Chapter 13: The Opposites Meet. (B) Note: (A) is Light, (B) is Netural and (C) is dark.

Laser fire could be heard from the outside of the J-Wing. Some of the energy bolts struck the ship, causing it to shake violently, before Joshua, Jazz, Spaz, Lori and Adis had raced outside. Another giant robot had appeared. It was about ten meters in height, painted in silver and it seemed two large, smoking laser cannons were pointed directly at them. Joshua looked up and smirked. In the cockpit was none other, than the evil, Devan Shell.

"Hey, Shell Beak! Bet you didn't expect to see me back here so soon, huh?" Joshua laughed.

There was silence, before Devan straighten his glasses and focused the laser cannons at Joshua.

"Listen. I don't have time for your games. Just retreat while you can." Joshua threatened.

Devan smiled wickedly, before locking his sights on Joshua. The cannons charged up, before unleashing thier wave of deadly energy. As it flew through the air towards Joshua, he simply put up a hand. The lasers collided into his palm, causing the energy to fly in all directions.

"I assume you don't know the new me. My powers have grown since we met last, Devan. But know, the Darkness favours me. Watch, as I turn you and your robot to scrap metal. I hope you like the heat it's going to cause....because you're going straight to hell!" Joshua shouted.

>?!<

A small sphere of purple energy began to circle around Joshua, electrons surging from his body to the sphere. It grew larger in size as the energy it contained increased. Joshua had no control over what he was doing.

>Stop! This isn't right!< he told himself.

>Wrong...Perhaps it's time...I removed myself from you...< the thought ran through his head.

Joshua's body became cold, before everything vanished from sight. All that was left was a barren wasteland. No sign of live was anywhere, all tht remained of civilization was a large city and castle, ruined in the distance. He looked at the dead vegetation, rotting beneath his feet. It was a carrot!

"I see you are pleased with my vision. Maybe, you're not so foolish after all..." the voice called.

Joshua fell to his knees, his head beginning to ache slightly, before it became more painful, until the point where it felt it was going to burst! A dark shadow erupted from his mind, slowly changing in front of his very eyes, before he saw an entire siloute of himself.

"What you see here...Is what I plan to do with this pathetic planet. It's nothing put an energy source to fuel my power. All life, after my invasion...will simply wither and die. Millions will fall, innocent people, children..." the shadow spoke, showing Joshua the destruction.

"However...I have something for this pathetic species of creatures...salvation. These...lifeforms cannot be trusted with thier own lifes, throwing them away. You expected someone to cause the return of Dr. Ivo Robotnik? That was I. Who was it that help Devan return from the fiery depths of hell? Me. But thier purpose will soon be complete, as will yours. I have been using you all from the start. I even planned for the one called, Adis to arrive in your dimension. For ages I spent in the depths of your mind, hidden, waiting to break free...and I did. When you left...I emerged into existance. What you see before is a mere copy. Being in my true prescence would result in your death...but I offer you a choice, Joshua..." the shadow smiled.

"Let me ask you something first. How did you break free?"

"...It started when you arrived here for the first time. I easily corrupted your brother's mind, turning him to the shadows. But...I existed long ago...far before your ancestor, Sir Johnathan Lightwalker was born. In the start of all stories, there is always darkness where there is light. I was that darkness. I spurred on men to fight with each over, over fame, wealth...or simple blood-lust. But something happened. The forces of Light sealed me away. Until they could find one to withstand me. They chose Johnathan Lightwalker. His purity made him resistant to my darkness...but that changed. Soon, I was controlling him, killing all, until I no longer needed his body, and formed the Omega Knights. My first physical existance in this world. Even though this was many years ago, I had created myself a body...but Johnathan...he realised what he had done, and struck us all down. His light stopped all of us except...your father. He was a strong warrior...." The Shadow continued.

"Enough, you vile spawn of darkness!"

"No...I am what the pure darkness is. My physical body is what I plan to resurrect. With it, I shall be immortal. My powers may be in your mind, but I can easily move from one to another...I can even control the ones you love..." the shadow laughed.

Joshua drew his swords in anger.

"You stay away from them! Especially Adis and Eiko!" Joshua yelled angrily.

"But what about the other girls you care for? Can you protect them from me? Fool. You would not be able to find those you have saved. Even if you did, I would control a host. I desire power. And you are goingg to lead me to it!"

Joshua fell to his knees. The shadow was right.

"...Y-You...You sick monster...I...I should strike you down!" Joshua yelled.

"And at the cost of your own flesh and blood? If so, then do it! Strike yourself down, and save this dimension!" the Shadow offered.

Joshua's swords shoke, edging closer to his chest, before he dropped his swords.

"Weakling. You fear death. This is your fate. You fear the darkness...and that is what you will become. Or is it the promise you made to that girl? You said you would stay with her, correct?" The Shadow asked.

Joshua drew something from his back-pack. A large, glowing gem.

"The Ultima Forge..." Joshua muttered.

"So...You'd use it to destroy me? Wish me away? Fool. The light has already began to leave you! Look!"

It was true. The Ultima Forge's light had diminished. It looked like an ordinary stone.

"And since...the light is leaving you, the Gameboy Crystals will cease to aid you. Darkness...As long as I live, darkness is all you will have..."

The scenery vanished. All returned to normal. The purple orb...it disintergrated, Devan laughed before locking on Joshua again.

"Goodbye, Ultimate Gamer!"

A bright flash of light blocked Joshua's sight, as the laser approached. A series of bullets collided with the robot and laser, causing Devan to fall back. As he retreated from the hail of fire, Joshua looked down at his hands.

"..."

The others walked over towards him. Joshua turned away.

"What happened?! You were going to toast him, then you just freeze up! Are you alright?" Jazz asked.

Joshua ignored his question, but began to walk off towards the J-Wing. Before anyone had a chance to follow him, a huge wall of jagged rocks blocked thier path. Forming a shield around the J-Wing. Walking to his own quarters, he sat down on his bed, and put his head into his hands. What could he do now? That shadow was unlike anything he knew, forcing Joshua to accept the truth. He was weak. There was no way he could do this now...

"Joshua...Don't give up. You are the only hope for this dimension!" the voice from his mind called.

"I can. This is...This isn't who I'm meant to be. Sometimes...I wish I had simply died ages ago..." Joshua cried.

"Dying...would have all caused us to be lost. You have friends to help you. Remember how you said they were your power?"

"...They...All of us....even if we tried...we couldn't even hope to triumph. I've already failed..." Joshua sobbed.

"...If you give up now, you will lose all chance for redemption. Your promise you made to Adis would be broken. Don't you care for her? Don't you love her?"

Joshua looked at his fists, anc clenched them hard.

"...I care about every living thing. Even if they aren't my friend. I know, even though some hearts may be lost to the darkness forever, I know there is some who can still be saved. But...how can I save myself? My power..." Joshua started.

"It...It will return. Free your mind from doubt. And look at the Ultima Forge. You see...If you let your heart be tied to the emotions of sadness, you will fall. Your friends are always there for you. Even though the Darkness grows, you will find a way. You hold the way. Your heart is the light for this dimension."

Joshua kept silent, before looking up at the ceiling, searching for the speaker.

"Thank you..." Joshua said softly. A small smile crept across his face. Outside, the wall of stone crumbled to dust, the heroes rushed inside to find no sign of Joshua, before they looked outside at the starry sky. Joshua was standing there, eyes focused on the sky above. A shooting star falling. He closed his eyes and opened them again. He looked down and motioned to them all to come and sit with him. All of them managed to get on top of the J-Wing. Adis slipped, but her hand was grabbed by Joshua, who looked at her, smiling.

As they all looked up at the starry sky, Sleep eventually came, but...one did not sleep. He stood up, watching them before walking off towards a nearby place....where he found solitude....