Sugar Rush Speedway

Candy Castle, ???

System Clock: 2012.12.25 00:20

For the third time that night, Taffyta Muttonfudge stood in front of one of Candy Castle's doors with a sense of foreboding.

This door, however, had nothing to do with Vanellope's room nor the castle entrance. This door was different. This door carried its own reasons for being special, far more so than the others.

A controller was embedded on the door. Taffyta looked at the name on it. She had no idea what a "Nintendo" was--some sort of ancient video game deity, perhaps? Taffyta shook her head, chuckling to herself for having such a silly thought. It was more than likely just a manufacturer's name.

Or perhaps the truth lay somewhere in between.

Enough mind-wandering. She was on a mission. Her eyes went back to the controller's buttons. With firm thrusts of her palm, she pressed them.

"Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A..."

Taffyta paused, taking a deep breath and gathering her nerves. It wasn't so much that she was suspicious -- she'd just never remembered being here before, despite reports to the contrary.

The only thing scarier than the unknown was unexpected change.

"...Start."

The door in front of her whooshed open, and Taffyta willfully recalled the events of a short time ago to prepare herself...

---

Sugar Rush Speedway

Candy Castle, Vanellope's Chambers

System Clock: 2012.12.25 00:00

"So, let me get this straight," said Taffyta. "Provided I believe you, anyway." She pointed her lollipop at her holographic double. "That's what I looked like rocking the whole Sugar Knight gimmick?"

The hologram of Sugar Knight Taffyta Muttonfudge self-consciously examined her outfit -- a blend of lightweight white armor bearing a strawberry emblem, underneath which hints of a pink undersuit could be seen. A sword could be seen in one hand as she held its tip on the ground by way of its handle. "W-what's wrong with the way I look?"

Taffyta gave a challenging sneer. "Let's just say I can't tell if you're seriously stylin' or the most ridiculous thing I've seen since Minty got hold of those "imported" leaves from that plumber game across the arcade! You'll have to give me a few minutes to make a real call."

The Sugar Knight merely giggled. "What did Vanellope tell you earlier? Sugar Rush used to be run very differently. And I -- you -- used to like wearing this."

Taffyta's sneer disappeared, and she sighed, resisting the urge to bury her head in her hands. "Well, congratulations. I unfortunately believe you. So... who are you? What are you? I mean, besides the obvious."

The holographic Taffyta licked her own lollipop. "Little something you stuck in here maybe a week before King Candy took over. Let's face it, we're awesome. You saw his nonsense coming a mile away, but there wasn't much you could do about it. So you started multitasking -- working on something in the background." The Sugar Knight paused, staring into space for a few moments, before speaking again. "But given what the system clock reads, and what else got stored in Vanellope's black box, it looks like we didn't finish in time."

"'Destruction Derby,'" said Taffyta. "Threw us both off guard. I guess neither of us thought King Candy would make his move so soon."

"Yeah." The holographic Taffy shook her head. "A whole bunch of stuff's happened since then and now, looks like. Memory corruption's no joke, and you've still got tons to get back. Everyone does. But the memories you put in this box..." She looked at her present self and smiled as an apparition appeared to the side of Vanellope and Taffyta in an embrace. "...I gotta hand it to us -- we made sure they were the best ones."

Taffyta looked at the image entranced, a sobered look on her face. "She... she's really special, isn't she?"

The Sugar Knight's smile lopsided. "Whoa, hey, chin up. I don't like sap any more than you. Anyway, look -- I'm running out of one-liners here, and those aren't my job anyway, they're hers," she said, pointing at Vanellope, then thumbing back to herself. "My job -- the reason you stuck me in here way back then -- is to tell you how to access my work so you can put the finishing touches on it. Then you'll be able to give Princess Vanellope-"

"President."

The hologram blinked. "What?"

Taffyta licked her lollipop again with a knowing grin. "She's President Vanellope von Schweetz now. Long story. Pretty fun one, actually, since all I had to do was wait around for her to fix us."

The holo-Taffyta took ten full seconds to process the new information, then laughed. "Wow, and here you were worried about the design this whole time -- but that'll totally fit!" She placed her sword on the ground, and clenched a fist. "All right, then, it's time to give President Vanellope the right-hand girl she deserves..."

Her grin went toothy.

"...and the rival she needs. You remember where the code room is?"

Taffyta shook her head. "Code room?"

The holo-Taffyta sighed and rolled her eyes. "A thousand viruses on you, King Candy, wherever you are. Touch the box."

Taffyta looked at the box with hesitation, stepping slowly towards it.

"Oh, don't worry, it's safe," said the knight. I'm in charge of it now."

Taffyta nodded as she stood beside the box, her arms slowly reaching out to touch it...

"We don't have all... night!" the Sugar Knight said, in one fell motion proving that her hologram was both far more solid than Taffyta had assumed, as well as able to grab her counterpart's hand in order to thrust its palm flat against the black box's glowing surface.

There was no time to be surprised, though it was just as well. As green light flowed over the both of them the memories -- the images -- which had been blinking and speeding through Taffyta's mind all night, at long last came into clear focus and played at normal speed...

...and feelings came with them.

The rush of racing as rivals.

Extending the hand of kindness, wondering why she was even bothering, but still scared of Vanellope's possible rejection for reasons which at the time she couldn't place.

The warm closeness of being accepted into the Princess's good graces, and the private nights the same afforded, always with her new best friend, always away from the prying eyes of the kingdom at large.

The joy and dedication upon being sworn in as Vanellope's knight... and upholding that duty by protecting her and other rushers from the baddies and hazards of the world using nothing but swordplay and pure speed-

"I get it now," said Taffyta, a mystified expression on her face as her hand was drawn away. "Geez, how long ago was all of this stuff?"

"Blame our coders," said Sugar Knight Taffyta with a sheepish grin. "Pop culture for them around the turn of the millenium... had its own identity. Still, gotta say -- slashing a baddie while riding a vehicle in midair over a lava pit? Not exactly uncool."

"Still ridiculous, though," said Taffyta with a wink. "Thanks for the memories, literally. By the way, I remember the code room now."

"Good. That's where I'm gonna need you to go. When you get there, access our node, and find the 'Knight' subroutine. It'll be commented out 'cause I was doing some tinkering... which now that I think about it, is probably why we got taken over so easily during the coup. Didn't want to admit it to Vanellope, but I wasn't at my best at the time. After this, you will be."

"Got it."

"Sweet." The hologram looked up, meeting her counterpart's eyes, and clasped their hands together. "Take care of her, okay? I mean, she's silly and foul-mouthed and kind of insane..."

Taffyta nodded. "...but she's ours. And a better leader than we'd ever be. Right?"

"Heh, you get it. Then again, I knew I would."

With a happy smile and wave, Sugar Knight Taffyta picked up her sword, and dematerialized.

Taffyta looked at the black box. Its glow was gone. She picked it up, shook it. Nothing. Completely inert. It must have finally given up everything in its storage.

She tossed it back onto the bed, and walked towards Vanellope's doors. She touched them, they gave way...

---

...and thirty minutes later, the castle drawbridge did the same.

A blonde in a striped pink jumpsuit, translucent pink goggles, matching helmet and green scarf roared out of the castle on a gleaming motorcycle.

A ramp overlooking a small river lay ahead. With a challenging glare, she revved her bike's throttle and poured on the speed.

She hit the ramp and was instantly launched. A huge pink combustive explosion took place behind her, propelling her as she sailed -- solely and entirely because she could. There'd still been room in the design to allow for an effects toggle.

I'm coming, Vanellope! You may not want me to, but let's face facts: you need me...

She landed, her bike rocketing off into the distance.

...just as much as I need you.

---

Sugar Rush

"Double-Sided"

Final Chapter: The Promise

by Bookish Delight, 2013-2014

All characters and referred properties belong to Disney.

---

Sugar Rush Speedway

Chocolate Roads

System Clock: 2012.12.25 00:45

TRACKING: PRESIDENT VANELLOPE VON SCHWEETZ: 15 MILES

Taffyta looked up from her cycle's onboard display. She would later find out that the tracking system had been loaded with exactly one profile: that of the President. She'd have to make sure to install other racers later. For now, however, it was exactly what she needed, and she was just glad that it had offered its assistance -- not to mention worked correctly.

Still, the distance... really? Taffyta huffed to herself, then tapped a few buttons and checked the display again. According to her new ride's onboard Gameworld Positioning System, Vanellope had retreated to one of the most remote regions of Sugar Rush-

-wait.

Was she reading this right?

"What in the world is 'Diet Cola Mountain?'"

She'd never heard of it, but if that was indeed Vanellope's predicted destination, then Taffyta would find out soon enough. If only she hadn't had such a head start! Taffyta wished more than anything that she had a way to catch up-

As if reading her thoughts, another button popped up on the bike's front, marked "Calorie Afterburners."

She pressed it, and the bike took off at three times speed.

After the initial shock, Taffyta decided that she could get used to this.

---

Fifteen minutes later, Taffyta knew what Diet Cola Mountain was.

She turned up her nose. Sheesh, no wonder no one ever went here. The place looked totally boring, and absolutely reeked of artificial sweetener. Though she'd never gotten its name, she'd remembered being here just once. A lot of... things had been happening at the time that didn't allow her to get a good look at the place.

She squinted. Was that a soda bottle in the distance? She decided it couldn't have been -- there were too many bumps and swirls around it. Not to mention it still looked like an explosion had hit the thing.

Taffyta looked back at her display. According to it, her quarry was close. She looked forward to see moving taillights.

At last.

"Vanellope!" she called out, to no response. She accelerated again, closing the distance, then tried again.

"Va-nel-lo-peeeeee!"

This time, Vanellope looked around, then behind her. "T-T-Taffyta? Is that you?" Her expression was expectedly shocked. "Whoa, what are you wearing? What are you riding?"

"Cut your engines and we'll talk all about it!" Taffyta called back.

Vanellope shook her head. "Just go back to the castle! We'll talk when I do the same!" She accelerated, the distance between them widening again.

Taffyta gritted her teeth. "Don't give me that! You know I don't give up! Especially not in a race!"

And double especially not in a race for your friendship, Taffyta thought. If that's what it comes down to... then let's do this!

---

Sugar Rush Speedway

Diet Cola Mountain

System Clock: 2012.12.25 01:10

The afterburners were spent. She'd have to catch up the old-fashioned way, which was fine by her.

The volcanic explosion of Diet Cola Mountain had made it look the worse for wear cosmetically, but by sheer chance it had also refashioned the exterior in quite the driving strip -- if of course by "strip" one meant "mile-high spiral."

She saw Vanellope climb up the spiral cliffs on her kart -- darned speedy little thing since she'd gotten it rebuilt, Taffyta had to admit -- and Taffyta did her best to keep following. Keeping a turn on a motorcycle wasn't like handling a four-wheeler at all, and Taffyta had to fight to keep from oversteering while also dodging debris. Eventually, she got things the way she wanted -- one lean, in one consistent direction, with very precise and controlled movements of her arms to avoid rocks where they lay.

The whole time, Vanellope hadn't looked back once. Taffyta did her best not to take offense. Given the craziness that was the mountain, she hadn't thought of checking her own rear once either.

It was an eternity of fighting to stay on the road... and but when Taffyta wasn't sure she could take anymore, she could see bright lights in the sky.

The mountain's peak. She'd made it.

She accelerated to top speed and passed her opposition. After making made sure to get enough leading space, she turned hard, tires screeching, on the surface of the mountaintop to coming to a perpendicular stop directly in front of Vanellope's kart.

If there was one thing Taffyta gave Vanellope, it was that she was usually quick on the uptake. With a startled gasp, the latter slammed on the brakes, coming to a stop directly in front of the motorcycle.

"All right, all right, I give up already!" The President of Sugar Rush exited her kart in a show of pouting. "You win, okay? Sheesh."

"Finally," said Taffyta, dismounting her bike. "I mean, geez, just completely make me work for it, why don't you?"

"You know it's what I do." The two girls stood in front of each other, with Vanellope sizing her up. "You look different."

Taffyta preened. "I had to code myself a new fashion sense. Bad experience, long story. You wanna make fun of it, do it later, okay?"

"Why?" Vanellope smiled. "I like it." Taffyta's blush went unnoticed as Vanellope's gaze was swiftly drawn to the motorcycle. "But whoa! Where'd you even get this thing?"

"Same place as the outfit." Taffyta sighed. "Had a bit of a heart-to-heart with my old self in the black box, just like you did. Turns out I saw the coup coming, just not fast enough, and--hey, what are you doing?"

Vanellope looked up, her tongue on the bike's chassis. "Ith peppermint," she said in mid-lick.

"Quit that!" Taffyta said, waving Vanellope away from the bike. "It's brand new is what it is! Not to mention that's gross! I've been on dirt roads!"

Vanellope rolled her eyes. "Our 'dirt roads' are made outta chocolate, Taffyta."

"Not the point! Ugh!" Taffyta huffed, then calmed down and looked around the vast mountain peak. "So what is this place? Last I saw of it, it was overflowing with boiling soda--huh?"

Once again, Vanellope's eyes had been caught by something, and she ran from away Taffyta over to another part of the peak. Taffyta huffed again. Sometimes, that girl had the attention span of a parakeet.

Until she didn't. Vanellope picked up a piece of charred debris, completely entranced. Taffyta walked over, and upon getting a closer look saw that Vanellope was looking at a blackened melding of candy wrappers.

"I can't believe it survived," Vanellope whispered.

"What survived?"

"Pieces of my home." Vanellope paused. "This used to be my blankie."

Taffyta blinked. "Wait, rewind. You had a home out here?"

"I had a home in here. Once I got kicked out of my castle, I wandered around a whole bunch until I stumbled in here by accident. No one ever came by, so..."

Taffyta looked down. "...so you made yourself at home in a volcano."

Vanellope's head turned to Taffyta with unexpected speed. "Hey, it was still less dangerous than having King Candybutt and you guys hunting me down! You get put in the Fungeon once, you never want in there again!"

Taffyta took a step back. "Vanellope, I didn't mean it like-"

"Everyone hated me, okay? For years!" Vanellope's voice softened, but the cracking persisted. "Video games were created to make people happy. This is a game full of smiles and candy. We were supposed to be the happiest game in the arcade -- but for years it was kept running by hate. And the worst part is, now I know how we got here."

She sighed and let the debris of her former home fall to the floor.

"I guess in a way King Candy did me a favor, wiping my memory. Only thing worse than failing your game would be having to be reminded of it every day, huh?"

A silence fell over the mountaintop, until Taffyta walked in front of her friend. "Vanellope."

Vanellope averted her gaze.

Taffyta stepped closer, nudging their faces level. "Vanellope, look at me. You... l... darn it, I can't take this. You are being a total whiner right now. Do you get me? A big dumb whiner. Stop crying already."

"I-I'm not crying!" Vanellope said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Ugh, and now a liar on top of it. Look, I don't blame you for crying or anything. But quit it anyway. You're supposed to be our leader. And if there's anyone who should be kicking themselves and crying over how they failed the kingdom, it's me. I'd forgotten all that stuff too."

Vanellope remained silent. Taffyta took another step forward, closing the space between them completely.

"I... I'd forgotten that it was my job to protect you. It always was. 'Cause if I didn't... not only does Sugar Rush get totally screwed up, but hey -- who am I going to have as a rival? And King Candy knew that too, which let him take the stuff I do, the things I am, and twist them. Do you get it, Vanellope?"

Vanellope didn't respond.

"He made our rivalry something I never wanted it to be: unfriendly. And when he turned me, you saw a flash of me at beyond my worst. I..." Taffyta shook her head sharply back and forth. "You gotta believe me, Van, I tried to fight it so hard..."

"Don't blame yourself," Vanellope said. "Our rivalry's in your code, and-"

And it was Taffyta's turn to outburst. "So was our friendship, right?" She sniffled. "But only one got rewritten." Taffyta wrapped her arms around Vanellope with a gentle, empathic air, such that Vanellope barely felt the embrace at all until she was pulled close. "You... you weren't just our princess. You were my best friend. I mean, I was yours. I mean, no, we're... are we...?"

Vanellope smiled and nodded. "'Course we are."

Taffyta rested her head on Vanellope's shoulder. "And I feel terrible that, for so long, we lost that."

Another long silence passed, before Vanellope whispered her reply:

"Now you're crying. Quit it."

Taffyta giggled and sniffled. "Shut up."

"Back at ya," said Vanellope, doing the same.

The hug continued for minutes, the both of them enjoying the warmth and softness of each others' outfits and emotions in the simulated evening. Far too soon for Taffyta, Vanellope pulled away.

"Rival and protector... Taffyta, I never thought about it, but... did the other Rushers ever look at you differently? You know, what with your part in the game being so closely linked to me and all."

Taffyta scoffed. "'Course they do. It's also my job to not care." She paused. "Sometimes I'm actually good at it."

Vanellope giggled. "Starting to get why you understood me. You might be the only one who does for a while, too."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously." Vanellope looked out towards the horizon, where bitmapped stars were just beginning to appear. "Our most important memories may have gotten restored, but we're running off of decade-and-a-half-old hardware here. It's gonna take a stupid long time for everything to get back in the right order. I've gone as far as Chocolate Chip Cliffs to remember some things. I might be the main character and all, but there's still a lot of myself I've gotta to find. Functions... subroutines..." She placed a hand on her chest and turned back towards Taffyta. "...heart. And as Commander-in-Chief, I'm willing to help everyone find theirs... and you find yours. If you'll let me."

"Now that's the President I like to see," said Taffyta. "I'll take you up on that offer. But if you're busy trying to find everyone's memories... who's going to run this place?"

Vanellope put her hands in her hoodie's pockets and teered from side to side. "Well, not gonna lie -- I'll be back and forth. It's a big wide game out there. But when I'm not around, someone's gonna have to help me defend Sugar Rush from threats, right? We don't want another King Candy. Someone's also going to have to keep an eye out for scattered memories when I can't. Maybe make some decisions. Rally the Rushers."

An expectant look crossed Taffyta's face despite her efforts to suppress it. "Gonna need a point here, Schweetz."

Vanellope rolled her eyes. "Sheesh, one of these days I'm going to find out why you've got such an allergy to dramatic buildup. Fine, fine. I hereby appoint you, Taffyta Muttonfudge, as First Agent of the Sugar Secret Service. You can recruit anyone you want, so long as you think they're up to the task."

Taffyta thought it over for one second. "Candlehead," she said with a snicker.

Vanellope didn't skip a beat, an snickered back. "I hereby revoke your recruiting privileges and take them as my own. Nah seriously, I trust ya." She looked over to the side. "So, think you and your fancy new bike are up to it?"

Taffyta blinked away oncoming tears and grinned as her heart swelled. "I might. Wanna try it out for yourself?" she asked, walking towards the bike.

Vanellope looked at her kart. She could always have the guards teleport it back to the castle later. The second Taffyta hopped on her new vehicle, Vanellope hopped directly behind, wrapping her arms around Taffyta for support.

Pink and aquamarine helmets materialized and plopped onto her heads, and Taffyta revved the handle, taking them on a leisurely drive down the mountain. As she did, snowflakes fell.

Taffya looked up. "Oh, right. Merry Christmas, Vanellope. And thanks for the gift."

"Merry Christmas, Taffyta," Vanellope replied. "What gift?"

"Ugh. You." Taffyta 'tch'ed. "You goof."

Vanellope winked back, giving a kiss to Taffyta's cheek. "You know you love it."

Taffyta's heart silently fluttered. "You mean, you're lucky I do."

"Yeah, that too."

The two rode off into the Vanilla Moon Pie-lit night.

~fin~