Reviews :

Leafy : Thank you! 8'D Writing these kinds of chapters is my specialty haha. I like writing for when someone goes all ape and then has to get calmed down. I think that's the part of me that needs comfort lol. YAY BIRTHDAY TRADES I'll reply to your message shortly here! I've been so busy getting my life together cause I'm going out of town, but I'll message you soon here. YAY.

WildVirus : No worries, I totally understand! Thank you! Poor Ace baby D: Don't worry, he gets a good dose of Libby-love eventually :D

Nightclass : Hey! :D I'll add all your requests to my list! Thank you!

MightyNinja2000 : That won't be the last time, that's for sure!

Nikki Firesong : Thank you, yes I received it and added your requests! Thank you! :D And yesssss let the teasing commence xD

chuckiboo : I knew you guys would want to see that scene drawn :) I added it, thank you! And you're definitely correct, in the aspect that Ace could be stronger than Ralph - it's expanded on later down the road

Snake557 : Added it! :) Thank you! And yeah, if there's anything you guys should have learned through the course of this saga is - don't piss off a wrecker! xD

Karou-Yuki : Thank you so much! :D I'm glad it tugged your heart strings as much as it always does for me. I'm always worried that I'm the only one that's emotionally invested, and then I get the reviewers that pour out, largely agreeing with me and I'm like OH GOOD xD haha. Always a relief. Thank you so much, I appreciate your kind words!

Alisi Thorndyke : Hahaha something very similar does happen, to that extent. He doesn't fall asleep on the snow, rather while they're flying. But then stays that way xD

ArchitectDreams : Yes, very true. Ace definitely is a firecracker in disguise! xD

Retrokill : LOL The other certain gamer I was suggesting was a love interest for Nox... SO no, it wouldn't be Turbo xD And, in the picture, Turbo was hiding behind a gumball. Thought I made that clear D:

Alanshee The Guardian : Thank you! Yes, every couple has those streaks of protectiveness xD


Song Listened To : Cop Car by Keith Urban

*Chapter 53*

Zed, Ralph, Tammy, Lickity and Felix all hung inside Sugar Rush's outlet, expecting Tessa, Royal and Ace's company sometime soon. After about an hour or so of waiting, quiet lounging and nervous, hushed chatter, a familiar flap of wings could be heard coming down the long, winding wire that lead into Sugar Rush. Everyone fell silent and perked up, they pushed to their feet and anxiously awaited the sight of their three heroes, and before too much time could pass, of each of the five holding their breath in baited wait, Royal came to a slow, moseying flight around the last bend of the wire. With a few hard flaps, he came to a final stop just where the wire's miniature train would dock. He huffed a hard breath, though he eagerly peered his loving, excited attention to Lickity, Ralph, Tammy, Calhoun and Felix. Much to everyone's dismay, they had not brought along anyone else from Sugar Rush.

"I-I need a little help, with this one," Tessa giggled as she removed the hood from her head and peered to her father. Ralph heaved a gentle laugh and worked his way up the small stoop of the blue loading dock, the railings and everything else were worn with love and age. He eagerly assessed the two, aboard Royal, and was delighted to see Ace deep in sleep, slumped against his mother's back. His mouth hung open slightly as the side of his face and jaw was pushed to the back of her neck. Tessa giggled and remained still, "Dad, I... I really don't want to wake him."

"No problem," Ralph eased through a quiet chuckle, though with as much tender care his massive hands could muster, he repositioned Ace and lulled him into his large arms and chest. As easily as ever, he lugged Ace across his upper chest and held him snug with one arm. He gently helped Tessa off of Royal's back and gave her a look of nervous dismay, albeit with an apologetic smile, "No luck, huh..."

"Nope," Tessa quipped in a sorrowful tone, though she winced as Ralph nervously peered to Ace's large hands, which were tightly wound and bandaged. Ralph also noticed the few cuts on Ace's face. Tessa heaved a gentle sigh as Zed, Tammy, Lickity and Felix quickly worked their way up to the two, though they remained quiet for Ace's sake, "Poor boy is out like a light... He always was a heavy sleeper, but THIS... I was practically shouting at him, earlier, and he didn't even budge."

"I'm going to go ahead and shoot in the dark, here," Ralph stated above the warmest whisper, he reached for Ace with his free hand and lovingly swept some of Ace's hair out of his face. Ralph's warm, brown gaze pierced Tessa's, "Zed filled us in on what exactly is going on back at the Dead Zed castle... I'm assuming you told Ace what happened to Libby...?"

"Is he okay?" Zed worried as he caught sight of Ace, in Ralph's arms; a strange sight, though Zed was floored at how easy it was for Ralph to carry a near full-grown person with no effort whatsoever, what with Ace being slightly larger than Zed himself.

"He's okay," Tessa breathed, though she easily leaned into Zed's warm, tight embrace he had pulled her into. She huffed a sigh into his shoulder and gripped her arms around his middle, "He took the news, of what happened to Libby, really hard... All that extra energy spent really wiped him out. We had no luck in finding anyone, or anything for that matter. It's literally nothing but snow... For miles."

"Sheesh," Ralph worried as he peered down Sugar Rush's wires, "Well... The tracks and the castle have to be SOMEWHERE. The game is still plugged in..."

"I'll try another direction tomorrow," Tessa stated quietly, "For now, I'd like to get home and... Have a hot cup of tea, or something. I'm spent... And COLD."

"Good thing you brought this," Zed chuckled, he warmly tidied Tessa's furry collar, of her hoodie, and leaned in to give her a warm few smooches to her cheek; Tessa blushed and scrunched her shoulders.

"I wonder if they... Still have their memory," Tammy worried, though everyone landed their gaze to her in growing nervousness, "You'd think they'd travel to come find the entrance, if they're that far lost. They had a whole year, right?"

"Who knows what's going on, in there," Ralph huffed as he continued to give his grandson his near-full attention, he lovingly held Ace close and relished in the fact that, even though Ace wasn't a child, and Ralph didn't have the opportunity to baby his own grandson while he was growing up, he figured this small snippet of tender loving care would tide him over until if and when Tessa and Zed decided to have another baby. Ralph smiled down to Ace's solid, sleeping figure and adjusted him with a small grunt, "I-I'm sure... I'm sure their memories weren't wiped. I don't think power like that can be done unless you're either, well... Me, or Vanellope."

"Rearranging the game is something anyone can do?" Felix worried up to his bigger brother, in which Ralph peered down to him.

"If you have access to the code room, yes," Ralph sighed, though he gave Felix a knowing smile, held out his large palm for him, and brought Felix up to his shoulder. His usual perch.

"Good job today, bud," Tessa eased to Royal, who hung tight in everyone's bubble. He flattened his ears and gently tucked into Tessa's warm touch with his snout, "You were a real trooper, today."

"Thanks auntie," Royal stated, his deep, powerful voice was tender and gentle as he lulled his eyes closed in mild exhaustion.

"I want a turn," Lickity pout as she gave Tessa a look of mild betrayal. Tessa giggled, glanced at Zed, who in turn shrugged and nodded a little.

"Alright, girly, you can take us on the flight tomorrow," Tessa smiled, "I'm positive you've got it in you, right?"

"DO I?" Lickity urged in hard annoyance, "Look, I may complain about flying for a long time... It doesn't mean I can't."

"Mom, those clouds were so tasty," Royal lulled his eyes closed, to show just how dire his need to go back was. He danced on his feet a little as Lickity nudged her son with the wrist of her wing, "Can I come with, tomorrow?"

"That sounds fun," Tessa smiled eagerly, though Lickity nodded.

"Then we can race," Lickity nodded, the three began to grow a very palpable twinge of excited.

"To tomorrow," Tessa cheered quietly as she rubbed Lickity's snout, she bared her teeth in an excited smile.

"Just don't lose sight of the sun," Zed warned through a quiet laugh as he hugged one arm loosely around Tessa's waist, "Which direction did you head in, today?"

"We head true North, today," Tessa stated quietly as she reached out and rubbed Ace's upper arm, "Tomorrow, I'll try South and see what happens, from there."

"Try each direction, from the entrance, until you find something," Ralph sighed, though he gave Tessa a knowing smile and glanced down at Ace's bandaged hands, "You uh... Encounter candy cane trees?"

"Rock candy trees," Tessa stated through knowing, dire annoyance. She rolled her eyes as everyone grimaced and winced at the very idea of Ace pummeling his fists into pure shards of glass, like he did, "He could've been surrounded by massive knives and that STILL wouldn't have stopped him, dad... He definitely is a wrecker after his Paw... You would've been very proud. I've never seen his full wrecking skill, until then. It was incredible."

"Aw, man," Zed complained quietly, though Tessa nudged him and giggled.

"Now that he has dad and grandpa wrecker, maybe you two can give him a lesson on how to control it," Tessa stated to Zed, to hopefully make him feel better about missing out on the show, even though it was out of pure anger.

"I'd like that," Zed chimed as he smiled up to Ralph, who nodded in agreement, "I could use a lesson in wrecking, myself, anyhow."

"Happy to oblige," Ralph sighed with a smile as he gazed down at Ace, once more, "C'mon. Let's get you guys home. Tammy won't shut up about boys, as well."

"Uncle!" Tammy giggled in hard annoyance, though Calhoun nudged her daughter's arm as Felix covered his innocent face with his hat.

"I'm excited for THIS show," Calhoun smiled knowingly, though Tammy nudged her mom back with a few stifled laughs.

"Y'realize Calhoun is going to wipe all of my brothers off of the map, right?" Zed stated dully as everyone finally began to mosey towards the exit of Sugar Rush's outlet.

"Oh, no," Calhoun gave Zed a sly smile, "I'm going to watch the show. Watch, and wait. That's what y'gotta do, in an ambush. Y'can't just rush in to unexpected prey, you have to learn everything about them. Their quirks, their weaknesses... You pounce when they're at their most vulnerable."

"Alright, Animal Planet," Tammy barked in hard annoyance, everyone largely laughed, though attempted to remain quiet for the sake of Ace, who was fast asleep against his grandfather's powerful chest.

"Kidding," Calhoun stated with a sly smile, "Nah, those boys will know not to step a toe out of line. Cause wherever they are, even if they think I'm not looking... I will always be watching."

"You're creeping me out, mom," Tammy argued dully, "I'm an adult, mom, please don't scare off any potential boyfriends of mine."

"You're screwed, Tams, my brothers are all chicken-shits," Zed blurt, everyone easily laughed as they approached Game Central Station's train dock, at the very end of the station, "They'll take one look at Calhoun's gun and freak out."

"I'll be good, I promise," Calhoun assured through an annoyed sigh as she waved her hand, and though she was dressed down for the after-arcade hours, she still sport her small pistol, which was strapped to her hip.

"You DO want grandchildren, one day, dear," Felix chimed quietly, though Tammy's face heat up.

"We would have the same last name," Tessa chimed with a girly smile, though as she linked arms with Tammy, Tessa felt her face slope to genuine surprise, "Well... Actually, my last name is still Schweetz."

"E-Eventually, you will," Zed stammered, though he immediately felt tension between him and Ralph. He was thrilled to hear Ralph utter a soft chuckle of understanding, though the second his dominant, honey-brown gaze pierced Zed's, Zed knew he was forever no match for the big, bad Ralph.

"You didn't ask my permission the first time around, son," Ralph teased, though Zed could very easily sense that his playful tone was simply a facade, so not to hurt Tessa's feelings. Ralph furrowed his brow and gave Zed a look of challenging dominance, "Hopefully this time around, you'll wise up. Or else her last name WILL forever be Schweetz."

"Y-Yes sir," Zed mumbled, he immediately felt small, and though the fighter in him wanted to bark back and stand proud, he looked away in defeat and figured battling for Tessa's hand, one day, after everything was ironed out, would be something he would never lose sight of. Just as he was about to quickly drop that topic, he was thrilled to feel Tessa's protective glare slide to her dad's.

"Dad... We share codes, we sleep in the same bed, we both run Dead Zed's code room, and we had a baby together," Tessa demanded through a small giggle, though Zed was surprised to see Ralph's stern aura slope to nervous knowing. Tessa cocked an eyebrow and called check-mate on her father, "A lot has changed, in the year we've all been separated. I would hope you'd let this man give me his last name. He DID take very VERY good care of your precious baby girl, while she was in a game she wasn't even originally programmed for."

"Tessy's got a point, my brother," Felix uttered nervously as everyone slowly piled onto the train, though Ralph slumped his shoulders as sorrow hit his skin, "A brave, valiant Mr. Zedian Kalivar, swept into this mess and caring for princesses better than Mario ever could."

"Uncle, if it weren't for Zed, you'd never have a way back into Sugar Rush, yah dingus," Tammy barked as everyone found a seat.

Zed rolled his eyes in hard, sorrowful dismay, took an empty seat near a window, and as everyone collected themselves on the train, he felt his heart jump in nervousness as Ralph contemplated where to sit. Before Zed could throw up a wall and give Ralph a look as if to politely ask him to sit elsewhere, Ralph huffed a soft, apologetic sigh and plopped himself down next to Zed. He continued to keep Ace in his strong, powerful embrace; he practically engulfed him in his massive arms. Tessa and Tammy sat together one row ahead of Zed and Ralph, while Felix and Calhoun sat ahead of them. Lickity and Royal found their typical spot at the back of the cab, like usual. There was more space for larger gamers, back there. Ralph ran his finger over Ace's forehead, to brush hair out of his eyes once more, though he assessed Ace's features. He had Zed's nose structure, the blue hue of his hair was clearly that of Zed's, as well, though he easily had Tessa's mouth structure. Ralph felt guilt pierce his heart as he finally gave his gaze to Zed, who was sat slumped. Zed angrily peered out the window of the train, which basically revealed nothing but the dark tunnel.

"I'm sorry, Zed," Ralph eased quietly to him, though Zed slowly peered up to Ralph in gentle surprise.

"F-For what?" Zed uttered, and though he knew exactly why Ralph was apologizing, he didn't want to make it seem as if he was aware Ralph was in the wrong. Ralph huffed a hard sigh, shook his head and peered back down to Ace.

"For being a jerk," Ralph breathed, "I'm... Obviously very protective of Tess. I guess I'm just sore, over the fact that you didn't ask mine and Vanellope's permission, before you proposed to Tessa."

"I honestly wasn't going to propose to Tessa without your permission," Zed stated genuinely, "I... I got swept up in the moment, when we were outside of the Arcade. I-I was terrified our plan wasn't going to follow through. I was surprised we even survived, up until that point... I proposed because, I wasn't even sure we were going to make it back alive. I wanted her to know just how much I cared about her. I love your daughter, sir. I would never do anything to step outside of the confines of respect you guys expect out of a future husband, for Tessa."

"I understand," Ralph chuckled, "You thought that was your only chance... Your dying wish. I likely would've done the same."

"I wouldn't dare do something like that, without your permission," Zed worried, "I knew it wouldn't be totally official until we came back and I could... Properly talk to you guys about it. But once we thought you guys kicked us out..."

"Y'went and had a baby with her to spite us," Ralph stated playfully, which had both men laughing quietly. Zed shook his head and peered down to Ace's bumbling, sleepy figure.

"Sorry... The opportunity to swap without our codes causing harm to each other, for once in our lives?" Zed gave Ralph a cocky look, "I know you don't like the thought, but I had to take Tessa up on that offer."

"Takes two to tango, I know," Ralph grumbled through a smile, "I'm aware she's not innocent in this mess. She always was a trouble maker."

"I have ears," Tessa stated dully, in the middle of her sentence to Tammy, though her and Tammy continued talking while Ralph and Zed stifled laughter.

"I owe you, a lot," Ralph eased as the two settled, "You took fantastic care of my daughter. And have taken such fantastic care of my grandson. I know Vanellope will be proud, as well... Once we find her, that is..."

"Thank you," Zed stated quietly, though he gave Ralph a look of earnest and dulled his voice to a decibel so Tessa couldn't hear, "When this whole mess is said and done... I-I plan on properly proposing to Tessa... That won't go without yours and Vanellope's permission, this time."

"Good, or else then I will have genuine reason to be upset," Ralph gave Zed a cheeky, annoyed smile, though Zed beamed and looked down a little.

"I understand the timing was weird, and then miscommunication screwed things up, but..." Zed trailed off and smiled to Ace's sleeping figure, once more, "I can't imagine my life without her. Though she doesn't have my last name, yet, I still swore to care for her as if she was my bride. And that's the standard we hold each other to."

"Does Ace know you guys aren't married?" Ralph wondered.

"Yeah, he knows," Zed nodded, "He's not concerned. Him, as well as my brothers, know just how strong our relationship is. Ace has never been worried that we might split, or anything. Everyone treats us as if we're married. I know it'll mean more, for Sugar Rush, eventually, however... If we actually WERE married."

"Welp... Let's finally end the drama," Ralph sighed, Zed nodded, "Then, you and I can talk about... Crowns and rings and wedding bells."

"C-Crowns?" Zed ogled nervously, though Ralph chuckled and shook his head.

"You're signing up to be next in line for Sugar Rush, right? You're wanting to marry Tessa, yeah?" Ralph chuckled and nudged Zed's arm, though Zed beamed a bashful smile and glanced to the back of Tessa's head; both girls loudly chat in a girly way.

"Yes," Zed breathed with a small laugh.

"Well, then, we gotta talk about crowns as well," Ralph grumbled with a knowing smile, which had Zed beaming to the ground in delightful annoyance, "Let's fix Sugar Rush's issues, then we'll chat. Deal?"

"Deal," Zed eased with confidence as him and Ralph tightly shook on it.

A talkative twenty minute train ride came and went, and before they knew it, everyone slowly moseyed into Dead Zed. As they hovered about the entrance, and Lickity and Royal began to lead everyone to the well-hidden teleportation pad just outside the entrance, Tessa began to slow to wait up for Zed. The jungle was riddled with the hot blaze of the setting sun, far on the horizon, and though it was nearly gone from the sky, it hung in the balance, as if to patiently wait to vanish once everyone was safe inside the Kalivar castle. Tessa turned and peered to Zed lovingly, he slowed to a small, sauntering stop as him and Tessa caught eyes, in a knowing way. Tessa cocked an eyebrow, looked him over and looked wholly renewed, as if getting the simple taste of Sugar Rush, was enough to tide her over for the time being. She gave him a loving, playful smile and slowly sunk into his embrace.

"King Zed," Tessa teased, she nuzzled her nose to Zed's, in a knowing way, and lovingly began to slide her arms around his neck. He breathed a bashful chuckle and lulled his eyes closed.

"I was trying to talk quietly, so you didn't hear me," Zed mumbled in an annoyed way, though Tessa giggled.

"You're already a King, to me," Tessa admitted quietly, with a loving smile. Zed raised his eyebrows in dewy surprise and gingerly wrapped his arms around Tessa's waist; he was aware her father was still within sight of the two.

"I want to make you proud," Zed assured nervously with a nod, "I want to do this right... I will ask for your hand, again. I'll ask every day, for the rest of my life, if I have to."

"You know my answer," Tessa squeezed her arms around his neck, though she frowned a little, "I-I'm sorry all this drama sort of... Stunted everything."

"I thought once we got everyone back, we'd be able to have a proper wedding, and everything would be gravy," Zed sighed, he shook his head, "I just... I just want us to be official, in your parents eyes. I'm sure I look like the douche bag that stole you away, got you pregnant and just left it at that."

"They don't think that, don't be so dramatic," Tessa hissed a small laugh as she hovered her mouth to Zed's, "You're doing just fine, holding your own... And, believe it or not, I am VERY proud of you. Look what you've accomplished."

"Thank you," Zed smiled lovingly as he glanced at Tessa's mouth, and just as he was about to lean in and fill their quivering gap, Calhoun's voice broke the silence.

"C'mon, love birds! We've got some match-making to do!" Calhoun hollered from down the small slope of the Dead Zed entrance.