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Chapter 27

Miner Dash

Ray was running down a blank hallway. Unlike Codemaster X's hallway, this one was completely barren of anything. He heard a voice calling for him. He ran and ran but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. He stopped to catch his breath and came face to face with his younger self with a miniature version of Ralph holding onto his arm. "You're gonna need to be smarter than that to beat Lord Demonfang. Even without the artifacts he's still a piece of work." Young Ray informed as he pulled Ray into a kneeling position. "Now listen up! I'm only saying this once. Dig deep into the code, deeper than you've ever been before, and find the key to victory." He warned as he released Ray and faded into the walls. "Heh... You look soo cute as a kid." Young Ralph spoke as he followed behind his mini boyfriend. Ray sat there for about a minute before the world faded to black.

Ray stood next to Ralph a week after Prom looking at their collection of items: The Scythe of Spirits, The Claw of Destruction, The Boots of Levitation, and The Helmet of Telepathy. "Looks like we're only missing two. The Staff of Illusions and The Vest of Invisibility." Sarah commented as she checked the list Nice Guy gave her. "We're almost ready for the final battle..." Justin spoke as he sat on the couch in Ralph's hut. "I will take him down..." Ray whispered to himself as a line of code creeped up his arm. "The next game is... The Hidden Mine Shaft Horror. Apparently it's a haunted house simulator banned in the US." Ralph read off a clipboard. "That sounds fun." Ray replied sarcastically as he recalled his past exploits in the lost games of the arcade.

Flashback

MONDAY

Ray ran up the side of a mountain on chased by a shadow Blanka as he grabbed the Helmet of Telepathy.

TUESDAY

Sarah slashed through miles of jungle pursued by a shadow Beastman to get The Claw of Destruction.

WEDNESDAY

Justin ran through miles of gunfire shot by a shadow M. Bison to obtain The Boots of Levitation.

THURSDAY

Ray, Sarah, and Justin all traversed a foggy lake pursued by their own shadows to revive the deceased Code Protector.

End Flashback

They entered the game to find a seemingly abandoned house next to the mine shaft. "Let's go, and attack whatever attacks you." Ray instructed the other codemasters as they suited up and pulled out their blasters. "Let's rock!"

As they ran down the shaft, they met almost no resistance which surprised them to no end. "Elites?" Sarah inquired as they reached the final room. "Definitely." Ray and Justin replied in unison as they saw a shadow Maleficent fighting the Code Protector with even darker heartless.

"Dude... I think I know who's behind this... But I thought he was dead." Ray said to Justin as they pulled out their X weapons. "You really took this long to figure it out? And to think you took my spot." a voice sneered as a dark figure in a purple cloak emerged from behind a stalagmite holding the Staff of Illusions. "Ashton?!" Justin barked as he aimed a blaster at his head. "You remember me? I'm flattered." Ashton jested as he pulled his hood off.

"I make dark versions of people. Sicker, twisted versions. Obviously I can make one of myself and give it a super explosive." "I'll kill you!" Justin barked as he shot at Ashton ferociously, but Ashton summoned a shadow to take the hit. "I get it. Your power comes from the shadows, but I rule the shadows!" Ray shouted as he sucked all the light from the room. "With zero light, you have no power." Ray charged Ashton using his other senses and dealt a blow to his chest. "Drop dead!" Ray droned in a dark distorted voice as he slashed Ashton out of existence... or so he thought.

"Really amateur. Step up your game loser!" Ashton's voice rang through the room. "Ugh! Just die already!" Ray spoke again in the same creepy voice. "Looks like someone's shadow is about to break loose. Here's where my true power awakens!" Ashton jested as he returned the light to the room. "What a waste of a life. Such a freaking waste! I should just be dead." a familiar voice rang through the room.

"What?" Sarah exclaimed as two copies of Ray stood before them. One looked normal while the other had bright yellow eyes. "I hate everything. Nothing is worth my time. No one likes me. The world should just burn!" the yellow eyed Ray shouted. "Jack! Shut it! That's not how I feel!" Ray barked back. "Yes you do. After all, I'm you!" "NO! YOU'RE NOT!" Ray barked back as Jack began to grow bigger. His body took on the shape of the planet and his arms held bombs. "I am a shadow of the true self. You're all gonna burn!"

"Sarah... Take Justin and the Vest and get out." Ray demanded as he stood to fight himself. "We won't leave you!" She barked back as she grabbed the vest from a table on the side. "The mission is to get the vase and get out! Follow my orders now!" He barked as he created a wall from stray code. "This is my fight... alone." "You better come back safe." Sarah warned as she grabbed Justin's arm. Before they left, Justin felt a box appear in his hand. It was Ralph's engagement ring. "Tell Ralph... I'll be back one day." He spoke as they teleported out.

"Looks like it's just me." Ray thought to himself as he initiated Beta Mode. "Dig deeper idiot! Young Ray's voice echoed in his mind. "I've got nothing to lose." He decided as he began to look deeper while Ashton and his shadow closed in on him.

Next chapter tomorrow because I can't keep you in suspense! X3

Vanellope - WHAT?! NO!

Nero - Wait Ms. Vanellope. It's good for you.

Vanellope - OK FINE!

AND REVIEW!

Preview: It's been a week since anyone has seen Ray and Ralph is getting worried. Will Ray be back or is he gone forever? STAY TUNED!