((I don't think this is one of my best written chapters... I have been feeling uninspired lately, but hopefully this story will get better))

Chapter 8

Swizzle parked his Tongue Twister and led Vanellope to a building that was shaped and decorated like giant peppermint candy. A sign perched on top of the building read "Wheelhouse".

"It's been a while since I've been in this club," Swizzle said. "I remember coming here with Snowanna on our date, and she murdered me on the dancefloor. Figuratively and almost literally."

"What did you do?" Vanellope asked, smirking. "Flirted with other girls during the date while she boogied?"

"It's not of your business!"

Reaching The Wheelhouse Club, they found a huge gingerbreadman bouncer blocking their way. A picture of Vanellope was painted on the door, with a red slash through it. Underneath, it read 'NO GLITCHES ALLOWED!'

Vanellope tugged her hoodie tighter over her head and adjusted her red goggles.

"Just go along with what I say," Swizzle whispered to her.

The gingerbread bouncer stopped the two kids and checked to make sure they are not suspicious.

"Name?" he asked in a bored voice.

"Swizzle Malarkey, old crumb-chum!" Swizzle replied. Then he puts a playful arm around Vanellope's shoulders, which made her blush. "And this is my date, uh… Penellipop St. Treatz."

Hearing how silly that fake name sounds, Vanellope glared at Swizzle. The bouncer didn't notice this because he was checking the guest list.

"Are you here for general visit or win the dance-off?" the giant cookie asked again.

"Win the dance-off!" Swizzle said. "I need some new hot wheels to burn taffy!"

The bouncer shrugged and led them in through the door. They can hear excited voices inside.

"Turn left and head down to the first door."

Swizzle and Vanellope followed his instructions. They came to a room where a huge screen is waiting for them. The screen is flashing pictures of varied wheels in all kinds of candies and pastries.

"Why don't you pick the peppermint wheels?" Swizzle suggested. "They're very popular here, and you can have them in different colors."

"Nah, I think I'm more of a cookie person. I want wheels to go fast but still be very durable."

"Huh, good reason," Swizzle said to himself."

"Ooh, this is a good one!" she exclaimed, finally picking her choice of wheels.

She pressed a button under the screen and a curtain behind them rose. They're realized they're on a high stage overlooking candy ravers. The colorful blinking lights blinded them and they heard an announcer's voice speaking, "Ladies and gentlemen of the The Wheelhouse Club, put your hands together for today's contestants of our daily dance-off! This is DJ Licious Waferhead providing the house music!"

Swizzle and Vanellope looked at each other nervously. They stepped further down the stage, getting ready to dance. Lifebars labeled 'Dance Points' hover above their heads.

The DJ continued, "Match the lights on the stage to the music and earn enough high points to win your wheels! Now let's give another hand for our favorite diva, Lady Go Go!" The lights dimmed down and smoke began to fill on the stage.

"Whoa, what's going on here?" Vanellope whispered to Swizzle.

"Are you ready to roll, children?" an adult female voice boomed. Bright light turned on behind them and a tall, beautiful purple-skinned woman catwalked into the stage, positioning herself between the two kids.

The crowd went wild and they were chanting, "Go Go! Go Go! Go Go!"

Lady Go Go gave the two nervous kids beside her encouraging, warm smiles. "Just roll with it," she said kindly.

The music started and the diva began to dance and sing. Swizzle and Vanellope just stood in their spots, wondering what to do next. They looked down and noticed the floor underneath their feet is blinking different colored lights in odd patterns.

"That's our cue to step on them!" Swizzle told Vanellope. "Let's do this!"

After a few awkward tries, they two kids finally mastered their timing and movements, corresponding with the lights and the beat.

"Woo-hoo! Feeling the burn, Swizz!" Vanellope was having the time of her life.

Swizzle laughed as he continued to dance. He couldn't help but glancing at her direction every now and then. Their Dance Points began to rocket tremendously.

Lady Go Go finished her song as the house music finally ended. The crowd cheers roared and their applause thundered. Four cookie sandwich wheels floated down, two for each kid. Vanellope and Swizzle gave each other thumbs up, feeling so proud at what they did.

"Thank you for participating, Swizzle and Penellipop," Lady Go Go congratulated them. She patted Vanellope's head and kissed Swizzle's cheek, which he giggled naughtily. "I can't wait to dance with you again."

"Boy, all that dancing sure made my throat dry," Vanellope said, fanning herself as they leave the stage.

"I'll go get us a few drinks, just wait here," Swizzle said. He gave her the other two wheels and went through the dancing crowd to reach the bar.

Vanellope carried the full weight of all four wheels when she went to get a nearby table. As she sat down to wait for Swizzle to return with their drinks, she noticed Wynchell and Duncan entering with the gingerbread bouncer. They appear to be looking for someone and Wynchell is holding what it appears to be a wanted poster.

Swizzle just came through the crowd, carrying two soda cans when he saw the two donut cops.

"Freeze, Malarkey! You're under arrest!" Duncan cried.

Thinking quickly, Swizzle shook the two soda cans he was holding and open them; the fizzy liquid hit both cops in the face, temporarily blinding them. The bouncer was about to made a grab for the racer, but he slipped on the soda and collapsed on top of the cops.

Swizzle grabbed Vanellope's hand and they jumped over their bodies, making their way to the exit until they're finally outside. "Let's get out of here!"

"Wait! I forgot my wheels!" Vanellope ran back inside the club, grabbing the kart wheels and the strange poster (which she shoved inside her pocket), and hurried outside.

She jumped on his kart and Swizzle floored the pedal. They zoomed off just in time when the two donut cops ran out of the club.

"Call out for back up! Call the C.L.A.W Team!" Wynchell ordered Duncan.

Soon, more donut police motorbikes and the C.L.A.W. van were chasing after the two kids. Swizzle tried to move his kart faster but they were gaining up.

"Swizzle, they're coming closer!" Vanellope screamed, trying to stay on the kart while holding her kart wheels at the same time.

"I got a way to get rid of them!" Swizzle pressed a button, and skittles ball bearings shot out from the back of the kart. "Taste it, suckers!"

The van and the police bikes ran over the skittles and they slipped, spinning in different directions and crashing into one another.

"That'll slow them down for a while," Vanellope said, watching with amusement. "Now let's head back to Diet Cola Mountain!"

"Whew, that was close!" Swizzle collapsed in his seat. They were back inside the volcano and Vanellope set her new wheels next to her new engine in a corner.

"Who would ever though pastry would be relentless?" Swizzle asked, chuckling. He hopped out of his kart and check on the items they won. "I guess we should call it a day and get more stuff tomorrow."

"I agree," Vanellope nodded. "Too bad I didn't even get to taste my drink."

Swizzle thought for a while and he gets an idea. "Hey, Vanellope... how do you feel about trying a different drink from another game?"

"Swizzle, wait!" Vanellope followed him as they walked up the path leading to the tunnel. "You know I can't leave the game, it's impossible."

"I know," he said as they stood outside the tunnel. "But I'm gonna be the one who'll be gamejumping."

"Have you ever done it before?" Vanellope asked.

"Uh, yeah?" Swizzle said nervously. "Okay, I never want so far beyond the entrance. I always dreamed of visiting other games, but I never did. I was afraid I might get killed and never respawn."

"Well, why should you be afraid of not doing something you want?" Vanellope said eagerly. "Don't let King Candy's rules or anyone else stop you to stop following your dreams."

Swizzle looks at Vanellope and gave her a wide smile; she is pretty cool and really sweet for a glitch! He wonders if he really should go with his plan to trick Vanellope for his personal gains…

"You're right! Okay, I'll be gone for about… five minutes," he said. "Just stay here and wait for me, okay? I'll try and bring something back."

"I'll be counting the hours!" Vanellope grinned.

Swizzle chuckled and hurried down into the tunnel. Vanellope watched him go and sighed, before sitting flat on her butt. She really wanted to follow him and visit other games too. At least he'll come back with drinks.

She dug her hands into her pocket and felt something paper. She remembered the wanted poster she picked back at The Wheelhouse Club and she took it out. She saw Swizzle's smiling face (drawn a bit chubbier), and underneath his picture is a reward of 16 gold coins! Her excited eyes popped wide and all kinds of ideas are gearing up inside her head.

((What is Vanellope planning? Find out in the next chapter!))