Author's Note: Well, this is a moment that you've been waiting for. But not everything goes as you would expect.
Ralph's head was still wrapping itself around his earlier conversation with Vanellope. Do I have feelings for her? He looked at Vannie curiously. Yeah. I think I do, actually, now that I think about it.. But even with that being the case, it would be weird with the kid hanging around too.. I don't want her to go away or anything. She's adorable. But dating someone and hanging around with that same person as a kid? I don't know how I could juggle that..
The three left Sugar Rush 2, since the matter with Jet was settled.
"Hey Ralph, I was wondering where you had gone," Alex said cheerfully as he greeted them at the gateway to Sugar Rush 2, "Don't worry about it though, it's nothing." I think I'll only do what's necessary from now on, and use my judgment for other circumstances. These guys are used to the way things work by now.
"Sorry about that, Alex," Ralph said with a forced smile, "I figured you probably saw me go in. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble." So he didn't know..
"Naaaah," Alex said dismissively, "So what's it like meeting yourself?" He looked at both Vanellope and Vannie curiously. I'm sure it must be pretty interesting.
"It's kind of like having a sister, I guess?" Vanellope said. I don't really like talking to these guys. They're always stopping us when we're trying to go somewhere.
"I guess that makes sense," Alex said, "So where are you three headed?" I asked anyway in the end.. Oh well, I'll get used to not asking so much.
"We were wondering if we can go to the other power strip yet," Ralph said, "We're thinking of visiting the first Sugar Rush." Hopefully it will help my memory somehow. I'm not sure how that would work though.
"Ah, actually we just finished that," Alex said with a smile, "Couldn't be longer than 15 minutes ago." I think you'll be the first ones to leave this power strip to check out Game Station East.
They hadn't noticed until then, but there were indeed people who were on the other power strip before walking around Game Station West.
"Oh, before I forget," Ralph said, "If you see Felix can you tell him I where I went? He's the type who worries over things like this." For some reason I know just how he is about things like this..
"Sure thing," Alex said with a nod before zipping away, disappearing back into the circuitry of the power strip.
Ralph, Vannie, and Vanellope walked off in the direction of the monorail which led to Game Station East. "So you want to head straight there? Or should we go somewhere else first?" Ralph asked. We do have plenty of time, right?
"Good question," Vanellope said, "What do you think, 'older me'?" Maybe one of us should start using a nickname..
"Sight-seeing can always wait," Vannie said with a smile, "Ralph's memory won't return itself." I don't want you to stay upset about this..
"Fair enough," Ralph said with a smile. I could certainly be happy, going out with her.. But even if she does somehow return these feelings..
They stepped into the monorail and sat down in the closest empty seats. They had it all to themselves, as very few people were in Game Station West long enough to consider a return trip.
"I'm gonna go see what it's like up front!" Vanellope said excitedly before glitching to the front of the monorail. This is cool! Look at all that electricity bouncing around!
Ralph leaned into the aisle for a moment to see where she went and could see her bouncing around looking through the windows at the front of the monorail.
"She's quite the handful," Vannie said with a nervous smile. I wish I had more time to talk with Ralph in private.. She's a sweetheart, but she dominates nearly every conversation she's involved in. I guess I can't blame her for that. I was like that too as a kid..
"That she is," Ralph said nervously. I can't even bring it up.. It's just a weird thought the kid put in my head. Maybe this was part of her plan all along.. Leaving the two of us alone like this. But she wouldn't like me like that anyway. Look at me. I'm a Bad Guy who lives in garbage.
There was an uncomfortable moment of silence between the two as they wordlessly tried to read each other's mood.
"I.. was wondering.." Vannie said nervously as she fidgeted with her hands, breaking the silence. Deep breaths.. I just have to ask him. I hope he says yes. He's just so hilarious, and he's such a sweetheart too, even though he can be a bit grumpy sometimes.. I don't know if he'd like me though. I know I must have made him mad a few times at least..
Ralph cleared his throat, bracing for whatever it was she was about to say. She's nervous about something. That's bad news for sure.. In the off chance she's going to ask what I think she's going to ask, how should I respond? "Y-yeah?" he asked apprehensively then took in a deep breath and swallowed hard. I don't know why I think she'll ask me out of all people.. There has to be at least some guy racers in her game that she's more acquainted with. In addition to that, there's also the size difference. I'm not exactly the thinnest guy on the block, granted it's mostly muscle. Plus there's also the little one to think about. I almost seem to have a sort of father-daughter relationship with her.. He glanced at Vannie nervously. It'd be weird, dating her at the same time, right?
Vannie wracked her brain, trying to put it the best way possible. I only have one chance to get this right. "You don't have to give me an answer right now," she said apprehensively, "but later, if it's alright with you.." It's not coming out the way I want it to at all. Why can't I just spit it out? 'I love you, Ralph. Will you go out with me?' I can't possibly just say that. What am I even thinking? Why is this so hard?!
Ralph's heart practically stopped. You've got to be kidding me.. I've got enough trouble thinking about it as it is, and you're seriously going to ask me that now? Before I can even figure this out? He sat there, letting her speak, but his thoughts were running wild trying to come up with an answer on the spot.
"No, that's not right.." Vannie said apprehensively as she shook her head, "What I mean to say is.. Would you go out with me? I mean, like.. I like you a lot.. I'm not sure if you feel that way or not, but it'd be awesome if you did. And I'm not saying it's not great to have 'little me' with us, but I'd like to spend some time with just you and me so I can get to know you a little better. Not all the time, but you know.. Yeah." She felt her entire body run hot with embarrassment as she realized everything she just said. The words she'd been bottling up just erupted like an old dam finally giving way to a flood. I can't believe I said it like that. He's going to think I'm an idiot. I am an idiot for saying it like that. I'm such an idiot. This was my only chance and I blew it.. Even if we do have time alone again where I could try again, if he says no now it won't matter.. She sat there for what felt like an eternity, waiting for his answer, clenching her fists in her lap. I just don't know what to do..
Ralph sighed deeply and scratched his head. Why's it so hot in here? "Well.." he said hesitantly, then cleared his throat to buy some time, "I'll say first, that I do like you, like that. At least I'm pretty sure I do. I was thinking about it for a while now. It's just that.. I'm not sure how to say this.." He ran his fingers through his hair, expecting that to help him think. "Having two of you around, and one being a kid. I don't know, it just seems weird. Maybe I'm just overthinking it and it's nothing.." It hurt a lot more to say that than I thought it would.. I'm so sorry. I wish I could jump up and scream 'Yes!' at the top of my lungs, but.. I have to sort all this out..
"I- Okay.." Vannie said somberly, "Well I- Like I said.. You don't have to give me an answer right now. I'm not going anywhere.. But please let me know when you come up with an answer." She took a deep breath and tried to hold back as many tears as she could. He didn't say no. It's not a no.. At least not outright. But still.. Why am I crying? Will his memory returning cement that into a no? She sniffled. Please don't let that be the case.. I don't think I'll find anyone else like him.. I wish I was back home.. Maybe this wouldn't hurt so bad if I could at least cry without holding back.. I hope he says yes when his memory returns. She long blinked a few times and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her hoodie. I need to calm down or she'll start worrying about me..
"Welcome to Game Station East," a female voice rang out from a speaker.
"What are you two waiting for?! We're here!" Vanellope said excitedly, waiting at the door, "Move your molasses!" This monorail is awesome..
"Wait up!" Vannie said, forcing a laugh. I don't want her to worry..
Ralph clenched his fists before stroking his forehead. Well they don't call me Wreck-It for nothing.. I made her cry. I hurt her. Why do I always hurt people? I need to sort this out somehow.. I want to be with her. I do. I love her.. He wiped his eyes and left the monorail, lagging behind them somewhat as they headed to Sugar Rush. They're just so similar. I don't want her or anyone else to think I'm interested in the kid like that..
Game Station East was much more crowded than Game Station West. Passengers piled into the monorail and it was on its way just a couple of minutes after arriving. Ashley was so busy keeping track of everyone boarding and waiting to board the next one that she couldn't greet them.
"What's the matter, Ralphie?" Vanellope asked wryly, "Nervous you'll remember throwing one too many tantrums?" It isn't that though, is it? What's wrong?
"Oh, please," Ralph scoffed with a forced smile. She can tell something's wrong.. Talking to her about it won't help though.
"So many people!" Vannie said excitedly, "So weird, the other station was so empty!" Try to stay calm.. I don't want Ralph to think I'm a depressing person to be around..
"You should have seen it in my game!" Vanellope said with a laugh, "Pretty much everyone went there while the plugs were being switched around! Ralph and Felix didn't come back in time though, that's why they forgot everything when his game was unplugged." I still don't get why it happened.. I hope he'll remember me soon after we get inside..
"Well, here it is, I guess," Ralph said as he looked up at the sign that said Sugar Rush. Why am I so hesitant to enter? I'm worried about getting my memory back? Will I be able to make up my mind about this when we go in? I want to say yes.. But what if remembering everything I've been through with the kid makes me say no? He swallowed hard and the three got on the train to go inside. It felt odd, since they had just gotten off the monorail to get there in the first place.
"Don't worry about it!" Vanellope said insistently. Why are you so worried about this, Ralph? Is it because of what I said earlier?
Ralph sighed and walked ahead of them this time. Maybe if I don't see them it will help me think about this. They were finally inside Sugar Rush. Ralph felt a wave of nostalgia hit him, even though he didn't remember visiting there before. It was a bit different than Sugar Rush 2, namely the world's graphics weren't quite as advanced. There were also subtle differences in world layout where tracks had been added in Sugar Rush 2.
"Woah! Ralphie, you shrunk!" Vanellope said with a laugh.
"What? No I didn't," Ralph said confusedly as he turned around. What are you talking about? "Where'd the little you run off to?" He furrowed his brow as he turned back around to see if he could spot her, "She was so excited to come here and yet she just runs off.."
"Woah! Huh?!" Vanellope said, "Ralph, I got bigger!" No wonder he's confused! Where'd the other me go to? Is she little?
A chill ran down Ralph's spine. Vanellope now looked exactly Vannie. He looked around wildly to see if he could find the real Vannie, but he couldn't see her anywhere. He looked at her as if he had seen a ghost. No..
Vanellope involuntarily glitched in place into yellow code and she was little again. She glitched again and she was older.
"No.." Ralph said in disbelief. Now they really are the same person..
Author's Note: This is something I was planning to do earlier in Sugar Rush 2 at the start when she first got there, but it makes more sense to do it here, on the older game. It'll make sense later.