Chapter 54: 1 week later
"Will you hold still, Vanellope?" Taffyta complained. The strawberry racer was brushing the princess's hair, but Vanellope was squirming and twitching. Candlehead was holding a pair of licorice ribbons, waiting to tie Vanellope's hair. Both racers were preparing Vanellope in the princess's room for the ball starting in twenty minutes.
The president was wearing a mint green, layered, sleeveless ballgown, one of around dozens in her closet. Taffyta anc Candlehead had helped themselves to Vanellope's wardrobe, with the strawberry racer wearing a pink and white long-sleeved gown and her hair tied in a bun. Candlehead donned a brown, short-sleeved ball gown with green, lacy trim and her hair was tied into two buns. Taffyta and Vanellope had talked the birthday racer into going without her candle hat for one evening. The two weren't taking no for an answer there.
"When can I tie up her hair?" Candlehead asked patiently.
"In a second, Candlehead," Taffyta said, brushing one more tangled part of Vanellope's hair.
"Look, guys, I don't want my hair tied," Vanellope pleaded. "I like my hair down."
"It's not presentable that way, Vanellope." Taffyta put her hand on her hips.
"Well, maybe I don't want to be presentable. I want my hair to stay out, okay? You guys have your hair tied up already. I want to be different."
Taffyta sighed. "Fine, suit yourself." The strawberry racer set the brush on Vanellope's vanity. "In my opinion, you would have looked gorgeous with your hair tied."
"I don't know, Taffyta," Candlehead said. "Vanellope does look beautiful with her hair down."
"Thanks, Candlehead." Vanellope nodded.
"Whatever." Taffyta rolled her eyes. "I'm worried about what Ralph will think when he sees you like that at the ball. He'll probably be disgusted."
"You mean if," Vanellope corrected. "I asked him, and he said no. Ralph isn't too keen on social functions, and our being together for a week doesn't change that."
"Like hell it doesn't." Taffyta scoffed. "He probably may have changed. You probably have changed his mind about going to parties. Wreck-It may have said no, but now that he's your boyfriend, he'll come out of his shell before long."
"Yeah, Vanellope," said Candlehead. "Think about it."
Vanellope didn't have time to think about that, however as a knock was heard on the door.
"Guys! What's the hold up?" Adorabeezle's voice came through the door.
"Yeah, do we need to bust down this door?" Citrusella's voice followed. "We're waiting for you. What's up?"
"Guess it's time for the ball already, huh?" Vanellope asked.
"Apparently," responded Taffyta. "Candlehead, screw the ribbons. We're off to dance."
…
Ralph laid on his bed in his guest room in Sugar Rush. He, the Nicelanders, and the bonus level characters had been living in the candy-themed racing game for a week since Litwak had pulled Fix-It Felix, Jr.'s plug. It was a significant adjustment period for all of the '80s game's inhabitants, and still was. It was a far cry from his shack – spacious, larger than his old home's interior with a bed as large as himself and the walls anf floors salmon. Ralph had had constant check-ins with King Candy, who'd been grilling him with warnings on how to treat Vanellope right for the past week, and Gene earlier about the ball. The wrecker had been annoyed with both parties, King Candy because he could barely trust him, and Gene because the wrecker had clearly stated that he said no Vanellope when she asked him. He wasn't the partying type, and his and the president's newfound relationship wasn't going to change that. The wrecker wasn't good at dancing, nor did he interact well at social gatherings. His hanging with Takuya was proof of that; the Bad Guy had trouble talking to her then but managed to become friends with her. Ralph couldn't show himself at the dance. He wouldn't. He'd embarrass himself if he were forced to dance. The Bad Guy was not a good dancer, not like Yuni Verse or the late Snowanna.
Besides, he was still in a mourning period over Felix, his "brother" and best friend. It had not been that long since Ralph and Felix had established a strong friendship before Takeru had killed the Good Guy with her virus. Ralph already missed hanging out with Felix, drinking together, enjoying pie, hanging out at the penthouse parties, among other things. The Bad Guy sighed, knowing those days were over, but he knew Felix was watching him right now and probably disagreeing with his decision not to go the dance.
"I'm not going to that dance, Felix," said Ralph, daring a look out of the window into Sugar Rush's sky.
"Hey, Wreck-It, you in there?" came Bowser's voice coupled with a series of loud knocks.
Ralph sat up. "Bowser?"
"Yeah, it's me. Can you let us in? The sourpuss said it was okay to see you."
The Bad Guy sighed, getting up to answer the door. When he opened it, he saw the Koopa King, Gloyd, and Dark Pit. The pumpkin racer and the dark-winged doppelganger were carrying carrying a tuxedo that appeared to be Ralph's size, which increased the Bad Guy's anxiety. He hoped they were not here to do what he thought they were here to do.
Ralph groaned. "Okay, who put you up to this? I hope that's for Bowser, and you're asking me to help him into it."
"How did you know we were here to..." Gloyd started.
"The tux, kid." The Bad Guy gestured to the large suit.
"You brats!" Bowser growled. "I told you two to hide until I gave the signal!" Then he turned to Ralph. "No, it's for you. We're here to pick you up."
"It's Pittoo's fault." Gloyd scowled at the fallen angel.
"First of all, don't call me that!" Dark Pit spat. "And second, look who's talking!"
"We should have gotten someone else to come with us!" said Gloyd.
"I already said I wasn't going to the ball. I told Vanellope no. Take the tuxedo and go. And Bowser, you of all people should know that I'm not a fan of balls."
Bowser rolled his eyes. "Come on, Wreck-It. Don't be a wuss. I wasn't a big fan of dances and hangouts myself until Mario and I started hanging out. Then I warmed up to going out and want to do it all the time now."
"I'm not you, Bowser," Ralph said. "I've never been a fan of dances. Sure, I've been going to Felix's parties, but..."
"You're still mourning over that puny ass handyman?" Dark Pit sighed. "First, his bitch sergeant of a widow bit my head off last week and now I'm getting the same vibe from you. Look, you're not the only one who's lost someone dear. I'm helping Palutena cope with losing that goody-goody Pit she seems to dote on so much."
"You can't just lay around here and feel sorry for yourself," Gloyd said. "Fix-It wouldn't want that. Think about the people who are alive and how they feel if you're still stuck in the past. Like Vanellope."
"I'm not dwelling on Felix's death, okay, kid? I just don't like dancing," Ralph clarified.
"You don't have to dance, you know?" Dark Pit explained. "Dances are all about hanging out with friends mostly."
"You're the last person I'd expect to hear that from," said Ralph. "You just isolate yourself from everyone else."
"Well, I kinda tag walls with Jr. every now and then and..."
"Save your breath, guys," the wrecker cut him off. "I'm still not going to the ball."
Bowser shook his head. "I knew it was going to come down to this. I really didn't want to do this. Brats?"
The Bad Guy raised an eyebrow, but then saw Gloyd pull out what looked like a gold chain with a spiked collar at its end.
"You're going to that ball, Wreck-It, whether you like it or not," the Koopa King decided.
"No, I'm not!" Ralph started to bolt toward the window to try to climb down, but tripped as he turned around. He then felt the collar fasten around his ankle. The Bad Guy turned to see Dark Pit holding the other end. Ralph tried to pull away, but couldn't; the collar felt like an anchor fixed around his ankle.
"Stole it off of some imp from Celestial Wars," said the dark-winged doppelganger. "The collar matches the weight of the victim, so Ralph isn't going anywhere until we get him dressed."
"Cool." Gloyd smirked, and Bowser laughed. Both surrounded the wrecker, dragging the suit in the room.
"We've got him right where he want him," added Dark Pit.
Stay tuned, everyone. Only one more chapter to go!