Chapter 23: Confronting the Dark One. (Part 1)

As our hero made his way through the war-torn planet, running as fast as he could, huge gusts of sand erupted behind him as he continued to push his body further towards it's limits. A small bead of sweat trickled down his face, before it was blown off from the wind. Joshua's speed was at least Mach 4, climbing higher. His desire to stop the Dark One...to save Adis...this dimension...the thoughts fueled his muscles, making him push on further. A huge series of enemy robots could be seen on the horizon, quickly encasing himself in a coating of stone, he rolled towards his foes, smashing them to pieces.

"...More...coming this way..."

It was after a few hundered enemy troops were flattened and destroyed, Joshua came to a complete stop. He walked forward slowly, until he came to a cliff's edge. Below was vast darkness. Dark, purple bolts of evil energy flashed through-out the void, slowly destroying the planet. In fact, it had devoured the planet as far as he could see. The void had at least taken half of the planet, killing many innocent people. Looking down with anger at the void, more soldiers rushed up to attack him, before Joshua simply moved his hand. A large blade of energy sliced through the enemy lines.

"Robots...strange alien creatures...this is getting strange...These markings...I guess these were just to distract me. No matter. If this is the worst they can do, I'm sure that the best isn't going to be difficult...Okay. I'll rescue Adis first. She's gotta be safe...the J-Wing should be here also...that other one was a fake...Adis had better find it quick...after I beat the Dark Lord, I expect this place will be going down in a hurry."

Some weird power was emanating from the base. It seemed familair, but he pushed it aside. Looking back at the rising sun, he realised he had to move now. He regreted not fighting with his friends...or his 'father'...but he had to do this. The Dark One was the cause of all the suffering. If others suffered, Joshua's heart would be filled with pain.

"Dark One! Ready or not, here I come! Yah!"

Joshua leapt into the abyss below. As he fell, more of the dark energy rushed past him. The cliff edge seemed to grow more distant, as the planet was slowly continued to be consumed. Looking down at his hands and body, he seemed to still be in one piece. The dark powers ignored him and continued devouring the planet. The sources of the darkness....

"Sources...? There...There's someone else here...In this base. I feel the power...but it's still...still not as strong as the larger force." Joshua muttered.

Many reds eyes emerged from the shadows, rising upwards from thier dark prision, heeding thier master's call. Enemies of The Dark One were appraoching. Hoping for his friends to be safe, the fall finally ended. Below him was nothing but darkness. He stood on some clear platform which blended well with his surroundings. A large, towering set of doors came into view, slowly opening. The dark energy began to get stronger.

He stepped forwards into the dark corridor...the walls were made of dark, cold marble. The floor seemed to echo his every footstep down the hallway, making him feel slightly less confident. What if the Dark One was able to turn Joshua from the light? What would he do? There wasn't anyone to save him. He came alone on his own will. He wished for no-one else to die. His brother and 'father' did not deserve this fate.

Somehow, through the many twists and turns of the many hallways, he finally came into a large room. Torches were lit on each side of the room, sheding some light. Seeing through the dark, he made out a familiar form. It turned around, it's red eyes blazing.

"N...No...No!" Joshua stammered.

Before him, stood his current terror. In each hand was a deadly looking fire-arm. A small laser fired from the right gun, barely missing Joshua all together. The lights in the room quickly were extinquished, before Joshua faced his foe, a sad look was on his face.

"Adis...Why? Why did you...join him? I came to..." Joshua started.

"I never needed your help, Joshua. I was always wanting to destroy you...to get close to you and strike you down. My master has promised me eternal life. Eternal power! It is impossible to defeat us! Our power of darkness will soon consume all of this pathetic dimension!" Adis yelled.

Joshua angrily glared back.

"Can't you see?! He plans to kill all of us! Even you! He wants our energy...he's a vampire, feeding off all forms of life. You are a living thing! I will not raise my sword against you Adis! Step aside! I do not wish to hurt...you." Joshua sighed.

"You could barely scratch me with those swords! Like I said before, I am immortal! Unable to be stopped! If you will not fight me...then I will simply have to kill you! What I've waited to do for so long!" Adis grinned.

She loaded her weapons and began to unleash a barrage of laser fire. It took a lot of energy from Joshua to dodge most of the attacks, but a glancing shot got him in the arm. He pushed the pain aside and hid in the shadows. Adis continued to follow him, taunting him.

"Die, let your blood be absorbed by my master! Let your flesh rot on the ground! Darkness is what will consume you!"

Another laser caught Joshua in the leg, and he fell to the floor. Blood began to escape from the two wounds, the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. Adis walked up to Joshua, who tried to defend himself with a wall of stone. It was simply blasted into gravel. Adis grabbed Joshua by the neck and looked at him, smiling.

"Now...You will die." Adis laughed.

Joshua was not giving up. He looked at Adis's face.

Clicking his fingers, a bright flash of light engulfed the whole chamber, allowing Joshua to get out of Adis's grasp. Putting his swords away, he lunged at Adis, tackling her to the ground, before smashing the guns into pieces. With a relieved look on his face, he fell backwards, tired. A swift blow to the jaw sent Joshua skidding backwards. Wiping the blood from his mouth, his eyes took on a brighter glow.

"Adis! You have to snap out of it! The Dark One's using your emotions to control you! Fight against him! You have the power to do so!" Joshua yelled.

"Fool! I control this pathetic life-form. Your efforts to save her are futile! Striking her down is the only way to release her from my grip! Go ahead! Cut her down with your blades! The ones which you intend to end the life of me with them! There is no other way! You cannot win! Hahahah..." The Dark One bellowed.

"Adis..." Joshua whispered, before closing his eyes.

A small sphere of light surrounded his body, circling around him a few times before heading straight towards Adis. A bright flash of light occured, causing everything to vanish. Nothing but a black void, inside was Joshua and Adis. Facing each other.

"You've got to...You can't give up. Don't make me break my promise...Adis. I won't let you give up!" Joshua yelled.

"Augh...He's...He's strong...I...I can't...keep him out for long! Joshua!" Adis screamed.

Grabbing hold of Adis's hands, he closed his eyes. Using his power to help Adis force the Dark One back, the black void vanished, returning them to reality. Joshua fell to the floor, exaughsted. Adis helped him to his feet.

"Adis...I knew you could do it...Now...find Edward and run...I've got...to stop the Dark One." Joshua groaned.

"But..."

"GO! There's no sense in us both dying! Move it!" Joshua ordered.

Adis reluctantly walked away. As Joshua continued towards the Dark One's chamber, tears flowed down his face as he ran....