XXVI.
Calhoun, Ralph, and Felix were
in time for work; then Felix coaxed
the Nicelanders back in the building—
he convinced all would be well.
And so it was: Litwak saw
all functioning in 'Fix-it Felix';
so back 'in order' went the game.
That night, Felix did convene
a general meeting of them all.
Lacking backbone these thirty years,
Felix now laid down the law:
Ralph was no more to be shunned.
Not only was it foolish to
base judgements on good Ralph's 'day job';
he also told them of the tale
of 'Sugar Rush':
Ralph's friendship with Vanellope;
the things he did, to set her free;
the sacrifices he did make—
a Good Guy in all but the name.
He said they owed Ralph years of debt;
and payments started that same night.
Pies, and cakes, and smiles, too,
greeted Ralph throughout his days.
As Ralph predicted, Vanellope
was popular 'mongst gaming crowd.
They loved her glitching—great 'power-up'—
and always hungered for the days
that Van was on the roster board.
The rules of nighttime racing changed—
no more coins to enter in—
the roster rotated quite fairly;
all got their chance; and days of rest.
Vanellope also made friends
with all the racers; childish pranks
they'd play on one another's karts.
Parties were law of the land—
and having fun need'd no command.
The adults came, the joy to share—
and 'Sugar Rush' became a spot
visited by all; for sweets, and talk.
Van and Ralph did often meet
in nighttime hours; t'was so much there
for Van to see—Ralph was her guide
to all the fun the arcade held;
other games they visited
to try them on, just for the fun.
Other nights, they'd just goof off;
they never wanted for ideas
of pleasant things to do or try.
They were a picture, sweet to all—
the child, at last not alone
but with a bigger buddy now;
the ádult, with a charge to shield,
did happ'ly indulge most of her whims—
and when exub'rance went too far,
was there to give the brakes a tap.
Tamora and Felix married;
all were there to celebrate—
Ralph stood best man; Vanellope,
Tam's maid of honor stood proudly.
Soldiers, racers—Bad Guys, too;
Nicelanders all filled the pews.
They toasted bride and groom so bright—
then partied long into the night.
Ralph and Felix had a talk
concerning Q*Bert and his band.
They decided they would code
a bonus level, to include
these characters long since thought gone.
With honest work, their spirits rose;
and gamers flocked to the console.
The game was sudd'nly all the rage;
the quarters, they did overflow.
Ralph made request—that Felix build
good housing for the new guys, and
abode for him—no more the dump;
for comfort, and the company—
Van, Calhoun, and Felix all,
did visit in Ralph's welcoming hall;
so did Bad Guys—racers too,
Ralph's life so changed, he scarce believed.
News of changes spread throughout
the arcade's world; quite suddenly,
the Good Guys and the NPCs
realized "Bad Guy" was job, only.
Bad-Anon did not disband;
but its need was much reduced—
Good and Bad now freely mixed.
Reader, should you wish to draw
some insight from this epic long—
I cannót improve on this:
Judge hastily not; you're like to miss
a point or two, that might bring bliss;
within, may be a heart of gold—
And with that, our story's told.