*Chapter 64*

"Coming, coming, coming," Taffyta hurried as the three girls skid to a stop before the front door. Taffyta laid her hand over the door handle before nervously scrunching her shoulders and scrambling behind Ralph for safety. Candlehead and Vanellope quickly followed suit and gazed up at Ralph curiously. Ralph looked down at each girl before slumping his shoulders and rolling his eyes; he quickly reached for the large handle of the castle's front doors and opened it just barely. He relaxed and opened the door wider as his eyes were met with Adorabeezle Winterpop, Minty Zaki and Jubileena Bing-Bing.

"Ralph?" Minty questioned as she gave him an honest, confused facial expression, "What are you doing here?"

"I-I guess we could ask you the same question," Ralph chuckled as the three girls behind him finally pushed their way beside him, all hunched in the castle's doorway.

"Are you guys okay? Come in, come in," Vanellope hurried as her three racers eagerly stepped into the castle. Ralph carefully shut the massive castle door behind everyone and loomed close to Vanellope.

"Vanellope, I think Rancis has somehow returned," Minty worried as she adjusted her comfortable lime green zip up hoodie. She took her hood off and heaved a nervous sigh; sweet water droplets rolled off of each of their clothes. They were obviously dressed down for the night reset.

"His house lights are on, and I could've sworn I saw his curtains move," Adorabeezle worried as she nervously shifted her feet; her knee high fur stockings sparkled with Sugar Rush's dewy rain drops. Each girl was wearing a comfortable hoodie that matched their proper, day time racing gear.

"I-I saw it too!" Jubileena worried as she shook her head, her hot red hair flicked in its usual high pig tails.

"Guys, relax," Vanellope said as she gently rested her hand on Jubileena's shoulder, "Rancis has returned. We're aware."

"We need to do something," Adorabeezle rushed as she quickly looked to her president; she glanced to Taffyta and Candlehead.

"It's okay," Vanellope eased with a smile, "Rancis has been reset to the grid. We're keeping him in his home for now. We will be checking up on him every day to see how he's faring. He's suspended from racing or approaching the castle until further notice."

"Have you gone mad?" Minty snapped as she pushed her hands to the side of her head; Taffyta nervously glanced at Ralph as she noticed his facial expression drop with hidden protectiveness, "Rancis is going to come kill us all in our sleep, and you guys are just nonchalantly having a slumber party over here?"

"First off," Taffyta started as she quickly took her stance next to Vanellope, "We live here. Secondly, are you doubting Vanellope's judgement?"

"I'm not doubting anyone's judgement," Minty barked, "I'm worried for all of us down the road. We've heard your guys' horror stories of Rancis's killing streak. Who knows what he'll do with that double striped sword."

"We took the sword away from him," Vanellope said firmly as she gazed at the five racers before her. Candlehead and Taffyta kept their eyes glued to Vanellope with confidence, while the other three looked horrified.

"You two actually are fine with all of this?" Adorabeezle sneered in a surprised tone as she shot Taffyta and Candlehead a shocked expression.

"I can't exactly say that I'm thrilled that Rancis is back," Taffyta started, "But we had a long talk with him earlier while he was chained in the Fungeon."

"You had him in the Fungeon and you let him out?" Jubileena worried aloud, her facial expression nearly horrified, "I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight knowing that hologram is next door!"

"You guys will be fine, and he's not a hologram anymore," Vanellope barked; she was the strong hold of the core of racers. Everyone eagerly looked to her, each girl had a different facial expression on, "If Rancis tries anything, the consequences will be grave. He has been warned several times."

"Not to mention punched in the face," Candlehead said as she put her hands on her hips and gave Vanellope a proud look.

"You punched him?" Minty said as she eased a bit, a small smile beamed across her face in surprise, "I never suspected you to pick a fight, Vanellope."

"Yeah, well," Vanellope sighed as she subtly pat Ralph's arm; he beamed a sheepish smile, "Look, you guy will be alright. All of us will be down early tomorrow morning to prepare everyone else for Rancis' return."

"Everyone else already knows," Adorabeezle stated, "We were the only three brave enough to trek to the castle in the storm."

"How did Rancis even revive from being a hologram?" Minty asked loudly, "Those kinds of things just don't happen."

"Before we moved back to Litwak's Arcade, I forced a game wide reset," Vanellope said as she slumped her shoulders and lulled her head to the high ceiling above her, "Within doing so, Rancis' code was reset. It was a massive struggle to get through to him, but after all the stuff we've been through with him today, we're hoping he's going to slowly coming around."

"Is this some kind of joke?" Minty barked as she began to become angry again, "You think resetting Rancis is just going to make everything go back to normal? Everyone saw how much he wanted to be King when King Candy was killed."

"This isn't a joke," Vanellope snapped, feeling tested, "I didn't reset the game because I wanted Rancis back. I reset the game to just have a game wide refresh, and Rancis regenerated in the code room. Sure, Rancis has done a lot of sour stuff, but everyone deserves a second chance. I know any of you racers would want that kind of treatment from me."

"This is what we get for having a woman in charge," Minty snapped as she glared at Vanellope, "Too much heart and not enough brain."

"Hey," Ralph barked as he quickly pushed into the circle of girls. Everyone jumped with surprise except for Taffyta and Candlehead. Ralph glared down at Minty and inhaled a sharp breath, "It wasn't her idea to save Rancis' sorry hide. It was mine. Lay off the remarks."

"Vanellope wanted to delete him, no matter what," Taffyta barked, feeling protective of her sister and Ralph.

"Well why didn't you?" Minty hollered as she glared up at Ralph, albeit nervously, "You let him make all the decisions of Sugar Rush? He's not even a part of this game."

"You know what?" Taffyta spat as she quickly got in Minty's comfort bubble, in between her and Ralph, "He's probably going to wind up being the future King of Sugar Rush. I'd watch what you say."

"Ralph?" Minty asked in sincere shock before gazing up at him almost nervously, "You're not even programmed for this game."

"Neither was King Candy," Taffyta barked as she pushed her hands to her hips.

"Why are you defending him so much?" Minty asked as she gestured her arm towards Ralph.

"Because! I'm sick and tired of people treating him like he doesn't have a brain," Taffyta said firmly as she glanced between Adorabeezle and Jubileena; they each looked stunned, "Sure, this decision that we've come to doesn't totally sound like it's the safest, but I trust Ralph's and Vanellope's judgement. Every stronghold will make mistakes, but the only way Rancis will come around is if he's shown kindness."

"Show kindness? To that snot?" Adorabeezle spoke up nervously.

"Yes, as a matter of fact," Taffyta said firmly, "If you don't recall, that 'snot' was your fellow racer a year ago. He was our good friend. He defended the castle, his heart had good intentions for this game."

"I sure hope you guys know what you're doing," Minty said deeply after a few moments of heated silence between the seven gamers.

"Put yourself in our shoes," Ralph said deeply, "It's not easy keeping balance over a group of such a wide variety."

"If you guys don't feel comfortable staying in your neighborhood tonight, you guys know you're always welcome in the castle," Vanellope assured, pushing her hurt feelings aside for the good of her friends.

"Thank you," Minty said gently before giving Vanellope an apologetic look, "I'm sorry for getting so heated…Surely you can understand all the confusion we've been slammed with."

"We were planning on telling you guys first thing tomorrow morning," Vanellope said confidently, "We didn't think you guys would notice Rancis' presence. I'm sorry for the lack of judgement on our part. I can promise you that if Rancis steps one hair out of line, he will be deleted."

"He's been heavily warned," Candlehead added confidently.

"His code has practically been beaten to a pulp with a list of consequences if he crosses a line," Ralph said firmly down to the three trembling racers; they looked at him with uncertainty, "I know it's hard for you guys to believe, but you guys are safe with Rancis in your neighborhood."

"How can you be so sure?" Minty asked gently.

"If you guys only saw how defeated he looked earlier," Taffyta said, finally softening back to her usual self, "We hashed everything out with him in the Fungeon. This whole mess Sugar Rush has been thrown into was just a massive misunderstanding."

"We have sorted it all through, though. It's all under control." Vanellope eased, "We all said our sorrys, we all forgave, we all moved past it."

"He's not allowed to race until he's earned everyone's trust back," Candlehead said as she shifted in her spot.

"Fair enough," Minty said gently in an anxious tone as she glanced between the four before her, "Sorry for saying those hurtful things about you, Ralph. I just hope this ends well. For everyone's sake," She added as she gave Ralph a knowing look.

"No harm done," Ralph said gently.

"Everything will be fine," Vanellope said as she gave Minty a furrowed look.

"See you guys tomorrow, then," Adorabeezle said warily as her, Jubileena and Minty slowly began to approach the large castle door.

"Like I said," Vanellope said kindly, yet seriously, "There's room for all of the racers here at the castle if you guys would feel more comfortable here."

"Thank you, Vanellope," Minty said as she finally gave her a small smile, "Sorry for bothering you guys."

"You guys are family," Vanellope said with a broken smile as the three girls slowly began to mosey away, "You are never a bother."

"Goodnight," Adorabeezle said gently as they waved, their facial expressions uncertain yet finally showing kindness.

Vanellope held her breath and very slowly closed her castle door; she slumped her back in an exhausted way into it and gazed at Taffyta, Candlehead and Ralph. They each had a very different facial expression glued to themselves as they remained frozen solid. Taffyta was the first to break the mold. She inhaled slowly through her nose before closing her eyes and running her hand up over her face and through her choppy white hair.

"Well, that was interesting," Taffyta groaned as she rubbed her jaw a little in contemplation.

"Minty always has to have an opinion about everyone," Candlehead snapped, feeling agitated; both girls apprehensively turned to Ralph.

"Don't listen to her, Ralph," Taffyta said confidently, "The racers haven't spent as much time around you as we have. They'll get to know you more."

"It's okay," Ralph sighed, "I just don't want to intrude on Sugar Rush."

"You're not intruding," Candlehead chuckled as she gave him a knowing look.

"If Rancis hasn't pulled anything yet, then I think it's safe to say that we will all make it through the night," Taffyta said gently.

"Agreed," Ralph said softly, "We all will go over there first thing before game time and, hopefully it won't get too ugly…"

"Why do I all of the sudden feel this urge to defend Rancis?" Taffya wrinkled her nose and gave Ralph a curious look.

"Probably because he is massively outnumbered," Ralph chuckled, "The fact that he came clean and has vowed to turn over a new leaf could have something to do with it as well."

"Tomorrow will be interesting, that is for sure," Taffyta exhaled as she quickly turned around, "Vanellope, I don't suppose you…"

Everyone froze and gazed at the castle door; Vanellope had slumped down to the floor into an awkward sitting position, her head lulled against the door and to her shoulder a little. Her mouth hung pen just barely, her chest rose and fell steadily with her sudden slumber. Taffyta choked back a stifling laugh and covered her mouth as she quickly darted her attention back to Candlehead and Ralph. Ralph chuckled with a wide smile and shook his head as he gazed down at their innocently snoozing princess. Candlehead crossed her arms as everyone stared at Vanellope, not too sure what to do.

"Looks like someone is going to get a proper reset tonight," Candlehead said in a hushed voice as Ralph very slowly approached his love.

"She needs it, too," Taffyta said quietly. She pat Ralph's large back as he gingerly made his way past her, "It's been a whole month since this smarty has had a proper night's sleep."

"C'mon, Vin," Ralph breathed with a loving chuckle as he carefully picked her up into his arms; he carried her bridal style as her head lulled into his chest, her whole body was limp, "I think after everything that has happened today, it's safe to say this has probably been a complete overload for her poor code system."

"I think Taff and I can empathize," Candlehead chuckled as she rubbed one of her eyes sleepily; Taffyta yawned on cue.

"I think we all need a reset," Ralph said gently as he gazed down at his sleeping game mate; she slumped into him, her facial expression blank and innocent as she snoozed. Ralph inhaled slowly to continue as he caught eyes with Taffyta and Candlehead, "We'll be up early so we can hopefully help the other racers adjust to Rancis' return."

"Sounds good," Taffyta said as she rubbed her eye; Candlehead very slowly began to mosey towards her own separate wing of the castle as Taffyta worked her way to the kitchen to clean up, "Goodnight guys."

"Night," Candlehead mumbled.

"Goodnight," Ralph called gently as he began to make his way towards Vanellope's staircase.

"It's good to be home, Ralph. Sugar Rush missed you…we missed you," Taffyta stated quietly after a few moments; Ralph quickly looked over his shoulder in surprise before giving his sister a loving smile.

"I missed you guys too," Ralph said with relief. They held a friendly string of loving eye contact before parting ways again.

After a few moments of climbing Vanellope's staircase, he finally made it into her room. Her room was filled with the sweet smell of Sugar Rush's rain. It was chilly as a breeze swept through the place, her balcony doors were hung wide open. Her cream curtains flapped in the wind. Ralph gingerly laid Vanellope on her bed before tidying up the room. He closed and locked her balcony doors and shut off all the lights but the one on her bedside table. Ralph fixed his eyes on his sleeping girl, she was laid at the end of her bed. Ralph breathed a chuckle at the adorable sight and made his way over to her. He gently scooped her into his arms again and gazed down at her face, her limp body easily snuggled into his broad chest.

He gently pulled Vanellope's blankets back with one hand before laying her down with one swift movement. He eagerly, yet carefully, laid down next to her; her bed groaned under the weight as Ralph made himself comfortable under her big, billowy blankets. Ralph couldn't help but beam a wide smile as he tugged Vanellope close to his chest. He quickly turned the last light out in the room, on the bed side table, and finally allowed himself to settle in bed with his love. He wrapped his arms tight around her and shoved his face into the top of her head; he inhaled her sweet scent and let his eyes flutter closed from the intoxicating feeling that shot through the code he shared with her.

Ralph let his large hand tenderly rub Vanellope's back, he slowly slid it from the base of her shoulders to just above her rear. He cuddled into her easily, he felt as if he couldn't get enough. He nuzzled his warm face into hers, idly planting a few longing kisses on her forehead and cheeks. He nuzzled her as his hand mapped out her back, as if he had forgotten what her existence felt like. He felt tears sting his eyes as he pushed as close as he could to her, hoping that he'd never lose this ever again. He felt his heart jump as she calmly stirred, her hands and arms idly mapped out Ralph's warm, broad chest. She mumbled something incoherent before nestling her face into the nook of Ralph's neck and upper chest. Ralph beamed a tired smile and wrapped her in his protective arms; he dare not let her go. He heaved one final, exhausted sigh of relief and slumped into the bed and his mate; the two gladly fell into a deep, snuggled slumber.