Chapter 14: Trouble

Night eventually came, and the Sugar Rush racers stood in the parking lot of Reese's store. They were waiting patiently for Candlehead to show up while the cold breeze brushed against their bodies. Eventually, Candlehead drove into the parking lot in the Ice Screamer, got out, and ran over to everyone.

"Well, it's about time you showed up!" Swizzle said angrily.

"Sorry, I had to grab a bite to eat." Candlehead said in an apologetic tone.

"You were late for half an hour!" Swizzle said.

Vanellope looked at everyone.

"Did anyone manage to call Licortwist? I couldn't reach him on his phone." Vanellope asked.

"Maybe it was damaged and he doesn't know it." Sticky suggested.

"He still should have remembered that we're supposed to meet up here tonight. Let's go fetch him." Vanellope said.

"He might still be on his way here, though." Rancis said.

He looked conflicted to leave their spot, even though he was worried about their friend. Suddenly, Taffyta heard something and stared off in the distance.

"Guys, do you hear that?" Taffyta asked.

Everyone turned to where she was pointing. The sound of police sirens was heard in the distance, coming straight from the direction of the castle. The group realized that something was wrong.

"Let's move!" Vanellope ordered.

The Sugar Rush racers got into their karts and drove towards the castle with ferocious speed. Eventually, they reached the castle, stopped near it, and got out of their karts. They ran to the castle, where a horrible scene reached their eyes. The double kart was lying on top of a smashed police car outside of the castle, and a worried crowd had formed, talking among themselves. The Sugar Rush racers tried to find Licortwist, King Candy, and Maltina in the crowd, but they only found King Candy and Maltina in the castle, sitting at a table and talking to Wynchel the Eclair and Duncan the Donut. King Candy looked nervous, while Maltina looked pale with shock and distraught. The Sugar Rush racers immediately ran over to King Candy and Maltina, who looked relieved to see them.

"Kids, your here!" Maltina said in relief.

"Mom, what happened outside? Where's Licortwist?" Vanellope asked in confusion.

"That's what we're trying to figure out. Do you kids know Licortwist Hothead?" Wynchel asked.

"Yeah, is he in trouble?" Jubileena asked.

"He could be. But do you mind answering a few questions for us?" Duncan asked.

The Sugar Rush racers each nodded. Wynchel pulled out a bag of what looked like damaged licorice pieces.

"These were retrieved from the incident today. We talked to the king and queen, and they identified them for us and said that they were licorice pieces that Licortwist could control." Wynchel explained.

"Licortwist can control them, alright. But what's this got to do with him?" Snowanna asked.

"We talked to him earlier in order to ask him a few questions. But when we tried to do so, Licortwist suddenly fled." Wynchel replied.

"What do you mean fled?" Adorabeezle asked.

"As we arrived, Mr. Hothead was in his room. I don't know what exactly happened, but he created more of the licorice pieces and had them attack us and nearly the queen. He even smashed our car, but nobody got seriously hurt. By the time we called for backup, he escaped." Duncan replied.

The Sugar Rush racers became silent as they absorbed all of the information. Citrusella looked over and saw Maltina's face contorted with pain.

"You wouldn't know where Mr. Hothead would have gone to, would you? We know that he may be your friend, but friendship shouldn't be an excuse to protect someone that's dangerous." Duncan asked.

"Licortwist is NOT a criminal! He's a good boy who just wanted to help people!" Maltina protested angrily.

"Your majesty..." Wynchel started to say.

Suddenly, a CLAW officer hurried inside the castle.

"Wynchel, Duncan, we got the suspect heading south into Sugar Town! Backup is requested!" the CLAW officer shouted.

Wynchel and Duncan nodded, and they looked at the Sugar Rush racers, King Candy, and Maltina.

"We'll keep in touch." Duncan said.

He, Wynchel, and the CLAW officers ran out of the castle. Once they were gone, Maltina sighed.

"What are we going to do?" Maltina asked.

Candlehead became quiet, trying to think of an answer to tell her.

"We go find him." Candlehead replied.