The Visitor

"I'm still green at the game of goodness. I've a lot of work to do, getting anyone to trust me around here. And those last two council members are indeed out there, somewhere. But SANG will never rise again. With whatever resources I can, I swear to you that I will fight for a better world here…ethically."

The man in the red and yellow harlequin patterned suit paused in mid-stride as the words he had spoken came flooding back into his mind. Placing his chin between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand, he lowered his eyes towards the ground.

It had been over five years since he had made that pledge. Long and hard, but fruitful years. A loner he remained by nature, his outward cheerfulness while with company notwithstanding. He hadn't gained many friends to speak of. But he had generally overcome the animosity of the other game characters who wandered the environs of the internet. He no longer had to hide from others, barely even sleeping for fear that he might be found by someone who wanted him deader than dead. He had even gained his own home- a long abandoned Geocities site which he had coded himself into. Visits from others were few, but those few were never from enemies.

But he had never gone to the arcade. Once he had, almost- when he had been fleeing for his life. At that time, he had come into the very wire that led to the surge protector. But he had not taken the steps; at the last minute, his nerve had failed him. Instead, he had risked his life to return the way he had come, sending his nemesis's tiny tool of terror hurling down into the power strip even as he barreled his way past the glowing eyes and sharp fangs of the metallic creatures sent to destroy him. It had been a fortuitous decision, for it had started the chain of events that had led to his chance at redemption.

My redemption…but not before I nearly got exactly what I deserved for being such a monster before.

With a jerk, the man dropped his arm, looked ahead, and began heading in the direction which he had come from.

I think I'll risk it. I want to know how they're doing.

Less than forty eight hours after her vision of Dr. Despair, Vanellope was a lot less pensive. In fact, she was the happiest she'd been in some time. Even so, she did more listening then talking when she found herself in the company of her friends after the arcade had closed. True, that meant she was chattering only a quarter of the time, as opposed to half. But still, Ralph noticed it.

"What's the matter?" he asked as their ongoing conversation with Taffyta settled into a lull. "You've done nothing but sit there for the past…oh…ten minutes, I think?"

Vanellope grinned, but said nothing.

Taffyta eyed her quizzically. "Vanellope? You spacing out?"

Vanellope lowered her gaze to the floor, still grinning. "No, no, I'm fine. I'm just happy. Keep talking."

Taffyta shrugged. "You're quieter than ten years ago. Well, by your standards."

Vanellope glared at her. "Hey!" she exclaimed. Then, unable to maintain the glare for more than a moment, she cracked a bashful smile.

"Sass meter down," she quipped. "Need to recharge." She shook her head. "That wasn't funny. I've lost my touch."

Before either Ralph or Taffyta could reply, they overheard the Surge Protector materializing near the wire entrance that led into the arcade's wall. As they were not far from the socket, the sound was rather startling. Glancing towards the opening, Vanellope saw Surge facing a familiar figure. Swiftly, Vanellope headed towards the entrance.

"I know him," she said to Surge. "It's Gale."

"Gale?" Surge blinked. "I know who he is, since you told me about him, but…"

Ralph arrived beside Vanellope, followed closely by Taffyta. "You gonna let him in?" Ralph asked Surge.

"If you vouch for him."

Ralph nodded. "Sure."

Surge stepped aside, allowing the man in the harlequin suit to enter Game Central Station. He entered slowly, his gaze roaming this way and that, taking in the sight. He came to a stop in front of Ralph and the two racers.

"An ex-SANG agent?" Taffyta frowned.

"He's not bad anymore," said Vanellope.

"But if I give you bad memories, I can leave," Gale said.

"No need," Ralph assured him. "We got good memories of you, too."

"Your word's good enough for me," Taffyta said to Ralph. "I'll trust him."

"You might want to stay close to us, though," said Ralph. "Everyone knows the story, but they haven't seen you before."

"Fine with me," Gale replied. "I'm just glad you're all still alive."

"That's what I was gonna say," Vanellope said. "To you, I mean. I'm glad…I'm glad you're okay."

Introductions to other characters were inevitable. While they gave him more than a few long looks, they were polite anyway.

"I'm sorry," Gale told them each and every time.

"No worries," Zangief had told him after what must have been the fiftieth such apology. "If Ralph trusts you, we trust you. Besides, you help save Felix, yes? You're good guy now."

The introductions didn't last long, however. Before an hour was out, Gale was inside Ralph's apartment in Fix-It Felix Jr., sitting opposite its owner. Felix and Calhoun occupied the sofa against one wall, while Vanellope perched atop a small stool next to Ralph.

"So you never found the last two council members?" Calhoun was asking him.

"No, never," said Gale. "The trail went cold long ago. I and a few others maintain a look out, however. You never know what could happen."

Silence descended for a few moments, before Felix spoke up.

"You waited six years to come and see us. Why's that?"

"I didn't have the nerve until now," Gale told him. "I did try to arrange you're all's murders, you know."

"Stop it," Vanellope said. "Stop blaming yourself. We forgave you."

"I know, I know," Gale said. "But I haven't seen you since…since that time. You'll understand if the wounds feel fresh."

"Of course I understand," said Vanellope. She pointed towards the window. "Out there, I'm still the lovable brat the gamers love. But in here-" She pointed at her heart. "In here, I'm…different."

Gale started to stand up. "My coming was a bad idea," he said. "You're just getting bad memories."

"No, stay," all three of the others said at once. Gale paused.

"Sit down," Ralph told him. Gale did so.

"The past is what it is," said Calhoun. "But the future…well, as they say, it's not set in stone. You went from enemy to ally. If you want to try for friend, I won't stop you."

"Then maybe we should have some fun," Vanellope said, clambering off of the stool. "What do you say to driving?"

Gale grinned. "I thought you'd never ask," he said. "I love cars."

Gale stayed for a few more hours- long enough to astound Vanellope with his reckless speed on the test circuit, and to pronounce Tapper's root beer the best he'd ever had. When he left, it was with the promise that he would return soon.

Vanellope and Ralph watched him go until he was out of sight. When he had gone, the two of them headed back towards Sugar Rush.

"You know," Ralph said when they finally reached Vanellope's bedroom in the castle, "different can be good. But you know you don't need to be a sad sack inside."

"I'm not," Vanellope assured him. "I'm actually happy." She smiled. "The happiest I've ever been. I've got the best friends in the whole world."

Ralph smiled back. "So do I, kid. So do I."

And so this short story collection comes to an end. Took me long enough to finish. Thanks for reading- I appreciate it!