That Little Game Called Life

Chapter Fourteen

"Well, I'll say this much," Turbo began as he examined the city that served as the setting for Brave Firefighters. "These people obviously don't know what a party is because this place is waaaaaay too quiet."

The city was a more grand, high-end version of the fake-Manhattan the Ninja Turtles resided in. The streets were litter-free, decorative greenery was abundant, the alleys were spotless, and everything was unnaturally peaceful. Of course, during gameplay all the buildings and most of the citizens were set ablaze and screaming for their lives, but right now the only thing they could hear was the faint sound of Mozart playing somewhere in the distance, where the Firefighters' Ball was being held.

"Not everyone thinks beer kegs, crowded dance floors, and loud music equals a party."

"Then it's not a party, it's a snooty social gathering." Turbo's eyes focused in on something moving in the street ahead of him. "What the hell is that?"

A small computer on wheels was rolling down the street, the kind that all first-person shooters possess that act as the "eyes" for the player. Turbo stopped the bike and the little computer strolled up to them, its little mechanical arms crossed and strumming its fingers as if waiting for an explanation on why they were there.

"What service, our own personal butler. Hey, Jenkins, fetch me a beer."

The computer didn't react.

"I don't think it understands sarcasm, champ."

"I wasn't being sarcastic, I really do want a beer."

The mechanical "person" rolled up closer and started pushing itself against the bike's front wheel as if trying to get it to backwards. Turbo put the kickstand down and motioned Rosie to get off.

"Don't run it over," she said in a concerned voice.

"I'm not," he assured her, getting off as well. "Though that wouldn't be a bad idea. Hey, bolt bucket, over here."

The computer diverted its attention towards the racer. It then pointed one of its arms out towards the portal, telling him to go back where he came from.

"No can do, chief," Turbo told it with a shake of his head. "We're here on important, top-secret business. Now, you look like the sort that could be of service to us. I mean, you're practically the real hero of this game, right? You're the one that saves all the people day after day, helping the players get their medal or trophy or whatever, right?"

The computer analyzed what he was saying and appeared to be listening.

"That's what I thought," Turbo continued, turning to give Rosie a wink. He was trying to fast talk the computer into assisting them and so far it seemed to be working.

"Now since you're such a hero and all, it wouldn't be very heroic of you to just kick out people who need help, would it?"

The computer shook its screen (which served as its head) back and forth as if to say "No".

"Very good. Now, what we need is somewhere very quiet and safe that we can use as a...sanctuary, if you will. Some place comfortable. And since you know where everything is around here, I'm sure you know the perfect spot."

The device pantomimed thinking by tapping one of its fingers on its screen in the same manner that someone would tap their chin. Then it let out an excited squeal and waved them to follow it around the corner.

"Who knew computerized beings had egos that needed stroking?" Turbo thought out loud as he took hold of Rosie's hand and followed the little computer.

"It must be a he-computer," she assumed snarkily.

"If that were the case, he would have short-circuited when he saw you," he smiled at her, pulling her over closer so he could throw an arm around her.

"Awww..." She gave him a little sideways hug while he kissed the side of her head.

"Now if only it would be so easy to get rid of ol' General that way," Turbo half-way kidded, petting her hair as they walked. "Just throw you out there and let him fry his own circuit."

It suddenly became very clear to Rosie that in order to fix this catastrophe, her boyfriend was going to have to leave her again. She had enough sense to know that he wasn't going to invite her along. It wasn't fair! She hadn't had him back very long at all and there was a very real possibility that she might not be lucky enough to have him returned to her this time. Her stomach started feeling sick at the thought and she pressed herself against his side a little more.

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

Rosie bit her lip and looked down at the sidewalk. "Nothing. I'm just glad you're here is all."

She drifted her eyes back up at him and made herself act as normal as possible. "I really did miss you."

Turbo gave her a little smile. "I missed you, too."

The computer rolled up to them and grabbed a hold of Rosie's skirt and pulled, signaling to them that they needed to walk faster.

"Geez, lighten up, Wheels," Turbo said in annoyance before he pointed off to the side somewhere. "Hey, what's that?" he asked Rosie.

"What? Where?"

Rosie turned her head away just long enough so Turbo could flip the bird at the computer out of revenge for ruining the moment. The device didn't seem to approve of being the recipient of such a gesture but it got the hint and turned in a half circle to drive forward.

"I didn't see anything," Rosie told Turbo when she turned her head back around.

"Oops, I guess I imagined it," he replied innocently.

Vanellope glared daggers at Ralph the entire trip back to the Station, not happy that he was forcing her to go back home. Ralph knew he was going to get an earful from her once this whole deal with Hero's Duty was over with but right now all he cared about was that she was safe.

Thankfully, the Surge Protector didn't ask Ralph what his name was, just like the last time he had stolen Markowski's identity. He just glanced down at Vanellope with a sad look in his eyes and nodded at Ralph that it was okay to take her back to her home game.

Okay, so far so good, the wrecker thought as he walked alongside the car, Vanellope driving at a crawl. She was sunk down in the seat and pouting.

Once Vanellope's back home safe, I can go into Hero's Duty and find Felix and the other prisoners. Then I can bust everyone out and we can get the heck outta there.

Ralph knew that it wouldn't be that easy though. The soldiers would still be mind-warped and be trying to kill them all for their escape attempt. Maybe he needed to find Turbo first, as much as he didn't want to see the racer again. However, Turbo was the only one that knew anything about code hacking. Even if he wasn't, he was the only one that would know how to undo what he had done in the first place.

Vanellope gave Ralph one more ugly look before she drove into the Sugar Rush tunnel. She would understand someday that it was for her own good.

At least, he hoped so.

Ralph wandered back into the Station, not sure where to go from here. There were so many places to choose from and it would be near impossible to locate Turbo on his own. Either he was still in the TMNT world or he had managed to sneak out and go somewhere else. Maybe he was in Hero's Duty already? No, if that was the case all the soldiers would be over there trying to stop him from undoing everything. The racer may have been sneaky, but there was no way he was getting into their world without them knowing about it.

He looked back over at the Surge Protector and he realized with some embarrassment that all he had to do was simply ask if he knew where Turbo went. Traffic was non-existant in the Station so there was no way that the security man would fail to notice him going trying to jump into another game.

Ralph was just about to march over to Surge Protector when he heard:

"Hey, Markowski!"

Ralph tensed up, stopping in mid-step as the soldiers hanging outside of Tapper's were trying to get his attention. He turned towards them and waved awkwardly, a goofy grin plastered to his face as he looked at them through his helmet visor.

"Oh...uh...hey, guys!" he called back, trying to make his voice sound more like Markowski's.

"Hey, we're all taking a break at Tapper's, come join us!"

The wrecker started sweating. He didn't have time for this! However, he knew that if he refused to go with them, they would get suspicious and his cover would be blown.

Great. I guess the ol' saying is true about it being a good idea to keep your enemies close. I never expected to have a beer with them though.

"Ha, yeah, sure!" Ralph answered, heading over towards them. He glanced over at the Hero's Duty game as he did so, upset that there was nothing he could do right then.

Felix had never heard so many death threats in all his life, especially all at the same time and directed at one person. He felt bad even bringing Turbo up while he told everyone about the day's events, but how else was he going to explain the scenario?

"Now...now listen, fellas," Felix tried to quiet the crowd down. "I know it sounds crazy, but he's the only one that can put everything back to normal."

Q*bert started speaking in very aggravated tones, ugly pictures appearing in his speech bubble. Felix's jaw dropped.

"I didn't know such words existed in your language!" he said in shock.

"You expect us to think that Speedy is going to save us?" Summer asked him in a way that made Felix feel pretty stupid. "Puh-lease! When he 'died', the only reason I felt bad was because Rosie was so depressed. I can't believe I, like, got torn away from my precious Ken because of that self-centered jerk!"

Everyone started talking at the same time. Felix tried to butt in politely but of course no one could hear him. Finally, he'd had enough.

"QUIET!"

Everybody shut up instantly and stared at him as if he'd gone loco. Felix rubbed his throat, since he wasn't accustomed to yelling and it kind of hurt.

"I apologize," he said, using his normal voice now. "It won't happen again. Now, I know you are all frightened about our uncertain future lying in the hands of someone who isn't exactly trustworthy, but I for one believe that we are all going to make it out of this just peachy-keen. Unless someone has a better idea, all we can do is wait."

The main door to the Brig opened and everyone cowered down in their cells, afraid that it was time for them to get dragged out and killed. That wasn't the case though. The soldier ambled slowly through the walkway that faced the cells and came to a stop in front of Felix's. He then used the key to unlock the door and slide it open. Needless to say, Felix was baffled at this.

"I'm Stallone," the soldier introduced himself coldly. "General Hologram wishes to have a private word with you."

Everyone gasped then muttered amongst themselves, thinking that Felix was going to be the first to get killed. If Fix-It Felix, Jr. didn't stand a chance, what were the chances of them surviving this ordeal?

"It's okay, it's okay," Felix tried to soothe them as he walked in front of Stallone out of the Brig.

He cringed when he heard the heavy door shut behind him. Looking ahead, he wondered what the General could possibly have to say to him. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

Ralph had been to Tapper's multiple times in his life but this was the first time he could honestly say he wished he was elsewhere. Soldiers were scattered at the different bars, sharing beers, exchanging stories of what had transpired throughout the day. Everytime somebody talked to "Markowski", he felt like he was an insect under a microscope, fearful that they would see that he was a fraud.

Tapper was scurrying about filling orders so Ralph did not get a chance to pull him over to talk. It would have raised too many eyebrows anyway. Ralph tried a few times to try and sneak out the door but each time someone would notice and invite him to sit back down and have another drink.

And another drink.

And anoooother driiink.

Aaand...anoother...driiiiink...

Ralph passed out face first on the bar.

Everyone started cracking up, wishing they had a way to take a picture of it. Finally, they all decided that break time was over and that they needed to get moving before Calhoun came in and dragged everyone out by their ears.

"What about Markowski?" Solo asked, pointing at their "comrade".

"Ah, he'll come along when he wakes up," Kirk shrugged.

Felix got a cold chill down his spine as Stallone shoved him forward into an empty room and slammed the door shut behind him. He rubbed his arms to get rid of the goosebumps he had.

Good evening, Fix-It Felix, Jr.

The sudden booming voice of the General nearly scared Felix out of his socks. He placed a hand over his heart, feeling the rapid fluttering in his chest, and started breathing slowly in order to calm down. The holographic form of the Voice appeared, his arms folded behind his back.

I see you have joined us at long last.

Felix backed up against a wall, scared to death. He didn't know what to expect. He knew the General obviously couldn't kill or even hurt him since he had no physical body but still the "man" was quite an imposing figure.

"G-good evening," Felix stuttered a greeting back, his hand shaking as he tipped his hat.

I was hoping that your colleague would be the one joining us, but I see that he has yet to be captured. He is playing this game rather well and I for one am growing quite tired of being on the losing end.

Felix knew he was referring to Turbo and he suddenly realized that if the racer were to walk in that door in the next five seconds, he would never be more happy to see anyone in his life.

I am very sorry to involve you in our plans, Felix. You are a respectable person in the arcade community and it pains me to have to involve you in such a manner.

"Why-why d-did...why are..." he couldn't get out what he wanted to ask from all the shivering he was doing.

Why am I doing this? Hologram completed for him. He began to pace about the room freely, as this happened to be his own special room where he had full range of motion. Self-preservation. I must keep myself from becoming corrupted by the likes of someone like your friend. The only way to achieve this is to take control of the arcade and force it to operate the way it SHOULD be operated.

Felix swallowed nervously. "You mean take away free will," he clarified for him.

If that's what it takes to keep safe, so be it. It will be a perfect world. No one will ever have to worry about someone illegally taking over their program. Viruses will become non-existant. People like your friend will be unheard of because it will be impossible for them to achieve the same goals that he did.

"But...but what you're saying...that's really no different than what Turbo did to Sugar Rush. You're doing the very thing that you're trying to avoid."

My idea is on a much grander scale than Turbo's. He had the right idea, brainwashing its inhabitants and glitching out the main ruler so that HE could rule. His fault was that he did not think BIG enough. He could easily have done this on his own, going from one console to the other, bending the codes to his will and putting himself in a position of absolute power.

Since he is such a simple being, however, he did not do this. He was content to stay in one place and be "happy" under his false identity, pretending to be satisfied. I intend to take this idea and multiple a hundred-fold. Once that fool returns, I am going to do what I should have done in the first place. He has a universal cheat code that can unlock any Code Room in this arcade. I intend to take it from him and use it for my own personal gains.

Felix realized that he was sharing a room with a madman. And they had all thought that Turbo was crazy. This had to be the most insane thing Felix had ever heard. He felt remorse that they had not believed his claims earlier while they were all still in Sugar Rush that General Hologram was the mastermind behind all this.

"What will happen to him after that?" Felix wanted to know, asking in a small voice as he was afraid he knew the answer.

The General stopped pacing for a minute to think.

I had thought to execute him promptly. However, I might end up keeping him alive as a prisoner. Seeing as I am only a hologram and am limited in what I can do, I need someone who knows what they are doing to make this dream of mine a reality.

I had initially promised him full control of any game that he desired, but I never intended to live up to it. I do not trust him enough to let him have that extent of power again. Regardless, it was the only thing I could come up with that was incentive enough for him to go through with the initial stages of this plan.

If General learns that Rosie is still alive, he would probably threaten to kill her just so Turbo would have no choice but to help him out, Felix thought to himself. I pray he never finds out she isn't dead or so help us, Turbo might just end up carrying this whole thing out to keep her safe.

It was unsettling to think that the lives of himself and everyone around him could either be destroyed or saved depending on a limited number of deciding factors.

If you are concerned that I will have you killed, do not fear. I am not so foolish as to annihilate the hero of a game that is still in use. As for your wife, I am sorry that I requested her memories of you be erased, but I could not chance her feeling any form of pity and conspiring behind my back. You understand.

The General had nothing left to say. He told Felix to leave out the door where Stallone would be waiting. The room they had been in was sound proof so the soldier heard nothing that was said between the two. Felix hung his head down as he was escorted back towards his cell, praying that this was all just a nightmare that would end and he'd wake up and things would be back to normal.

I hope you all have a turbo-tastic holiday, don't "wreck" while doing last-minute shopping, "fix" the gift wrapping and the dinner to look nice, don't be a stinkbrain if you don't get what you want, and stay sweet :)

(*singsong voice* All I want for Christmas is some nice reviews...please and thank you... :D )