Hello, hello.

It's me again, with a new story, only this time, I'm having some help with the one and only, Doubble Dutch!

*claps*

Hopefully, this story will both entertain and shock you! And, without any more introduction, the first chapter of our epic tale!

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Chapter one

Things were going well across the vidogame dimension; it had been almost three months after the Dark One had been defeated and across entire world the celebrations had yet to fade. The Ultimate Gamer was still being sought eagerly, but he seemed to have disappeared. Rumors were rife; that he'd died, retired, or just disappeared into thin air.

But that wasn't the case; had anyone paid attention to a rather scruffy but happy youth currently lazing about in the sun on the Emerald Coast they may have noticed some semblance with the late hero. Currently the sparkling ocean was empty, except for one other person, who was quite happily floating on a large inflatable tire. Joshua swam lazily over to her, dove under and pinched her on the rear in the typical prankster style.. There was a yelp and a splash as the young kiwi struggled to balance on the inflatable toy leaving nothing under water. Josh came up laughing, almost swallowing a mouthful of seawater. Adis bristled and aimed a kick at him. Despite being little more than what some had described as a 'large tailless mouse' Adis was surprisingly good in the water; she could paddle very fast with her large feet, which made up for her almost lack of arms. (Or in her case, wings.)

Despite the location, Joshua's general outfit was still the same...the normal white t-shirt and black trousers...only today, he wasn't wearing his cap. That was currently perched on Adis' head, though somewhat ill-fittingly. "Remind me not to bet on trying to scavenge more mechanical stuff than you...Alright, Adis?" Joshua sighed. Adis smiled behind her dark glasses (To block the sun's glare from her delicate eyes, and also to make her look cool.) and pounced on him, knocking him into the water. "Alright, a promise is a promise, but you shouldn't underestimate a girl, especially one who scavenges for a living."

Josh dove under to get away from the mad bird; she couldn't dive very well. Things were going rather well despite him having to hide from everybody else, after all, he got to spend time with Adis. He thought briefly of the small ring stowed away in his backpack on the shore. Maybe... no, not yet, wrong time, definitely wrong time. As he thought this, he came up for air and was ambushed by a splash attack.


* * *

Devan Shell finished off the last of his asparagus soup and lay back on the somewhat sparse bunk-bed. He'd managed to negotiate top bunk in exchange for passing all carrot related food to his cellmate Marcos. It was a good trade, he hated carrot juice. His attempt at sleep was interrupted by a persistent and quiet tapping on the bars of his cell. Marcos was asleep and snoring, but he just couldn't stand the irritating noise. He got up to investigate and was confronted by a cloaked and shadowy figure. "Mr Devan Shell I assume. I suspect you would like to be freed from this captivity?" Devan frowned. "No, go away."

The figure looked taken aback, even though his face wasn't visible. "I... beg your pardon, are you insinuating you wish to remain incapacitated?" Devan nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm 'insinuating'; now go away, tomorrow is visitors day and I've got a cute pen pal coming." When the figure next spoke it was with a voice filled with incredulity. "But surely... the great Devan Shell wishes to continue his fight against the rabbits?" Devan walked back to his bunk. "Hell no, I did before and look what's happened to me! Shot, stabbed, blown up, irradiated... the list goes on. I'm going to sit back, relax and enjoy my five year sentence and the fact that the rabbits bring me all my meals and do my laundry and such. You want a fighter, go raid the high security block." He turned to look at the intruder, but he had disappeared.

The next day the sirens rang and the newspapers announced the escape and disappearance of notorious bounty hunter Verlass Dalcon. Devan enjoyed breakfast; it was dry toast and gummy oatmeal.

(Any comments? Send it to joshuawren329@hotmail.com)