Before I start, I've been seeing a couple of readers un-faving and/or un-following.

And it could mean: a) they're too impatient with the story or b)they're just too lazy to read more. And yes, it's more likely the former. Readers get anxious to know what's going to happen next and they want to get to the good stuff. But then they're disappointed when the next chapter's just a piece of filler. And the one after that, and probably the one after that. I've had this happen twice already in my fic, and it just hurts me that there are some who are not patient and don't give stories a chance. It's just like original fics. The story's not going to have two people meet each other and then BANG the two are in love. For example, it was a nice day in Sugar Rush and then BANG Ralph and Vanny are in love, or Turbo comes along and then poof Felix becomes a virus. I'm sorry for the ones who are in a hurry to see the real juicy stuff, but building up a plot TAKES TIME, which is at least 6-11 chapters. I'm not rushing this story, but the chaos is right around the corner. And I'd like to thank the other 12 who are still following for sticking with me.

I know I'm repeating myself but I feel I should let everyone know: YOU CAN'T RUSH ART! (Toy Story reference, I know)

So the next time you fave or follow a story, or before you decide to un-follow, consider how much time and effort the author has put into it. And if you DO decide to un-follow, well...you don't know what you're missing. But please, and this is with other stories/novels too, GIVE IT A CHANCE!

And I can't imagine how many have just disregarded that.

Arcade Armageddon

Chapter 9

"So we're getting an upgrade, huh?" Jubileena said. She, Citrusella, Crumbelina, Taffyta, Candlehead, and Vanellope were still in Sugar Rush, hanging out in Taffyta's bedroom in Sugar Castle. The strawberry racer was searching through her closet for an outfit for the ball in a few days.

"Yep," said Vanellope, "But we still don't know how it will affect the game." The princess had explained everything Sour Bill had told her, from the upgrade being applied opening time to the mystery of how it would affect Sugar Rush. It had taken a few moments for some of the racers to drink it in, while others had been filled with excitement at the sound of an upgrade.

"Are you sure it's not going to be a virus?" Jubileena asked, still a little frightened. "What if this upgrade makes us weak against crazy viruses?"

"Like him," Citrusella added bitterly.

"Aren't you guys a ray of sunshine?" Taffyta's tone was dripping with sarcasm. "Anyway, what do you think?" The strawberry racer pulled out a pale pink dress from her closet. It was a simple gown, with strawberry vines around the collar and sleeves. She held it out for the other girls to see. "But going back to the upgrade, nothing's gonna to happen to us."

"Easy for you to say, Taffyta," Candlehead said, taking a double take at the plain dress, knowing that it could use some work. The others, however, beat her to the punch.

"You want the truth, Taffyta?" Citrusella raised an eyebrow at the dress. The blueberry recolor had a tendency to be brutally honest, and she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Especially when it came to the blonde racer.

"It needs work," Jubileena pointed out, "Crumbelina-type work."

"What?" Taffyta looked at her fellow racers in bewilderment. "What's wrong with it?"

"We're not saying it's ugly, Taffyta," Vanellope said, "You'd look nice in it, but Crumbelina can improve it, I'm sure."

"Or we can go to Fashion Trendy. You know, find one there. There's plenty of time, so I'm sure Stella has some dresses our size." Candlehead suggested.

"I'm happy with this one, though," Taffyta whined. "Unless Vanellope's willing to let us raid her closet."

All eyes fell on the princess, knowing the latter had a closet full of dresses, which came with her position as Princess.

"That's right," Candlehead agreed.

"W-Whoa..." Vanellope slowly backed away, a glitch running through her body.

"You did say I could look in your closet." The birthday racer smirked, candle flaring in excitement.

"I...I..."

"Oh, come on, Vanellope. It's not like you're wearing any of them," Citrusella interjected.

"And we have Crumbs to fix them up to our liking," added Jubileena.

"At this rate, we're sure to have something in four days," Taffyta said as she headed out of her room. The others followed. "We should also celebrate our coming upgrade tonight."

"H-Hey!" Vanellope tried to stop her fellow racers, blue binary again coursing through her in embarrassment. Though it was true that she didn't wear her dresses much, that didn't mean they could help themselves to her outfits.

Besides, Vanellope still had to find a dress herself for the Mushroom Ball. And she had a feeling that that was going to be difficult now.

...

Felix was waiting outside Fairytale Speedway, glancing up at the enormous clock in the center of GCS, which read eleven. The Good Guy had promised Calhoun an evening alone at one, which gave himself two hours to show Red around the arcade. Felix continued to remind himself that there was nothing going on between them. It was strictly tour guide and newcomer.

"You came!"

Felix jolted, turning around to see Red skipping toward him. She looked a far cry from how she'd been dressed yesterday, with her long red hood and short plaid red dress. It still caused the Good Guy to blush, but quickly regained his composure, only maintaining eye contact.

You're married, Felix! Don't forget!

"So? Ready to get started?" Felix asked, trying to hold his poker face.

"Absolutely!" Red jumped up and down in excitement. "Where to first, Fix-It?"

Not Hero's Duty or Sugar Rush, the handyman thought, fearing that there'd be raised suspicion if he dared taken her in either of those games. Especially when Markowski and Vanellope had big mouths. Then a thought came to mind, giving Felix an idea of where to start.

"How about Skies of Arcadia first?" That way, I can pass her off to Vyse. He's a cute guy, and her age. He can show her around the rest of the way. I know it's wrong, but I really don't want to let Tammy down tonight.

...

This one isn't too bad, Calhoun thought, posing in a black, two-piece halter dress. She was admiring herself in the mirror of the fitting room of Fashion Trendy. Though Felix wasn't able to be with her to judge, the sergeant was certain whatever she decided on would blow the Good Guy away without making him faint. Tamora knew the Good Guy was weak-kneed and considerably easy to knock off his feet. Her dynamite appearance had been making him swoon, not to mention given him honeyglows ever since they'd first met. Especially in a swimsuit whenever they were in Koopa Beach in Super Mario Bros., where Felix's stare had been on her almost the entire time. It showed that he loved her dearly and there was no he'd rather be with, including when it came to someone for her to calm down after arcade hours and dealing with her men on a daily basis (specifically Markowski). Despite his bashful and slightly cowardly exterior, Felix served as her stress relief. Her opposite. The light to her dark.

She glanced at the other three dresses hanging on the rack by the mirror, sighing and knowing she was only wearing one to the ball.

To hell with this. Tamora grabbed them up, stepping out of the fitting room as if on a mission. She would rent them all and get a solid opinion from Felix.

"Ah, you're here too."

Calhoun froze in surprise, turning to find herself face-to-face with Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina. They must be looking for something too for the ball. I'm not surprised. They're the ones throwing it, after all.

"Fix-It must've told you about it," Daisy said, smirking down at the sergeant's dress choice. "And I can't say that those are sure to knock his socks off, even the hammer too. Wish I could say the same thing about Luigi and I."

"It's nice to hear that you two are attending," Rosalina said, nodding in respect, "We hope to see you and Fix-It Felix, Jr. on Monday, Sergeant Calhoun."

"Yes! Besides, not everyone in the arcade knows you two are married," added Peach.

"There's the guys from Celestial Wars, Fire Emblem's only been here for two weeks, and of course there's Fairytale Speedway..." Daisy trailed off.

That's right! They were just plugged in too, which means... Calhoun tuned out the flower princess's rambling, dreading the fact that Felix's little friend from the game didn't know about their marriage, and on top of that maybe take advantage of it. She had to find her husband and fast, and if she was lucky she'd run into Red as well. Tamora refused to let her get too cozy with Felix. Quickly bidding the three princesses farewell, she checked out her selections, and raced out of the exit port, leaving the trio with blank and confused expressions.

"Someone's in a hurry," Peach said.

"Maybe because a Cy-Bug got loose?" Daisy inquired jokingly.

"Don't sputter such nonsense." Rosalina gave Daisy a sharp look, not finding her wisecrack the least bit humorous. "You do realize those creatures are no laughing matter."

"I was just kidding, geez. It's not like Turbo's coming back to screw stuff up again."

Suddenly a glitch started to ripple through the game, causing the racks of clothes to shake.

"What in the world?" Peach wondered.

"I've not the slightest idea," Rosalina said, glancing around. Then she noticed Stella, the lead character, flee out of the backroom in a panic (which actually led to the code room).

"We need to get out of here!" the proprietor urged.

"What do you mean?" Then Daisy noticed the disintegrating setting behind her, which only meant one thing. "Litwak's pulling your plug?!"

"That's the thing! He hasn't! I don't know what's going on, but we need to get out of here!"

"Right. Hopefully Sergeant Calhoun isn't that far ahead yet. Maybe we can catch up to her and warn her!" Rosalina started for the exit port, with Daisy, Peach, and Stella on her heels. But when Stella made contact with the exit, she was repelled.

"Stella!" Daisy glanced back at the proprietor, then noticed a barrier around the exit that was keeping Stella in.

"What the..." The proprietor tried to push through, but it was to avail.

"But you're not a glitch!" Peach pointed out, then she saw the entire game disintegrating into nothingness, along with Stella.

"Someone's behind this!" Rosalina guessed, running over to Stella to try to pull her through. But the barrier was relentless, and Stella was almost code.

"Just go! Go get to that Calhoun or Surge!" The proprietor urged.

"What's going on?"

The princesses turned to see Calhoun behind them, realizing that the sergeant hadn't made it too far.

But it was too late, as Fashion Trendy, along with Stella, was no more.

"What in the hell? Why didn't she leave with you three?"

"That's the thing: she couldn't!" Peach explained, "And she wasn't a glitch, which doesn't make sense. And about the game itself, Litwak didn't pull the plug."

"Besides, the port's still here," added Daisy.

"Someone or something probably turned her into a glitch," said Tamora, remembering the Sugar Rush incident as an example. "Just like Turbo did to the runt."

"But Turbo is very much deceased," Rosalina noted.

"I didn't say this could be his doing this time. Who knows, it could be some sort of virus in this game."

"Or maybe the game's on the fritz, which might explain why it wouldn't let Stella leave the game, causing her to glitch. It is a 1995 game, after all."

"Either way, Surge needs to be aware of this."

Since I'm way ahead in handwriting this, I'll have double updates every week. As I said above, please give this story a chance before you decide to un-follow. And review if you can.