Ch.7

The night had passed by so quickly and once again it was another day. Vanellope stirred in her bed, groaning and softly mumbling out Rancis' name. She groaned out loud and slowly sitting up, rubbing the drowsiness from her eyes. She looked at her clock that sat on her dresser and gaped at it in shock. She snatched the clock off the counter and glanced at it, then slammed it back on the dresser and jumped out of bed, pulling off her pamjamas.

"No, no, no! I overslept! I'm supposed to meet Rancis in twenty minutes!" she yelled at herself.

Rushing into the bathroom, she hopped into the tub and quickly showered, brushing her teeth at the same time. She rinsed off and leaped out of the tub, drying herself out. After a few minutes fumbling with her clothes, she was neatly dressed in her usual attire. Satisfied with her choice, she bolted out of the door and ran down the stairs, repeatedly chanting, "Can't be late, can't be late, can't be late!" she dashed into the kitchen, where her father was sitting and drinking his coffee, and plopped on the chair, gobbling down on her cereal. King Candy and Sour Bill stared at Vanellope with a strange look.

"Good morning, daddy, Sour Bill! How was your night! My night as fantastic, thanks for asking! I take it you're well! That's nice to see! I'd love to say and chat but I have to go meet Rancis at the hospital! Thanks, love you, bye!" she rambled out, gulping down the remainder of her reese's puffs and scurried out the door.

"Vanellope?" King Candy called after her.

She poked her head back in the kitchen and glanced at him. "Yes, dad?" she asked.

"Are you going to see Rancis with your hair in such a mess?"

Vanellope felt her hair and moaned in frustration. She ran up the stairs and bolted into her room, snatching a brush. She brushed and brushed her hair hurriedly until it was glossy smooth. She scattered candy all over and used her licorice hair tie to pull in up in a ponytail. Now satisfied with her outfit, she ran out the door, dashed down the stairs and ran out the front door.

"Bye dad!"

She closed the front door behind her and hopped into her kart. She started up her kart and drove to the hospital. "Please let me reach the hospital in time!" she pleaded to herself. She passed the racetrack, zipped past volcano, and screeched to a stop in front of the hospital. She jumped out of the ride, and snatched a bag out of the kart, then ran towards the entrance. She ran to the receptionist's desk and panted heavily.

"I… Rancis…fluggerbutter?" she gasped out, clutching her chest.

She smiled at the young girl and pointed to his room. Vanellope walked towards his room and knocked lightly on his door. "Come in," Rancis' voice called out. Vanellope pushed open the door and smiled at Rancis, who was sitting down in bed eating Reese's Puffs and watching Regular Show. He looked up and smiled oddly at her.

"Morning, Nellie. Why's your face all red?" he asked.

Vanellope walked over to him and leaned on the bed. "I…rushed here….this morning," she explained through her heavily panting. She smiled and kissed him, then handed him the bag. "I figured you'd want to wear something clean, since you're leaving today," she said. Rancis peered in and saw some spare clothes that was inside the bag. He looked at her with such appreciation in his eyes.

"Thanks," he said.

Vanellope nodded and headed towards the door. "I'll wait for you outside, 'kay?" she said, then closed the door behind her when Rancis nodded his head. She sighed and walked into the waiting room, sitting down and stared at the ceiling. She shook her head and ran a hand through her hair. She lowered her head and shifted in her seat a bit. She shoved her had in her hoodie pocket and pulled out a picture of her and Ralph, smiling at the camera. Vanellope frowned a bit when her eyes shifted to a smiling Ralph, who gave the camera a thumbs up. A small tear slowly descended down her cheek as she closed her eyes, remembering all the good times they had together.

"Why did you do this, Ralph? Why?" she murmured softly under her breath.

After a moment of silence, Rancis came out, wearing a plain white T-shirt under his racing jacket, brown pants and sneakers. He looked at Vanellope and frowned a bit. "You okay, Nellie?" he asked. She looked up and smiled, wiping off the tears so Rancis couldn't see them. "Yeah… come on, let's get out of here. I want to eat some treats." She got and grabbed his hands, dragging him towards the exit.

"Nellie, is it okay if we stop by my house for a minute?" he asked once they walked out of the door. "I just want to take a bath, and then we can do what you want to do."

"Sure, Rancis. I'm in no hurry at all," she replied. "You ride the kart. My legs are sore." Rancis shrugged and hopped in the kart, carefully helping Vanellope on his lap. He started up the kart and rode off towards Rancis' house. Vanellope stayed quiet on the way home, not even looking at Rancis. Rancis looked at her, a bit troubled. After a while they came up to Rancis' home. Vanellope jumped out of Rancis' lap and headed up for the front door. Rancis turned off the engine and jogged up to the front porch. He unlocked the door and walked in. Vanellope closed the door and plopped on the couch.

"Wait here for me?" he asked, smiling.

"It's not like I'm going anywhere," she said.

Rancis smiled and walked in his room, leaving Vanellope alone. Vanellope pulled her legs onto the couch and lied on her stomach, listening to the water spraying against the shower walls. Digging into her hoodie pocket, she once again pulled out the picture of her and Ralph. She stared at Ralph's face and closed her eyes, the memories of her and Ralph replaying in her mind.

'Ralph was always there for me, even when I thought when I didn't need him," she thought. 'Why is now so any different from all those other times?!'

The thought was just unbearable for Vanellope to even think about. She buried her face into a couch pillow and sobbed softly. She closed her eyes tight as she cried, silently wishing that this was all a dream. She felt something lick the tip of her fingertips, making it damp and moist. She cracked her eyes open and looked up, seeing a small devil puppy lapping its tongue on her fingertips. She smiled at it and rubbed its head, watching as it panted in content.

"Where'd you come from, huh little guy?" she asked.

The small pooch stood on its hind legs and licked Vanellope's face, as if to cheer her up. Vanellope giggled at this and sat up, picking up the puppy. "Are you Rancis' puppy? Is Rancis your master?" she asked. She ten noticed a cookie collar on its neck and examined it. "'To Nellie," she read flipping it over. "'From your buttercup?'"

"I see you've met your gift," Rancis said, walking out of his room, wearing his usual outfit. Vanellope looked at him with perplexity. "Rancis, where did you get her?" she asked. Rancis shrugged and shook the water out of his hair. "It's actually a stray. I found it looking hungry in the Candy Cane forest, so I took it here and fed it some food. She really likes Reese's. Then I thought of you," he explained. "I knew you wanted one since you were a little girl, so I've been taking care of it until I got it to you."

"You did all this just for me?" she asked him.

Rancis looked at her. He cupped her cheeks and pulled her face into a kiss, shocking her a bit. After a while, he pulled away and stared into her hazel eyes. "I'd you anything for you, Vanellope. I love you," he whispered. Vanellope smiled and hugged him, burying her face in her shoulders. Rancis embraced her tightly and rubbed her back. "You know you mean the world to me, right?" Rancis inquired. "Of course I do, Rancis. You know that," she replied. "If only Ralph could see that too." Rancis frowned at the statement. He pulled away from Vanellope and looked into her eyes.

"Why does he hate me so much?" he inquired.

"I don't know, Rancis. I just don't know why someone would hate such a handsome devil. It just doesn't make any sense," she answered. "Oh well."

She pulled Rancis over to the couch and sat down with him, lying her head on his shoulder. The devil puppy jumped onto the couch and stuck her snout in her hoodie pocket. Vanellope looked at the puppy and raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Hey, what are you doing?" she chuckled. The little pooch pulled out some Reese's puff and barked. Vanellope giggled and took the snack from its mouth.

"I told you she likes Reese's," Rancis replied, draping an arm around her shoulder.

"Then it's fair that I'll call you Reese," she said, handing her new pet an unwrapped reese's cup.

The two laughed at Reese, who smacked the treat out of Vanellope's hand and gobbled it up, with bits of peanut butter and chocolate all over her mouth. Rancis smiled and rubbed Vanellope's shoulder. "Don't worry about Ralph, Nellie. He'll come around," he reassured her. Vanellope sighed and looked at him in the eye.

"What if he tries to take me away from you?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm not going anywhere without you," he declared, kissing Vanellope's forehead.

Throughout the day, Rancis and Vanellope had spent the day together. After watching some Regular Show and eating some Reese's puffs, Rancis and Vanellope had decided to hang out at Vanellope's place. The two parked in front of the castle and walked in. "Won't your dad be mad if he found out that you have a puppy?" Rancis asked, eying Reese dubiously. Vanellope shrugged and smiled. "Knowing my dad, he'll probably go on about responsibility. So I wouldn't worry," she answered. They stopped in the middle of the corridor and Vanellope looked around, confused.

"Speaking of my dad, where is he?" she wondered aloud. "Daddy? I'm home!"

They walked into the throne room and found the entire citizens of Sugar Rush smiling and holding a banner that said, "Welcome Back, Rancis!" The crowd cheered when the saw Rancis' smiling face. "Aw, guys! Thanks so much!" he said. "You knew about this, Nellie?" Vanellope shrugged and shook her head. "I'm just surprised as you are!" She admitted, taking his hand and pulled him towards the crowd. "But as long as there's candy, I'm not missing out on it!" Rancis smiled as Vanellope dragged him over. The crowd circled around him, praising and clapping him, some even patting him on them back. King Candy confronted him with a golden medal dangling in his hands.

"Rancis Fluggerbutter, I'd like to thank for saving Vanellope from the stampede. And to show my appreciation, I'd like for you to have this medal," he said.

Rancis smiled and took it from him, hanging it around his neck. The crowd cheered once again as King Candy raised his arm up in the air. Vanellope leaned in and asked in his ear over the soft blaring music, "Rancis, will you watch Reese for me?" Rancis looked at her and nodded. She smiled at him and walked out of the ballroom. Rancis picked up Reese and stroked her coat.

"Rancis!"

Rancis turned around and smiled at Felix and Calhoun, who was standing in front of him. "We just want to thank you again for saving Vanellope from that raging stampede," Felix said. "We are sompletely sorry for Ralph's behavior. We didn't know he was this furious with the two of you."

"We didn't think this would happen," Calhoun added. "We're sorry, kiddo."

Rancis smiled and waved off. "No it's okay, Really. I've been through worse. Literally," Rancis replied. "As long as Vanellope's okay, then I'm happy." Calhoun smiled and crossed her arms. "You really like this girl, don't you?"

"Are you kidding? I love Vanellope! She's the most prettiest girl in this game, in this arcade even!" he exclaimed, his face red. "She's sweet, kind, funny, and sassy, but in a cute way. I love the way she giggles, and the way her face gets flushed when she's shy or nervous or even embarrassed. And sometimes, just sometimes, she'd sing just for me." Rancis smiled and closed his eyes, his face getting redder.

"Girls like Vanellope is very rare. I'd do anything to make her happy." He continued. "After all, I love her."

"Aw, buttercup! I love you too!"

Rancis turned around and saw Vanellope smiling. She walked up to him and hung a heart shaped cookie with chocolate icing, outlined in royal icing and and topped with sprinkles. In frosting, it said "To butterfingers." Rancis flipped it over and saw that it read "You're my handsome knight. I love you." The medal was hung from a red sour punch straw. Rancis smiled and looked at Vanellope.

"I made this for you… to thank you for what you did. When I was coming down, I heard everything," she explained, taking Reese from Rancis' grasp, and kissing his cheek. "I love you, butterfingers." Rancis smiled and pulled her into a hug. "I love you too, Nellie. I will always love you." Vanellope smiled and blushed at this, but before she could say anything, Reese began to growl ominously. Rancis and Vanelloep pulled away and looked at Reese, confused. "What's wrong with Reese? Is she upset about something?" Vanellope asked. "I think she senses danger around," Rancis replied. Reese jumped out of Vanellope's grasp and bolted out of the door.

"Reese, wait!" Vanellope screamed, catching everyone's attention.

Vanellope chased after the small pooch, who barked venomously. "Reese, hold on! What is it, girl?" Vanellope called out. Reese ignored her and tackled a large figure right to the ground. The figure screamed and howled in pain, trying to get the angry puppy off of it.

"AHHHHH! GET IT OFF ME! GET-IT-OFF-ME-NOW!" it screamed.

Vanellope sscreeched to a halt and glanced at the figure. "R-ralph?!" she asked. Once again, Ralph had found himself in a painful situation. He winced as Reese continued to slash her claws across her face. Vanellope popped two fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly, catching Reese's attention. Reese glanced at it owner and dashed off. Vanellope picked up Reese and looked at Ralph, confused it a twitch of anger in her eyes. "What are you doing here?" she snapped. "Are you here to send someone else to the hospital?"

"Vanellope," the king scolded. "That's no way for a princess to speak to someone."

"No, your candiness, she's right," Ralph said. He got up to his feet and walked over to Vanellope. "I did take it too far."

"A little?" Vanellope questioned. "You sent Rancis to the hospital!"

"I know, I know! I didn't mean that to happen! I regret everything! What I'm trying to say is," Rancis took a deep breath and crouched down to Vanellope. "I owe you an apology. You and Rancis."

"Ralph?" Felix piped up. "I realized last night that all I did was push you away. I didn't mean any of this. Yes, I'm angry because I found out two weeks after you and Rancis, but I was worried that if you guys were dating, he'd hurt you." Ralph confessed.

"Ralph that's not true! I would never, ever Vanellope!" Rancis interrupted, a fury of rage burning inside of him. "Sure, I'm handsome, and sure, I act vain! But have you ever, even for a second, gotten to know me? No, you haven't because you've been too busy pointing your finger at me! What did I do to get his, huh? I nearly died out there yesterday, just to keep Vanellope safe from the stampede you made! And what do I get in return? A one-way ticket to the hospital, that's what! Why do you hate me so much?!"

"Rancis, stop! Okay, that's enough!" Vanellope snapped, glaring at him at the corner of her eye. "What Rancis means to say is… why you won't let us be happy together? Why are you so against us?"

Ralph sighed and looked at Vanellope's eyes. "I guess I'm worried that even though after fifteen years of lonliness and being an outcast, Rancis would go back and hurt you." He answered. "But I was wrong about you two. You guys have something really special going on, and I was so overprotective of Vanellope that I didn't even notice. And if someone is willing to get himself hurt for you, Vanellope, then that means you're really lucky to have Rancis around. I am so, so, so sorry Vanellope that this happened. I'm such an idiot."

Vanellope cracked a smile. "And?"

"A real numbskull."

"And?"

"A selfish diaper baby."

"And?"

Ralph smiled and shrugged. "A stinkbrain." Vanellope smiled, handed Reese over to Rancis, then jumped into Ralph's open arms. "The stinkiest brain ever!" she whispered, smiling. Everyone aw'd as Vanellope and Ralph embraced each other. Vanellope pulled away and smiled. "Ralph, as my best friend, will you at least give Rancis a shot? For me?" she pleaded. Ralph smiled and nodded, gently placing her down. She skipped towards Rancis and pulled him towards Ralph. "Stinkbrain, you owe someone an apology." She said. Ralph sighed and looked at Rancis.

"Rancis, I am so sorry for the way I've been treating you. One of things I hate is people that hurt Vanellope, and I was worried you were one of them. But no one can make that kid smile brighter than you. You're lucky to have her. Not a lot of guys can score himself a girl like Vanellope here. So promise me that you'll take good care of her," he said.

"I promise, and I'm sorry too. I know you were just trying to protect Vanellope. I completely understand," Rancis replied, looking at Vanellope lovingly. "And you're right, you don't find yourself an adorable princess like Vanellope everyday. I'm just lucky."

Ralph chuckled and held out his hand, which Rancis gladly shook hands with. The crowd clapped and cheered, seeing Ralph and Rancis were now acquainted with each other. "Just know that if you hurt Vanellope in any way, I will hunt you down, drag you out of this game, and wreck you to pieces," he growled threateningly. Rancis whimpered in fear as he withdrew from Ralph's grasp. Vanellope rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Come on, Rancis. Your party awaits you!" Vanellope exclaimed, running to the ballroom with Reese and the other racers in tow, whooping and hollering. Rancis smiled and nodded at Ralph, then ran off to catch up with the others, leaving the four adults alone.

"You did good, Ralph. I'm proud of you," Felix started, patting his brother on the back.

"Least he was able to make someone's day," Calhoun added, trotting off to the ballroom. "Felix, let's go!"

"Yes, my lady!" Felix exclaimed. King Candy stood in fromt of Ralph, just staring at him. He then cracked a smile and nodded his head. "Thank you, Ralph. Thank you for fixing this mess," he said. Ralph shrugged and chuckled. "Yeah. I mean, I might as well put up with it. It's Vanellope's choice, so what do I have to say?" he replied. The two chuckled a bit and King Candy walked back to the ballroom.

"Maybe you're not the bad guy as everyone says you are," the monarch commented.

Ralph looked at the king, a bit shocked, then smiled. He followed the king down the hall and thought if what he just did was the right thing to do. His answer was answered when he saw Vanellope and Rancis slow dancing together, staring at each other's eyes amorously. Ralph smiled at them.

'Maybe I was overdoing it. Maybe the kid doesn't need to be protected by me. Maybe all she needs is to be with someone who really loves her, inside and out.' He thought to himself, nodding. 'And if Rancis can fall in love with Vanellope for who is she, then they got something pretty special going on between the two of them.'