Chapter Twelve
Moonstone Empire
After another three hours, Gale allowed them a halt. Ralph, Gene, Vanellope and Calhoun had been up for almost twenty-four hours straight, and for all that their status as game characters gave them more energy than humans, they still needed rest.
"I know this area," said Gale. "This stretch of the net usually doesn't have many visitors. It's mostly fansites for obscure console games. Humans like them, but most internet characters pay them little heed."
From somewhere far off in the distance, there came the sound of howling. Gale threw open the nearest door. As soon the four arcade characters were inside, he entered himself, shutting the door behind him.
Of all the sights Ralph had expected to see inside the website, the absolute last was a picture of Portia.
She wasn't the only one on the image. Beside her, ever so slightly closer to the image's center, was a young man of seventeen, with close-cropped dark hair and a plain brown suit. In the background was an expanse of blue sky with several small flying machines circling a battle-damaged, steampunk-style airship. Over their heads was a title:
Sacred Diamond: The Largest Moonstone Empire Fansite on the Web
At the bottom right of the image were the words "Last Updated March 2006".
Ralph glanced to either side of him. To his left, Calhoun and Gene wore looks of surprise and curiosity. To his right, Vanellope looked as though she didn't know whether to feel disturbed, or merely sad.
"The wolves aren't close by," said Gale, coming up behind them. "They wouldn't be making so much noise if they were in the immediate vicinity…" His voice trailed off as he saw the image.
"So, you recognize her?" he asked.
"She looks happier here," said Ralph, still looking at the image. "She looks nothing like the grump I met."
"I spoke to her a few times, when she first came on the web," said Gale. "Back before she joined SANG. I honestly think she hated herself."
"What do you mean?" Vanellope asked, turning to face Gale.
"I've researched her game before," Gale replied. "Her in-game character arc was kind of your average self-acceptance thing, gain self-esteem and all that. So you could say it was in her code to believe she could be better than she was. But I think her discovery of the internet sent those thoughts of hers off in a very dangerous direction."
"That's pretty sad," Ralph admitted. "Still doesn't excuse what she did though."
"And this other person beside her," said Calhoun, gesturing to the dark-haired youth. "Who's he?"
"Why that'd be her brother Darien," said Gale. "The main protagonist of Moonstone Empire. The guy the gamers would play as. Looks like your standard, cookie-cutter hero, don't you think?"
Ralph glanced back at Darien. "He's kind of bland," he admitted.
"Except for the suit," said Gene. "That's pretty spiffy."
Ralph gave Gene a sidelong look.
"What?" said Gene, shrugging. "I've an appreciation for cultured dress."
"I can see that," said Gale. "Nice tie, by the way."
Gene nodded politely in response.
"Fine, you pair of dandies, fine," said Calhoun. "I've got one more question. Did this Darien, or anyone else from this game, ever show up on the internet?"
"Portia was the only one any of us ever knew of," said Gale. "When we first met, she told me her game was near to breaking." He paused, before adding: "I think she left all her co-workers to die."
Gene blinked. "That's…that's horrible."
"That's Portia," Gale replied bluntly. He gestured at the bare ground around them.
"Better get some rest," he said. "I'll take the first watch. We leave no later than seven hours from now."
"First thing's first," said Calhoun. She removed her scanner from her belt and quickly scoured the area. "No life forms," she said, placing the scanner back into her belt.
"All the same, let's not be too loud," said Gale. "If the iron wolves pass by, they'll definitely be on the alert for noise. The door will muffle our sounds if we stay fairly quiet, but no raising voices."
"Got it," said Ralph. He stretched himself out on the floor and closed his eyes.
"I'm a light sleeper," he heard Calhoun say to Gale as he drifted off to sleep. "So if something happens, I'll be aware of it."
"Good," said Gale. "I'll let you take the watch after me, then."
Felix hurried along the passage, his mind working furiously.
I'm terribly late. My master will be most disappointed.
Disappointed? He's the one who lost me, letting me get kicked off of his belt in the fight…but no, I'm the one who chose to step into that arcade until the coast was clear. And then I got discovered by that guy in the blue shirt.
Felix gave a confused blink.
I am the guy in the blue shirt. What's going on here?
Nothing, nothing too much. I just need to get back to my master.
He came to a stop before a door. This is the place, he thought as he reached for the handle. Opening the door, he strode in. And there he was. The master.
"I've returned," said Felix.
"In another person's body," said his master. "Why? You know not to bother those arcade characters. Why did you do it?"
"He discovered me," Felix heard himself say. "I couldn't let him blab. I had to take him with me."
Wait, what? Felix wondered. What did I just say? Am I referring to myself in the third person?
"You made a mistake," said his master. "An understandable mistake, but a mistake nonetheless. Now, I will have to take you out of him."
Felix felt a hand press against his forehead. There was a sharp pain as something metallic emerged from his head. The pain increased, until it became too much to bear. And then he felt himself falling, falling into the icy depths of unconsciousness…