Chapter Twenty Five – Speech
It was over.
After so much pain, after so much hurt….
"You're back."
It was over.
Felix and Calhoun held upon each other so tightly, so warmly that they did not want to let go. It was bad timing that the two had been returned to their games on a work day but as soon as the players had left?
It was a celebration.
"You're BACK!" Ralph cheered as he took a hold of both Calhoun and Felix in his arms, hugging them tight "Thank tha programmers you're back!"
"Easy there, Ralphie!" laughed Calhoun as she gave the man a friendly slug in his cheek "We're…we wanna stay in one piece, ya know."
"Ya SERIOUSLY expect us ta stay calm after what happened?!" the big man said as he finally let the two back on the ground "PHOO! Ya have stronger constitutions than I do ta feel like that!"
"It's just a walk in tha park for us, big fella." Calhoun smirked "Viruses are no match for us, combined!"
"Yeah but…."
All turned to Felix, the man walking towards the computer hub of Hero's Duty.
"Hey, babe? Somethin' still botherin' ya?" Calhoun asked as she caught up with the man "If you're still a lil sore, we can-"
"Mouse?"
The Cadet was still cleaning up and finishing the scans from that day and was a little surprised to see Felix approaching her.
"Yeah?"
"Do ya think ya can do a search on where viruses have BEEN?"
The young woman arched a brow, a little surprised by the question "I dunno. It all depends on what ya wanna find out."
"I wanna-!" Felix began "There's gotta be some trace on Mal! There's gotta be some history behind her!"
"Whoa there, buddy." Calhoun said as she pulled her husband back towards her "We got those two away from us for tha moment. I'm surprised that YOU of all people wanna dig some info out on 'em!"
"Tammy, hear me out. There's just somethin'….somethin' ain't right 'bout all'a this."
"There's nothin' right 'bout kidnappin' people either so what's your point?"
Felix gripped his hands uncomfortably; it was obvious that his love hadn't seen it, that she was unable to see the moment that Mal….was no longer a virus.
"Er, never mind." The man said as he turned around in embarrassment "I guess I'm still reelin' from all that's happened."
"Don't fret so hard about it, Hero-Boy!" Mouse smiled, not seeing the look of discomfort on Felix's face "With what data I have been able ta recover should those two step foot in tha arcade, we'll be ready!"
"What do ya mean, Mousey?"
"What I mean is that upon your return, Felix's costume had traces of whatever coding Mal and Tor use to muff stuff up all over it!"
"An' ya wanna KEEP IT?!" the Sargent gasped in horror.
"Before ya go flamin' this place, it'll come in handy." The Cadet winked "If I can synthesize the code, I might be able ta create not only anti-virals based around the code but I'll be able ta-!"
"Mouse….maybe ya should tell us in tha mornin'." The Sergeant said "Right now….we all need a break."
"No, YOU need a break." Mouse replied "Me? Ha! I've gots more stuff ta do an' I wouldn't have it any other way!"
The couple then left the computer room but Felix could not shake the unease he felt. He knew what he had saw when he hit Mal with his hammer, the way something had shown through the virus skin that was covering her but for the life of him he could not speak up. Perhaps he WAS shaken from everything he had gone through but even if he spoke up, would anyone believe him?
Everyone around him had in some way been effected by a virus, whether through Beta or the creepy couple, and if there was anything that the entire arcade shared in agreement with was just how DANGEROUS viruses were.
But Felix had seen something that should it be revealed would shake the assumption.
But at the moment he was still so unsure of himself to even think.
He still did not feel like a hero.
He still felt as if he were missing something.
"Dear?"
The man looked up, Calhoun smiling down at him warmly. She knelt towards him, arms wrapping around his small frame as she held him so tight.
"I don't know what I would do…." The woman began, her voice shaking "If I were to lose you."
Despite how hard she played herself as, there was still so much love within Calhoun's heart. Felix could only think of the anguish that she had put herself through while he was missing and it only made him feel that much worse for causing so much worry to happen. He held her as well, eyes shutting tight.
"Sorry, that I dragged ya through this…" the man said, feeling such shame at the moment "I'm supposed ta be a hero an' I can't even-!"
"GUYS!"
The two let out a gasp as Mouse called back towards them but her voice sounded so much brighter this time about.
"Cadet?"
"Felix! Sarge! Ya gotta come n' see this!"
"What is it?"
"It's from that game ya two were in!" Mouse waved "They sent us a message!
A message?
Without a moment of hesitation Felix rushed into the computer room, looking at the screen.
"What did they say?! WHAT DID THEY SAY?!"
"Sorry, it's all text…" Mouse said "I guess they managed to send it through before that kid left."
The couple looked on the screen, feeling fidgety as the words appeared before them.
Dear Big Nose.
If you get this message through that means our game is still functioning!
Whatever you did to that lady sent out a fix throughout the entire game and by the time our kid got home, everything was healed and reset! It's almost as if we're new out of the box!
We've sent scouts out to search for the viruses and as our scans have found, all traces of them have been erased and all damaged caused by them have been fixed!
All we can say is thanks, lil man.
From me, to Maxie, to Val and the others thank you so much for helping us.
Thanks so much hero boy. You really came through for us and saved the game.
PS We've been able to cover up your absence from the game and now we're having a blast hearing our kid trying to say our cart has a special secrete character. Now everyone wants to meet this 'Scribe'.
As Felix read those words, his heart was sent aflutter; even after how much he had thrown the game off they still thanked him, they still saw him as a hero.
Felix still felt weaker compared to the others….
But maybe….
"Ladies?"
"Yeah, Honey-Glows?"
The repairman felt joy rising in his heart, a smile forming on his face.
"We need ta get things ready for next Sunday!"
NEXT Sunday?
What was to happen NEXT Sunday?
The following Sunday, Felix was at the altar of Hero's Duty again.
He was dressed in his finest.
Calhoun stood opposite of him.
And as he looked down upon another couple.
"Nicelander Gene…" the priest said "You may kiss the bride."
It was actually happening.
The wedding had taken place and there were no viruses or interruptions to sully that beautiful moment but things were not done yet. As the Nicelander couple had finally made it official, as they left the church there was still one more thing the hero of the game had to do.
C'mon Felix.
Don't be nervous.
This is somethin' ya've wanted ta do, somethin' ya were EXCITED ta do!
In the reception hall, Calhoun looked around for her husband but he was nowhere to be found.
"Hey, Calhouny?"
The woman looked down, Vanellope peering up at her.
"Um, sorry kid."
"Ya okay?" the racer asked "Looks like you're about ta be sick or somethin'."
"No, no…it's not that." Calhoun breathed out, scanning the area to see if her husband was nearby "I just wanna-"
"Oh Felix!"
The woman looked towards Mary, the Nicelander Bride waving her hand as Felix made his arrival. Everyone within the hall clapped, the man slowly walking towards everyone just as Surge popped into view.
"Well, look who it is everyone!" the glowing man said "The Best Man has finally arrived and with a speech prepared, I assume!"
Felix only smiled in response, Calhoun's stomach turning flip-flops inside of her. She knew how nervous Felix had been about giving his speech and the way that everyone had bombarded on her only seemed to bring the worry upon herself.
"Hey, hey!" the woman said as she marched over towards her love, unaware of how silly she looked given she was still in her bridesmaid's dress "Give tha man some room! You're gonna smother him with tha way you're-!"
"Tammy, Tammy." Felix chuckled, moving off to the side "This is a time for celebration. Don't be like that."
"Ya sure?" the woman responded, Surge's collar still clutched in her hand. Felix nodded, his cheeks blushing slightly.
"Honey….I think I just need ta say it. That's tha best thing ta do."
Everyone was waiting for Felix to say his words, the man walking before the table of the newlyweds. It was funny that years before such situations would have never caused such a nervous sensation to travel up his spine but as so many had said, himself included, times had changed and his feelings had changed as well.
The little Repairman felt a little shy and small before his friends, all of them awaiting his words.
Could he do this?
Was he ready for this?
The man reached for the mic, his hands shaking….
"Ahem…"
Could he do this?
Could he do this?
"Eh, heh….H-Hi everyone." The man began with a little nervous chuckle "I-I take it some of ya are relieved ta finally have gotten through this without some big…CALAMITY takin' place, eh?"
There were a few soft chuckles and smiles all out but the hammer-wielding hero still shook a little in his boots.
Until….
Until he looked over at the table.
There were all his friends; Ralph, Vanellope, the Nicelanders….
Calhoun.
His one and only.
He looked at her, her glowing crystal eyes and warm cheeks reminding him of his unrelenting love he had for her, the feeling of comfort, the feeling of being WHOLE.
She was there for him.
She had always been there for him.
And she was smiling.
They were all smiling.
Felix's heart beat but it beat with courage and strength. Even if he were not the biggest hero, even if he was not armed with the most weapons she knew he could do this. Her faith was given to him.
You can do this, Felix!
You can do this!
"Well, all I can say…." The Repairman continued "Is that this is a day, a day where I'm glad ta see so many folks comin' together ta enjoy. I know some of ya may be thinkin'…"
The man put a hand to his face, making his eyes comically wide.
"Oh, Felix! You're a HERO! How is this one of tha best rewards ya can get?"
The crowd laughed at his little voice, Felix feeling more weight coming off him.
"Well, sure. Pies n' medals? They're great!" the man said, turning his eyes towards the Nicelanders "Fact is, after all these years I'm surprised I haven't come rollin' outta Niceland with as much as ya guys have spoiled me on 'em. Don't hide the truth."
"Don't worry, Gene eats enough of 'em ta make it even."
"NORY."
"Those things? They make me feel great but….but at tha end of tha day, what makes me really happy? Seein' everyone I care about, seein' everyone I LOVE happy too. That…that's tha thing that makes me so proud ta be a 'HERO'. Not gettin' stuff but givin' back."
Felix suddenly stopped, the others around him seeing him look a little gloomy for a moment.
"An'….for everyone I love, I've sometimes felt like I couldn't give 'em enough. There are a lotta things in my past that I can't erase, things that I have done that I am no proud of an' have made me question my own worth…."
Ralph, Vanellope and Calhoun exchanged worried glances; they knew what Felix was referencing, the holes in their stomachs growing at the very mention of it.
"Ya don't think he's still so bothered 'bout it, huh?" the little racer asked Ralph.
"BUT-."
But?
"When I look at ya now? When I've seen just how far ALL of us have come? It makes me realize that things are not as bleak as they can be! That things can get better if we just STOP….an' see what this world has for us together."
Calhoun was having a hard time fighting back her own smile, the woman never feeling such a childlike giddiness in her life.
"Genie? Mary? I'm not gonna lie when I say that this is a day I've been waitin' for for YEARS! I mean, c'mon! Some of tha guys were plannin' on kidnappin' ya an' MAKIN' ya ask Mary ta marry ya for cryin' out loud!"
The crowd began to laugh again, despite Gene turning a rather LOUD shade of red at the comment.
"Hey! Ya guys laugh! Just ask Don! He was gonna be tha get-away driver for all'a this!"
"Ah-haha…" the groom laughed nervously "Um, th-the things you come up with Felix! The things you come up with…."
Hopefully, that WAS a fib.
HOPEFULLY.
"What I'm tryin' ta say is what gives me strength, what gives me the best feelin' in tha world more than being just 'a hero' is all of this. All of this happiness, all of this love? I have so many friends, a glorious wife-!"
And Calhoun began to blush.
"And I have tha HONOR ta be by the sides of two of my closest friends as they finally tied tha note!" Felix said as he went between Mary and Gene, pulling them into a tight hug.
"Oh, you're just too sweet." Mary said.
"I'm just gonna warn ya, Ma'am."
"Yes, hon?"
"Might wanna keep your cupboards well stocked." The Repairman smirked "Now that it's official, I don't think Genie here's gonna limit his snackin' abilities from ya anymore."
Gene let out a shout, his legs kicking in the air "FELIX!"
"C'mon, ya guys!" Felix said in a loud, bright but most importantly STRONG voice "I love ya!"
And with the final words, the hall erupted into applause, Felix taking a bow as he waved to the crowd.
"Aww, there's no need for that! This is a celebration for EVERYONE! Enjoy yourself!"
And indeed they did.
As the bride and groom danced, Felix watched away from the crowd. While he enjoyed seeing the arcade residence so carefree he still need a bit of calm after everything he went through. It was still nice to watch everyone smile for a change but maybe this was one party he'd be happier sitting down.
"Can't believe ya two actually made it." Felix said, chuckling as he watched the Nicelanders dance.
"An' ya said ya weren't ready for this."
The little man turned around, Calhoun standing over him with a smile.
"Tammy…."
"Do ya remember what I told ya earlier?" the woman said as she poked her love on the nose.
"Ya tell me a lotta things." Felix smiled "Ya tell me I gotta work on my aim with those guns, that I need ta watch myself when I'm turnin' somersaults when I'm too excited, ya tell me-"
"Ya are a hero."
Felix blinked but it was clear in his wife's eyes what she meant. She picked Felix up again, holding him close as she slowly rocked to the music.
The two could feel their hearts beating against their chest, the warmth between them shared .
They were happy.
They were one.
"Ya are a hero, honey…" Calhoun said as she gave the man a smooch on his forehead, the man feeling a tear hitting his skin "Never let anyone tell ya that ya aren't. You've done so much for so many…."
"For a moment, Tammy…" Felix said "I just wanna be me. Just me…with you."