Apologies once again for the slow updating. Really busy with school and church and life...anyway, enough of my rambling and enjoy the chapter!
21. Jerry's Plan
The sound of Rancis' sobbing and pleading resounded through the air, clutching and tugging at Vanellope's heartstrings. His cries haunted her long after they were out of earshot. As Jerry sped toward the castle, Vanellope somehow managed to wrench her attention away from Rancis and Taffyta.
"What are you planning to do, Jerry?" she asked the blue-clad boy.
"Save Taffyta's life," the grim reply came back. Jerry was focused on the road, pushing the Gummy Glider to its limit. Despite the speed and the terrain, the ride was still surprisingly comfortable, thanks to the design, kart material, and suspension.
"Well, I figured that, but, how? The medic pronounced it hopeless."
"That medic doesn't have the programming experience I do," Jerry replied mysteriously.
Jerry braked to a screeching halt in front of the castle. He leapt out and helped Vanellope out before they dashed into the castle. Sour Bill opened the door and morosely mumbled, "You can't leave your kart there, Mr. Berry. Castle rules."
"You're the housekeeper; you park it!" Jerry tossed the keys onto Sour Bill's head as he swept past.
"Uuuhhhhh…" Sour Bill's eyes went wide. "But…"
Paying no heed to the protesting lime-green candy, Jerry dashed past into the corridor leading to the code vault. At the door, he stepped aside to allow Vanellope to punch in the Konami code and swing the door open. For a moment, Vanellope's mind went blank. How could she forget that code? She racked her mind desperately, searching through the jumbled recesses, before she gratefully seized it as it suddenly wafted past. She hit the Start button and forced the vault door open, turning back to Jerry. He'd already tied a licorice line 'round his waist and held out another to her. She smiled shyly as he looped it twice around her waist and knotted it firmly, securing the other end to the railing. She stepped to the edge and prepared to fling herself into the blackness, but Jerry held her back.
"Wait, Vanellope. I have to tell you what I'm going to do."
"It doesn't matter, Jerry. Just save Taffyta and do the talking later."
"My plan needs you in order to work." That stopped Vanellope cold.
"Me? But why?"
Jerry sighed. "You survived your 'glitch', and therefore your code has stored the data involved in your survival; the mutations and adaptations that your code underwent to support your existence. I'm gonna try to interweave Taffyta's code into yours. If it works like it should, her code will draw from your code's survival data."
Vanellope thought quickly. "Okay, what's the worst-case scenario?"
"If Taffyta dies, your code will take severe damage." Jerry replied hesitantly. "Even if she makes it through, it means that you two will become similar to twins. She'll share your thoughts and vice versa. This will only work if you are willing to allow her to share your life."
Vanellope felt like a giant rolling Gobstopper had just flattened her. Memories of Taffyta's arrogance and bullying floated to the fore in her mind. Yet, it seemed something within was nudging her to what she knew was the right decision. A shrill voice silently screamed, "How can you link yourself with her? Remember what she did to you!"
"Remember that the Supreme Programmer forgave you. Forgive Taffyta for what she's done. She needs you now." Another voice spoke soothingly from her heart, and at that moment, she knew what to do. She looked into Jerry's deep-blue eyes, and nodded. He extended a hand to her, and together they jumped into the mysterious abyss.
Rancis had run out of tears. Kneeling broken-hearted beside Taffyta and holding her limp body, he merely waited helplessly as life ebbed from his blonde-haired angel. The racers stood solemnly, seeing off their friend and competitor into the afterworld. The Marines' medic had been called away to tend to his compatriots, but left instructions to notify him when she was about to blink out of existence.
Suddenly, Rancis realized that Taffyta was growing unnaturally warm. Noticing his alarm, Bubblina yelled for the medic. Taffyta started convulsing, with bolts of electricity rippling across her body, which flickered transparently. Despite the pain and heat, Rancis clung on to Taffyta's body, determined to hold her for as long as he could before she disintegrated. "Son, you gotta back off! Her code's about to tear apart!" the medic said urgently.
"NO!" Rancis sobbed, even as the electricity surged through his body, bringing excruciating pain. Could this be the end of the one he loved? His hands passed through Taffyta; only a faint image of her remained, sprawled on the ground. Rancis closed his eyes, unable to face his girlfriend's death…
Jerry and Vanellope floated through the code vault, surrounding by glowing blue boxes and soft beeps. Jerry quickly headed to the sector containing the racers' code boxes. Taffyta's code box was easy to locate; it was flashing rapidly, with several sparks shooting out from the one connection left. Jerry made a cursory scan of the code box and shook his head. Seeing that, the shrill voice crept into Vanellope's mind. Are you really willing to sacrifice your life for her? She doesn't deserve it! And even if she lives, would you want to be tied to such a despicable girl? Vanellope tried to shake it away, but it grew louder, pestering her. How can Jerry ask you to risk your life for her? He doesn't care about you! He's just trying to look like a hero! Once Taffyta knows you were the cause of her glitching, she'll hate you! This won't win her back! Just stop it! Stop now before it's too late! Vanellope! Vanellope! Stop! Vanellope growled and squeezed her eyes shut, willing the voice away. "Stop it!" she cried gutturally. "Vanellope! Vanellope!" the voice continued. Suddenly Jerry's arm grabbed her shoulder, startling her. "Vanellope! Help me! We don't have much time!" he said urgently. He was holding a long string that snaked back to her code box. "Take this and connect it to Taffyta's code box at the bottom. It's not quite long enough, so I'm gonna push your code box over slightly. Plug it in once it can reach far enough, okay?" He skimmed off to Vanellope's code box without waiting for an answer.
Vanellope, still unsure, slowly moved next to Taffyta's code box. Jerry had reached Vanellope's code box and was pushing with all his might. He struggled against the weightlessness and the rest of the connections. Since Vanellope was the central character in the game, all code boxes eventually were connected to her code box. Progress was slow and laborious, but Jerry soldiered on, heaving hard.
The voice still whispered in Vanellope's ears. She began doubting the wisdom of Jerry's plan. What if Taffyta doesn't make it? I'd be risking my life and the game's stability.
"Vanellope! Does it reach?" Jerry called.
"Not quite! A bit more!" she replied. The voice screamed again. Why do this for her? She doesn't deserve forgiveness!
Neither did I. Clarity rushed into Vanellope's mind. I didn't deserve forgiveness, but the Supreme Programmer forgave me. And so, I forgive Taffyta. With that thought, she carefully inserted into Taffyta's code box the line permanently tying her fate to Taffyta's. Jerry floated back and stopped next to her. Examining and tightening the line, he finally straightened and returned to Vanellope's side. "That's all I can do. We'll wait and pray, hoping for the best."
Vanellope felt a strange feeling run through her. The connection had been made, and Taffyta's memories flowed into her mind. Racing, winning, bullying, Rancis, the battle, but rising above all, pain. "Vanellope." She turned as Jerry spoke. He looked into her eyes, his face lighted by the pale blue pulsing light of the code. His eyes, like two points of light in the darkness, glowed as he said, "You did the right thing. Don't think I don't know how hard that was." She leaned in to embrace him as the tears came. They hovered in the code vault, darkness and light surrounding them; holding each other, praying, and waiting.
The end approaches! Only one, at most two, chapters left. Please review!