All That's Left [Alpha Draft] - Pt 30 (SUPER ROUGH);

[keybearer]

Chapter 30: Turbotastic Pt. 1

The search for the Cy-Bugs had proven more hectic than Kairi expected. In their search for the runaway Cy-Bug, she, Calhoun, and Felix wound up splashing into  a pit of thick, chocolaty quicksand. Where Felix's fidgeting dragged them deeper into the goop, a smack from Calhoun brought giggling taffy vines down from the canopy. Of course, there was a simpler solution, and after a few short-lived bruises on Felix’s behalf, Kairi’s Zero Graviga spell tore them out of the gunk and back onto solid ground. Now they soared through the sky, crammed inside the mended escape craft. The ship’s radar spun in silence, not a blip to be found, and Felix leaned toward Calhoun with rosy cheeks and a dopey smile.

“Ma’am, I just gotta tell ya… You are one dynamite—” Before he could utter that final word, Kairi lunged behind the seat, slapped her hand over his mouth, and whispered in his ear.

“Felix, whatever you do, don’t call her a dynamite gal.”

Nudging her hand away, Felix frowned. “But I’m just speakin’ from the heart.”

“I know, but Calhoun's a soldier, and sometimes even tiny things can bring back awful memories... like a Cy-Bug swallowing a loved one on her wedding day.” The reveal made Felix bump into the wall, taking his hat in both hands and lowering it to his chest.

He tightened his hold on the brim of his hat, a slight tremble in his voice. “Jiminy jaminy… I had no idea you were so troubled!”

Calhoun snorted. “What are you talking about? I’m not troubled at all.” Just then, the radar began a slow succession of blips. “Huh, well, it’s about time this thing started working.”

It started off as one tiny dot, but that one dot became two, then three. Pounding the screen, Calhoun snarled, and the ship began to dip down. The blow made those tree tiny dots explode into a whole cluster, and the once slow beeps of the radar began hammering away until they became a single, drawn out hum.

Couldn’t it have been a fluke? Hands clasped, Kairi silently prayed for that slim possibility, and the ship accelerated, blowing over a field of red licorice grass. When it snapped to a stop, Calhoun flipped open the cockpit, launched herself out, and pointed down at the ground, no doubt expecting them to follow.

She whipped out her handheld radar, while Kairi seized Destiny’s Embrace. The dirt beneath them shifted, and as soon as they stepped forward, the whole ground collapsed, plunging them into the dark. As they fell, Calhoun latched onto a dangling licorice string, grabbed Felix by his shirt, and snatched Kairi’s arm with her other hand. In the process, her radar crashed into the candy floor below. Its dim screen cast a pale light upon not one, not ten, not even a hundred, but thousands of eggs. Dim green veins shimmered across their surfaces, and a colony of roaring Cy-Bugs crawled among the clusters, lighting them up as they traveled toward a gaping tunnel.

In spite of Kairi’s hopes, they were already too late.

x.x.x

So that settled it. Unless the taffy had somehow fried that bug’s circuits, the whole foundation of Sugar Rush would crumble. For all they knew, it was already on the brink. The sheer possibility cut the conversation to a halt. The atmosphere thickened. The walls seemed to crawl closer. Briefly, Riku crept toward Xion, but her past reactions gnawed at his mind, tugging him back within seconds. After all, what comfort could he really offer her? What comfort could any of them give?

Instead of giggling and offering cheery reassurance, Goofy collapsed on one of the ledges, head low, body slumped, and utterly silent. Donald stomped back and forth, his staff shaking in his feathered grip. Meanwhile, Sora pulled himself onto the kart, tapping Xion’s shoulder with zero response.

Their reactions all paled to Ralph’s, who hobbled back, eyes steadily widening while his mouth opened by a crack. His hands opened and closed, wrinkles lined his forehead, and he drove his fist through the cave floor.

“How could I have been so stupid?!”

The impact rattled the corridor, sending Donald teetering into Goofy’s knees. There was a CRASH, followed by a BANG, then a flash of golden light from around the corner. The combination of light and sounds made Ralph jump, and he poked his head toward the source of the racket. Naturally, the others pursued, and Vanellope skipped past them all, grinning despite the impending danger.

Unlike the mountain’s entrance, this next chamber bore small signs of life. Pink wooden frames of an incomplete track formed a half-finished arch over a pool of bubbling brown liquid. A sign described it as a diet cola hot springs, and that wasn’t all.

Squinting, Ralph crouched in front of the sign. “Watch out for falling Mentos?”

Covering his mouth, Sora stood up straight and nudged Riku with an elbow. For the next few seconds, the looming danger evaporated, as nostalgia smothered Riku from

“Yeah, you throw them into pop, and it explodes.” He pointed his thumb at himself, adding, “We used to pull stunts like that all the time when we were kids.”

“Wow, I didn’t know he had it in him.” Vanellope scooped up a chocolate chunk, then hopped back. “But just wait’ll you see it up close!”

The second the crumb hit its mark, a single Mentos mint splashed into the sizzling cola. Chuckling, Goofy waddled over to the hot spring’s edge just as a geyser of cola surged up, splashing the shoreline and making him yelp. He crashed into Ralph, and the two wobbled down to the ground. While they avoided the splash, the seething soft drink splattered on Donald’s feathery tush, thrusting him into the air with an explosive wail.

“Hot! Hot! Hooot!” As he hit the ground, he blew on his tail feathers, then scampered right over to Vanellope. “Just whaddaya think you’re doin’? Do you want us to get fried?”

Vanellope’s shoulders bobbed in a shrug, and she crossed her arms. “It’s not my fault you didn’t read.”

Though Donald stomped his foot and started mumbling, Riku seized his arm and dragged him away. “C’mon, she’s just a kid.”

The way her body rippled the next second made Riku cringe, while Xion pulled herself all the way around the corner and toddled to Vanellope’s side. When she approached, Vanellope rolled her eyes.

“Hey, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m fine. Sheesh…”

Once he’d gotten back to his feet, Goofy squinted at Vanellope and scratched his head. “Huh… But are ya sure you’re a glitch?”

“Uh, didn’t you just see me?”

“Gawrsh, it’s just, somethin’ about ya seems kinda…” He stopped, leaning closer. “But I guess I could be mixin’ things up.” Odd, but for now, Riku decided not to ask. Instead, he turned his sights to a giant shortcake framed with graham crackers and piled with colorful wrappers.

“So, what’s all this about?”

“Oh! Well, I think this place was some kinda unfinished bonus level.” Vanellope bounced off her perch, jogging over to the shortcake. “But this is my home. Pretty cool, right?” She pulled the wrappers around herself and rolled onto her side. “See? I sleep in these candy wrappers, and I bundle myself up like a little homeless lady.”

Riku flinched, hands locking up, a reaction mirrored by Xion, who pulled her fists over her chest. Slumped over, Ralph dragged his feet toward the bed and gestured at their surroundings.

“By yourself, with all this garbage around you?”

Frowning, Vanellope sat up and swung her legs over the bed. “Well, yeah. Everyone here says I’m just a mist—”

She didn’t even get the chance to finish before Xion cried, “You’re not a mistake! You’re just… different, and they can’t see that it makes you special.”

“Sure.” The word was scathing hot, like the bubbling cola around them. “And if I’m so special, then why do they always talk like I’m some kinda freak? And why do they always try keeping me away from the track? Or the factory? Or how about everything else in this crummy game?”

Riku tipped his head toward the ceiling, tapping his foot. “Well, King Candy said it’s because you’d screw up the game, but I’ve seen glitches. Real glitches, and if you were like them, this game would’ve fried a long time ago.”

“I…” Xion moaned, eying Riku then immediately looking away. “Right. You might’ve flickered a little, but at least you’re still you…”

“Well, who else would I be?” said Vanellope, but Xion refused to reply.

This all must’ve flown over Ralph’s head, because as they spoke, he started twiddling his thumbs and fidgeting in place. “Hey, so… I don’t really know much about glitches, but can’t you find a better game? It’s gotta beat living like a fugitive.”

Groaning, Vanellope flopped on her back. “You moron. You really think I haven’t tired? Well, I have, but guess what? Glitches can’t leave their games…”

So she was trapped, not by walls or an endless ocean, but by the very code that gave her life. This world was a prison, but unlike the islands, it was a real prison with Vanellope its sole inmate. Now it all made sense why she longed for that race. It was her one shot at proving herself to that crooked king and all the others. The specifics might’ve been lost to him, but with all this in mind, how could they possibly say no?

A tap on the shoulder brought his focus to Goofy, who whispered, “Can’t we at least try to help her out?” He was followed up by Sora, who peered up at Riku with wide, pleading eyes.

I know it might seem small compared to those Cy-Bugs, but this is her only chance! I don’t wanna let her down…

“Heh. You really think I’d do that, Sora?” Turning around, he waved for Donald to come closer, then slung his Keyblade over his shoulder. “Tell you what. We’ll track down the Cy-Bugs. You guys stay focused on the race.”

Gasping, Xion staggered closer. “But are you sure you’ll be okay? This is—”

“My fault,” said Ralph. “So if anyone oughta be out there, it’s me, right?”

“But don’t ya need that medal?" said Goofy. "Plus, if anything happens, you'll be right there to protect all the folks at the track."

“Hey, worse comes to worse, we’ve got backup,” said Riku. “That sound fair to you, Donald?”

“Aw, of course it’s fair!” Donald twirled his staff, marching ahead. “What’re a couple of bugs to guys like us?”

Chuckling, Goofy said, “I dunno, Donald. They were givin’ ya a rough time before!”

“But this time’s different. Now I know what we’re up against!”

“Sure you do.” Riku started moving, but stopped before rounding the corner to look Xion in the eye. “And, hey, we can talk about this later, all right?”

But that could wait until the fighting was over and done. For now, they had work to do.

x.x.x

Once Riku and the others left, the pressure piling onto Xion’s shoulders came rolling down in an avalanche. She fell back against the wall, releasing the air pent up inside her, while Ralph smashed his way through the ground, using his fists to carve a circular ditch. The next hour passed with the hum of an engine, the screeching of brakes, and occasional thuds from impromptu collisions. Sora, Xion, and Ralph probably weren’t the best driving instructors, but while the mechanics of the kart were lost to them, they circled around the track, shouting cheers, waving their hands, offering smiles and support.

But, needless to say, it took time and lots of crashes, mostly at Ralph’s expense. However, Vanellope's driving soon steadied, and while an accidental glitch nearly brought her crashing into the Mentos, the time soon came to march outside, head for the tracks, and watch Vanellope speed her way to victory.

However, when they stepped outside the mountain, the sky crackled and flashed.

“Uh… That’s new,” said Vanellope, pressing a finger to her chin.

Xion, on the other hand, squeezed her arms around her torso, gulping and eying the mountain. “You know, maybe we should wait ‘til the next race. I could get you a new coin, and—”

“Are you nuts? I’m not gonna wait ‘cause of a few stupid bugs.” She rolled her little hand in a fist, stretching tall. “Can’t you just try and relax for a little while? Forget the bugs, forget whatever got you worked up before. You’re about to see your first race ever, and I’m gonna be the star.”

“Mm… Right. It’s too important to back down.” It was gonna be fine. Riku and the others had it covered. Maybe the bugs weren’t even there. Maybe the taffy had killed it! Maybe…

But was maybe really good enough?

Yet again, Xion tried shaking away the doubts, but this time both Ralph and Sora sent her probing glances. Ralph even tapped her on the back.

“Hey, I know this is none of my business, but are you sure you’re up for this? If you wanna go help the others—”

“No, it’s okay.” She wheezed out a laugh. “I’m just… nervous, for Vanellope’s sake.”

Smirking, Vanellope hopped onto the hood of the kart. “What’re you nervous for, dork? This’ll be awesome! I can already see the stupid look on King Candy’s face when I snag the first prize, and…” She stopped, fiddling with her hair. “Well, d’you think the gamers will like me?”

Sora’s head bobbed up and down, grinning all the while, and Ralph gave a casual shrug.

“Hey, who doesn’t love a brat with dirty hair?” That comment earned him a short-lived scowl before Xion knelt in front of Vanellope.

“Hey, you’re gonna be a brand new racer! Someone they’ve never seen before…”

“Yep,” said Ralph. “Those other racers are such old news, they’re practically stale. But you’re a fresh baked cookie, hot outta the…” He stopped as soon as Vanellope started snickering.

“Do you know how cheesy that sounds?”

He slouched, pouting. “Okay, forget the food metaphors. The point is, you’re a winner, and you’re adorable. And who doesn’t love an adorable winner?”

‘Just big-nosed jerks with no hair.’ Sora punctuated his note with an angry scribble of King Candy, then flopped on top of the kart. As he landed, he stopped to sniff the air, stiffening for a second before he patted the steering wheel.

Vanellope took one step toward the kart, then stopped and spun around. “Wait! There’s just one teensy thing I forgot.” Before anyone got a chance to ask what, she zipped back into the mountain.

Once she disappeared, Sora stiffened again. His claws gripped the wheel, and he glared at nothing in particular. The moan of another engine coupled with the honk of a horn dragged Xion’s attention from the mountain to the swirling road ahead, and when a certain bald-headed midget came rolling up to them, her Keyblade materialized, and she thrust her weapon toward the car’s grill.

“What do you want?!”

“Yikes!” King Candy hopped out of the seat, shaking his hands. “Please, calm down! I come in— WHOA!”

Sora flew at the side of his kart, fists blazing with wild green flames. This drove the king further back, but just as he ducked behind a gumdrop, Ralph ripped it out of the ground, hurled it over his shoulder, and slammed his fist down.

“I’ve had enough of you, pillow pants!” The impact rocked the road, but King Candy tumbled away at the last second.

“N-now, I know you’re upset! You’ve got every right to be, but you have to understand—”

“Don’t even try it,” Ralph growled, but when he lifted his fist, King Candy whipped out a pair of thick-framed glasses.

“You wouldn’t hit a guy with glasses, would you?”

Ralph snatched the glasses and bashed them over his head, sending the king teetering into Xion’s knees.

“You hit a guy with glasses. Well played…”

Sora grabbed him by the cape, hoisting him off the ground, and though he kicked and squirm, one glare from those golden eyes made his body grow limp.

“Now, can’t we all talk this over like grownups? You haven’t even given me a chance to speak, let alone breathe.”

“Because we know what you’re gonna say,” said Xion. “And we’re not backing out of the race.”

“But—”

“Oh, great! And here comes another excuse,” said Ralph. “What’d that kid ever do you, anyway?”

“You’ve got it all wrong! I just want to protect her.”

“Oh yeah? Then why’d you have your children of the candy corn gang up on her?”

“I didn’t! It’s like I told you before, that was their choice.”

Sora’s lips curled back, and he lifted King Candy so that he was level with his face. As he did, the color in the king’s cheeks bled away, and Ralph crouched beside him, his voice a low bellow.

“Then explain the exploding popcorn."

King Candy gulped. “A necessary precaution to deal with outsiders… Besides, you don’t have to race anymore. Look!” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a blue ribbon. That alone made Sora loosen his grip, but when a shimmering gold medal emerged from his coat, he dropped King Candy altogether and scuttled back.

He wasn’t alone in his shock. The sight of the medal made Xion fumble her Keyblade, while Ralph’s jaw hit the ground.

“My medal… But how?”

“Oh, who cares? It’s all yours.” King Candy tossed it into his hands. “See? I can be reasonable. Now, will you please give me a chance?”

Speechless, Ralph stared into his palms. It was the perfect bait, the one way to grab his attention. Knowing this, Xion glowered at the balding tyrant.

“That medal won’t change a thing, so get out.”

“All right! I can take a hint…” He zipped toward his car and dragged himself inside. “Just know that you’re putting Vanellope’s life at risk…”

Her throat constricted. Her hands trembled, and even her voice threatened to crack. “What do you mean?”

“Well, have you forgotten about those… Cy-Bugs?” Though his voice carried a sickeningly sweet edge, his words made Xion flinch. “That’s right. This whole game could go down at any moment, and even if your destroy those bugs, there are… other risks involved.”

No one asked, nor budged from their spots, so King Candy carried on. “I’ll be frank. If Vanellope becomes part of the race roster, then she could put all of us in grave danger. The fact is, she’s a glitch, and if the gamers see her glitching and being herself, they might think our game is broken. Sugar Rush could end up unplugged forever, leaving me and my subjects without a home, but poor Vanellope could never escape… She’d die here, and that’s one risk that’ll remain with or without those insects.”

The engine started to putter, and he turned the car around. “Of course, you can try if you’d like, but real heroes know when to make the hard choices, no matter how much it hurts…”

He left without another word, and the world around Xion froze. Blackness enclosed on her, devoid of sound and devoid of sights. All was still, including her. Just what was she supposed to think?

It had to be a lie. Some sick joke. He was manipulating them! They couldn’t trust him. He must’ve had some ulterior motive. Why else would he send monsters after her? Why else would he be so desperate? So deranged? They couldn’t trust him. They just couldn’t. They’d come too far to let her down. How could they just… give up? It wouldn’t stop the bullying. It wouldn’t change a thing. Vanellope needed that race. She needed it…

They wouldn’t really unplug the game… right?

The thought must’ve crossed Ralph’s mind as well, as he glanced from the medal to the kart, his frown deepening with each second. Another flash from afar drove a wedge into Xion’s chest. One bolt, two bolts, was it a signal or something worse? The air remained stagnant, the sky otherwise clear, but Sora once again bristled. There must have been a reason.

Soon Vanellope came skipping out of the mountain, and when she did, Ralph hastily tucked the medal into his shirt. He hid his hands behind his back and started whistling as if nothing had changed, but she was a smart kid, and the sudden change in demeanor made her stop in her tracks.

“Okay, what happened while I was gone?”

“Uh, nothing!” said Ralph. “It just got a little quiet, so—”

“Uh huh.” She turned to Xion. “Then explain why she’s moping?”

“But I’m not—”

“Hey, you might have that hood, but you can’t hide everything.” She zipped close, tugging on her coat. “But it’s okay. I’ve got something that’ll cheer you up, but first you’ve gotta close your eyes.” She looked to Ralph. “You too, Stinkbrain.”

He lowered his head, grumbling. “Fine…”

Another glance from Vanellope made Xion wilt, but she gave a weak nod and followed suit, and soon Sora joined in as well.

There was a slight screech from below, followed by a gentle thunk. Then something loose fell upon Xion’s shoulders, and a tiny hand touched her back.

“Okay, you can look now.”

When she opened her eyes, Xion found a strip of candy looped around her neck, strung through a heart-shaped cookie. On the cookie, Vanellope wrote, ‘To Xion’ on one side, and just as she turned the cookie halfway, Ralph read the message on his makeshift medal.

“You’re my hero…?”

Vanellope nodded, brushing her shoe against the dirt. “I just figured it’d be nice to have something in case those bugs really do eat everything… or I lose, but there’s no way that’s gonna happen.”

Ralph grimaced. “Hey, uh… Thanks, kid, but y’know, maybe we don’t need that race after all. Who needs a trophy when you’ve got friends like—”

Sora whacked his knee, then raised his notepad. ‘What’re you doing?’

“Hey, you heard what the king said!”

“Wait, you talked to King Candy?” Vanellope’s body flickered even wilder than before, and she hopped onto the back of the cart, peering at his chest. “Wait a minute, is that…?” She snatched the medal by the string, revealing the gold coin inside. “I can’t believe this! Did you sell me out?” She spun toward the others. “Are you in on it, too?”

“No!” said Xion. “Of course not. We’re not in on anything, Vanellope…”

“You’re not, but… maybe I am.” Ralph looked toward the mountain, hands balling shut. “Look, kid, you can’t be a racer.”

Those scathing words paralyzed Vanellope, and she squeaked out a single hoarse word. “What…?” Sora, on the other hand, arched his back and flexed his claws. The black steam rising from his shoulders whipped the air, though for now he remained still. The same couldn't be said for Xion, whose hands began shaking. How could he even say that? Didn't he know how important the race was? Didn't he care?

Ralph refused to meet her eyes, brushing past her and raising his fist above the kart. “I’m sorry. I know how much this race means to you, but I can’t let you go through with this. Not if it means risking your life…”

This time, Sora lunged in front of Vanellope with one hand on his hip and a fresh note in the other. ‘Stop right there, Ralph. I’m not gonna let you do this.’

Vanellope’s flickers accelerated, and she stomped to the very edge of the car, leering into Ralph’s face. “You know what? You can have your crummy medal!” She hurled it in his face. “I can win just fine on my own, traitor.” She slid into her seat, but Ralph grabbed her by the hood.

“But you don’t get it, kid! If you win that race—”

WHAM.

Sora’s fist slammed into Ralph’s cheek, and despite his small stature, the blow sent Ralph wobbling back, his hold on Vanellope slipping wide open. As she fell, Xion caught her in her arms. The continued flickers made her tighten her grip. It was too much. Too close…

Rubbing his cheek, Ralph rolled back to his feet. “Hey, what was that for?”

‘It was for her.’ Sora pointed to Vanellope. ‘I know King Candy said a bunch of scary stuff, but that doesn’t mean it’s true! The guys outside know these games’re alive, and I bet they know what’d happen if they got unplugged. They’re not heartless, Ralph, and if they knew about Vanellope, I bet they’d wanna help her, not kill her…’

Ralph’s fist dropped like a rock in a lake, and he turned away, brushing his other hand against his shoulder. “But what if they don’t?”

Sora’s face wrinkled, and he crawled in front of Ralph, tapping his knee and scribbling another note. ‘Then we’ll talk to ‘em. We’ll make sure they know the whole story.’

It was the obvious solution. Why didn’t Xion think of it before? The people in Disney Town were warm, kind, and understanding. They’d never tolerate King Candy’s actions, even if he was a part of the game. And if that still wasn’t good enough…

Xion set Vanellope in the kart, then lifted her Keyblade. “I’m not letting you lay a finger on this car.” She said it with a hint of laughter in her voice. After that punch, he’d have to be crazy to try.

But just in case, Sora stood tall, locked eyes with Ralph, and jotted one final message. ‘Just because someone acts like they care doesn’t mean they really do. Sometimes they’re just trying to trick you, because they know you care and they think they can use that against you.’

Just like Maleficent and all her allies… No wonder Sora lashed out. He must’ve known from the start. So what would he think if he knew about Chrysanthemum? Was he like King Candy, just stringing her along? She couldn’t consider it. Not now. Not here. Not when any help beat enduring those memories alone…

With a dry moan, Vanellope honked the kart’s horn. “Well, are you coming or not?”

Ralph slowly lifted his head, then pointed at himself. “But I almost destroyed your kart.”

“Yeah, almost, but I think I can let that one slide.” Winking, she patted the back of the car. “So whaddaya say, chum?”

After tapping his chin, Ralph brought his hands to his hips and beamed. “I guess we better hit the road.”

x.x.x

Who ever thought that bright gumdrop hills, chocolate slopes, and waffle cone peaks could be so unsettling? How could the relative calm of the cotton candy filled sky hasten the beat of Riku’s heart? From high upon the hover board, he skimmed the surface for cracks and holes, for skittering specks with glowing green eyes. In their place, he only found jawbreakers along swirling roads while cheery music blasted above his head, chanting the game’s title for all to hear.

Clinging to Goofy’s shoulders, Donald peeked at the distant ground, then snorted. “Ha. Maybe there aren’t any Cy-Bugs after all.”

Or maybe he spoke to soon, for the sky itself flashed in blinding yellow and sparks scattered through the surrounding air. The wind whipped around them and Riku slammed his foot down, steering the board in a sharp downward angle. A field of red stretched from afar, and a surge of electric pillars impaled the fluffy pink clouds. They tore through the licorice grass and crashed into the earth’s open maw.

Rumbling wildly, the board snapped forward, the fissure growing ever closer. The repeated flashes assaulted his eyes, but he refused to shut them, let alone squint, for fear of what lurked below. Between strikes, gunshots bellowed. With the shots came feral screeches, joined by a scattering of green lights. By then, tremors raced down Riku’s legs. His chest heaved a shuddering breath, and he pressed his foot down even harder than before.

A shout burst from his lips, his voice high and hoarse. “Kairi!”

No one replied. The earth gave one final rumble, and the crack burst open. Thousands of Cy-Bugs exploded from the crevice, their once silver bodies now coated in sprinkles, drizzles of caramel, and bright pink shells adorned with candy corn spikes. It should’ve made him laugh. After all, they’d gone from mechanized monsters to pure sugar, yet their wings beat as furiously as ever. They still screeched so loud his ear drums threatened to pop, still charged at their faces with jaws snapping and claws slashing. An onslaught of black bullets blasted their candied shells, barely staggering their vicious ascent.

More gunshots rang, louder than before. Giant spheres swelled, grabbing the bugs and swinging them in circles. Dense white pillars cleaved through the swarm, but more Cy-Bugs arose, tearing through soil and gushing out like geysers. Amidst the chaos came the rumble of machinery. Lasers tore holes through the Cy-Bugs’ candied bodies before they burst into pieces and toppled to the ground. Two more magnetic fields ripped open a gap in the swarm, and Calhoun, Kairi, and Felix rocketed toward Riku’s group atop a hover board of their own.

But the bugs continued diving, clawing, hissing, and snarling despite the glassy spheres that flickered around the two boards. Short-lived smiles flashed across Riku and Kairi’s faces, fading the moment Calhoun launched another volley of lasers.

Before speaking, Kairi muttered another spell. The nearest Cy-Bugs slowed to a crawl, though more continued emerging in droves, blotting out the once clear sky.

She placed her hand against the barrier, a soft sigh slipping from her lips. “Well, it’s about time, you slowpokes.” Another Cy-Bug hurtled at the barrier, and she raised her weapon, slicing through its shell with a single light pillar.

Poking his head out from behind Calhoun, Felix eyed the board and gulped. “Where’s Ralph? And what about that shadowy kid?”

Riku instantly averted his eyes, striking his thigh with his fist. “They’re supposed to be at the race track, but…” Well, what else needed to be said? They’d failed. The Cy-Bugs were here now, and with their numbers this high, how could they possibly hold them back?

“We better go warn ‘em!” said Goofy, pointing off in the distance, while his teeth chattered away. “We can’t let these fellers make a snack outta that sweet little girl!”

“It’s too late,” said Calhoun. There was a slight tremble in her shoulders as she fired off another round. “We need to evacuate ASAP. It’s the only good we can do now.”

x.x.x

She tried to ignore the distant flashes in favor of the giant screens above. The race had been going strong for several minutes, and now the monitors showed Vanellope spiraling up a chocolate cake mountain, whizzing past one kart after another. Giant ice cream scoops flew through the air. Enormous cherries lit up, exploding in smoke and splatters of whipped cream. However, Vanellope swerved between each creamy blast, earning loud, boisterous cheers from Ralph and frantic applause from Sora.

“That’s it, kid! Just keep it steady. You’re almost there…”

When Xion failed to comment, though, Sora wilted and crawled out in front of her. ‘Hey, what’s wrong? Aren’t you excited?’

She moaned, hugging her shoulders, but though she tried to nod her head and play cool, another flash made her wilt. “Look at the sky. Something’s happening out there, and I doubt it’s part of the race.”

Both Sora and Ralph grimaced, then locked eyes, but Ralph soon recovered with a half-hearted laugh. “Kid, you worry too much! No wonder you’ve got all those grey hairs.” Sora huffed, whapping his arm, and he added, “C’mon, I saw those guys kick Cy-Bug butt back in Hero’s Duty, and that sergeant deals with them on a daily—”

POW. An armored fist socked Ralph in the cheek, courtesy of Calhoun herself. Her sudden appearance left Xion gawking. Where’d she come from? Where were the others? A short look up soon revealed a rapidly descending hover board, from which Kairi dived to the ground and sprinted toward the group.

“Guys, we need to move! There’s not much time.”

“You got that right,” said Calhoun, leaning straight into Ralph’s face. “Hope you’re happy, Wrecker, ‘cause this game’s about to go down because of you.”

“What?! But I thought you guys had it covered!”

But he thought wrong. Just as soon as he stopped speaking, a stream of brightly colored Cy-Bugs erupted from behind the stands. They came spewing out, sweeping over the bleachers and sending the crowd pouring out of their seats, screaming, flailing, crying, and wailing while Calhoun assaulted the bugs with lasers and Kairi spread her mines across the track. Everything else became a haze of purple flashes, smoke plumes, metallic clatter, and explosive bellows. The surprise ambush petrified Xion. She was right to worry. It was too late. What were they thinking? How could they have let this happen?!

A shadow closed in on her. Green eyes dived at her face. Metal claws snatched at her torso, but before they met their mark, a black blur slammed into its back, pinned it into the ground, and impaled its skull with the teeth of a white Keyblade.

Panting, Riku peeked over his shoulder, then gave Xion a fleeting glance. “C’mon, Xion. You’ve gotta stay sharp.” As he spoke, several Cy-Bugs swooped at the fleeing crowd, and he launched himself into a flying dash, smashing through their shells, while barriers flashed around the citizens’ bodies.

But that was hardly the end of it. Glistening green eyes eclipsed the sky in a screeching hurricane. More bugs tore the stands from the ground, while others latched onto the shimmering gold cup. As they closed in, Ralph pummeled his way toward the trophy. Purple flashes tore through the swarm. Explosions littered the track with smoke, candy, and wire. A constant stream of lasers assaulted the infestation, but the bugs persisted, forcing Calhoun back. Atop her hover board, she called to the crowd and drifted toward a distant rainbow arch.

“Listen up, people. Head to Game Central Station now!”

The panicked treats nodded, then scurried ahead, but when more bugs dropped down, Goofy tumbled into the mob and smashed his shield into one of the insect’s sides.

“Go on, fellers! We’ll cover for ya.”

If the numbers were fewer, brute force might’ve sufficed, but while Ralph and Goofy shattered the sugary shells of their attackers, hundreds more swept over the track, downed only by domes of Graviga, halted only by feeble sheep bleats and blasts of Stopga and Slow. Sadly, even those spells failed to thwart the masses. For each dozen bugs caught in a Magnet spell's orbit, dozens more crashed down from the sky, and while the shock died down and Xion began ramming Cy-Bugs with Sonic Blades, even she knew this couldn’t last.

Amidst the fighting, a little man in blue whistled and waved his hands. “Ralph, c’mon! That includes you, too.”

He smashed through another bug, taking a glance at the screen. “No. The kid’s still racing, and I’m not moving ‘til she crosses that finish line.”

“That’s right,” said Kairi. “Riku said something about that, but who…?” When she turned to the screen, the image shifted to a glittering cavern with a sloping rainbow path. Oblivious to the Cy-Bugs, Vanellope revved up the road, and the moment she appeared, Kairi gave a loud gasp. “Wait, that’s the girl on the side of the cabinet!”

The others gave a collective, “What?!”

“No way,” said Ralph. “She was a part of this game the whole time?”

“I knew it!” said Goofy, whacking another Cy-Bug’s rear. “I knew somethin’ about that kiddo looked familiar!”

“But how?” If she was on the cabinet, then why was she a glitch? Why’d everyone treat her like an abomination? Xion may not’ve known much about video games, but weren’t pictures important? Didn’t that make her important? As she bashed the ground and skewered Cy-Bugs with candied spikes, her eyes drifted to the leader board and up to King Candy’s name.

He was the one who refused to let her race. He made all those excuses. He tried acting like it was all for Vanellope’s sake, but what if there was more to it?

She had to know. She had to help Vanellope, before these insects tore the world apart. Before they destroyed what little chance she had at a brighter future. So, after slamming another ten bugs down on the mines, Xion flung herself through the rising smoke. She dived at the extra hover board, swiveled toward the finish line, and just as she spread her arms, the board flung itself down the road.

Though the others called out for her, she pressed on without looking back.

Her surroundings a blur, she wobbled and flailed, nearly flying over the edge. The pinks, reds, and other assorted colors dipped into darkness as she lurched through a tunnel, down a slope, and over a waving chocolate road. Though the board rattled beneath her feet, she jerked forward, trying to accelerate but nearly stumbling in the process. The track took a sharp downward incline, and she stumbled back, waving her arms. Through a stroke of luck, she kept her feet glued in place, and amidst the darkness, a brownish speck came into form.

From a neighboring slope, a white figure dropped down, ramming into Vanellope’s kart with a rumbling CRASH. Tires screeched, and Xion started chewing her lower lip. Rather than chance falling off the board, she spun her Keyblade backwards and launched herself with a thick jet of air.

The impact of the crash spun Vanellope’s kart backwards. The nose of King Candy’s car dug beneath the grill, and the snarling king slammed his hands down on the dashboard. “Get off my track!”

Vanellope looked back, tugging at the wheel. Her engine buzzed like saw blades. “What, are you crazy?”

King Candy ripped the metal pole holding the kart’s horns and crawled onto the hood of Vanellope’s vehicle. With a manic grin, he smashed the metal rod against the windshield. “I forbid you to—”

SHING. Xion’s Keyblade whirled into his cheek, sending him dangling over the edge of the skidding vehicles. Catching her weapon, Xion swooped down beside Vanellope and held out her other hand.

“Hop on!”

Stubborn as ever, Vanellope clung to the wheel. “But we’re almost to the finish line—I’m not stopping now.”

Bubbling laughter broke through the racket, and King Candy dragged himself back onto the kart. He jabbed the rod at Xion’s ribs, nearly toppling her off the board. The back of her coat dragged across the tunnel wall, and the crazy king once again drove his makeshift weapon at Vanellope. This time, however, she caught it in both hands. The moment it made contact, her body started breaking up into blue blocks, but this time, she wasn’t alone.

King Candy’s body wavered and flashed. Clumps of red, white, and grey overtook his colorful garb. His crown became a helmet with a red stripe down the middle, his coat and cape a white jersey, and his eyes glowed bright yellow. His form flashed from smooth polygons to blocky pixels, then back to his royal physique. It kept toggling back and forth, rosy cheeks to pasty white, and for a moment, King Candy disappeared altogether. In his place, Xion saw a girl grasping her head, red hair flashing to silver, white clothes turning bright yellow. Muscle replaced smooth skin. Black and red blocks rained down…

But there were no blocks. Xion’s coat remained in place, and her skin lacked the tingle of her past distortions. Moreover, while King Candy’s appearance continued wavering, Vanellope’s black hair, her hoodie, her sprinkles, all of it remained between the glints of bright blue. If that was the case, then why did he change?

Biting back a scream, Xion shoved her Keyblade into the wall, blasting herself back toward the kart with a smaller gust than before. As she blew in, she leveled her Keyblade at King Candy’s neck. “I know the truth. Vanellope’s not just a glitch, is she? She’s a part of this game! A real racer…”

Vanellope’s flickering ceased, and she gaped at Xion’s words. “Huh? Where did that come from?”

“You’re on the side of the machine. That proves you’re not a mistake.”

King Candy’s flickering accelerated, and he jabbed his rod at Xion once more, stopped only by the shaft of her Keyblade. Even so, he roared with erratic laughter. “So you figured it out? Well, here, have some candy…” He reached into his pocket, flinging chocolates at her face. While she swatted at the sweets, King Candy thrust the baton into her leg and cranked the lever of his kart.

Smoke oozed out the exhaust pipe. His kart revved up so much speed, Vanellope’s kart toppled onto its side. Cackling, King Candy ripped the metal from her skin, and Xion clamped her teeth together, giving a muffled moan.

“I’m Turbo, the greatest racer ever, and I did not reprogram this world so you, your little friends, and that halitosis ridden warthog could take it away from me!”

Reprogram… That one word sent tremors down her spine. It made her cheeks, no, her whole face burn, her joints locking up, arms bent, and Keyblade seized in an unrelenting vice. Her chest quivered, and she thrust her palm out. Sparks of blue fire blasted Turbo’s chest, shoving him off the back of his kart and flat against one of the cave walls. As the flames died down, smoke trailed from Xion’s fingertips, and she drew back, blotting her palm against the front of her coat. All the while, Turbo tumbled across the road to snuff out the flames, and he pushed himself up with another feeble giggle.

“You’re too late! Look behind you…”

All it took was a quick glimpse to discover what he meant. Even with his car unoccupied, the vehicle continued cruising down the road.  The once narrow corridor began to open wide, the singular path cut in half by a narrow stone wall, with flashing arrows pointing to the left and right.

The wall stood level with Vanellope. If she didn’t act fast, then—

Crouching low, Xion blew another breeze, swerving above raging karts and once again extending her hand. “Vanellope, please! We have to get out of here.”

Vanellope shifted to the side, peeking at the wall, and though she gulped, when Xion leaned closer, she nudged her hand away. “Wait. I’ve got an idea. I’ve just gotta concentrate…”

“But the wall!”

She scowled, then snapped, “I can do this, Xion! All I’ve gotta do is… glitch.”

She exhaled, and both her body and kart shivered and flashed. One moment they were cruising toward the wall, and the next, they warped to the far left, upright once more. Only Turbo’s kart remained, and within seconds, it slammed into the wedge, cracks tearing through the hood. Tense, tittering laughter broke loose from Xion’s lips. Suddenly numb, she swerved the board down the left tunnel.

When she finally caught up, Vanellope gave her a wink. “See? Told you I could do it.”

“I… Heh. I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised.” She pulled the board closer, letting her Keyblade fade from her grasp. “But we really have to hurry. The Cy-Bugs are here, and—”

“I don’t care!” Vanellope slammed her foot down on a pedal, and the car lurched forward. “Look, Xion, I know you’re just trying to help, but why are you so protective of me?”

The words slapped Xion across the cheeks, and she flinched, biting her lower lip. It was only a matter of time. She had been acting up, but why? Well, perhaps it was time to come clean.

Flipping her hood back, Xion finally said, “It’s because I’m a glitch, too…”

At that moment, Vanellope slammed her foot down on the brakes. The car screeched to a stop, and she stared straight into Xion’s eyes. “But you’re not even from a game…”

“No, but… I was made from corrupt data. Copied from someone else’s memories…” She reached for a lock of her hair, hiding her face. “And now those memories are eating away at me.”

A tiny gasp escaped Vanellope, and she pulled herself onto the side of the car. “Is that why you’re so scared?”

“Mm… It’s more complicated than that.” She turned away, hand pressed to the wall, and pulled herself back on her feet. “I guess I just saw myself in you. Whenever you glitch, it brings back all these painful memories… Maybe I am too protective, but I can’t help it!”

“Well, can’t you try? I get it. These bugs are bad news, but I don’t wanna give up when I’ve come so close. And if I am a real racer, then I’ve gotta prove it!”

“Then…” She gazed down at her hands, balling them into fists. “Then I guess I’ll just have to protect you.”

“As long as you don’t smother me.” She reached for the stick shift. “And you better not slow me down!”

“Well… I can’t make any promises, Vanellope, but I’ll try.”

x.x.x

WHAM. CRASH.

The fighting dragged on. Beads of sweat dotted Riku’s armor. Even with darkness oozing through his veins, he began wobbling as he dashed across the battlefield, thrusting his entire weight against one Cy-Bug after another. The sky shimmered in a glassy dome that spanned from the top of the rainbow ramp all the way to the finish line’s golden frame, but cracks had already begun wedging their way across the barrier’s surface. Even so, Kairi stood her ground at the foot of the bridge, one hand wrapped around her necklace while she flung her weapon in repeated Strike Raids, fired off wavering white spheres, and smothered flaming Cy-Bugs with whips of water.

Donald panted and grasped his chest, stubbornly flinging fireballs into the maws of the nearest insects. Their once sugary shells lit up with bright orange flares, doused by soaring ice clusters and blasts of bubbles from Destiny’s Embrace. Springing across the toppled stands, Sora latched onto Cy-Bugs foolish enough to try fluttering toward the barrier and tore his way through their shells with claws ablaze. Lasers continued to fly, lighting the air in a deadly display, but was it enough?

Riku choked out a husky laugh as he cleaved across another insect and halted it in midair. Frozen by Dark Splicer, it became a stepping stone as he flung himself at the next bug and lobbed a ring of electric orbs at six charging foes. He’d have to thank Aqua for introducing him to Shotlocks later, but as for Ralph…

He hovered by the finish line, thrusting his fists at any Cy-Bugs that dared approach. Poor Felix stood beside him, repeatedly gesturing toward the bridge.

“Ralph, that’s enough! You’re gonna wear yourself out at this rate.”

“I don’t care,” he said, swinging another punch. “It’s my own fault for letting this happen!”

“Oh, fiddlesticks!” said Felix. “Beatin’ yourself up ain’t gonna make ya feel any better.”

“But it’s true!” BAM. Another punch sent a Cy-Bug skidding straight into a minefield. “I really thought I could be like you, Felix, but now this whole game’s falling apart. If I hadn’t gotten so caught up on that stupid medal, then—”

Felix placed his hand against Ralph’s arm, sighing. “But you only went that far because of us. Guess that makes me the bad guy.”

“Oh, please!” said Donald. “The only real bad guys’re that Gene jerk and King Candy!”

“Ya mean Turbo!” said Goofy.

“Turbo, Candy, who cares? It’s not like he can do anything without a kart!”

True, Xion had taken care of that, but where was she? And what about Vanellope? Once he’d sliced across one Cy-Bug and slammed into another, Riku stole a glimpse at the screen, but three more bugs rammed into it from behind, sending it toppling toward his head like a freshly chopped tree. Grunting, he flickered out of the screen’s path, landing a short distance on the ground. The cracks along the barrier widened as the Cy-Bugs outside continued ramming both above. The small saving grace came in the form of another surging sphere, sucking up the flailing bugs with its magnetic might.

Others slowed, and Sora sniffed the air, perking moments later. That’s gotta be him! He flopped down from a smoldering Cy-Bug corpse, skittering toward a capsized box that once made up part of the stands.

If Sora was that pumped, it must’ve been for a reason, so after stabbing another circle of bugs with a ring of stalagmites, Riku hustled in hot pursuit of his friend. He tore around the corner just in time to catch Sora flying at a towering, lanky man with insane red spikes for hair. At first, he simply peeked around the edge of the box, but as soon as Sora tapped his shoulder, he sprung back. Flames swirled around his wrists, but instantly died down when Sora donned one of his sparkling smiles and gave a casual wave.

Sora’s enthusiasm was met with a deadpan stare, and Axel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hey, don’t you kids have an apocalypse to deal with?”

“We do.” Riku swished his Keyblade out, aiming it at Axel’s chest. “But word on the street’s that you’re here for some souvenirs, and I won’t let that slide.”

“Great. So you know, too? Is there anyone here who isn’t in on it?” He threw up his hands, swiveling around. “Next thing you’ll tell me is that you found a way through the barrier…”

Head tilted, Sora rubbed his cheek. Nah. We just came here for a vacation.

“A vacation.” He cocked an eyebrow. “You mean this whole mess was just a giant coincidence?”

“For us, anyway. The only reason we know about your plan’s because of a cat and his giant pink marshmallow.” A screech from above made Riku roll forward, and he launched his Keyblade at a Cy-Bug that came diving at Axel’s back. “But you’re right; we really do have other flies to swat. Guess we’ll have to chat about this later.”

“Heh. That’s if I stick around.” Smirking, Axel threw out his arms, and in a swirl of fire, two spiky chakrams flashed into his clutches. “In case you forgot, I’m a bad guy.”

True. Sora got down on all fours, catapulting at Axel’s chest but stopping just a few inches away. I guess we’ll have to make you stay!

“Yeesh. Ever heard of personal space?” Two more bugs dropped down, and he launched his discs at their underbellies, slicing their shells wide open. “C’mon, it’s just a game. If you were smart, you’d bail, too.”

“Yeah? Well, I guess we’re—”

CRASH. At long last, the barrier shattered into glittering shards, and the remaining Cy-Bugs drew toward the track like a tidal wave from the sky. Immediately, Riku whipped back around. He scrambled for the bridge. For Kairi, and as he ran, several Cy-Bugs slammed into the finish line’s frame, ripping its poles from the dirt. Moreover, Felix, Xion, and Ralph bolted past the wreckage, Vanellope now cradled in Ralph’s arms. Kairi had collapsed on her knees, but Donald and Goofy pulled her back on her feet. Quickening his stride, Riku jabbed his weapon forward, coating Kairi’s skin with a shimmering green glow.

The Cy-Bugs pursued like a pack of ravenous sharks. When Riku looked behind him, he found Axel dashing his way with Sora scampering at his tail. The three rampaged over the bridge, blasting fireballs, lightning bolts, and sending tremors behind them. When they finally reached the top of the slop, Calhoun flew straight at Axel, and Xion scurried close behind.

“Well, well. Look who decided to show his face again!”

Growling, Axel flung his chakrams back at the approaching horde. “Look, lady, you’ve got every right to hate me, but shouldn’t you save your ammo for these guys?”

“But why are you still here?” said Xion.

“You better talk!” said Donald, smacking his staff against his palm, but to Riku’s surprise, Calhoun pulled her weapon from Axel’s neck.

“Forget it. We need to blow this bridge now, or the arcade’s history.”

“But the game—” said Kairi between gasps, and for once, Calhoun’s glare softened, grief seeping into her features.

Meanwhile, Ralph ran at the tunnel, but while he passed through, Vanellope ricocheted back. Though Ralph ran back out and tried pulling her through again, a wall flashed between them. Kept flashing as he tugged and pushed.

“Ow! Ralph, stop it. Please…” She pulled her way out of his grip, slowly backing away. “It’s okay. Go on without me…”

“No!” said Xion, grabbing her little hand. “We can stop this! We can still save you… right?”

“Not without a beacon,” said Calhoun, but as soon as she spoke up, Ralph squeezed past her and latched onto her hover board.

“Hey, lady! Lemme borrow this for a second.”

“Are you crazy?” said Felix, but Ralph only chuckled, already kicking the board into the air.

“Kid, stay here with the others. I’ve got some wreckin’ to do.”

With a wobble and a lurch, the board shot toward the top of Diet Cola Mountain. Then it clicked. The Mentos. The cola… Was he seriously gonna bring the whole thing down? Gritting his teeth, Riku dragged his arm through the air, tearing a portal open. He stepped halfway through, stopping only to alert the others.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but there’s no way I’m letting him do this on his own.”

Brow creased, Sora turned to Axel, pointed to his chest, and then the bridge. He then sprung into the portal, but before Riku pulled it shut, Xion squeezed her way in as well.

“I want to go, too, if that’s okay...” She refused to look Riku in the eye, but he smiled anyway.

“Heh. Guess another Keyblade couldn’t hurt.” He cupped his hand over his mouth and raised his voice. “Keep an eye on Axel! We’ll see you guys at the finish line.”

With that, the portal closed around them, casting them into the dark.

TO BE CONTINUED