Disclaimer: I do not own Guilty Gear or its characters.

A/N: Character thoughts will be in italics

Needing to Live

Chapter 8

Trouble in Paradise

"Ahhhhh," a cool voice sighed "Cool breeze in the air, no worries in the world, and beautiful women all around. This is the life. Right Dizzy?" This particular voiced belonged to none other than the captain of the Jellyfish Pirates, Johnny. Johnny flashed Dizzy one of his grins that most women would have fainted from, but Dizzy was different than most women. Different from any other person in the world to be exact.

Having to live alone for most of her life because of being born half-gear and half-human, Dizzy reacted differently to most things that occurred in daily life. Needless to say Dizzy reacted differently to Johnny's smiles as well. Dizzy simply smiled back at the chivalrous pirate before looking back out over the edge of the May Ship.

Never works. Maybe that's why I like you Dizzy. Johnny chuckled slightly to himself before looking back out over the May Ship as well. The crew had been busy "working" the past few days so he figured they could relax for awhile. On days like this, I don't think anything could ruin my day.

Dizzy rose suddenly from the rail she had been leaning on with a start causing to look at her. "Hey, what's wrong Dizzy?"

"I sense him. Testament's here."

"Testament?" Johnny turned around just in time to see Testament teleport onto the upper deck of the May Ship. I guess I don't even have to say anything good for things to somehow go bad. Sure Testament visited Dizzy from time to time, but they had just seen him not long ago so something had to be up.

"Testament, buddy…pal how's it going?" Johnny said as cool as ever.

Testament only response was him grabbing his head, seemingly in pain. "Di…Dizzy help me?" Testament continued to repeat the same phrase in between his groans of pain. Dizzy began to approach him but Johnny stepped in front of her.

"Hold on there Dizzy. Let me try to see what's wrong with him first." Johnny slowly advanced towards Testament who had fallen to his knees still in pain. "Testament what's wrong with you? What's happening?" Johnny was only a few feet away from Testament went his groans of pain suddenly stopped. Johnny cocked his head to the side to get a better look Testament's face. "You okay there buddy?"

Testament's hand dropped from his face to his side but his eyes remained closed. Slowly he rose to his as Johnny eyed him cautiously. "Forgive me." Testament sorrowfully uttered.

"Say what…"

Testament raised one hand and in an instant had summoned the blood red scythe he fought with. His eyes slowly opened and appeared to Johnny to be an even deeper shade of red than usual. In an instant Testament had dashed at Johnny swinging his scythe when he came within range. Johnny narrowly ducked under the attack before he jumped back away from him.

"Johnny!"

Johnny turned just in time to see May, who had come up on deck, toss his sword to him. "Thanks May." Focusing his attention back on Testament, Johnny adjusted his shades that seemed to stay attached to his face. "I don't much care for fighting you today Testament so maybe we can just talk this out." Testament's only response was him gearing up for another attack. "No, then I guess I'll have to give you a Johnny special."

Testament jumped through the air at Johnny bringing his scythe down with deadly force. Johnny easily blocked the attack but was sent sliding back from the sheer force of the attack. I don't remember Testament being this strong. Johnny had barely recovered before Testament followed up his first attack with a swing meant to take off Johnny's head. Johnny ducked under the attack before countering with his lightning fast sword draws. Unfortunately, Johnny's attack caught nothing but air as Testament teleported away. Where's he coming from.

Johnny turned just in time to see an exe beast coming at him. Johnny easily avoided it by jumping into the air only to have Testament appear above him. Damn! Johnny blocked Testament midair attack but the force sent him crashing directly into the deck of the ship. Johnny rolled away as the blood red scythe stabbed into the May Ship where he had been.

Testament jerked the scythe loose before turning to where Johnny stood. His face was emotionless as he prepared for his next strike. Johnny took the offensive before Testament had a chance to strike. Johnny came with numerous slashes only to have each attack blocked without effort. Guess I can't hold back anything. Johnny jumped back from Testament and sheathed his sword. Johnny pulled back into his draw stance and waited for Testament's next move.

Testament's eyes never changed as he rushed towards Johnny. Just as he came within range, Johnny released a rapid succession of lightning quick slashes. Testament vanished into a pool of blood just as the first attack came. No he's… Before Johnny could turn around, Testament grabbed him and threw him with tremendous force against the railing of the May Ship.

"Johnny!" May screamed as she rushed to his side.

"No May! Stay back. This is not the same Testament we know. He's too dangerous for you to fight." Not that May could have done much. She had left her anchor inside when she had first come outside on deck. All she could do was watch as Testament slowly approached his all but beaten adversary.

Using his remaining strength, Johnny gave one last swing at the powerful gear. Testament caught the blade in his hand much to Johnny's surprise. A trickle of blood ran down the blade from Testament's hand but he showed no sign that he felt it. In one motion he jerked the blade from Johnny's hand and slung it back across the deck. Testament swung his scythe and gashed Johnny across the chest sending him reeling back against the railing before he slowly slid down.

The same cold eyes from throughout their entire battle peered down on the fallen pirate. Testament raised his free hand and summoned another blood red scythe. He raised both up preparing for the inevitable killing blow. Guess this is my last ride. It has been fun. My only regret is that I never told May…

Right at that moment Dizzy rushed in between Testament and Johnny. "Testament please stop!" she begged. "Why are you doing this? Johnny's my friend. He hasn't done anything wrong. You said that all you wanted was for me to be happy. I am happy right now but you're hurting people I care about so that means you're hurting me." Tears had began streaming down Dizzy's face as she pleaded with Testament.

Testament paused mid-strike as the young gear beseeched with him. For the first time during the ordeal his face slightly changed to a look of sadness. "Please just stop. There no reason to fight." Testament's scythe both dissipated into the air as his hands lowered. Slowly Dizzy brought her hand to his face and softly caressed his cheek. At the moment she touched him, Testament collapsed to the deck.

Dizzy and May balked at suddenness of Testament falling. May stood in silence and stared intently at the now motionless body of the dark gear. Dizzy meanwhile was staring at her hand like it was something foreign. How and what she had did she didn't know but she was glad that Testament had stopped. That was until she noticed that Testament was still not moving.

"Is he…" May began.

"Testament…Testament!" Dizzy screamed before dropping to the deck beside him. Dizzy lifted his head up into her lap and brushed his hair back out of his face. "Come on Testament. Wake up. Please wake up."

On command Testament's eyes slowly opened. "My little angel." He softly spoke. "Thank you for releasing me from that nightmare."

"I'm just glad you're okay."

"What nightmare are you talking about?" May asked "Are you saying that you didn't know what you were doing?"

"Yes," Testament switching his gaze over to the young pirate. "Please forgive me for my actions but you must know that I could not control myself. A power that I have not felt in a long time took control of my mind. I came here because I believed that Dizzy would be able to help me. But I arrived too late."

"What power are you talking about?" May inquired further.

"A very dark power that once threaten everything humans held dear."

"You mean Justice don't you?"

All three turned to see that Johnny was back on his feet looking none the worse for wear. "Johnny!" May screamed before rushing to his side and throwing her arms around him. "I'm sooo sorry Johnny. I meant to check on you but Dizzy jumped in front of Testament and he fell and then he woke up and started talking but I'm sorry."

"Okay, okay. It will take more than that to keep Johnny down." Johnny said as he ran his hand through her hair to sooth her.

"Forgive Johnny and yes you are right. This is the same power that I use to sense from Justice when she was leader of the gears in the Holy War. Now that I sense this power again I fear that she may have once again returned to this plane of existence."

"So Justice must have been calling you back and that was the reason you flipped out on us. And you came here because you guessed that Dizzy power would be able to cancel out the power of Justice."

"Correct."

"Well if that is the case I figure it would be best for you to stay with us awhile."

"I suppose you are right again pirate."

"Well," Johnny said smirking. "Welcome to the Jellyfish Pirates." Johnny extended his hand to Testament as he finished only to retract it suddenly as an injury to side pained him. "Ouch forgot about that."

"Come on Johnny. We have to get you bandaged up." May said as she had already begun pulling his towards the door that lead back inside the May Ship.

Dizzy helped Testament back to his feet as they watched the pair walk away. Dizzy could faintly hear May scolding Johnny for not letting her help him in his fight. Once they entered the ship, Dizzy turned back to Testament. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes Dizzy. I am okay now. As long as I stay near you, Justice should not be able to control me."

"That good." Dizzy said smiling at the gloomy gear.

Testament then turned and began looking out over the edge of the ship. "What are you looking at Testament?"

"Nothing in particular. I was just wondering if he knows that Justice is back."

"Who?"

XXXXXX

Where in the hell is he? I could have sworn I sensed Testament's power at first. Now it is completely gone. Was I sensing something else? Could he have been killed while I was gone?" Justice stood upon the jagged cliffs of a lonely mountainside contemplating her next move. No matter then. I'll just have to start from scratch. With her mind made up, Justice disappeared in a sparkle of particles.

XXXXXX

The full moon shone down brightly on an unknown area of a secluded forest. Despite the cool breeze blowing through, the area had an unusually high temperature. The cause of the heat increase could be found with the lone sign of live in this area. Garbed in a customized version of a Holy Knight uniform, the man released scorching flames from the end of his fingers uncontrollably. The crimson bounty hunter known to the world as Sol Badguy sat leaning against a boulder that had come to rest in the forest long ago. He stared intently at his hand as the flames danced their way to the ground.

Sol removed his headband that most thought could have been permanently attached to his head. Sol smirked slightly at the words 'Rock You' that he had engraved so long ago. Turning it over, he carefully studied the device which kept his gear side in check. I don't see anything wrong with it. It seems to be working right. What could be making my powers flare up like this? Maybe it's because I haven't had any good fights in a while. I just need to work off some of the excess. I'll have to see if I can't find the boy scout so I can get in a little practice.

Sol half grinned to himself as he thought of the coming days. Sol rarely allowed himself to have any form of enjoyment, but fighting with the self-righteous, pretentious, boy scout, police officer of a rival, as Sol liked to call him, was something he did have fun doing. Sol eyed his heat enveloped hand one more time before he pulled his legendary Fireseal closer to his body and let sleep overtake him.

XXXXXXX

A/N: Hey guys and gals. Sorry for being gone so long. After I wrote my last chapter I felt that it was not as good as I would have liked so I had to get my inspiration back. But there is a warning for the future: I'm starting college and a new job in a week so I not sure how much time I will have to write. I'll try my best though. Anyways, Read & Review let me know what you all think.