Chapter Twenty Six- Mice

And so the clean-up began.

It was early, far too early, but the residence of Fix-it-Felix Jr. were happy to know that their game had finally been rid of the virus that had been lurking around them for so many days.

"Well, can we all make one promise?" Felix said to the others, his hammer going about its usual duties of fixing. The Nicelanders looked towards their hero, the man seeing that they were already agreeing with their tired worn eyes.

"DON'T TELL GENE?" the little people said in unison. Felix nodded, making certain to hit a broken chair EXTRA hard.

"DON'T. TELL. GENE. EVER."

"I'm just glad we finally got ridda that thing." Nel said, mopping up the spilled spices and other mess in the kitchen "Didn't I tell ya how AWFUL it looked?"

Her bespectacled cousin looked over, Nolan throwing away some of the crushed glass into the trash "NOW do you understands why I don't like cats?"

The little purple Nicelander didn't respond, pursing her lips in a tiny little pout.

"C'mon. Was that a jab at someone who shall not be named, Nolan?"

"Uuuurgh, for once this week I would LOVE to have a decent night of rest." Nolan moaned, stretching his arms in the air "If it wasn't the virus, it was somethin' else. Lucy is starting to sound right in her statements."

The moment she heard her name, as well as the notion that she may be right in something, everyone saw Lucy turn around, her familiar cheeky grin plastered on her face. She posed haughtily, putting a hand upon her ear.

"Say that again, Nolan? SAY THAT AGAIN? Humble, lil ol' me can't hear ya!"

Ralph rolled his eyes, already feeling a headache forming "LUCY."

"I thought that a week without Gene would have been peaceful but….it seems like if anything more stuff pops out when he isn't here?"

"Maybe it's because he excretes so much 'Angry Little Man' pheromones, it scares everyone away?" Ralph laughed, a few of the others joining him. Felix on the other hand didn't take too well to the joke, perhaps because he was nervous that somewhere, somehow the Mayoral Nicelander could hear him.

And one day, he would pay back those comments.

One day….when Felix wasn't looking.

He would appear.

And then-!

SNAP!

"He's gonna go BFG on us again…." Felix shuddered "I don't wanna be around when that happens."

"Oh, lighten up, Hero-Boy." Ralph continued to muse, feeling the need to sneak some pie after cleaning up "Just be happy this place has been swept. Now ya can rest that pretty widdle head of yours an' not worry about some- WHOOO!"

Ralph's scream carried throughout the entire apartment, the man finding QUITE the surprise as he bent down to open one of the lower cupboards.

"Ralph!? Ralph what is it?!" Felix shouted, rushing into the community kitchen only to stop himself "WHAT THA-!"

There before ALL, tucked away in the cupboards and sound asleep….was Vanellope Von Schweetz. The girl moaned, looking not at all comfortable in the tight space. Felix covered his mouth in shock, Ralph had nothing to say….

"VANELLOPE!"

At least for a moment anyway.

"Mmmm….huh?" the girl groaned as she came to, her vision showing only a blur of the crowd around her "Urgh, is it time for breakfast."

"What in tha arcade are ya DOIN' here?!" Ralph shouted as he reached down and plucked the girl out of the space "Didn't-!? Didn't I tell ya ta keep your butt in Sugar Rush?!"

It didn't take but a second for Vanellope to come to, the girl letting out a gasp as she covered her mouth.

She knew she was in trouble.

She looked around, seeing everyone staring in disbelief at her sudden appearance and in such a strange space as well.

"W-Well-! I!"

"I don't wanna hear it." Ralph growled, sounding very disappointed in the girl "Kid, I know ya feel like ya can jump into EVERY situation that comes along here but we gave ya a DIRECT ORDER ta stay back! We didn't do that because we didn't believe in ya! It was for your SAFETY an'-!"

"Ralph, stop!"

The man looked down, Nel rushing before him as she moved her hands around.

"Please-! Please….please, Big Guy. Don't be mad at tha kid."

"Miss Nel?"

The little Nicelander fidgeted, her fluffy slippers twitching on the floor "Don't be mad at tha kid….because…Well-?"

Nel could feel everyone turning to her, wanting to know the truth. On any other day, Nel would have been more than ready to let everyone know what was on her mind but that had taken such a dramatic shift in the past few days, her usual sharpness and wit replaced with a feeling of timidity that she had never felt before.

Either way, she knew it was not fair to let Vanellope take the fall for something she had allowed.

"Ralph….tha kid came ta me…."

"O-Oh?" said the Wrecker.

"An' I let her stay here."

Silence fell the entire group, Vanellope's eyes wide that Nel was trying to get her out of trouble.

"She came her last night an'….well, I just didn't want her ta get in trouble with ya guys. I knew ya told her that it was dangerous but-! It would have KILLED me seein' her getting chewed out all because I didn't have tha sense ta send her home! I mean, it was late anyway an-!"

"Nel…that's….that's okay." Felix sighed, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder "Kinda wish ya would have told me given she ran outta your apartment last night-!"

"Wait, she did?" Nel said, looking up at the girl "What happened?"

"It was because of-!"

Vanellope once again stopped, realizing that even in the situation that was happening, could she tell Nel let along the other Nicelanders the truth about her sudden exit from Nel's apartment.

It was because of Pum'kin.

Or better yet, NORWOOD.

"P-Pum'kin-! He-!"

Nel's brain went to the cat, remember that during the ruckus she hadn't seen him.

"OH!"

She turned and rushed to the elevator, leaving the others behind.

"Um, did we miss something?" asked Pearl.

Nel was in her apartment in a heartbeat, looking through the tiny home for any signs of the orange cat.

"Pum'kin! PUM'KIN!"

He was nowhere to be found, an empty basket and a lone blanket the only signs that a cat had even resided in the abode.

"Ooooh! Where did he go, where did he go?"

"Miss Nel?!"

"GAH!"

The little woman turned to find that the others had once again gathered around her, all eyes towards her. Felix took a step into the apartment first, very worried given the Nicelander's behavior.

"Is somethin' tha-?"

"I can't find Pum'kin!"

"Who's Pum'kin?"

"One of Nory's cats! I mean-! I THINK it's one of Nory's cats! Ya know tha man has so many of 'em that-!"

"Wait, so all of this is over a missing cat?" Nolan interrupted, Nel already feeling the animosity brewing "Nel, we just got rid of a cat virus. Why would you stress so much over one of Norwood's felines?"

"Look, it's just somethin' I had to do since tha lil thing was forgotten by Calhouny an' her crew!"

"Ya mean Tammy missed one?" Felix said, curiously, rubbing his chin.

Vanellope blushed as red as a beet, her head lowered; she knew the truth but given the trouble she was already in, there was fear settling in her stomach that told her to wait. On top of that how in the arcade would Nel react knowing that all this time, Norwood had been by her side the whole time but as he was trapped in the body of his favorite animal….

"Look, one Norwood comes back he can handle all of this." Nolan said, everyone able to pick up how aggravated he was.

"Nowood's been gone far too long! He wouldn't do something like this!"

"You saw the tantrum he threw!" Nolan shouted back, coughing hoarsely "He-! He just ran off like he always does! He'll be back!"

"Nolan, how can ya be so COLD?!" Nel shouted, stepping right up to her cousin "He could be anywhere an' yet here ya are actin' as if this is NORMAL?! Why won't ya just admit that you're still peeved off at him for nothin'!"

Nolan could feel his chest tightening but it wasn't due to anger. He knew what was coming but still he turned red in the cheeks, far too tired to let Nel drag him down all because of the red-head.

"M-Maybe I will-!" the others heard him panting, the anger still in his voice "Wh-when you finally stop acting like a child and just admit you've had a thing for him!"

"As if it were THAT hard to figure out?" mused Lucy, her cockiness stopped once she say the NASTY glare that Nel was giving her.

Hold ye tongue, Lucile-Alison.

Nel growled, a tiny growl, and clenched her little hands together. She wasn't in the mood for this; she wasn't in the mood for anyone to pick on her so early in the morning, let alone Nolan.

"I-! We-!"

"Guys, can't you just cut it?" Felix sighed "I'll call up Tapper's an' ask if he's seen Norwood. Hit up some of his buddies. I'm sure he's just FINE but can we please, PLEEEEEASE, stop this fightin'? It's too early in the mornin', I'm hungry an' tired an' I just want Sunday ta come!"

Nolan began coughing again, Nel looking up. Some of the anger started to wash from her face as she watched Nolan but he put a hand in front of her.

"D-don't even start it, Prunella." He wheezed "Don't wanna hear it."

Vanellope looked on, wondering just what was going on. Felix took ahold of his hammer, looking at the small man in worry.

"Nolan, do ya need me ta-?"

"I can handle it." Nolan panted "It's not bad."

Nolan then took off, coughing harder as the others watched on. They returned their focus to Nel, the little woman turning back towards her apartment in shame and shutting the door.

"We have 'bout two hours before tha place opens…." Felix said "Just let 'em rest."

The game's residence dissipated to their proper places, Ralph taking ahold of Vanellope as he marched down the stairs with her.

"Even if Nel told tha truth on ya…." The big man grunted "Still doesn't excuse what ya did. No Presidential Passes or By-laws makes what ya did any less wrong."

"I….I know." Vanellope said sadly "I just wanted ta help."

"An' I'm glad ya want ta but c'mon, Vanellope! Ya gotta know when ta bow out! Ya can't glitch your way outta everythin'!"

The girl rubbed her head, feeling the bruise forming under her hair.

"Y-Yeah, gotcha on that."

The two exited the building, the girl having all but forgotten about a certain feline. Like Vanellope, the creature had been knocked into the cupboards but had landed in the corner, hidden by a few boxes and bags of ingredients.

Uuuug, my head.

Little limbs felt banged and buster, ears were still ringing and vision was still blurry. Norcat stirred in the tiny area, his entire body feeling as it had been hit by a car.

W-Where am I?

No one would have faulted Norwood to be so confused to his surroundings given it wasn't in normal practice for the former Nicelander to go shoving himself into tight places but as he moved about he remembered that he had fallen into the community kitchen but things were cleaned up and tidied around him.

And worst of all, he was still a cat.

THA KID!

If cats could gasp, he would have. He limped from the cupboard and into the kitchen but the place was still and quiet. The morning sun hadn't even peaked through the doors of the arcade yet so the feline had no idea what time it was.

H-How long was I out?! Is tha kid okay?

Norwood took a crawl forward but his paw shot through with IMMENSE pain. He let out a weak yowl and collapsed onto the floor. It was then he realized just how injured he was, his heart beating in his furry chest as he felt the pain shooting through not just his front paw but his back ones as well.

Uuuurgh! I need Felix!

He needed more than Felix at the moment but given how he no longer had the strength to move….

What COULD he do?

Nolan reached into his medicine cabinet, pulling out his inhaler.

"S-Stupid sassy Norwood…." He coughed again before taking in the medication. Relief came upon him as he gradually found he could find his breath again. He looked at the thing, sighing.

Even if Felix hit him a million times with his hammer, there was just some things that the gaming code could not change. And it was only that Norwood's cats only elevated his condition.

"This is stupid…" the man growled to himself, shutting the door to the cabinet "That jerk's got Nel wound up like a top and-! And she knows it! I know she does but why is she LETTING him do this to her?!"

The tennis lover stomped off to his bedroom, sitting down hard in frustration.

"Stupid Norwood. Stupid Norwood and his stupid cats and his stupid smile and…..STUPID!"

The man was upset, far more upset than he wanted to be at such an early hour but the more he thought…

It was Norwood's fault.

It was always Norwood's fault.

One would have thought that after what had happened between the Nicelanders and Ralph that the Nicelander would have taken to heart not to judge someone, not to push them away but there was just something different between the aversion the Nicelanders had once held for Ralph…and just how much Norwood made Nolan's blood come to a boil.

It just seemed that anything that happened, anything bad that happened to Nel, Norwood was the reason for it. Nolan had been told in the past just how DANGEROUS Bad-Guys were, how he stood no chance against them due to his size and lack of powers but for all those instances, Nolan felt that Norwood coming into contact with Nel was far worse.

Especially….

That night with Turbo.

He had convinced her to sneak out.

She knew it wasn't right. She knew it was dangerous.

But his catty tongue had enticed her.

And she got hurt because of it.

It was Norwood's fault.

IT WAS ALWAYS NORWOOD'S FAULT!

"Felix is right. Sunday can't come soon enough."

Nolan knew he wouldn't be able to get a nap in, not with how miffed he felt, so the man went about preparing breakfast but as he walked by….

All those family pictures.

Some new, some old.

The old ones held the biggest memories though.

He looked to his side, seeing an old family photo. Anyone else from outside the game would have dismissed, calling such items nonsense as they thought the Nicelander's past or stories meant nothing compared to Ralph or Felix's.

But to the little people?

They meant the world.

Nolan could see his younger self with his baby cousin, the girl once again unable to hold back her hyper, giddy movements for a picture, the girl caught right in the middle of one of her loud yells. The man smiled, thinking back to those stories, his mom, his dad, Nel, her mom and-

And….

"Mom, why do I hafta babysit Nel all the time? All she does is scream and try to climb on me!"

"She needs someone to watch over her, Nolan."

"She has her mom!"

"But you know Aunt Violet can't be around all the time. She needs someone like you to help."

"Someone like me?"

"Yes. Nel needs someone to watch after her. She's still very little Nolan."

"VERY lil."

"Son, I know it's a little hard for you to understand but Nel and Violet? They don't have anyone else outside of us. Not anymore."

"….Not since….?"

"Nolan, please promise me. I know you are a strong young man and you love Nel. So please, stay by her side. There are just somethings we can't handle by ourselves."

The way he could remember those words, the way his mother had spoken to him. He knew why he was so protective of Nel.

But had he taken it too far?

Had he just taken it too far? After all, as Ralph had shown, everyone could move beyond labels and things of the past and as Nel had shown she wasn't just the tiny Nicelander Nolan had spent years trying to run after. She had proven herself on more than one occasion that she could take care of herself…

But there had been so many times, so many instances.

Nel had fallen for the trap as well.

But…was it really Norwood's fault in all of it?

Could Nolan just move on and let his cousin be?

The man shook his head, his shoulders already feeling weighed down by guilt.

"GAAAAH! I just need breakfast!" he said to himself "Just need that and I can finally-!"

The man coughed again, feeling the familiar tickle rising in his throat.

"O-oh, c'mon!"

Nolan knew he was in for a ride. It wasn't enough he had to deal with asthma but a cat allergy too? He knew that whoever this Pum'Kin was had triggered it as it had been in Nel's apartment but why was he reacting again and so soon?

"I hate this." He groaned "Of all the things to be saddled with, I had to-?!"

Gyoooooooooooong…..

What was that?

An unearthly strangled call hit Nolan's ear, the man feeling every pixel in his body starting to shake.

GYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!

Don't turn around stupid, don't turn around!

He could feel something cold approaching him, he could feel something dank hover over him. Small droplets of black fell upon the pristine counter-top of his kitchen, mere inches away from his finger.

Plip….plip…..

PLOP.

There was a splat, something falling upon his glasses and dripping down like cold syrup. A funny smell hit his nose, the man feeling as if electricity hit his spine with each breath he took. He knew he should have shouted, he knew he should have screamed….but he couldn't.

His throat tightened, mouth opening to no sound.

Don't….turn…..

"-AH!"

"Here, drink this."

Mary was surprised to find that Gene had gathered so much food in such a short time as well as collect enough morning dew to provide fresh water for the couple's thirsty throats.

"I guess I shouldn't complain about you spending so much time watching cooking shows." The woman said, her body feeling so much better as the water hit her parched lips. Gene knew his wife was keeping up the light in the dark situation but seeing her did not make him feel any better.

He knew that he had to find a way to signal to the main land that they were there but what could the two possibly do? They were stranded without equipment and even if Gene had managed to find a few coconuts and mangoes with the few trees that were there it was nothing they could survive on for too long

Perhaps the pink Nicelander was right; maybe if they waited it out, they would be rescued. It was a hopeful though, especially once he remembered that Felix would ALWAYS go on call if any of the Nicelanders were in danger but the man knew that doing nothing was possibly putting too much risk, as odd as it sounded.

After all, Mary was still hurt and she needed more help than HE did.

Why could he never provide for the woman like he wanted?

Why?

"I'm feeling a little better." Mary said, looking down at her still swollen ankles "I…I think that maybe in a few days? I might be able to put more pressure on these things."

"Not right now!" the Mayor blurted, rushing over to his beloved and scooping her up "J-Just stay there for now! Let me take care of everything!"

He was starting to panic again; even in the promises he had made there were just certain things that the man in blue could not restrain himself from, especially with Mary being hurt.

"M-Maybe if we start a fire…" the man said, sounding not too sure of himself "That could work! I-I mean-! I just have to find some kindling and-!"

No go; everything around the tiny area was still soaked from the morning due and even if the wood were dry enough Gene knew he couldn't start a fire. Sure, he could spot something EDIBLE MILES away but he was no boy-scout.

"Uuuugh, I know Felix could fix this…." The man groaned, feeling even more defeated than before "Hell, anyone could do it aside from me."

"Dear, just come here and eat. You know how you get when you don't have anything in your stomach."

The man's stomach growled and he knew there was no way a few pieces of fruit would tide him over for the day but it would have to suffice with as little as he had found.

"I can only imagine what the others are going through right now." Gene moaned "I bet Ralph's leading the guys to all sorts of parties. I just know he is."