Arcade Armageddon

Chapter 8

"I'm starving," Sticky said as she and the other racers pulled their karts in for the day. It had been a fairly quiet day for their game, with only a handful of gamers playing. The two teenage boys who were notorious for monopolizing the candy-themed racing game had been among the bunch, having played with all nine of the selected avatars, which included Vanellope, Taffyta, Candlehead, Citrusella, Sticky, Adorabeezle, Torvald, Swizzle, and-surprise-Rancis, until Litwak had had to intervene and send them on their way when other kids had wanted to play. For the most part, everything had been smooth sailing.

Vanellope had placed first about seven times (counting the Random Roster Race), with Taffyta scoring second a few times and third once (behind Candlehead). The princess was also a little hungry after a day's work, almost forgetting how much racing could take out of anyone. She was the last to hop out of her kart, joining her fellow racers, optimistic as ever.

"Great job today, guys, as usual," she praised, "And you too, Taffyta." Vanellope patted her sister on the shoulder.

"Yeah, for you," the strawberry racer muttered playfully, "Winning five times in a row earlier and twice before we closed." Then she draped her arm around Vanellope's shoulder. "But what can I say? There's always tomorrow.

"That's right," Candlehead agreed, "Anyway, we should worry about the ball."

"And what we're gonna wear."

"Good luck with that, Taff," Torvald said, smirking.

"Yeah, and I bet she doesn't even have anything to wear yet, sis," Sticky snickered.

"Oh, I do," Taffyta retorted. "Or at least I will, once I pay my closet a visit. And Vanellope, Candlehead, you're helping me."

"Typical Taffyta," Vanellope sighed.

"Well, I'm gonna go catch up with Adorbs." Nougestia started to head off, "She might want to check out that Mushroom Cafe in Super Mario Bros. today. She loves the Zess Cookies, which are only available on Thursdays."

"As long as we're back before opening hours tomorrow."

"Duh. As if we'd stay out past that time. Unless we want to deal with a stuck-up Surge Protector."

"Why are you so worried?" Citrusella asked, studying the princess with concern. "Something going on?"

"Yeah, Vanellope," Taffyta cast her sister a smirk. "What's going on?"

Vanellope fumbled for a response, wanting so badly to tell them about the upgrade, but didn't know how.

"Wait, I get it. We're having the Random Roster Race in the mornings now. Like an hour before the arcade opens. Is that it?" Torvald inquired.

"Um, yeah," Vanellope lied, "Since we get so tired after the day and all, I figured, well, why not hold them in the morning now?"

The yellow recolor nodded, while the other racers just stared in puzzlement at their princess, which made Vanellope a little anxious in her chest.

"Hold on," Taffyta interjected, "What's really going on, Vanellope?"

"Yeah." Candlehead stepped forward, joining in on the conversation. "You've been dodgy yesterday and this morning, Vanellope. Tell us."

"Wait, you two know something we don't?" Citrusella asked.

"You can say that." Taffyta grinned. "And nobody's going anywhere until Pres. fesses up." Then, regarding Vanellope, "Well? Spill it. We're waiting."

The lead character glanced among her fellow racers, all waiting for the truth. She knew she was backed into a corner. Everyone, especially her sisters, were on to her now, which didn't leave her much choice.

"We're getting an upgrade tomorrow."

Silence fell among the group, looks of either awe and/or plain confusion crossing some of their faces. Others only held blank expressions, trying to process what they'd just heard. And it was from those reactions that Vanellope knew this was going to be a long conversation.

...

"Good game today, dear?" Felix asked as he and Ralph joined Calhoun at Tapper, taking a seat at one of the bar tables next to her. The Good Guy jumped up to plant a kiss on his wife's cheek.

"If you could say that," the sergeant muttered, "I thought the line around my game would never end. Seriously, the kids kept coming."

"Our game was pretty quiet today," Ralph said, "Only a little boy and girl. The girl didn't make it past the first level."

"The boy made it easily, which was surprising. He must've been playing Fix-It Felix, Jr. a lot. But you, Ralph, seemed out of it today," Felix noted, remembering how he'd noticed Ralph spaced out and not wrecking the building as fiercely as usual. The wrecker had been so absorbed in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed Felix appear, making the Good Guy wonder all day what had been distracting him.

"I was?"

"Sure looked like it, brother. And I know there's something bothering you just from noticing that. So what is it?"

"I was just off my game today, okay?" Ralph threw his large arms up.

"I know it's more than that, Ralph, so tell me."

"I already told you, Felix. What else do you think it is?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe you've met a girl last night in DDR?" Felix guessed, grinning with interest.

"What? No!," Ralph said defensively.

"Really? Your mind had to have been on something, brother."

"Come on, Felix. I just had a lot on my mind, that's all."

"Where's the runt?" Calhoun wondered. "Haven't seen her or any of her friends come out of their saccharine-saturated game yet."

"She probably had more things to take care of before she left. Knowing Vanellope, it's probably just a little chit-chat with the cough drop or her subjects. You know, presidential stuff. With the ball coming up in four days, I wouldn't be surprised."

"What ball?" Calhoun inquired.

"You don't know? The Mushroom Ball? Princess Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina throw it every year," Ralph explained. "Vanellope and her band of cavities are invited this year."

"The Mushroom Ball..." Felix remembered, having been to the event since his game was first plugged in. He hadn't had a love interest then, usually mingling with the Mario Bros. "It's a little early for them this year. They usually start around November."

"Well, I'm the last to know about it," said Calhoun, "Seeing as I was in that fairytale game trying to rescue you from your new friend, Short Stack."

"Come on, Tammy. I barely know Red. Aside from her wanting to see more of the arcade. Besides, you're the one I fell in love with, Tamora." Felix planted a kiss on his wife's cheek. "Plus, I have something planned for you back in my game tonight."

"I'll hold you to that." The sergeant scooped her husband up like a mother caring for a small child. She kissed him back, sending him into Calhoun-induced honeyglows. "And you're going with me to find something for that ball. We are going, aren't we?"

"Um... yeah. Of course, dear."

"You know there's this game next to Sonic the Hedgehog you can go to," Tapper interjected, cleaning a few mugs and staying on his toes for the evening rush.

"Really?" Felix was interested.

"I heard that Stella in Fashion Trendy is renting out dresses and tuxedos for the event." The bartender slid a root beer down to a waiting patron. "That Liz girl from Celestial Wars came in here from that game yesterday with a nice blue dress. And I gotta say, even the Surge Protectors are having a hard time keeping their eyes on her, but she's got Alec to keep those wandering eyes in line. His tux looked too tight for him. Guess he likes showing every muscle. Hey, if Stella could work with them, she can obviously work with you guys too."

"We might check the place out, then." Calhoun smirked.

"I just remembered," said Felix, "I have something I need to do. Don't worry, I'll be at Fix-It Felix, Jr. tonight to meet you." The Good Guy hopped out of Calhoun's arms, heading for the exit. "You go on ahead and check out Fashion Trendy and let me know what they have. I'll see you tonight, dear."

"I wonder what he has to do that's so important?"

"Maybe another surprise for you?" Ralph inquired.

"I wouldn't put it past him, Wreck-It. But one thing's certain: I'd better see him tonight." Calhoun rose from her booth, heading off toward Game Central Station.

When the sergeant was gone, Ralph sighed, knowing it was going to be a long few days until the ball.