Chapter One- Welcome

Ah, Christmas at Litwak's! It's always the best time of the year. With the holidays everyone is in such a bright mood.

There are bells ringing, people singing, so many things to enjoy! Who wouldn't love to see what game characters do during the holidays?

In Fix-it-Felix Jr., the jolliness was only increasing and with it being Christmas Eve, everyone was busy.

"Gene?" Mary called out to her husband as she shut the oven door "Honey, you said you wanted to get this party going so where are you at?"

"Where else have I been?" Gene replied, but his voice sounded huffy. Mary looked over, seeing a figure fidgeting around in the bedroom. The cheeky grin on her face revealed that the woman knew exactly what was going on and after wrapping the pie up in its box, she ambled her way over to the room.

"Oh, DEEEEAR?" she tittered, playing off as cute as possible "Watcha doin'?"

The door suddenly closed, Gene thrusting all his weight upon the frame to prevent Mary come coming in.

"UH! ITS NOTHING!"

"Are you wrappin' presents?" the woman cooed, tickled to see Gene behaving in such a manner.

Inside the room, Gene kicked a box under the bed but that wasn't the only thing he was worried about.

What he was worried about was much bigger, much deadlier!

Much….itchier, scratchier, and all around uncomfortable.

"I am NOT coming out like this."

"But honey, you said you would do ANYTHING for me on the holidays!"

"I KNOW I made that promise but had I known beforehand that it meant doing THIS?!"

"But you look so cute!" Mary called back, laughing brightly "And I'm sure everyone wants to see you looking cute!"

"I. AM. NOT. CUTE!" Gene pouted from the other side of the door.

"Cartoony blue eyes, big round nose, big cheeks….ON BOTH ENDS."

"MARY!"

"I'd say you're pretty cute, now come out before I make you come out!"

"NO!"

"Nicelander Gene, if you do not come out this INSTANT than so help me there will be no pie this year!"

Mary was joking of course but she knew she finally had Gene hook, line and sinker. The door creaked open, a little grumpy man standing on the other side.

"You wouldn't dare…."

Mary reached in and tugged a cheek "Geeeene…."

"Ow, ow OW!"

"HO HO HO!" came a chipper voice of one Vanellope Von Schweetz from the door "How are the happy couple?"

It was perfect timing; just as soon as Vanellope and the others opened the door to the mayoral apartment then Gene should come tumbling out of the room.

And what everyone saw took their breaths away.

There stood Gene, decked out in the most HORRID of HORRID Christmas sweaters, the thing looking as if it were nearly three sizes too big but thick as a sheep around him. The gaudy thing just screamed humiliation on him but things wouldn't have been so bad had he managed to take it off before the others had seen him.

But there they were; Vanellope, Ralph, Calhoun and Felix. All of them standing at the couple's door and looking in with shock.

That was until…..

"PFFFFFFFFFFFFT! HAHAHAHAH!" laughed Vanellope, unable to help herself at the sight "MAYOR GENE?!"

Gene turned redder than a Christmas poinsettia as the others soon joined in though it was apparent Felix was trying to keep the peace between the bunch.

"Alright, alright. Everyone has Christmas sweaters we get it…" Felix smiled, pinching both Ralph and Vanellope's cheeks "Geeze, where have ya two been if this is new ta ya?"

"Sorry, brother…" Ralph chuckled, rubbing his stinging cheek "I just didn't think my Christmas present would come EARLY this year! I think this is the best thing I've seen all year."

"STOP TALKING."

"I see we made it on time." Smiled Calhoun, carrying her loud of presents and food "So where do ya want this stuff?"

"In the penthouse, dear." Smiled Mary, helping her with some of the items "Just leave them under the tree and once everyone gets here, we can begin the celebration!"

"Aw man, I can't wait for the party ta start!" Vanellope cheered "I'm so happy that ya two agreed ta let Sugar Rush come here! Everyone was so excited!"

Mary smiled brightly, patting Vanellope on the head "Oh, how could I say NO to those little friends of yours? I mean, we've gotten to know each other so well, so why not spend the holidays together?"

"Yes, of course…" Gene smirked, sneaking behind Mary "Plus, extra guest DOES mean extra treats."

"Gene, NO!" Mary called out, giving the man an angry pout as she watch him take two cookies off the severing plate "Wait for everyone to get here before you go stuffing your face!"

"Mmmmm!" Gene played "But Meh-RIIIIIII, there's so good!"

"You greedy lump, you've been acting like this since we got married." The woman huffed, yanking the plate away from the man "What do you think I am? Your food provider?"

"Considering your always the one MAKIN' me eat, can I say yes?"

"You have enough sense in you! You can say no!"

"Um, should we leave now?" Calhoun chuckled, entertained by what was happening before her "I mean, if you two need some private time…."

"Actually, we could use some more help." Mary said "I know we're going to be busy for the next hour so do you think you can give a hand with some of the refreshments?"

Calhoun smiled proudly "Ms. Mary, it would be an honor."

"Say no! It'll save your life!"

"Ralph."

"By the way young lady." Gene said "Where are the rest of your friends?"

"They came in with me but I guess they kinda wandered off. So many things are happenin', can ya really blame 'em for goin' off?"

"Well, they are children." Gene said, rubbing his chin "But where is Candlehead?"

"Huh, why do ya ask?"

"The child did say she wanted to help with the food but….but I haven't seen any sign of her at all."

Vanellope looked around, realizing that Gene was right.

"Yeeeeah, that is weird. She would have been scarfin' down goodies as much as you were if she were here!"

If only Vanellope had noticed the look of aggravation on Gene's face at that moment but the girl was blissfully unaware.

"Ah well, I'm sure she'll pop up sooner or later! C-Butt would NEVER miss out on a party!"

"Speakin' of which, we better get ourselves ready." Chirped Felix "It'll be nightfall before ya know it."

After excusing themselves from the apartment, the group began to go off on their own, busying themselves with the duties they had been given.

"I guess I'll get started on the next thing on my list." Mary said as she waltzed over to her husband and gave him a big smooch on the cheek "But if I find out that you snuck any bites of the food before its time-!"

"Dear, dear! You can count on me." Gene chuckled, holding a hand over his heart "Everything will be in its proper place when you get back."

Mary gave Gene a haughty smile but she knew her love meant his words. She turned and left the room, leaving Gene alone.

Alone with all those baked goods.

A devious grin spread on his face as he tiptoed towards the counter, eyeing a plate of cookies before him.

"One or two couldn't hurt." He chuckled to himself but just as he was about to put his fingers on one of the delectable treats.

"Oh, Nory! Come off it!"

Nel and Norwood. Right on time.

Gene dropped his cookie and went to the door. For a moment, he had thought that the two Nicelanders had caught him in the act but to his relief, they were going about elsewhere.

"Smile, Nel. Smile!"

"Mmurgh, I don't want to."

"Aw, even Dee-Dee is in a better mood than ya an' she's SICK!"

With everything in the clear, Gene made his way back towards the kitchen, cookies the only thing on his mind.

"Ehehe, perhaps I should try the lil angel cookies first or-!"

He stopped. He looked.

The plate of cookies were no longer there!

"W-WHAT!?"

Gene looked around the kitchen feverishly. There was no way in the code void that a plate could have just vanished like that but as he looked at the empty countertop the proof, or lack thereof, was there in front of his face.

The cookies were gone.

And if there were GONE, HE would be the one to blame.

"Now how?"

The chubby mayor scratched his head and searched a few more spaces but the plate was gone.

"Okay, think Genie. THINK. You only turned your back for a second, and then-"

Gone.

Cookies and crumbs and plate GONE.

"This makes no sense! I couldn't have-!"

Gene felt a little crack under his feet and as he looked down, an odd sight met his eyes. It was something PINK. Pink and waxy.

The mayor picked up the small blog in his fingers and gave it a closer look.

Pink wax?

PINK.

WAX.

Gene said nothing as he looked around, the apartment still and quiet. He could feel that someone was in the room with him but it was best he not stir them up. Instead of calling them out, instead of saying a word he simply walked out of the room, switching the light off behind him. And with the doors shut…

A pair of eyes looked about.

And in the darkness of the apartment, a small figure walked out.

A small figure with a large plate of cookies and other goodies.

"I hate Secret Santas…."

"Oh, come off it Nel, why do ya hate it?" asked Norwood, playfully nudging his neighbor on the side.

"Because, like every time, I'm usually the one who ends up with the worst surprise!"

"LE GASP!" Norwood played "Nel, that is so GRUMPY of ya! How can ya say stuff about that towards your NEIGHBORS!"

"Look, it's not that I think the sentiment is bad but ya know how my luck is!"

Norwood once again start to play around with Nel, acting no better than a child "Mmmm, noooo. I doooon't."

Nel shoved the man away from her, holding out her own present for her Secrete Santa.

"Stupid surprise always seem to gravitate towards me and it never matters what holiday it is." The woman grumped "Easter, Fourth of July. It doesn't matter. If its stupid and annoyin', it comes my way!"

"Purt, you're just not in tha holiday spirit love!"

"Oh yeah? Then what about LAST year? My LAST Secrete Santa, who shall remain nameless-"

Norwood looked away "Ahem, DON!"

"I heard that, NORY."

"Thought it was smart to give me 'CALMING TEA' with the words 'I hope this calms you down' on it!"

"Aw, Don was just tryin' ta watch out for your sanity!" Norwood chuckled, leaning on the annoyed Nicelanders.

"Watch out for m-!? I knew what that meant! Its not like I hear it from you guys every day!"

"Oh, now you're just getting carried away. This is why we're throwin' a party like this! We all need ta loosen up an' just let things go!"

Nel's eyes opened wide as she looked up at the smiling man "Norwood….don't you dare."

"I am one with the wind and SKYYYYYYYYY!"

"NORWOOD!"

The man was unstoppable at this point, getting on his tiny little feet and swirling around.

"Let it go, LET IT GOOOOOOOO! You'll never see me cry!"

"Oh, PROGRAMMERS."

"Here I stAAAAAAAAAND! And here I'll SAAAAAAAAAAAY! Let the storm rage on!"

"Yeah, like my foot to your BUTT!" Nel cut in, tackling Norwood but the man managed to stay on his feet, cackling madly as he flailed.

"Someone help me! I have a mad purple thing on me!"

"Mr. Norwood!"

The Nicelander stopped, seeing two Sugar Rush racers standing before him.

"Oh?"

The large rainbow afro was familiar to everyone in the arcade.

"Wow, WOW!" Snowanna beamed, clapping her hands "That was AWESOME! I never knew you could sing like that!"

Nel slid down to the ground "Urgh, don't encourage him kids. Please don't."

"Hehe, well we Nicelanders can do more than just bake an' all those silly lil things." The Nicelander said smugly, adjusting his tie "I don't like ta brag but I do enjoy singin' here an' there."

"Yeah, we know." Nel smirked "But when ya do, we can't tell if its YOU or your cats."

"Either way, that was great!" the racer said, Crumbellina looking in approval besides her "Ya think ya wanna join us tonight when we play?"

"You kids are playin'?"

"'Course we are." Snowanna smiled "There's no way either of us are gonna miss out on a chance to play some music this year."

"Aw, see?" Nel said as she pushed Norwood forward "You have two 'fans' to join ya so ya can stop messin' with me."

Norwood moved around quickly, taking Nel by her hands "But baby…."

Oh, NOW he was being serious?

Nel could only smile. She knew that Norwood meant well but of course, he couldn't do anything without trying to be the joker of the bunch. Standing on her tip-toes, Nel kissed the man gently.

"I have some 'things' to get ready." Nel said, turning tartly on her heels and walking back to the apartment "Keep an eye on 'im kids!"

"We shall." Nodded Crumbellina "Do not worry about a thing. It seems your Mr. Norwood is locked up anyway."

Locked up?

Norwood just stood in the hall, a dreamy look on his face as pixel hearts floated about.

"Programmers, I love that woman…."

"Mr. Norwood?"

The red-head nearly jumped sky high as he heard his name "GAH! Yes?!"

"Heh, perhaps we should get things set up?" asked Snowanna.

"Ah-ah-ha, yeah." Norwood chuckled nervously, his cheeks bright red "L-Let's head up to tha-!"

Music.

Soft music.

"What is that?" asked Crumbellina as she stopped in the hall, her ears picking up the beautiful sounds of a violin "Who is playing that?"

"Oh?" Norwood said as she looked up "Pft, its Donnie. He's always playin' that thing."

"Its…." Crumbellina's were HUGE as she followed the trail of the music "It's BEAUTIFUL!"

It was if Crumbellina had hit a trail she could not turn away from. Before she knew what she was doing, she was running down the halls towards the sailor's door and to her luck, it was open and there she saw him.

Standing near the window and playing his violin.

Crumbellina could not believe it. She had been in the arcade for so long and yet she had NEVER heard the man play before, she had never heard his talent, heard his music.

And it all clicked.

"SIR!"

Don jolted, hitting a sharp and bad note as he finally took notice of the small girl at his door.

Where had she come from?

He looked around a few times but he knew better than to just leave her there.

"Ahem, may I help you young lady?"

Crumbellina was still in awe but without another word she set her own case down and pulled out her violin.

"K-Keep playing!"

"Excuse me?" Don blinked.

"Please sir, keep playing!"

Don looked around, seeing Norwood and Snowanna's faces peeking around the corner.

What kind of man would deny a child music.

"You know any good 'snow' level songs." Don asked with a smile.

Crumbellina looked deadly serious as she picked up her bow "I KNOW PLENTY."

Diamond Dust.

Always the perfect choice.

Now the entire apartment was filled with the sound of violin music.

"Aaaah, she gonna be okay?" Norwood asked Snowanna but the racer only smiled and shook her head.

"She's fine but it seems like we found another talent ta add to our 'band' this year!"

"Watch out with the stars!" Felix called to Vanellope. The racer glitched into her spots, placing the decorations all over the tree.

"Don't cha worry a thing 'bout me, Felix! I got it!"

"So, what type of pie should I help Mary make?" Calhoun asked as she looked through the cook book. Felix looked over, a little surprised that Calhoun was asking such a thing.

"Ya really wanna make some pies with Ms. Mary?"

"Why not? It's the holidays! I wanna give these guys some help with all the bakin' goin' on!"

Everyone in the penthouse stopped.

Hmm, this was quite the fix.

"What? Is there somethin' odd 'bout me wantin' ta bake?"

"Not at all dear, not at all!" Felix chuckled nervously "Is just….well…"

Calhoun looked down at her husband, the man feeling the heavy shadow of her great height falling upon him like a two-ton weight.

"Felix? Is there somethin' ya wanna say?"

"Well-!"

"Aw, don't be like that ta him, Sarge." Said Ralph.

"Be like WHAT, Wreck-It?" Calhoun said, putting her hands to her hips "Perhaps YOU can translate what my husband is tryin' ta say?"

Ralph knew he shouldn't have opened his mouth with the look Calhoun was now giving him.

It was the holidays. Try to be nice!

"Um, its nothin' Sarge!" Ralph laughed, returning to his work on the tree "Nothin' at all! Just ignore us!"

"Oh no!" Calhoun said, pulling all THREE back towards her "I know what's goin' on here!"

Vanellope gulped "Ya do?"

"All this talk. Everyone tryin' ta sugar coat their words. YOU don't think I can make a pie, DO YA?"

The others frozen in their spots; BINGO.

"No, no! That's not it!"

"Oh, I get it!" Calhoun huffed, suddenly posing like Ralph and swinging her arms around "Big, bad Tamera CAN'T bake because she a big mean soldier right?"

"Aw, we don't need this now…" Calhoun said, taking his wife by the hands "I have no doubts that you're GREAT at pie bakin'!"

"Then why did ya just falter back there? Don't try ta hide it!"

Felix paled even more, walking back "Tammy, j-just listen!"

"Ya know somethin'?" the marine said, standing straight and tall "I'm gonna take ya up on your offer!"

"What offer?"

"Since ya guys don't think I can do it, I'mma prove that even a MARINE can make a pie just as good as a Nicelander!"

"Tammy, c'mooooooon!" Felix whined "I never said ya couldn't so there's no need for ya ta act this way!"

"Sorry, honey-cheeks but I gotta take it up! It's my DUTY!"

"But Tammy…."

"Too late! I'm gone!"

And with that, the marine disappeared down the hall.

"Wow." Vanellope said "She's determined."

Felix knew nothing good was about to come from this. He turned, looking at both Ralph and Vanellope with annoyed glares.

"SNOW DUTY."

"Wait, WHAT!?" said Ralph.

Before they could blink, both Ralph and Vanellope found they had large snow shovles in their hands.

"Ya heard me." Felix said sternly "SNOW. DUTY."

"B-But, it's dry as a bone outside!" said Ralph "How can ya expect us ta snow when there's nothin' out here!?"

Felix only narrowed his eyes.

It was bitter cold.

The sky was grey.

And there was nearly five feet of snow outside.

"Oh, great work Stink-Breath." Vanellope growled, shoveling a huge mass of snow "Why don't cha t-off tha ONLY guy who knows tha passcodes ta make it snow in your own game!"

"Look, I had no idea he would put in THIS much snow!" Ralph said as he took a large mound and pushed it to the side "Usually he only lets it snow one or two feet…Five? WHY FIVE?"

"Humbug! Just shovel!"

"WOW! LOOK EVERYONE! THERE'S A BUTT-TON OF SNOW OUT HERE!"

Vanellope glitched in fear; that voice. That sinister, voice.

"Oh no, not now! Not GL-!"

*WA-POW!*

Before anyone knew what was happening, as massive wave of snowballs began to rain down EVERYWHERE, hitting any and all who were hapless enough to be caught in the spray.

"Hey, what tha-?!" Ralph said, holding his shovel up as a shield "DA HECK IS THAT?!"

"It's GLOYD!" Vanellope said, ducking for cover "This is what he always does when there's snow around!"

"Hey! HEY!" roared the wrecker "We're tryin' ta work here! Don't ya think-!"

*WA-POW!*

"YA SHOULD-?!"

*WA-POW! WA-POW!*

"I-!"

*POWPOWPOWPOWPOWPOWPOW!*

When Vanellope looked up, she saw nothing but the form of her friend lying face down in the snow.

"Told ya he gets bad…" she breathed out "But so long as Nougie doesn't see then-!"

"Oh HO!" came another voice. Vanellope slammed her face into her hands.

"We're doomed."

Not too far away, a few of the candy racers had split into sides, each group arming themselves for the impending battle of the Frost!

And on one side, Gloyd Orangeboar! On the other, Nougetsia Bramblestien!

"I see that you have gathered your crew…." The frosty girl chuckled as she rubbed her nose arrogantly "Heed my words, Pumpkin Eater. Not a member of your team shall be left once we are through!"

"Haha, you make me laugh!" the pumpkin racer laughed richly, folding his arms against his chest "You think ya have the advantage just because you're a POPSICLE racer! HA! I know more 'bout throwin' all type'a bombs than ya could wish! BRING IT ON, SISTER!"

"Anytime pal!"

And the battle began.

Ralph and Vanellope looked around, seeing the massive mess that was happening around them.

"Looks like we're gonna be out here for a while…." Ralph sighed but Vanellope didn't reply "Nelly? Nelly? Ya okay kid?"

Ralph got his answer when a massive pile of snow fell atop him, Vanellope standing over him angrily.

"THAT'S WHAT YA GET FOR TALKIN' 'BOUT CALOUN'S PIE!"

"Peh! Don't blame ME for this!"