They collapsed on the floor, panting heavily. The cool, open air was inviting, and the ponies took deep breaths of it. Steve was already back on his hooves, running to his crafting table. As he worked, the others finally regained their composure.

"Whew! That horrid place was too dry for my liking." Rarity was already walking to have a wash.

"Ah agree, that place didn't even look safe for a rattler."

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "It's surprising Pinkie hasn't talked as much during this entire alternate dimension thing. You cool, Pinks?"

Pinkie was still breathing heavily, sweating. "Yeah, I just never expect what's around the next corner and it leaves me in awe. But I should be back to norm-"

Rainbow shoved a hoof to Pinkie's mouth. "You know what, let it keep surprising you. Maybe it'll give you a brain hemorrhage."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Rainbow! That's not funny! Brain hemorrhages are severe bleeding in the brain, which can cause permanent-"

"Yeah yeah, egghead, save it."

Twilight glared at her, and Rainbow faltered under her stare. She knew Twilight's angry side, and didn't like it. Twilight turned to the door, from which came the sounds of Steve building. As they looked around the corner, they saw him with the same glowing blocks from before. He was going out the door, so they followed him. In the clearing, Steve started placing the blocks, one by one until they resembled the Nether portal. He took out a bucket of water, and placed it in the top of the frame, sending a blue light over everything for a brief period. They gazed in awe, as the portal lit up. Steve smiled widely. "Yes! The Aether portal has been built! But first, we need a few more supplies. We need iron, and we need to enchant some armor. There's also three Old Ones, the Sun Spirit, the Slider, and the Valkyrie Queen. They will be difficult to defeat, but it can be done."

He thought a bit, and added, "We must get our diamonds. There is a way to duplicate them, though it shall take a while. I must place them in a furnace, and hit it. Then, i must immediately put it back down, but the rewards will be compensation enough." He went to the kitchen, and grabbed a furnace from the corner. After setting it down in the middle of the floor, he placed the diamonds inside. Then he broke it, and quickly plopped it back down.

"Yes! We need to keep doing this."

They repeated this for hours, with many screw-ups along the way. Finally, they had five hundred and twelve diamonds. Enough for full armor for everybody, and much to spare. They couldn't believe their eyes, and Rarity decided if they ever got out of this realm, she'd marry Steve. Multiplying diamonds, who wouldn't want that? They followed Steve, and he created all the necessary items: armor, tools, and weapons were soon ready. They donned the armor, and soon, as they walked out, Elena Siegcolt's song Pareidolia started playing, and they were walking really slowly.

"Umm... is this normal?"

Steve stopped. "I don't know. Just go with it."

They continued walking slowly, and Pinkie blew her party cannon. Such a mess was never known before. They found themselves a bit closer to the portal. They were wondering when they would get there, when time sped back up. They stood before the portal, glowing and blue. They remembered the drill, and lined up, Steve at the back. They filed through, and even before they entered they felt nauseous. When they emerged, they found themselves above the Earth, and around was a miracle. Floating islands surrounded them on all sides, and clouds floated aimlessly around. They saw several blue bouncy cube things, and some hills off to the side. They wondered where to start, but Steve spoke up.

"We need to find some dungeons, and then get out. It's obvious, or it seems to be obvious, that this isn't your portal. Come on."

They headed for the hills, and saw several of the bouncy cubes coming closer. "Those are Blue Swets, nasty creatures. Stay away from them, whatever you do. They'll toss you up and engulf you in gunge. I don't think we should kill every Old One, but we can try."

The mares raised their eyebrows, but continued. It was going to be a long trip. And a very slimy one at that.

Author's Note

Yep, play Elena Siegman - Pareidolia when you see the reference, up until they find themselves in the Aether.
INNUENDOS!!!
Anywho, next chapter's all about that boss! And maybe cake. You never know, man, you never know. ONWARD, MY FELLOW DEMONS!