Chapter 7: A Rookie Again

Thank you to the people who reviewed and followed this story after Chapter 6. So much support for this story really warms my heart every time I read a review. I am still aiming for triple digit reviews for this and I think I'll get there. And on another note, I got hired at a local Movie Theatre FULL TIME. That means I won't be able to update as often, even with A Sugar Coated Rivalry. Just a heads up. So please enjoy Chapter 7! Rancis' first taste of a Stock Car!

After a peaceful night's rest, the 15 racers of Sugar Rush were ready to tackle the day. Rancis was jittering more than Peter Griffin when he first tasted Red Bull due to the fact that tonight, he would get his crack in a stock car. "Geez Rancis, if you keep up that jittering, someone will mistake you for a massage chair," Vanellope said as they waited by their sugary karts for the race day to start. Rancis braced himself on the RV1.

"Sorry Nelly, I'm just so excited for tonight, I get to drive my first stock car!" Rancis exclaimed. Vanellope giggled and turned back around to Swizzle and Jubileena. The two were holding each other close and chatting.

"You know I swear I saw Taffyta and Gloyd walking back to the game last night together," Swizzle said. Jubileena gasped loudly, drawing more of Vanellope's attention. "I say it's about time," Swizzle continued. Vanellope walked briskly over to Swizzle.

"Swizz, did I just here you right, are Gloyd and Taffyta finally get the freakin' guts to tell each other?" Vanellope asked while holding Swizzle's shirt collar. She spoke loud enough for the rest of the racers to hear. They began to murmur about the juicy gossip.

"Hey you can't blame Gloyd Nelly, it took both Swizzle and I a long time to confess our feelings to you and Jubileena," Rancis said. Vanellope let Swizzle go and turned back to Rancis.

"I get that Flugs, but Taffyta never told us which guy she liked. She was in complete denial," Vanellope responded and strapped on her gloves. All the racers went silent as the lollipop and pumpkin themed racers arrived at the starting grid. They were smiling and holding hands until they noticed everyone staring.

"Um. what is everyone looking at us?" Gloyd asked. Swizzle and Rancis cheered for Gloyd and Jubileena and Vanellope surrounded Taffyta. "Hey, what's going on boys?" Gloyd asked Swizzle and Rancis.

"Congrats Bro! It's about time you grew a pair and asked her out," Swizzle commended Gloyd. Gloyd blushed at the teasing torment his friends started to put him through.

"Oh Gloyd, how much have you two sucked face now?" Rancis said and flicked his pumpkin hat. Gloyd grumbled in frustration and put his racing helmet on, trying his best to ignore the teasing. Rancis threw his arm around Gloyd's neck in a bro hug. "Come on Gloyd, we're only kidding, plus I'm getting back at you for teasing me when I asked Nelly out," Rancis explained. Gloyd sputtered and turned around.

"Well, I guess you two could be worse," Gloyd started, "it's good to have friends like you," he finished and put his gloves on. Swizzle shoved Rancis out of the way to talk to Gloyd. Swizzle and Gloyd were a little closer than Rancis due to the fact that Rancis is more about looks than say cars and other guy things.

"Have you two given each other pet names yet? I mean, I call Jubileena Jubee, she calls me Swizzy," Swizzle began his conversation with the orange colored boy, "and Rancis calls Vanellope Nelly, and she calls him, well so many damn nick names I've lost count," Swizzle joked.

"What can I say Swizz? My Flugs needs a lot of nick names," Vanellope overheard.

"Richard calls me his little Mint Chip," Minty blurted out without thinking. The others looked over in shock. Minty blushed a deep scarlet red and covered her face in embarrassment. Jublieena, Taffyta and Vanellope were still wide eyed at the outburst.

"I saw the two flirting last night, but even I think that was fast," Vanellope commented as everyone's minds caught up with their bodies. "Anyways Taffyta, how does it feel to finally have your dream guy to yourself?" Taffyta darted her eyes around, looking for an answer.

"It's great. All those years tormenting me to tell him my feelings mean nothing now! And it was so romantic how he declared his love for me!" Taffyta replied in hushed excitement. Jubileena and Vanellope squealed again.

"What did he do Taffyta? Surprise you with dinner? Send you secret chocolates?" Jubileena asked. Both Taffyta and Vanellope shook their heads. "No because Taffyta left with some guy named Rick with one arm last night," Vanellope explained.

"Yeah, it turns out Rick is from a video game about a band called Def Leppard," Taffyta explained, "and Rick happens to be the drummer, shock I know, and he and his bandmates helped Gloyd sing a song about how much he loves me," Taffyta finished with a smile on her face as she fondly remembered the happy night. Vanellope smirked in proudness and Jubileena hugged Taffyta whom promptly shoved her off. "Yeah I still don't do hugs, except from my Pumpkin Pie," Taffyta said.

"AW CRAP!" Gloyd was heard in the background. "It was only a matter of time bro," Swizzle chuckled.

'QUARTER ALERT! QUARTER ALERT!" The game went off. "Did anyone ever notice the Quarter Alert voice sounds a lot like Morgan Freeman?" Sticky said as everyone on the Roster List waited patiently by their karts.

(In Challenge of the Champions)

The twelve NASCAR drivers were rolling their 850 horsepower stock cars onto pit lane, waiting for an arcade goer to dispense their two quarters to race. "Alright gentlemen," Richard began, "after arcade hours and the Roster Race at Sugar Rush, Rancis will arrive here again to begin driving lessons on a stock car," Richard finished. A few of the champions murmured amongst themselves excitedly.

"And we are all excited about it," Jeff said, "this should be a rewarding experience for all of us," he concluded and popped a few blueberries in his mouth. Tony emerged from the garage area and wiped a grease stain off of his hat.

"Well, Dale and I just put the finishing touches on Rancis' car, it's not painted, but you get the idea," Tony announced. Dale followed him, putting a chocolate heart in his pocket. Jimmie needless to say, was pouting next to his Lowe's car.

"Oh yeah, we're all so excited to have a kid who drives candy to race with us! We're lucky that we regenerate in our own games or else I'd be writing my last will and testament by now," he said sarcastically. Dale turned quickly on his heel and walked over to the El Cajon native.

"Listen Jimmie, not a lot of drivers start out with the support they need. But with a little help, Rancis could be Jeff good, or even Richard good," Dale explained, "yet I don't think he can with you belittling him every time we bring him up!" He said angrily and smacked Jimmie with his hat. Jimmie grumbled and put on his helmet.

"So Rich, were are we going to test Rancis at tonight?" Dale asked as he readjusted his hat. Richard put his sunglasses away on his dash and put on his helmet which pictured his seven championship trophies and a little golden crown picture.

"Well, I thought about that Dale," Richard began and took a bite of a mint klondike bar, "I think we should take him straight to Atlanta first since the tires wear down so fast there that it would teach him car control early. Then we progress him to like Pocono, Darlington, and Talladega," Richard finished and threw his wrapper away.

"That's why the programmers made you the leader Richard," Dale said.

"QUARTER ALERT! QUARTER ALERT!" The game announced. "Aha!" Said Alan Kulwicki, "I told you guys the quarter alert voice was Morgan Freeman!" He said triumphantly as all 12 strapped in their cars and the track morphed from Daytona into Sonoma Raceway.

"Hey Jeff, we got a fan of yours racing!" Tony whispered loudly. Jeff's car glowed as he was selected.

"Have you got what it takes to beat the champions? Let's find out!" Jeff delivered his pre-programmed line.

(Closing Time!)

"Congratulations, you beat the champions and proved to be one of the best," Richard's programming declared as the final arcade patron left. Mr. Litwak locked up for the evening and the game characters began their social lives. "Alright boys, now all we have to do is wait for Rancis to finish up his Roster Race and then we can begin," Richard said as all the drivers stretched. Meanwhile, over in Sugar Rush, the Roster Race was just getting under way.

"As the President of Sugar Rush, this is such an honor to say: LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" Vanellope loudly exclaimed as she hit the countdown button and hopped in her kart. The counter reached zero, and the racers took off.

"COME ON PEOPLE LET'S HURRY THIS UP!" Rancis shouted as he zoomed passed everybody quickly. He assumed the lead by Gumball Gulch after starting fifth and never looked back the entire race. Even Vanellope was stunned at Rancis' maniac driving, he was always so precise and calm, but not so much tonight. Rancis was like a Flamingo on Ritalin drinking Coffee. "See you Nelly!" He shouted as he pulled even further away.

"Holy Sega, I never thought I would see something like that!" Jubileena said to Swizzle. Swizzle was also stunned due to the fact that he knew Rancis to be the kind of racer who tries to save his car until the final segments of the race to pounce for victory. The whole race was basically for second place, not even Vanellope's glitching was fast enough to catch Rancis who set a new course record. He finished about 47 seconds ahead of second place, Vanellope.

"Good lord, what an ass whipping'," Gloyd said as eventually everyone crossed the finish line. Vanellope walked casually up to Rancis and playfully nudged him.

"I never knew you had that in you," she said and discarded her helmet. Rancis hugged her tightly and smiled.

"Yeah, but I wanted to get out of here fast and get on over to NASCAR," he replied and laughed like a maniac. Vanellope giggled up a storm and playfully smacked his bum.

"Well go get 'em Flugs, I'll catch up after I change out of my sweaty fire suit," she said and walked briskly over to the castle. Swizzle, who was waiting to talk to Rancis, took the opportunity.

"Hey Rancis, Jubee and I were wondering if- hey, where'd he go?!" He asked loudly, "Rancis was right here three seconds ago!" Swizzle said and looked around. His girlfriend tapped him on the shoulder for him to turn back to her and the newest Sugar Rush couple.

"Uh Swizzy, he's long gone back to the NASCAR game; but Taffyta and Gloyd would like to have a double date with us, just nothing too gushy romantic for Taffyta," Jubileena said. Swizzle sighed in defeat and put his arm around his girl's neck.

(Back to NASCAR)

Tony and Dale had rolled Rancis' car onto the pit road of Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tony took it for a few lap practice session to see if it worked properly for Rancis. Tony exited the blank black #97 Chevrolet and smiled as he took off his helmet. "Well, she runs good and is pretty fast," Tony said, "we'll just have to see how Rancis likes it," he finished as Dale checked the stop watch.

"Wow Tony, you ran a 27.50," Dale said with an impressed whistle, "I'd say that's a fast piece we got him," he finished and put the stop watch away. Jeff and Richard were busy setting up the two way radios in the car and on one of the pit boxes.

"Okay, we're all set here Richard," Jeff said as he wiped sweat from his brow, "all we need now is to have Rancis get here to test," he finished. Richard put his cowboy hat and sunglasses on and dug out a fire suit from his pit box.

"I'm gonna give Rancis one of my spare fire suits, for luck," Richard said. He pulled out the fire suit and set it on top of the hood of Rancis' car. The other drivers were finishing up working on their cars. Jimmie was leaning on his car, wearing sunglasses and a disapproving scowl plastered on.

"We're waiting, where is that little cavity anyway? Is he making out with his boyfriend?" He said with a hearty laugh. The others shot him glaring daggers and made him leave back to the garage area. When he left, Rancis arrived driving the RV1 through a cloud of fog.

"Hey! There he is!" Tony said and put his arm around Rancis' neck. Rancis laughed and shoved Tony's arm off. He walked on over to Richard, Jeff and Dale and shook their hands. Rancis took off his hat and set it on top of his car.

"Well, I'm ready for anything guys," Rancis began, "just to let you know, I don't know fudge about stock cars, but I trust your guys' words of wisdom more than anyone," he finished. "No offense to the rest of you," he assured the other champions. Richard cleared his throat and presented his fire suit to Rancis.

"Hey Rancis, I want you to have my old fire suit, for luck. I think you're deserving enough to wear it," Richard said. Rancis took it and held it in front of him. His mouth was agape and his eyes were wide as he felt it.

"Th-thank you Richard," he said and put it on. It fit him like a glove. Richard then handed Rancis an orange helmet and a pair of Racing Gloves. The helmet had Rancis' name in cursive on the top of the visor. The gloves had Rancis' initials in cursive on the wrist and they were yellow and orange. Rancis finished putting everything on and looked in a mirror, being his old self. 'Oh damn I look good in this outfit,' Rancis thought to himself.

"Alright Pretty Boy, get in that car," Dale said. Rancis climbed in the car and buckled in. "Okay Rancis, now for Atlanta, the surface of this race track is very abrasive. Your tires will be worn out after just a handful of laps," Dale explained, "so you have to be really careful of not losing control and busting your ass against the wall. But you also have to be careful off of turn four, if you hit it wrong then you're going to slap the wall and end your day," Dale finished. Rancis took everything in and nodded.

"Okay, start her up Rancis," Jeff said. The car roared to life and Tony and Richard patted the top of the car. Rancis shifted the car in to first gear and took off. The eleven champions cheered as Rancis entered the track. By turn three, Rancis was into fourth gear and flying.

"Okay Rancis, you're starting lap one, give it all you got," Richard radioed to him. Rancis crossed the start/finish line at full throttle and was doing 200 miles per hour entering turn one. He gently lifted off of the accelerator to enter the turn. He entered the turn high and diamond the corner down the low line right on the white line between the groove and the apron. Rancis quickly picked the throttle back up and got an excellent run off turn two down the back stretch. The champions watched in silent awe as Rancis raced around the track. The Sugar Rush racer entered turn three doing 195 miles per hour on the high line and rode around the wall. He let off the throttle and quickly slammed it back down and ran off the high line off of turn four. Rancis crossed the start/finish line doing 197 miles per hour. "THAT WAS AWESOME!" Rancis shouted in his radio and cut off the engine.

"Nice job Rancis, bring her on pit road," Richard radioed. Dale looked at the stop watch and let his jaw drop. He showed it to Tony and Jeff whose jaws also dropped. "Good lord,"Jeff said. Rancis coasted down pit road and stopped in front of the pit stall. Dale unhooked the window net and showed him the stop watch. "Well, how was that guys?" Rancis asked and took off his gloves.

"27.20, that's three tenths of a second faster than what Tony ran earlier," Dale said. Rancis climbed out of the car and was greeted with cheers from the champions.

(With Vanellope)

Vanellope had switched from her fire suit to her mint green tank top and skin tight cargo shorts and some sandals. She was still extremely hot from being in her fire suit so she was still sweaty. "See you guys! I'm off to see Rancis race a NASCAR!" Vanellope said to her friends. As she was leaving, she could hear Minty say, "Say hi to Richard for me!" Vanllope chuckled as she exited Sugar Rush. When she arrived, she could hear a car starting up. She ran down Atlanta Motor Speedway to the garage area and found Jimmie roaming the garage area. "Hey Jimmie what's up?" Vanellope asked kindly.

"If you're looking for your boyfriend, he's just starting to drive his car," Jimmie said in a condescending tone. He paid her no attention until he saw what she was wearing. He checked her out and shuddered.

"Um thanks Jimmie, uh I'll see you later then," Vanellope said, a little uncomfortable. She began to leave when Jimmie stuck his arm out against the wall between Vanellope.

"Hey sweet thing, why date that brown queer, when you could date a guy like me? I've got this cool beard and five championships," Jimmie bragged. Vanellope tried to go around him, but he stopped her. "Hey, I know how to please a woman," Jimmie said suggestively and traced her hip. Vanellope punched Jimmie in the nose and kneed his groin. He doubled over in pain and fell over.

"My Rancis knows how treat women like a person you perv!" Vanellope shouted and ran toward pit road. When she arrived, she found Rancis just exiting his car.

"Nice job kid, you were great for your first time!" Richard congratulated and slapped Rancis' back. Vanellope pouted when she realized she missed Rancis driving, but was happy that he was happy. She ran up and hugged him.

"Good job Flugs!" She said, hoping he would buy that she was there. He kissed her and hugged her.

"Thanks Nelly," Rancis said as they parted. Rancis turned back toward his new friends, "Thanks gentlemen, I'll see you tomorrow!" Rancis said as he led his girlfriend out of the game. "So, how did you like it babe?" Rancis asked her.

"You were great out there Flugs," Vanellope said as she kissed his cheek. Rancis could tell something was up with her.

"Is something wrong Nelly?" Rancis asked they boarded the train. "No, nothing at all hon," Vanellope said quickly. Rancis gave her a disapproving look. She finally gave in and spilled the beans, "Okay, well before I saw you driving, Jimmie kind of came on to me," Vanellope said. Rancis' eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched. "He traced my hip with his hand and tried to get me to dump you," she explained. Rancis roared with rage and punched a wall.

"I AM GONNA KILL HIM!" Rancis shouted. Vanellope calmed him down and let him breathe.

"It's okay Flugs, I kicked his ass," Vanellope assured him with a kiss. Rancis' breathing got back down to normal and so did the color of his face. He held her and said, "That's my girl."

(With Jimmie)

Jimmie angrily got up and walked back to his hauler, bruised and humiliated. He rubbed his nose and walked slowly. "Stupid little whore, teasing me and then beating me," he grumbled to himself. "Wait till I get her in bed, then she'll know what a real man is like," he said as he entered his hauler. When he shut the door, he was tackled by an assailant from behind. He collapsed to the ground in pain. "GOD DAMMIT! I JUST GOT BEAT UP!" He shouted to the shadowy attacker who whacked him on the head with a pipe. Jimmie woke up a few minutes later behind his dinner table with the attacker in front of him, hidden by the shadows.

"Good evening Mr. Johnson," the unknown person said. Jimmie tried to get up but found out he was tied down.

"Let me go you son of a bitch," Jimmie threatened.

"Now now, that's no way to talk to your new partner," the figure said and slapped Jimmie.

"What the hell do you want?" Jimmie demanded. The figure chuckled and slid a piece of paper in front of Jimmie. "You do want to be the greatest racer ever right?" The figure asked. Jimmie nodded. "Well, sign here and you will be, but you'll also be able to take over the game. The others don't appreciate you do they? They need to know who is the best," the figure coerced. Jimmie smirked and signed the contract. "Excellent choice, just do as I say and you will be the leader of the game in no time." The two chuckled evilly as Jimmie signed the contract.

"Finally, I will be appreciated for being the best there ever was," Jimmie said. "Get ready you assholes, you will bow to me."

END CHAPTER 7

So here is chapter 7. I hope you enjoyed it. Sorry for the long wait, as I said, I focused a lot on my other stories and my new job. But now Rancis has experienced his first taste in a NASCAR. How will he race with the big boys later on? And what do you think of Jimmie trying to get with Vanellope? Anyway, thanks for reading, and stay tuned for Chapter 8! Keep on Racing!