This is just going to be a collection of short stories and ideas I've had in my head for a while now. Any Randall fan knows what it's like when given a character such as Randall to manipulate; there are so many possibilities and opportunities for interesting theories and things for him to do- sometimes too many! And in a world as creative as the Monster World, there are rarely any restraints beyond common sense. Thank goodness for those wonderful people at Pixar for providing us with it!

This first story will be a bit longer than most of what I'm going to put here. It's an idea that has always seemed a bit too silly to put in writing, but for once, I think I'll give one of my own 'plot bunnies' the benefit of the doubt.

All characters created by Pixar are copyright Disney/Pixar.

All characters created by me are mine. Though why anyone would want to steal them is entirely beyond me...

Contents

Near Dark-Randall has returned to the Monster World, only to find that everything has changed more radically than he could ever have imagined.

Primoris Deis-Randall has a rather interesting first day at work.

Near Dark

"If you're frightened of dying, and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. If you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the Earth."

-From Jacob's Ladder

Part I- Pesticide

Prologue-

There was such a silence that nothing dared to disturb it. The small town of Horrorsville hadn't seen any form of life, Mon or Man, for several months now.

A light breeze flittered amongst the weeds pushing up from underneath the pavement, and the bungalows lining either side of the road glared out into the distance with dark, brooding eyes. Cracks appeared in the sky like dry skin, bleeding out a spattering of rain.

As the hulking figure of the Atticus appeared over the horizon, those inside it gazed around anxiously. They had been travelling for a long time now, and the Atticus was running dangerously low on Laughter. Without a Laughter Station nearby, they could be in deep trouble.

Chuck smiled apprehensively to himself.

"Well, this is it...You ready, Miles?" The tentacle monster turned to his friend, a very small, blue Mon with two large, imp-like wings perched high on his back and a single gawping eye in the middle of his pill-shaped body.

"'s now or never, I guess. Don't look as though there's anyone around, though..."

Chuck's expression remained blank, turning his attention back to steering the Atticus and deciding where to park. For a moment, his giant tongue leapt out of mouth and, in a single anticlockwise movement, slurped around his entire face, keeping his amphibious skin moist.



The Atticus grinded to a halt with a moan, its metallic structure heaving. There were nine people on board at the time, all trying to escape the devastation that had destroyed most of the Monster World already. The Atticus was their home, their safe-base, originally stolen from Monster Army headquarters as a transportation vehicle, but since modified by its very capable on-board mechanic. From the outside, it appeared to be a giant dome on treads, with few windows and some awkward-looking chimneys hanging lopsidedly from one end. Yet on the inside, it was an intricate maze of small rooms and corridors, all invaded by the heavy smell of stagnant air.

"All right, that's it," said Chuck, satisfied with where they would be leaving the Atticus- they needed to be in view of it at all times. "Scort, call up the others and sort out the weapons. Don't think we'll be needing much; the place looks dead."

A tall, multi-limbed monster draped in braided hair nodded. "Aye, sir," she confirmed, and went downstairs.

Chuck sighed. They'd been searching for survivors for months now, yet with almost every town or city they came across, very few were found. The Humans certainly knew how to destroy everything they laid their sights on. Disgusting creatures.

With the entire crew now present, Chuck opened the door of the Atticus and lowered its steps down to the ground. Everyone slowly gathered around as he began to announce what their plan of action was to be.

"All right guys, you know the drill; stay in pairs, search only where you are in view of the Atticus, and if you find anything- or anyone- come back to base and report it immediately. Scort's going to remain here if you get into any trouble." Everyone nodded. "Today, we're looking for Miles' brother, but remember, any survivors are welcome aboard the Atticus. No-one gets left behind." Everyone nodded again, but solemnly this time.

Content that they were all ready, Chuck let them go, and they began to search the abandoned houses.

He turned back to the Atticus and addressed the two monsters still waiting for instruction.

"Should I stick around outside or go back in?" asked Scort.

"Stay around here. Just in case." Chuck turned to the other monster.

"Randall, you come out with me. There's just got to be some Laughter Canisters around here somewhere."

Randall nodded, wiping some grease off his brow. The two headed out in search for a Laughter Station.

"What do you think of this, Randall?" Chuck said, turning to his comrade. Randall narrowed his eyes, asking a question without saying any words. "Well, what do you think of this place? Horrorsville? You've usually got a sixth sense for this kind of thing, for danger. Think we'll find much here?"



Randall shrugged, almost immediately distracted by several large canisters lying in an abandoned front garden. He quickened his pace, slid over the front garden wall and inspected the canisters.

"Any good?" Chuck called out to him.

Randall shook his head, baring a tooth or two in grimace. Even with such a slight change of expression, his entire face contorted, warped by the deep scar running through it.

A second later, panicked voices shouted out in the distance.

"CHUCK! CHUCK! WE FOUND SOMEONE!"