lips were kept in a straight tightly kept line, he lowered his head and began pondering before giving an answer.

"I will… if that means I can be King…" Herobrine said lowly. Notch's eyes widen at this as he shook his head.

"The people will not be happy with this…"

"The people will learn to be happy with this." Steve inquired, "Father… I think its time to step down…"

Notch rose his head and stared at everyone in the room with serious eyes. "You truly think this is a good idea for Minecraftia? I disagree entirely yet I have to give you charge one day, Steve. If this is what you think will be right then I will… consider it. For now give me some time to think this over… This is all too much for me to process at the moment." Notch let's his grip of his sword lighten as he turns away from everyone, now staring up at the throne. He flicks his wrist and makes his sword disappear, "Go… Leave for now. I need time to think."

Herobrine was honestly shocked beyond comprehension. Never would he think that his little brother would stand up for him in that way. He didn't know why his brother would do such a thing but he… appreciated it. Turning from Notch and making his own sword disappear. Herobrine looked at Steve and mouthed the words, 'Thank you'.

Steve smiled at his brother and nodded, "You're welcome…" He replied and watched as Herobrine turned around to look at Red. Scarlett was taken back by all that was happening as she stared up into Herobrine's eyes.

"Let's go. We're done here." Herobrine said as he grabbed onto Red and brought her into an embrace. Red blushed as she stared up into his eyes but her attention was soon drawn as Sapphire walked over before they disappeared.

"Take care, Scarlett." Blue said solemnly. Red and Herobrine turned to both look at Blue.

Red smiled lightly at her big sister, "You too, Sapphire. I'll see you another time. I promise."

Blue faintly nodded as her lips twitched to a faint smile, "Keep your promise and you better take care of her." Blue said and looked over at Herobrine with a completely serious expression.

Herobrine stared at her and nodded, "You don't have to ask me to." He replied.

"Good... Goodbye, Red."

Red briefly let go of Herobrine and ran to hug her sister. Blue was slightly taken back by the bone-crushing embrace she was giving her. Blue wrapped her arms around her little sister, nonetheless, and hugged her back with just as much tightness. "I love you, big sis." Red murmured while trying not to cry her eyes out. Blue was also feeling teary eyed as she nodded but tried her best to stay composed.

"I love you too, lil' Red."

Red and Blue finally let go, both Chandler sisters holding hands as they stared into each other's warm loving eyes. Herobrine finally walked over and put a hand onto Red' shoulder calmly.

"Let's get going, Red." Scarlett nodded and then placed a gentle kiss onto Sapphire's cheek before letting go of her hands. Blue watched as Herobrine held Red from behind and before anything else could be spoken. The two unlikely lovers disappeared away from Blue's sight.

Blue glanced down and couldn't help but let out a single tear that slid down her pale face. Steve went over and placed his own hand on Blue's shoulder from behind before gently kissing her lightly on the side of her cheek to comfort her. Blue turned around and held onto Steve and finally began to cry.

Letting go was never easy but in the end each became stronger because of it…