*Chapter 3*
Ralph stumbled through his game's outlet and darted his eyes around Game Central Station. The Station was alive with game characters everywhere. He quickly read each outlet's description, hoping to see Sugar Rush. He slowly walked around backwards, turning in a circle and scanning the overwhelming size of the station. He rubbed the back of his head before accidentally bumping into someone. He mumbled an apology before taking a double take on who he had bumped into. It was none other than Taffyta.
"Taffyta?" Ralph breathed. Taffyta looked up at him in a confused manner and brushed her shirt off a little.
"I'm walking here, what do you want?" Taffyta barked, her tone short.
Ralph could hardly even believe he was in the presence of someone from Sugar Rush. He stammered on his words and noticed a lot of changes about Taffyta. For one she was a lot taller, and looked older.
Her outfit was similar to what it had used to be, but more appropriate for her age. She was about 3 1/2 feet shorter than Ralph himself. She was dressed in proper racing gear. She was tall and slender, her white blonde hair longer and tucked into a low ponytail. Her face was still hugged by choppy, loose strands of hair; she had a lollypop hanging out of her mouth. Ralph tried to find words. He wanted answers. He didn't want Taffyta to walk away.
"Your game," Ralph finally exhaled, "I-I watched it become unplugged."
"It was a shock to all of us too," Taffyta said understandingly, keeping her distance, "Our move across the arcade and upgrade happened almost a year ago, Ralph. You been too busy to even notice that as well?" Taffyta snapped, obvious hatred in her voice. She wrinkled her nose. Ralph flinched.
"Wait, what? I haven't been too busy, I watched your game become unplugged. I thought you guys were gone for good," Ralph said, a small smile finding its way across his face.
"Nope, we're still kicking. We're a lot more popular after our upgrade," Taffyta said proudly before taking a step away from Ralph, "I need to get going. Hope all is well, Ralph," Taffyta said with a knowing, almost saddened face. Ralph blinked a few times before his mind caught up with him.
"Wait, where can I find Sugar Rush?" Ralph called.
"I don't think going to Sugar Rush is wise, Ralph," Taffyta called back from a ways away. Ralph slumped his shoulders and watched Taffyta disappear amongst the crowd.
Ralph brushed her words off and began frantically searching around for Surge. Surely he would know Sugar Rush's location. Amongst the amazing crowd of gamers, Ralph knew finding Surge was almost impossible. He quickly began rushing around to every game character he could get close to.
"Do you know where Sugar Rush is?" He asked, over and over. Most of the gamers he approached warily scrambled away from him. He finally found Sonic standing amongst his friends.
"Sonic, I have to talk to you," Ralph breathed. Sonic gave him a weak smile and nervously glanced at his friends.
"Excuse me one second," Sonic said quietly before stepping closer to Ralph, "Ralph, what do you need?"
"Do you know where Sugar Rush went?" Ralph said as he was on the verge of feeling annoyed.
"Sugar Rush? Oh right! Sugar Rush! Um, well…" Sonic held his chin in thought and looked around, "Didn't that game get moved?"
"Yes, it got moved to the other side of the arcade," Ralph rushed,
"How do I get there?"
"Ralph, you'll have to travel by the arcade walls. Depending on where Sugar Rush is, it could take about an hour or two," Sonic explained; his friends began to noisily question what he was doing. Sonic nervously glanced at them before he pat Ralph's large hand.
"You can find Power Strip's train station at the very end of Game Central Station," Sonic said softly as he gestured his arm down the long station hall. "Be careful, Ralph. Many gamers have left the station and have never been seen ever again. It's a long venture."
"Hopefully my journey won't be too long. Thanks Sonic," Ralph said before quickly turning heel and heading for Power Strip's train station.
"You're welcome," Sonic waved gently as his look of worry and confusion chased after Ralph.
Ralph pushed past people, sending out muttered apologies as he went. He had never felt more eager to be in one spot in his whole life. He almost didn't even care if Fix It Felix Jr. had a quarter alert this very second. All he knew was Sugar Rush existed, and that was where he needed to be. He needed to find Vanellope. He had to set everything straight.
He finally came to the very end of Game Central Station after a longer trek then he thought he'd have to make. He gazed down a dim, wide staircase that led to a small train station. He hesitantly stepped down the steps and slowly escaped the noise of Game Central Station. Not knowing exactly where to go, he looked around and rubbed the back of his head a little. He tucked his unzipped hoodie closer to his big body. He suddenly felt even more alone than he had for the past while. The air in Power Strip's station was very dusty, golden with age. He glanced around and saw suspicious figures sitting around, obviously figures whose games were unplugged long ago. Figures and gamers that don't know exactly what to do with themselves anymore. Ralph counted his lucky stars and heaved a long sigh as a train whistle blew.
Ralph eagerly looked in the direction of the noise and felt his heart begin to race. His mind was full of so many mixed emotions. So many different thoughts all at once. How long had Felix and the gang known that Sugar Rush was still up and running? Why did Taffyta warn him never to return to Sugar Rush? Why was he letting himself plunge into danger by getting on this unknown train? He didn't even know where to go. All he knew was that he had to get on the train. The train doors flung open, rickety old things with cracked glass. Ralph hesitantly stepped into the train and awkwardly picked a seat to sit down. There were a few other people on the train as well, scattered all around and looking sullen.
Ralph breathed a shaky sigh and looked around, feeling very lonely. He gently slid his hands into his large hoodie pockets. His eyes widened as his left hand was suddenly met by something deep in his pocket. As he wrapped his hand around it and pulled it out, he could feel his whole stomach drop. He pulled out the medal that Vanellope had made for him when King Candy was in charge of Sugar Rush. Ralph caught a breath and gazed down at the lint covered heart medal that read 'You're My Hero'. Ralph could hardly bear all the emotions put on him. He slowly shoved the medal back into his pocket and leaned forward in his seat. He buried his face in his large hands and shut his eyes tight.
A million thoughts raced through his mind. What if he finds Vanellope? Does she look different, like Taffyta, as well? What if she hates him and has him banished? What if nothing has changed at all and this is all just a vicious nightmare? Ralph shook his head and dried his eyes inconspicuously, glancing around in an embarrassed way. He pulled the medal back out.
"To stink brain," Ralph muttered as he turned the medal over and ran his thumb over the frosting lettering. He shoved it back into his pocket for safe keeping. He closed his eyes and relaxed, hoping this train ride wouldn't be too long.
Each stop that the train made, Ralph would get off and explore the other Stations of the arcade. After desperately scouring the fourth Station for Sugar Rush, he slumped his shoulders and made his way back to the Power Strip's station. He wondered if he should give up for the day. He was certain this was the end of the line. Ralph unwillingly got back onto the train and sat back down in his seat. He felt like he had been at this tour around the arcade for days now. His spirits were becoming tired. He knew mostly everyone in the arcade was asleep by now. It was almost half way through the night. He knew he had a lot more time to search around, but he felt as if it was becoming a lost cause. Before he could get too comfortable, a loud voice came over the train's speakers.
"Last stop, End of Line Game Station!" the automated voice repeated itself. Ralph perked up and figured searching one last, final station couldn't hurt.
As the train slowly halted to a stop, he and a few other gamers got off of the train. He climbed the stairs from beneath the central station and emerged into what looked exactly like this familiar Game Central Station, except this was wires and wires away from his home. End Of Line Game Station was at the opposite end of the arcade. Ralph inhaled a deep breath and began slowly walking down the long hall of End Of Line Game Station. He counted numerous other games, some of which he had never heard of.
"DDR, Sugar Rush, Whack-A-Mole-" Ralph took a double take and looked up at the outlet he had passed. Sure enough, in large red words read 'Sugar Rush'. Ralph could feel his heart stop. Suddenly he felt as if he shouldn't be here. He replayed his and Taffyta's conversation in his head, wondering if really coming back to Sugar Rush was the biggest mistake of his life. He felt his breath catch as his heart began to pound. He shook his head and scowled.
"This shouldn't be such a huge deal, why is this so emotionally draining? I'm a brick wall! Brick walls shouldn't be worrying this much," Ralph complained to himself as a few gamers from a vast majority of other games, who were still awake, gave him odd glances and stares. Ralph nervously glanced around before very cautiously making his way into Sugar Rush's outlet. He felt like a stranger stepping into an alien world.
As soon as he sat down on the train, he was greeted by a few of Sugar Rush's candy people. They looked different. They looked cleaner, shinier almost, as if they had a makeover. They looked more intelligent, though they stared at Ralph as if he was an enemy. Ralph shrugged it off, being far too familiar with treated poorly for his bad guy status. As the train into Sugar Rush jolted forward and began moving, Ralph suddenly caught a whiff of Sugar Rush's sweet air. His heart jumped and he beamed as he fixed his eyes forward into the dark wires they traveled in. The train shortly came to a stop and everyone got off before Ralph, making sure to give him dirty looks. Ralph rolled his eyes and clumsily got out of the cart.
He quickly rushed to Sugar Rush's opening, the familiar rainbow road bowed into the sweet game. Ralph beamed and took it all in. The view from way up was breathtaking. He felt his smile widen as his eyes landed on Diet Cola Mountain. He knew Vanellope wouldn't be there, for the president resided in the castle, but he couldn't help but smile at the memories they had made at Diet Cola Mountain. He sighed and shook his head before quickly rushing down Sugar Rush's rainbow road.
He made his way to the bottom of the road where it became level with the land. He looked around with surprise, seeing many of Sugar Rush's people in the race arena near the start line. The racers would race to wipe the slate clean for the next arcade week. Ralph's heart leaped as a familiar voice came over the loud speakers.
"As usual, folks! Nine racers will compete for one of the nine slots for tomorrow's race day!" Said the familiar voice. Ralph felt his whole body go numb as he quickly scrambled to approach the arena. He was stopped by two large donut guards. Ralph grunted and rolled his eyes, slumping his large hands to his sides.
"Look, I have to get in, my best friend is through there, I just need to speak to her," Ralph suggested quickly as he tried to peer around the gates of the arena. He could only see the cheering crowd, loud with excitement.
"There's no way we're letting you in here, Wreck-It," one of the guards bellowed, "Vanellope doesn't have time for two faced jerks like you."
"Two faced?" Ralph exclaimed in disbelief, "What-?" All at once, the guards shoved Ralph back and slammed the arena gates.
Ralph felt his inner fire ignite, after so many months of blue depression. He glared at the closed gate before him and felt a protective rage overcome him. He smirked and clenched his fists before hurling open the gates with a loud pang. Both guards skid down the small hall of the arena entrance. Ralph quickly pushed his way past the guards and gate remains, knowing nothing was going to stop him from seeing Vanellope and putting an end to all this confusion.
Ralph clumsily burst out onto the open raceway, just before the start line. He was immediately met with bright arena lights, both from the source and from the reflections off of the race cars. Ralph shook his head and tried to take in his surroundings. Everything looked different. The race carts were bigger, sleeker and shinier. They looked really fast. His eyes scanned all over the open race track, each blink was met with another racer. He scanned everyone quickly, wondering if these were the same racers he had come to know. They all looked the same, but older and taller. They looked more legitimate, more professional. Each race car growled each bystander's core down to mincemeat. Ralph could feel his chest and very center vibrate from the sheer power of the racer cars before him.
"You ready racers?" Came the same familiar voice.
Ralph desperately looked all around, from racer to racer. None of which was his Vanellope. He looked all around the stands, the whole arena was filled with unfamiliar candy faces. He threw his attention back to the racers before him. He immediately spotted Taffyta, who surprisingly had also spotted Ralph. The two held eye contact for seconds that felt like centuries. She glared at Ralph through piercing eyes, a lollypop stick hanging out of her mouth as her signature look.
She very slightly shook her head and stared him down harder.
"Sheesh, if looks could kill, Taffyta," Ralph mumbled to himself.
"On your marks!" The familiar voice called.
Ralph glared at Taffyta with a playful smirk and nodded a few times. Taffyta rolled her eyes and shoved her palm to her face. Ralph chuckled and lolled his head to the side before his eyes suddenly were met with a medium height, slender figure who emerged from the other side of the arena, across the race track. Ralph felt his heart stop.
"Vanellope," Ralph whispered.
