Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sour Bill sometimes counted himself lucky. And other times he was unlucky.

As the servant, his code was a bit weird. He wasn’t exactly a citizen, so he has a separate box.

It allowed him to know more than what the others did.

Including the fact that Vanellope isn’t meant to be a glitch, and that King Candy desperately doesn’t want her to race, as crossing the finish line would reset the game.

It made him curious, and it made him look threw the code, and what he found.....

This game wasn’t the opresión that they leave in. No fine for racing. The recolors weren’t looked down upon and nobody suffered the way Vanellope did.

Even with his sour heart, he knew things had to change. This place wasn’t good.

And how far will they get before other game characters get curious. If characters like Mario and Sonic find about what’s going on here. It could be game over.

He has to fix it, but he can’t really do anything.

King Candy always has eyes on him, and he can’t act on his own.

He can’t do anything on the race track.

It has to be a racer.

So he continued scanning threw the code. He needed to find the perfect one.

Once this is done, there is no going back. For him and for the racer.

He only had one try to find the perfect.

He first looked at Taffyta. But quickly ended that thought. She’s King Candy’s dear, and will tell him everything in an intact. And seeing everything on the code about their past, it’s clear this two can’t get along.

Who else ? Rancis. He’s on the same boat as Taffyta. So he won’t do.

One of the recolors would be a good choice, but their stand is low enough, and he needs a more popular character to do this. One that will help.

Jubeleena, no she won’t do. Gloyd can’t take things seriously.

Hm...

So far, Snowana seemed like the best choice. He knew even know, the girl was softer towards Vanellope than the others. And their past was a good one. She would make a good choice.

Still he had to see all of the racers. Make sure he has the perfect one.

And that’s when he came across her, Candlehead.

He didn’t expect much, since she was Taffyta’s close friend.

But when he searched What relationship she used to have with Vanellope. He was....shocked.

They were close. So close. More than friends.....

And now that he thinks about it. Candlehead faces her own opresión. As many racers, Well all,but Snowana (girl has a golden heart) and the recolors. Constantly call her stupid and a ditz. And it’s left out on propuse many times.

In fact, Taffyta likes her because she does whatever she tells her to.

Still she’s popular, and she’s a good racer.

She’s perfect.

The choice was made. This could end up very bad for him and Candlehead.

But if things are played alright. If they...If she can make things work....

It can work out for them. Sugar Rush could be back to the place it was....and Candlehead could regain what was taken for her by Candy.

With a sight. She grabbed the cord, and placed it with Vanellope’s.

This better work.

Candlehead was driving, running late again, for a second, and then...

“They laughed at me, again !” She wined.

“That good for nothing Taffyta, she’s going to pay for that !”

“Vanny ? Are you sure you want to continue this ? Your the Princess and I am..”

“If you say an insult to yourself I’ll slap you. Listen. I don’t care what the others think. Your my girl Candlehead.”

Candlehead went for the kiss, the girl....the Princess, who looked just like....

BAM !

Candlehead was brought out of her memory when she hit a chocolate puddle.

She stated breathing heavily.

That face...it was the glitch, Vanellope’s...

Vanellope as a Princess ? And they were.....no her silly mind must be tricking her.

But then new memories came out. Of a time she didn’t remember, but....in her code she knew it was real.

A friendship with Snowy she didn’t know she had, a partnership wirh Swizzle and Minty that was no where now. A....hatred for Taffyta that....ok honestly sometime she does feel that when her so called best friend treats he like an idiot.

And Vanellope. There was no mistake. That’s her...

“Hey Candlehead !” Rancis called. “You ok ? That seems like a pretty sticky situation.”

“Uh, oh yeah, I’m fine !”

“You sure, you are a bit pale.”

After what she saw. How couldn’t she ?

“I’m fine.” She said.

“Well hurry up and get out of there. The random roaster race is starting soon.”

“I...you know what, I’ll pass today. I’ve raced a lot, and hopefully one of the recolors can get my spot.”

“If you say so....hehe, that Candles. Such a dum dum.” With that he raced away.

“Dum dum, yeah you don’t have to telll me that again.” She said bitterly.

God she hated that they treated her like an idiot. She wasn’t an idiot. She was just...silly.

But when she asked, only Snowy took her seriously and never did it again (and Candlehead new she did it with good intention before) the others just laughed and ignored her.

She sighted. Maybe a free racing day was what she needed.

After all. She had a thing to do.

She pushed her kart out of the puddle and hopped in.

She had to find Vanellope.

Chapter Text

Candlehead didn’t know how long she had been looking.

Sugar Rush was a big game. She knew that. And to find only one person.

One person that she was terrified off, but she had to find her.

Those memories were....no matter how much she wanted to deny them, she knew she can’t.

She needs answers. And Vanellpe is the only way to do so.

But like she said, it’s a big game, and so much of it it’s unexplored to her.

All she does is wake up, head to the race,maybe hang out in town, and then back home.

That’s all she’s done. So this new places are so....so new to her.

“Where could she be. I’ve checked everywhere.”

“Hey Mason.”

Candlehead stoped her kart when she heard a voice.

She looked around and saw two candy muscle guards carrying destroyed karts. If she remembers correctly, that’s Jubi’s car, after Crumbelina made her crash yesterday.

“What’s yo Phil ?”

“I’ve been wondering....why is it that we must destroy all karts ? I mean the brats clearly don’t want them.”

Brats...that’s a bit rude.

Still maybe this people knew something.

“Ah that’s because King Candy wants to remove any chance of the glitch getting in a race.”

“Oh....but this karts are busted.”

“So. That girl can fix them. She’s smart. Huh, honestly she’s much more competent than the actual racers. Those brats get a scratch in their kart and rarely any of them do something about it, instead they just let them rot and expect a new one.”

Well when they put it that way....

“You sound as if you respect the glitch sir.”

“Dam I do. Yeah she might be a glitch but she’s actually competent. Unlike the rest of those brats. I mean, that strawberry girl the King likes so much, she’s nothing but a mean cry baby. If anything goes wrong, she cries, and since she does the King’s Bidding, she gets what she wants.”

Well yeah. Taffyta is very loyal to the King...but he’s the King...

“Even if it means doing his dirty work. The inmoral things she does , man I wish I could thrown her to the netsquix quick sand,”

“Oh and what of the peanut butter boy. I always see him looking at himself in the mirror. It’s like the guy is in love with himself.”

“And don’t get me started on that cherry girl. Sweet my ass, all she does is manipulate everything so she gets what she wants,”

“And that caramel girl. Thinking she’s richer than us, we ar win a game, there is no richness actually.”

“I’ll give it this, that rainbow haired chick is cool, she does have more brain cells than the rest. But man, those brats annoy the hell out of me.”

Candlehead sank on her seat as the candy men continued to insult her friend.

Insults....that were no far off the truth.

“Oh and the Candle girl.”

Candlehead gasped. They are talking about her,

“I heard she’s a ditz, the game’s idiot.”

“She’s an idiot but that’s nothing to do with that. She’s more like a dog. Does everything her master tells her, weather is the King or the other kids, it’s like she has that candle for a brain.”

“Ah Yes. Even the Oreo dogs have more conscious.”

Candlehead did not know how to react,

She...she wasn’t like that. Wasn’t she ? She did things in her own.

But....no matter how hard she tried to think...she could not remember a time she did something...without Taffyta telling her too.

“You are your own person Candles. Never forget it.”

“Gah !” Candlehead groaned. Another memory of Vanellope. She held her head in pain.

Her groan however, got the candy men to look at her.

“Well well, isn’t it one of the brats.”

“Holly shit. It’s the candle dog. What’s she doing without her master ?”

Candlehead glupped nervously. She’s used to being insulted. But...not by big guys.

“H...Hello.”

“Oh she spoke without her master ! Isn’t your strawberry Friend gonna get mad at you ?”

“Hahaha, Good one Phil....what do you want brat ?”

“Ah I....I....have you seen Vanellope anywhere ?”

“Hmph. For what ? You racers want to trash the poor kid again.”

“N...no...I just want to talk to her.”

“Hmph. Typical of you brats. Thinking the rest of us candy citizens are just your dump fans. You really think we would believe that ?”

Candlehead shrank on her seat as the guys got closer to her.

“Well too bad for you. Unlike you brats, I actually respect the glitch. She knows how hard real life is. Unlike you who take the whole world is cupcakes more literally than it is.”

“Oh look at her eyes man, she’s gonna cry, are you gonna cry brat ?”

“Hmph.” The candy man grunted. He suddenly grabbed the bottom of her kart and flipped it on it’s side.

Candlehead yelped as her body hit the ground. Her body starts shaking,

“Are you sure that was wise sir ?”

“Pft. What’s she’s gonna do. She’s the idiot of the game remember. No one will believe her. Specially not her friend, who will care for how this embaraces her. Besides, maybe this will finally teach one of this brats how the world works.”

With that the candy man laughed at her and walked away.

Candlehead stayed hidden until the men were completely gone.

She felt some tears in her eyes.

“I’m not an idiot. It’s not my fault that’s what the makers made me...”

She was so tired of it. Of the insults of the laughs.

“I don’t care what the others say Candles. You are not an idiot, and I’ll make anything to prove it !”

“Agh.” She groaned as another memory hit her.

She had to find Vanellope. This memories....she had to uncover them.

But first.

“Man....now I need to find how to get my kart back on top.”

She had been driving all day and she was beyond tired.

“How big is this dam game ! Most players don’t see this shit anyway !”

She wanted to bang her head in her wheel. But then...

“Hmm,hmmm.”

She heard humming.

She turned around and saw finally at long last she saw whinshe was looking for.

Vanellope !

Candlehead quickly stoped her kart and called her out.

“Um,..hello !”

“Huh ? Well this is a suprise. Isn’t it Candlehead herself,”

Candelhead has never been alone with Vaneloppe before. So she has no idea what to even say.

"What do you want, and where's Taffyta ?"

"Oh no, I'm alone this time. No Taffyta."

Candlehead raised her hands, as to show she is alone and weaponless.

"Hmph, yeah right. Like I believe you would ever be without her."

"But its true. I'm alone !"

"Hm....so, what do you want ?"

"I.....I need to talk to you."

"About what ?"

"Well you see. I've been having this weird dreams....and for some reason you are in them. Like we knew each other..."

"You already said it. Dreams. Your silly imagination is playing tricks on you. We have never met expect for the times you join Taffyta on my torment."

"Well that is....a bit mean."

"Mean, what do you think I should call how you guys destroy all of my karts."

"Well...."

"Pft. Forget it. Its not like Sugar Rush's idiot is gonna understand."

"H...hey ! I am not an idiot !"

“Eh news flash. Candlehead is the resident ditz, who cares about her candle more than what’s going on around her. That’s your bio in the game. And the bio dictates what you are. I would know. I’m the glitch. I’m evil and a monster. That’s what makes me, me. No matter what I’m truly am.”

Candlehead stopped at that.

She had heard King Candy said that she was evil.....but when has she seen her actually do something bad ?

The worst is how much she annoys Taffyta....but then again, it’s nit like she doesn’t deserve it from time to time.

Still....she didn’t have to be so mean about what the game says she is.

First Rancis, then the Candy Men, now Vanellope, not to mention all the time everyone does it.

It’s not fair.

“I know what the game said, but you don’t have to be so mean about it.”

“Oh that’s funny. Little Candlehead can’t handle being mocked. Feels bad, doesn’t it. Being called names and insulted for something that you can’t control. Well guess what. That’s every day of my life. Every day I get the same treatment, except it doesn’t end with insults. I get my stuff destroyed, get thrown around, chased away. At least you still have your home. Still have a life. Me. I have nothing. Nothing just because I was just born a glitch ! That’s my stupid life Candlehead. What you are saying, it’s what I live threw all my life !”

Candlehead couldn’t muster words at hearing that.

She was a glitch....but when has she done something bad ? When has she....

When has she shown she’s the monster the King claims.

It was just like the candy men said, they got treated different because they were nit racers.

It was just like how Snowy complained about the unfair treatment the off colors got, because they were palette swaps.

No one had a choice on who the game made them....and they got treated badly for it.

Candlehead got a tiny taste of that today. She gets it with how everyone calls her stupid.

Yet she’s still a racer, she’s still playable, she still has everything all of them could wish.

Oh god....

Candlehead felt her stomach revolt and...

“BLAAAAAH !” She fell to her knees and threw up. She threw up her breakfast, and maybe more.

Vanellope watches in shock at seeing her like that,

When Candlehead finally threw everything from her stomach. She turned her head towards Vanellope.

“You’re right...” she said quietly. “You are right. I.....I called you glitch and monster and....it’s not your fault you are made like that. Just like...”

Suddenly this sugary world felt sickening to her.

“I’m sorry Vanellope. I’m so so sorry. I know it won’t excuse all I’ve done. But I am sorry. I’m so sorry for everything.”

Vanellope glitched in shock.

She never imagined one of the racers apologizing to her, much less one of the closest to Taffyta.

“I’ve always complained about being called stupid when.....when so many people had it worst than me. And I insulted them back.” Candlehead said, sick about herself. “I’m such a....fuck.”

Vanellpe looked at her, and sighted.

“Come on, get away from that barf before you get more sick.”

She gently helped Candlehead up.

“Why....why are you helping me ?”

“Cause I don’t want you to throw up again silly.”

“No. You shouldn’t help me. I’ve been awful to you, you should....throw me to that barf puddle. Laugh at me. Have revenge !”

“Yeah well....I might be the evil glitch, but revenge has never been my thing.”

Candlehead didn’t know how to react at that.

“And for what’s worth....I forgive you.”

“What ! But I...”

“You apologized. The first one to do so in 15 years, and I don’t have it in me to bear a grudge with you. Considering....you might not have it as easy as I thought.”

“Yeah....” She now realizes that.

Did Taffyta truly see her as a friend...or was she just happy to have a minion.

In their encounters, she was always significantly nicer to Rancis, who she likes, than to her.

Maybe Candlehead should get some distance from Taffyta and the crew. Thing things threw. Perhaps talk to Snowy, she seemed to know more about this stuff.

“For the record. If Taffyta, Rancis And co treat you like an idiot. Maybe you should consider who you hang out with.”

“ACH.” Candlehead groaned, as she had another memory of....this same scene...but she didn’t know where they were.

“Wow, you ok there ?”

“It’s those memories...I don’t know where the came from but it seemed so real....like you and I....we have been together before.”

“Well aside from this one, can’t say I remember us talking. But if I do figure something out, I’ll let you know.”

Candlehead went to speak but then...

She heard engines.

Oh shit.

Taffyta.

“Ah man. I thought I had more time with this junk.” Vanellope said to her self made kart. “You should probably go.”

“What...why...”

“You want Taffyta to see you here, with me ? It will not end well for you.”

“But you, they are after you ! I...” she knew, she had been part of the group and knew what come next. Something that disgusts her now. “Just run ! Get away from here !”

“They’ll catch up. Besides, it’s best just to deal with it.”

The engines were closing in.

“Now go, get out of here !” Vanellope yelled.

Candlehead said nothing, and ran. She ran as fast as her legs carried her.

She got to her kart, and drove it to a nearby hill. Where she hid it.

She needed time to reflect on all she learned. Of what she had been...and of Vanellope.

Despite all Candlehead had done. She had been kind to her. Kinder than what Taffyta was to her.

“No...I can’t leave...I need to....I need to be here...it’s not just about the memories...I own it to her.”

She got out of her kart, and crawled threw the hill. Waiting to see what would happen.

“Hey kid !” A voice said behind her. “Mind talking for a minute.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry sir but I’m.....HOLLY CUPCAKES !”

Chapter Text

“Oh I’m sorry sir but I’m.....HOLLY CUPCAKES !”

In front of Candlehead stood a....giant. A super gigantic man that was bigger than the candy men she met. He was bigger than anything she’s ever seen.

And those hands. Those hands could squish her !

For the third time today, she felt like she was having a panic attack.

“Wow wow kid. Calm down. I just want to talk to you. I won’t hurt you,”

Candlehead breathes heavily for a while.

“Who....who are you sir ? I’ve never seen....someone like you on the game before !”

“Ah. That’s because I’m not from this game. I’m Ralph. Wreck it Ralph. From Fix it Felix Jr.”

“You are...from another game...”

“Well yeah. Don’t you guys get visitors from other games ?”

“N...not that I’ve seen them.”

“And you’ve never left the game ? You guys were plugged in 15 years ago !”

“Well yes. But King Candy doesn’t allow racers out the game, says we need to have our focus.”

“Man. That guy is weird.” Ralph mumbled. “Listen kid....eh...”

“Candlehead.”

“Candlehead....Wait you are named after the fact you have a candle...on your head ?”

“Hey I got my complains to. I’m just the unlucky one the debts chose.”

“Huh, trust me, I get that. Ok Candlehead. I lost something very important to me, a medal. I lost it in your winner’s cup. And King Candy said the only way I could get it back is if one of you wins it !”

Wait a second....why would someone use a medal from another game as a coin. They all had one. All except...

Oh fuck.

It made sense now.

That kart that Vanellope is building, and Taffyta chasing her. It made sense now.

“Say Mr. Ralph. Was the coin stollen by...a girl with black hair and a green hoodie ?”

“You know that thieve, when I see her I’ll...”

“WAIT ! It’s that...my friend....she’s not had a good time and she got desperate. She didn’t mean it. I’ll try to win it for you sir, I promise. But don’t hurt her,”

Ralph looked at her for a moment, and finally sighted,

“Fine. Just...please win it for me,”

“I’ll try, but it might take me a bit. The races are wild, and King Candy gets mad when people pass him.”

85% of the races were won by the King. The few that weren’t were mostly by fan favorites Taffyta and Rancis. She did have her wins, but nit a lot.”

“Well Maybe you can take me to the other racers. I can talk to them and...”

“Wait...the other racers ! Shit !”

She left Ralph there, and crawled threw the mountain.

Then she saw the scene.

Taffyta had gathered pretty much everyone. Rancis, Jubi, Gloyd, Crumbelina...so many. Snowana and the Recolors are the only ones absent.

They were surrounding Vanellope...and Candlehead knew what was coming. She had been part of that.

“Hey, it’s that little thieve.”

“Sir please. Can you be quiet !”

Ralph made a slow grumble and crawls next to her.

Candlehead watched as Vanellope greeted the others with a forceful cheer.

“Taffyta, Rancis, come to check the competition ?”

It was..painful. That’s all she could say when she watched Vanellope present her kart. Yeah it was not impressive in general, but when you take it mind she built it herself out of scrap...she was certain none of them could do that.

“Oh Vanellope. It’s so....you.” Taffyta said, Rancis laughing right Besides her. “But you have to back away from the race...yeah.”

“Oh no, you see I payed my fee.”

“Well King Candy says Glitches can’t race.” Taffyta flickers her lolypop at Vanellope.

King Candy had said that...but why ? He never gave a reason. They just believed him because he’s the King.

Candlehead had more questions, questions She’s not sure how she’s gonna answer.

“I’m not a glitch Taffyta, I just have pixlexia.”

“The rules are there for a reason Vanellope.” Taffyta said with fake kindness. “Say I’m you.” She jumped on the hand made kart. “I’m driving my little kart, feeling kinda cool for once, and the suddenly I start Glit..glit..glitching !” She said viciously, ripping the wheel away.

From the top of her head, she felt her candle get brighter. This....this was wrong. This was so wrong !

“Hey !” Vanellpe cried.

“See, you are just an accident, waiting to happen.” Taffyta said, throwing the wheel at the girl.

“Oh no...I’m...glit...glitching too !” Jubeleena said, walking up and breaking another part of the kart.

Seeing Jubeleena, who was meant to be one of the most gentle racers do...something like this. It was....it was shocking.

Beside her, Ralph mumbled in disgust and sadness. “Uncool...”

Still, both were not prepared for what was next.

The racers suddenly got close to the kart, and stared breaking it apart.

Vanellope tried to get them off, but it did nothing.

“Please.” She begged, pulling Taffyta away, “I just want to race like you guys !”

Taffyta glared and stared walking, making the girl stumble back. “You’ll never be a racer, because you are a glitch, and that’s all you’ll ever be !”

With that, Taffyta pushes Vanellope to a chocolate milk pit face first.

It was at that moment, with the flame of her candle higher than ever, that Candlehead got enough.

She felt angry. So angry.

This....this was cruel in so many levels. And her so called friends find this fun ? Tormenting someone that has done nothing to them ?

Well...Candlehead was done. She was done with Taffyta. She was done with this racers. She had been part of this cruelty for long enough. It was time to finally do the right thing.

She prepared to speak, to tell them off, but Ralph stood before her.

“HEY !” He yelled, feeling equally as angry as Candlehead. “LEAVE HER ALONE !”

The racers turned in shock to watch him, as Ralph started charging towards them.

The racers yelled in fright as Ralph charged like a mad man towards them. Vanellope forgotten, they all rushed towards their karts.

Taffyta lead the pack as they rushes away.

As they went, Ralph looked at a jaw breaker.

“THIS WILL TEACH YOU RUNTS, TO NEVER DO THAT AGAIN.”

He grabbed the jaw breaker, and threw it far, far enough for it to land in front of the racers.

“AAAAAH !” Taffyta yelled as she crashed with the candy. Most of the racers following her in the wreck.

In the end, she saw most of the racers either running, or climbing in Swizzle and Minty’s karts, as they avoided the collision.

A wreck like that was nasty....but Candlehead felt nothing with it. Not after this. Besides their karts will respawn.

When she was sure they were all gone, Candlehead finally came down the mountain.

“Vanellope !”

“Huh....Candlehead ? What....what are you still doing here ?”

“I....I couldn’t leave. Not after....oh my god, I used to do that. Vanellope, I’m so so sorry.”

She was sorry she hid like a coward. Sorry that her so called friends did something horrible and thought it was fun. Sorry that she had done things like that before.

Vanellope looked at her for a moment, and sighed.

“It’s ok. Like I said, I forgive you.”

It still did not feel like enough. Candlehead had done something horrible. She needed to repent.

Vanellope sighted and turned to Ralph, who was looking at her with...a smidge of concern.

“What are you looking at ?”

Ralph grunted, the comment putting him at his nerves. “Your welcome, you rotten thieve.”

“I’m not a Thieve, I just borrowed your stupid coin, I was gonna get it back after I won the race.”

“It’s not a coin, it’s a medal.”

Candlehead watched the exchange between the two, as Vanellope mocked Ralph on the medal.

Some might call her humor immature, but she knows that’s not it. Humor is sometimes used as a defense against pain, and she doesn’t doubt Vanellope is in a lot of pain right now.

“Well unless you have a coin on those stinky pants, I can’t help you.”

For a moment, it looked like Ralph was gonna attack Vanellope, but it was soon clear the wrecker wouldn’t harm anyone (well anyone that didn’t deserve it) and started wrecking everything.

“Holly crumbles, he is strong.” Candlehead mumbled.

“Well he’s also not smart. He’s trying to break a jaw breaker and...”

Whatever comment she had, it stopped when Ralph broke the candy that no one could break, in half.

Vanellope And Candlehead started in shock, until the former got an idea and got close to Ralph.

“Had enough of your tamptrun ?”

“Leave me alone.”

“Look. You want your medal. And u want to race. I say, we help each other !”

“You want me to help you ? You’re the one that got me in this mess !”

“I just need you to break something, that’s all !”

“Wait just a second !” Candlehead butted in. “Mr. Ralph, would you give us a moment, thanks !”

Candlehead dragged Vanellope away from the confused Ralph.

“What is it Candlehead ?”

“Vanellope. I heard you want Mr. Wreck it here to....break something, don’t you ?”

“Yeah...”

“That wouldn’t happen to be the door of the Kart factory ?”

“Uh...”

“Vanellope.....ARE YOU CRAZY ! King Candy already dislikes you ! If you do this, he will lock you until the arcade closes !”

“BECAUSE THIS IS MY ONE CHANCE !” She yelled. “This is my chance, to proof that there is a reason I exist !”

Candlehead stopped in shock.

“15 years Candlehead. 15 years of being called a glitch, of saying I was a mistake, that....I refuse to believe that is true. There has to be a reason my code existed. I must.....there must be a reason why I’m here, why despite the updates, I’m not deleted ! I need to proof that I’m am here for a reason. Show the world I’m not a living mistake.”

For a moment, Candlehead didn’t know how to react.

Up until today, she was like the others. She just saw her as the glitch, the mistake that was a threat, that it was ok to mock and hurt, because she wasn’t a proper character. It was only today, where she opened her eyes to the truth.

If Candlehead is tired of being called an idiot, she can’t imagine how Vanellope feels.

And...ever since she opened her eyes, since she opened she has found things more suspicious.

Her strange memories, Mr. Ralph coming here....it seems King Candy is hiding something.

Something weird is going on in this game....

In that moment, she realized this was more than finding about her memories. This righting a wrong that has been happening for 15 years.

It was when she chose to do something that could ruin her....but in her code, she knew it was the right thing.

She got close to Vanellope and gave her a hug.

Said girl was shocked, never once experiencing positive contact, only the one she got from bullying.

When Candlehead was done with the hug, she looked at her firmly in the eyes.

“Let’s get you in that race.”

“Wait, let’s...you mean..l

“Yes. I’ll help you.”

“But Candlehead, if you are found then...”

“I told you, I can’t just settle with you forgiving me. This, this is how I earn it. Besides, I do understand it. Wanting to show you are more than what the game says you are. And besides, you haven’t driven a proper kart, you need someone to teach you.”

Vanellope looked st her for a minute, and then gave a genuine smile.

“Thank you.”

With that, they turned to Ralph, who was staring at them,

“So. Ralph, Do we still have a deal ?”

What neither girl knew, is that Ralph had heard them, and he could relate to their goal. Is why he needs that medal. To show he’s not just a bad guy.

“You two better win !” He said, shaking Vanellope’s hand.

They created a plan to get into the factory.

Candlehead drove them there, up as close as they could. Then, Ralph damaged her wheels a bit.

She would distract bread papa so the two could get in without him noticing.

“Ok Candlehead. It’s nothing really....you are just breaking all rules placed in Sugar Rush, and if caught, I’m done for. But....it’s ok really.”

With one final breath, she stopped by the entrance.

Only to find Bread Papa as sleep.

She gave the two a thumbs up. And they snack inside slowly.

As soon as they were out of sight, she honked so Bread Papa would notice her.

“Huh !”

“Good evening Bread Papá.”

“Oh...evening Candlehead. What brings you here ?”

“I busted the wheels. I kinda need to fix them.”

“Oh man, those wheels look bad, you were lucky not to crash when getting here.”

“Yep. And since I decided to skip the roaster race today, I wondered if I could fix them.”

“Hmmmm. Well I see no issue on it. Just do it quickly.”

Candlehead nodded and entered the factory.

When she got in, she founded Ralph and Vanellope talking by the door.

“You are really a criminal.”

“Hey we shook it.”

Ralph grunted And broke the door like it was nothing.

“Thanks stink brain !” Vanellope said, getting inside.

“Thank you mr. Ralph.” Candlehead said, giving him a small bow.

Ralph grunted, But he had a small smile on his face.

The trio made their way inside the factory.

“So which kart should we make ?”

“Defiantly that one. It’s the quickest and we are on a time frame.”

“Wait, we are making things ? Nah girls, bad idea. I break things !”

“Sorry Ralph, you are gonna have to leave your comfort zone.”

“You Guys should go ahead I do need to fix the wheels so I can actually show proof.” Candlehead said.

Vanellope gave her the thumbs up while she and Ralph headed inside.

Candlehead then started working on her wheels, when...

“Candlehead...what the hell are you doing ?”

Chapter Text

“Candlehead, what the hell are you doing ?”

Candlehead stopped at hearing that.

They had been followed. Someone had seen her with Vanellope.

Had it been King Candy ? Bread papá, Taffyta, in her fear she didn’t recognize the voice.

So she hesitantly turned and found.

“Snowanna ? !”

Sure enough, the rainbow colored racer stood in front of her,

“Dam girl, what happened to your wheels ?”

“Oh I...got into a little accident.”

“Oh. Strange. Last I heard you weren’t with Taffyta and the others when the giant wrecked their karts. Hell you weren’t even at the race before chaos went down. Everything fine ?”

“Yep. All perfect. I am ok !”

“Hm. Look Candles. I know you aren’t here just for that. I’m just gonna say it, I saw someone that looked a lot like Vanellope on your kart, heading here, what’s more, your tiers were fine.”

“Oh....”

“Candlehead. Be honest we me. Are you helping Vanellope race ?” She said, no accusations but firmly.

Candlehead sighted. “Yes.”

“And you are aware she’s a glitch, and King Candy has said bad things will happen if she races.”

“I am.”

“Why are you doing it then ?” Again, her voice was calm, with no accusations.

“Because.....you are gonna call me stupid but...ok, since today I’ve been having...this series dreams, flash back, about another time. Another place with no King Candy, And with Vanellope as a racer. On those dreams, she and I are,,,,ehem...close... and...Snowy I don’t know how to explain it, they felt so real. They felt like they had happened and....they made me happy.”

Snowanna just nodded, motioning at her to continue,

“I saught Vanellope out, looking for answers. I was found by some Candy men and.,,they were mean to me but...it helped me open my eyes. I then found Vanellope and..I didn’t see a monster. I just saw someone desperate to find her place. Someone that has suffered years of torment, and she doesn’t know why. Then Taffyta and the others came and....they did horrible things to her, and I just watched Snowy. I knew what they were doing and I did nothing, I was a coward.. Just like I’ve done for the past years. Those Candy men, they called me Taffyta’s dog, and they were right. I’ve always done what others want from me. Not what I want, until today.”

She looked at her friend firmly.

“I’m gonna help Vanellope race. I am well aware of the consequences if this goes wrong. But I’m gonna do it. I want to do it, and in my code, I know it’s the right thing.”

Snowanna looked at her for a few moments,

“Wow...I don’t know what happened to you Candles....but I like it !’

“Huh ?” She said surprised. “You...you aren’t gonna protest, tell me I’m stupid for helping the glitch ?”

“Nah. I’ve always thought King Candy was full of bullshit. I mean, what has Vanellope done. Nothing ? It’s like with the Recolors. They are treated unfairly for being palette swaps and, excuse me, they are still their own characters. And Taffyta is just saying bullshit about her keeping Vanellope away is helping sugar rush, she just likes to torment her. It’s the reason u never go with her when she seeks her out.”

“Oh...”

“Besides. I didn’t notice this until now. But....you and Vanellope do have something in common.”

“Ye....Yeah. I’m...I’m tired Snowy. I’m tried of being called stupid and idiot. I’m not stupid ! I can think things. I have feelings about it ! I’m more than the ditz the game made me ! Now I’ll make it clear I’m not helping Vanellope to proof something for myself, I’m helping her cause it’s the right thing to do. But....I do relate to her.”

“I can see that.....and Candles, you are not a coward. A coward wouldn’t be able to do what you’re doing. You’re brave Candlehead, and you are your own person. If anything, I’m the one that’s a coward. I never agreed to what was been done to Vanellope, and I knew you hated being called stupid, but I did nothing. That ends today. I won’t allow the others to continue like this.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I’m in the mood to hang out with the others after today. It’s clear that for Taffyta and Rancis I’m just their minion.”

“Well that’s good. You know you deserve better. And hey, you can always hang out with me and the Recolors. Sticky, Cristusela, Torvard, and Norguesta are so kind. We would Gadot have you, and your special friend when she’s finally a racer.”

“Special friend...are you talking about Vanellope ?”

“Girl, I’ve seen you blush every time you talk about her. Does little Candlehead have a crush ?”

Her....having a crush on Vanellope ! That’s nonesense.

Though she can’t deny it....that she’s pretty. Really pretty.

“I’m just messing with you Candles.” Snowy clarified.

“Oh I...” She said, trying to hide her blush. “I am.....so you don’t trust King Candy ?” She said, changing the topic.

“I’m telling you. That man is hiding something. His rules about not leaving the game, his hatred and fear of Vanellope. There is something weird on this game Candles. King Candy is hiding something, and he’s terrified of it getting out.”

“I....I can see that.”

Then they heard something close, like a moto gear.

“Oh no....they found us !”

“Worry not Candles. I’ll distract them.”

“You what ?”

“I’ll distract them. Some loose power ups will leave them innocent, but you must get out of here fast, before they find you.”

Right. She had to get Vanellope and Ralph out of here, and fast.

“Thanks Snowy...not just for this, but for always been kind. It’s good to know I do have a friend to truly count on.”

“That’s the Snowanna way baby, now go, get out of here !”

Snowanna jumped on her kart, and went away, willing to give Candlehead a few minutes to get away.

She hurried into the bakery, to find....

"WHAT IN THE SUGAR WORLD HAPPENED HERE !" She yelled, finding the bakery totally destroyed.

Ralph had warned them he only wrecked....maybe they should have listened to him.

She went to them, to demand what the hell has happened.

Only to find a sight that made her code melt.

Vanellope was celebrating in top of a messy but cute kart. A real kart. Ralph stood beside her, with a genuine smile on his face.

Her exidment, her pure happiness, it made her concerns go away.

"Man....she is cute when she gets exited like that...."

Wait.....what ?

Candlehead ignore those thoughts and looked forward.

"Looks good."

The two finally looked at her.

"Oh hey Candle...sorry about the mess. Looks like Stink Brain here was right, he can only break stuff."

"I told you kids."

"Hehe...its fine. Trust me, there have been messes like this before."

She took a closer look at the kart.

"It has no theming, like me being birthday cake but....it ... it looks good, it looks really good."

Vanellope started laughing again, this time holding Candlehead close while she jumped.

It made her head go red, and her heart start to go faster.

Yet it also seemed.....familiar. Like they've done this before...

But as....nice as it felt, they had to move.

"Van, listen. We need to get out !"

"Huh ?"

"I heard truck engines. It must be a suprise inspection. Snowy will create a distraction, but we need to get out."

"Snowanna was here ? and she's gonna distract them..."

"Snowy has the biggest heart in the whole game. She always felt bad for you, this is her way to make up for never standing up to you like she did with the recolors. She is gonna let some power ups loose to slow them, but there is so much she can do. We need to leave."

"Say less." Ralph said, Climbing on the kart. "Well kid, get driving !"

"Ah, about that....see, I don't know how..."

"WHAT !"

"No time for that Mr. Ralph ! You know where we can hide ?" when Vanellope nodded, she got moving. "We can chain it to my kart and I'll drag us there. Where are we going ?"

"Diet Cola Mountain, but you must listen to me when we get there."

"This is crazy !" Ralph mumbled.

“Crazy buts the only choice we gave stinkbrain ! So let’s get moving !”

Candlehead chained the kart to her’s, and pressed on. Rushing out of the doors.

She drove to diet cola mountain as fast as she could, when she heard sirens,

“Stop at the name of the King, which it’s me !”

Fuck....King Candy is chasing her !

“Candlehead ! What in the world are you doing !” King Candy yelled. “Stop this kart right now !”

Candlehead didn’t do that. She just went faster,

“Candle !” Vanellpe called. “When we get to the mountain, go straight threw the twin lolly pops !”

“Alright !”

She turned left and went straight to the mountain.

“Hey Vanny, that’s just a wall !”

“Trust me !”

“Kid, not that I don’t, but you are aware that if we crash and die, I won’t regenerate !” Ralph yelled.

“We won’t crash ! Now fast Candles !”

Candlehead knew she had no choice, so she sped threw.

But when they got to the wall she instead went across the mountain into a cave.

She hits the breaks as hard as she can, which sends Ralph flying,

“AAAAAH !” Ralph yelled, as he slammed into the wall. He fell to the floor and didn’t get up.

“OH MY GOD IS HE OK !’

Vanellpe went and checked. “He’s fine, just sleeping for a bit,”

Candlehead sighted in relief, and slid down her seat.

They had escaped King Candy. For now.

Turbo growled in frustration.

Today was not a good day. Not at all.

First, Wreck it Ralph had arrived and create a mess in this game. The last thing he needed was another character exposing his empire to the outside world. Specially one that has been here since the beginning.

If popular characters like Fix it Felix, Ryu, or Sonic learned of what he does here, they would get suspicious and come investigate, he can’t have that. He needs the Wrecker found.

The second is the glitch getting in the race, if that girl crosses the finish line, it’s all over. The game will reset, and will be protected against him. He won’t be able to take over again.

And now said glitch is getting help from one of the brats. The worst of them all to make things worst.

Turbo by no means likes the sugar brats. They are all annoying pests. The only reason he chose this game was because they are naive as kids, and it was easier to take over than an adult lead game.

Of course, he was aware of the backstories of the characters. He had altered some of them to fit his propuse. Which is why Candlehead being the one helping Vanellope the worst scenario.

Like he made Taffyta more aggressive and increases her rivalry with Vanellope, which was certainly intense but also friendly, to downright hatred.

He made Rancis more self absorbed, he turned Jubeleena’s kindness into sarcasm. He did that with most racers.

He is more than aware that Candlehead and Vanellpe have a VERY close history.

He had tried to delete it, but somethings....somethings are outside the code. Somethings are gained outside of it.

He tried making Candlehead more complaciente. Expanded her dependency on others. But it’s seemed this was not enough.

This was now a real danger. All of his work is in danger.

He needs to find a way to make Candlehead and Wreck it Ralph not help Vanellope race, or it will be over.

“Man, he does have stinky breath.” Vanellope said as she smelled Ralph’s breath.

“Why was he so scared about dying ? I mean , we regenrate when we die.”

“Not him. From what I’ve heard. We can’t regenerate in a game that isn’t our own. If he dies here, he dies for good.”

“Oh... I still wonder why he’s so desperate for that medal. Or why he went to another game to win it.”

“Beats me.”

“So...where are we ?” Candlehead said, walking threw the place. “Wow.” She mumbled when she saw the crater.

“We are inside diet cola mountain. I think this was an unfinished level and I found the entrance. Now I live here !” Vanellope said, grabbing a rock and throwing it at a ment. Making it fall to the boiling cola and causing an explosion.

“Wow....Wait....you live here.”

“Yep.” She pointed at her shack. “It’s not much but....when you are chased away from all corners of the game, you have to do with what you have.”

Candlehead just looked at the place, her familiar guilt returning.

“So you just live here...alone in a shack made of...trash.”

“I’m the glitch Candles. I have nothing. It’s....it’s what I can get for me.”

“I....”

“No. Stop don’t apologize again. I forgive you. And to be honest, if most of the racers by some miracle turned out like you or Snowanna, I’ll forgive them. Hell. I’ll eventually forgive Taffyta even ! After she begs.”

The thought of Taffyta begging for forgiveness actually made her let out a chuckle.

“You’ve been threw so much...yet you are still so kind. That’s something very admirable Vanny.”

“Yeah well this is just who I am. I don’t do grudges. It feels like a waste to me.”

“Yeah....maybe you are right.” She sat down on the couch she had n her shack. “Hm. This is conforta...”

Suddenly, another memory hit her.

It was them. Her and Vanellope again, right here, on this very place.

They were....cuddling. Holding each other close, and....

Vanellope layed a kiss on her cheek, and it felt so....so warm and good.

“ACH !”

“Wow. Vanellope sat beside her. “Another memory ?”

“Yeah...”

“What was it about, if I can ask.”

At that Candlehead let out a very big blush, her head turning completely red.

“Oh man. You turned as red as a cherry. It’s ok, you don’t have to tell me.”

“Thanks..” she mumbled.

“Anyway....I think we have time for a little nap. Don’t you think ?”

“Yeah...I can use a nap.”

Vanellope layed down on the jelly couch, and Candlehead, with some hesitation layed besides her.

“Oh and Candles....thank you.”

“Thank you ?”

“You are risking a lot....just to help me.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for.”

“Friends....yeah that sounds very nice, it’s truly nice to have friends.”

“Hehe...yeah, it is.” Candlehead mumbled as both of them drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Candlehead was woken up by voices.

She sleepy rubbed her eyes, to hear Vanellope and Ralph talk threw the tunel that lead to the crater.

"What's so important about that medal anyway ?"

"It might surprise you kid, but on my game, I'm the bad guy !"

Mr. Ralph is the bad guy of his game ? She...she had not thought about that. But...just because he is the bad guy of the game, doesn't mean he is a bad guy.

"And I live in the trash !"

"Cool."

"No its not cool. Its stinky and uncomfortable. But with that medal, everything could change. I could get a penthouse, pies ! Respect and...friends ! That medal is the ticket for a better life !"

Her heart went out to him. With all what's going on, they never acknowledged why Ralph needed that medal. She never imagined it was for that....

He wanted to show he was more than what he had been programed as. For Candlehead, that is something she can relate too. She would give anything to be no longer treated like an idiot.

Yet she at least has a house, and she has her role as racer. Mr. Ralph doesn't have a place to live....Vanellope has nothing at all.

"What is this place even ?" Ralph asked, walking towards the crater. "Oh hey kid, you finally woke up."

"Yeah, sorry, long day."

Like she did with her before, Vanellope showed Ralph where she lived.

At that, the Wrecker could not help but show his pain and disgust at her situation.

"Just you, all alone, with all this trash ?"

"Well yeah what you expect. I am glitch, everyone thinks I am a mistake, that I am not supposed to exist !"

Candlehead lowered her head. Wishing she could go back in time and take all the times she said that back.

"King Candy has always pointed Vanellope as a monster, that the game would get damaged if she raced. Only a few don't believe him....but I did...until today." She said ashamed.

"Man that is messed up....listen kid, I know is not my business. By why do you even stick in this game ? Its not worth it."

That was a good question. Why had Vanellope never left the game, she would have been in her right to do so.

"You guys don't know huh. Glitches can't leave their games. Its just a wonder of being me."

She then looked straight at Candlehead.

"Wow Candles, your flame just got way bigger."

"It did....that's because I am angry, so angry right now ! Angry with King Candy, with Taffyta, with most of the racers, and with myself. We should never have left the King do this. Snowy thinks he is hiding something, and I think she might be right. Yet all we do is complain and do nothing, while an innocent person suffers. It just...it makes me so angry and sad to think of this !"

Ralph said nothing but nodded. This was beyond mess up.

"And I'm sorry Ralph, I could not help but overhear what you said. But....if the people of your game dislike you just for who you are. Then they are not worth it. I spend my life hanging out with people that only saw me as an idiot and a minion, not as a friend. I now know that they are not worth it, and that other's, those who truly want to get to know me, are. If you ask me, you don't need that medal, you need to find people that value you for who you are."

Those words hit more Ralph than he could admit. That's what the other bad guys had told him.

His mind went from the Icelanders to Felix. Despite being the hero of the game, Felix has always been nothing but kind to Ralph.

“Well...I still need that medal so...” Ralph started using his fists and wrecking the floor.

“Hey come on man !” Vanellope yelled. “I know it’s nothing but it’s all I got !”

“If you are gonna win, you need to practice, and if you are gonna practice ! You need a track !”

Sure enough, Ralph made a track around the crater.

“Wow.”

“Ok kid.” Ralph said, dropping Vanny’s kart on the track. ‘I gave you the track, now I’ll just wait for Candlehead here to teach you.”

“I’m gonna learn how to drive, I’m gonna learn how to drive !” Vanellope yelled exited. That exiting getting to Candlehead.

“Ok.” She sat at the kart’s door. “So. The pedal right there is accelerator, the middle one is the break, and the last one is the cludge. That’s to make the changes in gear with the lever right there.”

“Allright let’s go !” Vanellope said, driving away and making Candlehead fall to the ground.

She watched Vanellope soon crash onto a Pilar.

“I think we need to practice a bit more.”

So she started teaching all she knew about racing to her.

“When the count down stars, don’t press the accelerator. Wait until it reaches 2, so you get a boost. If you do it from the start, the kart will drift and will take a bit to take off.”

“Got it.”

“Now as you know. The first 9 racers are the ones that make the roaster. King Candy always uses the main Sugar Rush track for the race. That means we go threw the plaza' then the gumball Cannon, take the cake ramp, and finally the ice cream mountain.”

“Yep !”

“Of coruse, our goal is to win so Ralph can get his medal back. Now take a lap across the crater in...Let’s say under a minute.”

They started out small. Ralph helped her set obstacles on the track when Vanny cleared the track.

Soon, she started getting more comfortable and going faster.

In only a matter of minute, she was speeding threw the track.

“Hahaha, I told you, this is in my code !”

“Hahaha, I got the medal on the bag !” Ralph yelled.

“Hey Ralphy, Candles, watch this !” Vanny yelled as she rushed towards the unifinished map.

“VANNY WAIT !”

Vanellope took the jump, but her glitch causes her to go higher and hit the mentos.

“GAH !”

“Oh no..”

“RUN !”

She and Ralph rushes away before the boiling cola could hit them.

When Vanellope finally came down, Candlehead let out a impressed whistle.

If she could control that power.....she could be unstoppable !

“So....how did I do ?”

“Well....as long as you control that glitch, I think you have a chance.”

Vanellope nodded at him. “Candle ?”

“I think.....King Candy And Taffyta are getting heart attacks today, you were great !” She wasn’t lying when she said it was in her code. “Specially with that glitch.”

“Huh ?” Both looked at her,

“Vanny, with that glitch, you can avoid all power ups, all obstacles ! Nothing could stop you ! That’s fantastic !”

“You think....my glitch could be good ?”

“Yeah ! If you learn how to use it. It would be awesome. A new mechanic to bring players and....”

She stopped when Vanellope suddenly grabbed her on a tight hug,

“No one has said that to me....thank you.”

Candlehead blushed madly at that. But she just hugged back.

Ever since she befriended Vanellope. It seemed like she had regained something she lost. Something she felt very dear to her heart. Something she had been trying to find, and finally got it.

Vanny had given her true friendship, she had gotten to know the real,her. And Candlehead...valued that immensely.

She didn’t know that Vanellope was blushing as much as she was.

Ralph just smiled at the scene.

After some more practice, they were finally heading to the race.

“Wait, I forgot something, just wait for me.” Vanellope said, rushing back to the mountain,

“Kids.” Ralph mumbled. “So, does your face tend to go red you hug or...”

“I...I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Come on kid. I’ve been around for 30 years, and despite being asocial, I do know when someone has a crush.”

Does she have a crush on her ? Snowy had implied, so had Ralph....

She honestly didn’t know what it was..but...

“Oh, Ralph And Candlehead, just the people I wanted to see !”

Both of them turned in shock to find King Candy.

“YOU !”

Ralph rushes towards the King with murderous intent, and after what she learned, she can’t blame him.

King Candy tried to stop Ralph, which he was failing until...

“Maybe you’ll listen with this.” He showed him a....a medal !

“My medal ! But...how !”

“It doesn’t matter, it’s yours !” He then turned to Candlehead. “And you Candlehead, I’m so proud of you !”

“Wh...What ?”

“Of all the racers, you are the only one that has figured the truth about Vanellope ! She’s no monster, she never was. No no no. I thought Taffyta or Rancis would be smart enough to figure it out. But you did ! You are very smart indeed, well done !”

Did he...did the King just call her smart !

“Now I’m just asking to be listened. Listen, you guys know what’s the hardest part of being King ? Is doing the right thing ! No matter what !”

“Get to the point.” Ralph growled.

“The point is, as sad as it is. Vanellope, can not race.”

“Why are you people so against her !” Ralph yelled.

“I’m sorry sir, but I don’t understand. Vanellope is nice, so nice, and she’s very talented ! She belongs right there, on the track with us ! Not on exile !”

“I am not against her, I’m trying to protect her ! Look, if Vanellope wins, she’ll be added to the roaster. But....when the players chose her, and see her glitch, they’ll think the game is out of order. Our plug would be pulled, and all of my subjects, including you Candlehead, will be homeless. But that’s not the worst. The worst is, Vanellope can’t escape the game. She’s a glitch. When the game goes out....so does she.”

Candlehead gasped, the mental image of Vanellope disappearing with the game, no one being able to help her...

“I’ve tried talking to her.” King Candy said sadly. “But...she doesn’t listen.”

“You don’t know that...the players could love her.”

“And, what if they don’t.”

Ralph sat on a gum, and Candlehead just stood there.

“Heroes do the right thing, don’t they Ralph ? And Candlehead, I don’t ask you to do this as ,y subject, but as Vanellope’s friend. A friend is smart enough to know when their friend’s life is more important than a dream.”

Candlehead just looked down. She truly did value Vanny as a friend. Not like Taffyta had valued her.

If her racing placed her life in danger.....

“I know it’s hard....but it has to be done, for her safety. Can I count on you both to do it ? And if you do this, I promise I won’t allow anyone to treat her badly ever again.”

With great hesitance, both of them nodded.

“Good...I’ll leave you alone.” With that the King went away.

Ralph And Candlehead didn’t speak. They couldn’t....not after what they learned.

“I’m back !” Vanellope said. “And I got gifts !”

“Listen kid...we need to...”

Ralph was interrupted, when Vanellope places something on his neck.

“What...is....on. For Stinky Brain, thanks..”

“I made this medal for you in case we don’t win...and turn it over.”

Ralph turned the medal and saw what it said.

You’re my hero.

He was left speechless.

“And Candlehead. This was a bit harder to find, but I made You this.”

In the pocket of her hoodie, Vanellope revealed a brand new candle...

“What ?” She slowly grabbed the candle. “Where...did you get this ?”

“I made it. I’ve known how to make candles for a while for my home, and...I made this one for you. I know you hate it when it breaks, so I thought...she could use another one.”

The candle was bright green, with some blue in it. It was...beautiful.

“Vanny i...”

“Nah, Not now. We can talk after the race !”

Vanellope went to her kart, but Candlehead grabbed her.

“Listen Vanny, we need to talk.”

“Eh....What is going on ?”

“Kid...we are gonna be real with you. We talked with King Candy.” Ralph said.

Candlehead watched painfully as betrayal filled Vanny’s face,

“You....you sold me out !”

‘No Vanny it wasn’t like that !”

“No I know how it is, traitors !” She yelled. “You....you rats ! I don’t need you, I’ll win on my own.”

“No kid you don’t understand !” Ralph tried. “Listen, if the players see you glitch, they might think the game is damaged, and if the game goes down ! So do you !”

Ralph And her tried to explain it to her, but she didn’t listen.

“Enough !” Ralph yelled, grabbing Vanellope and pinning her hoodie to a lollipop tree. “I’m doing this for your own good !”

With that, with great hesitation, Ralph started wrecking Vanellope’s kart.

“RALPH PLEASE DONT ! NOOOO PLEASE NOOOO !”

Those cries made her heart break.

When Ralph was finally done, Vanellope just fell to the floor crying.

“You....really are a bad guy...” She told him.

Ralph just looked down.

Candlehead sighted and went close to her,

“Vanny please...we were just...”

“SHUT UP !” She yelled, pushing Candlehead when she tried to help her. “I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND !”

Candlehead fell to the floor in a thud.

“I...I’m your friend ! That’s why I...I just wanted to...”

“I SAID SHUT IT. I WISH...I WISH WE HAD NEVER MET. YOU ARE WORST THAN TAFFYTA, SHE AT LEAST DID NOT LIE TO ME THAT SHE WAS MY FRIEND !”

“Vanny I...”

Vanellope sobbed as she walked away. “I’m truly the stupidest on this game...thinking someone as....wonderful as you, would actually care. But you are no different than the others. Just a bully.”

With that, she left running to the mountain.

Candlehead just sat there. Feeling ashamed for this.

She briefly locked eyes with Ralph, and then the giant sighted and left. Leaving Candlehead alone.

Alone...completely alone.

She thought this was the best, that she was protecting Vanellope, but...she didn’t know that anymore.

“What.....what have I done ?”

Chapter Text

Candlehead drove without a destination. She didn’t know where to go.

She didn’t want to go home, nore did she want to go to the race track.

She wasn’t gonna go back to Taffyta and Rancis. After what she saw, she can’t stand with them any longer,

She didn’t want to face Snowy. She probably will get understandably mad at her, thinking she didn’t change. That she was the same asshole as before.

So she just drove, drove and drove until...

Until she reached the exit of the game.

Candlehead had passed this place so many times, but she had not thought much about it.

She looked around her game, and....she hated it,

She hated this place. It was full of assholes, bullies....idiots.

Idiots like her.

Maybe...maybe she is the biggest idiot of Sugar Rush after all.

Who else would do what she did to her friend, a friend she grew to value so much...

With that in mind, she left her kart there, and for the first time in her life. She exited the game.

The train was dusty, it wasn’t used much. But she just sat at it, and went forward.

She just had to get out of this game, she had to get out of it.

Two minutes later, Candlehead finally reached the station.

She gasped at seeing all of the different characters walk threw the station. Small to big, from different colors.

It was...amazing.

Why did King Candy want them away from this ?

She saw all of the characters talking. Laughing, just...being there. Freely.

Not like Vanellope, she was trapped. Trapped in a place that hated her.

Candlehead reaches a bench and just...broke down.

“You’re stupid....I’m so stupid...” she cried. “Why...why did I do that to her.”

“Yo Kid. You doing Allright there ?”

She looked up, and saw a character looking at her. He is blue, and he has...big spikes on his head.

“Ah...I’m Allright sir....eh...”

“I’m Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog.”

“Mr. Sonic. Sorry...it’s my first time out of the game.”

“Oh...which game are out from ?”

“Sugar Rush.”

“Wait it’s your first time out ! But you guys were plugged in 15 years ago !”

“Our King doesn’t allow us out of the game.”

“What in the world...., you know what, never mind that. You were crying....are you sure you don’t need help.”

Candlehead sighted sadly.

“I apreceated sir. But....I don’t think there is any helping me. I did something incredibly stupid and....hurt someone I really care about.”

Sonic sat besides her. “Hey, Let’s hear it out. Maybe I can help.”

Candlehead hesitated for a bit. “My Friend Vanellope, She’s a glitch. She wasn’t supposed to be at the game....”

She told him The Whole story. Not hiding all of the bad things she did. If he judged her, she deserved it.

“So we destroyed the kart, thinking we were helping....but I feel so bad about.”

“Hm. Not gonna lie kid. Some of that is messed up.”

“I know...”

“But....we all mess up. I’ve been here since the arcade opened, and I have messed up a lot. From what I’ve heard, you truly care for Vanellope.”

At that she nodded. “She showed me what true friends are for. Like, in my game, I’m supposed to be the idiot, and everyone, except for a few people, treat me like that. Vanny...she never once did. She got to know me for who I was, and vice versa...I know I crushed her dream but...I just wanted to protect her. Because I really care for her. I really do, I...”

It was in that moment, that all of her hidden memories came back. All emotions she had felt.

It was right there, when Candlehead could not deny it any longer.

“I love her...” she finally admitted.

“Well tell her that ! Listen kid, it’s never too late to fix things, specially when you did it not out of hatred or anything, but because you love her. If she hears that...it might not be too late.”

Candlehead looked at him for a moment.

“But...what if I mess up again. I mean, I’m the ditz, the idiot that can’t get anything right ! And I can’t fail this, I can’t....I can’t loose her !”

“Candlehead. The only idiotic thing, is to not try it.”

Candlehead just remained quiet at those words.

He.....he’s right. She can’t let this go. She has to try again.

She can afford to loose someone like Vanny, she can’t.

All her life she’s been afraid to try...afraid of being called stupid. But not this time. This time, she felt no fear.

She had to do this. She had to get her back.

“Candlehead ?”

She turned to the familiar voice.

“Ralph ?! I thought you went back to your game ?”

“I did !” The wrecker said, coming to her. “ and man, I just learned something....listen, from my game, I could see the Sugar Rush consoles, I guess what I saw..”

“What ?”

“Vanellope ! She is right there, painted at the console ! Sonic, if a character is at the game console’s that means they are meant to be there ! Right ! They would never paint a glitch !”

“Correct. Developers make the portraits knowing very well who is in the game. If someone is in there, that’s because they are a character in the game.”

Candlehead stopped to process this.

Vanellope is at the game console, which means.....

“Vanny...is not a glitch !”

But then what had happened, why is she glitching and...

Then she thought about King Candy. And how desperate he was to keep her off.

Her flame became higher and hotter as she figured it out.

“Ralph....we were tricked. Kind Candy lied to us ! We need to find Vanellope, and get to the bottom of this !”

“You got that right !” With that, both left back to Sugar Rush.

“What just happened ?” Sonic asked. All of this seemed very strange. “Man....Amy is gonna kill me, but something very fishy is going on. Hey Ralph, Candlehead, Wait up !” Sonic yelled as he dashed threw, wanting to see this threw himself.

The trio made it back to the mountain, but found nothing,

“I don’t understand, where is she !”

"She's been locked up."

The trio turned to find Sour Bill there, standing with there wreckage of Vanellope's kart.

"You !" Ralph yelled. "Listen, you have to give us some answers. If Vanellope was not supposed to exist, why is..."

"Her picture at the console ?" Sour Bill finished, shocking the others.

"You knew..." Candlehead mumbled.

"Hm. I will tell you what I know. Vanellope was NEVER a glitch. She was a racer when the game began, but then King Candy came in, and he deleted her code. He is the true impostor in Sugar Rush, not her."

"Wait....He deleted her code ! Why !" Ralph demanded.

"Man that is so messed up. I am gonna have to have a talk with this Candy." Sonic mumbled.

"I don't understand...why would King Candy do this ?"

"I don't know. I really don't. He locked the memories of everyone in the game, making them not remember anything before he came in. The only reason I remember is that I am not exactly a citizen. I maintained something."

That's when Candlehead figured it out.

"Wait....I have had...flashbacks with Vanellope lately. Like they were real....those are..."

"Those are your memories before king Candy came. I secretly plugged your code to her's, making you the only one that could remember what happened before."

"You...you want to help Vanellope...why ?"

"Because I don't want this game unplugged because of that lunatic King, and.....I served that kid for a long time, no matter how much I got annoyed, I did care for her."

"Oh Sour Bill....thank you. For getting my memories back. They....mean a lot to me."

"Where is Vanellope ?" Ralph asked.

"She's at the Fungeoun with Fix it Felix."

"Felix ! What the hell is he doing there !"

"I don't know, I wasn't there. But...there is one thing you should know, the most important thing. King Candy will do ANYTHING to stop Vanellope from racing. Because if she crosses the finish line, no matter in what place she is, the game will reset. All changes he made will be deleted, Vanellope will no longer be a glitch, and everyone will fully remember everything. And he won't be able to do what he did again. So you must be prepared for anything."

"Changes, he made more changes !"

"He altered the personalities of many characters. He made Taffyta more aggressive, Rancis more vain, Jubeleena lost her kindness, he made you more oblivious and dependent. He did al of that to keep everyone in line."

Candlehead felt her candle flare as she heard all of this.

King Candy had messed with her game, with her fellow racers, and with everyone, just for his own goals.

He had to be brought down, and now !

But if they are gonna do it....they are gonna need more help.

They were heading towards the castle to free Vanellope, but Candlehead asked to make a quick side stop.

She was just one racer, if everyone targeted Vanellope, she won't be able to help her on her own.

She is gonna need back up, which is why she stopped at a rainbow colored house.

Candlehead quickly knocked the door. The owner soon came out.

"Candlehead ?" Snoawanna said. "What are you doing here ?"

"Snowy, I don't have a lot of time. Listen, you were right ! King Candy has been hiding horrible stuff about us ! He got in the code, made Vanellope a glitch ! He has kept our memories locked."

"Wow....that is...hard to believe.....but it also explains why somethings don't add up."

"I know its hard to believe but...I KNOW its true. I....I need help, I made a terrible mistake Snowy and...I need to fix it, but I can't do it alone."

Snowanna looked at her for a moment.

"Allright Candles, what do you need me to do ?"

"I need to make sure Vanellope crosses the finish line, no matter what place she's in, she just needs to cross it. As soon as Taffyta sees her, she's gonna get the others to target her. I need you and the recolors to help me take them out first."

"So you are saying you want my help in wrecking Taffyta ! Hah ! You should have started there ! I've always wanted to do that !"

Ralph broke multiple cells, hoping to find someone.

"FELIX !"

"Ralph....RALPH !" Fix it Felix yelled, jumping to hug him. "Oh I am so glad to....no wait, I retract my statement !" Felix slowly lowered to the floor. "What do you have to say for your defense ?"

"Look there is no time for that, but you need to fix this kart..."

"I need to fix.....Oh." Felix looked at Candlehead. "Ralph, why didn't you tell me there was a kid here ! I was gonna say something that a kid should not hear !"

"Look Felix calm down !"

"Calm down ! No ! I've almost die, trying to find you, and I met a woman....a beautiful woman...that rejected my affection ! And to make matters worst ! I am in prison ! You have no idea what it is like to be treated like that."

"Yes I do. That's every day of my life."

Felix stopped and looked at him. "It is ?"

"Which is why I escaped, I tried to be good but I'm not, Im just a bad guy. But this kart right here, is the only chance a little girl has, please Felix fix it, and I promise I'll never try to be good again."

"Wow, hold on there Ralph." Candlehead butted in. "Mr. Felix. I know Ralph made a mistake, but you and the other guys of your game aren't blameless. How can you truly blame him for leaving, when you guys treated him badly just because he is the game's bad guy. Why ? That does not mean he is a bad guy. He is not. Ralph has risked a lot to help Vanellope out. What you people do to him is not ok. Maybe you should think about it."

Felix thought about it.

"Jeepers....she's right. Ralph, you are not solely to blame. If our game goes down, it will be on my shoulders and the Nicelander's as well. We never should have treated you badly. If we manage to get back, I promise you I won't allow anyone to treat you badly any more."

Ralph let out a small smile.

“Thanks Felix.”

Vanellope sighted sadly.

She had been locked down on the fungeon, with an anti glitch chain.

It was all over for her. This is where she will stay until she dies with the game.

But then..

Vanellope held multiple bangs on the door, until the door was blasted off.

Then Ralph came inside, and he was...pushing her fixed kart.

He came back for her.....he actually came. But did she also...

“I know I know, am an idiot.”

“And ?” She taunted, despite the great emotion she was feeling.

“A big crying baby.”

“Andddd ?”

“A.....stink brain ?”

“The stinkiest Brain there is.’ She giggles. Happy to have her friend back.

And then, from the corner of Ralph’s giant leg....she saw her.

Candlehead aproched her slowly.

“I....”

“Don’t...”

“But I...”

“I can already hear it, you’ve said it thousands of times.”

“Well I...”

“I’m sorry Vanellope, and I’ll say, I forgive you,”

Candlehead let out a small laugh. “You’re too forgiving.”

“Nah, only for you. I don’t know why...but it just feels right to forgive you.”

Candlehead chuckled a bit more, before clearing her throat.

“Vanny...Listen to me. You are not, and have never been, a glitch ! You were always a character in this game. King Candy is the true impostor, he’s the monster. He messed your code, and The Whole game. All of this, is his fault. You are not a mistake. You are were you belong ! Those memories I’ve gotten, of us. They happened. For a long time I always felt, off, that I was missing something, something that brought me comfort when the whole game called me stupid and an idiot, and that was you. I...I don’t know how to explain it, but I care for you, Vanny, I care a lot. I know you don’t want me to apologize anymore, so I’ll say this instead. Let’s get rid of that jester king, and get you back to where you belong.”

“That.....”she felt tears on her eyes, “Candlehead I....I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t....instead, let’s just race !”

Chapter Text

In the main race way of Sugar Rush, everyone was preparing to race.

All karts were in position, ready to start the random roaster race.

Though one notable racer was not in the track this time.

“Man, I can’t believe that Candlehead was serious about not wanting to race.” Rancis commented while he looked a his mirror.

“That girl is not serious about anything Rancis.” Taffyta said at his side. “Who knows what silly idea she had on her head today. I mean I keep her around cause she’s too stupid to do anything of her own. But it’s not like I care where she is.”

Rancis laughed at her comment, as the duo prepares for the race.

From behind them, Snowanna grumbled.

She never had gotten along with either Taffyta or Rancis. They are too self absorbed to her tastes.

She still didn’t fully comprehend what Candlehead had told her, about King Candy and what he did...but that is something too big to lie about. And besides, she won’t reject any chance to bring Taffyta down.

“Snowy.” Sticky whispered at her side. “Where is Candlehead, is she coming with Vanellope ?”

“Candlehead is coming. I’ve never heard that girl so determined before. Just remember the plan. We are gonna surround them and make sure they are protected from the others. That means you guys get to have some pay back.”

“Oh yeah....and you...”

“I get to enjoy the show.”

“Racers And citizens !” King Candy yelled. “It is the greatest pleasure to me, to announce that all is set. No glitches, no monsters ! Oh no. Now that the Glitch has been caught, we can enjoy the race with no fear. Now, having never been as happy to say this words ! Let the random roaster race begin !”

King Candy jumped to his spot to his kart, as the countdown began.

As soon as the count reached 0. The racers took off.

The race had began.

Behind everyone. A certain group was driving behind.

Vanellpe was carrying Ralph, Candlehead carried Felix in her kart, and Sonic ran besides them

“How are you able to catch up with us by foot !” Candlehead said impresed.

“Kid. I’m supposed to be the fastes thing alive. Running fast is the purpose of my game !”

“Wow....I so want to visit that place !”

“Focus kids. Now Vanellope. Remember. You don’t have to win, all you have to do is cross the finish line, and you will be a racer.” Ralph said.

“I’m already a racer !” She declared, stopping at the starting line so that Ralph And Felix could get down of the karts. “And I’ll win !”

“Hehe, you are a real racer Vanny.” Candlehead laughed. “Ready ?”

“Yeah...let’s go !”

With that the two karts rushes forward and into the race. Ready to set things right.

As the two sped threw town, they came across Torvard and Cristusela, who had deliberately stayed behind to keep an eye on them.

“There they are, send the signal !”

Cristusela quickly grabbed a power up and sent it straight to the sky. Letting Snowanna and the others know that they are coming.

“Thanks girls !” Candlehead yelled, as she and Vanellope went past them.

The two sped threw to the bubblegum fields, where the other racers were.

King Candy used the gums to take the lead, with Taffyta and Rancis right behind him. The others were still at the field when they saw them.

"AAAAH!" Adorabrizzle yelled as a gumball made her crash.

"Hahahaha, I love this part." Gloyd mumbled.

But then from his mirror, he saw something.

"Wait, that's the Glitch !" Gloyd yelled.

"And is that....Candlehead, just at her side ?" Jubeleena said shocked. "What in the world is she doing !"

"I knew that dump girl would try to get us killed one day." Crumbelina mumbled, grabbing a power up and throwing at the duo.

"Woah !" Vanellope yelped as she dodged. "You were right, they are all trying to get me !"

"Yep." Candlehead said as she dodged another blast.

She then saw that the road divided left.

"Take the left, I'll take the right, that way we can divide them !"

"Ok !" Vanellope said, driving left. Sticky and Cristusela both went after her.

Candlehead gluped nervorusly as the others surrendered her.

"Hehehe....hey guys !"

"Of all the stupid things you have done Candlehead." Crumbelina mumbled. "This one takes the cake."

"Well what else can we expect from the ditz of the game." Gloyd laughed.

Candlehead gripped her wheel at hearing that.

"I am NOT a Ditiz !"

"Only a ditz would help a glitch." Gloyd chuckled.

Candlehead growled and slammed Gloyd's kart, making him skid to the left.

"HEY, YOU ASSHOLE !" Gloyd yelled. "I AM GONNA...."

Suddenly, a giant gumboil slammed against him, throwing him off his kart.

Crumbileena and Jubileena glared at her, and drove threw power boxes.

"Oh oh."

Suddenly Candlehead found herself avoiding caramel and cherries as they came at her. "Hey come on !"

"Why are you helping the glitch Candlehead !" Jubileena yelled.

"Because it is the right thing to do !" She yelled, dodging another cherry.

"But..she is the glitch...she is.."

"SO WHAT IF SHE IS A GLITCH !" She yelled outraged. "SHE IS STILL A GOD DAM PERSON ! And a monster ? When has she done anything to us ?"

Candlehead dodged another cherry that was thrown at her.

"CRAP !" Swizzle yelled as he was crushed by a cherry.

The two girls finally ran out of power ups, so they both got together so that she could not pass them.

"If we take care of her, we can allow Taffyta to take care of the glitch."

Oh no, Taffyta and her have some business to attend to. And she won't allow her to get her hands on Vanellope.

ACH !" She yelled, when she felt someone bump her from behind. It was Minty.

The three had her surrounded.

"So what is the idiot gonna do now ?" Crumbileena giggled. "Is she gonna cry about her candle ?"

Candlehead growled. She has always hated Crumbileena.

But then....

"You know...I am an idiot. I have done a lot of stupid things in my life. But even I know one thing."

"And what is that ?"

"Always look behind you."

Suddenly, Jubileena was thrown away by a giant snow cone.

"CRAP !" Crumbilenna yelled as she too met the same fate. "DAM YOU CANDLEHEAD !"

Candlehead moved fast, and the final snow cone hits Minty, sending her flying.

"Hah ! They didn't see it coming didn't they ?" Snowanna giggled. "Now come on, Taffyta is straight ahead."

Vanellope and the recolors crossed the left part of the field, when...

"AAAAAAAH !" Crumbilena yelled as she crashed into a bubble gum machine.

The giant gumballs fell into them.

"Oh no." Torvard mumbled as a bubble gum hit her.

"AH FUCK, EVERYONE, BE CAREFUL !" Sticky yelled.

The four of them tried their best to dodge the bubblegums coming at them.

"By the way, why are you guys helping me."

"We know what its like, to be rejected, since we are recolors and all of that."Sticky answered. "So we feel for you."

Cristusela and Norguesta were soon hit as well, making them fly.

The two racers left were almost crushed.

"I am gonna give you a boost !" Sticky said, driving behind her. "Hang on !"

"What are...AAAAH !" Vanellope yelled, as Sticky boosted her forward before she too was crushed.

"AAAAAAH !" She yelled as she flew forward.

Taffyta and Rancis were driving across the cake ramp, when they saw a familiar figure.

"Oh, look who showed up." Taffyta remarked as Candlehead got close to them. "About time you caught up."

"I thought you were not gonna race." Rancis asked.

"I just became distracted."

“So the usual then.” Taffyta mumbled. “Air head.”

Candlehead glared at her.

Rancis looked at his mirror to check his reflection, and then...

“It’s the Glitch !”

Candlehead looked back, and sure enough, there was Vanellope. She must have passed Snowy down there.

“The glitch !” Taffyta growled. “Light them up Candlehead !” She ordered, referring to the cherry bombs on the track.

Candlehead did no such thing.

“Candlehead, Light them up ! Now !”

....

“What in the world is going on your idiotic head ! Stop being an idiot and do what you are tol....”

Candlehead snarled and rammed Taffyta into the wall.

“ACH, WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT !”

“TAFFY !” Rancis yelled, accelerating to help his friend, only for his kart to stop working.

“What the ?” Rancis looked back, and he found his windpipes were covered in cream.

“Hahaha, goodbye pretty boy !” Vanellope yelled as she went past Rancis, who’s kart went still.

Meanwhile Candlehead kept ramming Taffyta to the wall.

“FUCKING IDIOT, LET ME GO !” She growled. “Aren’t we supposed to be friends !”

“NO !” She yelled back. “I’m done with you Taffyta ! A friend would not treat me like you do. They wouldn’t call me stupid and air head and ditz, and KEEP HURTING ME, WHILE CLAIMING SHE IS MY FRIEND !”

“So why are you helping the glitch then ! Huh ? Is this some petty rebelión, helping that monster !”

“That monster is my friend ! She’s a friend that has cared for me, has seen me for who I am. She’s someone I value a lot. Someone that, despite all the hurt I gave her, she welcomed me and forgave me. She showed me that I deserve better than a strawberry jerk, that believes she’s the best of all ! And I’ll be dammed if I ever let you hurt her, ever again !”

Candlehead kept ramming her threw the floor, as they reached the top of the mountain.

With her keeping Taffyta at bay, she won’t get the enough speed to jump the gap.

“Vanny !” She called. “Glitch past me ! I’ll keep her at bay !”

“But you won’t make the jump !”

“It doesn’t matter. Cross that finish line and fix this !”

Vanellope hesitated for a moment, before she nodded.

She glitched past the two struggling karts and went forward.

“YOU FOOL. WE WONT HAVE ENOUGH SPEED TO JUMP. WE WILL CRASH !” Taffyta yelled as they entered the ramp tunnel.

Candlehead knew that. She didn’t like to crash but....it was worth it.

But then.

Candlehead felt something push her forward, out of Taffyta.

She turned back to find Snowanna there, holding Taffyta.

“I told you I wanted to do this ! Now go, accelerate Candles ! You can do this !”

“T. Thank you Snowy.” Candlehead acelérate it quickly, getting speed quickly.

When the three karts hit the air, Candlehead barely made it to the other side, while Snowanna and Taffyta crashed into a cream hill bellow.

“WAAAAAH !” Taffyta cries as she comes out of the cream.

“Oh I’m gonna remember this for the rest of my life !” Snowana laughed, laughing at Taffyta’s misery.

Candlehead drove to Vanellope’s side.

“You ok ?”

“Yeah, thanks !”

“Come on. Only one competitor left.”

“Ok kids. Just make it to the finish line and...OW !” Ralph yelled. Being suddenly punched to the floor.

“I’m hope your happy wrecker !” Tamora said. “This game is going down and it’s all your fault !”

“My lady, you’re back !” Felix yelled.

“Quiet Felix ! That cybug that came with you. He multiplied !”

“No, he died at the Taffy swap, trust me.”

“Oh, I don’t want to interrupt, but do you hear the ground shaking ?” Sonic asked.

Suddenly. A pack of cybugs came out of the ground, flying towards the air.

“You were saying.” Tamora grumbled, getting in her air board and started to shoot. “Listen up, evacuate the game ! Get to the station, NOW !”

“Allright, crushing ugly robots. That’s my specialty.” Sonic said, spin dashing against the bugs.

Ralph then watched on horror as the light of the finish line attracted the bugs.

“No !” He yelled, rushing to fight the bugs and keep them from the finish line.

Vanellope And Candlehead went threw the ice cream mountain, to find King Candy straight ahead.

“There he is, you ready Candles ?”

“Let’s do this.”

The two sped up, coming up at each side of King Candy.

“WHAT !” He yelled as the two sped threw. Both going past him and going forward.

King Candy growled. If that glitch....no, he can’t let it happen.

He drove left and went threw the short cut.

“Haha, I guess he just gave up.” Vanellope laughed.

“No he didn’t, that’s a short cut !” Candlehead yelled. “We need to hurry, and fast !”

Both karts sped threw the cave, wanting to get to the finish line fast,

But then,

“HAH !” King Candy yelled, jumping threw a ramp and landing right behind Vanellope. Making her kart turn back to face him.

“Hey, Get off !”

“Vanny !” Candlehead yelled, she rammed King Candy, trying to get him off.

“Agh ! You brats won’t do anything !” He stood up and slammed his baton in Vanellope’s kart. “ I won’t let you, this candle fool, that foolish wrecker, and the rest of you lot ruin what I have done !”

When he tried to hit Vanellope, she grabbed his baton, making him glitch, and his body to start changing.

“What the hell !”

Ralph And the group kept fighting the cybugs, trying to keep them from the finish line.

“Ralph !” Felix pointed at the screen. “Look !”

Ralph turned back, and saw in shock as King Candy’s body changed to a familiar figure withna White suit and helmet.

“No way....”

Vanellope And Candlehead saw that in horror.

“What ? Who are you !”

“I’m Turbo ! The greatest racer of all time ! I hijacked this stupid game, so it could become what I deserved ! After I lost everything !”

“Sour Bill was right,” Candlehead mumbled. “You are an impostor !”

“That’s right ! And I won’t allow you idiots to ruin all my hard work !”

With that, he slammed his baton on Candlehead’s face, making her drive back in pain.

“ACH !” Candlehead yelled. Her helmet broke at that strike.

He then sped threw, and made Vanellope flip to her side and slid threw the track.

“End of the line glitch !” He growled, as he intended to crash her to a rock.

“Wait...that’s it. Come on Vanellope...you’ve controles it before. It’s just like Candle said....it’s a good thing....just...glitch !”

Vanellope managed to glitch just in the nick of time, freeing herself out of Turbo’s grasp.

“WHAT !”

He didn’t notice Candlehead aproch from behind, until she hits him with her broken helmet on the back of his head.

Candlehead sped threw, as Turbo growled and tried to catch them.

But just as he exited the cave, a cybug came in and opened his mouth.

“AAAAAH!” Turbo yelled, unable to stop in time before the bug ate him.

Both girls looked back. But there was no sign of Turbo...or the bug.

“I think....he crashed in that pillar.” Vanellope said. “Creep.”

“To think all this time he was....a faker. A real glitch.”

“Ironic isn’t it ?”

“Yeah....But he is gone. Now let’s move. We are almost at the finish line !”

Chapter Text

Vanellope and Candlehead drove threw the finish line, which up until now, it had been successfully been cleared of bugs.

"Come on kid, the finish line is right there !" Ralph yelled.

Both karts sped threw the speedway, but as they came closer, cybugs started appearing out of the ground.

One of them came out just bellow Vanellope, sending her flying.

"WOAH !" She yelled, as she landed on a lollipop field.

"KID !"

"VANNY !"

Candlehead stopped and turned her kart around, as the rest ran to help Vanellope.

"Kid are you alright ?"

"I'm fine I'm fine. I just need to..."

However, everyone saw in horror as the bugs started covering the whole track.

"Jeepers." Felix mumbled.

"Oh shit." Sonic mumbled. "That's it, we need to get out !"

"Sonic is right, we need to leave, now !"

"But I haven't cross the finish line !"

"There is no finish line." Ralph said, as the finish line was destroyed by the bugs.

But as they headed to the exit, they all wondered one thing.

How is Vanellope gonna get out ?

"Ok everyone, the arcade opens in 1 hour, so finish your business and prepare to return to your games." The Surge Protector said, as he walked threw the hall.

The Nicelanders were already setting up camp on the station. Unless a miracle happens, their game will be unplugged next thing morning.

This created a nightmare for the surge, setting up so many gameless characters, how much worst can it get ?

"GET AWAY !"

Suddenly, the gate of Sugar Rush (which for a long time has been the game least visited and the one where the characters leave the least ) was full of characters trying their best to get out.

Everyone in the station looked in shock as the racers, citizens, everyone left the game in a hurry.

"Hey !" The surge grabbed Duncan. "What the hell is happening !"

"Bugs, so many bugs ! A lady in gear told us to flee !"

Fantastic.

"OH MY GOD, WE ARE GAMELESS !" Jubileena cried.

"FUCK, FUCK, THIS IS NOT HAPPENING !" Rancis yelled.

"WAAAAAH!" Taffyta started to cry again.

The racers, for once acting like the children they look like, started screaming and crying. Running around or brawling in the floor.

All except Snowanna, who tried to keep calm and think rationally.

"WILL YOU ALL SHUT UP !" She yelled. Making her fellow racers look at her. "Look, panic is gonna do nothing. So either calm down or.."

The calm down didn't last long before mayhem broke again.

"Why do I even bother ?"

She did a quick headcount, and found one racer missing. One who's head can't really be missed because of that iconic candle.

"Wait a second.....Candlehead is still inside !"

"You think she got lost ?" Sticky asked.

Snowanna thought about for a moment, and gasped.

"She's not lost.....Vanellope can't leave the game because she is a glitch, and....I don't think Candlehead will leave unless she finds a way to get her out." Snowanna said horrified, but also with a lot of respect for her fellow racer.

She certainly has the guts that many of the racers don't have.

"Ralph I am telling you, it won't work !" Vanellope yelled.

"We have to try." he said. He had her on his shoulder, and prepared to rush threw the game.

But as soon as Vanellope got in the gate, a field stopped her from getting out.

"Ralph I told you, I can't leave the game !"

Desperation soon filled everyone, as they tried to get her out.

Candlehead tried to rush threw the entrance with her kart, Sonic with his speed. It did not work,

They attempted to push her together.

"COME ON, PUSH !" Ralph yelled, but they soon fell over.

No matter what, Vanellope could not leave.

Said girl sighted.

"Guys just....just go."

"WHAT, NO !" Candlehead got close to her. "We can't just...leave you to die here !"

"Then what, all of you die ! That's not something I can accept Candlehead !"

Everyone sighted, not knowing what to do.

"Is everyone out !" Tamora yelled to Felix.

"Tamora wait, we can't.....Vanellope can't leave ! She's a glitch, if we break the game, she will..."

"I......there is no other way to stop them. Without a beacon we can't put an end to them."

Candlehead could not believe that. After everything.....Vanellope was gonna die.

It can't end like that, it just can't...

"Wait....did you just say....a beacon." Ralph said slowly.

"Only thing that can kill this monsters instantly."

"And what about a volcano. If it erupted, it would have the same effect, right ?"

Tamora thought about it...and finally nodded.

Ralph nodded his head. He had an idea.

"Stay here." He said. Grabbing Tamora's air board.

"Ralph what are you doing !"

"I got some wrecking to do." He said, taking off. "See you at the finish line !"

Ralph jumped out of the board, into the top of Diet Cola Mountain.

This was it. It had to be done.

"HAAAAAAH !" Ralph yelled, as he punched the ground. Making the mentos fall to the hot cola.

Burning cola started erupting from the volcano.

But as he did that, more bugs came to his way.

"NO !"

"Jeepers !" Felix yelled. "Those bugs won't allow him to make the volcano erupt !"

"God dam it. I'm out of bombs, if we had one, we could temporary distract them !"

Bombs….bombs…..cherry bombs !

The ones at tha cake in the track !

“Excuse Ms….if those things kill someone of the game…what happens ?”

“Huh….well as long as the core of the code is still intact. They’ll still respawn. But that is quickly running out of time.”

“I see…..”

It was 50/50. If one of those things caught her. But it’s a chance she has to take.

“Candlehead.” Vanellope said. “What are you…”

“Vanny…..there’s so much I want to say…but I don’t have time for it. So…..if we don’t see each other again….win those races for me.”

“What are you….”

Before she could say more, she gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“So you remember me !” She said before dashing off.

“What the…CANDLEHEAD , CANDLEHEAD GET BACK HERE !”

Before the two adults noticed, she rushed off to her kart, driving off towards the cake.

She drove as fast as she could, but those things got in her way constantly,

“Crap ! Ach !”

The bugs tried to get to her wheel.

“No no no ! Stay away bugs ! Stay away from my wheels.”

Suddenly, she felt the wind pick up, as a blue light came and took out the bugs.

Sonic appeared beside her, fighting the bugs.

“Run kid ! I cleared the path for you !”

Sonic then grabbed the ens of her car, and gave her a boost.

Turns out, he was way faster than her,

“Oh goodness I’m gonna throw up.”

Sonic pushed her all the way to the cake with the bombs.

“Do it kid ! Light them up !”

Candlehead nodded and drove off. Lighting up every bomb with her kart.

Sure enough. The explosions attracted the bugs ! Clearing the way for Ralph to make the volcano erupt.

“Allright Candlehead, whatever you do don’t mess up.”

The cake exploded behind her, giving her no room for error, no room to stop.

With one final push of the acelerator she drove off the ramp.

“Yes !…oh oh.”

As the bugs came to look at the explosion, one of them came towards her.

In a last minute desicion, she jumped off her kart, allowing the thing to eat it, and fell straight to the chocolate river.

But just as she surfaced, she away the cake walls falling towards her.

She didn’t even have time to scream before she was crushed, and her world became black.

It was over.

Ralph had done it. He successfully got the volcano to erupt, and ended the cybugs.

King Candy, or Turbo, was gone. The man that caused her torment for years was finally gone, and he wouldn’t be respawning ever again.

All she had to do was cross that finish line. She did it, and it would all return to normal.

But she can’t do it, not without finding her first.

Vanellope had saved Ralph first, he was about to die. But she also knew she had to find Candlehead.

“Candlehead where are you ! Candlehead !”

“Kid ! Hey kid ! Can you hear me !”

“Where is she Ralph ? What if we can’t find her…”

“We will find her kid ! We have to…”

“Ralph ! Vanellope ! Over here ! I found her.”

Everyone rushed to where Sonic was, he was trying to lift a big peace or rubble.

“She’s under there ! Help me lift it !”

Ralph quickly grabbed the rubble and threw it away.

Candlehead layed there, unconscious.

“Oh no ! Candlehead ! Candlehead wake up !”

Nothing happened.

“Candlehead !”

“Why…why isn’t she respawning.” Felix asked. “It’s her game !”

“The code might be too damaged..” Caulhon said. “It…might not be enough.”

No…no no no no !

“Candlehead ! You wake up you hear me ! You aren’t dying, not when I’m finally gonna race ! I refuse to do it without you !”

….

“Candlehead !”

She was about to yell again when Ralph grabbed her.

“Kid…I’m…I’m sorry.”

“No…no…”

She can’t be gone. Not when…not when she hasn’t discovered what they were…why was there that connection.

Not before she couldn’t respond to that kiss.

She cried on Ralph’s shoulder. As everyone remained silent.

Until.

“Ow….that hurt.”

They all turned down, and saw Candlehead open her green eyes slowly.

“What….why is everyone looking at me ?”

“CANDLEHEAD!”

Before she could reach Vanellope was in top of her, hugging her tightly.

“Ach..can’t…breath.”

Vanellope helped her up. And without warning, punched her in the arm.

“Ow !”,

“That’s for scaring me like that !”

“Hey I didn’t want..l

She was interrupted again, this time with a kiss on her cheek.

“And that, is for everything else.”

Candlehead’s face went so red, that her candle literally lit up again.

“Ok…i can get used to that…”

Everyone laughed at that. In relief, and in good nature that it was all over.

“ well…there’s only one thing to do now.” Ralph said.

They soon returned to the race track, where Felix fixed the finish line.

“Ready kid ?”

“As ever as I’ll ever be.”

Ralph pushed her into the line, and soon everything started glowing, as sugar rush went back to normal at last.

Chapter Text

Everything in sugar rush started glowing.

The damage got fixed, as the code resets from the damage done to it by Turbo.

Vanellope flew in the air for a moment, as her atire changed to a princess dress....

And as it did that, the memories came back. Every single one of them.

And despite herself, Candlehead could only think of one thing.

"OH MY GOD ! I KISSED THE THE PRINCESS !"

Everyone looked at her, somehow not suprised THAT came out of her mouth.

"Heh, I remember ! its not the first time Candles !"

Oh goodness, she remebered it too ! it was not her first time, she had done it multiple times before !

Her head went red again, and her candle flared up.

She heard everyone laugh. Not a mocking laugh, but...a good natured one.

"Oh my goodness."

"She's the princess !"

"She was not a glitch !"

"Oh god, what do we do ?"

Everyone turned to see the the whole game cast, both the racers and npcs.

Taffyta stepped forward, and Vanellope could not help but flinch, which in turn made Candlehead's flame get brighter again, and she stood in front of the princess.

"I remember now,,, she is the princess !"

"Oh..that's right." Jubeelina said.

"We are so dead." Swizzle mumbled.

"Ohohoho, I am enjoying this." Snowanna said chuckling. She had a point, she was one of the few racers save from what could happen.

"We are so sorry for the way we treated you !" Taffyta said.

"Yeah ! they were just...pranks !" Rancis said.

"We just did what Taffyta told us to do !" Crumbelina yelled, in a clear attempt to save herself.

Candlehead could not deny, watching everyone turn on Taffyta, was so satisfying.

"Hmmm." Vanellope said, with a sly smirk. "I am a mercyfull princess. So....I decided, that anyone that was mean to me, that isn't named Candlehead, will be....executed !"

""WHAT !"

Candlehead opened her eyes. She too was suprised, even if it was made clear she would be exempt from any punishment.

She looked at Vanellope, who sent her a subtle wink. It made her relax, it was all a prank.

The other racers did not know that, and so they started crying loudly, and begging.

"No please, we don't want to die !"

'Please we will do anything !"

"Vanellope, don't do it please !"

For her part, Snowanna was laughing so hard, having the time of her life. The recolors were smirking behind her.

Even the ones from other games were shocked...except for Caulhon who was enjoying it as well.

"Oh please I'm joking !" Vanellope finally told everyone. "Calm down Taffyta, you can stop crying !"

"I am trying,,but i can't stop..."

Vanellope wasn't ready to be close to them. It would take time. Time to forgive and move on. But...she was willing to try.

"I mean you can still do it." Snowanna said. "She'll respawn...just saying."

"hmm...tempting."

"Vanny !"

"I'm just kidding !"

More memories started to come, of the Sugar Rush that once was before.

She remembers her rivalry with Taffyta. One not as intense, but more of genuine respect.

Her friendship with Snowanna, who was technically a knight for her.

And Candlehead was....oh....oh...

"HOLLY CUPCAKES ! CANDLEHEAD IS THE PRINCESS' CONSORT !" Gloyd of all people yelled.

For her part, Candlehead looked ready to pass out.

"Heh...that's right ! Candles here is my consort. So i better hear no one mock her or call her stupid ever again !"

"All the racers nodded their heads rapidly.

"Am I though." Candlehead said. "Am I...your consort ?"

"Hm, what do you mean."

Candlehead took a deep breath.

"Vanny....look I know we have our memories of what was before...but i don't know if I deserved them."

"Candles look...."

"I hurt you ! for years I never treated you like I should have treated the one that was supposed to be my romantic partner ! And I know I know you forgave me, but...I can't erase what I did !"

"...You are right. That can't be erased...but Candlehead, you already more than made up for it. You risked everything to help me, even before we knew the truth. I mean, you almost died for real, to save me ! how can that not proof enough !"

"But I only did it because Sour Bill gave me my memories back, it was not because of me !"

"He helped, and I'll be eternally grateful for him for that, but Candlehead, anyone else would have ignored those memories as a fantasy. You didn't do that, everything after that was your own choice."

"But I....."

She looked at her...friend...girlfriend...eyes, and sighted.

"I am not gonna win this argument aren't I ?"

"Nope."

"You are so stuborn !"

"I know, and you love that about me."

"...you know what, heck yeah I do."

Before she could react, she grabbed that pink dress and kissed the Princess, her Princess, on her lips.

She knew everyone was looking at them, but screw everyone.

"Hehe, bold of you."

"Why thank you."

Soon, the characters of other games had to leave, as the arcade was about to open.

Vanellope had a emotional farewell with Ralph. He too, had been the one that saved her.

Candlehead waited, before she gave her own farewell to the wrecker.

"Thank you for your help Ralph, none of this could have happened without you."

"Thanks to you kid. Keep an eye on her, she's gonna be a handfull."

"Trust me, I will."

Ralph and Felix got in Caulhon's ship as they departed. Sonic gave them a thumbs up.

"Come by whetever you want ! I look foward on racing you !" He said before dashing to his own game.

"So...now what ?"

"Well first, I am getting off this dress, its extremly uncomfortable, and then we race ! Say Candles...where's your Kart ?"

"...ah cupcakes !"

Things at the arcade changed after that.

The talk about what Turbo did to Sugar Rush expanded around the arcade. Soon, characters took meassures to protect each code, so that no one else could ever do something like that ever again.

Ralph was finally treated nicely by the Nicelanders, after they realized that just because he was the villain of the game, it did not mean he was a bad guy himself. Felix even built him a home so he would no longer live in the trash. They also helped the Q bert gang to get into their game so they would no longer be gameless.

Felix and Sonic also began making conversations about how bad guys shouldn't be judged for the fact they play the role of villain. Each character was their own person, asid from their role in the game.

Sugar Rush also had to change. After years of King Candy/Turbo's tirrany, they were finally free.

Their isolation from the arcade changed. Now, anyone could leave the game and explore other games during the night.

Vanellope proofed herself a much more fair ruler. It was no mystery that with her back in power, everyone started winning more. Unlike Turbo she cared not for winning, and was glad to just race.

There was still rilvary, still bickering, but not close to the level it was before. It was much friendlier and respectfull.

The racers started to be nicers, now that they could be themselves again. Even Taffyta was much nicer than before. She and Vanellope were rivals, but they were respectable rivals.

Taffyta and Rancis atttempted to get Candlehead back into their circle, but she politley declined it. Even if they were turning over a new leaf, she had no desire to be close to them. She knew who she wanted at her side, and she was not gonna leave it.

She and Vanellope took it slow on their relationship. They both know they wanted to get back to how they were before Turbo, but it would take time, and they were gonna treassure each second of it.

Vanellope was still traumatized for all that happened, and despite not being the smartest Candlehead did her best to help her threw it. To show her she was not gonna allow her to be alone ever again.

Candlehead had her own struggles too. Years of being called stupid and dumb had all caught up to her in a rush. Candlehead tried to play it cool, but frankly, she was in no desire to be with any racer other than Vanny, Snowanna, and the Recolors. The others, brought her too much painfull memories for her to handle.

Both of them spent a good chunk of time out of the game, with other friends and people. Healing.

Sugar Rush even got an update with new race modes ! one of them was a tag race, where players could choose to characters and have relay races with them ! its without say that they won a lot of those, even the players knew they belonged together.

Specially when Vanellope chose to kiss her during the winning screen. Yeah that finished their image of a power couple.

"Hah ! another win ! We did it Candles !"

"We sure did Vanny, we sure did !"

She placed their trophy at the stand at the castle, and held her shoulder as they watched it.

It was not perfect, of course it wasn't. But it was good, as if the darkness was finally all gone.

Candlehead was still a little silly and not the smartest....but with the life she has now, and how wonderfull it is...how dumb can she actually be ?