Vanellope's Bug Problem
Chapter Thirteen

Sergeant Calhoun had been staring intensely at Vanellope's face for the entire time she was talking. "Hmm..."

"What's on your mind, Tammy?" Felix asked.

"I've been noticing a green glow from Sugar Plum's eyes whenever she talks about Turbo."

Ralph looked to Calhoun. "Any idea what that could mean?"

"I'm guessing this might be the onset of the dormant Cy-Bug code surfacing."

Vanellope's eyes were chocolate brown. "Do you know what's causing that, Callie?"

Calhoun started walking laps around the assembly. "Well, I know what happens to a sprite when they get eaten by a Cy-Bug, being the secret final boss of my game, and the racers who fell victim to the Cy-Bugs provided a full assessment of what went through their heads during their time as Cy-Bug hybrids. Based on what they told me, as well as my own experiences, a Cy-Bug victim does undergo huge changes after being assimilated."

"Like what?"

"Well, since you're the main character of a candy-themed game, it's most likely that you were programmed to be happy and gentle as a character when not racing, just as Fix-It is programmed to be a nice guy all around and Wreck-It is programmed to fight for what's rightfully his."

"And?"

"You seem a little quicker to anger than I would expect from a sprite like you, and your narration about how Turbo took over this game has been dripping with steadily increasing anger."

"Are you saying I'll turn into a Cy-Bug at any second?!" Green light flashed from her eyes.

Calhoun put a hand on her holster. "If your anger is high enough, most likely."

Ralph watched as Vanellope tried to calm herself. "So, as long as she keeps her cool, she should be okay?"

"I would hazard to guess that." Just then, Calhoun's watch started beeping. "This is Sergeant. Come in."

"Sergeant, we got a problem in the game."

"What is it, Kohut?"

"There's been a jailbreak."

Everyone except Calhoun responded with a shocked "WHAT?!"

"Send out a search team and find the escapees NOW!"

"Already done, Sergeant. He's headed for Grand Central Station at this time."

"Alert all soldiers. Alert all soldiers."

"Roger."

"Over and out."

Vanellope looked to Calhoun. "Turbutt escaped, didn't he?"

"By the looks of things."

Felix scratched his head. "Where could he be going?"

Ralph shrugged. "There's not many places he can run off to, even if there wasn't anyone to stop him from getting there."

Taffyta looked in the direction of the game's entrance. "Is there anyone to stop Turbo, wherever he's going?"

Calhoun adjusted her hair. "He'd definitely be causing a ruckus wherever he's going. But we'll know where he's trying to go soon enough."

Her watch beeped again. "The escapee has commandeered a vehicle and is headed for your location."

"Copy that." Calhoun whipped out her cruiser and made course for the entrance.

Ralph was stupefied. "What could that guy be thinking?"

Felix could only shrug. "We'll just have to hope that Tammy catches him in time."

"Preferably alive." Vanellope folded her arms. "I have a few questions for that bonehead."

"Like what?" Rancis asked.

She didn't get a chance to respond before a certain exclamation sent a glitch down her spine.

"TURBO-TASTIC!"

Turbo was surprised when Vanellope stopped his kart dead with her foot, sending him sailing headfirst into the front door of her castle. He gripped his head as he looked up at the daggers flying from Vanellope's eyes.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr. Sore Loser."

"Good morning to you, too."

Vanellope grabbed Turbo by his suit collar. "You have some nerve barging in here like you own the place!"

"P-Please, I just wanted to talk!"

Vanellope dragged him down the bridge. "Why should I listen to you, you rotten little thief?"

Turbo saw her eyes glowing green to the point of blinding him. "W-What's going on?!"

"I'm gonna beat the jelly out of you, Turbutt!"

Ralph, Felix, and the Sugar Rush racers watched as Vanellope started to grow wings, extra legs, and the body of an insect, rapidly expanding in size as she did.

"Oh my land!"

"Vanellope!"

Ralph took off down the bridge, trying desperately to follow the now airborne VanelloBug, who had Turbo clutched tightly by his suit collar. His progress was hampered by the lack of a suitable kart.

Felix turned to the racers. "You might want to go inside the castle. Just to be safe."

The racers agreed to the idea and headed through the doors.

Candlehead was the last one inside. "If you find any chocolate on the bridge, don't eat it."