AN: So. It's been a while and this story's been weighing on my conscience. This author's note is a bit long and the chapter's a bit short, so if you want to skip the AN and just read the unbolded words, feel free. For the rest of you, here's the truth. When I started this story, I said that I had adopted this story from daydreamlife. That's not exactly correct. Actually, I am daydreamlife. Or rather, I was her. If for any reason you don't believe me, go ahead and message me on there. I still have my old password and can repeat this there. Why would I lie about something so silly? Because this story is silly and some people I know in real life know that this account is mine. It took me a while to admit that I write such self-indulgent fics and even more that I enjoy it. Now I have, however, and I want to own up to it. Anyway, that's the truth. Now, on with the tale!

A warning sign flashed in the sky of Sugar Rush, alerting racers and non-playable characters alike that the arcade would open in less than an hour.

Far below the sign, a barred window was set in the wall of the king's castle.

Jay peered through the window, standing on his prison cell cot on tiptoe to be able to see the time in the sky. Frustrated and starting to get desperate, he called, "Hello! Somebody?! Anybody! Please let me out!"

Stepping back, Jay eyed the bars. One of them looked a little crooked. He pushed at it with both hands and it leaned slightly to one side.

Out loud, he thought, "What's Cole say? How's he say it?"

The bars did not reply to the question.

"Oh yeah," Jay remembered. He raised his golden hammer and said in his best imitation of Cole, "I'm gonna crush it!" He whacked the loose bar with his hammer.

For a moment, nothing happened and he held his breath.

Then, not only that bar but all of them thickened, growing stronger and lessening Jay's already meager view.

"Ugh, why do I fix everything I touch?!" Jay groaned. He flopped down on his cot and sighed, then muttered dejectedly, "Oh, I am so hooped."

CRASH!

Jay scooted back in alarm as something burst through the far wall of his cell. Coughing, he squinted through the dust and settling debris. His eyes widened when he saw who it was.

"Jay!" Cole exclaimed, parking Samukai's wheelbarrow.

"Cole?" Jay asked incredulously. He jumped up in delight and threw his arms around Cole. "Oh, Cole! I'm so glad to see you!"

Speechless at this show of friendship, Cole gingerly patted him on the back with one hand.

But after a moment, Jay backed up and put his fists on his hips. "Wait a minute. No, no I'm not. What do you have to say for yourself? Never mind, I don't want to hear it. 'Cause guess what? I'm not talking to you." With that, he turned away and stuck his nose in the air.

"Ok, don't talk, that's fine," Cole said in a rush, having gotten used to dramatic characters by now. "But you have to fix this go-kart for me, pronto."

"Excuse you, I don't have to do boo..." Jay paused. "If you'll pardon my potty mouth."

"Sure, you're pardoned, now let's go!" Cole interrupted. He motioned urgently at the scraps in the wheelbarrow.

"No!" Jay screeched.

Cole winced.

"I'm just so, so, cross with you. Do you have any idea what you've put me through? I ran higgledy-piggledy all over creation looking for you. I almost drowned in chocolate milk mix. And then I met the most dynamite gal. She just gives me the honey-glows something awful. But she rebuffed my affections. And then I got thrown in jail!" Jay complained, running through every emotion he had experienced in the last nearly twenty-four hours in one rant.

Cole just stared, unsure whether to be mad or amused. "Jay, pull yourself together."

"No!" Jay shouted again. He wrapped his arms around himself and hung his head. "You don't know what it's like to be rejected and treated like, like some criminal!"

"Seriously? Of course I do. That's every day of my life," Cole explained.

Jay looked up. "It, it is?"

Cole nodded solemnly. "Which is why I ran off. And I tried to be a good guy. But I'm not. I'm just a bad guy. And I need your help. There's a little kid in this game whose only hope is this kart. Please, Jay, fix it and I promise I will never try to be good again."

Jay couldn't help but be moved. He sighed and smiled, raising his hammer in relent.

In the middle of another cell, Zane sat, chained to the wall and the floor. He looked at his cuffed hands and feet and sighed hopelessly.

BAM!

Cole broke through the door. He caught sight of his friend instantly. "Zane!"

"Cole?" Zane asked disbelievingly. He tried to get up, but the chains kept him in place. All he could do was repeat in disbelief, "Cole. Cole!"

"I know, I know, I know. I'm so sorry. I screwed up and hurt you, and I shouldn't have. Plus, I can't do this alone. I'm dead meat without you," Cole admitted.

After a tense moment of consideration, Zane prompted, "And...?"

"And an idiot," Cole added.

"And...?" Zane repeated.

"And, uh, a slowpoke?" Cole tried.

"And...?"

"And a selfish baby," Cole put in, starting to smile despite himself.

"And...?"

Cole hesitated before offering his final amendment. "A stink brain?"

Zane smiled. "The stinkiest brain ever."