Ralphs Trip to Reality

Chapter 4

Rancis Kisses the Combat Boots of Doom

So, I woke up the next morning feeling a little groggy. This, for a video game character, is a bad sign. Rancis, Ninja Gaiden, Fiaeneste, Duronto, and a few others woke up a little after I did. Ralph and I lead the group into our first day of adventure.

We gave everyone certain directions and landmarks to look by and search in. Rancis and Duronto took the beach to the west; Ninja Gaiden and the Street Fighter dude were given the city to the northwest (Since they looked the most human and wouldn't be mistaken for a monster like Rancis would be), Felix and Fiaeneste took the woods to the north, and Ralph and I took the forest to the south; where the "Knights of the Mist" are supposed to be. Wonderful.

So we bounded off into the woods together, hoping to find that stupid Vanellope. I kept thinking about what Kintessae wanted me to do, abandon Ralph and Vanellope. To strand them in the "farthest reaches of the Human World", or else she would share my secrets with the entire arcade. I kind of freaked out when Kintessae said that. Why did I have to tell her that I was a glitch?! Back then I didn't have anyone else; she took me in when her game was just recently plugged in so it wasn't too obvious that I didn't even belong to "Gods and Goddesses". She played around with the Code of the game; and made me the Lady of Fire and Dragons. I assumed nothing could go wrong after that, that I could just throw my past behind me. But of course I had a hunch that it wouldn't be that easy. Kintessae had felt like a sister to me, not like a mother like some people would imagine. Because we did all of those sister-like things together…It's hard to describe, but I almost felt a mental bond to her. As if she was actually a part of my family.

"Family," a voice said in my head, the thing that I never had. At least I thought I never had, considering I couldn't remember much of my real past. I can only faintly recall being in another video game; not Gods and Goddesses though, it was another. Having a warm, at-home feeling. Like love, peace, along with joy, and laughter.

But I can't remember anything else, which is kind of a sad feeling. You know you had a home, but can't remember it. Like digging through a file cabinet but the paper you're looking for isn't there.

Ralph suddenly nudged me: "Are you okay, there?"

I snapped back to reality: "Huh?! Wha? Oh, yeah, hi. Yeah, I'm fine."

He narrowed his eyes: "Right. Do you want to set up camp for now?" he asked.

"Oh, sure, it's getting dark." I replied.

So we set up our tents and such, preparing the campfire too. Ralph and I, snuggled up together (which was pretty awkward), trying to obtain the fires warmth. Then we went into our tents, and slept.

I woke up and it was about eight in the morning, the dappled winter sunlight seeped its way into my warm tent. It felt good to actually get a good night's sleep, considering I hadn't had one for about two days.

Leaves crunched beneath our feet as Ralph and I paced along the small trail, hopefully one that Vanellope or Knights of The Mist had taken, because I was already getting sick of no one else beside me except Ralph. Second thought; I didn't really want to meet the Knights of The Mist, they probably kidnapped Vanellope. But then again, they were just two twin siblings, lost and confused in this gigantic forest. I was starting to confuse myself now. And that's the last thing that I need.

Then I wondered if my fire magic would still work in the Human World. I took a deep breath, focused, and breathed out. A small wisp of flame slipped out of my mouth, good. My fire-breathing still worked, even in the Human World. I glanced over at Ralph, wondering if his wrecking-abilities still worked. Probably.

"…Do you think Vanellopes Chaos Claw magic works in the Human World?" I asked.

Ralph shrugged: "Maybe. And why don't the doughnut cops want Vanellope to take a Chaos Claw? Wouldn't it help her?"

"Yeah, she could defend herself with it, but what if a human finds out about it. They might think an alien has come down to earth or something. And if they find her along with it, they'll know video game characters exist in their world. That wouldn't be good for us." I explained.

"Yeah, you're right, I didn't think about it that way. But what if the humans like us? What if they want to make an alliance with us?"

"But what if they don't? All the video games in the whole world might be unplugged."

"I guess. But what if-"Ralph was cut off by rustling in the bushes behind us.

I spun around, only to see Rancis face plant on the frosty grass. He lifted his head: "Hey guys! What's up?"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" I shrieked, out of pure shock.

"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be with Duronto?" Ralph chipped in. "At the beach?"

"Nope. I decided to go with you guys instead. Duronto is so boring." Rancis replied.

"What do you mean 'nope'?! We assigned you that job!" I yelled. Which was kind of harsh, but at that time, I didn't really care.

Rancis shrugged, as if he didn't care that he totally just abandoned Duronto.

"Where is Duronto?! Is he here?" I asked.

"No, he's at-"Rancis looked over my shoulder and gasped: "Vanellope?!"

Ralph and I exchanged confused glances just before Rancis nearly trampled me. I spun around once again. I saw Vanellope and Rancis changing towards each other, and some kind of "Romeo and Juliet" music played in the back of my mind. Great.

"Vanellope?!" Rancis screamed.

Vanellope leapt into the air and Rancis stopped abruptly, and when I say leapt, I mean leapt like a kangaroo (And trust me, kangaroos can jump pretty high, I'm neighbors with the Lord of Kangaroos in Gods and Goddesses, don't ask.) Vanellopes black combat boot came in contact with Rancis's face and a big WHAP sound echoed across the forest. I know what you're all thinking—combat boots? But yes, combat boots.

"State your position fool." She growled, as one her boots pinning Rancis down onto the ground.

Rancis squeaked: "What are you talking about?! Don't you even remember us?!"