Part 2

"Are we ever gonna get anywhere?" Vanellope's tired voice filled the staticy air around them.

Ralph huffed. "I'm starting to wonder the same thing."

Three whole days had passed – according to Felix's watch – since they set out from Litwak's arcade. The tunnels were endless as they traveled on, wondering if they'd ever find civilization again or be trapped in the electrical current forever.

"'Keep a stiff upper lip and a knife where the sun don't shine' is what my drill sergeant told us in boot camp," Tamora commented casually.

"Uhhh…" Ralph glanced back at her, puzzled. "Not sure what that has to do with anything, but okay."

Tamora felt a hand grasp hers. The corner of her lip turned up as she glanced down at her husband, but Felix didn't return the sentiment. He slowed, and Tamora did the same, matching his pace.

"What if we never find a way out of these tunnels, Tammy?" he murmured, concern coating his words. She could tell by his actions this was a conversation he wished to keep private.

"We won't stop until we do." Though Tamora's reply didn't give much comfort, it held the determination that forever drove her. She squeezed his hand. "You have my word, Fix-It."

As they drew closer to a curve, a whooshing sound could be heard in the distance. Tamora pushed to the front of the group. "Stay behind me," she ordered when Felix tried to join her. She marched forward, alert to any danger that could spring up. She rounded the curve, and felt the pressure of a force pulling her slightly.

In the darkness, it was hard to make out exactly what was going on. The blue electrical current crackled erratically as it sped down the tunnel. Whatever was going on around this curve, the sergeant decided it was unsafe.

"Fall back-" before she could continue the pressure suddenly increased and Tamora had to plant her feet firmly to the rubber surface to keep from being sucked in.

"Woah!" Vanellope cried, and to everyone's horror, the little racer was being lifted off the ground. "What's happening?!"

"Kid!" Ralph swung a huge hand out to grab her, but missed and knocked Vanellope into a tumble through the air.

Tamora lunged to catch the girl's hand, but only their fingertips brushed as Vanellope flew by, disappearing around the curve, only her cried for help echoing back at them.

"Vanellope!" Ralph yelled, barreling passed Tamora and vanishing as well.

"Ralph!" Felix cried, losing his footing as he leaped for his friend. He yelped, startled, rising into the air.

Tamora snatched his wrist as he flew by her, holding tightly as the force continued to pull Felix toward it. Their eyes met and both knew what the other was thinking. Whether it meant game over, they would follow their friends – their family – into certain peril.

With one last look of agreement, Tamora lifted her firm stance from the floor and both were sucked down the tunnel.


Just as abruptly as the force began, it ended sending the couple skidding across the rubber surface. A pair of meaty arms caught them up barely budging at the impact, and their rescuer set them right.

Felix whimpered, holding his shoulder and rotating it a few times. "Wonder what that hullabaloo was about."

"A power surge, maybe?" Vanellope put in, handing Felix his displaced hat.

"Possibility." Tamora peered around. The surroundings hadn't changed, save for one thing.

"Stairs!" Vanellope squealed, glitching over to the bottom step in the blink of an eye.

"Kid, wait up!" Ralph called after her, hurrying to catch her before she wandered too far. "We don't know where it leads!"

Tamora made her way to the stairwell, gazing up at its darkened destination. She gestured for the others to stay behind her, and the group carefully ascended the two dozen steps. Tamora halted on a small platform in front of a door with a dimly lit red exit sign above it.

She glanced back at her family. Felix and Ralph seemed cautious yet curious. Vanellope grinned in excitement. "Open it!"

Tamora's hand gripped the handle. "Here goes everything."