(A/N: Uggggh so sorry for the long hiatus! I've been crazy busy with IRL stuff- and was flooded with new Wreck-It Ralph story ideas that BEGGED me to write them XD And if that wasn't enough, I've gained a new SI, one that's basically consumed me and that I couldn't wait to write for lol Thus, this story got pushed on the back burner way longer than I intended XD
But here lately I've renewed my energy and motivation for this story. Hopefully posting at least 2 chapters in a row will make up for my hiatus ;) More chapters will follow; I promise I haven't given up on this story :)
Thank u to all you patient readers and followers! :D)
Chapter 79: Pep Talks and Warnings
Taking one last graceful, inspiring bow, the cocker spaniel somehow forced himself to dramatically hop off the stage -his stage, really. His face beamed with unconcealed pride as he strolled down the ramp on the side of the stage, his prideful smile only growing.
Feeling his paws kick up bits up dirt and grass as he pranced on the ground he was on, he couldn't help but lift his head proudly all the more. Back behind him, he could still the people's cheers and applause, their cheering voices and hand clapping seeming to follow him like rolls of thunder with each step he took- all to his deep delight, of course.
Without a shadow of a doubt, King Candy knew he had done (as always) a perfect job at stealing the show, captivating the audience- and leaving them begging for more of his fabulous tricks and amazing talent. Per the norm, he'd done his honorable job and left crowds upon crowds of people feeling awe-struck, entranced almost by his majestic stage presence.
He was the gorgeous mascot for the Happy Paws Animal Hospital and Adoption Services, after all. He was the very reason behind the talent show being held, the key as to why so many people showed up month after month.
His very presence, he haughtily felt as he moseyed along, was the glue that held the animal citizens in Sugar Russia together...
All for a good cause, of course.
And that noble cause seemed to deflate King Candy's admittedly large ego as he rounded the corner of the stage and saw a small mixture of congregated kittens and puppies. Each of them eagerly sat and waited for him to make his way over to them- all staring at him with wide, admiring eyes.
"Nice job, King Candy!" Tafftya called out, her blue eyes wide with idolization as her ears flattened up against her head in shyness. "As always, of course, heh."
"Yeah, steller performance, KC!" Rancis praised casually, his orange fur glowing softly in the overhead sun as he suddenly peered around the spaniel. "Man, you really wowed the audience today! Just listen to that applause!"
As if on cue, the crowds of people by the stage suddenly erupted into even louder cheers for the spaniel, almost beseeching him to come back. The cheering had gotten so loud that the man hosting the talent show up on stage had to quiet them all down just to be heard.
At the booming, overwhelming fawning from the humans, each of the young animals openly gawked. Shaking their heads in slight amazement, each was moved to voice their own awe and amazement over just how powerful and talented their dubbed king had been on the stage.
His eyes suddenly going soft and fond as he looked at the small animals before him, King Candy smiled all the more- noticeably more humble than before, however. His head lowering in modesty, he gently blushed at all their kind words of praise as his paws hit the ground a little less pompous.
With him opening up the talent show every first weekend of the month, it was all too easy for the spaniel to get wrapped up in his own moment of glory up on that stage- especially when the humans gave him such positive feedback after a stellar performance. In such moments, it felt like performing in front of people- pleasing every human being he came in contact with- was King Candy's primary purpose in life...
But when the very animals he did it all for praised him when he's stepped off that stage, the king seemed to be reminded of how privileged he was. How fortunate he was to have found his seemingly true purpose in life...
That of trying to help other animals gain the very life he'd himself worked so hard to obtain.
"Well done as usual, your majesty," Sour Bill's monotonous voice suddenly dragged out, cutting King Candy's self-reflection short.
His eyes going soft all over again, the spaniel fondly smiled down at his trusty assistant, found every loyally at his side. Placing one gentle paw on the basset hound's head as a sign of acceptance, the king grinned down at him.
"Thank you, Sour Bill," the spaniel warmly praised, his evident yet endearing lisp making his words that much more soft. "Your words mean the world to me."
Showing no expression and just nodding dryly, Sour Bill huffed. Suddenly clearing his throat, he motioned towards the spaniel the best he could without justling the king's paw on his head.
"Animal citizens of Sugar Russia," Sour Bill then announced loudly, all eyes becoming focused on him as the crowd of animals grew quiet. "All hail our rightful ruler: King Candy."
A small echo of renewed verbal applause rippled through the animals gathered around, each wiggling excitedly in their place as their king bowed humbly in response.
"Thank you for that stirring introduction, Sour Bill!" the spaniel then commented his assistant- leading the old basset hound to look less than enthused.
Watching as Sour Bill grumbled and wabbled to stand behind him, the dubbed leader of the town of Sugar Russia suddenly turned to his citizens and grinned widely. He animatedly turned his head from side to side to take in the sight of the youngsters, his long, silky ears bouncing slightly with each movement.
"Hello, my dear puppies and kitties!" King Candy then boisterously announced, his eyes beaming excitement and joy as he sat down. "Welcome to this months' Happy Paws Fun-Raiser!"
When he saw that his words had instantly excited the group of young animals all the more, the cocker spaniel just smirked. Giving the young ones a jovial rise seemed to be what he lived for.
"I'm beyond elated that you could all make it on this glorious today- not that any of you would dare miss it, heh," he added with a chuckle and joking eye roll. "After all, this is the time each month you all practice relentlessly for- not to mention waited impatiently for!"
All at once, the labeled king stood back up to his neatly trimmed paws and began prancing back and front before the group- all eyes glued to him as he continued in his no doubt motivating pep talk.
"As you all know, this is your chance!" he vibrantly reminded, one of his eyebrows sleekly raised as he narrowed his eyes playfully at the group. "This is your chance to prove something of yourself! Your chance to be seen- not only on the JumboTron here in Sugar Russia but even beyond, straight into the homes and hearts of all in the state!"
Abruptly, he paused in his pacing and dramatically stood still before the animals, all eyes wide as they remained fixated on the spaniel.
"But most of all," the king jovially continued, "this is your chance to get adopted- and to find your forever home!"
An elated roar of happiness rippled through the small crowd of young felines and canines, each shaking with anticipation at the potential prospect. At their desired response, the king just nodded knowingly, sharing in their excitement.
"Of course, that part of the talent show falls strictly on the humans in the audience," he quickly reminded. "Who they'll choose as the winner, whose act will get display up on the JumboTron for all to see, who they may be moved to adopt, and the like. It all depends on what they as the viewers like and want."
In the forefront of the crowd of puppies and kittens, Tafftya nodded quickly- though a look of slight nervousness was in her eyes. Beside her, Rancis quivered himself, his orange paws flexing his claws deep into the dirt below them. The other animals around them seemed just as jittery, each seeming eager yet uneasy at the thought of competing.
"So it's crucial that each of you do your absolute best out on that stage!" King Candy suddenly continued, his tone all at once serious as he motioned towards the platform behind him. "If you want to impress even one human, make sure your best tricks, skills, and stunts are as perfect and up to par as you can make them. Never leave that stage wishing you'd done better."
All at once, he paused again- this time to smirk as a knowing look surfaced on his face.
"As I always say...," he purposely trailed off, an amused look in his eyes as he waited for the group to finish his sentence.
"Leave it all out on the stage!" the young animals before him collectively answered- making their leader smile with pride.
"Exactly, my young ones!" he commented, sitting down elegantly again. "Every single one of you has great potential; don't let that be wasted on a mediocre performance! This performance could be your very ticket to the life you've always dreamed of- so don't ruin it!"
Sharing a gulp, Tafftya and Rancis exchanged a nervous glance- their anxiety only seeming to escalate at their beloved ruler's words. Surrounding them, the other young animals appeared that much more apprehensive as well, squirming uncomfortably as each mind raced with self-doubt.
This not being lost on him, King Candy allowed his serious tone to melt away and smiled softly at them.
Don't be harsh on them, King C, the cocker spaniel mentally reprimanded himself, making his ears shift back in apologetic shame. They're just youngsters- and despite how heavy the situation is, they still don't deserve that amount of pressure.
"But most important of all...just have fun, guys!" He suddenly emphasized, his tone dripping with as much warmth and enthusiasm as his lisp somehow did. "Be yourselves; let your amazing personalities shine through! You all deserve the best of homes- and I know one day you each will gain one."
At seeing his loyal subjects blush and glow at his calming and inspiring words, King Candy just held his head up proudly. Words failed him at just how honored he was to have a part in helping these deserving animals find loving, affectionate homes. He'd admit he viewed each of the young animals almost as his own kin, a deep affection for them seemed to drive him to do all he could to protect them from harm.
Which reminds me...
"Of course, on my part as the king, my job is to make sure each of you is safe as you participate in the talent show," he added out loud, his tone far more heavy and serious than before. "Part of ensuring that safety includes making sure Bill and I keep an eye out for any mutated scorpions..."
As if to prove his alertness, the king paused to look around for extra effect- and at seeing nothing seemed out of the ordinary, he nodded towards the nervous group.
"We've all see one at one time or another- especially as they seem to populate here in Sugar Russia so quickly," King Candy added, biting his lip in worry- before staring resolutely at the group. "Regardless, you each must speak up if you see one; never hesitate to let Sour Bill or I know. Your very safety depends on it."
All at once, his eyes grew darker for an all too different reason- making his body go nervously stiff. Shaking his head free of his own worrying thoughts, he sharply eyed the group- his mien far more alarming and solemn.
"But as bad as the scorpions are... there's a far more dangerous creature that may be lurking in our midst," King Candy ominously mentioned, his body seeming to tense up all the more. "One that could shut down the fun-raiser -and possibly even the Happy Paws Hospital and Adoption Services itself- if allowed on that stage!"
Everyone before him just eagerly nodded in mutual understanding, knowing just what -or rather, who- their king was warning them about. They had all had seen said creature at one time or another- and well knew the havoc its' visible presence could mean for the beloved hospital and adoption service center.
At the very idea of the unstated yet hinted safety hazard, some of the young animals silently gawked in disgust, utterly revulsed; others shivered in fear at what could happen if said safety hazard was to slip out onto the stage.
"Because of her- er, that particular creature," King Candy voiced out cautiously, "we must always be on guard, keeping a close eye on who's getting on and leaving the stage at all times...and to better monitor that," the king continued, his graceful head held high, "I've felt the need to reenforced that you each pay an entrance fee for the show."
He paused once more to look softly at the group once again- his protectiveness over them seeming to seep from his gentle eyes.
"You all know this, but we just simply can't risk that animal competing," he finally reiterating, sighing with an ounce of sadness. "And the payment of the fees helps me and Sour Bill to better...eliminate that risk from happening."
All at once, the cocker spaniel shifted in mood. He allowed his worried, watchful stance to fall and sported a playful smile, play bowing as he tagged his stubby tail.
"And who can tell me what the entrance fee always is?" he upbeatly asked, his eyes seeming to glisten a little as he waited for the desired answer.
"Ooh! I know, King Candy!" Tafftya called out, grinning in pride as she stood up a little taller of her paws "It's always something shiny!"
