And just when you thought it was safe…AMARIS-THE-DEMON REA-F*CKING-PEARS!

OMG it has been fooooorever since I've written anything, so I decided what would be better to make a glorious (or absolutely horrible) come-back than with a sequel to my by far most popular story: Crystalize!

That's right! Samurai Candlehead is back! So, hold on to your hats and buckle your seatbelts, 'cause if you thought the first story was action filled and awesome— the sequel (should) KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!

Enjoy.

Chapter One: What I've done
I'll face myself, to cross out what I've become...

Candlehead POV

I woke with a start. I took in shallow breaths and walked outside to the balcony. The sugary moon of Sugar Rush was high in the sky. I took in deeper breaths and gripped the balcony rail.

For months now, the events that happened in Samurai Sword Showdown had haunted my dreams. It was the reason I had hung up my gi and sheathed my sword for good. I rolled up the sleeve of my left arm. All that remained of my death mark was pale scarring. I glanced back at Vanellope, still fast asleep in her bed.

I was glad my nightmares hadn't awoken her. She had mostly recovered from what happened, it probably helped that she didn't KNOW what had happened. And i didn't tell her, I wanted her to keep her sweet dreams. I would deal with the nightmares. We had been going out for more than eight months now. She had on occasion asked me if I wanted to fight again. I shook my head as that question twirled around in my head. Eight months ago I would've immediately said yes, but now...

But now I needed a drink

I went outside to my kart and took off to Tapper's. Vanellope wouldn't be shocked if she awoke and I wasn't beside her. I walked inside and saw Taps already awake and cleaning his bar.
"You're late." He said chuckling. I smirked.
"Fashionably late, gimme a double shot of Pepsi." I said and sat at the bar stool. Tapper chuckled.
"You're getting daring." He said as he poured it. I downed it in one go. "Does Vanellope know?"
"Know what?"
"About your nightmares."
I traced the edge of the shot glass.
"A nightmare I could deal with Tapper, but these aren't nightmares. They're memories." I said and sighed "And I can't put that on Vanellope's shoulders."
"She ought to know." Tapper stated. I tapped the bar and he poured another shot.
"If you saw what I saw when Tak—when he possessed her. You'd know why I won't tell her." I said and downed the shot. "Tapper, she was so…evil. Not human."
"I know. But that don't give you the right to keep it a secret from 'er." The bartender insisted. I shook my head. "Look, Hotar—"
"Candlehead." I corrected sharply. He put his hands up in mock surrender.
"Candlehead, would Isao wantcha to keep information? To hang up your gi?" He asked. I sighed.
"No. He wouldn't, but he's not here…I have to make my own decisions. My loyalty isn't to the sword any longer, it's to Vanellope." I sighed "Tapper, I love her. It's safer for me to remain what I'm programmed to do instead of fighting."
"Once a warrior, always warrior." He stated simply. "And have you told her just how much you like her?"
"Well…no…" I said. "We just started staying at each other's places. Do ya think I should?"
"If you really love her. You should." He said and I smiled.
"Thanks, Tapps. Now, I've gotta a buzz and you've gotta get your bar ready. Catchya later." I said and walked out.

OooOOOooO

Vanellope was still out cold when I got back. I smiled softly to myself and stroked her cheek.
"Vanellope, time to get up omae." I whispered. She groaned and rolled over.
"Five more minutes." She mumbled.
"Vanellope, c'mon. You've got races to win." I said and crossed my arms. Her response to that was curling deeper into her blankets. "Okay, if that's how you're gonna be, then…" I jumped onto the bed and she went flying and landed with her butt up in the air on the bedroom floor. She glared at me.
"You asked for it, princess." I said teasingly.
"You may be a samurai." She said grinning. She glitched and pinned me to the bed "But I'm a glitch."
I pouted.
"It took me fifteen years to get my agility and all you have to is focus on your code." I said. She grinned.
"It's one of the perks of being me."
I rolled my eyes.
"You mind letting me up, omae?" I asked. She grinned mischievously.
"I said five more minutes, didn't I, Firefly?" She whispered huskily in my ear. I smiled.

OooOOOooO

I had been picked as my gamer's racer. The guy was skilled, he knew exactly how to maneuver the Ice Screamer so that I got ahead of the other racers. I grinned, I was gonna win by a landslide.
"SWEET SEEKERS!" The announcer voice yelled as I zoomed into the sugarcube. I aimed it to hit Gloyd, Critsuella and Taffyta.
"As easy as— GAH!" I screamed as pain shot up my arm and I jerked my car to the left and rammed straight into the guardrail. My car skidded across the track until flipping over itself and exploding. I felt myself shatter into pixels and regenerate at the finish/start line.

I was still gripping my arm in pain.
"Candlehead! What happened?!" Taffyta yelled at me as her and most of the other racers ran over.
"I don't know. This only happened when I…" my sentence trailed off. Vanellope sprinted to me and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back when I realized her breath was shallow.
"Don't do that!" She yelped. I stroked her raven colored hair.
"Sorry, omae. It's kind of inevitable." I joked weakly. She laughed some and pulled out of the hug.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, my arm just started hurting. I guess the kid who drove me yesterday wore it out." I lied smoothly. The other racers frowned. "Don't worry. I'm good now."
"Okay. Just be careful." She said concerned. I kissed her forehead.
"I promise." I said to her.
"QUARTER ALERT! QUARTER ALERT!" The announcer voice yelled. I got back into the Ice Screamer. Taffyta pulled up beside me.
"Candlehead, what really happened?" She asked. I frowned at her.
"I pray it's not what I think." I whispered and rubbed my arm. Taffy's eyes gleamed with concern. She mouthed the words "The curse?" I gritted my teeth.
"I won't tell." She whispered. I nodded.
"Thanks."

OooOOOooO

I went home after the races, ran to my bathroom and ripped off my jacket. My worse fear was confirmed as I stared in the mirror. My curse was back. Ugly, swirling, black marks were up my left arm. I stared at it in horror. I remembered what the Kenmei Na Jixyose had said about my curse.

"That is a powerful curse" She said and I felt my breath hitch.
"W-what is it? What will it do" I asked her. If possible her expression darkened even more.
"It is going to kill you" She said and my heart dropped to my stomach "If you go back to your own game, you might regenerate"

I might regenerate. I gripped my sink and breathed heavily. I had thought the Shishigami had cured me, obviously, he hadn't.
"Why is it back?" I asked myself and stared at it.

Japanese

Omae – my love