Chapter 49

"So we just use our infected friends to get to T.K.? They can lead us to her?" Mignogna asked, gesturing to the infected Ike, Mega Man, Mega , and Koopas.

"That was my suggestion," said Mega Man Volnutt. "Well, it was actually mine and Shulk's idea." He nodded to the Monado wielder. "I mean, the virus is connected to Takeru, right?"

Everyone in the tunnels had assembled, including underaged pacifists, to discuss a concrete plan to liberate the caged characters in Game Central Station after the mysterious outbreak of T.K.'s virus. This had given a few characters, specifically Volnutt and Shulk, the idea of using the infected characters to lead them to T.K. The subject had also sprung the topic of sneaking into the main code room, which would be easy considering how the wall leading to it was guarded, according to the Warios, who had been on guard all morning.

Everyone nodded in response to the more human Mega Man.

"And then there's the matter of getting into the code room," Calhoun put in. "And from what those Wario chumps were telling us, that place is guarded tighter than horses chained and boxed in steel. We're going to need some serious strength to bust past those guards. Yes, I know you want to be among that muscle, Koopa." Tamora noticed Bowser's claw raised. "Anyone else want to join him?" She regarded the crowd.

"We're going to need Vanellope," Citrusella spoke up. "I heard that only Vanellope can get those viruses out of everyone, but the problem is that she got tired curing only one: Snow."

"Okay, then, so how the hell is she supposed to treat an entire village?" Bowser roared. "You're basically telling everyone here we're still screwed."

"Yeah," another character agreed. "Why don't you bring a more productive plan into this conversation instead of a plan you know is going to fail?"

"Maybe if we could give Vanellope a boost." Adorabeezle tried to defend Citrusella's claim. "Like, use Surge. He could give her some energy to cure everyone."

"Except that Surge isn't really himself," Lucina interjected. "Marth and I had the night watch the evening Takeru, Ralph, and Surge entered that wall, and Surge looked like he was tired. He was flickering in and out."

"Like one of those TVs with bad receptions?" Ness piped up.

"I don't know what a TV is." The warrior from a doomed future shrugged.

"A computer screen blinking in and out," Mega Man Volnutt supplied.

"Basically," Bowser answered, folding his arms. "Point is, he's weak and he's damn near useless. Again, why bring up worthless ideas?" The Koopa King's patience was nearing the edge.

But Calhoun suddenly remembered something. "Hold on, I might just have an idea."

"I don't even want to hear it." Bowser waved the sergeant off. "It's another empty ass plan."

"It's not, Koopa! I should make you give me ten sit-ups for that comment times one hundred!" Tamora threatened, causing Bowser to keep silent. "So unless you want to stay behind and do that, you will listen, soldier!"

"I'd kiss her ass if I were you." Mignogna nudged the Nintendo Bad Guy.

"Yes...ma'am..." the Koopa King grumbled.

"Now, as I was saying, I think I may have the answer on how we can treat all those pussy-willows out there." Calhoun scanned everyone in the room to ensure she had their attention before continuing. "Anyone heard of the key to the arcade?"

"Key?" Mignogna raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. It's said to be the source of the arcade and has a whole shitload of power. Enough to control the arcade. And Bat Bitch out there absorbed it and is putting it to good use. She owns those pussy-willows, Surge, and the arcade out there," explained Calhoun.

"How is that supposed to help us stop T.K.?" Bowser asked. "I don't hear a solution in there yet."

"If you'll let me finish, you'll hear it. What I was getting ready to say was that if the key is powerful enough for Takeru to control the arcade and Surge, then maybe it can give Princess Cavity the kind of power on top of her ability to neutralize any virus."

"So if we can free Vanellope and get the key away from T.J..." Ness trailed off.

"We can get to Vanellope to absorb the key and have enough power to purify all of T.K.'s victims," Tamora finished, confirming her plan.

"I take back what I said earlier," Bowser said.

"Okay, we have a plan on how we're going to purify the characters, but we still need to figure out how we're going to spring Vanellope and everyone. Otherwise, we're going nowhere," said Mignogna.

"Indeed, Takeru has guards everywhere, making even liberating one victim daunting," Lucina agreed. "We need some sort of distraction. Keep every last guard occupied."

"We can distract the guards." Ness raised his hand. "We're faster than some of the adults, so we can escape safely and T.K.'s minions would be chasing after us."

"And they'll be so occupied with us that most of them may forget about you guys," Volnutt added, nodding to Calhoun, Mignogna, Bowser, and most of the adult characters.

"W-Wait...y-you're not saying..." Lucas trailed off, trembling.

"Just stay behind me, okay, Lucas?" Ness patted the blond kid's shoulder. "We'll get out of this alive. Just follow us and back us up."

"O-Okay.." Lucas nodded haplessly. "Are you sure this is gonna work?"

"I know so," Volnutt replied. "Those guards'll be so occupied that Takeru will be defenseless."

"Then all we have to do is get through Ralph and take that key away from the 'mistress.'" Mignogna made air quotes.

"This plan has to work," Calhoun said. "It has to, because if it doesn't, we'll have to get ready for war. A bloody one. We move out tonight. Now rest up and prepare yourselves, pussy-willows."

"You're starting to show through, Vanellope," Aika pointed out, noticing the princess's hands surrounded by sparks.

Vanellope glanced down at her sparking palms. She'd been telling Aika, Koji, and Wendee about her history with Ralph, starting from when they first met in Sugar Rush and was now on the part where she had reached the infected Ralph in the candy racing game. Her powers had been ignited by every mention of Ralph, the ballet of sapphire sparks dancing along her hands. Vanellope had directed the sparks at the bars several times, but with no luck. She tried again this time, but they didn't even crack. The princess sighed and shook her head.

"Maybe you just need another push," said Koji. "What happened after that? Aside from obviously developing feelings for him at that point, that is."

"Well...after that..." Vanellope trailed off, sparks still generating along her palms. "Wait a minute, I don't have to continue; I think I'm getting the hang of these powers now. I can make my lightning go the way I want to."

"I don't know about that." Wendee shook her head. "I think you need a little more work. A little more storytelling should do it, I believe."

"So tell us what happened after you found Ralph in Candy's room," Aika pushed.

"Actually, you're going to answer a question I have for you." T.K.'s voice cut into the practice session and story. The succubus flew up to Vanellope's cage, green eyes fixed on the princess with a mix of curiosity and displeasure.

Aika groaned. "What the hell do you want now? And with Vanellope at that?"

"That's none of your concern," T.K. replied to the female pirate, never removing her gaze from Vanellope. "Now, I need you to answer a simple question for me, and you'd best give me the one I'm looking for." T.K. snapped her whip for emphasis.

Vanellope stared the succubus down, wondering what question T.K. would have for her. Depending on its nature, the princess may not know how to answer, but one look at the whip told her to hope that it was one she could answer. Vanellope did not want to relive that pain.

"Why are you not infected?"

Vanellope glared at her, a glitch rippling through her. A small part of her was afraid Takeru would ask that question. She knew her ability and the antivirus in her from the upgrade prevented her from becoming infected. At least, that was the idea she, Sora, and the others had come up with, but no way would she tell T.K. that.

"I don't know. I'm still figuring that out myself," the princess replied.

A sudden blow from the spiked whip smacked across her knees, emitting a scream from from her.

"Do not fuck with me, little bitch," Takeru warned, readying her now-bloody whip for another round. "You know why. I know you do. You know you do, so I don't have time for these games. Tell me why or the next blow will be worse." T.K. raised her whip.

"Tell this!" Vanellope thrust her hands forward, sending a stream of blue bolts toward her her, but the attack rebounded off of the bars, bouncing from one side to another until they exploded upon contact with the cage floor.

Takeru cackled at that. "Yes, kill yourself if you want to, because that's all that will happen if you try to break out of there."

"It's better than you whipping me over something I don't even know!" the lead racer spat. "It'll be worth it!"

Takeru's emerald eyes blazed with rage, as she lashed Vanellope again in response to that moment.

"I tire of your defiance, cavity. You will talk." Takeru snapped her whip a few more times.

"Leave her alone, damn it!" Koji yanked her bars, which didn't budge.

"What do you think you'll do from where you're sitting, Koji? I'd be worried more about my own ass." Takeru regarded the princess again, grinning. "All I need to do is break that strong resolve of yours, cavity. Trust me, from what I've noticed in Sugar Rush, it won't take long."