CRASH!

"Watch where you're going, kid," the surge protector says, helping Vanellope up.

"Sorry," she says, dusting herself off. She looks apologetically at Q*bert, whom she accidentally ran into. "Sorry, Q*bert."

He says something in his own language and meanders away.

"Thank you, Mister Sparks," Vanellope salutes, using the nickname she gave the surge protector.

"Why are you racing about?" he asks her, adjusting his glasses.

"I'm going to see Ralph!" she says as she sprints off in the direction of Fix-It, Felix Jr. She dodges everyone else as she excitedly makes her way to the terminal for the game and hops into the tram. She's bouncing in her seat as she's thinking about how she's gonna greet Ralph. Maybe she should sneak up on him. Or maybe give a battle cry as she tackles him. Well, tackles his leg at least.

She hops off the tram before it comes to a complete stop. She scans the game until she sees a row of houses off to the side. Ralph's community. She sprints over to the street and up the stairs to his front door. She knocks, waits two seconds, then knocks again.

"Vanellope!"

She turns around and sees Felix walking up to her. "What brings you here, Miss President?" he asks with his trademark smile.

"I'm here to see Ralph," she replies, hopping down the steps.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Vanellope, but he's not here."

Her grin vanishes. "Again?" she moans, her shoulders slumping.

Felix comes closer and pats the girl on the shoulder. "I'm sorry," he says again.

She shrugs off his hand. "Do you know where he is?"

"Um, well…" Felix takes off his hat and scratches his head while his eyes trace the ground – something he only does when he's hiding something.

"Where is he?" Vanellope asks again, crossing her arms and glaring at the man.

He opens his mouth, and at first Vanellope thinks he's gonna give an excuse like he usually does. Instead, he sighs and says, "I can't tell you, Vanellope. He made me promise not to tell you."

"Why's he staying away from me?" she groans, plopping down on one of the steps and resting her chin in her hands. "He's been doing this a lot."

Felix sits down next to the girl. "I'm sure he has his reasons."

She glares at him. "You're not gonna tell me those reasons, are you?" When he doesn't respond right away, she shoots up and dashes back to the tram, ignoring Felix's shouts for her to come back. Tears form in her eyes as the tram takes her back to Game Central Station. She angrily wipes them away before she gets out. Storming out of the terminal, she scans the room. No sign of Ralph anywhere.

"Looking for someone?" a voice behind her asks.

Vanellope turns around and sees a girl with short red hair, blue eyes, and wearing a pink dress with a pouch around her waist and matching shoes. "Who are you?" she bluntly asks.

The girl smiles and puts one hand on her chest. "My name is Kairi. I'm from the arcade version of Kingdom Hearts that got plugged in a few months ago."

"Oh, yeah." Vanellope remembers there being quite a commotion that day.

"Are you looking for someone?" Kairi repeats.

"Yeah. Have you seen my friend Ralph? He's got big fists and a stench you can smell a mile away."

Kairi shakes her head. "No, I haven't seen him. Sorry."

Vanellope grumbles and crosses her arms.

"Don't worry. You'll find him soon."

"What makes you so sure? He's been avoiding me for a while now. We used to meet up after the arcade closed, but now I hardly see him."

Kairi smiles. "Just because you don't see him, doesn't mean he's not with you."

"Huh?"

Kairi points at Vanellope's heart. "He's always in your heart. As long as you remember him and he remembers you, you will never be apart from each other."

"Are you sure?" Vanellope is very skeptical about this whole thing.

Chuckle. "I'm sure." Kairi starts to walk away.

"But what if he doesn't want to hang out with me anymore?" Vanellope is saddened at the thought. "I won't be part of his life anymore."

Kairi bends down. "Hey," she says gently. "If there's anything I know, it's that everyone's connected to each other."

"Yeah, I know. I was told about the code already."

"I'm not talking about the code. Look, if you and Ralph have a strong friendship between you, it won't go away. You will always have that connection to him, regardless of what happens to either of you." With one last reassuring smile, Kairi straightens. "I'm heading over to Tapper's to meet up with my friends. Would you like to join us?"

Vanellope shrugs and manages a little smile. "Sure." They both walk over to the terminal for Tapper's and get in the brown tram. They sit in comfortable silence as they travel along the cord. When they reach their destination, they hop out and make their way inside the pub-like building.

Vanellope freezes once she's inside. There, in a corner, surrounded by other videogame characters, is Ralph. He talks intently with them, a mix of heroes, villains, and extras alike. "Ralph?" she whispers broken-heartedly.

Ralph glances over at that precise moment. The smile on his face disappears. "Kid," he says. The other characters turn around to see who it is and awkwardly turn away from Ralph, some whistling innocently.

Vanellope storms out of Tapper's. "Kid!" Ralph shouts, hurrying out of the pub.

"You rat!" she screams, glaring at him. Her eyes sting with the threat of tears, but she wills them back. "I've been looking all over for you, and you just ignore me!"

"No, I'm not ignoring you!" he says. "Look, I was gonna come over to your game after meeting with those guys." He motions to the pub.

"I don't wanna hear it!" She turns and runs away, tripping once but regaining her balance.

A/N: I was debating whether to put this under crossover or not, but decided to put it here. Even though I mention Kingdom Hearts (it's my favorite videogame), this is just a cameo; it underlines the idea that everyone's connected to each other. Also, I do not own anything. This is just a fan story.