Chapter XXIII: Games and Glitches

Floating in a dark room, Genex held a glitchy, green cube. Gripping it tighter, a purple aura flowed into it. As he released his grip, the cube was now a dark purple. He let it float out into the dark expanse.

Soon, the cube started to take shape. It grew bigger and more humanoid until it was recognizable as a small man.

"Welcome back." Genex said to the person. "You've been gone for a while, but we were able to restore you somewhat."

"I'm…back?" the man said. He glitched once more as he phased into his actual appearance. Smaller in stature, the man had grey skin and was clad in a white jumpsuit with red accents.

"Your code is still damaged. I will teach you a power to aid you in your search to become whole again. Once you have learned it, you must seek out a girl who will arrive here. You will identify her by the key she carries. That will be the object that can free you from your condition."

"A girl with a key, huh?" the man said. "Alright, show me this power. I'll get my full freedom and revenge soon enough."

—

Ushio walked through the station, taking in all the sights. All around, the inhabitants moved about as they entered the various exit points. However, a commotion seemed to be going on ahead.

Various people and creatures seemed puzzled at a stack of black cubes with red circular and lined patterns over them. Ushio walked over to observe what they were.

"Hey, what's going on?" she asked a nearby person.

"That's what we want to know. Lots of these things have been appearing lately and we don't know where they come from." the man replied.

She decided to get a closer look as she worked her way through the crowd. Getting to the cubes, she reached out to touch one as red and black spider legs popped out. Startled, Ushio fell on her behind as the other cubes followed suit. They seemed to turn hostile as they approached the people.

Getting to her feet, Ushio conjured her Keyblade. The various inhabitants ran for cover as she engaged the things. The Blox Bugs leapt at the girl, rotating as they descended. She quickly dodge rolled out of the way before striking them. With their relatively low stamina, they were quick to disperse. Before she knew it, the pile of Blox Bugs were gone.

With her work done, she turned to find the inhabitants looking behind her. Swiveling one-eighty, she saw several more Blox Bugs leaping towards her. Before she could react, a huge fist plowed through them, sending the Heartless flying.

"Alright, does anyone know what's going on here?" said a tall man in red overalls.

"Ah, Ralph!" said a woman among the crowd. "You're just in time. Those strange blocks that have been popping up started attacking us."

"I noticed. They attacked my game too." Ralph replied. "So, who's the kid there?"

"She saved us from those creatures." a man spoke. "She's…uh, who are you?"

"Yeah, I don't recall seeing you before." another pointed out.

"What game are you from?" yet another asked.

""Well, my name's Ushio." she answered. "As for my game, um…"

However, she was saved from answering as cries rang out. Ushio and the one named Ralph ran over to the source as large, bronze and white humanoid with large hammer scared others away.

"Everyone, this is an emergency!" Ralph shouted out. "Head back to your games immediately! We've got dangerous elements loose!"

"Are these…Nobodies?" Ushio said as she observed the two foes in front.

"You know these things?" Ralph asked.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I do." Ushio replied. "What do you say? Wanna take them down?"

"Way ahead of you." Ralph said as he cracked his knuckles. "I'm gonna wreck it."

Ushio launched forward as she swung intently at the creature. It absorbed blow after blow as it prepared to swing its hammer. Ushio raises her guard, though the strong swing was enough to push her back some. She prepared her comeback as her Keyblade sliced through the enemy.

Meanwhile, Ralph continued to punch the other Berserker. The Nobody shrunk as it spun on its hammer. It crashed to the ground as scraps appeared on the large man. However, his two fist crushed the enemy with a strong blow from atop.

"Good job." he complimented Ushio.

"Not so bad yourself, Ralph." she replied.

Looking forward, they spotted a large swarm of the Blox Bugs skittering across the terminal. They seemed content with all entering one exit point.

"C'mon, we've gotta go." Ralph said. As he noted the words 'Sugar Rush' above the exit, his urgency grew.

The pair ran as the swarm disappeared into the game. With both of them embarking on the tram towards their destination, they only hoped that they could get there in time before things went haywire.

—

Throughout the candy filled world of Sugar Rush, the mysterious cubes kept appearing. The racing tracks filled with the Heartless as the people of the game were forced to postpone any activity. Whatever the source of the problem, they knew they had to fix it by the morning when the arcade would open.

Gathering themselves at the starting line, the racers surveyed the infestation. Before long however, Berserkers showed up and herded them into a circle.

"What's going on?" one of them asked.

"I'm glad you asked!" a voice cried out. Appearing from the shadows was the grey skinned, white racing suit man. "Hello once again, my fair citizens." The man glitched to reveal a royal looking, older man. "Your beloved King Candy has returned. As my first order, I demand you hand over that Vanellope girl."

Watching the interaction from the nearby candy cane trees, a girl in green heard everything. As the man delivered his demands, she ran.

—

Genex watched as the man began to take over the game. As the Heartless and Nobodies poured in, he began to muse to himself.

"Yet another abnormal world. To think these beings are but digital code. Yet, they too possess Hearts. Truly, a mystery worthy of unraveling. This conflict should reveal the truth to me."