Here's chapter 2
So Herschel gets introduced to everyone and learns what happened
Who's side will he choose?
What effects will it have?
I never know but read on to find out
Ch.2 Friend or Foe?
(A continuation of where we left off)
Vanellope would walk to the starting line of the royal raceway where Rancis, Swizzle, Adorabeezle, Jubileena, Nougetsia, Citrusella and Snowanna would be waiting.
"Allow me to introduce Herschel Nougatson…" She'd step away.
"Swizzle "The Swizz" Malarkey the best daredevil you'll ever meet." Swizzle would fist pump him.
"I'll believe it when I see it…." Herschel would tease as he'd shake hands with Rancis.
"Rancis Fluggerbutter, boyfriend of Vanellope and no matter what anybody tells you I'm not narcissistic…"
"Bullshit…." Swizzle would cross his arms as Herschel would do alittle bow infront of the girls.
"Hello ladies and what may your names be?"
"Nougetsia….." Nougetsia would stare at him.
"Citrusella…." She'd snap Nougetsia out of it.
"Snowanna Rainbeau….please to meet you Herschel…." She'd shake his hand then he'd turn to Adorabeezle and Jubileena.
"Jubileena Bing-Bing." She'd give him a small hug then he'd shake Adorabeezle's hand.
"I'm Adorabeelze Winterpop…and Jubileena is already taken Herschel….."
"By who?" Herschel would innocently ask.
"Me of course…." She'd let go of his hand.
"Oh….I didn't know you 2 were….."
"Got a problem with that Nougatson?" Jubileena would cross his arms.
"No of course not it's just that…I didn't….you know…expect that…." Vanellope would walk in between them.
"Look he just was just surprised….common I don't want a murder to happen….let's head back to the castle." She'd walk and they'd follow.
"So Herschel…care to tell us about yourself?" They'd walk into Vanellope's throne room.
"Well I based off of my 3 favorite NASCAR racers ever those being Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt…I love racing and NASCAR obviously, also I must admit I'm a fan of action movies and going fast, and like everyone else I love winning."
"NASCAR? You mean when they just race around in a large oval?" Rancis would tilt his head.
"What? Do you just watch Formula 1 Brit?"
"Indeed a do Aussie got a problem with that?" Rancis would cross his arms.
"Yes! NASCAR is and forever will be better than Formula 1 do I have to name every way?"
While they argue Vanellope would jump into the code room and would read Herschel dossier.
"Hmm….everything he says checks out…..plus he seems to be one of the nicest people here…"
Sour Bill would pull her in and she'd quickly separate Herschel and Rancis.
"Boys you both like racing there's no doubt about that…..look why don't we turn in for the night and race tomorrow…..gives Herschel an opportunity to prove he's a good racer, and you both can settle this argument on the race track…sound fair?"
"Fine….hope my house spawned….did you check?"
Vanellope would nod. "Yea it's waiting for you….goodnight…"
"Can't wait for tomorrow…..better be ready Brit…." He'd walk out as Vanellope would sigh.
"Rancis I know this doesn't have to be said but I'd prefer you keep this a friendly rivalery….we need him on our side…." She'd look at Rancis.
"Fine…..for you…."
(A minute later)
Herschel would walk out of the gates.
"Wonder if there's any other racers…." He'd tell to himself as Torvald's voice would make him jump.
"Including myself there's 7 others…." She'd be leaning against the wall mostly concealed by the darkness.
"And who may you be?" Herschel would calm down from the surprise.
"Torvald Batterbutter…..sorry for scaring you…."
"Why weren't you and the others in the castle?"
Torvald would sigh. "1 was but as a servant so they obviously didn't let you see her…..2 are on the run…..and me and the rest don't go to the castle often…..but let's just say we have a deeply divided roster…."
"Hmm….from how you put it you're the bad ones…." Herschel would cross his arms.
"In a way we were all responsible for what happened…..but…for the pass month and a half…..if you want to know who the bad guys here are…..it's all those you met in the castle…."
"Everything I've heard is circumstantial…" Herschel would keep his arms crossed.
"Then follow me….I'd rather them not hear…." Torvald would walk away and Herschel would hesitantly follow.
"So what happened?" Herschel would ask curiously.
"I hope you like long stories…" Torvald would sigh.
"Aslong as my question is answered…"
"Ok….we were plugged in about 15 years ago….Vanellope was Princess…..but almost immediately Turbo took over turned her into a glitch and put on the disguise of King Candy…."
"Who was this Turbo?"
"Let's say he was programmed to be the best at racing and in his game he dominated….but he hated to lose…..then this other racing game got plugged in…..stole his thunder…..in short he try invading that game to take the spotlight and got both unplugged….I'm not the best at telling this story you'll have to ask some of the older game characters for a more complete version."
Herschel would be silent for a moment. "No….I know everything I need to know about him but continue on…"
"During those years most of the racers would hunt Vanellope down….her main hiding places being the junkyard and Candy Cane Forest…..once they caught her…they bullied her…..but to the point you could class it as physical, emotional and physiological abuse…."
"How long did this go on for?"
Torvald would look down and sigh. "From the day she turned into a glitch…..till a month and a half ago…."
Herschel would stop silent in shock. "What did you guys finally have some common sense?"
"Well let's say some other game characters most notably Wreck-It Ralph accidently came into the game….discovered the truth….and in the end Turbo ended up dying in Diet Cola mountain….and Vanellope was turned back into a Princess…."
"Seems like a happy ending…what happened?"
"We didn't know she had snapped long ago….she pretended to forgive everyone…..in her first day racing with us she won 19 of the 20 races held…"
"That's impressive…." Herschel would glance at Torvald.
"Yea it was…but…..that's when she let loose a plan that she had been working on for years…"
"And that was?"
Torvald would open her journal and give it to him. "Read all the entries of that one night…..I can't bring myself to talk about that night…."
Herschel would pale as he'd read. "Damn…..how many survived that night?"
"Only me, Snowanna and 2 others you'll meet…."
"What happened to Adorabeezle, Jubileena, Nougetsia and Citrusella…..why did they join Vanellope?"
Torvald would sigh. "Adorabeezle had the idea of safety in numbers…so after Gloyd's death everyone was together in the forest…..Vanellope wanted to know if they'd whole strong if they encountered her…..they didn't…."
"I assume that's when Adorabeezle turned?"
"Yea…..but not in the way you think…."
"Then by all means continue…."
"Rancis valued himself more than anything…..he shoved Adorabeezle who fell infront of Vanellope and bolted and everyone quickly scattered leaving Adorabeezle alone….Vanellope had planned for it and used her feelings of betrayal and anger to her advantage…"
Herschel would remain silent taking all this in.
"Adorabeezle gave up….she cut a deal…..that Jubileena, Nougetsia and Citrusella would be spared in return she'd serve Vanellope with loyalty…"
"I assume both kept their promises?"
"Actually…in a way Vanellope did but not in the way Adorabeezle wanted…"
"What darkness hides in this Candy Coated game?"
"Trust me it only gets worse Herschel….but going back to what I was saying….Adorabeezle's first task was to go get Rancis…..in her state at the time she did so quickly and without hesitation…..then when she did…..Vanellope had her kill him….so no matter what there was no turning back for her…..and Vanellope just corrupted her further with every kill she had Adorabeezle help with….until now….she's pretty much Vanellope's main enforcer…"
"I assume she did the same with the other 3?"
"No….Vanellope used their close relationships to get them to join willingly…Nougetsia has always said she'd follow her sister down any path….they share that kind of sisterly love….Citrusella seeing no immediate changes in her best friend Nougetsia….joined aswell…..then Jubileena….you should know why she joined…."
"Yup….but is there more to this story?"
Torvald would glance at him. "Yes….plenty more…I'm just wondering whether or not you want to hear it…."
"Don't spare a single detail please….I need to know what kind of game I've just joined…" Herschel would walk beside her as they approach the houses.
"After they had all turned they trapped everyone in Diet Cola Mountain….they figured out I had everyone respawning there…then she said our lives would be decided in a tournament….the winning team would live….while the losers suffered…."
"What were the teams?"
Torvald would sigh.
"Team 1 was Rancis, Swizzle, Crumbelina and my 2 sisters Minty and Sticky, against Team 2 consisting of Gloyd, Candlehead, Taffyta, Snowanna and myself…"
"Oh…"
"Looking back at it…..Vanellope heavily favoured Team 1 going as far as bending her own fricken rules to ensure they won….and they did just that….we lost 3-1…"
"So how are you still here, Snowanna being cool with Vanellope, and Taffyta, Gloyd and Candlehead no where to be seen."
"I was saved from punishment because of a deal my sisters made with Vanellope…I don't know what the specifics of it were though….as for the rest of my team…they went into hiding….but Taffyta was caught and turned into a servant against her will….which is why they didn't let you see her…..Snowanna was turned into a servant…..while Gloyd and Candlehead fled the game…"
"Are they still out there? And how come Snowanna isn't a servant anymore?"
"For peeps sake let me finish before asking questions Herschel…"
"Ok…" He'd fall silent.
"Gloyd and Candlehead stayed hidden for a week….even with a large scale manhunt going on….but we were having a small update…..Vanellope knew they'd be forced to return….so when Gloyd was spotted he was immediately cornered…..but he put up quite a fight…."
"I'm afraid to ask this but what did he do?"
"Knocked out Wreck-it Ralph with some sort of sleep gas….and manage to stand through a 10 minute standoff even though he was bleeding internally and only fell because one of his lungs collapsed…"
"Damn…."
"But Citrusella almost died in the process….but during that Candlehead made it back into the game…..and that's when Vanellope brought Snowanna onto her side….she offered to make Snowanna a racer again…..in exchange for her loyalty….Snowanna happily accepted….luckily Candlehead and Gloyd escaped again…..but after a month were forced back because of the update that brought you here…."
"Are they still in the game?"
"Yes…..I'm just worried what happens if they get caught…..to put into context for a month and a half they have eluded everyone…Vanellope's side has made it clear Candlehead won't be harmed…but let's just say Adorabeezle, Jubileena, Nougetsia and Citrusella want to see Gloyd suffer….and in some cases….dead…."
Herschel would remain silent in shock.
"Still see us as the bad guys now?" Torvald wouldn't look at him.
"One last thing before I answer that…..why are Rancis and Swizzle on her side then? Also why did you tell me all this?"
Torvald would sigh. "As Rancis told you he's in a relationship with Vanellope i.e she has him on a leash….Swizzle preferred the 'Winning Side"…and they've made that painfully clear on the race track….and I'm telling you because I don't care if you see us as the bad ones or not….I want you to know the whole story…."
"Well being honest….your actions that resulted in this were by all means despicable…..but Vanellope has gone to far…."
"Well let me summarize your situation in her eyes…..your either friend or foe….there's no in between…there's those who are blindly loyal and those who aren't…..she'll make you choose soon…."
"Well that doesn't good…..not good at all…."
"Sorry….but that's the reality…." She'd open the door to her home. "The others are in here…..but before you come in I have to know….are you with her or against her?"
Herschel would sigh. "Do you have a plan to combat her?"
"Yes…..but I'd need you on our side to make it work…."
He'd sigh. "I want to hear what you got before jumping to any decision…."
Torvald would shrug. "Good enough for me…." They'd walk in not seeing Snowanna watching from a safe distance and call Vanellope.
"Herschel went with Torvald as you expected…"
"Ok….stay in position….we're on our way…." She'd hang up as Snowanna would lean against a tree.
Sticky, Minty and Crumbelina would look up from their game of cards when Herschel would walk in Torvald closely following. "Girls this is Herschel Nougatson."
"Minty Zaki…" Minty would give him a high five. "I suppose you know what life is like here?"
"Yea….I heard…."
Herschel would shake Crumbelina's hand.
"Crumbelina DiCaramello I hope you got skill Herschel you'll need it in this game."
"Thanks for the tip." He'd turn to Sticky and they'd lose themselves in each others eyes.
Crumbelina would chuckle and they'd snap out of it. "I would say awkward but I know what that just meant…"
Sticky would glare at Crumbelina. "Bite me…" She'd stand and shake Herschel's hand.
"Sticky Wipplesnit pleasure to meet you."
"Feelings mutual…." They'd lose themselves again as Torvald would separate them.
"Anyways I think we should get Candlehead and Gloyd in here…." She'd text them then let out an annoyed sigh.
"What is it?" Minty would look over.
"They insist we meet them in the back yard…." She'd get up and go out and they'd quickly follow her.
"I don't see them…." Herschel would look around.
"Wait for it…." Torvald would respond as a hatch would open and Gloyd and Candlehead would climb up.
"Well that's one way to make an entrance…."
Gloyd would look at him.
"Your the new character? Bout time they added a guy…" Gloyd would shake his hand and grin when Herschel would shake.
"Sorry about that…-He'd let go revealing a joy buzzer- …I'm just the King of Pranks and I couldn't resist…"
"Don't worry your cool…..just don't be surprised when I prank you back…."
Gloyd would chuckle. "I love a good prank war…."
Herschel would look over at Candlehead. "I assume that's Candlehead?"
"What tipped you off the Candle?" Gloyd would chuckle and Herschel would punch his shoulder.
He'd see Candlehead and Crumbelina share a quick kiss. "Wait them aswell?"
Everyone would turn to him arms crossed.
"That a problem?"
"No for god sakes no! Why does everyone think I have a problem with that? It just surprised me that's all…"
"It's ok Herschel….just be glad your ok with it….or else I think either Adorabeezle or Crumbelina would've killed you by now…"
Gloyd would pat his shoulder chuckling.
"Do you take anything besides racing and pranks seriously?"
"Nope…"
"That doesn't surprise me….but Torvald you said you had a plan?"
Torvald would nod. "Yes…..Vanellope sooner or later is going to do something about those against her…..and will get more determined to take you 2 down….-she'd point to Gloyd and Candlehead-…so I was thinking….she often says disputes should be settled on the track….so I was thinking we do just that….in a tournament…..on the condition that she wipe the slates clean for you both and Taffyta and let all 3 of you compete on our team…."
"You do know what we'd be risking if we lose right? Look at what she did to Taffyta and multiple it…" Minty would cross her arms.
"I know sis….and I'll even the odds by getting her from competing….in exchange I won't either….because with how the situation is looking…..it seems to be our only option…..which begs the question…-She'd turn to Herschel-…Who's side are you taking?"
All eyes would turn to Herschel. "Like I said…it's your fault you got into this mess….but at the same time Vaanellope has gone to far….what the hell let's do this…"
They'd smile. "Good."
"So plotting behind my back? Typical Torvald…." Vanellope would appear from behind the trees quickly followed by Adorabeezle, Jubileena, Nougetsia, Citrusella, Snowanna, Rancis and Swizzle who'd be dragging someone behind him.
"Gloyd…." Jubileena would say darkly as Gloyd would hold a smoke bomb in 1 hand and an impact grenade in the other.
"Where did you get those?" Herschel would be surprised.
"I should show you one of my item storages sometime…."
Gloyd would turn to look at Adorabeezle, Jubileena, Nougetsia and Citrusella who'd all be staring him down.
"I'm ready to go another round when you are….."
Don't bother…..I heard your plan Torvald…..and I must admit I liked it…..to the point that's exactly what will do this week…..but…..I want to change one little thing concerning Candlehead and Gloyd…"
Gloyd would look over at her eyes narrow. "And what would that be?"
Vanellope would grin. "Simple…if you lose….you know what's in store for you Gloyd…."
Gloyd would look over at Jubileena who'd be reaching into her jacket. "I have a few ideas…"
Vanellope would turn to Candlehead. "As for you Candlehead….I won't take your racing ability away…..but you will be banned from racing…..forever…..deal?"
Torvald would take a step forward. "2 things….I want Taffyta as a racer now…..and no rigging the tournament….it should be skill that decides it…."
"Fine….and I was one step ahead of you….Swizzle you can let her go…"
Swizzle would comply and Taffyta would rush over to their side. "Tomorrow can be used for practice….after that the tournament begins…."
She'd leave as those with her quickly follow.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" Taffyta would hug Torvald. "You have no idea the hell she put me through!"
"Then I hope you bring you're 'A' game…." Torvald would pry herself loose.
"I'll be bring hell to them don't you worry."
Sticky would look over at Herschel who'd be silent. "You know you didn't have to step into this…"
"No…..like Torvald said….I would've have to at some point….so let's go win this…"
Stick would hug him. "Couldn't agree more…."
(Meanwhile)
Rancis and Swizzle would be walking beside Vanellope.
"Why did you accept the deal so quickly darling?" Rancis would hide his nervousness.
"The deal barley favours you at all…." Swizzle would add.
"So? You both led your team to victory in the tournament….and if you value anything you won't fail me….or there will be consequences…"
They'd both stop walking as everyone would pass them.
They'd glance at eachother.
"Fuck…." They'd say in unison.