They woke up to a smell of apples, and a breeze washed over the house. They supposed Steve was cooking again, and decided no time like the present to get up. They walked through the arch, and found the most extraordinary thing. Pinkie Pie appeared to be watching a mob tank, and Steve was behind her. They were both moving back and forth in tandem, and Pinkie's mouth was moving. Blushes spread quickly among the others.

"Pinkie Pie? What are you doing?"

Pinkie turned around, and smiled. "Oh hi guys! Steve and I were just singing a tune, watching the creepies and the crawlies fight his dogs! Care to join?"

Their blushes were gone, and they kicked themselves for even thinking of it. They sat down at the table, munching on their food. Steve came up and they still couldn't help but blush. Steve didn't seem perturbed, however, and spoke with a clear voice. "I think, in light of recent events, we should go to the End sooner than originally planned. Herobrine is, as he said, immortal. And I can't put you all in danger meant for me. We will go to the End tonight, which still gives us time to prepare and train. Yes, train. It's a dragon, black as night, and we'll need all of our knowledge to... hey! What are you doing over there!"

Pinkie Pie was in the mob tank, throwing confetti and streamers all around. Creepers stood there, and just tilted their heads in confusion. Pinkie skipped about, oblivious to Steve banging ion the glass, screaming. She saw him, and skipped out to him, wearing a stupid hat. "Hey Steve, wanna join?" She blew a horn in his face, leaving his hair and goatee in a mess. As he shook his head, she tried to jump into the tank again, but Steve grabbed her tail.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF NOTCH ARE YOU DOING!"

Pinkie shrank back, and frowned slightly. "Sorry, I thought they needed cheering up, they've got frowny-drowny faces. And those zombies look a bit... dead in sense of humor."

Steve looked at Pinkie, puzzled as a pig without a farm to jump on. "Of course they're not humorous, they're dead! What did you expect, for them to jump around and sing 'don't mine at night'? Ridiculous!"

Pinkie started giggling uncontrollably. "You're funny when your hair's on one side!"

Steve rolled his eyes, and no sooner did he do this that a Creeper came up to him, and put a party hat on him. Steve was paralyzed, but the Creeper had a smile, for once in its life. But he soon recovered his state of mind, and whipped around to strike the Creeper. When he struck, a final frown covered its face, and it vanished.

"Stupid Creeper thingies, blowin' a hole in my place."

Steve wiped his sword, and turned back to the mares, and Spike. Seeing them staring at him, Steve saw the open window space, and tried to jump through it, but failed. He grumbled, kicking the space. "Stupid window thingy, blocking a hole in my... what?"

"Steve, that Creeper just wanted a hug."

"But Pinkie..."

"NO BUTS, mister! I am quite frankly appled that... wait no, I'm appalled that you'd kill poor Ivanhoe."

Steve blinked. "You gave it a name?"

"Yes."

The other mares rolled their eyes, knowing Pinkie's sense of urgency, which wasn't much, was going to delay them. Steve took a long breath, and colected himself. "Alright, as I was saying, we'll need all our strength and knowledge to defeat it. Once we do, it will drop an egg. What we'll do with it, that's another discussion entirely. But it will also open a portal. This is the last portal known to me that exists, so this must be the one. Everypony ready? Good, gather the supplies and tools, we'll need 'em. Retrieve some blocks to build with, bridges and shelters will be mandatory. This will be my most challenging feat yet, and I've spent years preparing for it. We can do this."

Twilight had a question, however. "Steve, it's a dragon, yes? Can we try and let Spike talk to him? Or at least have him search for a weakness?"

Steve scratched his goatee in thought. "Yes, I suppose that could work, yes. Good idea, Ms. Sparkle."

Twilight blushed, not ever having been called that before. Steve grabbed his supplies, food, weapons and tools, a large book, and armor. He donned these items, determination set in his face. Wind blew through the chamber, and the torches flickered. They made their way towards the portals, saying prayers to Celestia and Notch for guidance and survival. The portal chamber smelled of sulfur and a light scent of dragon breath. They stood at the edges of the portal, and fear and curiosity overwhelmed them.

"If we don't make it, it's been a wonderful time getting acquainted with you all."

The mares and Spike smiled, knowing they could die in this portal. But they were glad that it could be with each other. Steve held them back still, waiting. "We need to be sure every last objective is carried out. If we die, that's it. So, before we do this, I'm glad you got stuck here, no offense. It's been nice. Now, on the count of three, we all jump, ready? One, two, THREE!"

Author's Note

Will our heroes meet a heinous and daring death? Will they ever see the sun set over their city? Find out next ti-

SHUT UP!

*sigh* Fine, you ruin everything.