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“Cunningham? Yo, Cunningham!”
He startled, nearly jumping out of his chair as he bristled. His hand was dramatically placed over his chest, eyes narrowed while shooting a disgruntled stare at Howard Weinerman.
“What?” Randy croaked - pulling his palm away before sharply exhaling. “What was that for?!”
“You were staring into space again,” Howard bluntly answered, staring at his best friend for a second longer. “Dude, what’s with you? You’ve got that look again!”
“Oh, yeah, everything’s fine! I mean sure, things have been a little… quiet but it’s cool. We’re cool,” Randy chuckled, only to earn a deadpan stare from Howard. “I’m fine, so you don’t need to worry about me!” He added, if only to dissuade his biffer from thinking something was bothering him.
Truth be told, it hadn’t even been a year since the Sorcerer’s demise at the hands of the Ninja which only left an uncomfortable pit in the bottom of Randy’s stomach. Very little action had been occurring - even McFist and Viceroy had let down from the constant battles once they realized the age-old Sorcerer wasn’t backing them up anymore. The constant, prickling feeling of being watched wouldn’t let up, not even for a second as he was forced to confront the normal routine of high school again. There were two years left and he remained stuck in the outcome of something which had already ended.
“Are you at least coming to the field trip?”
“What do you take me for? Of course I’m going!” Randy exclaimed, rolling his eyes before letting a grin fall on his face.
“See? That’s the spirit, Cunningham,” Howard told him right as the bell signaling the end of lunch rang. With a roll of his eyes and a half-sigh, he stretched. “Now, come on, doofus. Let’s get to class!”
People were animatedly talking about the incoming trip - the ancient caves which were said to be connected with Norrisville’s early days and the surrounding amusement park being added as a treat for the class - even if the chosen location felt a bit unconventional in comparison to previous locations. Other chatter filtered in, though Randy tuned it out as he made his way back to the classroom.
School came to an end in due time though Randy remained far too alert - far too mindful - on everything around him as if he was expecting something to pop out from the shadows. Couldn’t someone just get stanked, if only to ground him? He refused to shake the old feeling, not that he truly had it in himself to move on. If Norrisville didn’t need the Ninja, then what was he supposed to do? Would something else follow in the stead of the Sorcerer?
The days continued rolling by, and Randy handled it as best he could – even if he didn’t have the means of expressing the bubbling feeling in his chest; everything seemed to blur by, hour by hour until the night before Norrisville High’s field trip. He groaned, fingers fisting into his hair before releasing a quiet, shaky breath. There wasn’t a single reason to be thinking something would go wrong, though right when he contemplated sleeping - a familiar low thrum rang out.
Okay. Not what he had been expecting at all, but he couldn’t ignore it. Especially when the Nomicon simply fell silent for a while.
Steeling his resolve, Randy opened the book as the familiar sensation of being schloomped inside hit him all at once - though he’d come to be so used to the feeling, he didn’t even protest when he landed on top of an old cart. His brow furrowed as he saw a lumbering figure ahead though he couldn’t quite make out what it was. Creeping fog begun to form, making Randy squint his eyes but even then - it didn’t seem to work.
The figure seemed to be up against someone else and a blinding white glow surrounding the middle, the sound of metallic clashing ringing out before silence permeated the air.
“Oh come on! What’s-”
Randy’s protest died on his lips when all he heard was a loud roar - like a monster - before feeling the sharp tug of the Nomicon dragging him back into the real world. Where was the cryptic message he always received? Was something happening to the Nomicon?
Well.
The field trip was tomorrow so he might as well get some shut eye now before it got too late. With a stifling yawn, Randy threw his blankets over himself and attempted to gain some shut-eye. He found himself tossing and turning - pawing at the covers before ultimately letting himself lull with the thought whatever was coming wouldn’t be much to deal with?
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sudden blare of his alarm.
“Alright, alright, I’m up,” Randy muttered, slamming a finger against the button before rolling upright. He rubbed at his eyes - slowly trudging toward his closet and finding something quick and comfortable to wear. Throwing on the hoodie, he tugged it over his arms before sliding on pants and the usual sneakers he tended to wear.
As per usual, he found the house quiet - taking care of breakfast in the form of cereal and orange juice before he was out the door, texting Howard that he was waiting outside. It didn’t take long before the ginger teen appeared, dressed in his usual outfit, as Randy gave him a grin. After grabbing their bikes, the two pedaled off toward school; they didn’t exactly have time to waste when the buses for the field trip were due to arrive directly after homeroom ended.
“Wow, you’re actually on time for once,” Debbie smirked when she saw Randy park his bike on the rack.
“What? Did you think I wouldn’t?” Randy rolled his eyes as he finished wrapping the bike chain. “Couldn’t miss such a Bruce trip, am I right?” He laughed brightly.
With a fond shake of her head, Debbie turned her attention toward checking for Theresa who promptly showed up a moment after. Students intermingled, talking amongst each other or simply checking their phones - heading inside for homeroom to wait it out until the buses would make their arrival.
Time seemed to tick on slowly once everyone was settled inside, making Randy sigh in response while absentmindedly scrolling through his phone. No activity, nothing to occupy his time. His leg bounced up and down - finally pulled out of his stupor when Principal Slimovitz announced they had to head back out again. Spotting Howard and the girls in the crowd would at least make the ride over a little more entertaining.
“I don’t want any of you wandering off when we get there,” Slimovitz addressed everyone when they were all in the bus, “we don’t anymore repeats from past trips!”
Randy had already stopped paying attention, shouldering the bag where he kept the Nomicon - a reassurance to himself that it was still there. Howard got his attention a few times, idly holding conversation when the bus began making its way toward their final destination. Things seemed to fade away again - becoming nothing more than garbled noise in his ears - at least until the sound of low garbled screeching of the bus pulling to a stop and the doors opening of their seemingly own accord.
“Remember, I don’t want any of you running off,” Slimovitz called as he did a quick mandatory roll call. “Alright! Now let’s meet our tour guide!”
“Cunningham! Hey, come on, get out of that head of yours!”
Randy jumped, flashing Howard a waning smile before he shouldered his satchel - following after the crowd of students. He kept close to his biffer, not to mention Debbie and Theresa who had found their way into the duo.
“Can you believe it? Wasn’t it said the caves were used by warriors and their enemies alike?” Debbie queried suddenly, a slight smirk on her lips. “Like, there was a rumor about the creatures of mythology roaming in it?”
“Wait, really?” Theresa’s soft-spoken voice followed. “I mean… nothing can happen to us then, right?”
Randy stayed quiet, a short exhale escaping him when their tour guide - wearing the name-tag ‘Koushi Haraguchi’ - approached the class.
“Nice to see such a bright group of students for this adventure,” the man smiled. His hair was a tousled orange, faint white streaks at the tips but his eyes were a fiery color. “Please, call me Koushi.”
The dimming light seemed to make his irises glisten, only to vanish in the next second. Koushi led the class forward as he launched into an explanation of the history behind the caves. Rumor had it they had been used to trap something inside it though none of it had ever been confirmed. There was talk that supposedly it had been the Ninja’s doing which had Randy’s nerves a bit tense, but of course - nothing appeared to happen even as they ventured deeper into the depths of the cave.
“Cunningham, yo,” Howard’s voice snapped Randy out of his thoughts again. “Pssst, don’t you have any snacks?”
“No, I don’t,” sighed the current Ninja with a roll of his eyes. “Now come on.”
The slow drip of the cave water, coming down from the stalactites, was enough to redirect Randy’s attention - fingers digging into the strap of his satchel. Surprisingly, no one had bothered with taking it from him and thus allowed for the teen to continue holding onto the Nomicon. If something happened to it, he was sure he’d lose his mind. Some of his class had taken it upon themselves to chatter absentmindedly while others became enamored by the tour guide, Koushi. The walk felt like it would take ages - without ever stopping - when they came to a sudden pause in front of a larger structure, kept lit by a small, built-in switch.
“Woah,” Theresa gasped softly, eyes widening at the breathtaking sight as Debbie let out a muffled squeal.
“This is so cool,” Randy found himself grinning - even as he felt a small draft of cold air nip at the back of his neck. He paused, turning slightly on the heel of his shoe and stared, almost as if he’d seen something move out of the corner of his eye.
Huh.
Strange.
Though before he could process what happened, the lights keeping the cave structure lit suddenly went out; echoing screams rang out as people exclaimed their shock, wondering what happened. Randy grit his teeth - aiming to reach for his mask - only for a loud thump to ring out and everything faded.
“... ham? Cunningham!” Someone was shouting at him.
What-
Randy’s heart spiked, jolting upright as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. His eyes squinted - only to groan quietly, the sudden light making his head spin for a moment. The rest of his class was inside a literal cage, but clearly someone had managed to move them to another location. Everyone who had signed the permission slip seemed accounted for, and thankfully, no one appeared hurt. They were just being held hostage without any explanation.
This could not be happening.
“So, you’re finally awake,” a low voice rang out, almost purring in delight at the confusion from the class. “I was starting to get worried for a second there. Maybe now the Ninja will make his appearance!”
You had to be kidding me, Randy’s immediate thought rang out. His hands clenched tightly into fists, drawing them behind his back.
If he revealed himself now, everyone would be screwed but of course, this seemed downright insane. Who in their right mind would kidnap the entire class in the caves instead of rounding them up at the high school? What was the point of this?
Randy growled lowly from the back of his throat, eyes narrowing at the sight of a literal monster right in front of them; piercing yellow focused on him for a second as a fiery tail flicked back and forth behind the creature, spines lining all the way down to the tip. Almost draconic in appearance, the monster - yokai, Randy’s mind supplied him - flashed rows of sharp, pointed teeth. Fangs which looked ready to sink into someone without any ounce of hesitation.
“What do you want with the Ninja?” Debbie asked, incredulousness seeping into her tongue.
“Why else do you think?” The yokai snarled. A low, throaty rumble escaped as it slowly stalked toward the student. “I want the Ninja to pay for what he did to me!”
Randy found himself tensing, his gaze never once betraying the dragon-like beast. How was he supposed to do this? The risk to his own identity outweighed whatever this new enemy might cause to his class. Could he do it? If it came down to it, would he be able to throw all the caution to the wind and defend everyone?
“Jeez, talk about yellow teeth,” Howard’s snarky comment made everything go silent. One could almost hear a pin drop.
“Howard,” Randy warned, bristling at the sight of the yokai suddenly grinning.
“Well, seems like someone needs to be taught manners,” crooned their captor. “Want to say that again, little bird?”
“Don’t. Get away from him!” Randy’s shout echoed, sidestepping in front of Howard - promptly ignoring the other’s protests - as he shot daggers at the yokai.
The dragon - what else could he be? - grinned, fangs glistening as they stalked over to the teen. Tail swinging, they rumbled loudly like a great cat about to have a midnight snack before leaning in close.
“And what makes you think you can stop me?”
Randy swallowed thickly, feeling as though his brain had become mush but his stare didn’t waver. The challenge remained present, like he would willingly go toe to toe with the yokai if they tried anything else.
“I won’t let you hurt the people I care about,” he got out, teeth grit. He knew deep down things were about to become dangerous, but he couldn’t bring himself to back down now. “You can’t do this!”
“Except I can,” the dragon laughed, eyes gleaming sharply as their talons reached to grip at Randy’s shirt collar. “What makes you think you’re any match against me, kid?”
A sharp gasp escaped him, trying to jerk away from the draconic yokai - eyes narrowing - as he became distinctly aware of his classmates muttering, whispering to themselves about Randy’s own stupidity.
“Randy,” Theresa’s voice piped up out of nowhere, “I don’t want you to get hurt. The Ninja still hasn’t shown up either! Just be careful before provoking him!”
Before Randy could say anything, his captor had roughly shoved him backward - making the teen stumble into Howard’s arms, half dazed for a second. He grit his teeth as he watched the creature get significantly more irate when the Ninja still didn’t make their appearance. Not that anyone would have known the truth, but then things unexpectedly took a turn.
“If the Ninja doesn’t show,” the dragon hissed lowly, their tail lashing back and forth, “I’ll make an example from one of you!”
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion when the yokai grabbed Theresa Fowler, gripping her tightly by the arm - its talons dug into her skin, beads of blood slowly forming. A yelp rang out as she struggled slightly in their hold which only prompted the reptilian creature to shake her.
“Quiet.”
Unbridled rage had filled Randy, reacting far too impulsively as he gripped the fabric in his pocket. Without missing a beat - he threw it over his head, a familiar transformation washing over him and the ribbons wrapping around his body. Drawing out his sword, he struck at the metallic bars which sliced away like they had been made of butter. His eyes were blazing, almost appearing to glisten against the dim-lit cave.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” his words sounded foreign in his ears, but Randy couldn’t bring himself to care. The Ninja - Randy Cunningham - shot a vicious glare toward the yokai before firmly speaking, “let her go.”
“My, my, look who finally dared to show up!”
The Ninja didn’t dare attack - remaining rooted to his spot, feeling as if he had been frozen when the yokai’s talons pressed against Theresa’s neck and began to squeeze. His heart beat loudly against his own chest; he was well aware people were staring, if the earlier shocked gasps hadn’t been clue enough. How was he meant to land an attack if there was already danger being laid upon Theresa’s life?
“Come on then, little Ninja. Aren’t you supposed to be the tough one? Attack me!” The yokai taunted, tail lashing as the talons tightly squeezed.
Randy jumped into action, slashing sideways with his sword and directly hitting the dragon’s extended tail. At the sound of a screech, he leapt back - narrowly avoiding claws being swung at his chest. It was almost like watching a dance, one step forward, one step back, duck - swing. They felt almost evenly matched, block, parry, swing again.
He pushed back against the reptilian yokai, only to swear when the tail whipped at his legs and knocked him directly onto the ground - uncoordinated, off balance. The Ninja didn’t move, winded, when his opponent pressed a foot against his stomach and pressed down.
“You were never going to best me,” the creature smirked, watching as the Ninja struggled - helpless - under their own weight. “Prepare to meet your doom.”
Randy hissed before a hot flash of anger hit him all at once, rushing wildly at him like he had just been engulfed by the flames of the phoenix. Things seemed to happen in slow motion - his sword ignited in bright blue flames, its owner swinging with fluid motion and knocked the yokai away. The suit flared in striking colors, bringing something out in him he never would’ve expected.
He couldn’t stop now. Not when his class needed him.
It felt like he was racing against time if he were to go up against this new threat. There wasn’t a choice in the matter and with a single fiery cry, the Ninja lunged forward at the yokai. Blue flames swirled outward at their target and Randy forced himself to ignore the creature’s startled screeches, the embers licking at their entire body. He could focus on the aftermath once this entire ordeal had come to an end.
Theresa watched, unable to tear her gaze away at the sight of Randy- no, the Ninja continuing to round on the creature. Her eyes were wide, but she could only hope nothing would happen to him - desperately interlocking her fingers.
And then, just as suddenly, everything went white.