Chapter XXV: Candy Crushed

The trio continued walking as Ushio looked down at the girl.

"Well, it looks like we're out of danger for the moment. We couldn't really do it back there, but later is better than never. I'm Ushio." she smiled.

"Vanellope von Schweetz, at your service." she answered.

"Nice to meet you." Ushio said. "And thanks for the help back there. We'd be in trouble without you."

"Don't I know it." she snickered. "This guy is always getting into trouble. Without me, he'd be completely lost."

"Hey!" Ralph replied.

Ushio chuckled a bit at the sudden response.

"What's so funny?" Ralph asked.

"Nothing. Just for some reason what she said sounds like it could totally be true." Ushio responded.

"Alright, alright." Ralph settled them down. "We need to lay low and regroup. So Kid, got any place for that?"

"I do." Vanellope said. "I think you know just the place."

—

Reaching a giant soda bottle mountain, the trio walked through a intangible wall into a giant cavern. A large, bubbling cola pool sat in the center as remnants of an unfinished race track ran above.

"While you were off at that arena, I found out those creatures don't know about this area either. We should be safe here." Vanellope explained.

"Okay, let's rest a bit then we'll head back to fix everything." Ushio said.

Sitting on a rock formation, Ushio watched as Ralph and Vanellope chatted and caught up. Given the whirlwind that was her arrival in this world, it made sense that you'd want to discuss it. From their interactions, she knew the pair knew each other and there seemed a deep connection between them.

With her body still slightly sore, she took the opportunity to rest her body. Ushio sat back as she relaxed.

—

"Your Heartless and Nobodies are doing bupkis, bud!" Turbo exploded on Genex. "I sent out a search party and they've yet to turn up anything!"

"Patience." Genex calmed him. "You control this land again. Given the history those two have with you, they'll be back to confront you with the Keyblade bearer. Simply await their inevitable return."

"Fine." Turbo said, stomping off.

Genex watched as he was left alone in the room. With no one else present, he mused to himself once again.

"I'm impressed that these beings have such emotions. Now, continue to show me the mysteries of the Heart."

—

Ushio swung her keyblade as yet another Bitter Macaron bit the dust. She rushed the next as the assault continued.

The trio had gotten the rest they'd wanted and developed a plan. Said plan was actually quite simple as it basically amounted to a straight assault on the castle. Vanellope had told of the others being captured, being imprisoned in the dungeon. With that in mind, the castle was definitely the target.

Reaching the roadway up to the castle, Blox Bugs dotted the path. The cubic Heartless skittered towards the trio as Ushio and Ralph thinned the crowd. Leaping at the brunette, the enemy attempted to bring her down. Yet, her strength and resolved proved more than theirs as the group pressed on.

"This is too easy." Ushio said as she ran.

Moving down the path, four Berserkers began to approach the group.

"You just had to say something, didn't ya?" Vanellope shouted at the other girl.

"Just stay behind us, Kid." Ralph called to her.

Taking the lead, one Berserker jumped into the air before crashing down in front of the trio. Ushio brought her key up to protect herself from the shockwave. The other three continued their approach as she began to strike the one in front of her.

From the corner of her eye, a second Berserker started shrinking as it held tight to its hammer. Ushio jumped back as it swung around trying to hit its targets.

With Ushio backing away momentarily, Ralph pushed on as his fist collided with the first Berserker. Within a couple of hits, it dissipated. The hammer of the second whizzed by his face as he stepped back.

Now that the attack was done, Ushio leap forward as her Keyblade jabbed at the Nobody. She comboed a few hits as she tried to quickly move onto the other two. With a one-two punch, Ushio and Ralph finished it and began their attack on the last two. Now into the swing of things, the two Berserkers proved no match as the pair dispatched them.

"Alright, looks like the roads clear." Ushio looked forward.

"Just don't jinx it this time." Vanellope said as she ran after her.

The three approached the castle entrance. Throwing the doors open, Ralph and Vanellope ran forward.

"If I remember correctly, the dungeon should be this way." Ralph said, point the way.

"No, it's the other way." Vanellope corrected.

Ushio began to walk forward as the floor beneath her began to sink.

"Guys!" she called out.

"Ushio!" they responded as they started to go to her.

"No, go on." Ushio said. "I'll deal with wherever this leads and meet up with you."

With those words, Ushio sank into the darkness. The pitch black gave way to a bright light. Looking around, she found herself once more in the coliseum.

"Welcome back, my strange friend." Turbo said from on his balcony. "Back so soon?"

"All this ends this time!" Ushio shouted up at him.

"Is that what you think?" Turbo replied. "Now, shall we try this again?"

Once more, the Blox Behemoth entered the arena as it stared the girl down.

"This is some serious deja vu." Ushio spoke.

—

Ralph and Vanellope ran through the castle corridors as they headed for the dungeon. All the other racers of Sugar Rush were imprisoned and they needed to help them.

"What is it you are looking for?" a voice asked. The owner of the voice rounded the corner, revealing the older gentleman.

"You!" Ralph remembered him.

"Calm down, I'm here to offer aid. The dungeon is this direction." Genex pointed the way.

"Why should we trust you?" Ralph asked.

"It's your choice. Ultimately, I want you to defeat Turbo and stop his plans."

Having spoken his mind, he opened a portal and disappeared.

"Well, Ralph?" Vanellope asked.

"Okay, let's go."