I've never written anything for mcyt but your Nether Tango has given me brainrot.
***
For a land thought to be a desolate waste, the Nether was often filled with sound. The crackle of flame, everburning on the porous wrack. The far off wail of a ghast. The strange hoots and grunts of the Piglin tongue, accompanied by the twisted gurgling of their zombified brethren.
Now, though, a chilling shriek echoed through the basalt columns and fungal woods. Three heads searching in all directions for it's quarry. Rattling of bones, it's trailing spine lashing back and forth.
A few quiet, crunching footsteps. Then the whistle of a blade through the humid air. The Wither screamed as the sword cleaved it's body in twain before erupting in smoke.
Tango, prince of these wretched demesnes, reached into the pile of ash and retrieved the glowing star. Against his gloved hands it was still warm, despite the cold bones of the beast he'd slain. Then, with a tight nod, he dropped it into his pocket. At home he had thousands more, a pool of starlight he could dip his hands into and pour out like shimmering coins. He didn't know why he hunted the Withers anymore. Tradition, perhaps.
He made the long trek across the wastes to his home, a palace of blackstone spires. He traced the veins of gold in the stone with one finger, the ring of metal on metal as his gilded claws caught in the ridges. He sighed.
There was a grunt from behind and the prince turned. One of his elite Piglin guards stood at attention, his black uniform and golden pauldron glittering in the dim light. Tango inclined his head.
"The portal has been lit, sire." the guard announced gruffly. His cloven hand tightened on the handle of his golden axe. "We sent through an advanced guard, but they have not returned."
"Not returned?" Tango asked, turning his attention fully on the brutish guard. He'd heard the legends about the world beyond the portal. Of the monstrous creatures that lived there, and spread the virus that had claimed swathes of his subjects. "You don't think the virus - "
"We can't be sure, sire. But I daren't send anymore Pigs through and take that chance," the guard answered.
Tango thought for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll go myself," he announced. He reached instinctively for the comfortable handle of his sword.
"Do you think that wise?" the guard asked, concern wrinkling his scarred snout. Tango shook his head, already striding towards the corridor leading to the armory.
"I'm a prince, what could possibly harm me?"
---
Some time later, Prince Tango stood before the portal. For ages it had stood, obsidian pillars broken and weeping violet tears. A thing of the past, long abandoned. But now it glowed, purple light scattering against the black and red around him.
Tango tugged on his chestplate a bit nervously, unaccustomed to the weight. He'd donned the relic armor, plated in ancient debris. His sword also glinted with an edge of black and gold. His loyal guards stood just a bit behind, watching in apprehension.
"Don't come after me," Tango admonished. "I won't subject any of you to that virus." Without waiting for a reply, Tango stepped through the portal. Swirls of violet filled his vision, and then he was falling.
For a moment he thought nothing had happened. All around him were the colors of flame - vibrant reds and oranges. It wasn't until he realized that a field of blue stretched across the horizon, brighter and more vibrant than anything from a warped forest could ever be. Entranced, he stepped from the portal, staring at the cloudless sky.
There was a clicking sound.
"Care to explain where you've just come from, partner?" a drawling voice said.
Tango froze. He'd expected many things from the mythical overworld, but an intelligent creature, capable of speech? Slowly he turned his head.
A man stood behind him. Not a pig, but like Tango. He had golden hair that stuck out from a brown leather hat. In his hands he held an object made of dark metal and polished wood. After a moment of silence, the man frowned and advanced with the object, pointing it's circular snout at Tango. "Well?" he demanded. "You'd best be answering to the Sheriff, partner. I'm the law about these parts."
"Oh." Tango shook himself, and swept a low bow. "I am Tango."
"Tango? Ain't that some fancy footwork dance?" the man asked, squinting. After a moment, though, he lowered the weapon.
Tango wasn't used to being unrecognized. All of the denizens of the Nether knew him on sight and by name.
"My apologies - " he said, inclining his head. "I am Prince Tango of the Nether -"
"Prince?" the Sheriff paused, then holstered his revolver. He knew princesses and emperors, gods and witches. What was one more wandering royal? He squinted again, then tugged gently on the brim of his hat. "Well then. Howdy, Prince Tango. I'm The Sheriff of these parts." He flicked the golden star on his vest to punctuate his statement.
Tango looked curiously at the Sheriff's badge for a moment, then brightened. Scrambling in his pockets, he retrieved the nether star and affixed it to his chestplate. He grinned.
The Sheriff blinked. A Nether star. The man had casually whipped out a Nether star and was wearing it like a boutonniere.
"Prince… of the Nether, you say?" he drawled, a slow smile sliding across his face. "Well then, Prince Tango. Welcome to Tumbletown."
oh my god I LOVE THIS
i am so bad at giving compliments on writing but hfgfhfggffhggf i like the it 👍