'This... Is not how I'd expected the day to go.'
'Same bro, same - Wait what?!'

''Suh, dude.' Vik waved, half a second later being glomped by a certain tall Australian as the blond hugged him tightly.

'My Lords, mate, you've been gone for ages!'
'It's only been a few weeks, Lachy... But it's good to see you, too.' The coffee-skinned teenager grinned, managing to pull his own arms free to embrace his younger friend as the others had their own reunions. The pair's hug lasted a bit longer than normal hugs would, but they were best friends, so it was fine. 'What's been going on over here since last time?'

Lachlan shrugged as they eventually parted, keeping a wing around the shorter boy to provide shelter from the snow as he looked around. 'Nothing, really. A ton of snowball fights, a few rogue Orespawns trying to attack - But they didn't get far, don't worry.'
'If you say so...'
'Then yesterday, things got weird. Apparently Rob went missing two nights ago, but I only found out about it like an hour ago.' He frowned in concern for his friend, but pushed it back and continued. 'His Dad said that he was gonna bring the note found in Rob's room yesterday, so we might be able to find out where he's gone.'

'Think you're going to need any help finding him?'
'It depends on the severity of the situation. I don't want you getting hurt, so if it's too dangerous then you're gonna stay here for... Whatever you're here for.'
The Brit rolled his eyes but nodded, pressing into Lachlan's side as a particularly chilly wind hit. Smirking, he tightened his wing around Vik's body as he tuned back into the conversation that was going on at that moment '-Latsky gets here, then we can sort out search parties if it's too obscure.'

'Can't we just do that now? It gives us something to do.'
'True. Hm... I suggest Kenny, Choco, Preston, Lachlan, Mitch, Jerome and Vik go together, and I'm pretty sure - Yo, where did Vik go?'
Lachlan moved his wing again, allowing the group to see their friend before shutting him in once more. Kenny and Choco rolled their eyes at eachother, while the majority of the group either shook their heads or facepalmed as Brandon laughed before continuing. 'Honestly, I'm not surprised. I'll be going with Marina, Adam, Harvey and Jason, but this is only if the location's too unspecific. Everyone good with that?'

With the group all voicing their agreements, the slime hybrid gave a slight thumbs-up before turning his attention to the seemingly empty Wolf House 'He should be out by now, actually. I think he lost the note.'
'It's probably nothing to worry about, anyway. Rob probably fell asleep somewhere.' Preston attempted to make sense of the situation, but even he had his doubts. What if something bad had happened to his friend? What if he was laying somewhere, anywhere, possibly even at the bottom of cliff because he'd fallen.

What if he was dead?

'Preston, you're heating up again.' Blinking back into reality, he noted this fact and tried to calm himself down. This was a new... feature, really, almost a habit he'd developed since passing back through the barrier, so whenever he felt threatened (or in this case, extremely worried/concerned) his skin would heat up as if it truly was made of lava.
"I mean, technically I am, but that's not the point... No, you're getting yourself worked up again. It's gonna be nothing."

You tell yourself that, little lava mob.

He yelled out in alarm, practically jumping out of his skin as the other hybrids showed similar reactions. There was a dark chuckle that resonated through the air, and Preston could've sworn that Lachlan's eyes flashed red for a second until they returned to their usual blue.
'You.' The Australian spat, releasing Vik from his wings as he looked around for the voice. It's owner laughed once more, and some kind of invisible force seemed to shove to blond back as his eyes flashed red again.

Now now Lachlan, your tone makes it sound as if you hate me!

'You know exactly why I would hate you, I could've killed somebody because of what you did!'

But you did, didn't you? Poor Salt, all alone and in pain during his dying moments, all because you were too weak - Yet you think you're strong enough to protect the ones you love? A hovering man appeared in the middle of them group, oak-brown hair shifting in the wind as snowflakes danced around him. He stretched out a hand in the blond's direction and brought it forwards, with the dragon hybrid seeing Vik fly by and into his grasp.

Now young dragon, listen closely. If you agree not to come for your friend, you can have this kid back. Or, you can let the dog try to attack and I'll kill them both.

Jerome snarled at the man but stood from his lunging position. He smirked, ivory eyes flashing with satisfaction as he began to squeeze at Vik's neck. What's it going to be, Power?

"...I can't pick between them. I can't choose!"
"It's okay, I'll go with him."
"NO!"

No private talks, you two. The man scolded. He was running out of time before his brothers caught wind of his presence, and couldn't wait any longer.

Fine, keep the boy- Vik was thrown to the ground a few feet away, and Lachlan growled at the man while kneeling at the Brit's side. -But don't think this has made it any easier on your friend. Adios, freaks.

And with that, his body folded in on itself and popped out of existence. Nobody moved for a few seconds, save for Lachlan helping his friend to sit up, until Brandon kicked the ground with frustration 'That little - I can not believe this!'
'Pete?'
'He's the one that took me from the 'Lands. I'd forgotten his name at first, but now I remember. I know who we're dealing with, and we are way out of our league.'

'Brandon, mate, what're you on about?'
'The man - The guy who's taken Rob, the guy who tormented Lachlan, who...' The teenager paused, putting his hands on his head and taking a deep breath while looking at his group.
'Boys, we're dealing with a myth. A legend, really, because our parents have fought him once before.'

'Brandon, I get what you're saying, but please do not tell me you're saying-you're saying-'
Choco didn't have to finish the sentence, as a name popped into the back of their heads all at once. Even the Village hybrids somehow knew who it was, and Preston's eyes widened in both shock and fear.
'You think; Herobrine!?'

'I'd know those eyes anywhere. Rob's been kidnapped by an insane god, which means he's being kept in the fortress of Hellfire. Whatever he wants Rob for, they're in the Nether.'

-------------------

8/8 gr8 observation m8.

So yes, Rob's been kidnapped by Herobrine.

WHATCHU DOIN' TOUCHING THE PSYCHIC ONE M8 FIGHT ME- Oh wait I wrote this script didn.t I.

...

*Casually makes a note to make Herobrine punch himself in the face later on.*

See you all in the next chapter, and have a great Morning - Afternoon - Evening - Dawn - Dusk - Midnight - Paranormal Timezone!