Chapter 10

Back To Work

"Until Gary recovers, you are the official Number 1 Codemaster." The red Council member repeated after moments of silence.

"Really? Wow..."

"So what does he have to do?" Ralph inquired as Ray sat on Ralph's lap, unconscious.

"Nothing big, but he does have to show up at the next Master's Tournament and accept the winner's challenge. Standard protocol."

"Ok... So can we have a little privacy?" Ralph queried as he got up off the ground, picking Ray up in the process and threw him over his shoulder.

"Oh... Of course." The Council teleported away while Felix and Sarah walked off towards the apartment buidings.

Ralph gently laid Ray on the bed and cuddled him lightly.

Sleep took him quickly.

Ray was back in the white room with X.

"So I'm the leader of the Legendary 5?"

"Precisely, but you're not ready to lead just yet. Your team has not been established and your grasp of X Mode is seriously lacking."

"But I accessed X Mode. Isn't that enough?"

"It is not. You have yet to fully understand its meaning like you have code fusion."

Ray had so many questions, but they could wait.

"Two of your teammates have already been chosen. One you already know and one you will get to know."

"When will they be revealed to me?"

X gripped his nose with the tips of his fingers. "Seriously, this is not that kind of thing. So stop with the mystic crap."

"You mad, bro?"

"Are you memeing me now?" X was losing his patience fast.

"Sorry..."

"Just go sleep or something. You ruined my groove."

"I didn't know you were so meme savvy." Ray grinned.

"I'll call you back tomorrow when I'm not rethinking my life choices."

Ralph woke to a deliciously pungent aroma. He was surprised Ray had recovered so fast and not surprised he was in the kitchen.

"Ray... What'd I say about breakfast in bed?" Ralph shouted to his boyfriend.

"Only on your day off. I remember, but you're taking the day off." Ray replied as he walked in with a smorgasboard of food.

"What's with the buffet? This isn't our last meal is it?" Ralph queried as he stared down the spread.

"I haven't seen you in a week and the first time I see you, you're possessed. I just wanted to make you something from the heart."

"You could've..." Ralph whispered the last part in a hush-hush tone.

"Ralph! Damn, that's kind of naughty even for you."

"So you want to do it?"

"We haven't done it before."

"No time like the present."

"Okay. I'm in." Ray put the tray on the side table and hopped on top of Ralph, sinking into the blankets below.

"Damn Ralphy... I can't believe we just did that!" Ray attempted to catch his breath.

"You're one to talk! I won't be able to walk straight for days." Ralph replied as he reached for his boxers.

"Don't act like you're surprised. We both knew it was bound to happen." Ray threw his lover a smug grin and slapped his ass.

"Well I didn't expect it to be so..." Ray silenced Ralph's answer with a kiss.

Ralph melted into it immediately and kissed back.

"How about next time, you get your turn."

"I like the sound of that. Now let's go visit Vanellope." Ralph got out the bed and pulled on his overalls.

"Forgetting something?" Ray threw Ralph his shirt.

"Maybe I wanted to go shirtless?"

"And scar her for life? Besides the fact that you shouldn't go out looking like a lumberjack stripper?" Ray joked as he walked over to Ralph, fully dressed.

"You think you're funny huh?" Ralph inquired with a smirk.

"I make you laugh... so yes."

"Why'd I pick you anyways?"

"Cause I'm awesome." Ray smacked Ralph on the butt again and ran out the door.

"Can't catch me!"

"You're on!" Ralph replied as he slammed his door behind him.

Ralph chased Ray out onto the grass and finally tackled him after 5 minutes of frolicking with himself on top.

"I guess you got me. Here's your prize." Ray kissed Ralph's nose.

"That's it? I'm gonna need a little more than that." Ralph pouted immaturely.

"It did take you 5 minutes to tackle me. Maybe you're losing your edge."

"Stinkbrain had an edge?" a familiar voice said from behind them.

"Vanellope?!" Ralph exclaimed as he hopped off of Ray.

"Calm down, Boogerface. I didn't see anything life-scarring."

"I thought we were gonna meet in your game?"

"Well we were, but then I saw you guys running around outside on my video cameras." Vanellope spouted out before she could catch herself.

"Cameras? What cameras?!" Ray stomped over towards the candy-haired girl.

"Well... Sarah wanted me to put up some cameras around your game and in your house."

"So you spied on us?!" Ralph shouted as he stood beside Ray.

"I'm sorry! It was her idea! And she took the monitor to the bedroom. Apparently she thinks I'm to young to spy on you in there."

"Wait... Were they on 45 minutes ago?"

"I don't think they turn off... Why?"

"SARAH!" Ray hopped on his Blue Star II and sped off towards Jay's Arcade, completely oblivious to the fact that Sarah was laughing her ass of in the bushes with Felix in tow.

The next day, Ray walked into school to see a new face.

"Justin?"

"Morning, senpai."

"Senpai? When'd you start going to this school?" Ray thought he had been stalked. Although he was flattered, he was also scared.

"When you agreed to train me, the Council placed me in your school."

"I did?" I guess he did. "So, when do you want to start training?"

"After the arcade closes. I also got a paid internship there. The league is paying me."

'Wow... the Council thinks of everything. I'm a bit more afraid than I was before, more the council than Justin.' He thought to himself as he ran a hand through his hair.

"See you at Litwak's!"

Ray walked down the hall towards Sarah's locker to find her swooning over a picture of Felix.

When he saw her, all he could think of was how to get revenge.

"Starstruck much?"

"Dang Ray! Can't you warn a person before you sneak up on them?!" Sarah barked as she closed her locker.

"It wouldn't be sneaking if I did. Now answer my question. Did you see anything happen between me and Ralph?"

"If you mean the *insert old school porno music here*, then yes."

"You realize you owe me,right?"

"Yeah... I'll take the camera out his bedroom, but the Shower Cam stays!"

"SARAH!" Ray barked as he chased a giggling Sarah towards Japanese class.

During lunch, Ray accessed the Code database to find info on Justin he could use for his training. The little he did find would suffice for now, but he'd need more information to help him fully.

"Ralph!" Ray shouted as he entered the hut.

"Have you ever entered the house quietly?" Ralph inquired as he got off the couch.

"Of course I have... Lots of times." Ray spoke sheepishly.

"Name one." Ralph crossed his arms.

"Well, there was the day before yesterday."

"You were asleep!"

"How about the week before that?"

"You fell in through the window!"

"Okay. I'll try to be quiet... for you." Ray replied as he kissed Ralph on the cheek.

"Aww! I can't stay fake mad at you."

"Same here."

"Damn... I lost track. I need some bricks moved."

"Huh?"

"I need targets for my student to hit."

"Oh! Why didn't you say so?"

Ralph headed towards his closet where he pulled out some old, beat up targets.

"I used to have anger issues."

"It's okay, Ralphy. But it's nothing compared to how mine used to be."

"How so?"

"Well... Damn! I'm off track again! Later babe!"

Ray grabbed the targets and headed out into the woods.

"Senpai?!" Justin shouted as he followed the note he got from Felix at the entrance.

"It said to meet right here..."

All of a sudden, a huge blast of electricity zapped the ground next to him sending him flying.

"Code Up! Training has begun!"

"Ugh... All right then! Codemaster! Go!" His armor was dark green and had knightly air about it with a cape that trailed down to his hips.

"Code Card! Energy Bow!" He summoned a futuristic bow and took a stance.

"Shoot the targets!" Targets sprung from the trees as Justin began to shoot. He hit the first 2 no problem, but then, the targets started moving erraticly.

"You thought this would be easy, didn't you? Nope!" Ray shot a bolt at Justin, but he dodged it while shooting down 3 more targets. Another bolt clipped him on the shoulder, but he kept going and curved his arrow into a tricky one.

Ray appeared from the shadows. "Nice... Now you face me!" He dashed at Justin and started his hand to hand training.

Blows were exchanged and Justin held his own for a bit, but soon, Ray overwhelmed him with a flurry of jabs to the shoulders and he fell to the floor.

"That's enough for now." Ray spoke as his armor disappeared.

"Yes... I'm surely beat."

"You're not bad, but you haven't got your element yet."

"Element? I read about that. Codemaster's element's reflect their insides."

"Right! Like I'm wild, fast and unpredictable, so I'm lightning." He looked up what the elements meant earlier so he would seem educated. "What about you?"

"I don't know yet."

"You'll find it. Something tells me you may have more than one."

He could sense it inside of him, but Ray wouldn't tell him that.

Suddenly, a call came through on Ray's gauntlet.

"L.O.S Alert! Unknown Enemy approaching Game Central Station!"

"Let's go!"

Ray and Justin ran off towards GCS, somehow forgetting they could teleport.

"So their en route?" Ganondorf inquired as he stared at the newest member of the Big 4.

"Just leave the Codemasters to me. I've got a score to settle." Ashton replied as he walked off towards his dark portal. "Besides... Ray gave me a parting gift."

Ray and Justin exited Wreck-it Ralph to see a sight similar to Ray's first visit to the Station.

Benches were broken into pieces and signs were undistinguishable.

"Where's the troublemaker?" Ray inquired as he walked through the empty station. The barriers to the games slammed shut as a fireball whizzed past Ray's exposed face.

"Right here, chumps!" said a familiar, yet distorted voice.

"Sarah?!" Justin shouted as he walked up to her.

"I am a Dark Shard... an exact copy of her inner self; just a lot more evil. Call me Shadow. I was created by Ashton to enact revenge on you!"

"What?! Where'd he get that power?!"

"My gauntlet was converted into a weapon by the LOS." Ashton said as he hovered above the scene. "Now it can create a dark and twisted clone of any codemaster. All I need is their name."

Shadow twirled her hair and cackled.

"You won't be getting anymore out of us. Now we fight!"

"Grr... Wreck the code!" Ray's armor appeared and he charged the shadow.

"Have fun, my pet." Ashton chuckled and dissipated.

"Virus Card! Shadow Burn!" She crushed the card and threw dark fireballs at him, but he dodged just in time to trip her.

She swung at him with flaming fists, catching him twice in the gut.

He tried to kick her, but she ducked and sent a shockwave of darkness at him, sending him flying.

"Next level time! X Mode Activate!" He began to charge the energy, but the transformation just wouldn't start.

"What's the deal?"

"Well, well, well. Looks like you're having trouble there, old timer. I guess it was a fluke you beat my master. You're a joke!"

"Justin! I need your help!"

"But what will happen to Sarah? This may be a part of her we're fighting. From what I've read..."

Ray cut him off before he could finish that sentence. "You need to get your head out of the books and onto the battlefield. If you're gonna be a great Codemaster, you need to think just a bit less and act a lot more! And if you remember what it said earlier, you'd remember it's just a dark clone. So let's go!"

Ray turned around and was paralyzed on the spot. "What's this?!"

"My Darkness Hold! You're not going anywhere!"

"Damn it!" Ray dug deep inside himself and broke the chain, neutralizing the shadow's dark powers in the process. "Justin! It's up to you!"

"Me?!"

"Yes you! Get out there! She's lost her connection to the darkness."

"Alright then! Codemaster! Go!" the armor appeared and he charged Dark Sarah.

They threw punch after punch, blow after blow, but her attacks were doing a little more damage because of her Virus Card. Even without the darkness fueling her, she was a force.

"You're wearing down, little nerd! Looks like bookworm needs to stay in class!"

Something clicked inside of him at this statement.

"Your brain is your strongest asset. You may be timid and shy, but you're quick and can think on your feet. You have been chosen as one of The Legendary 5. Justin the Wise. Awaken to your power." Codemaster X's words echoed in Justin's mind.

"Well this bookworm is about to teach you something! Class is in session!" Justin hopped back and threw a hand out at Shadow blowing her back, then threw his other hand out sending a chill down her spine.

"I am as free flowing as the wind, and cool as ice, but I can also be as cold and unforgiving." His box began to glow as a new card replaced his old one.

"Code Card! Elemental Bow!" He crushed the card and the same futuristic bow appeared, but it had the kanji for wind and ice on its ends.

"Take this!" He shot a group of icy arrows at her, but she dodged just in time.

"Uh uh uh..." Justin tutted as she backed herself into a corner.

The arrows changed direction and froze her feet to the spot.

"What?! But I was just owning you? What happened?"

"You could say I... found my element."

"Dude... Leave the battle puns to me." Ray spoke as he facepalmed. "You ruined the moment. Just finish her."

"Ok... Fire!" He shot a blast of air that sent Shadow flying up the wall.

"Final Strike! Icy Wind!"

He pulled back and sent a sub-zero blast of ice and wind at her, destroying her in the process.

"I did it!" Justin shouted as his armor disappeared.

"Looks like someone's loosening up." Ray joked as he approached Justin.

"Yeah. Just a bit."

"You should be getting back now. It's getting late." Ray restored the station to its former glory and all the games unlocked.

"Why didn't your X-Mode work this time?" Justin inquired as Ray sat down on a bench.

"I don't know. I think I'm not ready to use it yet."

"Or maybe you just suck." said a voice from behind him.

"Ashton! You dirty rat!"

"It's nice to see you too, Ray."

"You've got 10 seconds to get out or I'll..."

"Or you'll what? As long as I've got this, you can't touch me!" Ashton bellowed as he held up a sphere that had Ray's name on it.

"Know what it is? It's a piece of you. When you blasted me, I released it while I was still connected to Ralph. I also can do this!" Ashton grew into the Shadow Wrecker.

"As long as you're missing a piece of you, you've got no X Mode..." As he said those words, the ball floated into the sky and Ashton faded into darkness.

"Justin? Any ideas?"

"The Trial of Coderonemy is the only way a Codemaster that has lost something can regain it. It's one of the most dangerous and psychologically damaging trials ever! No one's ever made it back alive."

"So... where do I go?"

"Wait... You're going?!"

"He has a piece of me! Of course I'm going!"

"Very well, you must clear your mind and sleep on it."

"Doesn't seem like a dangerous journey to me."

"Just sleep at Ralph's tonight... I'm going home to sleep off this entire mindfuck of a day." Justin teleported away leaving Ray to his thoughts.

So sorry for the erratic updates. The next chapter is guaranteed to be released on Tuesday, then I'll try to upload every Tuesdau until I'm done with the story.

Hope you enjoyed it!