The masked Slinger (Slugterra Fanfiction)

Getting away

We slowly gather our things before starting our mechas.
"Where should we go first," I ask Will.
"Where do you think is safe?" He looks at his son and wife who are talking.
I look at everyone with a drowning feeling.
If they get hurt it's my fault.
I feel my hands curl into fists.
"I don't know," I answer while looking down.
"I heard Eli was worried about Red Hook. I could go to Quiet Lawn and get him. While you guys head to Bullseye cavern. No Black industries could have made a new dark water mine there but if they did then-"
"Ray you have to think where would Black most likely not be," Will speaks up.
"Here where we are but we can't do anything if we don't leave."
"Anywhere else." He questions patently.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm just a teenager." I snap I instantly regret it when everyone goes quiet.
"You have to Book of Knowledge." Trixie states.
"It has a price you must pay." I take a breath.
"A price?" Eli looks over at me.
I nod "It is different with each person." I look at Master Lian then Junjie.
"What is your price?" Will asks quietly.
"My sanity.... my will," I answer after a few moments.
Everyone remains silent.
"Then why do you continue to harm yourself with it," Kord questions sternly.
"Because I have to protect everyone!" I shout shakily.
"Because I couldn't protect my parents or Aiden." My voice shakes.
"You can't save everyone." Will states after a long silence.
"I made a vow to." I cross my arms stubbornly.
"Forget the vow. You were a little kid when you made that vow."
"Forget the vow. How can I forget it." My voice raises.
"Everyone is expecting me to live up to it. It's my duty... my responsibility." My skin feels hot.
"But they are gone, Rayleigh."
I jerk around to my little brother.
"No. There is still a way to save them." My voice becomes a whisper.
"If that weren't true then why...." I trail off in a shaky voice.
"Ray" Junjie holds an arm out and I walk away.
"I'll go get Redhook. You guys head to Lands end cavern or glowworm cavern."
"I'm done with caves." Drake pouts and crosses his arms.
I notice everyone's stiff posture.
"The game master is long gone." I assure them before walking out of the room.
"I'm coming with you." Will's voice echo through the quiet stone walls.
He walks without his Mecha. Leaving it for Eli and Amanda.
"Do you have any ideas for getting to Quiet lawn?"
I smirk "I might have one."
"You have that look in your eye." Will states in amusement and wonder.
I pull the Vitales crystal out of my pocket.
"Your crazy" He chuckles.
"Aren't we all?" I state rhetorical while looking ahead.
Will chuckles "You got me there."
I roll my eyes child like.
Holding the Vitales crystal in front of me.
"Shadow king. I- we need your help."
At first nothing happens then a green portal appears before us.
The shadow King and his Daughter walk out before it closes behind them.
Will gapes at what is before him.
"You'll catch flies." I whisper to him.
He quickly closes his mouth and a puzzled expression on his face as I causally say a phrase from the burning world.
"What ails you child?" He speaks kindly.
I hesitate a moment before Will give me an encouraging nod.
"We have a friend that we believe Black Industries will harm. We seek a quick travel to his home in Quiet Lawn Cavern." I keep my voice even.
"How so?" The princess questions.
I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment. "Thaddeus Black-" I bite out his name as the curse he and his damn family is.
"-he has taken him before and forced him to construct equipment. Equipment that may have led to the first fall."
The Shadow King nods one. "We will provide aid to the cause." He bows his head before a portal appears before us.
"This will be fun." Will states sarcastically.
"Have you been in one of these before?" I look carefully inside it.
"Yes and I turned my guys inside out."
Hope chirps from my shoulder.
"Will it harm the slugs?"
The Shadow King quickly responds with a no.
I shuffle a step closer to it.
Will stands right behind me.
"Do you trust me?" He asks suddenly.
"I guess why." I get a bad feeling.
"Then don't kill me for this." He pushes me inside the portal.
"William! Shane!" I shout as the portal sucks me in.