Ch.2

It was nearly 3 a.m. and Rancis was having troubles sleeping. He fumbled in his sleep, rolling back and forth. He could still hear the man's wicked laughter reiterating inside his head, and it drove him to a brink of insanity.

"Ha ha ha ha!" the voice cackled in his head. "Come to me, child!"

"NO!" Rancis yelled, sitting abruptly upright, panting heavily.

His chest went up and down increasingly, his breath getting heavier and hotter. Slowly he got out of his bed and walked into the kitchen. Getting a glass of milk, he sat on the couch and chugged it down. He wiped off the chocolate mustache from under his nose. From the corner of his eye, he saw the envelope he shoved in the trash from the mysterious encounter with the odd man, and went to pick it up. The envelope was now a bit crinkled, but otherwise okay. Curiosity got the best of him, and he slowly tore up the envelope fold. Inside was a letter and an old map. The letter read:

Rancis Fluggerbutter,

Due to the troubles Sugar Rush is having, we ask you to take a journey to rescue the daughter of King Candy, Princess Vanellope. As far as we know, she has been taken to the game Night Wolf, waiting for a rescuer in the tallest tower in the Castle of Darkness. The faith of this game lies in your hands. May the programmers be with you.

Sincerely,

Anonymous.

Rancis grew puzzled, flipping the letter over, finding it blank. He shifted his gaze to the map examining it closely. The map showed a clear path to the castle, some clear notes were written as well, telling him wear to go and wear not to go. Taking some thought into this and went into the hallway closet, taking out a brown backpack with yellow accents, and began packing. He neatly packed in food, clothes, some extra pillows and blankets, and some other items he needed for his journey. He stuffed a tent he found and packed it along with the others, then hopped into the tub and showered.

"Can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered as he washed his hair, lathering the nice shampoo and conditioner into it.

Once he got his hair done, he rinsed it off thoroughly and jumped out of the shower, drying off and fixing his hair. He put on some fresh clothes, packed another pair of pajamas in the bag, picked up his backpacks and walked out, making sure to have the letter and the envelope in the front pouch. He was not aware that the mysterious cloaked man watched him from afar, laughing demonically.

"All according to plan," he cackled.

Rancis got off the tram and looked at his surroundings. Tall trees with a thick trunks and distorted branches were waving hello, and a bright full moon shone brightly as it took its place high in the sky, and wolves were howling out their cry.

"This is the creepiest place I've ever been. Even Gloyd wouldn't come here," Rancis stated, shivering violently.

He took out the map from his pocket and drew out his flashlight from his backpack pocket, shining on the paper. "This way." And off he went, down the path before him, shivering uncontrollably.

After what seemed like eternity to Rancis (two days), he reached the end of the trail and saw the castle in front of him, his eyes widening. The path to the Castle of Darkness grew dark and murky, but it was nothing compared the real thing. The castle was pitch black, tall towers and turrets were humongous, and the moat was gloomy and misty. The gate creaked open before Rancis, welcoming him inside. Rancs gulped in fear, and walked in. He swung the castle doors open and walked through the hallway, shining his light.

"How did I get myself into this?" Rancis moaned, his voice echoing loudly.

He pranced down the hall warily, getting even more nervous each step he took. He came across a staircase and began ascending the stairs, unaware that a pair of dark eyes staring at him. Rancis reached the top of the staircase and saw a pathway to another part of the castle. The he saw a small window. "At least we know where the princess is," he said. "But why do I have a feeling that I'm missing something?" Shrugging it off, he began his stroll ever so calmly, when he heard a loud roar. He stopped in his tracks and looked around, straining his ears for the noise.

"M-must be the wind," he stuttered, nervously laughing.

He took a few steps forward, but stopped when that cry rang in his ears again. Rancis started to cough as he inhaled a puff of smoke, fanning it away from his face. Behind him, he heart a snort. Slowly turning around, he came face-to-face with an angry looking dragon. The dragon was 30 feet long, had black scales and spikes from his back trailing down to his tail and flaming dark red eyes. His claws were as sharp as a knife, and his shark-like teeth were ready. It growled threateningly at the now frightened boy, who was paralyzed right on his spot, whimpering, "N-nice dragon. Y-you w-wouldn't hurt me would you?" In response, the dragon growled loudly in Rancis' face. Rancis screamed in terror and dashed off, the dragon on hot pursuit. He ran in the building and slammed the door shut right in the dragon's face, then fled for his life. He took many hallways and paths, avoiding bones and mice, until he saw a door. Hearing the dragon's unpleasant cry, he hurriedly fled to the door, swung it open and slammed it shut. Rancis panted heavily, holding his hand to his heart. He looked around and saw that it was a bedroom he walked into. Realization dawned upon him. If this was a bedroom, then where…?

Rancis heard clattering on the ground and saw that it none other than a pink lollipop scepter on the floor. Confused, he went to pick it up. Just as he went to pick it up, he accidentally placed his hand on someone else's. Looking up, he came in contact with a pair of beautiful hazel eyes. The moon's light gleamed through the window and shine right on them.

Rancis' eyes grew wide.

He was touching the hand of Princess Vanellope.