Ralph narrowed his eyes at Jet in suspicion and said, "If you say so.. And would you care to enlighten me as to why you're all wet?"
"Oh this?" Jet said, "Just a bucket of water.." Should I try patching things up between Ralph and Felix immediately?
"He crashed into a wall," Set said with a laugh, "Took a bucket of water to snap him out of his nap."
"So I take it things haven't been going so well with Felix still.." Jet said. It shouldn't be too hard to make those two friends, considering Ralph always wanted friends and Felix is such a nice guy.. Gene will be the biggest obstacle here. Maybe I should have waited a while before saying anything.. Ralph still doesn't trust me after all.
"You think?" Ralph said callously, "Felix is a nice guy and all, but he's a Good Guy. Good Guys and Bad Guys are like oil and water. Everyone knows this."
"Tapper, what do you think?" Jet asked, motioning for him to join the conversation. Ralph, you're wrong. You just don't know it yet.
"You'd better not be planning any trouble here," Tapper said, "What is it you need? I got root beer, that's about it." What's he up to? Nice to see someone talking to Ralph though.. They'd better not be pranking him or I'll be stuck cleaning up the mess.
"Relax, Tapper," Jet said sincerely, "We just want to hear what you think about the possibility of Bad Guys and Good Guys getting along." Tapper has been around just as long as us, he should understand.. He already talks to Ralph anyways.
"Well I don't know about that, Jet," Tapper said while leaning on the counter, "It's never happened before. Not in this arcade." I wish that weren't the case.
"Don't you get along with Ralph well enough?" Jet asked, setting up his argument.
"I suppose so," Tapper said with a sigh, "But I'm no hero like Felix. It's different."
"But you do get along with Felix as well," Jet said, "Don't you?" Figures he would pass himself off as neutral. But that works too, just not as well.
"Well of course," Tapper said with a nod, "Though he doesn't pass through that often. Usually stays around Gene and the others in their apartment."
"Hey Tapper, I need a root beer," a familiar voice called out. Tapper went to grab him and a few others some root beer.
"..Sonny?.." Jet muttered. Come to think of it, he was around back then.. Er.. Back here. Centipede broke just a couple years after being plugged in due to a broken screen. But where has he been living since then? And he's already got his new avatar..
"Woah, you know that guy, Jet?" Set asked, "When did you do that?" There's something going on here.. Jet has changed..
"Oh, uh.. Well just his name," Jet said. Nobody should know he's Centipede yet.. I only found out just recently at the Bad-Anon meeting. "So about what I was saying.."
"Right, what exactly are you getting at, hmm?" Ralph asked while crossing his arms.
"Well I'm just thinking.." Jet said, "If we can get Felix away from the other Nicelanders, we can get things patched up between you two. Felix isn't the type who would simply ignore you if you're talking to him." The problem is catching him when he's alone. Gene watches him like a hawk..
"Yeah, see, that's just not going to happen," Ralph said as he stood up, "Thanks for the chat fellas, but I think it'd be best if I go." Nice effort Jet, but it'll never work.
"You're running away," Jet said calmly. Set just don't say anything, you're doing well so far.
"It's everyone else who runs away," Ralph said coldly as he walked away.
"Well that was a failure," Set said, "You've changed.. What happened? I've never seen you serious about anything before.."
"We've been here in this arcade four years now," Jet said, "There are better ways to have fun than pranking everyone. It's only a matter of time before some other game comes and bursts our bubble. Who would take us in if Turbo Time should suddenly get unplugged?"
"You're still worried about that?" Set said, "Look, RoadBlasters may be getting plugged in soon, and it may be a racing game too.. But that doesn't mean that we'll get unplugged. We're the most popular game in this arcade."
"Let's just suppose it breaks then," Jet said suddenly raising his voice just a little, "You know what happened to Centipede? Nobody saw that coming either." This should get Sonny's attention.. He turned to look at Sonny. That's right, I'm talking about you.
"Woah woah, lower your voice, Jet," Set said, "Geez.. That crash is really getting to you."
Sonny slowly walked over and casually sat down next to them. His hair was dark and fairly long, and slicked back into a pony tail. He wore glasses and a dark pinstripe business suit with a grey tie. Nothing like his original form.
"Evening," Jet said. Well that got his attention. Asteroids is still around, I wonder if he's friends with Bobby yet..
"What brings you here?" Set asked tauntingly. What's with this guy?
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation and thought it sounded interesting," Sonny said, "That's all.. So what's this about Centipede?"
"Oh we were just talking about how nobody saw it coming when.. when the screen just went out on it like that.." Jet said, "It could happen to any one of us, especially us older games.. Oh, which one are you from, if I may ask?" Where have you been hiding?
"Oh, I'm just some no-name customer in Paperboy," Sonny said.
"Isn't your name Sonny?" Jet asked. I want him to know I know at least something about him.. Probably a bad idea to let him know too much. But he more or less owns E-Z Livin' 2 in my timeline. Someone like that will be a valuable ally..
"I'm curious how you found that out," Sonny said, eyeing him up suspiciously, "I've not told many people, and they don't talk about me."
"I just heard your loud friend calling you that the other day, that's all," Jet said. I'm lying through my teeth right now, hopefully he's friends with Bobby already.. He probably knows I'm lying, I'm terrible at lying..
"Oh.." Sonny said with a sigh, "Well it's not such a big deal anyways. It just seemed odd that you would know."
"So what makes you interested in Centipede?" Set asked as he placed an elbow on the counter and rested his head on his hand. That's why you came, isn't it? What was Centipede to you?
"Oh.. Oh.. Well you see.." Sonny said, "It's not specifically Centipede that I'm interested in.. Just talk of games getting unplugged, and I was curious when you mentioned it, that's all."
Ralph slowly got out of the small minecart upon reaching the inside of Fix-It Felix Jr., what Jet said was still on his mind. He looked up at the penthouse longingly, seeing they're having yet another party in celebration of Felix doing his job. What he was programmed to do. He sighed. It must be nice being the Good Guy.. "What am I doing?" he asked himself miserably.
He found himself reluctantly going inside the apartment building and climbing the stairs to the penthouse. He gently knocked on the door. Why am I doing this to myself? I already know what's going to happen..
Gene opened the door excitedly, expecting it to be Turbo, only to slam it shut once he saw it was Ralph. "It's Ralph!" he screamed quietly, trying to hold the door shut even though Ralph didn't try to enter.
"Hide the stemware!"
"Get rid of him Felix."
"O-oh, right," Felix said nervously, "I'll go.. talk to him. Carry on, everyone." Ralph.. What are you doing here?! You know better than this..
Felix slowly opened the door enough to slip out and closed it behind him saying, "Ralph, Can I.. help you?" Oh no.. It's that face..
"Hey Felix. Just wanted to check on ya," Ralph said putting on his best fake smile. We both know this isn't true..
The door opened a crack and Gene could be heard asking in a whisper, "Is he gone yet?"
"Well that's rather rude, Gene," Ralph said pushing the door in slightly, "I'm just here to check on the well-being of ol' Felix here and you want me to leave?" I don't even know what excuse I can use to be worried about him.. "That doesn't sound very nice, now does it Felix?"
"What are you planning, Ralph?" Gene opened the door completely before crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes until they were little more than slits.
Ralph sighed, frowned and nodded. Gene would have to be the one sticking his neck out. "What would I be planning, Gene? Tell me, I'd love to hear it. I'm sure everyone would." He pushed himself past Gene and smashed the ceiling, then stairs. Luckily nobody was standing there, otherwise they'd have died temporarily. He made his way inside, careful not to break anything else. Okay, the ceiling was my fault, but glass stairs? The music stopped.
"Nobody said you could come in here," Gene said angrily.
"Nobody said I couldn't," Ralph said, looking back and trying his best to put a smile back on his face. He sat down on a couch as the other Nicelanders ran to the other side of the room.
"You can't," Gene said, "Leave. You're trespassing on private property. Do something Felix!"
Felix fixed the ceiling and stairs nervously then said, "I.. I don't know what I should do.."
"I've got an idea here, Felix," Ralph said, "Hear me out." This is pointless. Why am I even trying?
"O-okay.." Felix said inching his way over. The Nicelanders whispered to each other.
"You know, it's funny really.." Ralph said as he turned serious, "Jet.. You know, the better of the Turbo twins seems to think that I ought to be friends with you." He clenched his enormous fists ever so briefly. What am I saying? This will never work..
"Don't be absurd," Gene grumbled, "You're just the guy that wrecks the building. Bad Guys and Good Guys will never get along."
"W-wait.." Felix said, "Wait wait wait wait wait.. wait.." Jiminy jaminy that's too many waits..
"Felix?" Ralph asked with an eyebrow raised, "You get stuck in a loop or something?" What is he saying to wait for?
"It's something I've been wondering for a while.." Felix said, "I just kind of.. accepted it.." But it never felt right..
"You can't be serious," Gene said, "He's a Bad Guy, Felix! Every day he destroys our homes!"
"Y-yes, that's true.." Felix said nervously. But even so..
"Then you should already understand," Gene said, "Just convince him to leave and everything will be as it should be."
"T-that's rather cold-hearted of you Gene.." Felix said, eliciting gasps throughout the room. Ralph could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"What?" Gene asked in shock, "Felix, what's gotten into you?"
"Ralph.." Felix said, "Tell all of us here.. Why you wreck the building. We all know the reason already, don't we?" I've wanted to say this for so long.. Thank you for reaching out, Ralph.. I don't think I could have done it without you, as much as it pains me to say. My father would be so disappointed.
"That's the game, isn't it?" Ralph asked, "If I wasn't here to wreck the building, there would be nothing here to fix. Nobody would spend a quarter to jump around swinging a hammer at nothing. I'm just doing what's in my code. It's not like I enjoy being a home wrecker." Okay, well it is a bit fun, actually. Especially throwing Gene across the screen..
"But!.." Gene grouched, "Will somebody back me up here?!"
Mary timidly walked up and said, "Felix.. You're right.. I'm sorry, Ralph, for the way I've treated you. I-I know it's too little too late, but if there's anything I can do to make it up to you, let me know.."
"Y-yeah," Lucy said as she walked closer, but still kept her distance, "I didn't really like excluding you anyway.. You just seemed so mad all the time, and you're always breaking things.. I'm sorry.."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing!" Gene said, "Call me when you've all come to your senses." He stormed off to his bedroom.
"Ralph.." Felix said hesitantly, "If.. If it's alright with you, can we try this idea of yours?" It's four years too late..
"Really?" Ralph asked hopefully, "You mean it?" Am I dreaming?
"Sure thing.. Er.. Partner," Felix said extending his hand awkwardly for a handshake. Better late than never..
"What about Gene?" Ralph asked. There's no way he would approve of this..
"N-now don't you worry about Gene," Felix said.
"H-he'll get over it," Don said, "I'm sorry, Ralph.. Everything just sort of happened.. Y-you can be a pretty scary guy, no offense." The other Nicelanders all got closer to him saying variations of the same apology.
Author's Note: Now some of you may think that Ralph should have gone berserk when Gene was being his usual jerkwad self, but this is the Ralph from 25 years ago, he's not as fed up with being avoided as he is during the movie. Likewise, Felix isn't as acclimatized to ignoring Ralph as he is during the movie either.
Ralph becoming friends with Felix is but one small step in the right direction, so don't think that everything is going too easily.