Yognapped 2: Beneath Bedrock P16

Herobrine's form flitted through the night, eyes shining brighter than ever before. The spires of New Icaria shone just above the canopy, giving him a visible indicator of his goal.

For the first time in eons, Herobrine felt what could be classified as joy. New Icaria was the last major settlement in Minecraftia; all it would take would be one blast, and his job would be done.

Something compelled him to slow his pace, eventually to a stop, and it was lucky he did; something crashed down into the dirt exactly two steps in front of him. Something he instantly recognized, for it was not something but someone.

It was an imposing man, clad in a plain brown shirt and mining pants. An unkempt black beard curled up from his cheeks, the only noticeable feature on his rugged face. In contrast to Herobrine's tan, the new arrival's skin shone pale and pinkish, as though he had never set a toe out in the sun. 

The man regarded Herobrine with a look equal parts care and contempt. "Herobrine."

"Notch."

The god of Minecraftia faced down his sinister brother, keeping his expression unreadable. "So you're out of the Void now?"

"I am, thanks largely in part to your 'heroes', the Yogscast."

"So... this isn't a wandering consciousness I'm speaking to? It's really you, in the flesh?"

Herobrine aimed a solid blow at Notch's chest in response. "Did that feel like flesh to you?"

He expected Notch to lash back, but instead the god cracked a tiny grin and chuckled. The noise, almost imperceptible, drove Herobrine absolutely mad.

"What is your purpose tonight, brother?"

"You know as well as I. The very same cause you locked me up so long ago to avoid."

Another low, whistling chuckle. "You still think that's what's best for Minecraftia? I'd have thought your time under the bedrock would have rehabilitated you."

"I needed no rehabilitation! The world you created is falling apart, brother. Try as you might to catch all the crumbling pieces, eventually it will be too great a burden for you. It is finally my turn to build, but first all remnants of your pitiful attempt have to be extinguished."

"Whatever "mystical rules" you're pulling out of your ass now, I highly doubt they hold any sort of control over me."

"MYSTICAL RULES?" Another strike landed on Notch's stomach, winding him again. "These are not some arbitrary prophecies or speculations, brother! These are the conditions we agreed upon before you crafted this hell!"

This time it was Notch who struck, a crushing punch to Herobrine's jawbone that cracked the dark god's neck just a millimeter around. "Don't talk to me about RULES and CONDITIONS, Herobrine! When I buried YOUR attempt at a realm - now known as the End, for very good reason - and built Minecraftia over its ruins, neither of us had any idea what it would become! People here are happy, they've built societies, they've surpassed even your Endermen!"

"I care as much about your citizens as our late sister cared about your temper."

This time Notch's assault didn't end at one measly punch, didn't end even as his own brother knelt over and spewed up blood, didn't end until the dark god was on one knee and staring up at his brother with a mixture of satisfaction and fear.

"Oh, is Rana still a sore topic for you? Pity. If you love your citizens so much, come before them and admit that it wasn't a Wither that killed her, but her own-"

"Shut up! Just shut up! I didn't descend from the Aether tonight to discuss events better off forgotten! Give the Biome Buster to me, and we can be on our way!"

"Were you not paying attention?! It doesn't matter how far the residents of Minecraftia have progressed. You made a deal with me, and the first time I asked you to uphold your end of it, you locked me under bedrock! The same thing is not going to happen again! Either you stand aside and let me do what must be done, or one of us kills the other."

Herobrine started to rise to his feet as he spoke, using a nearby stump for support. "Notch... no matter what you may believe, I do not want to kill you. You're my brother, and my only true equal. Even after enduring what you put me through in our early years, even after witnessing Rana's passing with my own two eyes, even after being trapped in the Void for so long, I don't wish to see your blood stain this grass. Please, let me pass into New Icaria."

There was silence for a long time, as Notch weighed the two options in his all-but-omnipotent consciousness. Nearby mobs shied away from the brothers, as though they knew that whatever happened, it wouldn't serve well for them.

Finally, a relieved smile broke over Herobrine's face as Notch stepped to the side, and the dark god started up the path to his destination.

"You have chosen well, brother. I will see you again in Aether, once the deed is-"

***

The Yogscast's helicopter settled quietly down on the outskirts of New Icaria, and the four heroes leapt out, weapons ready.

"Alright, we've most likely beaten him here, unless he's used some kind of shortcut we don't know about, but that's highly unlikely. This is our last chance." Lewis was about to start giving orders to his friends, when something in the distance caught his attention.

"Oh my Notch, is that -- is that NOTCH?!"

Indeed, the god of all Minecraftia stood just outside of the forest, a radiant Aether stone sword lodged in another figure's chest.

"And he... he's caught Herobrine! This is perfect! This is brilliant!"

The four sprinted at Notch, who jolted up and shook the corpse from his blade as though he were embarrassed. "Yogscast! What a pleasant surprise! I assume you were looking for my... my insane brother." At their nods, Notch looked down, disheartened. 

"I tried to reason with him... the fool just attacked me and attempted to force his way through. I did what I had to do."

Sighing, Notch shuffled through his deceased brother's inventory, pulling free the Biome Buster and collecting it. 

"Oh, um, Notch..." The god turned to face Lewis. "We've got the guy who freed Herobrine in the first place. He's weak enough that we can carry him over without much of a struggle. I'd like... I'd request that you banish him to the Nether."

Notch grinned, the smallest motion of a single corner of his mouth, but it was enough.