Chapter 7: In Which There Are Confrontations
"Citrusella? Are you alright?" P.I.X.A.L. asked, leaning over her fallen friend.
Citrusella had fallen backwards off the seat and was now on the floor, out cold. P.I.X.A.L. was preparing to pour water on her to wake her up when her eyes opened.
"What happened? You looked like you were in more pain then..." P.I.X.A.L. started to ask.
Citrusella slowly climbed to her feet, her eyes red. There was a gust of wind and the cloak, which had been lying against the wall, blew over to her.
"Citrusella is not here right now. Please leave a message after the beep." Citrusella replied. She ginned nastily and said "Beep.".
The uncharacteristic ice in her voice made P.I.X.A.L. wince.
"What are you? And what did you do to Citrusella?" P.I.X.A.L. asked angrily.
Citrusella narrowed her eyes.
"What am I? You've been reading this script, girl. You know what I am, and what I did." Citrusella replied.
P.I.X.A.L. gasped in shock.
"No. It can't be." P.I.X.A.L. said.
"Can't it, ma'am?" Citrusella asked, tilting her head mockingly. She then smirked and said "Anyway, I'll let you go for today. Consider yourself lucky for now because I'll be back.".
Citrusella laughed evilly as her body turned into a faint mist and was blown away. P.I.X.A.L. blinked.
"Oh my gosh. Citrusella's the Shadowed One." P.I.X.A.L. said in horror.
"Location: Toontown, The World Of Disney, June 18th 2109"
The next evening, just after rehearsal at the House of Mouse, the Sugar Rush racers (except Citrusella), Cinndon, Candace, Toxika, Damon, and Crepe crept down a hallway in the Prop Room. Taffyta was leading the group in Vanellope's absence, and everyone was prepared to use their powers. Before long, they stopped by a junction in the corridor and waited. Eventually, a door opened, and the Man in the Black Suit walked out into the corridor. He stopped when he saw the group and crossed his arms.
"Miss Owens." the Man in the Black Suit greeted.
Candi blinked and paused for a few seconds.
"Guy." Candi greeted.
"Might I ask why your still here? Rehearsal ended ten minutes ago." the Man in the Black Suit asked.
"We know what your up to. The gig is up." Candace replied angrily. She paused for a moment and said "Guys, never let me say that again.".
The Man in the Black Suit smirked.
"Oh, but my dear friends, I'm not involved in whatever your accusing me of. In fact, you and I are on the same side." the Man in the Black Suit said.
"What do you mean on the same side? We saw what you did to Vanellope and Swizzle!" Taffyta asked angrily.
"I can honestly tell you I did not do that. Although I was an unfortunate witness to what happened to poor Mr. Malarkey." the Man in the Black Suit replied.
When there was no reply, the Man in the Black Suit continued speaking.
"There was... an incident. He was cornered on the roof of a friend of mine's apartment in Sugar Rush. It was all so fast... a flash of purple, and he was gone. I didn't even have time to see the perpetrator." the Man in the Black Suit explained.
"Your lying!" Jubileena sneered.
"Am I, Mrs. Malarkey? Do you have any proof?" the Man in the Black Suit asked.
Jubileena gritted her teeth.
"I thought not." the Man in the Black Suit said.
Suddenly, there was a chilling gust of wind from down the corridor, and the lights flickered out. A door was flung open and Citrusella stepped confidently out.
"Citrusella? What are you doing here?" Jubileena asked in confusion.
Citrusella turned to the group, her red eyes shining eerily in the dark hallway.
"Oh my, it's the assailant. I... best be going. Good day to you all." the Man in the Black Suit said, very slight alarm in his voice.
The Man in the Black Suit quickly made for a nearby exit. Damon groaned.
"Great, he's shady and a coward." Damon said.
Candi turned to Citrusella.
"Citrusella? What the heck's up with you?" Candi asked.
Citrusella scowled.
"So, you haven't made the connection, have you, Owens? The outbursts, the obsession with the cloak... you really are an idiot, aren't you?" Citrusella asked.
Candi blinked and tilted her head. Citrusella groaned.
"Maybe this will help." Citrusella snarled.
A burst of purple energy exploded from her palms. Candi braced herself as it washed over her. For a moment, she could only see purple before it receded. Candi blinked again and grinned.
"Hey, we're okay!" Candi exclaimed.
No one replied. Candi looked around and saw that the floor was littered with a bunch of dolls, similar to the ones that Vanellope and Swizzle had turned into. This time, however, she recognized them as the other Sugar Rush racers, Cinndon, Candace, Toxika, Damon, and Crepe.
"Ah nuts." Candi muttered.
Citrusella squinted her eyes at Candi, looking incredulous.
"But... how did you... you should..." Citrusella started to ask. She then paused, grinned nastily, and said "Oh, I get it. Your the Soldier, and the gray haired woman is the Maiden. It all makes sense.".
"Citrus, it's just a play! Snap out of it!" Candi said angrily.
"Oh, it's more then a play, Candi. It's much more then just a play." Citrusella growled.
Citrusella chuckled as she turned into a faint mist and wafted away. Candi stared at the place where Citrusella had been for several seconds before sighing heavily.
"When this is over, I'm never doing show business again." Candi muttered.
Not far away, the Man in the Black Suit watched Candi with a sly grin on his face.
"Yes, work on the Shadowed One, Miss Owens. And leave me to my own devices." the Man in the Black Suit whispered.