Chapter 12: Return of a Hero.

Morning had come, trouble was already coming his way. His senses returned to him at full power, making him draw his swords and slash behind him.

"Yaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"

It seemed Crustaceon Chaos had returned for another chance to elimnate Joshua. It seemed his 'apparent death' hadn't fooled Devan or his enemy much at all. Placing Michelle out of danger, he planted his feet firmly on the sand, glaring at his foe. More green and purple tentecles lashed out at him, many were either evaded by Joshua tilting his body slightly, or slicing through them. Blood had already began to show on the glittering sand, making Joshua groan with disgust.

"It's over!" Joshua yelled.

The remaining energy that was left simply exploded in a dazzling show of colors around Joshua, which slowed down everything around him. Crustaceon Chaos simply floated there, unable to do nothing but lash out with it's tentacles. But due to the speed disruption the energy had caused, they simply moved through the air slowly...while Joshua, had already raced past him, running across the waves.

"W...h..a...t...?"

Before Crustaceon Chaos had a chance to react, Joshua was already racing back towards him from behind. Unlike before, however, a large split in the ocean had occured, cutting the water in half, revealing the sand at the bottom. The hero had managed to even push Crustaceon Chaos back into the gap between the waves, unable to do anything. It glared at Joshua angrily, before a snap of the fingers could be heard echoing around him.

Then all hell for Crustaceon Chaos was let loose. The two waves simply closed in on him, solid walls of water crushing Crustaceon Chaos until it's shell cracked. The walls slammed shut, sending the bloody remains flying everywhere. It's head landed in front of Joshua, a perpetual stare of shock and horror, before Joshua crushed it under his shoe.

"Good ridance. One less problem to worry about now." Joshua muttered to himself.

The salty waves washed across the beach, removing the sand stained with blood.

"I better get back to the others. Some will be worried sick about me." Joshua suggested.

Having to walk most of the way to Gaming Force HQ, he stood before the large base, still standing. It seemed it hadn't been detected yet, meaning there was still the opportunity to plan and still manage to stop Devan and The Figure from thier plans of conquest. The Project may have been completed, but hasn't been used yet.

"Hello? Anyone here?" Joshua yelled into the empty corridors.

It seemed like the place was deserted. No one was anywhere to be found. The Hanger still housed the J-Wing, the teleporter was still intact...before something made Joshua go racing down the other end of the corridor, dragging him to the Training Center. His eyes opened wide in shock and horror. Blood stained the walls, bodies of various reptiles scattered across the floor...a piece of paper, hanging from the door leading to Joshua's Room.

He quickly grabbed the piece of paper from the door and began to read...

>Joshua Lightwalker. It seems your cowardiance has cost you your friends freedom. During your absecnce, we decided that the project needed the original piece...the one we believe you were hiding. Searching the entire base, which wasn't an easy task due to the losses we suffered...we discovered no trace of it...coming to the conclusion...you have it.< Joshua read.

He looked through the room, finding something of intreset while Joshua continued to read.

>Leaving us no other option but to take your friends hostage. Devan's troops are quite eager to head towards the hideout where you've hidden the citizens from the Capital...and I'm quite looking forward to crushing the life out of your friends with my bare hands...but, we decided to offer you a proposition. You have 48 hours to hand over the missing piece of our project. Refuse, and we will kill the fools mentioned above. Arrive too late, and the same consquence will apply. Farewell, Joshua. I expect to see you at the Dark Territory.

The Figure.

P.S. I've already begun the clock. By the time you read this, you will have 32 hours. Meaning you have until tommorrow at Midnight. And don't bother looking for an easy way out of this. Arriving without the piece will result in your friends termination.<

Joshua punched to door angrily, leaving a large dint in it. The skin on his fist had been torn badly, which began to bleed. His fists were clenched tight, his anger growing..

Racing over to what he had earlier found, he saw both Dinahs, unconcious and badly wounded. Knowing they would die without medical treatment, he picked up both of them in his arms and raced to the Medical Bay...

Later...

Joshua simply sat by himself in his room, head in his hands. This wasn't supposed to happen...what was he going to do? His friends were in danger...unless he handed over the final piece...they would all die...And all those people...he couldn't save them if a whole army was against him...sighing loudly. What could HE do? One person against a huge army which would eventually overwhelm him by sheer numbers?!

"(-) it all! I couldn't protect them...I couldn't do anything!! What should I do now?!" Joshua yelled angrily.

Silence was all that greeted him. No answers were coming. Only more questions forming in his mind. If there was a way he hadn't thought of, it would be too dangerous and most likely to fail. He gently held the jewel of his necklack, bringing hope to his heart. He couldn't give up now if he's managed to survive this long. Closing his eyes, he held his necklace tighter.

"Rachel..." Joshua murmered.

The door to his room opened, causing him Joshua to open his eyes. Angel Dinah was leaning on the wall for support, but looked at Joshua and smiled. Her body was still scratched here and there, but alive and well, which brought some relief to Joshua. Devil Dinah was still unconcious, but still alive.

At first, Angel Dinah simply sat next to him, before she wrapped her arms around him, crying.

"I'm so sorry! I couldn't do anything without you here! That...guy said you were dead. He showed us your armor, stained with blood...I didn't want to believe it. But, you're okay...I'm so...happy to see you..." Angel Dinah sobbed.

Joshua sipmly held her, trying to get her to calm down.

"It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have let myself get into the mess I did. So don't cry. I don't want to see your face stained with your tears...c'mon. Smile like you used to." Joshua suggested.

Angel Dinah raised her head, looking at Joshua, wiping away the tears on her face. Her face slowly managed to smile, before hugging Joshua tightly. He felt somewhat at ease, knowing that with at least someone by his side, he might be able to do something after all.

Night finally fell, Joshua had left Gaming Force HQ to the orphanage, sitting in the center of it's ruins. He sat there, thinking about his younger childhood...about Rachel...his sister and all the others who had died. The disaster seemed so long ago, but still haunted his memories.

His heart however felt somewhat torn. The growing concern about the others who had been captured, made him feel broken. Joshuwa would be injured quite badly, the most threat to Devan's army besides Jazz. Jazz. He'd be getting a severe beating from Devan. Lashed to a wall while being punched in the chest or something...

His concern fell towards the girls. All of them he felt a terrible amount of worry, espically since most of them were smitten with him, awaiting him to rescue them. But, he asked himself, who did his heart really belong to? He couldn't just choose one of them...both Angel and Devil Dinah were part of this problem.

"This isn't the most easy problem to solve. I haven't the slightest clue about how to treat the situation...Eiko's still waiting for me back at on Mobius...Grrrrr. I hate it when I get problems like this stuck in my head!" Joshua complained.

>Well, you're used to it by now, I'd presume.<, another part of his mind commented.

Having more than one side of a person isn't easy. Considering that Joshua isn't normal, he always has some small voice that interrupts his thoughts. Thankfully, it doesn't come into existance unless no-one else is around. People would think Joshua would be slightly crazy if he was seen talking to nothing.

"What do you want? I'm already having a hard enough time as it is." Joshua groaned.

>Just here to point out my opinions. Can't exactly play favourites with one girl, and expect the rest to simply settle down. You've got a major problem on your hands.< the voice replied.

"Listen, is it my fault that all the problems I have is romantical ones?! Like, c'mon! I know I have to tell them how I feel...but...You know, the others would just get mad, and more likely than not, I'd find myself being chased by the others, wanting to tear me limb from limb." Joshua complained.

>Sucks to be you, I guess.<

"Yeah...I...HEY! That wasn't needed you know!" Joshua yelled.

>Well, do you know what I think? I think you should just calm down, give them ALL a large amount of flowers, then try to keep them all happy. You can't stand having one girl happy, the others crying. I know.<

"Hm? How's that?" Joshua asked.

>Because I'm you. Now, let's get ready. We've got some friends of yours to save. And if you just give yourself some time to take things easy, I'm sure you'll be able to sort out your other problems first. But be nice to Angel Dinah, because she was worried sick,<

Joshua smirked in response.

"Anything else you want to say, 'Boss'? I was actually going back to see if Devil Dinah was all right." Joshua calmly responded.

>Nope. Except, will you eat something?! I'm starving up here! I need food!<