Disney Guardians ~ WiR Part II

I couldn’t take it, having to watch someone grieve… How his friends remained by him though was beyond admirable. Once the two of us calmly walked out of the complex for the last time, Ralph was not all right with the fact that Felix had tears in his eyes for a second. “Felix! What happened?” “I’m fit as a fiddle, Ralph. Stop your worrying…” Felix spoke. “It’s best that we… um,” “What did you do?” the Mayor, Gene accused, pointing at me. “At ease.” I calmly responded. “This is a very confusing time, I know… so it’s better if we press any arguments aside. It will only hinder us.” “Gene, please.” Felix had to beg him. “The night is still young and we have ten hours until our portal opens again… Mind as well refresh ourselves for the time being. I know this is a lot to take in.” Felix looked up at me with one thing on his mind. “The Racers are there. Aren’t they?” “They are. Safe and sound…Along with Vanny and her gang. Come on. We can’t stay here…” I gently suggested. Gene’s icy glare remained focused solely on me. As we waited for the opportune time to safely leave the circuit, they did without a doubt have one last goodbye at Tappers, just to wrap their minds around that fact that this was truly their last night in the arcade. “So it is true what they say…” Ralph began as we all seated ourselves. “Are Guardians like cops or somethin’?” “In a way…” I answered back as I checked my arm brace. Felix lamely hopped into a seat beside me and Ralph with a heavy sigh. Felix leaned over the counter with crossed arms, merely staring down at the patterns on the counter, lost. My partner who accompanied me on this mission came in, taking a look around the place. At first his antlers were so wide that it took two tries to fit through the door. “There you all are…” Prince Bambi spoke. “I don’t know if I have ever tried what you call… Root Bear.” “Beer, actually.” “Sounds indecorous.” I slyly look back as the Nicelander’s all got a chuckle. “Shut up…” I smiled. “Looks like this is it, so no tabs tonight, fellows,” Tapper announced, trying to pep everyone else up. “Thanks, Tapper…” Ralph said sadly, once again supporting the strangely reserved Felix by his side. “Hey, buddy. Just down one, okay?” “I don’t have much of a choice now, do I, brother?” Felix cracked a sad smile as mugs were given to them as to the rest of the final night’s customers. There was so much to do, so it was best for my rescued to have some time to collect themselves before the shocking reveal of what their new world would look like. Bambi came by my side as I was thinking deeply to myself. He took one sniff of the mug in front of him and gave it a lick. His nose twisted up in dislike. He looked and saw how distracted I was and sighed, knowing the truth that flew through every game since our arrival. “Not taken by our offer, good sir?” Tapper teased Bambi, who gave a sheepish grin. “You’re too kind, but I don’t take to sugar all that well…” Bambi admitted. “I graze and water is my drink of choice, as it were,” he stated as politely as he could. “Oh, you’re so boring. Just lick it.” I teased him. Ralph and Felix looked at us at that moment. Ralph snorted as Bambi actually took a sip. The look on his face looked confused and a little surprised. Bambi gulped down his sip after feeling how fizzy it was on his tongue. Oddly, he felt a burp hit his throat. He shuddered, making the others laugh. Even Felix had to smile. “Are you doing okay over there, neighbor?” Felix commented, fighting a smile. “Looks like this is his first Tapper’s root beer.” Ralph winked at us and I elbowed the stag. It was a happy accident to see them all cheer up. It was like a fresh drink of water in of itself. It was going to be several hours until morning, mind as well give them a peace of mind yet not mentioning certain names was harder than I thought. A thought occured to me, or rather a hopeful possibility if the rumor here was true that once a game was unplugged that meant an inevitable demise. I wondered if that was just a rumor though. In the grand scheme of things, no one knew for sure because no one ever returned to tell the tale. This was definitely not a discussion here where a fragile heart was nearby. My task right now was to deliver him and his family safely to a whole new existence that wasn’t bound by code, electricity, and machines. It was going to be quite a jump for them. I half expected to be bombarded with questions… Of course, the Mayor of Niceland was not so keen about me either. Gene. And he was nothing like Felix. “May I have a word with you? Ma’am?” Gene poked at my leg. “Privately?” his voice sharpened a bit. “You may, sir…” I replied, calmly, looking at Bambi who got the message to keep an eye on Felix. I was an open-minded person. It wasn’t going to be pleasant but these characters had every right to be… suspicious, if not scared. I followed the little Mayor to the hall near the washrooms in the back hall. “What are you playing at?” Gene started up. “Guardians, BAH! How do I know that you aren’t playing Felix for a fool?” “I did no such thing,” I stated, plainly. “I simply made a promise to him. A promise I am keeping. The same goes for you.” Gene looked a bit taken aback at that. “Guardian is a title, isn’t it?” “A lot more than you think. That is something I must prepare all of you for, later.” “If you are so powerful, Guardian of Day… th-then… where were you three months ago?” Gene went for the goal and hit it straight in. Even he was tad choked up mentioning this. I looked out hoping Felix didn’t overhear. We were lucky… “Gene. I was once a mere human, just like the gamers. I’m still learning tricks of the trade to this day. I wish with all my heart that I was here then. Don’t think for a minute that I wouldn’t have done something if I knew. I am still going to try to do something.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “My heart is bound to those I protect. By default. You, Felix, Ralph, every single one in this arcade and worlds beyond. When I am onto something, I stick to it. I don’t know if it’s true but…” “I-…” Gene was struck with awe. “W-wait, you’re actually gonna go look for her? That’s impossible…” “Gene, you cannot speak any of this to Felix. Not even Ralph. Or anyone. Because truthfully, I don’t know for sure if it’s true that a game, when plugged back in, would retain memories. Felix is hurt enough. It’s not worth salting that wound right now. Don’t hold so much negativity, Gene. He needs all the support he can get right now. A new home is nerve-wracking enough as it is…” “… you got a good point.” “Once we arrive at the King’s Keep at dawn, just be there for him. Okay? I have trusted friends there to help you. From there, I’m returning here to find that cabinet. Perhaps you can enlighten me. On that day when Litwak took Hero’s Duty out, did you see anything worth noticing? A truck? A name…? Anything of the sort?” Gene sighed and crossed his arms, honestly looking really miffed but convinced, otherwise. “There was a semi-truck outside the door. They rolled it out. Said something on the back of it. Dream Arcades, I believe…” “Dream Arcades…? All right. I think you led me down the right direction, Gene. This will mean something huge. Remember our agreement.” “I don’t know why I told you all that… But my lips ar sealed. I don’t like it, but what choice is there now?”

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