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Chapter 22 *"The Shadow Within Me"

  Morning.

  Mia and Mo arrive at the base of an old mountain, covered in thick mist. Mo stops and touches the stone wall. Mo:

  This is where my father trained when he was young.

  This place... doesn't forgive anyone. Mia:

  Perfect.

  We don't have any time to waste. The mist opens on its own, like a gate. Mia feels a cold shiver. Mia:

  Mo... something's here.

  Mo:

  Yeah.

  It's the ancient magic of my clan.

  If you want to become stronger... you have to go through it.

  Mia takes a deep breath. Mia:

  I'm ready.

  They both step into the mist. The light shifts.

  The air grows heavy.

  Whispers echo around them-old voices, like spirits of warriors. The mist rises.

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  Mia wakes up alone in a stone circle. Mo is nowhere.

  Mia:

  Mo?

  Mo!

  No answer.

  From the fog, another Mia appears. Identical.

  But with black eyes.

  Shadow Mia:

  You want to save Centopia? You? The one who ran away?

  The one who cried?

  The one who couldn't protect Yuko? Mia clenches her fists. Mia:

  I'm not perfect.

  But l'm done running. Shadow Mia laughs.

  Shadow Mia:

  Then show me.

  The two Mias clash.

  No magic.

  No weapons.

  Just raw, brutal hand-to-hand combat. Mia falls, gets up, falls again. Shadow Mia grabs her by the throat. Shadow Mia:

  You're weak.

  With her last strength, Mia whispers: Mia:

  Maybe.

  But l'm not alone. The blue light of the gem pulses through her bracelet.

  Shadow Mia dissolves into mist. Mia collapses to her knees, exhausted.

  Mo wakes up in a stone hall. In front of him stands a massive figure made of light.

  Samson (spirit):

  My grandson..

  You've grown.

  Mo freezes.

  Mo:

  Grandfather... you're... you're here? Samson:

  Only as an echo.

  But enough to ask you something: Are you ready to carry our family's burden? Mo tightens his fists.

  Mo:

  Yes.

  For Yuko.

  For Mia.

  For Centopia.

  Samson raises his hand. Light falls over Mo like a blessing. Samson:

  Then rise.

  And remember:

  Strength doesn't come from anger. It comes from choice. The light fades.

  Mo is alone.

  But stronger.

  Mia and Mo step out of the mist-tired, Sweating, but changed.

  Mia:

  Mo...

  passed the test.

  Mo:

  So did I.

  From now on... we're not the same anymore. Mia looks toward the mountain peak. Mia:

  Where's the next piece? Mo lifts the map.

  Only one place glows.

  Mo:

  The Temple of Storms.

  The most dangerous place in Centopia.

  Mia smiles.

  Mia:

  Perfect.

  Let's go.

  The camera rises toward the sky. In the distance, on a cliff, Alexandra watches them again.

  But this time...

  she isn't smiling.

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