Chapter Twenty Six - Return

And then the arcades opened.

"Alright, everyone. Felix is counting on us!" Mary said, prepping the rest of the Nicelanders for the day "We've got out pies, we've got our game plan. Is everyone ready to go?"

"Er, Mary?"

The chubby-cheeked woman looked over, Don unable to hide the amused grin on his face.

"You're really taking to this whole Mayoral role quite well, I see."

Mary puffed out her chest, standing tall before her neighbors "What can I say? I was MADE for this role."

"Don't get too comfortable there."

Everyone turned towards the window, Gene's big blue eyes peering in. Not at all deterred by her fiancé's actions Mary strolled from the atrium to the lawn, the other Nicelanders keeping a well distanced vigil.

"Ooh, don't tell me someone is jealous." Mary cooed in a teasing tone. Gene rose on his knees, snorting haughtily.

"Jealous? Why in the arcade would you ever conceive of that, m'dear?"

"Okay, fine." The pie-baker snickered "Why don't you come back so we can get things together. I'm sure Ralph would LOOOOVE to toss you out the window in this-!"

"No, no, no!" Gene fumbled, waving his hands before his chest "After what we endured YESTERDAY, lesson learned!"

"So you'll be okay here?" Mary smiled, her voice softer.

Gene's ability to push back a love-filled smile was easier said than done as no matter what size he was, Mary could easily overcome him with her sweetness. He made certain to look as collected as possible, taking a quick glance at the others in the apartment.

"Guys, c'mon."

The group of pie-bakers exchanged looks; surely there was no danger facing them. After all, it was just GENE.

A VERY big, Gene.

"Okay, ya got us." Don said, the first to walk out "Guess we can all say we're glad to have you back."

Gene sighed, sitting on the grass "And it's nice to know that there are people who WANT me back. After my outburst, I was certain even YOU guys would flee."

"HA! Are ya SERIOUS?!"

Gene looked down, a familiar shade of PURPLE catching his eye in the crowd.

Nel.

Oh, this was going to be good.

"Why, PRUNELLA." The big man said, making sure his voice sounded EXTRA deep in her presence "Is that….is that a CHALLENGE I hear?"

"Yo, Gene!" Norwood snapped, quickly rushing over to his partner-in-crime "Don't ya even play, now!"

"Oh, don't act as if I can't take care of myself in front of the big blueberry!" Nel laughed as she pushed the worried red-head to the side "I mean, I face Gene's wrath nearly on a day-to-day stream! I'm USED to him rampagin' around!"

Nel may have laughed….but then the darkness of Gene's shadow loomed over her. She looked up, nothing but a sneaky sneer greeting her.

"Is that so?" the massive Mayor chuckled, poking Nel on her head "Goodness, you are feisty this morning."

The little purple Nicelander could feel her knees starting to knock together but she knew better! She couldn't let Gene win!

"S-Step it back, Double-Stuf." The woman said, pushing the Mayor's hand away from her "You're not scarin' anyone."

"I never wanted to." Gene replied tartly, studying his nails "My actions all depend on whether or not you guys do anything STUPID to-"

"STUPID?!"

Oh, NOW Gene had done it.

The man looked at Nel, her tiny form fuming as pixel puffs popped from above her. He would have begun laughing had Mary not be around him. With a high wail of a battle cry Nel rushed Gene, kicking him on his thick sides.

"I'll stupid YOU, ya big over-fed Double-Stuff Blueberry Butt-Monster!"

"Nel, leave Gene alone." Mary sighed, shaking her head "You know he's just playing with you."

"Ya can never be too careful, with the Double-Stuff 'round." Nel fussed, putting her hands on her hips but she gave Gene a sneaky grin.

"What is it NOW, Nel?"

"Double-Stuf?" the woman laughed "Pardon me, GENIE. I was addressing you incorrectly. At this size I think MEGA-STUFF would be more appropriate!"

OH, NEL!

Gene narrowed his eyes and let out a growl, Nel still giggling up a storm below him.

"Is THAT so-?"

Nel may have found things hilarious but Norwood on the other hand-?

"NEL! Watch-!"

Nel had only a second to look just as Gene grabbed her by the back of her dress. The moment her feet left the ground the purple Nicelander began an endless line of rabbit-like squeals, her legs and arms flailing in the air.

"EY! EEEEEY!" Norwood shouted as he ran after Nel "Gene, put her down! That ain't funny!"

"I'm not doing a thing to her, Norwood. Settle down." Gene said matter-of-factly as he placed the little woman carefully in his palm "I'd just figured that Nel would like to discuss her qualms with me from a HIGHER posi-!"

The sound of tiny whimpers hit Gene's ear as he looked, Nel holding tightly onto his ring finger as she shivered and shook.

"Nel?"

"Look, I'm sorry Gene, I'm sorry!" the woman meeped in a tiny, scared voice. Her eyes were shut as she held onto Gene's hand for dear life "Please put me back down! I hate heights!"

Of course Gene would take the joke a little too far, forgetting his neighbor's well-documented fear.

"Aw, I'm sorry sweetie…" Gene said as he cupped his other hand around the woman, trying his best to assure her "I didn't mean to scare you like that."

"Y-Ya did a good job of doin' so!" Nel said, her angered tone broken only by her frightened squeaks "I-Is this how you're gonna treat us in the long run, Big Guy?!"

"Oh, heavens NO." Gene said, setting Nel down in his palm "I never meant to go so far with you."

Nel scowled, not believe her Mayor.

"Norwood?"

The red-head gulped as he heard his name called; on any other day he knew he could easily win against Gene but being so small against him now?

"Y-Yeah, Genie?"

The large Nicelander slowly lowered his hand down, placing Nel right in Norwood's arms.

"There, is that better?"

The two Nicelanders were speechless but only for a second. Still huddled in the red-head's arms, Nel let out yet another angered rabbit-squeal.

"When you get back to normal, I'm so gonna kick your blueberry butt!"

"Ah, just let it go…" Norwood sighed as he carried his neighbor back into the apartment.

"Bye-bye…" Gene waved cheekily, feeling a sharp pinch on his side "Hey!"

Mary.

"Yes? What is it, dear?"

"Get your butt to the forest." Mary ordered, pointing towards the groove of trees "MAYOR MARY'S orders!"

"Alright, alright…." The big man snickered "Don't be such a grumpy pants, MAYOR."

"I wouldn't have to be if you didn't behave like this!"

"Heh, now you know what it feels like…" the man snickered to himself, making himself comfortable.

Not too far away a Wrecker and a Repairman stood guard, watching the scene unfold before them.

"As always with the Nicelanders?" Ralph smirked. Felix smiled bright, feeling so much better to see his friends returning to their normal, happier dispositions.

"An' I wouldn't have it any other way!"

Soon the games were in session, Gene having made himself comfortable at the edge of the forest but this time around he found himself far too tempted to look away. As his new role of spectator, the Mayor decided that perhaps it would be more entertaining to actually witness the action from the other side and before he knew it, he found himself becoming pulled into the game, wanting and waiting to see the players' next move.

"C'mon Felix, C'mon!" he cheered quietly, acting as the single cheerleader for the repairman as he was controlled up the building "No, no! Don't make him go LEFT! Go RIGHT, GO RIGHT!"

Gene was starting to feel like a kid in an, well, an ARCADE.

Felix was knocked down again, Gene moaning in frustration.

"Ooooh, darn! He was doing so well too!" the Mayor meeped, taking another stick and putting it on the pile that meant to represent how many rounds Felix had lost "Ah, but he's still going strong today! Maybe he can break a record before the night is over!"

The distraction of the game play was just what EVERYONE in the little apartment needed from repairman to Wrecker to Nicelander. For once, even with as odd as things were, things were PEACEFUL.

And it was just what was needed.

The last round signaled for the break, the players going through the lull as the arcade emptied for a while. Gene walked out of the forest and crept towards the back of the building, Mary already there waiting for him

"You're late." The woman teased, looking at the invisible watch on her wrist "Must you make a lady WAIT, Gene? It is SO rude."

"Well, excuse me for being careful." The man snorted back, stroking his love on the head. Mary ducked and grabbed onto her love's hand, hugging it warmly.

"I've missed you all morning, you big galumph!" she cooed.

"I have too." Gene said warmly "As I have missed your pies as well."

"So that's what this is all about, huh? I KNEW your greedy butt would just waddle back here for the pies! I knew it!"

The large Nicelander chuckled warmly "Considering I see the basket there…."

Mary took the basket into her hand and held them away from Gene "Ah-ah! If you're gonna behave like that, I'll just give them to Ralph!"

"No, I want them!" pouted as he made a swipe for Mary, purposely missing her "Dare for MEH an' I'm HONGRY!"

Mary stuck out her tongue as she continued her little dodging dance "You spoiled your chance, Greedy! Now they're-!"

FWOOSH!

"GAH!"

"WHOAH!" gasped Gene as a nearby bush ERUPTED into flames "Back away Mary!"

The big Nicelander took his fiancée into one hand and began flaming the fire with the other, the bush extinguishing after a few moments.

"Um, do you think that was Mouse?" Mary gulped as she took a glance towards the penthouse windows, remembering that the Marine was still hard at work with Gene's code.

The big Mayor inspected the bush, the odd colored smoke curling in the air as a few small green flames flickered about.

Wait.

GREEN flames?

"Hold on a moment…" Gene thought to himself as he placed Mary back onto the grouond.

Suddenly, the OTHER bush by the charred remains began to quiver and shake, Mary looking at it in cautioned awe.

"I think they saw us!"

"Nah, ya think?!"

Suspension turned to a mild annoyance, Gene lumbering over towards the clump of bushes.

"Sweetie?"

With one easy pull, Gene pulled the leaves back to reveal-!

"Ah-HA!"

Two ducking Sugar Rush racers.

"Well, hello there." Gene said "I do believe you two may have the wrong game…."

Candlehead and Gloyd Orangeboar, Gene did presume.

"Told ya that stupid hat of yours would get us in trouble!" growled Gloyd. Candlehead gave the boy's nose a hard pinch in retaliation.

"It wasn't my fault! I-!"

"Um, children?"

The two racers looked up, Gene peering down at them curiously.

"A-Ah, Mister Mayor Nicelander Gene!" the candle-headed racer shivered "W-We were lookin' for ya!"

Gene rested on his knees, allowing the two racers to come out from their hiding spot "I can assume it wasn't that difficult of a search."

"W-Well, um…."

"SHE was tha one who wanted ta come here!" Gloyd blurted, sounding not at all too pleased to even be in the game "But I was like 'Look, C-Butt. No one is gonna be angry at ya! This is STUPID!' but then SHE was like "Ooourgh! I HAS ta bring dis stupid cake because all ah think about is cake an' CAAAAAAKE'!"

"Gloyd!"

"Um, is something the matter, young lady?" Mary said, hoping she could break the two up before they got into a fight themselves "I mean, it's still the middle of the work day. Something important must have brought you all this way.

The little racer was shaking, a large box clutched in her hands.

"A-A-Actually….I-I-I, um, came ta see Mister Mayor Nicelander Gene an' apologize."

The large Nicelander cocked his head to the side "Apologize? Whatever do you need to do that for?"

"Because it was my stupid power-ups that got ya inta trouble!" the girl meeped. Mary could sense how upset the racer was becoming and found herself rushing towards her in a hug.

"Oh, dear! That wasn't your fault! Vanellope told us that you store power-ups in your bakery so-!"

"No, no. Ya don't understand!" Candlehead said, tears already streaming down her face "When it got out that those were MY power-ups, everyone's been tellin' me that if I hadn't been so STUPID then none of this would have happened…."

Mary was AGAST at the revelation; could NO ONE in the arcade stop laying blame on each other during such occurrences?

"That's TERRIBLE!" Mary gasped "Why-! Why they have no right flingin' blame at you for this!"

"B-But I can't stop thinkin' about it! I-I mean-! My power-ups! Mister Mayor Nicelander Gene! You! I've done so much!" the girl blubbered, more and more tears spraying from her eyes. Off on the side, Gloyd put his face in his palm, shaking his head.

"Good golly, Candlehead. It's not that big a deal."

"Yes it is, YES IT IS!" the girl flailed "I-I knew I shudda been more careful but-!"

"Wait, wait, wait Miss Candlehead."

The little racer stopped her crying, if only for a moment, to look up at Gene. The Nicelander certainly looked a little nonplussed about what he was told but he never felt the intention to blame anyone in Sugar Rush for what happened and after seeing Candlehead's reaction?

He was reminded once more just how EVERYONE was being pulled into the mess because of him.

The man looked down at Mary. He then looked at GLOYD. He then looked at Candlehead who's eyes were spilling so much tears he was certain she could water the lawn.

"Don't cry, child." The Nicelander said as gently as he could "No matter what anyone has said, you are not stupid."

Candlehead sniffled, her eyes getting bigger and brighter "I'm NOOOOT?"

Never in his life had Gene been faced with eyes that looked like they could swallow him whole.

"UH."

Mary elbowed the man in the side "Gene!"

"O-Of course not!" the man said with a forced grin, worried how Candlehead would react next "All of this…."

The girl was looking up at him with the saddest, most over-glossed eyes he had ever seen.

Darn those Sugar Rush kids! Why did they have to be designed so adorably?

"NONE of this is your fault." Gene finally managed to say "Even if the power-ups came from your home, it was still MY responsibility to say something yet I did not which is why I am currently locked in this state."

Nice way to play it up, Genie.

Candlehead wiped her nose on her sleeve, much to Gloyd's disgust "A-Are ya sure?"

"Candlehead, there is absolutely no reason at all that you should take the blame for this nor should you stand around and take all those mean things people are saying to you!"

"So you're not mad at me?"

"Goodness, NO!" the Nicelander said "Why in the code-void would I even waste my time being mad at a child?"

The girl's eyes lit up brighter than her candle, spark starting to shoot from the wick.

"Thank ya SOOOO much, Mister Mayor Nicelander Gene!" the girl said in glee, reaching for her package "Even if you're not mad at me, I still wanna give ya this!"

"What is it?" the Nicelander asked as he reached down for the tiny package.

"Look inside!"

The man managed to open the tiny box and inside….was a cake.

"Oh?"

And scribbled upon on it was a message. The man squinted as the lettering was far too tiny for him to make out clearly, especially without his reading glasses.

Mister Mayor Nicelander Gene.

"Sweetie?"

"Ah-huh?"

"You know, simply calling me MAYOR GENE or just Mr. Gene would suffice."

"But I wanted ta be THOROUGH!"

I am very very very very very very very very very….

Gene had to take the cake, the thing as big as a mini-cupcake to him, out of the box and noticed that the ENTIRE thing was frosted in VERYs. He arched a brow, looking down at the grinning racer.

"Miss?"

"It's ta show HOW sorry I am!" Candlehead hopped on her feet, her wick flickering.

Finally, Gene found the final 'VERY' and a 'SORRY' planted on the BOTTOM of the cake, the lettering somehow able to survive even on the bottom.

"Wait, how did you do THIS?"

"Dear, thank the child." Mary said.

"Hmm?"

"She brought you a cake. The least you could do is-!"

"Oh, it's not just ONE cake!" Candlehead said brightly, going back into the bush she and Gloyd had hid in "LOOK!"

The girl pulled away the leaves to reveal an ENTIRE COLLECTION of cakes and pastries she had brought for the man, some of them stacked with sparklers and other bright and bubbly things. Gloyd, who had been standing away the entire time, took a glance at the Nicelanders and rolled his eyes.

"She made me carry all this junk, can ya believe it?"

"Is all of this for ME?" Gene asked curiously.

"Yup!" smiled the racer "I wanted ta make sure ya were happy after all of this an' well, what makes people happier than cake?"

Lots of cake!

"Can't argue with that!" Gene smiled, reaching down for one of the baked goods and munching it in delight "Thank you, little miss. I wouldn't miss any chance for Sugar Rush cake!"

"I should say not, you big greedy thing!" Mary huffed "Look at you! Stuffing your face with pie and NOW cake?! You're going to be even BIGGER than the apartments if you keep this up!"

"If I keep this up?" Gene chuckled, taking another cake "Heh, but I just can't turn away a gift, dear! It would be SOOOO rude of me!"

"Don't bring him anything else…." Mary told the racers "At this point, you're going to spoil him so much he'll soon start DEMANDING we bring him sweets!"

"Perhaps I HAVE found an upshot of being so big." The man laughed deeply, annoying Mary further.

"Wait, someone brought cake?"

The group looked over, Ralph and Felix making their way towards the group.

"Oh! WOW!" Felix said in surprised as he looked at all the goodies before him "Um, did someone plan a party I was not aware of?"

"No, no. It's just Miss Candlehead and Mister Orangeboar visiting us." Mary chirped.

"Wait, are things okay at tha races." Ralph asked the two, looking a might worried.

"Yeah, why?" replied Gloyd, putting his hands behind his head "What's got ya spooked, Wreck-It?"

"Well-! I mean…." Ralph fumbled, trying to find his words "I guess I'm so used ta seein' just Vanellope comin' here. I thought she'd be with ya or somethin'."

"We don't know where Vanellope is."

Ralph felt his heart leap into his throat, nearly falling over "Huh?"

"Yeah." Said Candlehead "This mornin'? She was supposed ta be in tha line up but she never showed up."

"Is she alright?!" Ralph blurted, picking up Candlehead, the girl looking surprisingly calm as she was held off the ground.

"I dunno. I mean, she looked REALLY upset when she came home LAST NIGHT."

Ralph remembered what had transpired the night before, how Vanellope looked upset when Quasar had congratulated her on her 'action' against the Nicelanders.

"U-Um, how upset was she?"

"She didn't say a thing." Said Gloyd "Came runnin' in, looked like she was cryin' but after that? We haven't heard a peep."

Now all the adults were worried, Ralph especially. He knew it would be a few more hours before the arcade was to close and he couldn't abandon ship with the game still in play.

"Felix-!"

"Ya can go as soon as the game is over." Felix said in a calm tone, hoping not to rile Ralph up anymore than he already was "An' kids?"

"Yeah?"

"PLEASE. Check on her!"

"Like we said, we don't know where she is!" Gloyd shrugged "She ain't in tha castle, ain't near the track so-!"

"Yes, we'll check Mister Fix-it-Felix Jr. Sir!" Candlehead interrupted, taking Gloyd by his hand and pulling him towards the trolley station "An' thank ya Mister Mayor Nicelander Gene!"

"For what?" the man asked innocently.

"For not bein' mad at me." The girl said as she and her friend boarded the trolley, her smile still bright "You're really a nice guy, sir!"

Just hearing those words made Gene glitch but it was a glitch that didn't seem to worry him. He was stunned to silence, his cheeks turning redder and redder.

"A-Ah…"

"BYE!" the girl waved "An' we'll let ya know if anythin' comes up."

"Dear."

Gene looked down, Mary gesturing towards the tram.

"A-Ah, yes! Th-thank you, dear!" Gene waved "Thank you…."

"Don't worry 'bout a thing." Felix smiled as he patted the worried Ralph on his back "Those kid'll find Nelly in no time! Ya know how good they work together as a team! We BOTH know!"

"I'm not doubtin' 'em, Felix." Ralph said sadly, feeling so fidgety on his toes "But…but I know tha kids needs me. She needs SOMEONE ta talk ta."

"I already said ya can go as soon as tha place is all clear." Felix said, panting a bit through his smile "Tha Nicelanders an' I can handle things since they've got the NPC meetin' ta take care of anyway so-!"

"OH!" Gene gasped, shooting up on his feet "OH! OH MY GOSH!"

"What's wrong?" Mary asked.

"Oh my! Ooooooh my." The man looked about, putting a hand on his chin "I was so caught up in all of this! I forgot about the meeting!"

"An' is that a problem?" asked Ralph.

Gene motioned towards himself "As if it were not OBVIOUS, young man?"

"Ah, right…."

"I'd hate to cancel…" Gene thought to himself, his brows furrowing in worry "But with what happened last night, I'm certain I may have scared a few people off!"

"It's all up to you, dear." Mary said as she looked up at her fiancé "We understand if you'd rather-"

Gene thought, remember the promise he had made to himself, to his friends….

To his love.

He also remembered how others had did it; how others in situations far worse than his own had managed to continue on and as he took another look at himself he realized…

It could be far worse.

"No."

"No, what?" asked Ralph.

"Inform everyone in the East Block that the NPC meeting shall be held today!" Gene said with confidence, perhaps a bit too much as Ralph found himself snorting with laughter.

"A-An' tha award for best dramatic actor goes to-!"

"Ralph, cut me a break! I'm being serious!" Gene whined, some of his poshness dropping.

"Eh, hold your lil pow-wow, Genie-Boy." Ralph grinned as he walked back to the apartments "It'll be nice to relax, won't it?"

Gene felt a little strange having Ralph talk to him in such a manner, especially with how tossed about things were but in the deepest parts of his heart he felt….

Calm.

In fact, he hadn't felt so good since the events had begun to unfold before him.

Felix was still by his side.

Ralph knew he meant no ill will.

Mary was by his side.

Even with the terrible nightmare he had, even if he didn't know WHEN he would return to normal, Gene just felt….GOOD.

"Well, then…." Felix said "Guess we'll gear up for another round then."

"Um, if it is no bother to you, dear…" Mary began "I think I'll stay with Gene for the rest of the evening."

"It's not a problem at all!" the repairman smiled back, a few beads of sweat forming on his face "W-We've got everything covered ya two! Just relax."

"Thanks again, Felix." Gene smiled, allowing Mary to rest in his hands "You're doing too much for us."

"What are heroes SUPPOSED ta do?" the man smiled as he rushed into the apartment, leaving the two Nicelanders at peace.

At peace?

Gene and Mary may have been feeling fine but…

"J-Jiminy…." Felix puffed as he made his way to the hall restroom, making certain that the doors were locked tight behind him "I feel like I've been through a REAL workout today!"

For some reason, Felix felt so winded, so hot and tired despite the activity being rather light for the day but for some reason, he just could not shake off an odd feeling.

He removed his gloves, his hands shaking and feeling tingly all over. In fact, HE felt tingly all over.

"G-Goodness…." He mumbled to himself, rubbing his eyes "I must be a lot more tired than I thought."

He turned on the faucet, splashing some water in his face as he breathed in again. The odd sensation slowly faded, leaving Felix feeling calmer.

"Ah, guess I needed a lil-!"

*GLITCH!*

The hero jolted, feeling a sharp tingle running up his spine and smacking him in the back of his head.

"WHOA!"

*GLITCH!*

Another jolt struck Felix, a sharp pain in his stomach enough to send him folding over forward, a moan heard through his gritted teeth.

"A-Aurgh! Wh-what is-?!"

Another glitch hit the man and then another but as soon as the painful contortions began Felix found himself standing back on his own feet.

"Huh?"

And he could not remember a thing.

"Felix?"

Felix opened the door, Ralph looking back at him.

"Yeah, brother?"

"Ya okay?"

"I guess…." Felix scratched his head, trying to remember WHY he had come to the restroom "Say, is Mouse-?"

"Mouse left an hour ago…" Ralph said, leaning on the wall "Somethin' bout needin' some more tools."

"Oh. Oh, okay!" Felix said as he simply strolled down the halls.

"Wait, Felix."

"Yeah, Ralph?"

"Ya feelin' okay? I mean….ya were lookin' kinda worn out there not too long ago."

Felix thought once more to his lapse of memory, just a tad feeling of strangeness tickling his toes.

"Nah, I'm fine Ralph! In fact, I wanna tackle a few more rounds before closin'!"