"His stump is this way, right?" Jet asked as he ran to the huge pile of bricks and smashed up building parts.
"Like that's a question.." Set said in an annoyed tone as he and Sonny followed close behind. This explanation had better be good.
"Ralph!" Jet said loudly as he shook awake the sleeping giant. He jumped back to avoid the wide swipe of Ralph's waking fist. Sheesh.. Nearly game overed.
"Who? Huh?!" Ralph asked as he groggily rose from his stump, "Oh. What do you want?" He furrowed his brow in an annoyed way. I don't especially like people seeing my 'home'..
"Yeah, sorry to bother you, Ralph," Set said while stifling a laugh. He really lives in this?.. No, this is serious. Our game really might get unplugged at this rate.
"We need help with something and only you and Felix can get it done.." Jet said pleadingly. Please, Ralph. I know you're a good guy..
Ralph sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. That root beer is mostly out of my system at least. "Fine," he grumbled as he got out of his stump, "I owe you anyhow.." It couldn't have waited a few more hours? Who's this guy again?
"Sonny," Sonny said knowingly with his arms crossed. We've never spoken with each other.
"What do you mean you owe me?" Jet asked curiously. That's not really important right now, but..
"Nevermind.." Ralph said, "Let's just go get Felix. You can tell me the rest on the way." It had better be important though, interrupting my sleep.
They made their way up through the Niceland apartment building to Felix's room, just below the penthouse. Jet knocked on the door. I hope he isn't sleeping too soundly..
Felix rubbed his eyes tiredly after opening the door. "Ralph?.. What are you guys doing here?" he asked with a nervous laugh. The Turbo Time twins and some other guy too..
"We'll explain on the way," Jet said anxiously, "We need your help." We don't have time to dilly dally..
"Lead the way," Felix said seriously. It must be pretty important..
The five of them made their way to Turbo Time's stadium building as Jet explained exactly what was happening, and what they expected the wrecker and fixer to do.
They finally got to the door to the code room without any interruptions.
"So I just have to bust down this door.." Ralph said with a chuckle as he cracked his knuckles. Seems simple enough. He extended an arm backward and curled his hand into a tight fist. With one swift motion, he slammed his fist into the door, leaving a dent, scraping some skin off of his knuckles in the process. "D'aghh! Sweet Mother Hubbard!" What is this door made of?
"Ralph!" Felix yelled worriedly as he slapped Ralph's hand with his hammer. I've never seen Ralph get hurt by anything before..
"I'm fine!" Ralph huffed, "I don't know what's with this door, but I'm not going to let it off that easily.." He clenched both hands into fists, as tightly as possible. This is the end for you, door..
Sonny watched intently. Maybe it's possible after all..
Ralph slammed both fists into the offending door one after the other. A much larger dent was produced as a result. He winced and clenched his teeth shut, groaning inwardly as best he could. I was at least expecting the pain this time..
Felix healed Ralph's hands again as fast as he could. Jeepers, Ralph..
With two final punches infused with everything he had left, Ralph finally busted the door open. Never again block my path, Door, or I shall wreak upon you just retribution.
The code room was a seemingly endless void, dimly lit by dozens of small blue code boxes which were networked by thin wires. The occasional pulse went through the wires as information traveled through them.
"You did well, Ralph," Sonny said softly while patting him on the shoulder as Felix fixed Ralph's hands yet again. Remind me never to get on his bad side..
"You okay, brother?" Felix asked softly. I don't blame you for getting mad..
"I said I'm fine!" Ralph huffed. Jet, you better not need this door busted down again.. He breathed deeply to calm himself. Did Felix just call me brother?
"We'd better hurry," Sonny said as he slowly swam into the code room. I've never fixed a kill screen before, nevermind one that someone put intentionally..
"Isn't that dangerous?" Felix asked worriedly, "What if you float off with no way back?" Shouldn't we tie ourselves down with something?
"That doesn't happen.." Sonny said while turning back to Felix and shook his head, "There's no gravity, but as long as you can swim, you'll be fine." It's an understandable thing to worry about though. He made his way into the codework of Turbo Time, looking for anything out of place.
"Turbo's ego on full display," Set said in an annoyed tone, "Look how big his code is compared to everything else. Oh hey, look! This must be for his catchphrase!" He swam over to a code box that read 'Turbo-tastic!'.
"Let's not forget why we're here," Jet said pointedly. It's very bad having him in here. Please, Konami. Keep him from messing anything up..
"I'd love to do something about it," Turbo scoffed and lifted his helmet to relieve an itch, "But what the heck could I do? I was looking for the person who did it earlier, but RoadBlasters was the only game that stood out. And the surge protector is on the prowl now. I doubt I could really do anything to help." I know I shouldn't be taking this easy, but what can I do, huh? His nose started bleeding again. Napkins.. He wiped his nose. Turbo-tastic..
"Well anything would be more productive than sitting around, right?" Roxie asked, "It's almost as if you don't care if your game gets unplugged." You came all the way to my game looking for someone who may have put the kill screen on your game. As soon as you met me though you just up and forgot about it..
"Oh, believe you me," Turbo said bitterly, "I care." He guzzled down another glass of root beer and set it down firmly on the counter. "You're just proving to be a good enough distraction to keep my mood up for the most part."
"So that's it, huh?" Roxie asked, narrowing her eyes at him, "I'm a distraction.." How would I use 'positive reinforcement' on this?
"Oh, don't even go there Foxie," Turbo said bitterly, "I meant what I said before. I told you. I get angry and I end up saying stupid crap."
"Like what you're saying now," Roxie said while rolling her eyes. So you realize.
"Yes. Like I'm saying now," Turbo said while gritting his teeth, "Let's go to Turbo Time then. Jet might have fixed it for all I know." That would at least ease my mind somewhat.
"Without paying?" Roxie asked while cocking a brow. You a thief?
"Pay with what?" Turbo scoffed and got off his stool, "There's no money here, I don't know if you realized." It's not like we get paid for doing our jobs. Unless satisfaction counts as payment.
Roxie sighed deeply and joined him in leaving the establishment. Like I'd have known that. I only just got plugged in today.. I'm about at my limit with that attitude of his though. He's almost like a chihuahua, barking for no reason.. How would I calm one of those down? "Relax," she said softly while putting a hand on Turbo's back just inside the gateway to Tapper's. I guess I have to work on my attitude as well. I've been adding fuel to the fire..
Turbo huffed, "It's annoying, me being so short, huh?.. You'll hurt your back like that." He looked at the way she was awkwardly bent down. At least I've got a perfect view of those jeans from down here, looking at the bright side.. Plus it's not like I'm the only short guy around here. The Nicelanders are even shorter, excluding Felix who is about my height..
"I could always carry you like a child," Roxie said with a smirk. You're staring again.
"Yes, yes, this is all so very amusing to you, isn't it?" Turbo asked as they got out into Grand Central Station. At least I got her to start smiling.
"Pretty much, yeah," Roxie said with a laugh, "I shouldn't laugh though. Not with your game possibly getting unplugged.." She frowned worriedly. It'd be my fault if it does, if this kill screen doesn't do it. Does the owner of the arcade unplug games that easily though?
"You just have to keep bringing it up.." Turbo grumbled and crossed his arms.
"Well I don't want you to get distracted from the fact," Roxie said pointedly, "You know, since I'm a distraction." I'll forgive it for now since your game is in danger, but don't think I'll forget it.
"You're still mad about that?" Turbo asked incredulously, "Come on, Roxie.."
"It hasn't even been more that a few minutes since you said it, what do you think, Turbo?" Roxie asked while rolling her eyes as the two marched onward to Turbo Time. It's not rocket science. Not helping..
The two finally made their way inside Turbo Time.
"Yeah, see?" Turbo asked, "Behold, the inside of a kill screen.. What is our next course of action? I haven't the foggiest.."
"No clue," Roxie said, "If someone were trying to mess up the game, where would they go?" I should have brought my sunglasses with me. Not that it would have stopped the ground from shaking any..
"Heck if I know.." Turbo said with a shrug, "About the only weird thing in this game is a door with some kind of control panel on it under the stadium." Never could figure out what order to press those buttons in..
"Maybe the person who did this got it open," Roxie said, "It's worth a look, right? It's better than doing nothing."
"I don't like doing nothing either, but you don't have to say it like that," Turbo said with a sigh as he led the way to the stadium building, "The last thing I want is this game getting unplugged, okay?"
"So where do distractions go on that list?" Roxie asked.
"That's a close second to last thing I want to get rid of," Turbo said, "I care, alright?" Sheesh. "I can tell this is going to be difficult.."
"Have you ever had it easy?" Roxie asked. You've been in several failed relationships, you said.. Honestly I don't know if this one will work out any better for you at this rate. I'm still trying to figure out why I'm even giving you the chance, knowing all this.
"No, not really," Turbo said solemnly, "Let's just not rub it in, okay? One thing at a time.." It's like you're trying to make me miserable.
"Fair enough," Roxie said, "But really, this place is messed up pretty bad." She looked around at all the floating lines of code and the blocky, shifting parts of the building. I see what he means about 'A GAME FOR A GAME'.. They must have made somebody mad. How do you not remember something that would warrant this kind of retaliation?
"So what are we looking for in here?" Jet asked, "I'm sure there wouldn't be a box with 'Kill Screen' written on it."
"I'm just looking for anything that stands out," Sonny said while furrowing his brow, looking around, "I've never even been inside a kill screen before now." I've seen it on the screen of Pac-Man before though.
"Set, please don't mess with anything.." Jet said worriedly. You're going to mess things up even more..
"Now would I do something like that?" Set asked in a hurt tone. What do you expect me to do in here? This place is interesting..
"Yes. You would," Jet said knowingly, "Now isn't the time to mess around."
"Who's this guy?" Turbo asked nonchalantly as he and Roxie joined the group. I think I've seen him in Tapper's before, but..
"His name is Sonny," Jet said while looking at a box with the word 'Code' written on it, "He- Turbo?!" Well isn't this just great? Answer: No, it isn't!
"And Roxie," Turbo said with a grin. I wonder if she's actually my girlfriend at this point or if she's just hanging out with me to make up her mind on it. We should clarify that sometime soon..
"This place is kind of weird.." Roxie said as she looked around. I can only guess we don't have to worry about floating off..
"Agreed," Sonny said, "You get used to it though." Those jeans..
"Great. Now Turdbo's here," Set said while rolling his eyes. Those jeans.. I wonder how Sorceress would look in them. He laughed to himself.
Author's Note: Those jeans.. must be coded in such a way that men's eyes are forcefully drawn to them or something.