Chapter Text
Vortex was planning to ask Cube a few things. A stasis pearl was not convenient. Vortex wanted a teleporter that he could use to avoid ender pearl stasis chambers so nobody trapped him. A place where he didn't need someone at the chamber to teleport him. It could spawn him at basewhen he wanted. That is why Vortex is standing around Cube's house, wings flapping nervously. A doorbell rang, with a bell connected to a scanner. Cube opened the door and stepped out.
"What'cha want?" Cube asked.
"I would like a teleporter. It would be a stasis, but I can activate it and there is no pearl."
"I have a few prototypes I want to test. It seems to work enough. Come tomorrow. I need a tester, and it seems solid enough. I sent an Enderman in, it worked, but I can't try it on players who are not End hybrids or mobs. The teleport only works using Void power. That makes it so that only those with a connection to the End can use it."
Vortex was about to thank him when the alarm went off. The door slammed open and Clown came in.
"Vortex, you were at Cube's all along, eh? That's why Rek couldn't find you. Cube, Vortex, something happened and now the Nether just broke. The people in the Nether are fine at the moment but everyone needs to meet at spawn in 10 minutes if possible." Clown said, his calm personality turning more nervous. Both Cube and Vortex checked their comms for messages. Mapicc was in the Nether with Spoke, who people are blaming and threatening him. If even Clown was worried, things were bad.
"We can be there. What to you mean, the Nether broke?" Cube said.
"Meet me at spawn, I think they're discussing it there. All I know is that portals are not working." Clown said, exiting in the direction of spawn.
Both Vortex and Cube were worried. It could be a trap, but Clown is good at keeping calm. He could have killed both of them there if he wanted. He didn't, so it should be safe. Both gave each other a look that said "We should go." Just like that, both went to spawn.
"... No, he is trapped!"
"He can fix it!"
"No! It might make things worse if Spoke gets involved!"
Yep. Normal server meeting. Vortex walked in and Cube was behind him.
"Anyone care to tell us what we missed?" Vortex said.
"Planet thinks getting Spoke involved is a good idea!" Red said.
"If he can pull off that Wormhole glitch, he can get everyone out of the Nether!" Planet defended.
"Who was stuck?" Cube asked.
"Spoke, Zam, Mapicc, Bacon, Branzy, and Subz." Rek said.
"Yeah. Parrot was in the End and he can get in and out just fine. It just applies to the Nether." Clown said.
"It was probably Spoke breaking things to trap everyone in, and now everyone in the Nether is trapped under his rules." Planet said.
"You just can't handle Spoke targeting you in the Wormhole event." Vitalasy accused. "It isn't Spoke."
"Cube, do you have a Redstone device to help?"
"I haven't tried it yet. Vortex was going to ask for a teleporter device. It only works on Ender creatures. I haven't tested it yet though."
"I can try." Vortex said.
"I would hope so, you are the only one able to do it." Cube said.
Vortex took the device. "What do I do?"
"Press the green button, then think of the place you want to go. It hasn't been tested though, so good luck. If you don't come back in a day, you probably won't come back." Cube said.
In a flash, Vortex was gone. The problem was that the teleporter was still there. Vortex was probably stuck in the Nether with the rest of the LifestealSMP members there. That is a problem...
Vortex woke up with a tired yawn in the middle of a forest. This was NOT the Nether. Oops? The Teleporter was gone. He was lost, but a flight can change that. Flapping his wings, Vortex flies into the sky. Scanning for any signs of people, he spots a small town. Who lives so close to someone if they don't want to die? Never mind. It wasn't familiar, but it would have to do. Gliding down, he folded his wings. He was about to knock on a house when someone bumped into him. Vortex drew his sword. The person, no, child who he ran into screamed and ran away. Serves him right. Going to the local food store, it was huge. Even Clown couldn't compare with his casino. Going in, he got hostile looks, someone shouting "DEMON" at him. There was none of that on Lifesteal. He grabbed a few apples and went to the person selling it.
"How much?" Vortex asked.
"Uhh... A dollar."
Vortex pulled out a copper ingot. The guy said "No, I take real money. Like, cash or coin. You want to sell gold... "
Vortex got impatient and grabbed the apples, walking out the door. When the alarm went off Vortex flew away. There was an angry guy chasing him. Too bad he can't fly, the idiot was never going to get Vortex when he was thousands of feet in the sky. Okay, Vortex has food. There was a stream not far away from here. Water was easy to get from a stream. Making camp near the stream makes sense. Avoiding people also made sense. Vortex thought people would be okay, he could base with one of them and farm materials. Nobody cares at the moment though. They all want to take him down because he stole some apples. Vortex thought that copper was worth more than those apples, so he should have gotten them anyway.
Vortex made camp near the stream. It was small, nothing like Rek's house or Clown's casino. About three trees worth of planks was not a bad deal. It was furnished with a bed, a double chest, a crafting table, and a furnace. It was dark, and phantoms were annoying, so he slept.
Early morning Vortex woke up, got a drink from the stream, ate an apple, and took off into the sky. He was looking for a place that sold maps. Spotting a board with a map, Vortex studied it. He was in a place called America. There were free maps, so Vortex cautiously took one. He was in a place called Utah. Who names a place Utah? There was a mountain nearby that would make a good base. He could make a bigger base there instead of a random location in the woods. He saw people in those woods earlier too...
Gathering anything valuable he flew to the mountain. He could see a town nearby. They should be fine so long as they stayed away from him. Building an actually decent base, Vortex saw a person walking on the trail near his house. Vortex would keep him away.
"Get away from my house, this is my area, dude." Vortex said, hoping the guy got the hint. He kept his wings behind his back, the stranger didn't need to know he was a hybrid.
"Wait, Vortex! Scince when did you live here?" the stranger, who looked and sounded like Rek said.
"Rek? What are YOU doing here? Did Cube try it on you too? Wait, the thing only works on End hybrids, did Cube change it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Okay, do you want to see my new house?"
"Uhh."
"Careful as always, but don't worry. You could probably beat me in a fight."
"Okay, why not?"
Vortex turned, stretching his wings.
"This way!" Vortex said, pointing a wing in the direction of his house. Rek just staared and backed away slowly.
"You aren't Vortex, you're the Demon!"
"I'm not the demon, Mapicc is. I'm a dragon. The main difference is that demons are born in the Nether where it's boiling, and dragon hybrids are born in the End where it's freezing. Did you forget something or are you not really Rek, the master at escaping traps?" That seemed to make Rek remember something, so Vortex let him think.
"Fine, take me to your house or something. I didn't think you were a dragon, but if you say so? Also please don't rob me."
"I would never rob you. The guy wanted a dollar, whatever that is, so I tried compromising with him. Not my fault he didn't want copper and I was hungry." Vortex ended up at base in a minute, opening the door and inviting Rek in.
"I only have apples right now. I couldn't find any animals fit for hunting yet." Vortex said. Pulling an apple out of his inventory he held one out to Rek.
"No thanks, I have suff at home." Rek said. Vortex just shrugged and started eating.
"Okay, first we have to get Cube. He would know how to rebuild the teleporter. Then we use it to get home or to the Nether. It might not work though, so I think getting back to the others is better. I think we were supposed to have the teleporter when we got here. Cube sent you because he had a solution, right?"
Rek listened, but he seemed more confused than before. "Okay. This is different than I thought. Vortex, come to my house, I need to show you something." Vortex listened. It seemed like Rek had a nice house compared to him. Entering the house, wings held tight against his back, Vortex entered.It had furnace thingies and a black panel of glass attatched to the wall. Rek got a small black screen thingy that was similar to the one on the wall but it was small. Rek pressed a button an the thing lit up.
"What's that?" Vortex asked.
"A phone, watch." Rek said, swiping a few things on the screen and tapping on something called Youtube. He typed in Vort3xDragon, that is NOT his name, he isn't complaining though. Rek clicked on something and his voice started playing. Startled, Vortex pulled a sword out. Rek panicked and dropped the thing on the couch.
"How did you get a sword."
""I have it because I was planning to go to the Nether, duh. I don't want to fight a horde of blazes without a sword, and it's pure Netherite. It won't burn if it falls in lava."
"Okay. Can you put it away?"
Vortex shoved it in hisinventory. "You wanted to show me something?" Vortex said.
"Oh. Don't freak out and pull out a sword again, then?"
"Sure."
The video played with a very blocky version of home. It was nice watching himself. The problem was that his wings were missing. So was his tail. He also looked very blocky. It was after the show ended when Rek explained things.
"Come upstairs to my gaming room. I can show you the SMP." Rek said.
Vortex followed Rek into the room. There was something on a table. Rek turned it on and opened something called Minecreaft. He got onto the SMP. It wasblocky, but it was home.
"Wait, can you contact Cube thrrough here?"
"I don't know. Now that you saw this though, I can tell you all I know. I am not from Lifesteal, I assume you are though. You probably thought I was. The Vortex I know doesn't live inside of Lifesteal. I know another version of you. I can call Cube if you want. I can call anyone on the SMP."
"Call everyone you can, please."
"Okay. Jaron can probably come here, just wait a bit. Parrot can come, so can Spoke. The rest are too far."
"Tomorrow is fine. Can I sleep here?"
"Yes."
The next morning was full of cleaning Rek's house for guests. Vortex hunted some animals. Apparently he can hunt sheep and the like so long as he allows spawning. The sheep spawn and he kills them. At the end of the hour he had enough mutton, pork, beef, and chicken to last a while. He cooked it. That would be dinner. Once they finished Parrot ended up coming. For now Vortex hid his wings and tail. He really resisted the urge to flap his wings and lash his tail. Parrot was missing the iconic wings and beak Vortex was used to. Parrot asked if he was okay and Vortex told him to wait for everyone. Spoke arrived with Jaron. Now that anyone who could make it was here, Vortex looked to Rek.
"We have a problem." Rek says.
"Yeah, if this is a prank I will have Parrot and Jaron back me up as I destroy you. Parrot would definitely back me up. He drove a few hours to get here, and I took a plane." Spoke said.
"Can I tell them or do you want to show them?" Rek asks Vortex.
"Thank god, I'll show them, let me go take my sweatshirt off."
Vortex sprinted to the bathroom and a few people asked if he was okay. He would be fine once he could freely move his wings and tail! Taking his oversized sweatshirt off and letting his wings move made him relax. He went back out, purple and black wings flapping wildly and his tail thrashing around.
"God that's so much better." Vortex said, flying a bit and crashing into the celing. The others were just confused and surprised. Of course Spoke had something to say.
"Vortex is the Demon! Dude, you should not have kept that from us! Can you do magic?"
"I am a dragon. Go call Mapicc a demon. I am a dragon, and dragon hybrids can do much cooler stuff than demons." To prove his point, Vortex made three purple fireballs and started juggling. Rek got scared his house could burn down, so Vortex threw a fireball on the floor and it never caught anything on fire, nor did it burn anything. Spoke tried to throw Rek's pillow at him. Vortex caught the pillow, tossed it to the side, and death glared Spoke. He sent a fireball straight at Spoke, everyone panicking, and when it hit Spoke just stared at it.
"This fire isn't burning me? How?" Spoke said, and everyone had relieved looks on their faces
"I am a dragon, not a demon, so I can control my fire. I made it warm, but not hot. A demon can't do that, a dragon can." Vortex said. He put the fire on Spoke out.
"Wait, can you roar?" Spoke asked.
"I can, but my instincts are going crazy already. If I do that, I might go dragon mode."
"Why is that bad? I kind of want to see. Parrot and Jaron are talking with Rek, I want to have fun with you."
"It isn't bad. I just like to have some dignity left. It actually is very pleasant."
"Then do it!"
"Fine, don't do anything mean to me. I remember it all and I will truly set you on fire if you do something wrong. I am a dragon shifter, so if I shift, don't freak out."
With that, Vortex let his instincts win, the more dragon part of him taking over.
Spoke was unsure what any of that meant until Vortex started chasing his tail. It was awfully funny, Vortex landing in a giant heap on the ground. Spoke noticed long horns that were not there before. Vortex ended up surrounding himself in fire for a second, and when Spoke looked for Vortex, he found a small purple-black dragon about the size of a cat. That's how Spoke ended up with a tiny dragon basically attatched to him.
While Vortex sat on his shoulder, Spoke pet the small dragon. It earned him a few purrs and Vortex nuzzling closer to him. After a few minutes, the door opened and Rek, Parrot, and Jaron looked for Vortex. Rek called Vortex over and was met with a small roar. Rek looked over to the couch, where Spoke was sleeping with a small black and purple dragon on top of him.
"Are you Vortex? You didn't tell me you could do that!" Rek said. Vortex roared and flew onto Rek's shoulder. Rek gave Parrot a look that said 'help' and Parrot took Vortex and put him on Spoke. Spoke woke up because Parrot dropped Vortex on his face.
"Bruh, I was sleeping!" Spoke said.
"Take your pet dragon. I don't want him."
"He isn't a pet! It's Vortex! Let him go where he wants!"
At that moment Vortex jumps on Parrot and clings to his shoulder. Parrot grabs a leash and collar from somewhere and attatches it to Vortex.
"That's a terrible idea, Parrot." Spoke warns. "That little guy is stronger than you think. He's awfully smart too."
When Vortex realizes the leash he jumps off Parrot and bites it in half. He then flies to Spoke, who takes off the collar and leash before throwing it at Parrot.
"What did I ever do to you!"
"You hurt my only friend. How dare you." Vortex flew over and scratched Parrot. He returned to Spoke and starts purring.
"Dragons can purr?" Parrot asked.
"When they like someone" Spoke replied, petting Vortex. More purring happened. When Parrot reached over, Vortex growled loudly and opened his mouth, fire visible.
"Rek, I regret thinking this trip was not worth it. I have a friend now, dude! I love dragons. This is not a problem. I love this, dude!" Spoke said. Everyone but Vortex sighs and facepalms.
"That isn't the problem, Spoke. He isn't supposed to be here. He's from a different universe. That also means our Vortex is gone. I haven't heard anything from our Vortex since before the apples were stolen. I even asked if he was okay. This Vortex replaced ours." Rek said.
"What is his universe like! Dude, if more of his kind are there can I move in with him?"
"No. I don't think there are that many more dragons, but I don't know how long you could survive there. None of us could probably survive."
"He survives there, Vortex is alive."
"Vortex basically lives in a non blocky version of Lifesteal. He probably died more than once, and he probably killed someone more than once dtoo."
"He lives on the SMP?"
"Yep." With that, anyone who wasn't asleep already fell asleep.
Vortex felt much calmer. He should really stop ignoring his instincts, but he needs to talk with someone... That someone was sleeping. Vortex set his bed on fire, careful to keep it at a warm temperature so it was not enough to be uncomfortable .
"Ack, why is my bed on fire?" Parrot screeched. Then he saw it climbing his shirt. His screech woke everyone up. By this point Parrot was a fireball and when people came to check it out Spoke laughed, took some fire from Parrot, and threw it at Parrot. While Parrot was panicking, Vortex put a collar on Parrot and attatched a leash. Parrot tried undoing it, but it was a solid metal band with a chain leash welded to it. When Vortex cleared the fire, Parrot was standing there, studying the collar.
"How dare you. I should not be on a leash. Rek, Jaron, help meeeee!"
Both came over and laughed at Parrot.
"Did you learn your lesson, Parrot?" Vortex asked.
"Yes!" Parrot said.
"Never leash a dragon, Parrot. I was following my instincts yesterday. If I hadn't been able to resist my instincts, I would have killed you. I was barely able to control myself. Last time someone did somethig stupid they died. Everything was fine after I told him it was an accident and gave him the extra heart, but from what Rek told me you are in hardcore. I can't give you the extra life. If you die, it's over for you. That's why I fought so hard to not kill you. Never do that again. Anyways, who else from the SMP lives nearby?"
That was easy. The list came out. He can do that. Flying to pick someone up. In his biggest form, the entire SMP could fly with him. so when Spoke asked how they get there, Vortex led them to an open area on the mountain. He put the people in a pouch around his neck, it would be much faster and less dangerous. They snagged as many Lifesteal members as they could. An extra number of people who'se adresses were still unknown were asked if some Lifesteal member could come. Then they had as many as they could, only the ones who knew were in the smaller pouch, but Spoke was on Vortex's back, complete with a nice seat.
They all went to Rek's house and Vortex let Spoke, Rek, and Jaron out. He untied the pouch and forced them into the house. Any exit was sealed off, phones had already been broken or removed, the people had no chance of escape. If this counts as kidnapping, who cares. They even got Clown and Leo. Vortex shifted back to normal. He walks in and scans the crowd.
"Uhh, sorry if this feels like kidnapping? We needed to have a meetup ASAP so we did this. Anyone hurt?" A few people nod so Vortex takes a splash potion of healing and uses it. A bunch of them look around as any soreness or pain was cured.
"So. I am not the same Vortex you guys know? That's what Rek said. I am from the SMP and I need to get back. Your Vortex might die, and I don't know what happens if he does. He probably has one life."
"Where did the big dragon that picked us up go?" Branzy said
Vortex shifted. Hopefully his instincts stop being so strong. Shifting always makes him more dragonlike. He was the small dragon. He found Spoke and sat on his shoulder. He then shifted back, both of them falling on the floor.
"I am a dragon hybrid. That was the small version of me. I'm unshifted now. The big form is my largest, and my medium form is a bit bigger than a horse." Vortex said.
"I am a normal human. This is the only version of me. This version of me is still on the floor with a minor headache." Spoke said, still on the floor. The group laughed at that.
"I don't like this situation. Can we leave?" Clown said. Only Vortex could notice the hint of dangerous panic in Clown's voice. Nobody else knew what to do.
"Not yet. I know what would make you feel better though."
Vortex shifted into his small form, curling against Clown. He relaxed within seconds. Everyone stared at him.
"How did you know? I didn't even know!" Clown asked. Vortex let out a small roar. Spoke got jealous though, so Vortex was taken from Clown and put on Spoke's shoulder. Vortex shifted back.
"My universe's Clownpierce loves it. Might as well try. I also know you like a sword by your side, but that's probably because you don't want to die. I like a sword by my side too. Here, it's wooden so that you don't hurt anyone. I have it to calm myself down."
Now that Clown had a sword he kind of relaxed. He knew it was not a good weapon, but he relaxed.
"Don't worry. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't stand a chance." Vortex took his netherite sword out to prove that. "I just want to get home, solve the portal issue without a teleporter, and laugh with the friends who have only killed me a few times." That comment got people looking at him.
"That makes no sense." Planet said.
"You can't be killed more than once unless you're a demon. Then I guess you got killed to become a demon, and again if someone can kill you." Mapicc said.
"You should know the best out of everyone that Netherborn hybrids are just normal players with a bit of magic, like a worse version of a dragon. Demons also lack control of their abilities. I've seen you set Zam on fire before. You tried to copy me, but demons can't control their fire. Oh. Wait, I forgot you aren't from Lifesteal. That explains a ton. Watch." Vortex flung a fireball at Spoke, who smiled to the server and played dead. The server freaked out, Clown pulling his wooden sword out and accidentally scraping himself.
"Dude, Hell is actually not that bad guys!" Spoke said. The server freaked out. Spoke was wearing fake wings and a tail, his hair set on fire. The entire server turned to him, scared. Spoke and Vortex wink, promising each other to troll the server. When Spoke held out his hand, ready to throw a fireball, Vortex created one there and let Spoke throw it onto the floor.
"Spoke, I'm so sorry, nobody who isn't born there should go through that. Who do you need?"
"Mapicc. The King wants him to transfer." Mapicc stared at Spoke. "Sorry Mapicc, You have to die. You might be good and get a second chance like me!"
At that, Spoke shot Vortex's fireballs at Mapicc. They all hit. To the Lifesteal members surprise, Mapicc didn't drop dead or burn. Spoke laughed so hard he fell over. Eventually Spoke ran straight into the fire, taking his fake wings and tail off.
"It's warm, but isn't burning me…" Mapicc said.
"Yes. I love Vortex's fire, I can just chill in it and I won't die." Spoke said back. The moment Spoke said that Vortex put all the fire out.
"Cube. I need you to build a teleporter. I really want to go home." Vortex said.
"I doubt I could. I do the Lifesteal SMP in Minecraft, not magic. You also kidnapped me, why should I try?"
"Fine-" At that moment, Parrot crashed into the floor. He went through the roof and made a large hole in the first hole. Vortex immediately splash potioned him. This was the real Parrot. His friend and the admin of Lifesteal.
"Are you good? I have some emergency gapples, here." Vortex offered.
"I have my own. We used the teleporter in the End so I could come. Who are they?" Parrot gestures with his wing to the SMP.
"Congrats. You traveled across a universe. There are versions of us. Now what."
"We fixed the Nether issue." Parrot said. There was panic in the other room. then Rek barged in, out of breath.
"Parrot vanished in front of us. Who is that?" Rek asked Vortex.
"I'm Parrot. Hi. I'm the admin of Lifesteal." Parrot's words were strained from burying his instincts. Rek just thought he was hurt from falling. Vortex knew though, so he whistled a song.
"Vortex. Stop, it hurts."
"Let your instincts take over."
"There is no way! If I shift, I could get hurt!" Parrot winced and tensed up. The second Vortex chirped it was over. The fake chirp had Parrot lose to his instincts.
"THERE ARE MORE OF YOU!" Zam yelled.
"What happened to our Parrot?" Rek asked.
"He was probably with us in our world. Got replaced or something. Like Vortex, his reaction was funny." Parrot said. He wasn't logical for long though, each word painful. He fought the urge to shift, but he did.
"Parrot, bro, chill." Spoke said.
Parrot was not chill. He flew around the room and destroyed stuff. He bit Vortex multiple times and hurt his beak. He landed on Spoke and slept.
"You got both of us, eh?" Vortex said
The next day Parrot was happier and explained everything.
If there was no way back then... why did Parrot come?
"But, I have two teleporters. In my inventory. So problem solved."
Oh. That works. Yep. Both teleported home and met the server. They had a ton of fun, and for once nobody killed anyone. Even Team Awesome and the 3-heart trio got along.
But what did the other Vortex think, surrounded by people he knew, but had complete different personalities?