The figure stared at them, as if a predator sizing up his meal. His features were very Steve-like, all except the eyes. White, shallow eyes, burning into their souls. He had a black cloak on, covering his shirt and body.

"Steve, I'm depressed. Don't you remember me? It's Herobrine, your brother!" His voice echoed itself, sending chills down their spines.

Steve snarled. "You're not my brother! Notch created me, and I'm alone in this cube hell!"

Herobrine chuckled. "You're so naive. You really think that he only tried to create you? It takes more than one try to create a being. You're his son, and I his brother. And I'm going to enjoy killing you."

He drew a diamond sword from his cloak, and kissed the blade. Steve mimicked the motion, and the two beings stared each other down. Herobrine raised his hoof, and his army of monsters retreated. Steve looked at his new friends, smiling. "I've got this, you guys. First sign of defeat, you get out of here, got it?"

They looked at him in awe, admiring his bravery. But it was quickly forgotten, as the Devil himself struck. Thus the battle of the ages began. Flurries of blows, slashes, and jabs everywhere. Herobrine levitated, using his sword as a boomerang. Steve countered all the attacks, but Herobrine tore his shirt, and grabbed him by the hole. He raised him up to his heartless eyes, and sneered.

"Didn't you ever wonder about your parents, or your real origins? You pathetic coward, answer me!"

Steve smiled, and spit in his face. "I prefer to try and make sense of the impossible. Like just how my god created you. But I know one thing, I'll see you in hell."

Steve kicked him in the chest, sending him backwards. Steve landed on his back hooves, standing upright. Holding his sword out, he charged Herobrine, aiming for his heart. Herobrine saw this maneuver, and parried. Blows were made towards his heart, but Herobrine was an expert swordsman. Steve succeeded in cutting his arm, and a black substance leaked out. Herobrine let out a gasp of agony, and threw Steve to the wall. Steve quickly recovered, and saw the hole above, leading to the surface. He jumped, and soon followed Herobrine and the others.

Steve stood on a narrow platform, high above the ground. Below him, he could see the Overworld far below. Herobrine landed, and shed his cloak. Raising his blade again, he slashed for Steve's ribs, missing them by an inch. Steve took this opportunity to slash at Herobrine's neck, but he was too slow. Herobrine blocked, and drew another sword. Blocking with the one, he attempted to stab Steve's chest. Steve saw this coming, and dodged, swinging at Herobrine's legs. He succeeded with a deep gash, but nothing more.

"You can't win! I am Herobrine, brother of the almighty Notch! I'm immortal!"

Steve grinned. "Not when you've clearly left your weakness visible."

Herobrine was puzzled, then he remembered. He had injured his left shoulder long ago, in the fight with Notch. He growled, and charged Steve with renewed force. Steve jumped, and slashed across his assailant's back. Herobrine was enraged, and swung around to slash at Steve, but could not find him. He heard a sound from above, and only just saw Steve come down, his sword pointed for Herobrine's skull. Herobrine raised his sword, and it pinged off of Steve's. Steve saw an opening in the platform, and backed towards it.

"Are you retreating, boy? Have you accepted your defeat?"

"No, but I'll give you yours."

Herobrine grinned, licking his lips. With a loud cry, he charged Steve with all of his remaining strength. Furiously, they struck and parried, and Steve saw his window closing. With one final rush of adrenaline, he jumped over Herobrine's head, and kicked him. Herobrine staggered, and realized what Steve was trying to do. He laughed, so the hairs on their backs raised.

"I know your plan, boy. And it shan't work."

He threw his sword at Steve, striking him in the shoulder. Steve was dazed, but not out. He got up, and saw Herobrine levitating. His eyes became even more white, and he made a sickly cracking sound. At that moment, two more limbs grew from his body, revealing the full detail of his abomination of a life. Two more swords appeared, in the new hooves. Steve smiled, knowing this would be his enemy's downfall. He jumped up, and fought ferociously. Herobrine parried, but Steve saw his opportunity. With one quick jab, he aimed towards Herobrine's chest. It ruptured, and the black substance leaked out in rivers.

"Hell awaits, brother."

He kicked with all his might, and it flung Herobrine towards the endless sky. As his screams echoed across the space, Steve felt conflicted, yet peaceful. How could his creator have constructed that abomination? But at least he had saved his friends. When he'd recovered himself, he made his way over to the others.

"Wow Steve! That was amazing, the bangs and the booms and the flashes and the jumping and the slashing and-"

They left Pinkie to it, and decided to ask him questions. "Who was that, Steve? I was reading books, and it looked like Herobrine."

Steve grimaced. "Because it was. My creator, Notch, had a brother. That brother wanted control over his world, so they had a terrible, bloody battle. Notch thought, as punishment, he would banish Herobrine to the Nether, but he found ways to go to all dimensions. He now terrorizes miners from all across the world, and won't stop until he finds a way back. I retrieved his diamonds that he dropped, though. We're ready for the End."

They smiled, and prayed to Celestia and Notch that they would survive. They went through the portal, and resolved to pass the buck out, once they got back. And to have sandwiches. And finally some bubble baths. Molestia will be so jealous!

Author's Note

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMSkC2PGyTs

We're coming up near the end, my fellows! Sorry, I wanted it to be longer, but inspiration isn't bought. And unless the IM is real, then we're drawing this particular story to a near close.