Chapter 4: Second Brawl

Back in the present, robo-bulls destroy the school cafeteria. Teens scream and run to safety and principal Slimovits raises his megaphone to shout, "Evacuate! Don't get trampled!"

Meanwhile, Randy looks through the students for the bathrooms so he can go ninja and try a few new moves. After squeezing through, he makes it instead to the boys' locker room and, checking for any men, snatches out the mask from his pack and pulling it over his face.

Outside, Theresa stops by the restrooms and looks back at the raging carnage with a smile. "All going exactly as planned," she mutters before rushing in to make a quick change.

One bull demolishes the food court when red smoke erupts from the side and the ninja jumps and slices the head off with a flip. "Alright, one down…" He turns around and widens his eyes when he finds all the bulls staring at him. "…fifty more to go." The teen takes out his ninja sword and starts slicing the bulls that charge him. He jumps from one wall to another and across tables to avoid the horns. He uses his scarf to throw one bull into a small group. One time, he throws his sword and it digs through five heads before getting stuck on a wall. The ninja flips across the circular, metal bodies of the rampaging bulls and lands on top of his ninja sword, smiling under his mask. "Oh, this is the bruce!" He jumps while grabbing his sword when a bull ran toward him and takes out his Sais. While shouting, "Ninja Sais!" he throws the weapons across the cafeteria while still in the air, each taking out a robot. When he lands, Randy activates his ninja spikes on his knuckles and shatters the robotic animals to their gears. One bull charges while roaring but the savior of Norrisville swings his arm and smashes through the head, disconnects it and throws it at the others, making them all blast into an inferno. "Ah-ho, yeah!"

Back at Mcfist Industries, Mcfist and Viceroy watch the battle through the eyes of one bull, which is laying back and observing. The evil scientist says, "My, he sure amped up his game. I've never seen him take out so many opponents in such a short time!"

"I don't believe it!" Mcfist shouts. "He destroying the robo-bulls like they're paper! Aren't you supposed to be the great genius that can make a robot that will destroy the ninja?!"

"Hey! These robots are cheap knockoffs compared to my others! Besides, the goal is not to destroy the ninja. We are trying to tire him out, thus the numerous robo-bulls. You heard the Sorceress's plan!"

In the cafeteria, Randy rips off another head and uses it a bowling ball at a group of ten other bulls, destroying all of them. "Strike!" He turns to the rest and sees them all lined up, ready to charge. The ninja cracks his knuckles and says, "Alright then you robo-trash, you've been working so hard. Why don't you try chilling out a bit?" After a few hand motions, his black suit turns to a blue and the red lines convert to black. The temperature lowers to freezing in the cafeteria. A blue aura sways around his hands and Randy shouts, "Ninja Arctic Lances!" and pushes his arm forward. Ice spikes shoot out of the aura and zoom across the room toward the bulls. They don't make a move until their heads get unwanted horns, and they collapse. The ninja reverts back to his old ninja colors and he takes a bow when a stray bull rams him from behind, sending him into a wall.

The Mcfist and Viceroy stare at the accomplishment and the scientist plainly says, "That's new for him."

"Just great. Like he's not already hard to kill already!"

Randy pops his head out of the wall and turns back to the only bull. This one is a little bigger than the rest and his horns bend close to the middle of his head, the point's only centimeters apart. "I'm guessing you're the leader of the herd," the ninja says.

It snorts and charges, but the ninja jumps on top and kicks it away. The animal shakes its head from the crash then looks around for his prey. Suddenly, from above its head, someone shouts, "Ninja Slice!" and the bull's head flies off. The ninja lands on top of the body then on a table before the dead robot explodes. "That was the most brucest battle I've ever fought! And I didn't come close to dying this time!" Randy celebrates, shooting his fist up.

Howard, who was hiding behind an overturned table near the exit, pokes his head up and says, "Dude, that was the cheese! Way better than freshman year."

"You know it! And now it's time for smokebo-" Before he can disappear, a purple fume knocks him back, and the smokebomb in the ninja's hand accidently flies into the hideout Howard was in. Red smoke conceals the small area and the orange-head says, "Oh that smells!"

Randy groans and pushes himself back up. He looks up and spots the smirking Sorceress floating close to the ceiling. "You!"

"We meet again, Ninja. Hope you're ready for round two," says the witch in her entrancing tone.

"Oh, I'm beyond ready." He jumps on his feet and holds a fighting position. "You may have not noticed, but I learned a few moves that will surely kick your butt."

"Ooh, I'd like to see those moves." She twirls her staff around, letting out more of her Perfume, and throws it at the ninja. In mid-flight, the fumes solidify and form into a row of spikes. Randy's eyes widen and he quickly jumps over the first few spikes and uses his sword to knock the others away with difficulty. The fumes felt like they're made of lead to the ninja. He spots one more flying toward his head so he blocks it with his sword and, with expertise, reroutes it back to the owner. The witch makes no sign of moving out of the way. To the ninja's surprise, the spike turns back to purple smoke just before it touches the girl. She grins and points her staff at her opponent, the orb glowing bright purple.

Meanwhile, Debby Kang runs through the hallway, looking for the cafeteria. When she noticed her friend isn't anywhere outside, she rushed back into the school, figuring Theresa might be where the action is. "Ooh, that Theresa," she angrily growls. "For once, can we just get out of school without watching the ninja?"

When the killer-bear-loving girl finds the entrance to the lunchroom, she gasps and pushes herself against the wall next to the door just before a table flies out. When the girl feels like its safe, she peeks into the room and, sure enough, she sees her witchy friend fighting the black-and-red-clad ninja. "Theresa, why couldn't you be like normal girls?"

She sniffs the air and detects something stinky. She looks over at a nearby overturned table and finds Howard Weinerman watching the battle scene. Debby raises an eyebrow in confusion and thinks, Why is Weinerman here?

In the battle, the ninja jumps up from a table and heads to the Sorceress with his Ninja sword. He swings but his enemy blocks it throws him into a wall. She sends her Perfume and it crushes Randy before exploding much like a smoke bomb. The witch slowly floats closer to the veiled area when she hears, "Ninja grab!" and a red scarf with teeth shoots out and wraps around the staff. The ninja jumps out and pulls, making the magical girl release her weapon. When Randy grabs it, he gloats, "So what are ya gonna do now without your staff?"

The Sorceress glances at a pile of discarded robot parts. She smiles and closes her eyes, stating, "I don't need my staff to use magic." She starts muttering in a gibberish-like dialect and waving her hands, creating more Perfume around them. The Norrisville ninja watches with confusion, wondering what she's doing. The witch then echoes, "Kcenaedo Uvcarau Tranlsofoie!" The aroma floating around her hands fly off and envelop the pile of scrap. The ninja watches as he sees parts appear in the vapor and hears clanks and clamors of metal scraping metal. "What the juice?" he mutters.

When the aura disappears, Randy's mouth drops underneath his mask as he beholds the creation of the witch. The parts of the robo-bulls that he destroyed are now in the form of a giant robot with three bull heads. The parts not connected to metal are being held by the same purple vapors that first covered it. The monstrosity groans as it stretches, the arms stretching out longer, the metal echoing their creaks. The heads stretch out like snakes, revealing their necks to be more purple Perfume.

"What the juice?"

The beast snorts before looking at its master, who is smirking. She turns to the awestruck ninja and orders her creation, "Kill him."

The beast turns its heads toward the ninja and roars, swinging around its mace on a chain and dual swords hands. Randy says, "And here I thought today would be easy." He jumps when a mace comes toward him and lands on one robot's head then jumps off, forcing the robot back. It stumbles, crushing a few tables and spare parts, but regains its footing and turns back to the ninja with furious red eyes. The multi-bull retracts the mace and bows its heads. They start spinning at breaking speed before charging the ninja. Randy backs up a little then notices the shadow behind him. It stretches all the way to the hole the previous bulls created.

Just when the monstrosity is about to slice the junior to pieces, he says, "Ninja Shadow-walk," and he dematerializes into the shade behind him, making the bulls' horns get stuck into the wall, much to its displeasure. It pushes its heads out of the wall and shakes the large rock off the horns. The witch's creation then starts searching the cafeteria for the ninja. Howard quickly ducks back behind the table while Debby stares slack-jawed at the ninja's feat. "When can he do that?"

The Sorceress growls and also looks for her nemesis. "Where are you?" she mutters. She hears scuttling behind her so she turns and grabs the nun-chucks swiftly before it smacks her head. Thinking quickly, the ninja tries to kick her instead but the witch forces him past her while grabbing her staff. The high school junior falls in front of the bull. "Nice try," she breathes.

The Norrisville ninja groans and mutters, "I really thought the shadow-walk would really give me an edge." He hears an animalistic growling and he turns his head to see the bull right on top of him. It snorts and a puff of stinky air hits the ninja. "Uh…"

Roaring, the multi-bull thrusts down his double sword but Randy quickly jumps away. He quickly grabs his ninja sword again just before the bull slices him. The two have a sword standoff, both never faltering. The high school hero looks up at the middle head and sees a bright light growing deep in its throat. He widens his eyes when he realizes what it is and jumps away right before the bull blows hot fire. The ninja skids across the floor and says, "So you like to play with fire, huh?"

The bull walks over and charges another fire blast. Meanwhile, Randy focuses on his Ninja Cold Rage and his suit changes to blue and black again. The beast fires and the ninja shouts, "Ninja Ice Ray!" a column of reflective blue ice shoots out of his hands and starts cooling the fire. The snow reaches the robot's mouth and the whole body freezes in a block of ice.

"Ninja kick!" he shouts, shattering the machine to a billion pieces. He turns back to the Sorceress who mutters, "What else can you get from a mindless robot?" She twirls her staff and sends a stream of Perfume at the enemy. The ninja jumps over the first wave but another attack sends him through a few walls in the school. The witch follows the small destruction and looks around the metal shop where the holes lead to. She looks around the room and snarls, not finding the ninja anywhere. She disappears, leaving an aroma of cherry blossoms behind.

The large chalkboard on one side of the wall slides to the side and the Norrisville Ninja walks out along with the blind S. Ward Smith. They look around and Randy states, "All clear."

"Who the hell was that, ninja?" the sword smith asks. "I've never seen her in my life!"

"Long story short, she's the Sorcerer's descendant called the Sorceress and she wants to kill me."

"Of course."

"Anyway, thanks for the help. Smoke-bomb!"

Outside, Howard hurries out and waits by a lamppost. Soon, Randy runs toward him and says, "Alright, another school day cut short. So what should we do now that I'm not gonna die anytime soon?"

"Hmm, wanna head to Greg's Game Hole and see if he installed any new games?" the carrot-head suggests.

"And beat you down hard again? You got it."

"Oh-hoh. That's not going to happen, my arrogant friend. Today, I will beat you to oblivion!" he pledges, pointing a finger to the sky.

"I'd like to see that happen." The ninja looks back at the school and spots Debby leaning against the wall. "What's Debby doing here?"

Howard asks, "Huh?" He also turns and says, "Don't know. Probably waiting for Theresa."

"Why would Theresa be in the school if everyone headed home?" Randy thinks about it then says, "Hey, you don't think…"

His friend gasps and utters, "I think she is. She's a ninja fan and wanted to see the action up close!"

"Maybe."

"Alright! Then let's get going to Greg's Game Hole." The round teen runs to the city and the purplette was about to follow but turns back to see the baton-twirling girl running to her friend. He rubs his chin and thinks, Something doesn't seem right. She had two years to watch me in action, so why now? Without an answer, he runs after Howard.

Back at school, Theresa finds her friend leaning against the wall. The baton-twirling girl smiles but then notices the killer-bear-lover's grimace. She slows down and asks, "Is something wrong, Debby?"

"Oh no, nothing's wrong," she says with a fake smile. "It's just that a friend of mine decided to go and confront the ninja even though her friend just wanted a normal afternoon together." She then frowns again. "Care to explain?"

The blue-haired girl bites on her finger and looks away. "I-I'm sorry, but I was so certain that my plan would work."

"And it didn't! Just like every other time since junior high started!" the bear-lover snaps, startling her friend. "I bet you forgot about our deal last night!"

After a pause so Theresa is sure her friend won't shout again, she says, "Actually, I did remember. If you think about it, the attack cut school early. And I agreed on going to the mall with you after school. So, in a way, I helped the deal."

Debby continues to scowl, but it slowly turns into a smirk. She drops her arms and chuckles before saying, "Alright. You're forgiven."

The baton twirler smiles and asks, "What are we waiting for?"

The two girl friends run happily to the large mall. But, even though she's putting a happy face on, Theresa is really thinking, Man, another plan falls to pieces. At least this time I have someone to blame besides myself.

A few hours later…

Hannibal paces around his office, steaming at the recent failure to destroy the ninja. He suddenly bellows, "I don't understand! How the heck does the ninja keep winning?! This plan should have been foolproof, Viceroy!"

"Would you just give me a break already?" the mad scientist asks. "I mean is it really my fault that the ninja is a person who can learn just like us?"

"You said you can destroy the ninja but all your contraptions have led to nothing but failure over and over again!" He turns to the scientist with a snarl and says, "You better have a plan by tomorrow, or so help me-!" The gazillionare stops midsentence when he notices Viceroy paying attention to the screen showing the ninja's battle. "Viceroy, what are you doing?!"

"Watching the last battle with the ninja and taking notes. It's what all evil scientists do to create better machines," he says matter-of-factly.

"Why would you do that? It shows nothing but the ninja WINNING!"

"You really have a lot to learn." The mad scientist continues to watch as the ninja fights the multi-headed bull when he notices something. "Wait a minute." He pauses then rewinds and finds a boy with orange hair hiding behind a blue overturned table. "Well, well, well."

"What is it, Viceroy? Is it something that can help us?" Mcfist asks.

"Possibly."

A robo-ape walks in and announces, "Sir, you have a visitor."

Before Hannibal can ask who, a purple aroma circles the robot and throws it to a wall where it shatters. Behind the ape, the Sorceress walks up to them while saying, "One task. I give you idiots' one simple task to do. But, apparently, you can't even do that! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you Sorceress, but I never accounted for the ninja's new abilities. I made the bulls out of what knowledge I had over the three years I've observed."

The witch sighs while rubbing the bridge of her nose. "This is what I get for working with others." She starts walking away but Mcfist shouts, "Wait! What if we say that we have another plan to destroy the ninja?"

"It'll most likely fail. But I'll listen to it," she says while turning back around. "So what do you have?"

The rich man blubbers a bit while pulling on his collar then says, "Uh, Viceroy, why don't you tell her our plan?"

The said-scientist groans in annoyance then says, "I don't have all the details worked out but let me ask you this: What do all TV shows and movie villains do in common to defeat the hero?"

"I don't know. What?"

"They all kidnap a close person of the hero. Whether that is a relative, a friend, their girlfriend, doesn't matter. They all have the same effect. The hero will do anything so the close person does not get hurt. Take the 1997 fantasy movie, Hercules for example. He made a deal with Hades to exchange his life for the girl he loves so that Megara would live."

"But, if I remember correctly, Hercules saved Meg and thus regained his god status so he can't be killed, and then he punched Hades into the river Styx."

"Yeah, but that was a children's movie, so of course the hero would win at the end. But this is real life, a totally different game board. If we can figure out what the ninja cares for the most, we can use it as his weakness. Now that is a foolproof plan."

The Sorceress ponders on his plan and finds that there's a chance it could work. She looks at the scientist and says, "Maybe. But the ninja is crafty. He'll most likely find a loophole in the plan and end up like the movies. The hero saves the one he cares and the villains are defeated."

"Uh-uh. When I'm done with the plan, the ninja will be at our mercy," Viceroy says with a grin.

The gazillionare shouts, "That has got to be the most perfect plan ever! I'm so glad that I thought of it!"

"What?! You-No, I-" he groans, giving up.

The Sorceress rolls her eyes underneath the shadow and says, "You can go on with that plan. But if you actually get the ninja with that hackneyed plot, I want to personally kill him."

"Um, okay?" Mcfists says hesitantly.

The young witch teleports out of the building in a tornado of Perfume. When the last bit dissipates, the bald man turns to the mad scientist and says, "Alright, get on with the plan and then we can utilize it tomorrow."

"Uh sir, this plan cannot be exploited in one day."

"What?!"

"We have to first figure out what the ninja cares about the most. That could take days, weeks even."

"Well, how are we supposed to do that?"

After a moment of thought, Viceroy says, "I got it." He heads to the computers and, after typing a few commands, the multiple of screens show various parts of Norrisville high school through the security cameras. "When there's a monster attack or a robot attack, we'll be able to survey the ninja and find out what he cares the most. Who knows? Maybe we'll be able to see who the ninja is when one of the teens puts on the mask."

"Ooh-hooh. And when we find out who the ninja is, then we can finally eliminate him!" Mcfist shouts.

"If we see him. Meanwhile, I'm going to learn more about this boy," he says, referring to carrot-head. "I can tell he's different from the others."