Disclaimer: I'm not creative enough to own Minecraft

Chapter 23: The End

"The end is a place suspended in void. It is often said to be the center of it due to it's bridge-like properties. This is the source of all endermen, and where the Ender Dragon lives. Anyone brave enough to come here should be ready for one heck of a fight."

"The Ender Dragon, commonly refered to as the mother of Endermen, holds a single egg, as well as the powers to create a portal. If killed, the dragon will create a portal, with the egg above it. However, it is not easy killing the mother of all endermen, and it's unknown where that portal leads to. Some say, with the right tool, you could use it to bridge dimensions…and that dosen't include the ones in this world."

I closed the book and looked at the others. None of them looked ready, not to mention they had tried to dissuade me from doing this several times.

"you realize you'll have to fight her alone, right?" Maillie asked.

"yea, mother dosen't take kindly to visitors" Elda said.

"well, this is my way home" I said.

"are you sure?" Katie asked. I had almost forgotten Evan and Katie were with us, since they were out during the Wither fight.

"yes, I'm positive" I said.

I heard audible sighs from all of them, then we jumped in together…I was not prepared for what I saw.

We had spawned at the beginning of a walkway, lined with toarches. At the end of it, I saw a large arena, as in so large I could barley see the edges. Stepping up and looking further, I saw a palace, where I assumed Elda lived.

"that's my house" Elda said.

A loud roar echoed "and I'm guessing that's your mom" Sarah said. Elda nodded.

A voice boomed from the arena "one challenger may proceed, the rest must stay behind"

"this is it Alex" Aqua said "this is our ticket home"

I nodded "I'll do it" I said. I remembered the dream, and I knew why it was one on one…the voices were testing me.

I stepped forward slowly, feeling the others give me their moral support. I could feel the energy of the Ghast and Wither, flowing through my power suit. I wasn't alone, not really.

I stepped into the arena, and the gate closed behind me. "welcome, Alex" a voice boomed.

My eyes sparkled. I wasn't scared, I didn't wonder why she knew my name. I knew what was going on. I closed my eyes as the dragon landed in front of me "hello Ender Dragon" I replied.

She gave me a smile "here are the rules. You tame me, I give you what you want. If I kill you, your friends take your place. You have one chance, and they each get one to save you, understood?"

I nodded "so, my aim is to prove my worth, and your aim is to destroy me, correct?"

"that is correct" she replied "now, I will let you start"

I charged my plasma cannon and shot it at her. I expected a lot of damage, but instead, she opened her mouth and ate it, taking no damage. I realized I'd have to go hand to hand…except that would be hard to do, since at that moment, she breathed fire at me.

I quickly moved aside and jumped onto her back as she took to the sky. We wrestled for what felt like hours as I tried to get control. Finally, I did.

She landed, staying still as the arena gate opened. I slid off, and she looked at me with what looked like respect. I beat her…I had won.

I got off as the a portal appeared in the middle of the arena, and the others ran over to me "good job Alex!" Aqua said, hugging me.

The dragon took off, and suddenly, we were on the island...the one just like my dream. But, instead of everyone being sad, they seemed happy for us.

"I guess this is it for you guys, huh?" Evan said, for once, showing some attatchment to others.

"well, it would be for you guys too" I replied.

Katie shook her head "while you were out, we talked it over, and decided it was too much fun traveling together"

"so, you guys are staying?" I asked "and…as a team?"

"don't worry, we'll be fine" Maillie said "after all, we still have everything you did"

I nodded as the Dragon flew down and gave me the machine. "it's energy is trapped in the void" she said "it's already set to return you to home, you just need someone to activate it."

I nodded, then looked at the others. In my dream, it was nightmarish, and they were all on the verge of tears. Here, when I was really leaving, they were all happy for me. instead of me being the only one happy, I seemed to be the only one ready to cry…but I needed to do this.

Elda stepped up to me. she wasn't the oldest, but she was the one who knew how I was feeling. "Alex, we may not be in your world, but that doesn't mean you'll never see us again" she said "you still have your machine, you could come back any time you'd like"

I nodded "ok" I said. she stepped back again, and me and Aqua walked to the portal.

I could feel the energy radiating from it, and the machine obviously could too. I turned back one more time and saw they were in a group, as if posing for a picture. Evan and Katie were holding hands in the middle, with Shadow and Blazette on either side. Shadow held Elda in her hands, and Blazette was holding Shara. And, standing in the back, the Dragon was looking at us, her wings spread so that its shadow covered the others.

I waved to them, and they waved back. Then, I turned back, and jumped with Aqua.

Yay! Another chapter! I decided to end it, since I wasn't quite sure what else to write, but the story isn't done yet! Do note, however, that the next chapter will be WAY longer than my normal chapters are, so be aware! Remember: I love criticism, reviews encourage me, and I'm open to input. Bye for now!