Chapter Twenty-Eight:

Taffyta's Remorse

Taffyta Muttonfudge had been silent all the way back to the arcade, as had all the other racers. With Ralph's death, a gloom seemed to have settled over all of them. When they had returned, Surge had looked at them. But he had said nothing, and neither had they.

When Ralph had been buried, Taffyta had lingered for a short while. Then she had headed for Diet Cola Mountain to sit there alone, with her thoughts.

I just wanted to help my friend…but I did nothing. Nothing. All I did was a become a burden and make everyone worry. Now Ralph's dead, and poor Vanellope's coming apart. And…

She sighed and stared at the ground.

Was I a bad friend? Did I just-

"Thought we'd find you here," said an ethereal voice. Taffyta looked up to see Otis and Floyd floating a short distance from her.

"I'm so sorry," she said. "What I did was selfish, irresponsible…I'm so sorry."

"We talked it over with the other racers already," Floyd replied. "What you all did was definitely irresponsible. But selfish? I don't know about that."

"You wanted to help Vanellope because she's your friend and she was in danger," Otis added. "That's the definition of being selfless. You just…didn't think about how you could help her best."

"But that's the past," said Floyd. "The present is here now, and…Vanellope's going to need you now. She's going to need all her friends."

"I didn't know Ralph the way she did," said Taffyta. "But still…he was always there. And now he's just…gone."

"No one's ever really gone, kid," said Floyd. "Not when they've left as big a mark on this arcade as that big lump did."

"He's the reason I have my memories back in the first place," said Taffyta.

"And you don't need to atone anymore," said Otis.

Taffyta jolted. "What?"

"You racers are open books to us," said Floyd. "Even the quieter ones like you. You think you still need to make up for bullying Vanellope? Forget it, because you did that so long ago it feels like an age."

"You can forgive yourself," said Otis. "Vanellope did years ago, and so did everyone else."

Taffyta smiled. "Thanks, guys," she said. "I'll try."

"Remember what the long-eared, green weirdo on the internet said," Floyd replied. "Do, or do not. There is no try."

"Then I'll do it," said Taffyta, standing up. She headed towards the exit.

"Where you headed?" Otis asked.

"I've one more conversation to have," Taffyta called over her shoulder as she left.


As Taffyta entered the plughole in the power strip which Sugar Rush was plugged into, she stopped. The Surge Protector was there, eyeing the various bits of graffiti on the walls. Having heard her footsteps, he turned.

"More than ten years since old Ralph went barreling into here," he said. "Wasn't much I could do, then. Had to let the Sarge and Felix go in, take care of it. Then Ralph saved us all, and…" He blinked. "I miss the guy is all."

"So do I," said Taffyta.

They both were silent for a few moments. Then Taffyta spoke up again.

"I'm ready," she said.

"Ready for what?" Surge asked.

"Ready to own up to my own irresponsibility," said Taffyta. "I made you worry by running away. I let you down. I'll take whatever punishment you give me."

"Haven't we all been punished enough?" said Surge.

"What?"

"That you can even say what you just told me is proof enough you've learned your lesson," said Surge. "I've no punishment to give. We've all of us enough to bear as it is. I'm just…glad that you and the other racers are safe."

Taffyta started to step forward, then stopped, hesitating. "Can- can I ask you something?" she said.

"What is it?"

"Can I give you a hug?"

"Might tingle a bit," Surge said. "But sure, why not?"

Taffyta flung her arms around the Surge Protector's blue form. Sure enough, it tingled- stung even. But she didn't mind.

"Thanks for all your help," Taffyta said, letting him go.

Surge reached a finger up to the corner of one eye and retrieved a particle of what looked like liquid. He examined it closely.

"Oh," he said. "Wasn't expecting that." He lowered his hand. Then he flashed a quick smile- small enough, but nevertheless the broadest one Taffyta has ever seen him give.

"Not just a soulless machine after all," he said.

"You were always more than that," Taffyta replied.


When Taffyta returned, she headed straight for the small cluster of homes where the racers lived. On the way, as she passed through the peppermint forest, she saw Vanellope heading towards the wire exit. Her fellow racer gave no indication of having noticed her, instead keeping her eyes firmly fixed forward.

"Let her go for now," she heard Gale's voice say. "When she's back, though…better look out for her."

Taffyta turned to see the harlequin-suited character standing a short distance away.

"I've seen the other racers," he said. "I know this will take time. But I think they're going to be alright."

"I know we will be," Taffyta replied. "It's Vanellope I'm worried about. She barely talks…barely even moves. Its like she's hardly even here. It…it hurts to watch."

"Which is why you need to be there for her," said Gale. "Why we all need to be there for her. If she tries to go at this alone, she'll fail. But she's not alone. Deep down, she knows it. But I think she'll need help feeling it, if that makes sense."

"It does," said Taffyta.

"I'll try and come here once a week," said Gale. "Meantime, you have my phone number. Call me if you need anything."

"You leaving right now?" Taffyta asked him.

"Not for another couple of hours," Gale replied. "But I'm going to wait here for Vanellope to get back."

"I'll check in on the racers," said Taffyta. "When she's back, I'll…see what I can do."