Hi there! Trying to update this more often, but it's proving trickier than I'd first imagined. I do have the next chapter all finished up though, so that one won't be too much more of a wait! I truly appreciate all of you who have stuck around for this story. I promise you, it starts to get intense within the next couple chapters. Expect Ralph/Vanellope fluff next chapter.

Normally, Ralph hated the ride to or from Game Central Station. The tram wasn't made for someone his size, so squeezing into the little compartment was hardly any "fun". Clearly, he was never meant to leave the game since their programers hadn't deemed it necessary to construct a cart big enough for him to fit. Not that that mattered now, since he'd ridden it a boatload of times. When they arrived, he struggled to free himself from the tiny crevice and stand up again.

The cool air of the station wasn't warm like in Niceland, and it had a shudder running down the big guy's spine. He was sure it wouldn't have bothered him had he been in better shape, but the place may as well have been powered by an ice cube. Ignoring the change in temperature, he walked into the main area to see what awaited them.

Upon getting there, however…

"You've gotta be kidding me…"

…there was absolutely no one around.

"… What happened?" The fixer asked with obvious worry as the two ventured forward.

The place was entirely deserted, as if the station had never once been open to begin with. Familiar faces were nowhere to be seen, along with the usual commotion of the characters. This didn't make sense.

"I don't like this," Ralph stated, looking from empty entryway to empty entryway. There was something eerie about seeing Game Central Station without anyone in it; he couldn't recall there being a time where it wasn't busy - even during arcade hours. There was always someone hanging around.

An appearance of electric blue light that was followed by the physical presence of the Surge Protector suddenly appeared in front of them, startling the larger male. Felix gave off a startled yelp and jumped backwards towards Ralph, holding a hand to his chest.

The glowing man regarded the pair with a bored look and then adjusted his glasses. "Sorry, sirs, but I'm gonna have to ask you to return to your game. The station is closed until further notice."

Ralph's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean 'the station is closed'?"

The Surge Protector glanced down at his clipboard as he replied. "There's been a quarantine issued. Almost every game is infected. We can't have the virus spreading any more than it already has, so if you could go back to your game and―"

"Almost EVERY game?!" the wrecker interrupted, raising his voice; it echoed in the empty space of the station, but he could have cared less.

"Sir, there's no need to shout."

But Ralph wasn't listening.

He was staring at Sugar Rush with a panicked expression on his face. In his head the decision was already made, and no paper-pushing, sorry-excuse-for-security was going to tell him otherwise.

As the two argued, Felix's concerned gaze looked over and rested on the entrance to Hero's Duty. Could Tammy's game have possibly been one of the ones infected? He certainly hoped not. She'd yet to let a bug of any sort get the better of her; and he seriously doubted she had it in her to let something like this get her down… but then why hadn't they heard anything?

Without another word, Ralph suddenly charged forward, shoving the Surge Protector aside and taking off towards the candy-coated land. He may not have had much energy left in him, but it was enough to keep him on course as he swiftly crossed the terminal and took the tunnel on foot.

He needed to see Vanellope. He needed to know that she wasn't in pain.

"Ralph, wait!" Felix shouted, holding out a hand as if that would somehow get him to listen.

He wasn't going to stop.

Ralph was willing to risk everything when it came to protecting the little racer. Ralph didn't hesitate at all when action needed to be taken. It was more than admirable - it was heroic. Way more heroic than the things that Felix considered himself to do on a daily basis. He certainly would have been proud of his friend right then, if he wasn't overwhelmed with panic.

Looking up towards the Surge Protector in shock for a moment, he shook his head to snap himself out of it and shouted a rushed, "I'm sorry!" back at him as he darted off after his friend and into Sugar Rush.

Ralph didn't stop.

Even when his lungs began burning, even when his legs threatened to give out on him…he kept pushing himself until he reached the middle of the bridge. Once there, however, he was forced to take a break, lest he pass out on the spot from overexertion. He fell to his knees and took in great gulps of air while sputtering and coughing in between. The pulsing in his head was worse than ever, causing him to groan and cradle his skull.

He was barely able to keep his eyes open, but it was a good thing that he did, for if he didn't he wouldn't have been able to see the terrorizing sight that rested ahead of him.

"Oh no…"

The sweet and sugary world of Sugar Rush was not as he'd last remembered it. The scenery was wilted and spoiled, and all the fluorescent colors were less vibrant. He could see from the high elevation of the bridge that the cotton candy clouds were now flattened, droopy masses hanging miserably in the sky. The candied apple trees looked shriveled and unhealthy, and the lollipop forest was cracked and brittle.

The virus had indeed infected the game in its own unique way.

"Kid! KID!"

Forcing himself back onto his feet, Ralph continued on his way down the bridge and towards the castle in the distance. The ground literally cracked beneath him as he ran over it, heading for where Vanellope lived. He was terrified. If the game was any indication how the characters were feeling, he could only imagine how rough the racers had it.

They were just kids for crying out loud!

"Ralph! Ralph! Wait a minute!" Felix called after his colleague, hand still raised out towards him as he tried to catch up. Ralph wasn't showing any signs of slowing down though; and he doubted the intensely-focused man could even hear him at that moment. Even if he had, the chance of him stopping when his best friend was potentially in danger was little to none.

Especially not after the sight that greeted him when the light from the tunnel gave away.

Felix skidded to a halt despite his rush to catch up to Ralph, and his mouth just hung open in shock for a moment as he took in the scenery.

"Oh my land…" The fixer breathed out, a pang of disbelief quickly spreading over him and clouding his thoughts as his eyes drifted over to the retreating figure of Ralph.

There was no way he was going to stop now.

Snapping himself out of it, Felix took off after him. He needed to see if Vanellope was alright too; and then, he had to make sure Tamora was.