So! I guess this means the hiatus is officially cancelled! (Which is good). Anyways, I have spent the past months working out plot points and the insertion of characters, but now that my block is gone, I'm ready to spill out creative awesomeness! *Fist pumps*
So I hope you like this brand new chapter! :D And please, feel free to review and let me know how I'm doing because sometimes I feel like I'm writing in the dark here.
Thanks!
The sun was unusually hot(considering Sugar Rush never got a seasons or day/night update) today, as it was beating down upon the poor candy man's head. Thank goodness he had hair now and didn't have to worry about getting major scalp burn(a TERRIBLE experience).
The others had cuffed him in some dark chocolate shackles from the Fungeon(apparently Sgt. Calhoun kept some on her person nowadays), and he was being constantly jostled around like a felon towards a clearing. Every now and then, Felix would glance over his shoulder from his spot beside his intimidating wife at Candy and toss the king an unreadable expression. There wasn't much to see besides the same landscape he had been becoming accustomed to since he regenerated- a lollipop tree here, a licorice shrub there. The ground was covered in little gummy-blades of shiny grass.
Suddenly, Calhoun jerked him forward harshly, sending him stumbling. They'd come to a halt. She grabbed him by the collar of his tailcoat before he could faceplant and set him right. "You need to work on your balance, bite size."
"Why did we sthtop?" He said, blowing loose hair out of his face.
"We stopped," Calhoun began, "Becuase this is where our little convoy separates. See, you and I are gonna crash at the Fungeon while Fix-It and Wreck-It check out the code room."
Calhoun reached over her shoulder and tossed her metallic pack into the air as it expanded and opened, catching itself airborne. Her cruiser. Candy gulped.
"Scared of Baby, are ya?" She teased. "I'll go extra-fast, then." Then, before he could protest, she picked him up around the waist, hopped onto the hoverboard with ease, and rocketed away at the speed of light. Candy was too shocked to scream. As they finally approached the palace, he could feel his face turning visibly green.
Once he and the Sarge landed, Candy wriggled out of her grasp and fell to the ground in a heap, breathing heavily. Were those candy canes dancing before his eyes? Oh, wait, no, those were the decals lining the pavement. He shook his head, clearing his mind, and begrudgingly stood. There was the Sarge, looking down at him, hip cocked to one side with her pack slung over her shoulder, leaning against the sugar-coated wall. She raised a brow and gave him a questioning, crooked smile.
"Hey, no, that'sth my persthonal exthpression, I am well known for it!-" he stopped, furrowing his brow. "Well, it wasth, before- you know." He flicked a wrist, a difficult task considering the shackles. Suddenly changing the subject, he turned and gazed up at the castle in wonder for the first time since his regeneration, a thoughtful smile etching its way onto his features. "I wonder if it'sth sthtill sthalmon in there- it- hehe- it better be!"
Something in her eyes changed- they were lighter, less threatening. "You are the fruitiest, nuttiest civilian I've ever met."
Now it was Candy's turn. He whipped out his trademark expression, and quipped," I believe that award hasth already been given to you, my dear."
She chuckled. "I think we're gonna be good friends, Jingle Bells."
Soon enough, Tammy's cruiser could be seen auto-piloting itself above the candy cane and lollipop trees. It sighed as it settled itself six inches above the ground, ready for the next boarders.
Felix hopped onto the board with an audible sound effect. Tammy Jean had found the time to train him in the not-so-easy arts of cruising after their wedding. Ralph, having been silent thus far, stepped onto the end of the board, causing it to sag warningly. Soon, after a small fuss over who goes where on the board, they were off at a reasonable pace, though much, much slower than Tammy and King Candy went. "You know, I almost feel sorry for whatever-his-name-is right now," Ralph piped up, chuckling lightly as they arrived at their ever-so-sparkly destination. Sarge is probably interrogating him out of his bell shoes right now."
"Knowing Tammy Jean, probably." Felix laughed and looked over to find Ralph was focusing on something below, around the side of the castle. "..Or they could be making small talk." Felix was surprised to find his wife and King Candy chatting amiably like two good friends. If his wife had already begun to trust him, then he was more likely than not telling the truth. Then again, Turbo was charming in the old days. Who knows what he could do now, given the opportunity?
Either way, it was pretty startling to see his wife warm up to someone so quickly, to say the least.
Soon enough, Tammy pushed in a brick in the base of the castle's foundation, opening a secret tunnel to the Fungeon- they'd discovered it while washing the offensive paintings off the walls(President's orders)- and followed Candy inside.
Felix landed the hoverboard with great ease. It was visibly eager to be free of Ralph's weight girth as it almost instantly folded up and settled itself on Felix's shoulders without him having to even grab it. "Alright, now, how will we explain this to Sour Bill?" Asked Felix.
"And without Vanellope finding out-"
"Finding out what, Stinkbrain?"
Vanellope emerged from around one of the potted marshmallow plants decorating the walkway, a lace from her hoodie in her mouth, and glitched her way over. Of course the kid would be spying, Ralph thought. So much for being discreet.
"Uh, nothing," They ad-libbed. They both had obviously nervous grins plastered onto their faces in a hurry. "Dudes, I'm not 'thick', like Sargeant Shortfuse says," Vanellope deadpanned. "What is it? Wait- don't tell me- It's a surprise party for me!" She exclaimed, giving them jazz-hands.
Ralph sighed. He knew the kid wouldn't leave without an answer. "I'll be straight with you kid, but you gotta promise not to freak out."
The tot's expression changed from playful to concerned in a second. "Why? Is- Is everything okay? No one's been hurt, has there-?"
"No, no, nothing like that, Vanellope," Felix reassured, "But it is a large problem. Come with us- it's better if we show you."
"O-okay.." she said apprehensively, then glitched onto Ralph's shoulder.
Ralph, Felix and Vanellope walked through the shorn shrubbery around the castle, coming to a halt at the secret entrance. Felix hopped up with a boing and pushed in the sugary brick, and chocolate powder-dust appeared around the cracks of other bricks, forming an outline of a door, which opened itself to them.
"How come I didn't know about this secret hallway?" Vanellope asked, not expecting a reply. "Where are we going?"
"To the Fungeon," Ralph answered. "I just want you to know, what you're about to see will startle you- no doubt about that. We need to figure out how to deal with this."
"Tammy Jean!" Felix called into the tunnel. "It's us, honey! Change of plans! Vanellope's here, too!"
"What do dwarves and wonders have in common?" Her voice echoed through the tunnel from seemingly all directions. Ralph pulled a confused face.
"Seven," Felix anwsered easily. Tammy's security measures always came in handy.
"Okay, good. Come on in." Suddenly, the trio was overwhelmed with light as a door they hadn't known was right in front of them shot open, Calhoun standing in the frame. "Well, are you pansies gonna come in, or not?" she asked. "Why's the kid here?"
"She sort of found us," Felix said, eyes flicking between Vanellope and Ralph and his wife, who bore a neutral expression.
Ralph let out a short laugh. "The kid's a little sneak." He ruffled Vanellope's hair.
"Alright, alright, back to the important matters at hand, Wreck-It."
Ralph lowered Vanellope to the ground in the middle of the room, the scuffles echoing off the walls in the eerie silence. It made the place less corny and more ironic. Her heavy boots resounding, Calhoun stepped around her companions and shoved closed the heavy brick opening with a low moan. She proceed to deadbolt the lock into place with a muffled click.
Before a word could be uttered, a faint, digital sound found its way to their ears.
"What was that?" Vanellope asked. "It sounds like glitching."
"That's the subject of our main conversation, Princess Cavity." Vanellope was about to glitch around the corner of the corridor when an overly-large hand placed itself on her black locks, stopping her dead in her tracks. "Hold on, kid. It's better if you come with us."
Calhoun led the group with Felix at her hip, Vanellope holding Ralph's finger. They rounded the corner the small nine-year-old let out a small gasp.
Before them were two teal walls with a chain caddy-corner. Its thick, glitch-proof waistband was clasped tightly around the same familiar purple tailcoat that could only belong to one person. Vanellope gazed at the sight with glazed eyes.
It was King Candy-she meant Turbo- chained to the wall, but he was different- younger, and he had hair, which startled her. Somehow his cheeks and nose were rosier, and the wrinkles on his forehead were nonexistent. He looked up with wide, brown doe eyes at them.
It didn't surprise her he was glitching- not at all. It was something more important. Realization hit her like a sweet seeker to the face.
"You're not Turbo," she said, voice trembling.
"How do you know?" Sarge questioned from her spot against the wall.
"It's- it's his code," she replied. "When he glitches, there's no sign of Turbo's pattern anywhere."
Ralph raised his eyebrows. "Whoa. When'd you learn to do that, kid?"
"When I encrypted his files during the race, I memorized his code like a computer or something."
"Do you recognize what his code is, then?" Sarge was smart. Just because he wasn't Turbo didn't mean he wasn't a threat anymore, even if this new knowledge was a great relief.
"Yes. It's-" Vanellope's throat choked up.
"Come on, President, spit it out."
"I can't believe it," She said. "I thought- Is it really you?"
Turbo- whoever he was- nodded his head gently. He wasn't sure of his fate anymore. If Vanellope didn't recognize him, then obviously they'd check the code room, but he knew Turbo had wiped most of his data, which only he himself knew how to recover. But since none of them would believe him at that point, he'd probably be locked up in the Fungeon forever.
Vanellope narrowed her eyes. "Okay, how about this: if it really is you and this is not a dream, prove it. I'll ask you something only he would know."
He chose not to respond. This was a tricky situation.
"On your birthday, during our first year plugged in, what nickname did I give you, and why?"
He smiled, as if thinking of the memory. "Puffpantsth," he replied. "And it wasth becausthe you gave me my pantsth."
"Where did we go for the rest of the day?"
"To the amusthement park that had been built in the sthouthern end of the kingdom."
That convinced her, apparently. She glitched over to him and poked the flip in his bangs. It bounced when she pulled her finger back. "How..." He trailed off. "Nevermind, I know how."
The whole time, Calhoun, Felix and Ralph were more confused than an Enderman encountering a round ball. Vanellope was taking this incradibly well. Then again, Ralph thought, She does have experience with dealing with this stuff. But what is she talking about?
Vanellope turned to face them. "It's okay, guys," she began. "This is my brother."
Of course surprise was written over all three of their faces. "Waitwaitwait, you already knew?"
"I sorta-kinda-accidentally unlocked the rest of my memories three days ago when I found this portrait of me and him," She replied. "I was planning on telling you guys today, but then I overheard you and Felix, and, well, now I don't have to, I guess."
"Well at least this makes it easier for us," Felix murmured.
Silence followed. Vanellope gestured over to Candy, figuring their next move was obvious. "Well?" she prompted. "Aren't you going to unchain him?"
Sarge redistributed her balance onto herself as she pushed off the wall and pulled out the key to the wasitband. It fell to the ground with a thunk. He was free to go, but no one moved.
"You'll all understand when I say that he still needs to be kept an eye on." Sarge said, more making orders than asking permission. "I'll get my most trusted man to come over here and be personal security for you, Jingles."
Candy wasn't sure whether to be insulted or flattered. He guessed she meant it both ways. There was no way he'd be trusted alone, anyways. He turned to Vanellope.
When was the last time he'd actually been able to speak to her as himself? Even though he'd still been around her for fifteen years, he had missed her. "Vanellope," He started, "I understhtand if you find thisth awkward-"
And suddenly she had thrown her stubby arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. He slowly, gently placed his arms around her, stroking her hair. "Puffpants," she sighed into his chest. "Now I can be a princess again."
"You- you're not mad at me?"
"Nope."
"Not even a little bit awkward?"
"Not at all. Come on, you should know me better than that." She said as he released her from his grip.
"Ehm, not to ruin your guys' mushy moment, but what are we gonna do now?" Ralph butted in.
"Yeah, what do we tell the kingdom?" Felix asked.
"We tell them nothing until we figure out why only Princess Cavity knows," Sarge said. Most of the time, her word was law. "You said that painting jogged your memory, eh?"
"I suppose so," Vanellope replied with a shrug. "I saw the painting in this dusty storage room, and boom! Everything came back." She gestured a 'boom' with her hands.
"So that means it's obviously still in the code, or you wouldn't remember."
"But Vanellope reset the game when she crossed the finish line," Felix said, arms crossed. "So why would those memories still be locked up?"
"I might be able to ansthwer that," Candy peeped, once again peeking up through his bangs. All of their eyes turned to him. "Before Turbo brainwashed everyone, I wasth able to put firewallsth around sthome of the memoriesth to protect him. And asth you can probably infer, I didn't get to them all in time. The firewallsth justht need to be taken down, and then the memories will be released back into the code."
"Okay then," Felix mused, "But none of us know much about code."
"I'd have to give you insthtructionths. But you mustht be careful. Firewallsth are dangerousth to thosthe who don't know how to handle them. You can become stheverely corrupted by even touching one."
"So we're gonna need someone who has experience with firewalls in order to access it," Ralph said aloud. "So you mean you would have to go in there and fix it yourself."
"Gumdropsth, no!" Candy replied. "I'm glitched now, and stho isth Vanellope. If either of usth even attempted to delete the firewall, we'd be deleted insthtead."
"And we're the only ones in the game who have the power to reset the game," Vanellope finished. "So what do we do?"
"There's only one person I can think of to go to in situations like this," Felix said, coming to a resolve. "We need the Surge Protector."
"Oh, come on!" Ralph whined. "Anyone but him! The little dude practically hates me!"
"He's our only choice, Wreck-It." Ralph huffed annoyedly in defeat.
"What do we do about King Candy?" Felix asked.
"He can't be seen by anyone until we sort this mess out. Then we can bring him to the public and unlock the firewall then."
"But we've gotta tell Sthouwah Bill," Candy said. "I feel like I kinda owe it to him, for all he'sth been through."
"We could try getting him to remember by showing him the painting," Vanellope suggested, still close to her brother's side. "and if it doesn't work, we can show him how he glitches blue, not red."
"And the other servants?" Sarge inquired. "Surely they'd talk. We'll have to keep Jingle Bells locked up somewhere."
"How about your room?" Vanellope posed, gazing up into Candy's eyes. "No one would think of going in there, since- you know."
"Hey, yeah!" Ralph exclaimed, "That'll work."
"Remember, we can only tell specific people," Sarge warned. "If this gets out, people will assume it's Turbo all over again, and none of us want that to happen. So no telling friends, family members, nothing."
"Understood, Sarge!"
"Yes dear."
"Okay, let's get hid Royal Fruityness to his pink bedroom!" Vanellope exclaimed.
"Ah-ah, it'sth sthalmon," Candy corrected crossing his arms. Vanellope stuck her tongue out at her. "Sure, whatever you say, King Puffpants."
"Good, becausthe I sthay it'sth sthalmon, Princthessth Cavity."
"Pink."
"Sthalmon."
"Pink."
"Sthalmon."
"Pi-"
"Shh!" Sarge shushed. They'd come to the exit that led down a straight corridor, up some steps, and into the castle halls. "I'll scout ahead," and she slipped through the open door with a pistol in her palm before anyone could protest.
Calhoun returned a few minutes later when the group had just begun to worry. "Coast is clear- at least, it is now. I told those two donut cops that the president wanted them to take a break, and I'd be covering them. You really need better security forces, Vanellope."
The next ten minutes were spent walking/sneaking dramatically like Mission: Impossible through the halls of the sugary castle until they came upon a room with the intials K.C. on it. It was the most sparkly pink door Sarge had ever seen. This dude was a nut. "I've sent a signal to Kohut to meet me here. He'll be making sure no one finds out about this until we're all ready. But for now, I've gotta go find a replacement before the arcade opens. Fix-It, Wreck-It, you two stay with them until he gets here. Don't worry- Kohut is prompt."
"Okay, Tammy Jean," felix replied sweetly. He boinged up and pecked her lips. Candy was laughing behind Ralph and Felix at Vanellope, who was making gag noises. An automatic pair, she thought. It's been half an hour and they're acting as if nothing had changed.
"See ya later, civilians."
"Bye Sarge." Ralph waved as she flew out of the castle at breakneck speed on the cruiser she'd snatched from Felix during the kiss.
"Now we wait for Kohut," Felix said aloud, and held the bedroom door open for everyone to enter.
He couldn't believe the Sugar Rush problem hadn't ended yet. Just when they'd started to accept the peace, a new detail popped up. At least it wasn't Turbo again. But they did have to deal with getting everyone to accept King Candy. It'll all turn out fine in due time, he said to himself. In due time.
AN: Hey, thanks for reading after such a long hiatus, my loyal ones! So I guess King Candy has been established into the story fully! Now the plot thickens! MWAHAHAHA!
