Star-Crossed

ch.3

Ralph stumbled through his game's outlet and darted his eyes around Game Central Station. The Station was alive with game characters everywhere. He quickly read each outlet's description, hoping to see Sugar Rush. He slowly walked around backwards, turning in a circle and scanning the overwhelming size of the station. He rubbed the back of his head before accidentally bumping into someone. He mumbled an apology before taking a double take on who he had bumped into. It was none other than Taffyta.

"Taffyta?" Ralph breathed. Taffyta looked up at him in a confused manner and brushed her shirt off a little.

"I'm walking here, what do you want?" Taffyta barked, her tone short.

Ralph could hardly even believe he was in the presence of someone from Sugar Rush. He stammered on his words and noticed a lot of changes about Taffyta. For one she was a lot taller, and looked older. Her outfit was similar to what it had used to be, but more appropriate for her age. She was about 3 1/2 feet shorter than Ralph himself. She was dressed in proper racing gear. She was tall and slender, her white blonde hair longer and tucked into a low ponytail. Her face was still hugged by choppy, loose strands of hair; she had a lollypop hanging out of her mouth. Ralph tried to find words. He wanted answers. He didn't want Taffyta to walk away.

"Your game," Ralph finally exhaled, "I-I watched it become unplugged."

"It was a shock to all of us too," Taffyta said understandingly, keeping her distance, "Our move across the arcade and upgrade happened almost a year ago, Ralph. You been too busy to even notice that as well?" Taffyta snapped, obvious hatred in her voice. She wrinkled her nose. Ralph flinched.

"Wait, what? I haven't been too busy, I watched your game become unplugged. I thought you guys were gone for good," Ralph said, a small smile finding it's way across his face.

"Nope, we're still kicking. We're a lot more popular after our upgrade," Taffyta said proudly before taking a step away from Ralph, "I need to get going. Hope all is well, Ralph," Taffyta said with a knowing, almost saddened face. Ralph blinked a few times before his mind caught up with him.

"Wait, where can I find Sugar Rush?" Ralph called.

"I don't think going to Sugar Rush is wise, Ralph," Taffyta called back from a ways away. Ralph slumped his shoulders and watched Taffyta disappear amongst the crowd.

Ralph brushed her words off and began frantically searching around for Surge. Surely he would know Sugar Rush's location. Amongst the amazing crowd of gamers, Ralph knew finding Surge was almost impossible. He quickly began rushing around to every game character he could get close to.

"Do you know where Sugar Rush is?" He asked, over and over. Most of the gamers he approached warily scrambled away from him. He finally found Sonic standing amongst his friends.

"Sonic, I have to talk to you," Ralph breathed. Sonic gave him a weak smile and nervously glanced at his friends.

"Excuse me one second," Sonic said quietly before stepping closer to Ralph, "Ralph, what do you need?"

"Do you know where Sugar Rush went?" Ralph said as he was on the verge of feeling annoyed.

"Sugar Rush? Oh right! Sugar Rush! Um, well..." Sonic held his chin in thought and looked around, "Didn't that game get moved?"