Ralph headed inside the massive central point as users either wandered around aimlessly, freshly arrived into the internet or left for the day. There was a constant flow, so it was more like a swarm or stampede than a crowd. The wrecker headed over to his friends, who were all off to the side and watching all the users run about. Felix looked a bit thoughtful, and as soon as the wrecker joined them, he spoke up.

"So, how are we going to get home?" The handyman asked. "Do we just… stand on one of those brightly coloured patches, and we go back to Litwack's? Or do we do something else…"

"Let me try something…" The sergeant walked up to the centre of the room, and stomped her foot on the first coloured panel he reached. At first, nothing happened, so she stomped again. When nothing happened again, she took a few steps back towards the group, and they carefully watched the users that were signing off to hopefully learn something.

They watched like hawks, and saw how Calhoun was basically almost right. But rather than one powerful stomp, it was two light taps of your foot on a platform. When that happened, a quick scan was done, and the user was shot into the sky as a pod formed around them

"I guess that's it then", Rancis said in surprise. "Thought it'd be easier…" He walked up, Taffyta and Candlehead right behind, and they mirrored when the users were doing. Instantly, they were launched off, their coloured pods taking them high into the sky.

"You guys go ahead, I'll just slow us down if I go ahead of anyone", Ralph suggested.

"You got it, Ralph!" Felix said, walking forward a bit. However, he was stopped when Vanellope glitched in front of him.

"Hang on, I need to check something…" Vanellope walked over to Calhoun and snagged her walkie-talkie, clicked it on, and spoke into the speaker. "Guys, are you back at Litwack's? Just checking so we don't get lobed across the planet by accident."

There was static for a moment, before laughter came from the other end."It does, Prez!" Taffyta responded from the other end. "And boy, I never thought I'd be so relieved to be home. Get your butts back here!"

The candy president beamed and tossed the device to the sergeant, who caught it in shock. The racer then zipped over to the platform, tapped her for twice on the floor, and she was off.

The adults all shared looks, then shrugged. "Kids will be kids!" Felix said with a smile. "Kinda wish I had one of my own!"

Ralph caught a bit of a thoughtful look on Calhoun's face, who silently followed her husband. The wrecker tilted his head in curiosity as the married couple shot off into the sky. Now that he was all alone, the wrecker turned around to get one last look out to the internet proper. All the buildings that shot into the sky, all the users darting about as they constantly moved from one place to another, all the noise of the activity and action…

It was so much more different than the arcade. So much more energetic, but not as alive. Everything was slick, clean, and more pristine. It lacked that life back at home, feeling like a series of algorithms built up what they thought was ideal. It was jarring to really think about the discrepancy. But as the mountain man's eyes wandered to this internal hub he was at, his heart felt funny.

It never left his head how similar this place looked to the Hub in the old Convergence Universe, to the point it was almost uncanny. He really knew that when he and Vanellope told the others about this, he'd have to bring this up. Honestly, that idea made him feel a bit better, because it could help explain why things were so weird. At least, he hoped.

Shaking his head as his thoughts got louder, he walked forward and stepped onto one of the coloured platforms. It was a red, the same shade as on his sprite. It filled him with this sense of familiarity, and after taking a deep breath, he tapped his foot twice on the ground.

He gasped and snapped his eyes open as he was slowly lifted into the sky, slowly picking up speed the higher he climbed. As he was carried up, a clear capsule started to form around him, and he was forced to curl up as it fully formed. Although not for long, as it adjusted for his size, and after blinking and looking ahead, the capsule shot through the sky like a bullet.

The wrecker braced as the force hit him, only to relax as nothing actually twisted against his body. Blinking, he looked down, and gasped.

The view from all the way up here was incredible, with how everything was dotted about like a mesmerising mosaic. The company logos were but coloured specks, the users in their browsers looked like flowing water, and everything else came together to make it look like a rippling, blue ocean.

The sight made the wrecker smile and look ahead again, seeing the vague tube he was in that was held together by floating rings. Each one he passed through made the greater internet slowly disappear into a jumble of random colours, and as his speed picked up, Ralph found himself at peace.

As the sounds of electrical buzzing started to get louder, all it did was ease Ralph's body more. And before he could even think of another thought, silence suddenly surrounded him. Opening his eyes, he smiled as he saw nothing but the interior of a wire, occasional blue sparks arcing between the smaller copper wires around him.

This gave him a burst of adrenaline, and he grabbed the two handles in his capsule and pushed them forward, helping him gain speed. His smile grew more and more as he neared a closed hatch at the end of the wire, and when he was close enough, he released his hands from the handles.

The hatch opened as his capsule slowed down, and he was gently put onto the ground. He shook off all the remaining pixels as he walked up to the wall length window, sliding up beside Felix and Calhoun. The three of them silently watched over the whole arcade, their home, as the four racers roughoused playfully behind them.

"The kids getting all their energy out?" The wrecker asked.

"Mmhmm", Calhoun hummed. "I honestly don't blame them. After everything, they deserve to get some rest."

"Which is why we should get going", Felix said as he slumped a bit. "I've been looking forward to just… getting to bed…"

Ralph nodded and let out a sharp whistle, making the racers face him. He turned around, and smiled. "Let's get going, kids. I'm tired, I know all of you are tired, Felix and Calhoun are tired, so let's get going."

The racers all nodded and ran off towards the exit. Unsurprisingly, Vanellope was the first one there, and she hit the switch that switched the platforms' direction. The racers all piled onto one as the adults all slowly followed them, getting onto a platform that was three away. The descent down was quiet and calm, with Ralph bobbing on his feet as they made the last little bit till they were truly, 100% home. The lower they got, the more he could hear the usual activity of GCS.

Felix held his wife's hand and leaned against her as his exhaustion started to weigh heavier on him. Calhoun kept him awake by patting his back, and Ralph chuckled at the scene.

Soon, the platforms levelled out, and the wrecker could see the light and busy bodies of Game Central. The racers a bit further up ahead started jumping around in excitement and happiness, cheering as they got closer. Their cheers must've been loud, because the wrecker spotted some of the other arcade denizens stopping and glancing into the entrance, with Surge blinking over and peering in.

Everyone looked shocked and speechless as the group all emerged from the wire and headed down the platform. The racers were the first one out, obviously, and they ripped through Surge's still up police tape, bouncing around as their eyes sparkled.

Through the crowd, the other racers of Sugar Rush all pushed passed and dog piled their friends, entrapping them in a massive group hug. Ralph smiled at the scene as he and the other adults walked out into the warmer light of the power strip.

Surge looked them over. "How'd it go in the internet?" He asked.

"It went good", Calhoun said, her tired husband giving the officer a thumbs up. "We made some strong allies, learned more about how things worked, and all of that."

"Did you get the wheel?" Whynchel asked hopefully.

Ralph looked over the crowd with a pinched look, then beamed. "What do you take us for, Chel? Of course we got the wheel! It'll be showing up tomorrow morning before this place opens."

The crowd all breathed out sighs of relief and joy, only to be silenced when the racers all hugged tighter and cheered, the four that left being hoisted above and paraded around like royalty.

Most of the crowd dispersed as the racers continued to celebrate, although some of Ralph's Ban-Anon buddies walked up and stood beside him, smiling at the adorable scene.

"I must say, Ralph", Satine said as he pat the wrecker's shoulder. "You surprised us all. When news broke about you all going into the internet, most of the others thought it was a fool's errand."

"Ah, but you always find a way to come out on top, huh?" Zangief said with a smirk.

"Ralph, when the next Bad-Anon happens", the ghost of Pac-Man fame, Clyde, said with a smile. "You need to tell us the whole story. Because I know It'll be a good one."

"Trust me guys", Ralph said as he looked over his friends before looking back at the celebrating racers. "None of you will be disappointed…"

~X~

The wrecker smiled as he worked in his kitchen, making up his famous dessert as the racers all rambled in the living room. It was an hour after they had returned, and because it was apparent the racers wouldn't let their friends rest, Vanellope and the trio decided to recount the whole series of events, including everything that happened that the others missed out on.

Felix and Calhoun lingered for a bit before departing back to the handyman's apartment to rest up before tomorrow morning. This left the wrecker all on his own, preparing a massive dessert for all his guests. The racers only had one, maybe two, more nights here, and he wanted them to leave with bright smiles and sparkling eyes.

As he worked, Adorabeezle walked in and jumped up so she could sit on the counter.

"What's up with you, kid?" The wrecker asked as he kept his eyes glued to his work.

The parka wearing kid shrugged. "Just checking up on you, that's all. We got all this going on, and you've been holed up in here ever since you came back."

"Just getting the desserts ready so they can all just bake at the same time, Adora", the wrecker explained as he poured the batter into the tray.

The racer tilted her head. "Okay…" She jumped off the counter and headed back into the living room.

Ralph quickly smiled at her retreating form and looked back at the batter, finishing up with the pouring before setting everything into his oven. With that dealt with, he went to start on the three different flavours of juice so the kids had all the variety they needed. But just before he started, he caught a glimpse of something rushing past the window. He paused, wondering is that was just one of Q-Bert's buddies, before he saw a figure just past the window frame, body angled towards the woods.

The wrecker looked over his shoulder, making sure none of the racers were watching, and left out his side/back door to investigate. When he stepped outside, he looked to the left to see the figure was looking at him. And this figure…

"Oh… Hey Steve…" The wrecker greeted awkwardly.

The blocky crafter didn't say anything at first, just looking at Ralph with a disappointed gaze. The wordless action made Ralph look to the side a bit, rubbing the back of his head.

"I'm gonna guess you're here because… Sugar Rush getting unplugged."

Steve sighed and fully faced his friend. "Caleb ended up telling us not long after Jenny called you. And trust me… It's best I came here alone. Everyone one minus Caleb, Gladius and myself were really peeved you didn't let us know about something like this. But, thanks to Caleb, everyone backed off from just rushing over and strangling you."

"Yeah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear that", the wrecker said sadly. "What made Caleb crack and tell you guys?"

"Hilda", Steve said with a bit of a distant look. "As soon as she asked if Vanellope was okay, he crumbled and told us. And… She hasn't been happy. But also… really quiet. To the point Twig was getting worried."

Ralph paled a bit at that information and grimaced. "Trust me, Vanellope has been beating herself up a lot about not telling her. But hearing that… Jeez, I'm not gonna be ready to face everyone."

"Which is why I'm here", Steve said reassuringly. "Caleb is back at the castle keeping everyone calm so when you two do face them for not telling them this, things are civil, and no one is glaring at you."

"I'll have to wait and see on that glare part…" The wrecker mumbled dejectedly. He then sighed. "Look, Steve, I know. Me and the kid messed up not telling you guys. Especially me, because I went to the castle and told the kid myself."

"He looked really crushed to tell us after he promised you", the crafter said with a sad nod. "He just… Couldn't keep it in."

"I don't blame him, and I am glad he did. He didn't deserve to keep that locked in…" Ralph said as he sighed heavily. "Me and the kid were planning to talk to you guys tomorrow after work, so don't worry about us ignoring it or anything."

"Oh, Ralph, no no no!" Steve waved his arms around. "I knew you two wouldn't avoid this. I just came here to give you a heads up, if anything. Because trust me, things are tense back home. I wouldn't even say everyone is angry. I'd say disappointment is more accurate. I know I am…"

Ralph frowned and nodded. "Thanks, Steve."

"Hey." The crafter put a reassuring arm on the wrecker's. "We're brothers. No matter how disappointed I get, thanks to Caleb and everything we did together I could never hate you. Same with all the others. You're our one and only Wreck-It Ralph."

Ralph slowly had a smile form on his face, and he carefully hugged the crafter. The hug was returned instantly, but soon had to break apart.

"I should get going, Ralph", Steve said with a sigh. "Trust me on this, though. Caleb, Gladius and I will stick up for you and help keep things calm when you two come over. Just… Make sure you talk, okay?"

Ralph nodded firmly. "You got it, Steve. See ya'."

The crafter waved goodbye and disappeared into the woods, and Ralph stayed standing in the open till he heard the zap of the portal. Once he knew for a fact he was alone, he sighed and headed back inside, making his way back to the kitchen to get the juice all done up and ready. But his was kinda distracted while doing it, his mind stuck on Steve's disappointed gaze.

With a heavy breath, he rubbed his face and focused on his task.

~X~

As the day ticked on, the racers all sat down in Ralph's marked backyard. They all played, laughed and enjoyed the desserts as they chatted and caught up after the missed day. Closer towards the house, Ralph sat at his patio set while drinking a green tea. He smiled at all the kids running around and enjoying themselves.

But as they played, Ralph's smile fell and he looked up at the starry sky. The blue blips twinkled high above, and the wrecker found himself lost in thought. Mainly about after work tomorrow. He hadn't told Vanellope about the crafter showing up, and it killed him.

Because boy, he was not looking forward to dealing with the upcoming talk, especially after how exhausting the internet was. But, he knew he'd have to face them eventually. So, while the kids played, he stood up and went on a walk. He started by passing down West Niceland, the street he and Felix tag teamed with help from the Nicelanders to give Q-Bert and his buddies a new home. It was a nice street, and while Felix offered to give Ralph something similar, the wrecker was adamant on going for his simple shack.

It was cosy and comforting, so he felt safe and secure. But he wasn't upset about the newer houses, he liked how it showed the game's growth to everything changing.

As the wrecker walked down the sidewalk, waving to his neighbours as he went, his mind started formulating any sort of explanation to his lack of communication. What way could he worm out of any sort of extreme scrutiny?

But, the more he thought, the more he stopped because he knew that's how things would play out. The others would just want Ralph's reason for him flaking like this.

They were all there for him, just hurt and confused and disappointed.

He sighed as he headed onto one of the many trails in the game, and started heading towards the pond. Steve showing up earlier had given him a lot to think about, and he knew he needed a really damn good explanation. But as he wandered around, his mind started to wander to the stars above once again, the blue orbs almost hypnotic.

He wondered if this night sky was real, he'd be able to see the Capital high above, as if waving.

He chuckled and shook his head, knowing that was just ridiculous. Yet the thought never left his head, even as he came up to the little foot bridge that crossed over the duck pond.

He sighed and leaned against the bridge's railing, looking down at the water, and more specifically his reflection. He was still him, always and forever. Even if he was a bit confused right now.

In the distance, he heard Vanellope calling his name, and with one finally sigh he headed back home, ready to enjoy this day as much as he could before tomorrow rolled around.

~X~

And that's chapter 16! Everyone is back home, but now we have the last buildup towards the final chapter. Steve showed up to somewhat ease the worries Ralph had, but it didn't seem to do all that much. Because trust me, that talk will have a lot going on.

Shouting, arguments, all that.

So be sure to keep an eye out for the next chapter ;)

Anyways, yeah! The gang is back from the internet, and now things can finally wind down. At least, for the most part, lol. It was really fun doing my own take on RBTI, but now it's time for DCT's reach to finally come back after being a bit absent for a while.

Like last time, I don't have much to say. Just hope you liked this chapter, and are excited for the new one!

Oh, although I do have one last little thing to say that isn't related to my series: I DO NOT TAKE WRITING REQUESTS. And if you are reading this and want to ask someone else, writing requests are nothing like art requests. The more you ask, the more desperate you come off as. Just a warning from me, since I've been asked multiple times already.

Up next: The final confrontation with the others, Ralph and Vanellope go in with their nerves shot but heads high…ish…

~Caleb~