*Chapter 44*

After a half an hour of winding down the mountain, Ralph finally reached the castle. He slowed down once he reached the large warehouse where all the carts were kept. The large, sleek garage door opened, and he pulled inside. He parked the cart and gently turned it off; the warehouse was silent. The sound of the two girls' carts couldn't even be heard. He furrowed his eyebrows and carefully wedged himself out of Vanellope's cart. He slowly moseyed towards the opening of the garage and gazed out down the road, Honeydew Ridge was a mere speck in the distance.

"Well, that was easier than I thought," Ralph scoffed to himself.

"Please don't turn racer on all of us," Felix suddenly said with a smile as he entered the warehouse through the kitchen, "I don't want you to abandon our game."

"I would never abandon our game," Ralph barked as he lulled his head towards him with a smile.

"The more code swapping that happens, the more you'll want to," Calhoun suddenly laughed as she came through the door from the kitchen as well. She and Felix approached Ralph. Tammy babbled and squirmed in Calhoun's arms, "There isn't one thing I'd love to fix."

"I-I have a problem around her guns," Felix said sheepishly, "All I want to do is shoot cy-bugs."

"Well, you haven't abandoned our game, and you've been with Calhoun far longer than I've been with Vanellope," Ralph said as he waved his hand.

"Touché," Felix said with a smug smile as he gazed at Ralph in a worried way, "Where are Taffyta, Candlehead and Vanellope anyways?"

Ralph shot Felix a concerned look and heaved a long sigh as Candlehead's and Taffyta's loud cars rumbled into the warehouse. The whole place was alive with noise until they shut of their carts. Taffyta's facial expression spoke a thousand words.

"Ralph," Vanellope barked as she quickly left her cart, "We didn't know you wanted to race, because believe me you, if Candlehead and I knew we were racing, I would've won."

"Hey!" Candlehead exclaimed as she quickly rushed over; everyone laughed aloud.

"I-I wasn't trying to race you guys," Ralph said nervously as he glanced down at Vanellope, "I don't know what happened. I just wanted to go faster."

"Code swap," Taffyta mumbled as she pushed past everyone and left the warehouse in a huff.

"She's just jealous," Candlehead chuckled as she gave Felix a hug.

"I heard that!" Taffyta hollered from inside the building.

"You guys are back early… Did you guys have a good time?" Felix smiled as everyone slowly began to make their way inside.

"Mostly," Candlehead chuckled nervously.

"Mostly?" Calhoun prod as she adjusted Tammy in her arms.

"Our cabin is haunted," Candlehead said in a down trot voice.

"Haunted?" Felix worried as everyone slowly began to head to the common room, just opposite the kitchen in the castle.

"Rancis," Ralph breathed as he rubbed his face in an annoyed manner before nervously looking around for Taffyta.

"You guys saw Rancis?" Calhoun asked in a surprised way, "But how? Didn't he die?"

"He's a hologram, now," Candlehead grumbled. Calhoun nodded gently in understanding.

"Oh I see," She breathed, "Got a few of those in Hero's Duty, believe it or not."

Everyone quickly picked a spot on one of the many comfortable lounging chairs and couches in the castle's common room. The large bay windows let in the late morning sun; the whole room was filled with warmth. Ralph gazed around the room, he glanced at each one of his friends. He felt a small smile make its way across his face as he head over to the seat Vanellope was slumped in. He very carefully picked her up in his arms before sitting down in her spot; he set her comfortably against his chest and across his lap bridal style. Vanellope smiled and slumped into him, her eyes quickly closed.

"He can't hurt you, Vin," Candlehead said gently in her direction, her eyes glossed with love and care. Candlehead knew she was still worried about what happened to her last night. Vanellope tried to smile.

"I know," She heaved as she caught eyes with Ralph; his facial expression was locked in worry and understanding.

"I don't think he will try and scare any of you here," Ralph said gently down to her, "This is your safe haven. The castle is a stronghold."

"Even if he does, just show him you're not afraid, no matter how difficult that may be," Calhoun suggested as she lulled a very sleepy Tammy into her chest and shoulder.

"He hacked into Taffyta's mind," Vanellope stated, her eyes dazed off into space.

"That's, not possible," Calhoun stated in confusion, "Holograms are just that; holograms. They can't interact with you, let alone control your thoughts."

"Vanellope's telling the truth," Ralph sighed as he glanced between Calhoun and Felix, "When I looked into Taffyta's eyes, after warding off Rancis, she looked lost. She didn't even recognize any of us."

"Ralph had to glitch in order to get her back," Candlehead chuckled.

"I didn't even know that was possible," Felix chuckled as he fiddled his thumbs together.

"I didn't either," Ralph breathed, "I just was overcome with fear and adrenaline. It was almost involuntary."

"You guys are becoming the same person," Candlehead laughed; Calhoun and Felix chuckled and gave each other a knowing glance.

"Well," Ralph breathed with a smile as him and Vanellope locked eyes, "She's mastered it. I guess I have a long way to go."

"You got racing down," Vanellope sneered as Candlehead beamed.

"Still not as great as you," Ralph smiled.

"Oh will you guys cut the sap!" Taffyta suddenly barked as she entered the room and plopped down next to Candlehead.

"Yes, your highness," Vanellope snapped with a smile, Taffyta rolled her eyes before giving her sister a playful smile, though her eyes showed something other than playful happiness.

"So, overall, did you guys have a good time?" Felix asked with a smile.

"I guess it could've been better," Taffyta sighed, "Guess that cabin is off limits now. Too bad, too, I liked that cabin."

"We can always go if we want a good scare," Candlehead beamed.

"Count me out," Vanellope sighed as she shoved her face into Ralph's chest; he instinctively hugged her tighter.

"That was terrifying," Taffyta said, partially to herself.

"Does he have something against you?" Calhoun asked Taffyta.

"I guess because he died on mine and Ralph's account," Vanellope sighed.

"He begged for Vanellope's help, and she didn't give it," Ralph explained, "I threw the final blow I guess."

"The lake claimed him," Taffyta included shortly, "That's all that matters."

"Taffyta's right," Candlehead said gently, "I think it's just best to leave it all be…"

"I don't know what I'd do without you guys," Vanellope smiled into Ralph's chest before removing herself and gazing out to her friends.

"Yeah," Felix smiled cheerfully as everyone nodded in agreement to Vanellope's statement.

"You guys with the sap!" Taffyta barked as she covered her face; everyone laughed.

"We could make our very own game with our group," Candlehead beamed.

"We could call it," Felix pondered and looked up at the ceiling, "Hero's Sugar Fix."

"Perfect!" Candlehead chuckled; Vanellope and Ralph laughed to themselves.

"Just strap guns to the racing carts and I'm game," Calhoun laughed eagerly.

"Wouldn't that be interesting," Ralph chuckled as he shook his head. Everyone eagerly continued chattering on. Ralph heaved a long, satisfied sigh and gazed around at his group of family. He felt a tug on his heart, as if the very spot he was sitting was exactly where he belonged. He knew there were crazy bumps along the way, but their core was strong. He sank further into the chair, bringing Vanellope with him. He snuggled her close to him and gazed down at her lovingly. She caught eyes with him and smiled a knowing, loving smile. Her gorgeous, dewy hazel eyes glistened in the noon sunshine. Ralph exhaled slowly and smiled, he knew that no matter where he may go, he'd always end back up in this spot. He felt as if he was suddenly glued to this group of friends he had been thrown into. He knew they all had met by pure coincidence, but he knew it wasn't in vain. He smiled out at everyone in the room, each of their faces happy and glowing with love and friendship. He finally felt as if he was home; he was complete.

Ralph caught eyes with Taffyta and smiled but quickly furrowed his eyebrows. She looked lost, confused, as if she was in very deep thought. Her usual, cheerfully rosy cheeks were pale and her whole demeanor was lifeless. Ralph inhaled a nervous breath and hugged Vanellope closer to him as he kept his eyes glued to Taffyta. She gazed down at the floor, it was obvious that her mind was scattered into a thousand different directions.