Star-Crossed

Ch.2

*Six months later

Ralph awoke to a rainy earth day morning. Having a few hours before the arcade opened, Ralph headed up to the common room of the Niceland building knowing full well that Felix, Calhoun and a few nicelanders would be having their usual morning chat. Ralph entered the room slowly to avoid breaking anything. Nowadays, when Ralph was present, knowing glances and stares were often given to Ralph. Everyone had heard the news from months prior, and he knew it was no secret. Anyone who knew Ralph and Vanellope now know how much of a shock this all was.

"Ralph!" Felix chimed, his normal peppy self filled the room with loving joy, "I saved a donut for you."

"Thanks, Felix," Ralph smiled as he awkwardly sat down on the ground amongst everyone's comfy chairs. He munched the donut and breathed a relaxed sigh.

"We should really try and mix up the bonus levels, today," Felix smiled, looking around towards Calhoun, Gene and Deana. "I think Qbert might like to have a try at my golden hammer!"

"He has no arms, Fix It," Calhoun snapped lovingly towards him. Qbert chimed in a disgruntled way, everyone laughed.

"Just a thought," Felix beamed, patting Qbert's head.

Ralph smiled and relaxed, his days getting progressively better. He quickly chomped a few bites of the donut given to him by Felix and gazed out one of the big windows of the Niceland building. The morning was quiet and dim as the rain fell outside the arcade. He fell into a small lull in the conversation. Everyone continued on chatting away, enjoying their morning together. Ralph sunk into the background, keeping to himself for a small while. He didn't want to let himself think about Vanellope, but often times he couldn't help himself. It was comfort to him, a safe haven in his mind he could escape to, though trying to avoid pain. He let his mind wander.

Before Ralph could repeat his daily 'what went wrong' thoughts, something outside the niceland building caught his eye. There were people in the arcade? Older, bigger humans. Ralph's eyes widened when he suddenly realized who these humans were. Ralph jolted up, sending the box of donut crumbs flying. Everyone around him bounced in surprise as donut remains and milk spewed everywhere. Ralph quickly bulldozed over everyone, without thinking twice, to get to the nearest balcony of the niceland building. In the process of flinging the balcony doors open, the windows of the doors shattered everywhere. Ralph practically lunged over the railing of the balcony and froze at the sight before him.

"RALPH!" Calhoun hollered as breakfast went everywhere. Felix quickly stood up with his hammer to see if he could fix the situation. Gene grumbled in dismay as everyone's attention immediately drew to Ralph.

"Ralph, what's the big idea?" Felix asked in a concerned and firm voice.

"Sugar Rush," Ralph muttered.

Everyone froze at Ralph's words and immediately scrambled for the balcony Ralph was on, as tiny as it is. Everyone watched in horror as three large human men loaded and unplugged Sugar Rush from Game Central station, and carry it away. As soon as they arrived, they left. Everyone was frozen in disbelief. Not a single breath was heard. Ralph fixed his eyes on Sugar Rush's once solid position in the arcade. It was suddenly an empty husk, indents on the arcade floor where Vanellope's home once stood. Ralph swallowed hard and felt as if his throat was on fire. Not only had the humans moved Sugar Rush's cabinet months prior, making it impossible to even get a glimpse of Sugar Rush's game screen, but now the humans have removed Sugar Rush entirely.