Chapter Twenty Five- Reassurance

DARKNESS

"OH!"

Then light.

Gene awoke with a start, panting in fear. For a moment he felt confused to where he was, the field sprawled out around him but then he remembered.

He was still in the game.

And he was still HUGE.

It was a situation he wanted to end but it was miles better than what he had dreamed. He breathed out heavily, a hand going to his face.

"Haven't had a nightmare like that…since I decided to mix Barcardi with Jägermeister…"

He was sore from laying on the turf all night, feeling the knots in back.

"Urgh, Ralph sleeps on BRICKS and it builds him up….I stay one night on GRASS and it feels like an ARMY marched on my spine. Did you sleep well, Mary?"

MARY!

He looked down, seeing that despite how abruptly he had woken up the little woman was still sound asleep on his stomach, her body wrapped up in a pile of comforters like a cocoon.

"You REALLY slept through all of that?" the man said to himself but the next mission came to his mind.

Getting up.

He looked to his side, realizing that he made a mistake going to sleep on his back. Everyone in the arcade knew that of all the positions for a Nicelander to take, one that would require them much effort to get on their feet from…

It was their back.

And even worse, Mary was sleeping so PEACEFULLY on the man's stomach.

The big Nicelander let out a whine, trying to figure out JUST how to get himself out of such a position without waking Mary.

"Precious cargo…" the man breathed in as he took Mary carefully into his giant hands.

She was safe….now to attempt the impossible.

Gene looked to the left, then to the right, and tried moving forward but given how much LARGER he had become it was even more impossible to rise. He huffed, Mary still held in his hands as he lurched to the side but his weight pulled him back down.

And Mary was still asleep, none the wiser.

Of course, had she been awake she would have seen the ludicrous amount of blush on her fiancé's face.

"One more time."

Still keeping Mary out of reach Gene tried again to roll on his side and he succeeded….only to land flat on his face.

But Mary was still safe! That's what mattered!

"Uuuurgh…." The big man moaned as he used one of his hands to push himself up into a kneeling position "If I could go to our designers, I'd have a nice little talk with them about-!"

Mary's little sigh took Gene away from his anger, if but for a moment. He looked at her, so content and warm within her little blankets.

"Well….at least you're comfortable." The man sighed, cradling Mary as he sat in a more comfortable position in the grass.

As he held her, he could only recount the dream.

Dream?

No, NIGHTMARE.

The nightmare was enough to keep Gene wide awake for days, the echoes of the laughter and screams still pounding in his head, his skin prickling over as the thought about how everyone had ran from him, how MARY had run from him.

But she wasn't gone this time. She was held safely in his hands, sleeping peacefully but the question was hold long was this to last? Mary may have been by his side now but the Mayor knew he couldn't continue this.

It wasn't right; it wasn't right for Niceland and certainly not for her. She may have given her promise, one to stay by Gene's side no matter what but with her promise came GUILT; so much painful GUILT.

Gene felt like he was saddling his love with all HIS misfortune and HIS bad luck. She deserved so much more, especially after the many, MANY times she had come through for him.

After all the kindness she had showed him, it was HIS turn to repay the favor.

But HOW?

He had messed up BIG time and it was only fitting that this compensation be just as valuable if not MORE. The man turned his head back towards the path he had made from the apartments; the sun was not up yet but he had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before his neighbors were to get up.

He had to go back.

He had to talk to Felix.

He couldn't hide from the others any longer. As soon as he got back, he would talk to Felix, talk to Mouse and Calhoun, about the other alternatives. They had to find a way to fix his code and not for himself this time, but for Niceland.

For MARY.

He would do anything to set things right, even if it meant….

A hard-reset.

But he would lose it, lose it all.

"I-I have to think of someone else for a change." Gene said to himself as he looked down at Mary. She was just so peaceful in her sleep and for a second, a terrible thought came upon Gene's mind, the thought of how things would be if everything were erased, if all those moments they had shared together were gone.

Would he still love her the way he had?

How would things be?

It wasn't as if he'd be able to remember but what if there were just an inkling of a memory left, something he could not piece together? He'd be able to see her face but what if she were upset and he didn't know WHY? Would he able to recount that? Would he know what to do, how to handle it?

Would he be able to help her?

It was a terrible thought but if that's what things came down to, then he would have to bite the bullet and take it. Mary had given so much of her time, so much of her energy to ensure that he was happy, that he felt as if he belong in the arcade…

He had to do something, ANYTHING.

Gene rose to his feet slowly, Mary still held in his hands "Come on, let's get you back to the others."

"Hmmmm?"

Gene jolted as he saw Mary stir, the little woman finally rising from her slumber.

"Mary?"

Mary slowly opened her eyes but she wasn't awake just yet. Her sleep was heavy and it was pulling her back into her dreams but from what she could make out…

"Blueberry?"

The man smiled nervously, "H-Hello sweetie. Sorry if I woke you."

Mary looked as if she were much too sleepy to understand, slowly sinking back into the blankets.

"Did you sleep well?"

"What-" the woman yawned "What did I tell you, Gene?"

"About what?"

"Sneaking sweets. An-and everything else for that matter." The woman puffed, nodding off "I…I told you you'd get as big as the apartments!"

Gene felt himself snicker at the little jab, Mary looking much too cute for him to even be upset. He rubbed her head with a finger, sticking out his tongue.

"Nyeh, what are you going to do about it now, smarty pants?"

The woman pushed his finger away fussily, falling back into the blankets with a yawn "I'll think of something. Riiiiight after I take a nap."

And with that, Mary went right back to sleep, Gene shaking his head as she smiled.

"Lil pink brat." He chuckled "Never change."

At the apartments, Ralph and Felix had rose early to check upon the residence of the game. While things had been cleaned up enough after Gene's less than stellar exit, the two knew it would be best to inspect for anything they may have missed, such the ways of any responsible Good Guy.

"Things seem good enough." Felix said.

"Nothin' seem outta place on my end." Ralph yawned, contemplating whether he should go back to his home to catch a few more winks "Did Mary come back last night?"

The Repairman shook his head sadly "Nope. I checked tha suite again an' it was empty."

"I'm sure that Gene's got her covered." Ralph smiled, trying his best to reassure his friend "I mean, when ya gots someone as big as HIM as your bodyguard ya have no reason ta be scared."

"Ralph."

The Wrecker looked down; he meant nothing by the joke but Felix of course was much more worried than he should have been. After all, two of his oldest friends were still in the woods and he hadn't heard a peep from either in HOURS. The big man could only wonder just how much effort it had taken Calhoun to keep Felix from running off during the night.

"Ya know it was just a joke." Ralph smiled.

"I know, I know. But I'm still worried."

"It's not like they went outta game, Felix. C'mon."

Felix nodded, realizing that Ralph was right "I just wish they would have come back a lil closer ta tha apartments. Goin' so far inta tha woods like that? Tha guys have never gone alone like that a night all these years gone by."

"Buddy, lemme ask ya a question."

"Yeah?" Felix looked up.

"….Did Calhouny have ta tie ya ta bed? So ya wouldn't sneak out durin' tha middle of tha night?"

Felix turned red like no tomorrow, the man turning on his heels AWAY from Ralph. Given such a respone, the Wrecker laughed powerfully.

"So my first guess was right!"

"Ya try sleepin' with that on your mind." Felix pouted.

"I'm not tryin' ta slam ya for it, I know you're worried." The larger character snickered in a friendly tone "But I shouldn't surprise me. Makes me wonder though. Did Calhoun learn ta tie bed knots from Nel n' Norwood?"

*BONK!*

"OW!"

Speak of the seamstress.

Both men looked down, seeing a grapefruit rolling at Ralph's feet.

"No way."

It couldn't have been possible as Nel lived all the way on the top floor but somehow, SOMEHOW, she had heard the comment. Ralph could see her looking down, smirking her cheeky little grin towards him as another large fruit was held in her tiny hands.

"Ya say that like she won't sew your mouth shut." Felix coughed, rocking on his heels.

Ralph knew better than to say something else. Nel could be FIERCE!

"Is Mouse makin' any progress?" the Wrecker asked, quickly changing the subject.

"She's conked out in tha penthouse an' she didn't say a word before I went ta sleep so I don't know."

Ralph breathed out "Man, I don't wanna rush tha girl but I was hopin' somethin' would break through."

"Don't we all." Moaned Felix "I mean, it's one thing ta have glithes an' issues happenin' in other games but when it's in your own backyard?"

Ralph felt a feeling of despair whirling in his stomach; he was well accustomed to dealing with 'issues' but as Felix has said, there was just something even more haunting about it when it was happening at home.

"Hey, we shouldn't be so down." Ralph smiled "Ya know that Mousey can fix things with her brain as easily as ya can with your hammer! We can't be so glum about it!"

Such a change that RALPH was the one trying to cheer FELIX up, the Wrecker guessing correctly that the game's hero still felt his own set of inefficiencies given that his hammer was part of the reason Mouse was having so much trouble in the first place.

"Maybe you're right." Felix smiled, or at least he FORCED a smile "Things are gonna be a lot better! An' soon we can get right back on schedule, especially with what's comin' up!"

"Remind me again?" Ralph said "We have so much goin' on-"

Felix put his hands on his hips, tapping his foot "Now, Ralph. Don't tell me you've forgotten about THA DAY. Tha BIG-!"

*BOOM!*

Speaking of BIG.

The two men yelped as the ground shook behind them, Ralph looking about in worry that something dangerous was headed their way.

But then he remembered.

"Oh, of course."

The foot-steps got closer and closer until finally both Wrecker and Repairman found themselves peering up at the massive Mayor Gene, his arm cradling an object carefully.

"Ahem…" the Mayor said as properly as he could given the way he looked "Good morning, gentlemen."

Ralph smirked and did a little bow "And a good marrow to you, Mayor of the Land of Nice. It is such good tidings to see you and your fair maiden!"

The Mayor rolled his eyes, feeling it was far too early to deal with Ralph's jokes.

"Thank you for the introduction, young man. I am glad to see both of you looking much better."

"My rest was sound enough." Ralph went on, putting his hands in his pockets "But I kept hearin' somethin' odd comin' from tha woods."

"You did?" Gene replied.

"Yeah, a loud buzzin' or grindin' or….rumblin' ya can call it. I was about ta go in an' check for myself but then I realized it was just your SNORIN' an' I knew things were okay!"

Gene's eyes narrowed, the smile on Ralph's face already tearing way at his nerves.

"Could you PLEASE save the comedy for later in the day? Or at least until I've-!"

Mary stirred in the man's arms, his focus on Ralph dropped.

"Ah, sorry!"

"Hmm? What was that?"

Felix decided to lighten the mood a bit, not wanting any confrontations so early "Um, should I take Ms. Mary back? That is why ya brought her here, right?"

"Actually…." Gene began, turning his gaze upon Ralph.

"Ah, yes?"

Gene approached the Wrecker and stooped to his height "Ralph? Can I ask a favor of you?"

"Depends, Big Guy." The Wrecker said haughtily "Not gonna give me another atomic wedgie are ya?"

Gene lowered his hand in front of Ralph, Mary wrapped in her blankets.

"Can you put Mary on the couch in the atrium? She's…she's been out here long enough."

Ralph took the small woman in his arms gently. He was a little touched at how worried Gene was about his fiancée despite his own condition.

Yeah, he really did love the little pink butter-ball.

"Will do, Big Guy." Ralph smiled as he walked off towards the apartments, leaving Felix alone with the Nicelander.

"Ya know, I cudda unlocked your apartment." Felix said "Why didn't ya ask M-WHOA!"

Before Felix knew what was happening he found himself plucked off the ground and moved back towards the woods.

"Hey, hey, hey! What's goin' on, Genie?"

"Shhh!"

"Shhh?"

"I'm sorry Felix but what we need to discuss can't be heard by anyone else." Gene said in worry as he looked around. He then returned to the edge of the forest and placed the Repairman down before sitting down "Young man?"

"Yes?"

"How….how much longer do you think that Cadet is going to take with this?"

Felix had just finished discussion the circumstance with Mouse to Ralph. He was ready to give the Nicelander his reply but when he saw his face, he froze.

Gene was GREATLY upset and it wasn't as if he didn't have the right to be. His code was still glitching and he was immensely worried about how, for the lack of better terms, IMMENSE he himself would become.

Felix knew that LYING to Gene wasn't the best answer but how would he react to the truth?

"Well…."

Gene was giving Felix that look, that classic Nicelander 'Please don't let me down' look. He was feeling TERRIBLE but as game hero….

"Ah-hah…there are still a few….a few bug in tha system."

"You mean MY system." Gene said in a glum tone "Guess that means more time?"

"I'm afraid so." Felix said sadly, nodding his head "But don't worry about a thing, Genie! We've done great so far! We can manage with-!"

"I don't think you understand, young man." Gene cut in, shaking his head "This…this isn't a TEAM effort nor should it be."

"What do ya mean?"

"What I mean is, this is still all my fault and I have no right bringing all of you into the middle of things. Maybe if I were RALPH'S size, I wouldn't worry so much but this is just too much for EVERYONE to handle, even you!"

"Even ME?" Felix said in surprise "Sir, don't tell me ya think so, heh, SMALL of me!"

"First Ralph, now YOU?" Gene moaned "What is it with everyone and terrible jokes all of a sudden?"

"Heh, couldn't help it." The hero smiled "But are ya tellin' me that ya don't trust me on this? I mean, on any other occasion ya would have!"

"I don't! Gah, I mean I DO trust you, however-!"

What to say…

"Everyone is working OVERTIME to make up for the errors I brought the game. You, Ralph, the other Nicelanders, even your wife and her team! All of this because of a stupid mistake I made? Felix, I can't let them work like this any longer, it's not fair!"

"Hey, it's what we're SUPPOSED ta do." Felix retorted "Ya ask Mouse ta fix a problem, that's her job! What would be UNFAIR of ya is ta stop us from doin' our work!"

"I just feel so bad about all of this." Gene said mournfully "I know it's selfish of me but I really do wish that young Cadet would…would hurry up. I don't want to drag you guys any further down this hole with me. It feels like I ALWAYS bring bad luck to this game and-!"

Gene stopped, feeling himself getting much too worked up about the whole thing.

Too worked up? He was still a massive Nicelander, who wouldn't get worked up about THAT?

"Getting Ralph riled up at the thirtieth anniversary, allowing Turbo and that…that VIRUS woman to get the codes and steal your hammer and now THIS? Do you sense a pattern here?"

"If ya mean that crazy things can happen, then yes! I do see it!"

"Those situations only happened because of ME!" Gene shot back "ME! All MY fault!"

Felix walked over to the big Nicelander and put a reassuring hand on his leg "Aw, Genie! You're making this into more of a big deal than it is."

The big man pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head.

"Stooooop."

"There is a difference between WILLFULLY going out an' CAUSIN' trouble an' just bein', well, UNLUCKY. We've all had our close shaves here but it would be silly of me ta blame ya for everything that popped up in this arcade!"

"It doesn't erase the fact that I always seem to end up damseled into these messes...or in this case and with the party, the cause of them." Gene said shamefully "Always needing help from everyone else because I'm too much of a pipsqueak to get out of it myself."

The man looked off to the side, catching his words.

"WAS. WAS a pipsqueak. Does Jumbo-Extra-Huge-Maximum count as a measurement?"

Gene ran his fingers nervously through his hair, trying his best to regain his composure.

"I just want to be back with her."

"Ms. Mary?" asked Felix. Gene nodded his head in response.

"I want to be back with her where I can actually do something. Having me like this by her side? What good is it? I can't even get out of the game and the only thing I'm going to bring to her is more mocking by various 'VISITORS'. If they're too scared to even LOOK me in the eye, they're going to go after her because they know that not only is it easier but I can't do anything to fight back, no matter HOW big I get. That's how it's ALWAYS been with us."

Felix rubbed the back of his neck, smiling "Man. The things you'd do for Ms. Mary. It amazes me just how much ya love that woman, Genie."

Gene blushed furiously, his mouth shut.

"Aaaaah, I can see tha honey-glows on your cheeks!"

Gene blushed brighter than ever, absentmindedly putting a hand to one of his cheeks "W-Well-! I just-"

"Heh, ya know if there is one thing these past coupl'a months have taught me it's this."

"Yes?"

"That I really am so lucky ta have such great friends an' family."

"I take it I'm not included in EITHER list?"

"GENE." Felix said in an exasperated voice "Goodness, man! I know you're upset about everythin' that's been goin' on but c'mon now! You're puttin' yourself down WAY too much! What happened ta tha Mayor I USED ta know?"

"The Mayor you USED to know? Why would you want HIM back?" the Nicelander scoffed "He's the BAD guy, remember….just like I am right now."

"If you're talkin' 'bout tha animosity between ya an' Ralph or whatnot….Gene. Just let it go!"

"You guys keep saying that as if it's an EASY thing to do." The Nicelander grumbled, his eyes narrowing "It's hard to let ANYTHING go when people keep shoving it in your face."

"Gene, you're not the only one who feels bad for what happened ta Ralph. I do too."

"But what reason would you have to feel bad, Felix? You're our HERO and you've helped Ralph countless times to-!"

"I HELPED him?" the repairman cut in "Maybe now but back then? I….I was always so busy with EVERYONE around here. I thought that Ralph could handle things on his own, he sure ACTED like he did but in the end, I wound up hurtin' EVERYONE!"

"But Felix-!"

"In tha end, Ralph wound up feelin' ignored an' when tha time came ta help him, people took advantage of that ta go after YOU guys again an'-? It's been tough, even tougher when I hear people behind my back whisperin' an' carryin' on about my own skills. For a while, I even doubted I was a real hero."

"REALLY?" gasped Gene "But….but you ARE a hero!"

"Maybe….but I would never be a hero like Ralph."

"They-! They have no idea how hard you work! Nor do they have the right to compare you to Ralph in such a manner!" Gene protested as he stooped down to Felix "You've done MORE for ANYONE in this arcade than-! Than ANYONE I've known an-and what about when Turbo returned?! You threw yourself on the line when you couldn't even use your HAMMER! How could people NOT consider you a hero after THAT?!"

Good ol' Gene, Felix thought to himself. Even to the very end, the Nicelander always had something nice to say about him.

"Ya know how people talk 'round here. I guess after so many years, it finally started ta get ta me."

Gene gulped, feeling partly to blame for the backlash.

"S-So what did you do?"

"Hmm?"

"I mean…to counter all of it? You're still doing a much better against all this negativity than I could ever dream of."

"Even when I was at my lowest…." Felix began "I would look around an' see your smiling faces."

"Everyone's?"

"Yup! Ralph's smile, Vanellope's smile, Tammy's smile, YOUR smile. I see them an' I realize why I love bein' a hero an' why I love ya guys so much. It's never been about pie or medals for me….it's just knowin' that I can make ya happy an' be happy with ya that makes me feel so lucky! Even if I weren't a hero, just ta have THIS. This would be more than enough."

The repairman returned his smile towards Gene.

"An' really, big guy? There is ONE thing we share right now, a common understandin'."

"And what would THAT be?"

Felix removed his left glove, pointing towards his wedding ring.

"Ya see?"

Gene tucked his own hand behind himself, images of the terrible nightmare flashing back to him "W-We haven't even made it down the aisle yet. Don't jump the gun so quickly."

"I'm just sayin'…I understand where you're comin' from. Ya wanna help Mary an' make everything better for HER. In tha same situation, I would do tha same for Tammy. That's what we share; tha love for those we feel so dear towards."

Gene was embarrassed but he knew Felix was right and for a moment, if only so, he felt a little better.

Felix always managed to turn the worst situations better.

He WAS a hero after all.

"Thanks…." Gene sighed "I guess I am luckier than I thought. All this time, I thought I've been alone, that people wanted to chase me away but…but I do have family."

Felix was enjoying seeing Gene come out of his shell, walking back in a way to bring him closer to the apartments "There, there? Ya see. No need ta worry as much as ya have been."

"I guess not. But I can't help it….I'm a Nicelander. Aren't we supposed to worry?"

Felix chuckled "Maybe, maybe not. I think ya guys are a lot braver than people make ya think ya are so-!"

"Ah, there ya are!"

"Ralph!" Felix said as he turned around "Ah-hah, caught me in tha middle of a discussion!"

"Oh, was it so important that ya couldn't let ME into it?" Ralph teased jokingly but Gene looked guilty again.

"Well, it was just between-!"

"Don't worry about it, Big Guy!" Ralph laughed "I'm not one for stickin' my nose where it doesn't belong."

Gene rolled his eyes "Mrpph. Reassuring, it is."

"Oh, Gene of little faith!" continued Ralph "Ya act as if I would WILLIN' go about startin' drama! But what was that I heard? Ya wanna quit being the big guy in the arcade so soon? I thought that you'd LIKE livin' up to your name, BIG. GENE."

Felix let out a moan "You're diggin' your own grave with that mouth of yours, buddy."

"HEY."

Ralph looked up, Gene grinning at him unlike a cat ready to pounce upon a mouse.

"Maybe I should change my mind…" Gene said, making his voice deeper "I mean, after my talk with Felix I do feel a bit braver. Maybe we should implement that BONUS STAGE idea of yours, Ralph? HMMM?"

The Wrecker in red found himself backing away from the huge Nicelander, his eyes kept on him.

"HAHA. Yeah. Don'tcha have someone ta look after now, Genie?"

The Nicelander arched a brow, his arms crossed against his chest "And who would that be?"

"Ya know. Someone small an' pink? Likes ta make pies, feeds many of 'em to ya."

"Mary?"

Gene's eyes went to the apartments, the Nicelander lumbering away from both good and bad guy.

"Is Miss Mary okay?" asked Felix. Ralph smiled, putting his hands in his pockets.

"She's fine. I just figured it would be better on us if Genie focused more attention on her, than on US."

Inside the apartments, Mary lay on the couch but her sleep wasn't as peaceful as it had been. She was away from the soft, warm cushiony goodness of her fiancé's stomach, the couch feeling too hard and cold and uncomfortable.

"Mmmmm, I want the marshmallow back…." She whimpered, tossing and turning to find her peace again.

Two large hands reached into the atrium from the doors, gently taking the covers and wrapping her within them snuggly. Mary smiled, feeling the warmth surround her again.

"Thank you….."

Two hands exited the apartments only to be replaced by a set of eyes looking in.

"Ah, this will be over soon enough…." Gene sighed worryingly, seating himself in front of the apartments.

It was still very early in the morning and Litwak nor the customers had arrived. The huge Nicelander just sat and looked out the screen, seeing the sun starting to rise over the horizon. In most cases, he would have had to been in his own apartment to get such a view but there was no troubles now, not with how big he had become.

He then remembered his dream, how much it had scared him and how much more worried it had placed on his shoulders but the more he thought about what Felix had told him, what MARY had told him, the more encouraged he felt.

His nightmare might have brought up so many long buried fears but it was just that; a dream. What Gene had in his home was REAL. He smiled softly, looking down at his ring finger again. The band of gold was still there, still safe.

"I can make it through this…." Gene reassured himself with a smile as he exhaled, feeling some calm washing over him "I can."