The Burning ~ Dreamnotfound + Skephalo

Chapter 10: Stayin' Frosty

          "The portal is just up here," A6D says, pointing ahead of him. "It's the same one you guys took when you visited the Nether before." Dream was thankful that they had their horses. The desert village wasn't far from the portal, but on horseback, the trip went by much faster. Sapnap ended up riding with Skeppy because Bad partnered up with A6D. It was probably for the best anyway. Sapnap and Dream were both ready to snap at A6D at any moment.
          As they rode, Lily sent her time shooting arrows at the things they passed. She'd ask Dream if he thought she could hit a certain tree branch or a chicken in the distance. Dream didn't even need to know what she was aiming at to know that she would hit her target. She always did. She was trained by the best after all.
          "So, what exactly is our plan here?" Sapnap asks. "The way Vincent described this fortress made it seem like it'd be hard to get in undetected."
          "We can figure it out when we get there," Dream responds. "All I know is one of us is going to have to stay in the overworld with Lily."
          Lily lowers her bow upon hearing her name. "Wait, why? I want to go with you!"
          "It's too dangerous," Dream replies. "You're just a kid."
          "I'm going to the Nether, Dream," Lily says, pouting.
          "How about we talk about it later?" Dream asks.
          Lily sighs. "Fine. But I get to hug George first when we find him."
          Dream leans into her ear and says, "I can't promise anything!" He then tickles her. Her giggle puts a smile on everyone's face, even Sapnap who was trying his best to look scary in front of A6D. But their smiles fall when they see the remains of the abandoned village in front of them. A6D looks down as if he was avoiding eye-contact with the village for some reason. They push on and decide to tie the horses up at the well in the middle of the village then begin heading in the direction of the portal.
          Before making it to the portal, Dream stops to look out at the field where they fought the Wither. The land was still horribly misshapen, but grass had grown around the chunks of dirt that were exposed that day. Dream could still vividly remember that day. The way that Skeppy proved that he could carry his own in a fight. The way that Bad saved Dream's life at the last second. The way George and Sapnap learned how much they needed each other. It was ok that day the Dream knew he had found his forever family. Sure, they were dysfunctional and broken at the moment, but they were a family nonetheless.
          Sapnap walks up beside Dream and looks out onto the field. "What a day that was, huh?" Dream nods. "You know, if I could go back and relive that day, I would. I felt so alive. So free. I was scared, but so excited because I knew that we'd make it out alive."
          "What made you so sure?" Dream asks.
          "Have you met our team?" Sapnap says, gesturing to Bad and Skeppy who were talking to Lily. "We're badasses! We are untouchable. Especially you, dude. I don't know how you've gone this long without dying."
          Dream sadly laughs. "It's because George saved me every time."
          Sapnap nods. "He saved us all in one way or another." He then grabs Dream's arm and drags him towards the Nether portal room. "Let's go return the favor."
          The portal was just like they had left it, the only difference being a layer of dust on the journal as well as the chest and brewing stand along the wall. Dream walked over to the portal and closed his eyes, listening to the portal call for him. He could feel its purple particles dance on his bare neck. He reached out for it, but Bad pulled him away from it.
          "So, how are we doing this?" Bad asks. "I don't think Lily should go in with us, but she could be very useful there."
          Skeppy crosses his arms and shakes his head. "She's not going, Darryl. I'm putting my foot down on this one." His statement was met with Bad's giggles. "What?" Skeppy asks.
          Bad collects himself. "You're not exactly the responsible type, so it's funny seeing you so passionate about something."
          "Hey! I can be responsible AND I can have a lot of passion!" Skeppy says. "And, let's be honest here, Dream and Sapnap would both vote for her to stay anyway." Both Dream and Sapnap nod in agreement. "I think Bad should stay here and watch Lily while the rest of us go after George."
          "I want to help George too!" Bad exclaims.
          "You are better with Lily than any of us. She looks at you as a father-figure unlike the rest of us. That's why I think you should be the one to stay," Skeppy explains.
          Bad shifts his weight on his feet as he thinks it over. "What if you get hurt? Or worse? Skeppy, I don't want you to go in there by yourself."
          Skeppy kisses Bad's cheek, shocking him. Bad raises a hand up to his cheek, which was not turning bright red. "I'll be back before you know it!" Skeppy says with a smile. "Besides, I want to talk to you about something when I get back."
          Bad becomes a flustered mess as soon as Skeppy finishes his sentence, only managing to say a quick, "Ok." Sapnap and A6D jump into the portal first, quickly being transported into the Nether. Dream laughs and grabs Skeppy by his hood, dragging him into the portal. Skeppy shyly waves at Bad, then vanishes into the purple portal.
          Dream takes a deep breath as he feels the heat of the Nether settle on his skin. He looks around at the landscape and realizes that it looks much different than when he was in there last time. He noticed the colorful forests as well as the zombie piglins around him. He then turns his attention back to Skeppy. "So, you're finally trying to confess your unrequited love to Bad?"
          Skeppy blushes. "Please don't make this a big deal."
          "How long have you known you liked him?" Sapnap asks.
          Skeppy shrugs. "I don't know for sure, but it's been since before the pillagers took me."
          Dream's jaw drops. "So you're telling me that you've liked him for almost four years and you've never told him?!"
          Skeppy pulls on his hoodie strings, closing his hood up. "Shut up."
          "Guys! It's this way!" A6D yells, pointing at a path in the netherrack. "Everyone stay close and stay quiet. We don't want the piglings coming to get you." Everyone readies their weapons, preparing themselves to be attacked. Even A6D grabbed a potion from his backpack and held it in his hand tightly.
          "Why does the Nether look so different now?" Dream asks.
          A6D shrugs. "I don't know! Things just started growing. I guess you can say this place got an update. I like it much better than how this place used to look. The trees are a nice change of scene."
          "I am so ready to kick Techno's ass!" Sapnap cheers. "No one messes with Georgie and gets away with it. Only I'm allowed to mess with him. It's my job."
          As Sapnap and A6D walk ahead of them, Dream slows down when he notices Skeppy staring out into the Nether, frozen. "Hey, you ok?"
          "I remember this place," Skeppy whispers.
          "Well, of course, you do!" Dream exclaims. "We've been in here before."
          Skeppy shakes his head. "No, I remember something else. I don't know when or why, but I think I was here before I met you. Back when the pillagers had me." He closes his eyes. "I know I told you I was there when the Wither was made, but I can't remember anything else about it." He opens his eyes. "I'm scared, Dream. What if I shut down while we are out there? Just thinking about seeing the pillagers again is making me spiral and I can't do it."
          "Hey! Hey, it'll all be ok. I promise," Dream says reassuringly. "Besides, you need to make it back home to your Darryl."
          Skeppy smiles and nods. "You're right! Let's go." Dream nods and begins walking, missing when Skeppy's smile drops. He looks back out across the landscape and whispers, "I'll be ok."