The Fix-It Gang

While so much was going on just beyond those protective walls, little did the newcomers know as they slept on that they were not the only ones in this room. It was the strangest thing, other than beautiful. White and as small as a pin needle, a small butterfly had somehow entered the peaceful space, fluttering about and exploring it, as quiet as could be. A perfectly harmless little thing as the room was passed by two close friends for a moment, it felt an immense attraction to the slumbering group nestled among one another. It hovered over them for a moment, having some conscious thought, oddly enough, before it chose wisely out of all sixteen.

It decided to rest its wings upon the shoulder of the peaceful handyman… It seemed to stay on him until more started coming over the little tykes around him. Nightly, this would happen, from nurse Mina's experience, but of course not during the daylight hours since these little creations lit up by the moonlight and were quite attracted to all who slept soundly.

Yen Sid called them Dream Sprites.

Little beings designed to calm nightmares and worry in children and adults alike, all around the world. It was a bit of a sweet surprise to see them at this time. A small accident happened in the Wizard's lab at one point, which may have been Mickey's fault~ toppling down a basket full of them, unleashing them into the castle. It seemed that the Keep alone was known for calm nights since then…

It was no better time for such a happy accident to remain unsolved, as the day wore on, more allies were slowly coming together since the emotional reunion down in the gardens. There was much at stake, much to do and much to plan. It was only then when I was finally at peace with even more loved ones at my side. My anxiety was that of the excited type, which was just twisted with a side of butterflies~ which would get so annoying that eating a meal was proven too hard. Out of so long, I was happy to see one of those little sprites among us as we toured through the outside corridors, being able to just mingle for once to keep the anxiety at bay for at least a little bit. I was just so glad to be in my husband's arms again, no longer feeling cold. When I once thought all was lost, everyone finally coming together was like a new spring season to me. The fight had merely begun, with each of us now receiving said mental messages, as it were, even to get one pure innocent thrown into the fray, unwillingly. Whose world I had personally wondered about for a while, not realizing that it took a mass amount of magic just to reach that realm, in particular, strangely linked to a realm so similar to the modern era, yet they were not the same. Although with the hope that my promise was nowhere near empty, the thought of the Mrs's eventually being let in on what happened could unleash a certain amount of rage. I deeply had to trust the Master with that~ Who took it upon himself to finally speak to the apparently former widower. I express that with utmost joy!

It was later on, far past noon when he finally awoke from a dream that he could hardly understand at first. It seemed too good to be true and felt a little saddened having to leave it so soon. Not even noticing the small sprite once resting on his shoulder, it flittered away as soon as he began to move. He found that he was in the same place he nodded off on, in the room that was plainly empty, for the most part.

Felix had lost track of time~ How long had he been asleep?
Granted, he wasn't used to this. With the constant pressure to please, rest became a second priority. Truly, he never felt this better in quite a while, but goodness, this felt so alien to him.

Much to his relief, he was surrounded by their Racers. Oh, their dear Racers were with him again, all safe and sound. One of his most profound worries were completely lifted, he could almost swoon.

"What's wrong, Felix…?" one named Minty asked.

"You look like you've seen a ghost…" Rancis, one of the only lads of the group, came close.

"Now that I'm with all of you, why, I'll be knocked all the way to next Tuesday…" Felix replied, as if out of breath. "… I couldn't be any happier. I'm so sorry about before, I… I couldn't let you see me in the way I was."

"We get it. W-we thought you'd, y' know… wanted some time alone." Candlehead's voice slightly wavered.

"But you're here. Now. With us again… although, wh-what are gonna do now…?"

"The arcade. I-it's gone."

The reality of it all was all starting to really sink in, as well as for him too. Taking one look around, he realized something. "I'm a little culture shocked myself. If I am not mistaken, it seems all of Niceland has gone missing." Felix's own worry started up again.

Mina kindly approached through the door. "Don't you worry, sir. They all gone to the courtyard. Ralph had to go see Vanellope but didn't wish to disturb you." she mentioned.

"Oh, Golly! Kind of wished to have been roused earlier… Is she okay?" Felix hopped before the deer, fixing his hat back on.

"More than okay, quite ecstatic, in fact, ~"

"Oh, can we go see them, miss!? Please!?" the Racer's all got excited, not having seen the former Racer in years.

"Now, now… Quiet!" Felix had quite a hand at this when he snapped his fingers sharply and the whole lot settled down. They all sat on the carpet, clearly knowing when he actually rose his voice, he meant business.

In Mina's opinion, with this many young ones, this was quite a skill to have. "Even with all this change, I know why you'd be so excited. I am too! But that doesn't mean it's no less rude to go running through a strange place, disturbin' everybody."

"Sorry, Papa."

"Mom would want us to~"

"Ssh!"

That was a slip off the tongue, knowing it was touchy to mention the woman of his life. Even though he heard it, he sadly smiled.

"She sure would…" he sweetly replied, strong. "Now, we're to follow this kindly nurse and I don't want any shenanigans, ya'll got me?"

Even Mina got raptured in the same excitement as them and happily clapped her hooves lightly on the carpet. "How grand is this! Everyone all coming together. Oh, there is so much to show you~ So much to do! Come, follow me!" she spryly encouraged them all.

Down the ornate hall, it was a happy surprise for the Guard to witness the gentleman and his pack of loyal scamps take a brisk run, seeming to chase after the nursing doe, in a fit of joy!

"We cannot express our gratitude enough, ma'am!"

"It's my job to see after those going through trouble~ No doubt about that!"

"What's been goin' on as I was nappin'?" he asked, hoping he hadn't missed much.

"It would seem that there is a great gathering commencing as we speak! It is not my place to say, but even your presence is crucial…"

"I was kinda worryin'~"

The beauty of the castle's interior was mesmerizing enough as they ran through its massive halls, passing rows of knight's armor and tapestries alike, but the need to know his friends were all right yelled stronger. Soon enough, they were led down a stairway that connected to a balcony that also had another stairway down to the courtyard. The way to the gardens were only a few feet away. Upon seeing that flash of red and brown, Felix shot out, elated, at the giant.

"Brother!" Ralph heard his friend cry out and once he turned, he was suddenly latched onto by the much smaller man. He was so small, in fact, that Ralph simply held him in one hand.

"You're actually alive, buddy~" Ralph joked.

"More than I'll ever be…" Felix hopped back down while the whole group of colorful kids all gathered into these brand spanking new surroundings. Counting the lot again, he finally got to take his first breath of this new outside air.

This was nothing like how things were at home. Absolutely not… Wide-eyed, Felix stepped forward facing the hill looking over this brilliantly lush garden, littered with paths, topiaries, and so many trees and soft grass. There had to be so many glades out there, as far as the eye could see. Ralph kept behind as the kids followed suit, spying the herd of playing young animals down at the bottom of the hill.

"I'm still tryin' to learn names here~" Ralph spoke up, gazing back at the corridor for a second. "… but this is still a lot. I dunno what t'say or where to start. Never thought I'd see Vanellope again."

"You and me both, Ralph." Felix managed to speak. "Startin' with strange dreams, having to start over is… Gosh, if we weren't kept together, I wouldn't know what I'd do. And to think you passing out at Tapper's was worrying,"

"… force of habit, Felix. You should try it."

"Sure thing, Ralph…" Felix rolled his eyes.

"Look!" Taffyta piped up suddenly, seeing a familiar face down the hill, with black hair laced with candies.

"Is that truly…?"

"It's Vanellope!?"

Without hesitation, the entire racer troupe all started to book it down the hill towards their former princess, basically dog piling her, much to the surprise of Fix-It and Wreck-It. Felix truly shook his head at this behavior but couldn't help not blaming them. It had been years since they truly last saw her. Mina joined watching this with a smile.

"No better place for this. I am curious… You are a father to them?"

"A-adoptive, actually. Tammy and I took 'em in when… their game got unplugged once. Back then, they weren't the most pleasant bunch." Felix enlightened, surprising Ralph that he talked about it so freely. Calhoun's name was hardly mentioned before. Mina's intention was to keep worry free from them, especially with it so obvious in their eyes.

"I have mothered four young ones, myself. I have to say, you certaintly have a natural way with so many."

"Can't say I am the very best at it…" Felix shyly said. "Thanks though, Mina…" he thanked her and she smiled.

"Would ya stop it, southern boy?" Ralph knocked a gentle knuckle against his shoulder. "Takes me a good whack on the ground to get 'em all to shut up and you just talk and they shut up."

Felix had this almost blank look on his face before glancing up at Ralph.

"… Southern boy?" was all he asked and the two laughed.

It would seem that there were many of their gaming neighbors all slowly gathering from different areas in the wide wings down to this court, greeting their first day… in a brand new world. A world that was nothing like the imprisonment they all called 'work' or 'jobs' of playing simple roles. Even to the point that there was a stereotype thrown around between Bad Guy and Good Guy roles, causing so much discourse before.

The sky was the most stunning thing they have ever seen, with them always inside or in the dark of night after each day, hardly able to rest most times. Ralph always enjoyed watching the light shine through the outlets back 'home', but nothing like this. The beauty of it made him almost want to cry. Although there was something else in Ralph that Felix couldn't help noticing, which got him back to thinking of more serious things happening among all this beauty.

"You doing okay there, Ralph?" that soft, regular question snapped Ralph out of it.

"Well… yeah, but… um… Looks like we got two Guardians now. Next to Cassandra… Thought she was up to somethin' but the Wizard kinda set me straight."

"Two…? Besides Cassandra?" Felix's brow flexed with worry.

"What's with her not mentionin' people? It's gettin' annoying. I basically scared the chick…"

"I personally trust her, Ralph." Felix thought that was crucial to remind him of that. "I think there are some things she's pressured not to mention to us yet. I-I mean, we did just get here."

"Well, the guy with deep tone told me off. I don't need you for that. She called her Casey. At first, I had no idea what she was talkin' about. Thought she had somethin' to do with whatever happened back at the station… Claims she saw what happened…"

"Did you catch a name?" Felix prodded, curious.

"Meaghan. Sounds like a gamer's name…"

Despite Ralph's gruffness, Felix was lost in thought as he watched the children play down below as he fidgeted, feeling something solid on his finger and felt purely reassured. One other possession he couldn't leave without, next to the dog tags he kept under his uniform.

"Do ya remember anything about what happened…?"

Felix's eyes obviously widened with more anxiety. "Much of it I really hope to forget," he replied, breaking Mina's heart.

"Oh, sir… It is not my place to say, but," she began. "I do believe the Wizard will have all the answers you seek," she spoke softly. "He is speaking with Meaghan right now. Now that you're awake, those answers might come sooner than we thought if you are so inclined."

"Miss. You've been so kind to us~ Not sure if we're really strangers anymore."

"I've been entrusted to look after anyone brought to the wings~" she replied, looking down at the groups below. "I've seen them all shapes and sizes."

"Gotta thank ya, Miss Mina… Haven't napped that deep since Litwack was out sick." Ralph mentioned as he fixed his remaining overall strap.

"I'm glad, good sirs"

"Never thought I'd be around to see an… actual sunset."

At Ralph mentioning that Felix rose his eyes up to the softly darkening sky as it would seem that the sun was fairly close to diving down to the distant horizon. Among the beauty, was the dark shape and outline of a distant bird. It got a little worrying though when that shape began to get larger and larger each second. Felix felt a sharp stab of panic in his chest, unleashing an understandable phobia he had over the years, from mere programming. Ducks were one of his hard level obstacles that would sharply knock him off windows. They would fly in, strike him in the head and it would be Game Over. So, creatures of the bird family weren't his most beloved animal, automatically.

The closer the shape got, it revealed to be the biggest bird he had ever laid eyes on as it soared over the castle towers. The sunlight danced off its wings like gold. Despite his slight panic attack, it was quite a sight. Never had he seen such regal, frightening beauty….

"The Day Guardian has returned!" came a call from the watchtower as a bell was rung.

That left the two friends flabbergasted for a moment. That was Cassandra!?

"Sweet mother Hubbard…." Ralph gulped.

"That just can't be her… Can it?" Felix's actually hopped quickly to his feet, the emotion was too much for him to handle.

"… I guess I was right about NOT getting on her bad side…" Ralph uttered.

"My Land… She's beautiful~ Ralph? Have you ever seen anything like this?"

"N-Not while I was awake anyway~" Ralph ruffled his spiked hair before drawing in a deep sigh, honestly feeling a bit scared.