Chapter Text
"Sour Bill," King Candy asked, "Where are we?"
King Candy and Sour Bill had been driving out towards a different game to sort out some issues with another character, but it seems that they were lost once they reached Game Central Station. Sour Bill looked around for a familiar sign or a popular character, but he couldn't see because he was so short.
"I can't tell," Sour Bill announced as he listened for some sort of sign. "Since you swerved to avoid hitting someone back there, we've been knocked off of our track."
King Candy giggled nervously. "Well that's quite alright. I'll just back up a teensy bit, and we can-"
The two were suddenly stopped by the Surge Protector.
"Random Inspection check. Name?"
'You know, it isn't very 'random' when you do it all the time, Surge-"
"NAME."
Sour Bill decided to answer the Game Central Station worker. "This is King Candy, and I'm Sour Bill, his royal advisor. We're from the game Sugar Rush," His voice was something bored and stressed.
"And where are you headed?"
King Candy stopped to realize that Surge Protector knew every game and where they were. If Surge could just show them where this game was, they'd be out of his way. Win-win for everyone.
"Actually, Surge," King Candy piped up, "I don't suppose you'll be of any help with directions, because uh, haha, we're a little lo- Well no not, not 'lost' More like misplaced I mean have you seen this place I- ahaha- It's well, it's really something, isn't it-"
"Good lord," Surge Protector sighed out of frustration. "Well, answer my previous question. Where are you going?"
"Fix-it Felix Jr. I've got someone over there that I have to talk with." King Candy's voice hinted slight aggression toward whoever he was going to see. Sour Bill, who noticed, tried to justify the King's intentions.
"Yes, his royal highness would like to speak to them about..." Sour Bill thought, desperately trying to seem sane. "About... Something and- and, I don't know- Oh wait, they were planning an event- yes, an event, that is to take place in the near future. That's right."
"Hmph. Yeah right! About an hour kind of near future!"
Sour Bill cleared his throat to usher the King to keep it down. If Surge was suspicious, they may never go to the game. Surge looked between them both, a puzzled expression giving off his confusion towards the boys' behavior.
After raising his eyebrows in one of those I'm-not-even-going-to-ask manners, Surge motioned toward the other end of the station, where it was. "It's over there."
"Haha! Success! come along, Sour Bill- We've got some business to take care of!" The King chuckled as he revved up his car again and they made their way to Fix-it Felix Jr. As the King was driving, Sour Bill was considering everything that lead up to this. King Candy wanted to keep Vanellope off his track and Ralph kept putting her back onto it. The two of them had to deal with this, and whether the King gets what he wants or a black eye, it had to be done.
Sour Bill still had his concerns. "Your highness, I get a feeling this won't end well," He stated, trying to sound reasonable. "If- If you die outside of your game..."
"Oh! I won't go THAT far, heavens no, I'll use my more persuasive manner to get what I need out of him! You see, Sour Bill, he's an easy to convince character because of the amount of whit he has- I could destroy his entire train of thought if I wanted, it's really that easy! All I need is to sweet-talk him into cutting Vanellope from the race, and I'll be home free!"
"Sire," Sour Bill started up as they reached the entrance of Fix-it Felix Jr. "I hate to be 'ignorant' to your hard work, but last time you talked him into believing Sugar Rush will go out of order, Vanellope still raced, and she won-"
"Hush. That isn't important. Vanellope won because-" King Candy stopped and lowered his voice so it was harder to hear him. "Because technically I was having a little pest problem-" He stops to giggle, slightly crazed from remembering the incident. "Yes, a pest problem, but talking to good ol' Ralph over there will change that, and keep me as the greatest- Sour Bill, is this the right one?"
"Yes, your highness. We're in the right place. Welcome to Fix-it Felix Jr."
King Candy parked his car and went off to find Ralph. Since Ralph lived in the dump, it wasn't exactly difficult. It took, what, 5 seconds? Once King Candy encountered the large manchild, he cleared his throat to gain his attention and prepared himself for action if it ever escalated there.
King Candy marched up to Ralph. "Hello!"
Ralph saw the King and his rage quickly started to pick up. "What are you doing here?"
"Now now I just, ahahaha, I just wanted to talk to you-"
"I don't care. I know you're here to tell me Vanellope can't race because you don't want her to, not because it's actually safer for her."
King Candy had to at least credit the fact that Ralph payed that much attention. Getting Ralph to agree with him is only going to be harder now given his position and the fact that Ralph already had an idea behind King Candy's schemes. The King thought of something that might work, but even Ralph couldn't be dumb enough to believe it. Given the situation, it was worth a shot.
"Well, yes I don't want her to race, but hear me out, Ralph," King Candy sighed to make this more effective and real. "Vanellope can't race, but it's because-"
"Because you don't want her to."
"No no! Haha, no, not that. I don't want her to race because after our bonus levels were unlocked, Sugar Rush was updated. They no longer allow her glitching ability, and if she keeps glitching and glitching, Litwak might kick the game. No more Sugar Rush! Can you believe it?! My subjects will be homeless, and we can't have that!"
King Candy sounded exasperated and convincing, but Ralph didn't cave in just yet. "Is this real? Because you said something like this last time."
"Real as it'll ever be," King Candy was becoming annoyed by the fact that Ralph was questioning him. "I can assure you that this is all happening, but I can't let it, and I need your help..."
Ralph saw pain in the King's eyes. He seemed as if he didn't want to do it, but the King was the King, and Ralph knew he wasn't supposed to trust him. Still, King Candy seemed more serious about this one, so maybe he meant it...?
"...Fine. I'll talk to Vanellope and see what I can do, I guess."
"Splendid! Now, I must return to my Kingdom to, well, to tell everyone the unfortunate news, and I'll be seeing you again if Vanellope decides to race again, yes?"
"Sure, whatever."
"Marvelous!" King Candy giggled and skipped away back to his car. He revved it up and took off with Sour Bill, who seemed surprised.
"Your highness, how did you-"
"Like I said before, this guy is dumb as a rock. His fists are bigger than his head, and his heart is somehow twice the size of both."
Sour Bill ignored the fact that the King just insulted Ralph. "How did he not see right through you?"
"Oh, well actually, I think he did. There's no WAY that even the likes of him could be that slow, I mean- come ON! Though, I'm assuming Vanellope is going to come back because of Ralph, but I wouldn't worry too much about it-"
"Sire-"
"Sour Bill, I mean it. I have a plan for if she attends the race anyway."
"Then WHY did we just go to Fix-it Felix Jr.?"
King Candy giggled and shook his head. "Because, Sour Bill, I need to test his ability first. If he does as I asked, she may never race again, but if he doesn't, well..." King Candy pointed towards the castle they were approaching, "I have a plan of use in there."
Sour Bill rolled his eyes and the two of them went into the castle. "Wynnchel, Duncan, how's the castle? Did anyone come looking for me?"
"Can't say they did, sir," Wynnchel reported. "The glitch tried to break an entry, though."
King Candy rolled his eyes. "She won't be racing today, anyway. I've... come in contact with her 'best friend' and asked him to simply put an end to the glitch's time of glory."
Wynnchel and Duncan thought this was rather impressive, especially since last time it failed miserably. Sour Bill had the aching feeling that King Candy going to tell Ralph that Vanellope can't race had done nothing helpful.
"Now," King Candy went on, "I've got a race to prepare for. Sour Bill, go get my helmet and gloves. It's SHOWTIME!"