The arcade had just freshly closed for the day, but the air was now filled with sadness and stress. Almost as soon as Litwack locked up, the arcade was once again thrown into a frenzy as the denizens across all the games scrambled to Game Central to do damage control. With one of if not the most populated game being unplugged that means it was a monstrous task to find everyone a home.
The candy citizens were fragmented across multiple games, Wynnchel, Duncan and the Claw Patrol were going to be stuck with Surge to help keep things in order, and the racers were all going to live in Niceland with Q-Bert and his friends.
All of that was because since it was obvious Vanellope would be living with Ralph, so Felix and Calhoun thought it was best to keep all the racers close together.
Right at this moment, Ralph was making his way through the halls of the Niceland apartments, heading towards Felix's place. He carefully walked through the halls, getting closer towards the sound of multiple people talking. He soon reached the door to his metaphorical brother's apartment, and knocked on the door.
The voices quieted down, and Calhoun opened the door. "I'm surprised to see you here, Wreck-It."
"Yeah, sorry for intruding, everyone." He waved apologetically into the room, catching sight of Surge, Felix, Gene, Chun Li, M. Bison, Satine, the other Nicelanders (including Gene), and plenty of other denizens.
"Actually, this is perfect Ralph!" Felix said happily. "We were just discussing what we should do for the racers. And since you were always around them, I felt you;d be the best option."
"Oh… Uhhhhhhh… Sure, I can help." The wrecker squeezed into the room and stood by the door, looking over all those there. "So, what were you all thinking?"
"I was assuming a playground was a good idea", Gene said. "Because we don't have a lot of space for a whole racetrack."
"Well, we could build a go-kart track", Ralph explained. "There was one by Vanellope's castle that was just a small simple loop."
"That's not a bad idea, Ralph", Satine said. "It could give them a way to stay busy, while not completely forgetting their skills."
"And I think it's a good idea to make it by my place. That way all the racers are closer together, in case they need to… Support each other with all of this."
"That is a great idea, Ralph", Felix said happily. "Any other tips you have?"
"Hmmmmmm… Make sure that you ask them how their places will be. Each of them have preferences for the candies they want to be surrounded by."
"Alright, we'll keep that in mind, Wreck-It." Calhoun smiled, only to give him a suspicious look. "By the way… Why are you here anyway?"
"Oh! Right! Felix borrowed my mixer, and I wanted to whip something up for the kids to hopefully boost their spirits."
"It should be on the counter!" The handyman said happily.
The wrecker smiled and nodded, quickly heading in and snagging the mixer. He went to leave the room, waving goodbye to everyone and heading into the hallway. He made his way over to the elevator at the end of the hallway. He entered the lift and pressed the down button, bringing him down to the first floor.
When the doors opened again with a ding, the wrecker left the building as a whole and headed towards his home. The game was still, and there wasn't a lot of activity going on. It made Ralph wonder if anyone else was actually doing anything in the arcade.
As he rounded the brick pile, he smiled lightly to see Adorabeezle and Swizzle in his front yard, lying on the grass and looking up at the starry sky. They looked over at him, and jumped to their feet as he walked up to his front door.
"You kids holding up okay?" The wrecker asked with a gentle smile.
"We're fine, Ralph", Adorabeezle said with a sombre expression. "But Jubi is still really freaked out. She's been with Citrusella for the last few hours."
The wrecker nodded and headed inside, the two racers close behind. Immediately, he saw all the racers huddled around or on the living room couch, looking both physically and mentally drained. They all looked up at Ralph, and most of them weakly smiled.
"Hey Ralph…" Sticky said weakly, looking near tears already. "Whatcha' run out to get?"
"My mixer. Now I can make you guys some pastries."
Taffyta perked up a bit, looking at the wrecker thoughtfully. "The Prez told us you actually make some good pastries. And I've always wanted to try them."
"Well then you're all in luck!" His face fell for a moment. "Wait, I just remembered I had some stuff to grab. Here…" He looked over the racers. "Do any of you know how to make donuts?"
The racers all shared looks, then looked back at Ralph with some of them nodding, some of them looking unsure.
"Okay, Taffyta is in charge. My recipe book is on the bookshelf in the kitchen. I'll be back soon." He handed Taffyta the mixer, and as he left her heard her take charge with a surprising amount of maturity.
He ran out his front door, and far away from the brick pile to the furthest reaches of the game world.
When he made his way to a peculiar spot that was shielded by trees, he glanced around to make sure he was entirely alone. Then, he pulled out his phone, and opened the app for portals. With a single tap, a portal opened before him and he jumped through.
As he walked out onto the balcony of the Capital's castle, he glanced at the city beyond the wall, framed by the sunset. It was beautiful, but there was a job to do. So with a determined vigour, he stormed inside and made his way into the Rec Room. He went right towards the closet filled with extra bedding, and pillows.
He grabbed one of the large bags from the top shelf and started stuffing it with anything he could, and when it was filled completely, he zipped it up and carried it with him just up to the door. He dropped it and made his way to the kitchen attached to the cafeteria/cafe attached to their hallway.
The wrecker stormed into the kitchen and barked out a somewhat demanding "I need pies!" The cooks all jumped in fright, but didn;t get to say anything as the wrecker dumped the bag on the floor and beelined right into the walk-in fridge.
He dug through the shelves, not stopping until something touched him on the back. He shot up in fright, banging the back of his head on an upper shelf, and spun around to see the messy mop of brown hair and thick rimmed glasses he knew and loved.
Caleb was looking up at him in worry, but Ralph's attention was dragged away to the pies on the shelf behind him. He walked around to look over the pies, the action making Caleb shake his head.
"Hey Ralph…" Caleb said in an unsure tone. "What's going on? Why are you pie hunting?"
"Don't worry about it kid", Ralph said back as he left with his target. "Just snagging some pie for me and all the racers. I'll be out of your hair soon."
"But, wait-" Caleb stumbled after the wrecker, showing a clear concern for the situation taking over. "Can't you just raid Gene's fridge or something?"
"I like the pie here more." Ralph left the kitchen with the bags, which the bespectacled boy didn't acknowledge.
"The- what?" Caleb stumbled a bit again as he tried to keep up with the wrecker. "Ralph, seriously, what is happening? Why are you here anyway?"
"Like I said, kid. Don't worry about it."
"Did something happen at Litwack's?"
The wrecker paused, both of them now standing in the middle of the hallway. No one else was here, so it was just them. Ralph sighed, not turning to face his adoptive nephew.
"Sugar Rush got unplugged", Ralph said miserably.
"WHAT?!" Caleb cried out in horror. "How?!"
"Long story, but the short version is some kid was too rough with the steering wheel and broke it, and now Sugar Rush is unplugged. Everyone got out fine, with the kid and the other racers back at Fix-It Felix, but no one is taking it well."
"I freaking bet", Caleb breathed out in disbelief.
Ralph nodded. "The commotion let me and Felix check up on everyone as they flooded into GCS. But I had to go back to work, so I was a mess till the arcade closed. It's… it's been a hard time for all of us. All the racers are at my place right now, making some of my donuts thanks to my recipe." The wrecker sighed again. "This was probably the worst unplugging ever…"
Caleb looked to the side, looking extremely conflicted. "Do you think Vanellope would want to spend some time here?"
"She said she can't after we met up again after closing", Ralph explained. "She wants to be there for the other racers, the donut cops, Sour Bill and everyone else. She's got to be there for her people. Her words, not mine."
"Jesus Christ…" Caleb put my hands on my hips and stared off at the wall, as if in a trance. It made Ralph feel awful. "I have to tell Hilda about this, unless she already knows. Vanny and Hild are practically sisters, so she has every right to know."
"I told the kid that, but she doesn't want anyone else to know. Said she doesn't want them to worry." Ralph felt his heart pang in sadness as he repeated what Vanellope told him.
Caleb sighed. "Fine. I won't tell the others, but then she'll have to tell them when this whole thing blows over. No matter what happens, they need to know."
"I getcha', kid, don't worry." The wrecker walked down the hall and reached into the Rec Room. While still holding the pie in one hand, he threw a filled sack of… something over his shoulder with the other.
"What's in the sack?" Caleb asked.
"Stuff for the kids so they can get comfortable in my home", the wrecker explained. "I don't usually have others sleep over, so I don't have a whole lot in terms of a guest room."
Caleb hummed. "Fair. Make sure she gets situated and comfortable." Ralph nodded and began to make his way towards the balcony. "And Ralph?" He spun back around to face the young boy, whose face was etched in worry. "Tell Vanellope I love her, and that I hope things get better for all of you."
"Of course kid." The wrecker waved Caleb off with a grateful smile. "Love ya', we'll keep in touch!" He stepped through the door and closed it behind him. He remained there for a moment, pies in hand, and let out a low sigh as he pressed his head against the door.
Internally, Ralph's emotions were going haywire. So many conflicting feelings screaming at him to do things differently. 'Get the others involved', 'he shouldn't have told Caleb', 'everything is fine and this is just a bad dream'.
The same nagging thoughts from all his years in seclusion now taking a new form.
Shaking his head, he turned and headed back towards the gateway, turning it back on with his phone and stepping through. As he walked back into his secluded clearing, he looked around to make sure no one was here to see him. Again, he was all alone, so he marched back to his house with all his spoils.
As he walked into the front door, he caught a whiff of what smelled to be very well done batter. So he set the bag on the floor and the pies on the coffee table and entered the kitchen. While the place was a mess, the racers were all hard at work and seemed to be having a lot of fun.
"Hey Ralph!" Minty said happily. "Sorry about the mess, we're just doing our best to make your donuts."
"It's cool kids, as long as you all clean up here and yourselves after." The wrecker shot them a smile, then looked around. His smile fell as he finally noticed a certain someone missing, and he suddenly became very worried.
"Kids, where's Vanellope?"
The racers all paused and shared unsure looks, seemingly in a silent agreement to not tell. Except Candlehead.
"She should be on top of the apartments", the green haired girl said sadly.
Taffyta smacked her friend upside the head. "Vanellope told us not to tell anyone, Candle!"
"Well even I could tell she needs help", Candlehead said back angrily. "And Ralph should know, because Vanellope needs someone whether she says so or not!"
Rancis looked very sombre. "Candlehead is right Taffyta."
The white haired girl shot a glare between both her friends, before relenting with a miserable expression and a heavy sigh. "I hate how you two are right." She looked up at Ralph with tears in her eyes. "She's my best friend, Ralph. I've been piecing more of my memories over these six years, and she means a lot to us."
"Yeah", Swizzle said sadly. "So please, Ralph. Talk to her, just so she comes back here. We want to give her alone time, but this is just ripping us apart."
Creumbelina nodded rapidly, holding hands with Gloyd. "She needs you, Ralph…"
The wrecker smiled warmly. "Don't worry kids. I'll talk to her and make sure she's okay." He turned around, then paused and glanced over his shoulder. "There's pies on the coffee table out here, be sure to save some for Vanellope. And there's a bag with extra bedding."
He headed back outside and glanced up to the roof of the Niceland apartments. He couldn't see Vanellope from this angle, but that didn't deter him from making his way to the back of the building and started his climb up to the roof. It was somewhat methodical, with how silence made the accent seem almost like a dream.
As he reached the top, he climbed up a little ladder and found himself on the building's roof. Across on the other side, curled up and staring out the screen, was Vanellope.
With a deep, calm breath, Ralph walked over and sat down on the ledge next to her, staring out the cabinet's screen and out to Sugar Rush. The racing console's lights all being off made the entire arcade seem that bit darker, which just made things all the more sombre.
"I had a feeling they would tell you…" Vanellope mumbled into her knees. "I just knew it…"
"They're worried for you, kid", Ralph said as he kept his gaze to the screen above. "You're all dealing with a lot right now, so it's a good idea to try and stick together."
"I know… It's just hard, okay? Because right now I feel like I'm worth nothing!" Ralph's gaze snapped at Vanellope as she shouted, only for her to immediately deflate. "I hate how we didn;t do anything, Ralph. I didn't do anything. I'm supposed to be the president, and here I am sulking because I'm just still that stupid kid…"
"Woah, okay, kid, no. You aren't 'still that stupid kid'. You're someone who, despite everything, was still able to try and prove you're a real racer. And look at what came from it!"
"Yeah, I lost my game", the racer spat. "I'm now a racer without a kart, without a track, without a kingdom. I'm nothing now, Ralph."
The wrecker gave her a long and careful look before he spoke again, a light smile forming on his. "It might seem like that, kid, but right now that couldn't be further from the truth. What you are is a friend, a leader, an amazing racer, and someone who loves to crease me like no one else." He ruffled the racer's hair, but when he got no reaction, his smile fell and he sighed. "It's hard right now, I get that. But we'll figure something out, I just know it."
"You're too optimistic, Ralph…" Vanellope growled.
Things fell into a melancholy silence as they listened to the sounds of the arcade, all the machine's singing their heartbreaking song of losing one of their own. Ralph always felt like that was a thing at least. As they sat on the ledge, the minutes ticking on, Vanellope spoke up.
"I get you want t-to help me, Ralph…" The racer glitched as she spoke. "But I-I just need to b-be alone. N-No matter what you s-say will ch-change my mind…"
"I know… But, just remember I am here whenever you are ready to have someone, Kid." Ralph looked off to the side. "And Caleb too. Because he knows."
That made Vanellope violently glitch, then still as she stared ahead with a clouded look in her eyes. "What? How does he know?"
"I told him", Ralph said firmly. "I went to the castle today to get some pies and extra bedding, and I ended up running into him. I told him what happened, but made sure he promised not to tell the others. Especially Hilda."
Vanellope glitched again, this time in sadness and pain. Her eyes reflected the thousands of dangerous thoughts bouncing about in her, but she eventually just sighed and nodded silently.
"Like I said, Kid", Ralph said, giving Vanellope a firm but warm look as he placed his massive hand on her back. "We're in this together. I know you said you want to be alone, but I know you're lying. You need your hero to make the monsters go away."
Vanellope didn't move for a good while before leaping into Ralph's arms and gripping onto him like a koala. "I know! I know you are, but it's hard because I'm so used to being alone! I just… Need to learn how to be…"
"A kid?"
The racer nodded, then looked up at her friend with a weak smile and teary eyes. "Yeah… I'll still need to make sure everyone is okay, but I'll try to do it so I don't destroy myself."
Ralph smiled and ruffled Vanellope's hair. "Good. And trust me kid, we'll figure something out, I promise."
Vanellope nodded and hopped back onto the roof. "I guess… I guess I should head back to your place, huh?"
"Yeah. Make sure those other crumb-munchers don't burn my place down!" Vanellope giggled and began to make her way to the ladder. "Oh, and kid?" She looked back at him. "Tell the other kids I'll be at Tapper's for a while. Gotta just… Think, okay?"
"You got it, Stinkbrain…" Vanellope shot him one last smile before heading back down, leaving the wrecker alone on the roof.
His smile fell and he looked back out the screen to Sugar Rush, his mind drawing a blank.
"What are you going to do, Ralph.?" The wrecker asked himself. "How are you going to save a whole game before the weekend is over?"
He rested his chin on his fist before sighing and standing up., then making his way towards the fire escape.
Hopefully a root beer would help him come up with something.
~X~
Ralph sighed as he hopped off the train as he arrived at Tapper's, stretching the knots out of his back as he entered the bar. He walked through the curtain and made his way to the third bar. Tapper's was surprisingly empty, with only a few common faces around the place making idle chit-chat.
As the wrecker sat down, he could get the feeling some people were looking at him, whispering under their breaths about him. The feeling made him sigh.
"They're all just worried, Ralph", Tapper said as he walked up and gave the wrecker a drink. "The whole Sugar Rush scare just really got to people. And since you're so close to Vanellope… Rumours tend to fly around."
"Oh of course." Ralph let out a heavy sigh, leaned back, and ran his massive hand over his face. "We've all been here so long they have to make something up to stay sane."
"That's what happens when you've been here longer than 30 years." The bartender pulled out a cloth and started wiping the bar top with his limited animation. "How're the kids holding up?"
"They're fine. They're trying their best, especially Vanellope, but right now they're all at my place relaxing."
"Kinda surprised you're here then."
"I needed to go to a place to help just clear my head", Ralph admitted. "Plus, I wanted to give them their space. They all need to adjust."
Tapper nodded sombrely, stopping his wiping so he could do it to a glass. "This has been a wake up call to a lot of us. Namely some of the newer guys. They felt like they were invincible because they were, well, new. But now they're humbled hard because of all of this."
"That's somewhat reassuring…" The wrecker took a sip of his root beer. "I just want things to work out…"
"I'm sure everything will, Ralph."
"Tapper, need a root beer!" A voice down closer towards the exit shouted.
"Comin'! Just keep your chin up, Ralph." The bartender ran off, leaving the wrecker on his lonesome. Now that he was alone, he found his mind wandering towards other thoughts. Like how he could solve this little predicament.
But his short musings were cut off when Felix and Calhoun sat next to him, looking exhausted. Ralph glanced at them with intrigue. "I never thought I'd see either of you here. I know Markouski is a regular, but you two…"
"We just need a rest", Calhoun said with a slight groan. "This whole day has been nothing but stress and work. And right now I just need to relax."
"I'm with ya', Lady Love", the handyman said with a tired groan. "I'm dreading all the building I'll need to do…"
"That's the first time I heard you say that, Felix", Ralph said in surprise. "What about when we tag-teamed all of those new places for Q-Bert and his buddies?"
Felix sighed and leaned back. "Just worrying about all the stress because of how much I'll need to build, that's it…"
The wrecker hummed and turned around. "Hey, Tapper! Two more root beers down here, on my tab!"
The bartender ran up and filled two glasses up, then slid them down to the married couple. Calhoun caught them both, and handed her husband one. As he just held it in his hands, the sergeant took a sip of her's.
"We need to figure out a better long term option for all of this", she said. "Because as it is right now, everyone is stretched too thin. There's not enough room for all of them, and now if we have another unplugging we might not be able to find everyone a home."
Ralph frowned as he and Felix took simultaneous sips of their drinks. "We need to think of something, because I don't want the racers to be sucked into endless misery when Sugar Rush is carted away after the weekend. I know it'll destroy Vanellope mentally…"
The trio were silent for a moment before the handyman spoke up again. "Maybe we can find an extra steering wheel somewhere? Just… maybe…"
Ralph's eyes brightened a bit. "Wait… Say that again Felix."
The handyman looked at the wrecker weirdly. "We can find an extra steering wheel somewhere?"
The wrecker's eyes lit up, and Tamora looked at him with a light amount of hope. "I can tell you have an idea, Wreck-It. Spit it out."
"The internet", he said with a newfound hope. "The internet literally has anything we could ever need. Remember what Sonic said? Shop. We could find a store that has a spare steering wheel!"
The married couple shared a look, then looked back at the wrecker sceptically. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Ralph?" Felix said with uncertainty. "You heard what Surge said. And if the internet is as crazy as some of the others have said, then maybe it's best we don't get involved…"
"This could be our only shot, guys. And even if we turn up empty handed, then we should at least show we tried as best we could."
"Wreck-It is right, Felix", Tamora said. "As much as it surprises me to say it, Wreck-It is completely right. We need to at least try and see what we can do."
The handyman looked between his wife and brother, before sighing. "Alright, we'll do it."
"You guys should start with… EBay? I think that's what it was called", Tapper said as he walked up to the trio. "I overheard Sonic talking about it earlier, but he overheard some of the kids saying there's an extra steering wheel on a website called EBay."
"Then we start there", Ralph said with determination. He finished the rest of his drink in one go and stood up reaching into his pocket and looking through his cash. "I'll go and tell the kids about our plan, then me and Vanellope will meet you two at the entrance to the router."
"Okay, you got it Wreck-It." Calhoun levelled him with a glare. "Don't take too long, though. We need to make use of as much time as we can."
"Yeah, don't worry sergeant, I'll be punctual." The wrecker looked down at his cash, and whether it was because of his determination or newfound hope, he put all his cash on the bar.
"Drinks on me, everyone!" He shouted as he left, making a lot of the other bar patrons cheer, and the married couple watch him leave in surprise. They shared a look, then nodded.
Ralph stormed his way out of Tapper's and to the train, a newly sparkled fire burning brightly.
This was going to work. This was their chance.
Vanellope was gonna be ecstatic.
~X~
A fresh chapter a day later! This was a fun one, simply because it was nice focusing on Ralph's struggles and the newfound atmosphere of the now saddened arcade. This is an example of the major changes I'm making to the og sequel to make it feel more in line with the first movie and DCT. Because I love Ralph and Vanellope, and want them to be part of a good story.
But yeah, Felix and Calhoun are tagging along with the adventure! I'm doing this because as much as the idea of them adopting the Sugar Rush racers is cute, it: Makes them sidelined, takes away from the main plot, doesn't make sense because the racers were fine for over 21 years without parents, and just treats Vanellope differently for some reason. So the racers are being kept in line with what was established in the past, while keeping the married duo free for this adventure.
So hopefully y'all like that decision. And don't worry, I have big plans for the racers, just you wait…
Up next: Ralph heads home to tell the racers what's happening, and the quartet (?) make their first steps into the massive and sprawling internet…
~Caleb~
