Chapter 7

Not even Tapper's Float Night festival had succeeded in cheering up Ralph, who returned to his abode with a crestfallen heart. Rather annoyingly, Felix appeared to be having the time of his life as they reentered Fix-it Felix Jr.

"There's a luau in the penthouse tonight," offered Felix. "You coming?"

Ralph made his best effort to conceal his disappointment. "Nah, I think I'll turn in early tonight. See ya, Felix."

Evidently, Felix could see through his false expression of contentment. "Hang in there, Ralph," he said with concern, before leaving to join the other Nicelanders.

"Felix just doesn't understand," thought Ralph as he made his way for East Niceland. "Even out of everyone around here, Vanellope's the only one I can connect to. And now, even she's gone." He felt isolated, alone. "I have a nagging feeling she might've gotten herself into trouble again. I hope she's okay…"

Ralph's worst fears were about to be realized, as the next thing he knew, a panicking Toad had scurried up to the entrance of Niceland.

"Help! Help! Mario told me to find Fix-it Felix! It's an emergency!"

The door flung open, and a confused Felix sauntered outside to confront Toad.

"I'm Fix-it Felix Jr., sir; how can I help y-"

"Felix!" exclaimed Toad. "Mario told me to find you! You gotta help me!"

"Hold the hors d'oeuvres. Super Mario sent you here?"

Toad nodded his head sporadically.

"Well, what's he need from me, little fella? Another pipe problem?"

Toad took a deep breath, and uttered his response at an unintelligible speed:

"SeethegistofitisthatwegotlostinsugarrushandweweretryingtofindourwaybackandtheseevilguyscamebyandtookoverthewholeplaceandnowthegamehasgonecrazyandnowMarioislostinitand… and… and-" Having ran out of air, Toad fell over unconscious.

Some of the other Nicelanders began to titter amongst themselves. Felix just stood looking down at the unconscious Toad, not knowing what to make of all this.

Ralph's voice startled him. "What was that all about? We got another lunatic?"

"Gosh if I know. All I know is, Super Mario seems to have sent him here, and we can't just leave him here like this. We've got to wake him up in a jiffy."

"Here, let me do it," offered Ralph. "I'll just give him the ol' slap to the face treatment and-"

"Eh, better let me do the waking him up part," Felix cut him off. "We don't want any repeats of last time, do we?" With that, Felix withdrew his golden hammer.

"Um, Felix…?" asked Mayor Gene. "N-not that I don't trust you, but… you're going to wake him up by hitting him with a hammer?"

Felix just shrugged. "Hasn't failed yet!"

Nor would it fail this time- at the touch of Felix's hammer, Toad instantly reanimated himself, shrieked "Vanellope's been kidnapped!", then collapsed in a heap on the ground once more.

Ralph, Felix, and several Nicelanders gasped.

"Oh my land!" exclaimed Felix. "What's happened over in Sugar Rush?"

"Not sure," growled Ralph. "But when I find whoever's behind all this, they're in for an old-school wreckin'!"

…

The grace period had long ended. Any amount of music, new rounds of food, or attempts to keep the peace could no longer qualm the worries of the Mushroom Kingdom's citizens. There was no reason at all why Mario wouldn't be here by now- unless, of course, something was terribly wrong.

By the time Ralph and Felix arrived in Mario Bros., the party had degenerated into a nihilistic debauch full of panicking partygoers. Some of them were scrambling around out of confusion and fright; most, however, were now listening intently to their Princess.

"Let me assure you, all is well! Mario will be here, I am sure of it! There's no reason at all why not! Please, enjoy yourselves!" Peach pleaded to her subjects.

"If all is well, as you say," a Toad asked accusingly, "why is he not here now!"

A mob of Toads had begun to speak with one voice. "We! Want! Ma-ri-o!" "WE! WANT! MA-RI-O!"

"He's not coming!" announced a booming voice.

At once the crowd fell silent. Toads at the back of the crowd parted to allow Felix and Ralph, who carried an unconscious Toad slung across his back, to pass through. Accompanying them was the familiar, green-clad figure of Mario's younger brother Luigi.

"Listen up!" Ralph said, addressing the Princess. "Mario's in trouble. Toad here has informed us he's lost in the world of Sugar Rush."

"That's why he's missing! Who's gonna protect us from that horrible Bowser now?!" exclaimed a Toad. A murmur went up from within the crowd.

"Anyway, me, Felix and Luigi are going out to find him," explained Ralph.

"Me too?" Luigi was suddenly inquisitive. "Do I have-a to come with you?"

Thankfully, Toad chose this moment to reanimate. "Oh, did we forget to mention? Mario took your Star Coin with him. Surely you want that nice, shiny coin back, eh Luigi?"

Luigi flashed an annoyed face at a smirking Toad. "Oh, Mama Mia… Fine, I'm coming, I'm coming! Let's-a find Mario!"

"Guys! Come on!" scolded Ralph. "Ahem. If anyone else wants to help save Mario, now's your chance. We're heading out now to rescue him, before the arcade opens." Neither Ralph nor Felix could detect any volunteers. "No? Very well then, we're leaving."

The four of them had already started out, when an unexpected voice made them turn around. "Wait!" shouted Peach. "I am coming with you!"

The crowd gasped. In an instant, her Toad guards seized her by the hands and dragged her back.

"Princess!" said the first guard. "Are you mad?"

"Bowser could have invaded that game!" said the other guard. "If he finds you, he'll kidnap you too! Then we're ALL done for!"

"You must let me go," she told them. "If Bowser has taken over the game, he has most definitely corrupted it. It is my duty to restore order to the chaos created by Bowser. Only my Wish Power can accomplish that." She called Toad to her side. "Toad, I am placing you in charge of the kingdom until I return," she instructed him, kissing him on the cheek.

"Really? Th-thank you!" stammered Toad, overcome with being presented such an honor. For a moment, as the heroes exited his game, he stood in shock…and then remembered the angry crowd that stood before him. "Er… Mushroom Tea, anyone?"