Vanellope's Bug Problem
Chapter Sixteen

VanelloBug folded her arms and settled onto the walkway. "So, you really are the reason for all of the arcade's problems."

Felix scratched under his hat. "Well, I suppose that explains why I felt a little off of my game sometimes after TurboTime got unplugged."

VanelloBug looked to Felix's wife. "Hey, Callie, how much longer before the arcade opens?"

Calhoun looked at her watch. "Forty-five minutes."

"Alright." She stood back up. "Wynnchel, Duncan, please escort Turbo to the Fungeon. The same cell he kept me in before Ralph bailed me out." She turned around. "Callie, if you could follow them to make sure he doesn't escape. And if he offers instructions for replacing roster avatars or bug fixes, have them written down so that Hammertime can make the necessary changes."

Calhoun nodded. "Lead the way, Pastry Men."

"Right this way."

As soon as they were out of sight, VanelloBug let out a breath of relief.

Moments later, she collapsed back into her normal form.

Vanellope felt herself all over and gasped with excitement. "I'm back to normal!"

Ralph put his hands on his hips. "For now, at least."

Felix rubbed his chin. "I sure hope we can get your code cleaned out soon."

Taffyta looked around. "So, do you think you'll be up for a day of racing, or should Citrusella take your place?"

"We'll see what Callie has to say when she gets back. But I think as long as Turbutt stays locked up, I should be fine for a day of racing."

Ralph shrugged. "He's lived in this game for half his life, and he did manage to escape the prison in Hero's Duty."

"Doesn't mean he can escape the cell he built for me when he was King Candy."

"If he can live in my game long enough to know how to hack himself into any game he wants without being noticed, or break himself out of a holding cell in a modern-day space shooter game, I doubt there's anything the guy can't do."

"So, what should be done with him then, General Gassy?"

"Let's see what Sarge gathers from Turbo when she gets back."

Calhoun and the donut cops arrived at that point.

"So, what's the word, Callie?"

"Alright, we have Turbo chained up in the cell you requested." She pulled out a tablet. "He did provide instructions on changing a roster lineup, which I think is in order just in case the worst happens."

Vanellope straightened her jacket. "Well, we've only seen it happen when Turbo was with me, and if he stays in the cell, we won't have any problems."

"I don't want to take more chances than I need to, Sugar Plum."

Ralph thought of an idea. "How about we let her race just for today to see if she can handle it. If there's any trouble, she can drop off the next day's roster, and we can have a look at her."

Calhoun wasn't bought. "And how would we know if there is any trouble?"

"I can see Sugar Rush from my game, and Vanellope and I have caught glances of one another during gameplay in both of our games. The racers can communicate any signs of trouble through their victory dances after winning a race."

"How?"

"If someone thinks they see Turbo on the loose, they'd show a thumbs up. If Vanellope thinks she's going to transform, they'd hug their trophy to their stomach like a gummy bear."

"And how would that be effective in getting the message to others?"

"I see Sugar Rush during my game's victory cutscene as the Nicelanders prepare to throw me off the building. Normally, I just scream when I fall off the building. But if I see the Turbo signal, I'll scream 'NOOOO!' as I fall off the building. And if I see the bug signal, I'll start the next round with a slightly different inflection of my catchphrase."

Felix looked to Ralph. "What do you mean?"

"The normal inflection is 'I'M GONNA WRECK IT!', but the code for Vanellope feeling off her game is 'I'M GONNA WRECK IT!'. You got it?"

"I think I got it."

Calhoun looked to Vanellope. "Are you sure Turbo won't escape from his cell?"

"It took Ralph a couple blows to break down the door, and Turbo can't do too much damage if he wants to take over the game for himself."

"Alright. We'll keep the roster as it is for today. But after that, you'll stay off the roster until further notice. Everybody remember Wreck-It's signals?"

"Yes, ma'am!" all the racers responded together.

Calhoun turned to Ralph and Felix. "Alright, boys. Let's get back to our games."

And with that, the three of them headed off.