Arcade Armageddon

Chapter 6

"All that dancing's tired me out," Taffyta yawned as she, Candlehead, and Snowanna exited Dance Dance Revolution. Vanellope and the others were right behind them as they were headed back to Sugar Rush to rest up for the next day. Everyone knew dancing would tire one out (if that person wasn't Snowanna, of course). Candlehead was starting to fall asleep on Taffyta's shoulder, barely able to drag on the rest of the way.

"Candlehead, you are not sleeping on me." The strawberry racer tried to lift her sister's head, but when she was like this, the birthday racer was dead weight.

"But I'm sleepy," the birthday racer whined. "And your shoulder's comfy."

"Vanellope, you take her." Taffyta attempted to drag Candlehead over to the princess.

"No way, Taffyta." She took a step back, holding her hands up. "That's your baggage." Behind her, Ralph and the boys couldn't help but snicker.

"Looks like Candles likes your shoulder too much, Taff," Swizzle joked.

"Oh, shut up." Then Taffyta noticed Snowanna still dancing, swaying her tiny hips and twirling to a nonexistent beat. "Um, we're not in DDR anymore, Snow."

"I know, but I can't help it!"

"You never seem to run out of energy, do you, Snow?" Vanellope smiled halfheartedly.

"Is it that obvious, Vanellope?" Taffyta said.

"Like you're one to talk," Ralph interjected, "All the candy and sweets in your game, there's no doubt about it."

"Anyone as ready to turn in as much as I am?" Swizzle stretched. "Another day of racing tomorrow."

"Yeah, I'm a little tired out myself," agreed Gloyd.

"Come to think of it, we haven't seen Sarge or Fix-It today," said Candlehead, trying her best to stay awake until they were back in their game.

"Probably playing some game," guessed Taffyta.

The other Sugar Rush racers glanced over at the strawberry racer with confusion.

"Game?" Rancis repeated, not seeing her point.

"Yeah, Taff, what game?" Candlehead raised an eyebrow at this.

"You know what game. They do it all the time," said the strawberry racer as she and the other racers were headed back to Sugar Rush. Vanellope stayed behind, wanting to talk with Ralph for a few.

"I'll be on my way in a few, guys." Vanellope waved her friends off.

But Rancis stopped in his tracks, regarding Vanellope. "Vanellope?"

The princess froze, turning to respond. "Yeah?"

"Um, I was wondering..." The peanut butter cup boy was glancing down at his feet, unable to look Vanellope in the eye. On the track, Rancis was cool and collected. When it came to girls, however, it was a whole different story.

But one thing was certain: he really wanted to ask Vanellope to the Mushroom Ball the second the announcement had been made in DDR. The problem was, he froze up too easily.

"What?"

"Um... I need to..." Rancis was still struggling to get the words out.

"Hey, Rancis!" Swizzle called, "You coming?"

"You might wanna hurry; I think Swizz is paging you," Vanellope suggested with a grin.

"Um...it'll be nice if you get to the track on time tomorrow," Rancis finally said, blushing madly. He even dared a tiny glance at Vanellope. She was cute, and even more up close. Her brown and green eyes stared at him quizzically, which caused him to look down again. This is gonna be tougher than I thought.

"I was getting ready to say the same thing," Gloyd interjected.

"Given that we haven't had our Random Roster Race yet," added Snowanna. "Which means getting there early."

"Hopefully Sour Bill will remember to wake her tomorrow," said Candlehead.

"Oh, that won't be a problem," Taffyta waved the birthday racer off, "'Cause I'll be the one to make sure Vanellope's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow."

The princess smiled at her sister. "Thanks, Taffyta."

"Oh, think nothing of it. Anything to protect our game, right? Anyway, I'm calling it a night. Don't be too long, okay?"

"Okay, Mom..." Vanellope said in mock annoyance. She appreciated Taffyta and the others looking out for their president. Protecting Sugar Rush was as much their job as hers. Ever since the Turbo incident, they planned to keep it safe and crack down on any other viruses like him.

"What was that all about?" Ralph asked after everyone else had left and he and Vanellope were alone, aside from the continued bustling of characters throughout Game Central Station. "With that Rancis kid, I mean? He was acting a little squirrely there."

"No idea. Anyway, um, did you have fun tonight, Stinkbrain?" Vanellope asked "Aside from your stumbling and everything?"

"Yeah," the wrecker replied, "I did. So what if my dancing needs a little work." He chuckled.

"You didn't wreck anything. That's always a good note. And that ball those princesses are throwing on Monday sounds pretty interesting. I mean, we haven't been invited to anything like this, so I can't wait to see what it's like."

"Sounds like Taffyta's pretty into it."

"Apparently, not that I blame her. Especially when this could be the only chance for a while. Hey, I remember that angel kid (adorable too) tried to get into Tapper once during adult hours...and got the boot. Literally."

"Yeah, Pit sure had a sore behind the next morning." Ralph fought back a laugh, although he hadn't been there when that had happened. But he knew sneaky characters who were programmed to be teenagers like Pit from Kid Icarus had a knack for mischief and breaking the rules like any other normal teen. It was also almost sad, considering the many times Pit, Vyse from Skies of Arcadia, and sometimes Roy from Fire Emblem had attempted such feats...and failed. "But it's good to know he and you guys can go to the Mushroom Ball this year. I'm sure you'll have fun, not that I've been to one. I usually get the info of the night's events from Felix."

"What? You haven't been to a ball? You must be really afraid to be in crowds, huh?"

"Huh? No way. I'm just not one for formal stuff, that's all."

"Riiiiight..."

"Really, kid, I'm not..."

"Okay, then. Don't say I didn't try." Vanellope started for her game, "But you might want to think it over in case you change your mind. Who knows, you might run into a nice girl there." The princess smirked back at Ralph, who scratched his head and blushed crimson at the thought of finding someone he liked at the ball. "Anyway, I'll see ya tomorrow, Stinkbrain."

"Right, President Fartfeathers."

"Bright and early, Admiral Underpants."

"And good night, Baroness Crumbsnatcher."

"Back at ya, Major Bodyodor."

With that, both characters were headed for their games, looking forward to the new day ahead of them.

Little did they or anyone know, however, a silhouette was looming in the far corner of the arcade hub, watching the racers and the wrecker with malicious amusement.