Chapter 9 it's a terrorist trap
After the little moment in the bathroom, Joshua was completely silent. Stella didn't want to upset him or make him mad, So she stayed quiet as well. They ate their dinner in silence and headed to bed.
-11:57pm-
Stella and Joshua were in their bunk beds. Stella was on her side as she looked at her wall.
'He didn't say a word at dinner...he...he must hate me now...' Stella thought to herself as she turned on her back and stared at the underbelly of the top bunk. She then raised her hand up to it and touched it.
"I'm sorry Joshua...".
Joshua however was having problems trying to fall asleep. He kept trying to sleep, But his mind had other plans. His darkness was able to affect with his mind and it only kept tormenting him endlessly ever since he first unleashed it as a child.
'Ah! Joshua, Senpai! Put it inside me' a dark image of Stella said.
'Shut up...leave me alone..' Joshua said, The dark image of Stella just kept tormenting him. "Oh...? But I can't leave you alone. You want me...you need the urge to ravish me...take me...embrace me...fuck me!'.
Joshua held his head.
'I said leave me alone!'.
'Why didn't you fuck her? You would have been such an animal!'.
'I'm no brute!'.
'But now is the chance to try again. And the best part, She's asleep. She won't remember a thing, And you could lie and say it's all a dream'.
'NEVER!'.
'Fine, Then let's go down memory lane again! Let's go to Frostwill and look at all the innocent people that you killed!'. The dark Stella image then snapped her fingers as the area shined white. Joshua was laying in the snow as he got up.
'What is this place...wait! This snow, This town!' Joshua said as he began to freak. He then got up as he saw that it was Frostwill. Only it was before the incident, He saw the people walking and enjoying themselves.
'Get out of here!' Joshua said 'The beast is coming! It'll kill you! Run!'. The people however ignored him, In fact, They were walking right through him.
'What the hell...?' Joshua said. The dark figured appeared again. 'It's no use' it said 'You can't save them. And now you have to watch them die!'.
Joshua was about to protest until he heard a loud roar in the distance. He turned to see the people stop in fear as the beast came into view, Joshua was frozen in place.
'No! No...not again! Stop! Stop it!' Joshua cried, The beast then began to rip and tear all of the civilians to pieces, Leaving only bloody bodies in it's aftermath. Joshua held his head as he shook violently.
'MAKE IT STOP!'.
Joshua instantly shot up from his bed covered in sweat and panting hard. "Ah...ah...ah...ah...another nightmare..." He said as he climbed out of bed, Stella heard him as she turned to her side. Joshua then walked into the bathroom as he turned on the water and splashed cold water on his face. As he looked at himself in the mirror, He saw his face covered in blood.
He panicked as he saw the sink spitting out bloody water as well, Joshua then closed his eyes to try to think of something else:
"I can help you, You don't have to do it alone!" Stella's words said to him "You shouldn't have to suffer like that! You should let the people you care about help you with how your feeling. I'll follow you...even if you shut me out of your life. I'll still follow you...I'll take full responsibility!".
Joshua sighed as he was able to calm down now, He breathed slowly as he walked out of the bathroom. As he walked over to his bag, Stella was still awake as she heard him.
'Did he have another nightmare?' She thought. That's when she felt something get into her bed, Stella glanced a bit to her side to see that it was Joshua snuggled up to her. Stella blushed as a tiny bit of steam came from her nose.
"I'm so sorry, I'm not mad at you. But you have every right to be mad at me, Stella..." Joshua said as she wrapped his arms around her waist. Stella was blushing more and more, 'J-Joshua..!' Stella thought as Joshua spoke.
"I shouldn't push you away" he said "You want to help, And I'm acting selfish and cruel to you. I'm shutting myself out, And not embracing your helping hand to help me confront this darkness magic...I wasn't mad at you, Not at all. I just didn't want to hurt you if my darkness got the better of me".
Stella then turned around in his arms and looked at him.
"Joshua..." Stella said as she placed her hands on his face "Are you...are you afraid of losing yourself to your darkness? Is that why you won't tap into it and use it to your will?". Joshua just looked at her, He knew deep down that she was right. Joshua had always been afraid. Afraid of what he might become, What people would think of him, And how the world would react. He was more than afraid...
He was terrified.
"Yes..." Joshua said as he placed his hand over hers "I'm very afraid, Terrified really. If I were to fully tap into the darkness and control it, Then I fear that I would become corrupted and turn. I know this collar helps me channel it and control it without flaws, But I'm just scared".
Stella felt sorry for him as she then moved her body closer to his, Letting her breasts squeeze onto his bare chest. Joshua blushed as he looked at her breasts then up at her. Stella then gently stroked her hand on his right cheek.
"To not be afraid anymore, One must be willing to face their fear head on" she said "This is the first step to acceptance, To accept ones self, You must not be afraid to let something hold you back. You are in control, Not it, Yet you let it bully you and put you into a corner like a scared child".
"I know that I do...".
"Then you need to fight back".
"Stella...".
Stella looked at him as Joshua then kissed her forehead, Stella became bright red as she just held him even more. Joshua laid his head next to hers.
"Thank you, I'll...I'll try to do just that".
Stella smiled as she snuggled up to his bare chest, She held him even more.
'Joshua' Stella thought 'I know you can do it'.
-the next day-
"Hahh!".
Stella and Joshua were crossing their swords at each other. They had gotten up around 7:00am and wanted to train a bit, Stella kept hitting her sword until Joshua blocked her attack with his Crystal skin.
"Good job, Stella!" Joshua said with a smirk. Stella smiled back at him "Thank you" she said "But let's see you dodge this!". She then swung her sword at him again with a fake move, Joshua then kicked her sword with his leg making Stella's broadsword fall into Joshua's right hand as he aimed both swords at her.
"I win" he said.
Stella was impressed, Joshua was able to counter and disarm her. "You truly are gifted" Stella said "But being gifted, And learning combat experience are two different things. So be sure to remember that".
"Thank you, I will do that".
Joshua then handed Stella her sword back to her, Stella caught her sword as she then pondered something.
"Hey Joshua. Do you know who your opponent will be?" She asked him. Joshua shattered his sword as he pulled out his iPod "Nope, I didn't get an email on that" he said "I bet my opponent will be cool and maybe teach me some new tricks".
Stella giggled at him "Maybe, But I do hope you take what I told you to thought".
Joshua nodded at her "I'm trying, It will be a little tough". Stella then walked over to him and poked his chest, "I know you can do it. You've survived this long with it, Now is the chance to do what the fallen ones couldn't do, Control it".
"Right! Oh! Stella" Joshua said "Is your first battle already set?" He asked. Stella nodded "I just got an email from the school administration. My opponent is Momotani in the third grade".
Joshua crossed his arms "That's not bad, But...don't you need some information on this guy?".
"I'm not the kind of person who wants to know all that information beforehand".
"Is that right?".
"Yup. I consider battles like this as training for the future when I encounter unknown Blazers. Of course, I think it's also important to research your opponent just in case".
Joshua nodded at her advice. "I'll keep that in mind. Just hope I remember that" he said as he then looked at her as he then laughed. Stella was a bit confused by this.
"What? What's funny?".
"We're both born from two different families that are sworn enemy rivals. And yet here the two of us are, A Princess and a Lord Prince. We're the closest that no Gekkage or Vermillion has gone before".
Stella then got hot as steam came from her ears, The first bell then rang as Joshua shrugged.
"Time to go to class" he said. Stella looked at him as she then looked all over the place. "Joshua!" She said getting his attention.
"What's up Stella?".
"Today is Friday, isn't it?".
"Yes...?" Joshua said, Not really understanding what why she asked him that "Is there something I should know?".
"Well...that means tomorrow is Saturday. And the school is out, Right?".
"W...well...H-hypothetically...what if you and I...you know...go on a d-d-da...".
Joshua placed his hand on his head, He was starting to not understand what Stella was trying to ask. "Stella, Don't beat around the bush, Okay? Just get to the point!" he said. Stella looked at him a bit as she got even redder, She nodded as she then got her words together.
"I... Would like to know if you'd like to go-".
Ring!
"Hm?" Joshua said as he pulled out his cellphone, He saw it was a text from Shizuku:
"Lord Prince Joshua, Are you free tomorrow? Would you like to go shopping with me?".
-Shizuku
Joshua smiled as he nodded at the text "Sure, Why not" he said. Stella then glanced over his shoulder and read the text, She then puffed up her cheeks as her fire magic flared.
"HEY!? THAT'S NOT FAIR!?".
Joshua coated his body with his Crystal skin. "Stella, What the hell!?" He said.
Stella then looked at him as she then tackled him to the ground. Joshua tried to move, But Stella started to put more of her weight onto him, Stella then leaned her face very close to his.
"I WANT TO ASK YOU OUT ON A DATE TOMORROW!".
Joshua blinked at her as he spoke up, "You do?" He said getting a nod from Stella. "Yes..." She said "I wanna go out on a date with you...would you like that?".
Joshua then began to smile at her.
"You see, Now do you feel better not beating around the bush?". Stella blushed as she just looked at him "Y-yes..." Stella said as she leaned up from his face. Joshua then placed his hands on her waist making her go even redder.
"Ah! Joshua?!" Stella said "You're...you're touching my waist!".
"So? You let me touch it last night when I was in bed with you".
"Th-that was different!".
"I don't see a problem here...".
Stella just looked at him as her face was still completely red, She then started to get lewd thoughts of Joshua moving his hands to her ass, Or breasts. Stella bit her thumb as she held back her moans.
"Higher..." She mumbled "Move your hands higher and touch my breasts...".
"Umm, Stella?".
Stella was out of her trance as she then quickly got off of him. Joshua sat up as he rubbed his head. "W-we're running late for class!" Stella said "Let's go!".
Joshua saw Stella run off as he gave chase.
-the next day, The mall-
Joshua and Stella had taken their time to get ready for the mall to meet up with Shizuku. Joshua was wearing cargo Jeans, A sleeveless black shirt, And his old trench coat. Stella had on a simple outfit.
The two were walking down the street as Joshua was looking at his surroundings "Wow! Japan is so cool! I wish my family had came here for our 3rd vacation" he said. Stella however, Was looking at Joshua's body being tightly held by his clothes. The way they hugged him made her bite her thumb in frustration, She was getting red again.
'Such a nice body...I envy not just grabbing him and feeling him up' Stella thought as they were at their destination. As they made their way to the mall entrance, Joshua smiled as he saw Shizuku and ran over to her.
"Shizuku!" He said.
"Ah! Lord Prince Joshua!" Shizuku said happily as she ran over to him as the two hugged, Shizuku then glanced behind him to see Stella.
"Well, I'm really surprised" Shizuku said "I had no idea that a noble person like yourself would be interested in leisure of common people like me and Lord Prince Joshua".
Stella sighed as she placed her hands on her hips "I wanted to come to, Since I asked Joshua on a date. And he accepted, So I'm going to be tagging along wither you like it or not" she said. Shizuku then leaned forward.
"Lord Prince Joshua doesn't need to take his servant on a date. What you need to learn, Is to have better respect for your higher ups. Don't you agree?" Shizuku said.
"Says the girl, Who is kissing her best friend, That's also dangerous" Stella said as she leaned forward.
"Lord Prince Joshua let's me understand him".
"Joshua let's me sleep with him".
"You don't know his true pain".
"You don't know his counter against the dark".
"Busty cow!".
"Trap!".
The two girls looked away from each other as Joshua looked over at Alice. "Oh hello, And you are?".
"Oh, Shizuku asked me to come along, I'm her roommate. Nagi Arisuin. Call me Alice". Joshua glanced up and down at Alice, "No! Don't look at me so directly!" Alice said "My my, A royal Prince with the mind of a beast".
Joshua tensed up at the word "Beast", He swallowed hard as he took a deep breath. Alice saw this and decided to ask it latter despite already knowing of the incident by Shizuku.
"W-well..." Joshua said "That's cool, Alice. But...you're a guy right?".
"That is very true, I am. But rest assured. My heart is that of a maiden".
"Awesome! Well, I hope we get along well".
Alice smirked at him "As do I, Beautiful Lord Prince" she said. Shizuku then got out her device. "Whoa! Whoa! Put it away, Shizuku! It was just a little tease" Joshua said.
"Yes, Lord Prince Joshua" Shizuku said as she got rid of her device, Joshua sighed.
"This is gonna be a crazy day...".
The four then walked into the mall as Joshua was looking around the area. He had no idea that everything would be so cool. Shizuku then grabbed his hand and held it.
"Shizuku?" Joshua said a bit surprised. Shizuku smiled as she nuzzled close to his side "I'm right here for you, Lord Prince" she said with a blush on her cheek.
"Wow. This is a shopping mall in Japan" Stella said as she turned to her group "Don't you agree- what!? Wha-what are you doing Shizuku?".
"What do you mean? This is very ordinary physical contact between best friends" Shizuku said as she looked up at Joshua "Right, Lord Prince Joshua?".
Joshua nodded at her "Yeah, you're right Shizuku".
Stella blushed as she thought of an idea, "Th-then maybe I can too...". Shizuku then wagged her finger at her "You can't, You're Lord Prince Joshua's servant. After all, It's not right for a servant to be holding their masters hand. But of course, It's alright to hold his hand if you want to. But wanting to hold the hand of the opposite sex who's also your families rival is like you have some special feelings for him".
Joshua then looked over at Stella "Stella, Is it possible that-", Stella then quickly cut him off.
"No! Th-that's not it! I'm your servant. That's all!".
"Oh, Well okay" Joshua said as he looked at Shizuku "Shall we head off, Buddy?".
Shizuku nodded at him "Mhm, Of course Lord Prince" she said as they walked off talking. Stella was getting angry as her fire magic was sparking a bit, She turned to them.
"Idiot Joshua! Lousy Gekkage! Weakling of the dark! I hate you! You suck!" She shouted. Alice just giggled to herself "Oh my, This is going to be a long day" she said to herself.
-security room-
Two security guards were watching the monitors of the mall.
"Hey. It's almost time to switch, Isn't it?" One security guard asked his partner. The other security guard looked over at him.
"Yeah, Just about. It's-".
Suddenly the door opened up as two armed men ran in and took them out.
-meanwhile-
"Ah! This is so delicious!" Stella said as she took a bite out of her ice cream. Shizuku was eating her's as well as the two waited for Joshua and Alice to get out of the bathroom.
"Ah, This tastes like heaven. I hope Lord Prince Joshua comes out soon so he and I can share it together!" Shizuku said happily. Stella glared at her as she looked away.
"J-Joshua and I could...well, Maybe..." Stella said. Shizuku looked over at her "Oh? But I thought that we already established that? You don't have any feelings for him so theirs no reason to share anything with him" Shizuku said to her.
Stella fumed a bit as she glared at Shizuku.
"I should be saying that to you!" She said. Shizuku only smirked, "Please, You don't stand a chance. Nor have any say to do so" Shizuku said proudly "Lord Prince Joshua doesn't need his enemy rival to comfort him in his darkest time".
Stella looked at Shizuku for a bit as she then turned away.
"I hate you...".
-bathroom-
While Shizuku and Stella were waiting, Joshua and Alice were still in the bathroom. The two were washing their hands, And were about to head out.
"Shizuku really has opened up to you" Joshua said. Alice glanced at him.
"Oh? Is that so surprising?" Alice asked. Joshua nodded at her "Yeah, Well in a way. Her brother, Who is my cousin now, Told me that she's sensitive and shy around new people, And she's not the kind of girl who becomes friendly with others. Hell, Could have fooled me. The first time we met, She hugged me and was so happy to meet me" Joshua said.
"Ah, She has a brother who is now your cousin. Interesting" Alice said. Joshua nodded at her.
"Yup, But I thank you for being her friend".
Alice just looked at him until she smiled, "Hmm, Just like what Shizuku said about you. You are very kind" Alice said "But...".
"But...?".
"Sooner or latter, You'll have to embrace the dark..." Alice said. Joshua freaked out a bit as he calmed himself down, Alice could see him freaking as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"To finally be free of the pain, Is to accept the past and move on. But to embrace the darkness magic is whole different level".
"I'll never embrace it! I don't want to-".
"Don't finish that sentence. That's just an excuse. You have a rare accessory on your neck that gives you the power to channel and control the darkness magic. Something that many cursed ones would kill you to have, You have full access to the dark, But I understand that the removal of that collar means the death of you. Your life is on the line".
"But this darkness...I used a tiny bit in my fight against Stella, And let a bit of it show when I was angry when we first met. I fear that I'll become-".
"Don't finish that sentence!" Alice said "You'll be fine, You just have to stop feeling sorry for yourself. What happened in Frostwill was an accident, Yes, And it messed you up emotionally and physically deformed you I know. But now is the time to show that dangerous power who is the servant and who is the master".
Joshua just looked at Alice as he took every single word.
"Alice..." Joshua said. That's when Alice covered his mouth. "Shh, We have company".
Two armed men ran to the bathroom door. "This is such trouble..." One of the armed men said. "It's Bisho's order. We gotta do it right" the other armed man said.
The other armed man raised his assault rifle as he kicked open the door. "I know that, But! So what if there are a couple of dudes hiding in here!?" He said as he fired at the bathroom, The other armed man grabbed his shoulder. "Hey, Stop! We were told to take any customers we found hostage" the other man said. The other armed man took off his mask.
"I know! I know! But at least we know theirs nobody here" he said.
"Jesus..." The other armed man said as they walked out. Just then, A dark portal opened up as Joshua and Alice came out of it. Joshua walked over to the door, But stopped as he saw the mask.
"Who were they?" Joshua said.
"Well their not nice people that's for sure" Alice said "It's possible that this mall has been...".
"Taken by them?".
"Maybe. You want to go find out?".
Joshua nodded at Alice "You're damn right I do!" He said. Alice then summoned her device, Joshua just looked at it in awe.
"So that's your device huh?" Joshua asked, "Yup. It's the Hermit of Darkness" Alice said.
"Darkness!?" Joshua said.
"Hah! Hah! Don't panic. This just let's me control shadows and also move around in the shadows" Alice said. Joshua was impressed.
"Wow" he said "That's pretty cool. But we can be impressed latter, Stella and Shizuku are my top priority!".
"Yeah".
The two then went into the black portal as it closed up.
-security room-
Joshua and Alice made there way to the security room as they looked to see the security guards knocked out and tied up. Alice went over to them, As Joshua looked at the cameras.
"It's okay, Their just knocked out unconscious" Alice said. Joshua was looking through the cameras until his phone went off, He pulled it out and answered it.
"Hello?".
"Joshua, It's Kurono" Kurono said "You alright?".
"Fine, But we ran into some bad guys".
"I know, This situation is already on the news. The customers who fled called the police. The police are already surrounding the place" Kurono said.
"Who are these people?" Joshua asked his aunt. Kurono was looking at multiple screens on her computer as she examined them, "Looks like a crime organization with a blazer" she said "They're asking for a ridiculously high amount of money".
Joshua pondered "If they want money, Then theirs gotta be an easier way" he said. Kurono sighed on her end.
"Guys like that want something more than money, Nephew. It's seeing people terrified and controlling them" she said "The police asked for your assistance, By the authority of the director, I'm approving the four of you the use of spiritual equipment outside of school" she said.
Joshua smirked on his end.
"Thanks, Aunite".
"Just don't be reckless. And Joshua".
"Hm?".
"If you happen to go with your darkness magic, Just remember to not take off that collar. Just a reminder nephew" Kurono said. Joshua closed his eyes as he sighed.
"I know!".
-main center-
All of the people that were taken hostage were put in the center of the mall, Shizuku and Stella were among the hostages. One of the armed men got a woman and her child.
"Hey! You two, Get over here!" He said.
"They only took women and children hostage. They're despicable" Stella said as Shizuku leaned over to her ear "I have a plan, But I need time. I need you to absolutely stay under their radar until I'm ready".
"I'll do my best" Stella said.
That's when they heard the woman that the armed men took. "Please! Don't hurt my child, Please!" The woman said, "Jeez, You're annoying!" The armed man said as he hit the woman with the butt of his gun. The child ran at the armed man as he threw it ice cream at him, "Don't bully my mom!" The child said.
The armed man just looked at the kid as he then smirked and kicked him to the side. "You little piece of shit! A boy who doesn't know any manners should be...punished!".
Stella then stood up as she got over to the child's side and activated her fire magic. The armed man then aimed his gun at her, "Damn it! Are you a blazer!?" He asked as he opened fire at Stella. His bullets however were ineffective.
"You're wasting your efforts" Stella said "Bullets are not effective against my Empress Dress".
"Shut up!" The armed man said as he kept firing as Stella walked forward, Her Empress Dress protecting her from the bullets. "I have no intention of fighting with you guys. Let me negotiate with your boss" Stella said.
"Who do you think you ar-".
"Put your gun down, Yakin!" A man in hooded robes said as he walked forward. Yakin stopped firing as his boss came forward. The hooded man stretched his arms out to the side.
"Well, Well, Well. Miss Stella, The second princess of the Vermillion Empire. It's an honor to meet you" he said. "So you're the boss" Stella said, The hooded man nodded at her, "That's correct. I am Bisho. Very nice to meet you" Bisho said as he took down his hood and looked over at Yakin.
"Hey, Yakin! What the hell are you doing? Didn't I tell you to not touch the hostages?".
"I'm sorry...but that kid threw a piece of ice cream at me..." Yakin said.
"Huh? Complaining about such a minor thing" Bisho said as he then smirked "Hmm. No. That's terrible what happened to you. Yakin". Bisho then walked over to the woman "A kid who knows no discipline is all his parents fault. Right, Yakin" Bisho said as he pulled out a handgun and aimed it at the woman's head.
As that was going on, Alice and Joshua were above them on the second floor. "Basterds...!" Joshua said as Alice placed her hand in his shoulder.
"Joshua...clam down, Let Stella and Shizuku handle this".
Joshua looked at Alice as he went back to watching the ordeal.
"Stop it!" Stella said, "Punishment for a crime. Forgiveness for punishment. That's my motto. This woman is guilty for not teaching discipline to her child" Bisho said as he pulled the hammer back on the handgun.
"Pay for your crime with your life".
Stella then dashed at him as she summoned her device "Serve me, Laevatein!". Stella went up into the air to attack Bisho, Bisho smirked as he threw his gun to the side and looked at her.
'It's a trap! But I'll push through with my power!' Stella thought.
Bisho then held his left hand out.
"Judgement ring!". Stella's sword collided with a barrier that Bisho made. "You're fast. And strong. But sadly, You don't know how big and scary the world is!" He said as he raised his right hand and oh her her in the abdomen, He then threw her to the side.
Joshua was losing his temper as he watched.
'You'll...pay for that...' He thought as he tighten his fists, Unaware that a tiny black fire sprite was forming within his left hand, Bisho smiled.
"This is my device, Judgment ring. It's attribute is crime and punishment. The left ring absorbs all attacks on me as criminal, And the right ring releases that power as punishment".
"So that means I was punched by my full force" Stella said.
"Correct" Bisho said "But still! No wonder you are the princess. Risking your own body for the commoner's. In respect to your courage, I'm presenting you a way to save their lives".
Stella just looked at him.
"What is it?" She asked. Bisho smiled widely, "You take his place, And you apologize. By kneeling down on the ground, Fully naked!" He said as he began to laugh. Joshua's temper was flaring out of control now, His Crystal magic started to cover his whole right hand, But his left hand was starting to leak darkness magic a bit, His left eye was glowing red a tiny bit.
"He'll die!" Joshua said as he started breathing out cold air, Alice just held her grip on Joshua more. "Joshua, No!" She said "If we move out now...".
Joshua gritted his teeth as his canines were showing. Meanwhile, Stella then began to strip off her clothes, As she dropped her skirt to the floor. She then moved up to her shirt and began to unbutton it slowly.
"Heh heh! This is good!" One of the armed men said.
"Some great entertainment!" Yakin said as he fired his gun into the air.
Stella un did all of her shirts buttons as she opened up her shirt to reveal herself in her underwear in full view. Bisho chuckled a bit, "Heh heh heh! You have nerves of steel" he said "But theirs still some clothing to get rid of".
Stella hesitated as she tried to cover her breasts up as she then moved her hand to the center of her bra and unhooked it. Joshua was bleeding from his mouth as he then glanced at his collar.
'To become the beast again? I'll do it! I'll fucking do it!' He said in his head as he then stood up, However, He was frozen in place.
"Shadow bind" Alice said "I pinned your shadow down. I'm sorry". Joshua was actually able to turn his head around, Despite his shadow being pinned. Alice was impressed, But that's when she saw his left eye emit a faint red glow in the iris and pupil.
'Ah, So this is what the dark looks like in human form' she thought as she spoke "Shizuku's ability to control magical power is the best in school. Trust your best friend, Without having anyone notice, She can create a magical barrier".
Alice then unbinded Joshua's shadow "Until she makes the barrier, You can't go on your killing spree".
Shizuku was focusing her water magic on the ground, She then used the water in her necklace and created a water barrier.
"Shoha Suiren!".
Shizuku raised up her arm as a huge wall of water surrounded her and the civilians. This got Bisho and his henchmen's attention.
"Shit! There was another blazer!?" Bisho said as he turned to his men "If that's the case, Just kill everyone. Shoot!".
"Yee-haw!" Yakin yelled as he fired at the water barrier. Shizuku kept up her barrier as they kept firing.
"I'll leave the rest to you, Lord Prince Joshua" Shizuku said with a smile on her face. Alice smiled as she then nodded at Joshua.
"My Prince, It's time to hunt!".
Joshua then got up on the balcony, He gritted his teeth more, The cold air from his breath started to come out faster as he then raised his head to the celling and roared.
"Raaaaaaaawwwwwwrrrrrrrrrrr!".
Alice covered her ears as she went into the shadows.
'Oh my, Somebody's in a bad mood' she thought. Shizuku instantly felt a shiver down her spine.
'That roar...It can't be. Lord Prince! Shizuku thought. Stella was able to hook her bra back in place as she heard the loud cry.
"Huh? Was that...was that Joshua?" She said.
"Huh. We have another one up there" Bisho said as he then fired at the second floor as well as his men, Joshua then began to teleport instantly all over the place at the speed of Mach 1.
'With this, They can't hit me!' Joshua thought as he kept teleporting all over the area. His now glowing left eye was able to pinpoint the blazer and also his weakness as well.
'Now!' Joshua thought as he then teleported behind Bisho, Bisho was about to use his judgment ring on him, But Joshua then slashed off his left arm with his now formed jet black claw on his left hand.
"This...this is..."Joshua said as he looked at his now blood stained claw. Joshua quickly freaked out a bit by it. "What the hell!? Is this...Is this what I can do with this much darkness magic?" He said to himself as his left eye and claw reverted to normal.
"Gahhh!" Bisho fired in pain as he glared at him "You little...brat!".
"You should be grateful that I didn't go all out" Joshua threatened "And slaughter you with my claw after what you did to Stella!". Joshua's left hand then had a swirling black vortex around it, Bisho freaked. "Th-tha-that...that's darkness magic! B-bu-but! How!? How is possible that you are controlling it!? No blazer in the whole world can control darkness magic, Not even the ones that are cursed with it have that kind of control over it!" He said frantically "Are you even human?!".
"I've been wondering that myself..." Joshua said, Alice then binded Bisho's shadow as she came out from behind. "Okay. Play time is over" she said "Looks like your friends are sleeping too".
"What!?" Bisho said as he looked to see Stella kill the last of his men, "Stella!" Joshua said as he ran over to her and held her.
"Ah! J-Joshua...".
"Never again! I won't let that happen to you ever again!" He said "I won't, I almost took off my collar to protect you...".
Stella blushed, He was truly willing to take off his collar and become a beast just for her sake. Stella rested her head into his shoulder.
"Joshua..." Stella said with a smile and a larger blush on her face. "Jeez. You're way too hasty" Shizuku said as she came over with Stella's clothes "going out without any plans. But I think it was admirable".
Stella took her clothes from her, "You too. You protected everyone" she said.
Joshua smiled at the girls until a woman in the crowd stood up, Holding a woman hostage. "Nobody move! If you do anything stupid, I'll kill her" the woman said.
"Crap! We missed one!" Joshua said.
"You are not the only ones hiding among the hostages. Bunch of dummies!" Bisho said. The woman aimed her gun at the civilians head "Hey! Free Bisho. Or else...".
"Pierce, Oborozuki!".
That's when a bunch of magical arrows came from the side and attacked Bisho and the female thug, Joshua and his friends looked around to find the who attacked. "Wh-what was that? Where did that come from?" Stella said.
That's when a teen walking into light came forward "It's not my style to steal other people's credit" the teen said.
"Even I couldn't sense him" Alice said.
Joshua just looked at the teen who then stopped a few feet away.
"Who are you?" Joshua asked him, The teen just smirked at him "Well, The legendary S-Rank knight in person" the teen said with a smug attitude "I am Kirihara" he said with a wide grin.
-outside-
Everyone was able to make it out of the mall safe and sound, The criminals were taken and the hostages were now in good hands. Joshua and his friends were outside as well as Kirihara and his fans.
"Oh, Kirihara!".
"I was so worried about you!".
Kirihara smirked at his fans "Heh, I didn't do much, Really?" He said.
"But you defeated the bad guys, Right?".
"You're so cool!".
Stella, Alice, And Shizuku just watched Kirihara from a few feet away. "I don't think...I like him" Stella said, Shizuku looked at her "This is the first time you and I are in agreement" she said. Joshua laughed a bit.
"Don't worry" Joshua said "I'm sure he's fine", That's when Joshua then proceeded to walk over to Kirihara as he stopped a few feet in front of him.
"Hmm? What is it, S-Rank?" Kirihara said.
"Well, I'd just like to say. Thanks for helping us earlier, Kirihara. You saved us" Joshua said as he held out his hand to him. Kirihara just looked at him then at his hand.
"Heh, I must offer a helping hand to the weak" Kirihara said smugly. Stella and Shizuku gritted their teeth at his comment, Joshua just looked surprised.
"Excuse me?" Joshua said.
Kirihara looked at him "So you're the legend that everyone talks about hm? The Lord Prince who is next in line to take the throne and become Grand Lord King after his father is done, Correct? Not only that, But your family has a huge history of joining in the Festival, And now here you are, The son, Taking on the flame. Heh, But tell me. Are you truly going down the path of chivalry with that miserable power of yours?".
Joshua's hand lowered, He was quickly hating this guy now.
"You're right on all those things, Except the power part" Joshua said with his arms crossed "My power is not weak!".
"Oh my, Forgive me" Kirihara said "It's not about the power of how much magic one has, But the skill of the blazer that uses it. This will be your first time in actual combat for the Festival, Right? I should warn you, That this will be live, So that means mommy and daddy will be watching you do your best out there".
"Okay? So? What's that got to do with this conversation?" Joshua asked. Kirihara only grinned at him "What I mean by that is, You better not fuck up and get cold feet, Lord Prince" Kirihara said "A title is one thing, But experience is another. And If you don't have experience to fight, Then your good as dead!".
Joshua raised his eyebrow at him until Stella walked over to them.
"Hey, You! That's enough!" Stella said until Joshua turned to her. "It's okay Stella" Joshua said, "No It's not! Don't let this guy mock you!" Stella said to him as she looked at Kirihara "Joshua is strong, You know! He can wield Darkness magic and control it! He's extremely powerful, And way out of your league!".
Kirihara just looked at her until he started to laugh. "Wh-what?" Stella asked.
"This is awesome! I must be deaf because I thought I just heard you tell me that the legendary knight of the Gekkage clan can wield Darkness magic. The most destructive and most unstable, And uncontrollable magic in the world! Hah hah hah!" Kirihara just kept laughing until he had a serious look on his face aimed at Joshua.
"Don't play games" he said "The Gekkage family may be able to do the impossible. But that's a feet that not even they can do! The ability to control and wield the most chaotic and destructive magic in the world is impossible. You should know that, Those that are born with the darkness as their main magic property are cursed ones, And once that darkness takes over and devours them, They become a beast. You don't have darkness magic, And not you, Your family, Or any blazer in the whole world can control it! It's unstable, Plus you'd become a beast. And I don't see any beast like traits on you whatsoever, Well, Aside from the odd features of your eyes of course, And that hair".
Joshua tighten his fists in anger.
"You...I'll show you who's wrong! I'll show you my true power!" Joshua said, Kirihara smirked at him "Really now?" He said "Then did you check your student handbook?".
"Hm?".
Joshua then pulled out his student handbook and looked at the email he got and was shocked to see that Kirihara was his first opponent in the Seven Star Battle Festival.
"That's right. The opponent in your first battle is me, Shizuya Kirihara, Who represented the the school last year. At the Seven Star Battle Festival. I hope you get to show me that wonderful so called darkness that you clam to have, Legendary one".
Kirihara walked off with his fans as Joshua griped his student handbook.
'I'll...I'll show you! You won't be smirking for long, Kirihara! Just you wait until tomorrow!'.
A/n: done, Wow. I...I'm impressed that this story is geeing so much traffic so fast. 190 reads already, That was quick! I'm happy to see all of you enjoying the story, Even though I'm following the anime as I go. But this is really fantastic that I got this many reads this quick for this story.
I can't thank you all enough, And I hope that you all stick around to see the next chapter.
All reviews are welcome, See ya.