Blue Kitsune: Hey everyone happy Veteran's day and just to show the love I decide to post the next chapter and hope you all like and please don't hesitate to make any reviews or favs.
Disclaimer: Blue Kitsune does not own Sony animation or Pixar, just the OC given here.
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Chapter 07 -
Get Ready, Get Set,
Get Crackalacking?!
Marian was right on Mike's reaction when he heard what she did once she got back to the dormitory that night. She found her friends were in their room studying and her bats being the first to sense her as she flap by the window and waiting for Leda to let her in. The boys had been wondering what took her so long while the Gor-lamia seeing she did get the book but the look on her face reveal she had something big to tell them. The vampire seeing they were dying to know what happen and went into full details on what went down over at the ROR house, her little 'tic-in-one-line-tac' trick and Mike couldn't help as he laugh out loud at the end of that tale.
"Oh, wow, I can't believe you managed to pull that; oh man, if you only had a camera and took pictures then we could've really put those in the scrapbook or maybe in the school paper."
The cyclops could only imagine the look on that big dope's face and sure he'd think twice before underestimating someone like Marian. "Oh man, I bet Sulky didn't see that coming, not by a long shot!" The gang all agree with him and when morning came, the word seem to be circulating around campus and many were looking directly at their group, mostly at the vampire herself.
Marian had been surprised by how fast the word got out and seeing a lot of monsters were now focusing their attention onto her, given she was the hot topic for their ongoing conversations and hearing what they were saying even when they assume she was out of range.
The vampire had to admit that while it was nice to get notice by her peers she wouldn't let this get to her head, knowing that eventually it would die down as soon as the next major thing came to play and then they would turn their attention onto that instead. She had no qualms with that as she knew as long as she had Mike and her friends and focus on the more important things in their life like being top Scarers and making a name for themselves after graduation.
It was just another normal afternoon for them and with the last class finish, the gang decided to do their studying outside for a change. It was too good a day to pass up and the vampire didn't mind being in the sun as she still wore her jacket and the lotion to keep her skin from burning.
Marian had finish her fear essay and spare a glance over at her friends as Leda was busy jotting something in her notebook while Mike had Randall using his phobia cards to test him. The exercise was was simple enough as Mike had to guess what the proper terms were and so far hadn't gotten any wrong as of yet. He was doing pretty good for himself while tossing his ball at the same time and Marian couldn't help watching them go at it.
"Okay, gimme another one!" Mike was on a roll after answering the sixteenth question and Randall getting the next card out ready and asking, "Fear of spiders?"
"Arachnophobia!" That was obviously too easy that even her baby sister could've figure that out for sure but Randall flip the next card and asked another question, "Fear of thunder?"
"Keraunophobia!"
"Fear of chopsticks?" Now that raised Marian's eyebrows, wondering what kind of person had such fear over an eating utensil and looking to Leda who was also thinking the same herself.
"Consecotaleophobia. What is this, kindergarten? Give me a hard one."
Marian couldn't resist the wry smirk as she call out to them, gaining the cyclops' attention as she said, "Oh a hard one huh, well why don't you try this on for size then!"
She jump to her feet and quickly transformed, turning into a large snake, waiting for one of them to pipe, and hearing Leda immediately shouting, "Oh ophidiophobia!"
Marian changed again, this time into a wolf with green eyes. "Oh, I got this one: Cynophobia!"
"Sorry, Randall; it's a wolf which means is Luposlipaphobia."
"You're both right; I mean, it could be either or but still, good guess you two." The wolf-Marian barked before going through another transformation, this time shifting into a tiny mouse. Yet much to everyone's shock, including Marian's, they heard Randall's cry out as he jump to his feet, his cards flying everywhere and him disappearing within a heartbeat's notice.
Everyone was struck speechless before Mike finally said, "Whoa, Randall, I didn't know you had a case of musophobia."
Leda had manage to get pick up the fallen deck while Mina change back and went to approach the area where the invisible monster was, "It's okay Randall, just calm down, now deep breathes, in, out, in…"
They watch as he slowly reappear but saw the reptile's scales had turned a darker shade as he sat down and gave a heavy defeated sigh. "Yeah, it's a bit embarrassing seeing how I shouldn't given what I'm majoring in but every time I see one of those, I can't help how I react when they're in my presence."
He involuntarily shuddered and held his tail between his hands, wringing at it to show how badly it affected him. "I was just a kid when it happened. I was visiting my uncle for the summer while my folks had to go away on business and my sister was staying with her friends leaving me by myself. We were told he had this real bad infestation but said it was all under control and should be fine for me to stay there with him. He already had someone there to exterminate them but a few still managed to get around the traps and were inside the walls scurrying around at night. I once caught them burrowing inside the mattress I was lying on which hadn't been pleasant." Randall still had nightmares of the time when he felt them rummaging around while he was trying to sleep. He woke up to turn on the light and was screaming when he saw the rats all looking at him with that hungry glare in their tiny faces and crawling all over the bed like they own it.
"It pretty much traumatized me and my folks never let me stay at my uncle's since that awful day." He then lifted his head and looked to the three monsters there, "Please don't go mentioning this to anyone. I would never live this down if anybody else knew."
The vampire, feeling awful that she made him relive that, reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Of course, Randall, and I'm terribly sorry for what you went through. I won't say a word of this to anything, right guys?"
Mike and Leda also agreed, seeing Randall was glad to hear that before they decided to change the subject, and Leda was grabbing her notes to quiz them on what scaring tactics to use and why. Marian decided to take a breather and gone to lie on her back, staring at the clouds above their heads. Leda had finished testing Randall and was looking behind them. Her eyes widen at what she saw before turning to the lying vampire on the ground. "Um, Mina, don't look now, but um, well..."
Ugh what now? Marian resisted the urge to groan, wondering what now as she turned to Mike who also was glaring in the direction, seeing the reflection from his pupil was indeed Sulley with some of his frat brothers along with the HEX sisters not too far from they were walking down the path, seeing that particular harpy flirting with him and seeing him lapping it up.
Looks like that whole 'Johnny's mine' speech was all for show and really liked to put names onto those she considered hers and mark her territory, no less. Whatever, it's not like I care anyways, let her have the annoying furball for herself. Marian would gladly see the last of him, heck she would gift-wrapped him herself if it would keep him from bothering her and her friends. Leda and Randall both seeing the look on their roommate's face and decided to do something.
"Hey, anyone else for a coffee break? Because I feel like I could really go for a latte right about now, and while we're at it, we can swing by the multiplex. I heard, there's this movie that's supposed to be about Zemons or something."
The vampire and cyclops turned their attention onto them, wondering just what they were talking about. "What the heck is a zemon?" Mike was asking the Gor-Lamia as he never heard of such a thing and even Marian was curious herself.
Randall catching onto what Leda's was doing and said, "Oh, it's a zombie that's turn by a demon, though the way they come about is really weird, but from the critics talking, it's got some hilarious hijinks but still a bit scary. We could all use a bit of a break, don't you think? A couple hours won't kill you, Mike. Plus Leda and I finished making that bloodberry velvet cake which has already been cool and frosted back in our room so we can have that afterwards while we finish the rest of the studying there."
"Okay, fine I suppose it wouldn't hurt, though I really don't see how a demon and zombie can be combined into one. It sounds like only someone with enough time on their hands to make up such ridiculous things." Marian saw the others picking up their stuff, seeing she didn't have to turn to guess Sulley looking in their direction and watching them leave.
If he thought she would be getting jealous over that stunt, he had another thing coming! There was no way he was her zing! Nope, zilch, nada! Marian had no idea that the more she try to push these thoughts, the more Sulley kept popping into her head like an annoying horsefly buzzing around much to her growing frustration.
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It wasn't that long before September was close to finishing its final chapter, but with it came the start of the annual homecoming season for their school. Marian had seen how excited everyone was during that timeframe: some looked like they were on a sugar high or just were really half-distracted from paying any attention during classes. She couldn't help but ask her roommate what the big deal was before the Gor-Lamia explained why, saying how it was a special occasion for students and faculty alike to enjoy themselves especially as the most popular past-time being football - well, right underneath the Scare Games as that took the top spot of the list, yet no one could resist watching their team going against their longtime rivals and nail one over on them.
It was surprising for her to find out how it was a very excitable time for every school to show their team spirit and usually consist of football games which just so happened to be that very weekend. Every monster on campus was making their way towards the large, gracious stadium, some wearing blue-white face paint or had their body spray with an 'M' or 'U' on their bare stomach, and a few were holding large signs during the match.
Since they had no homework left to finish up as they got it done early and the Gor-Lamia was insisting they get their noses out of the book and show some school spirit.
Marian gave a playful pout and said, "Hey, I resent that remark though I do have to agree we could all use a break, especially Mike here as we don't want his contact to dry out again like last time." She admitted all the studying was making her head a bit sore, and sure the boys could do with some fun watching their team cream the other players. Leda was glad to see she was on board as she already got them matching jerseys to wear as well as a couple mini scarves to put on her familiars which was kinda nice; it did make her boys look fashionable when they put them on.
The vampire was pleased that the boys had agreed to join them, but Mike decided to bring one of his scarebooks as they made it to the stadium not far from school grounds. They found a spot for the four of them to sit, Mike with Marian on his left, Randall and Leda on the other side; Chai placed himself on top of Mike's head while Bach and Grieg each took to Marian's shoulder and watched the game. They saw the school band playing the beat with the cheerleaders shaking their pom-poms out to the crowd, shouting, "GO MONSTERS U! YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!"
Within the first half, they saw MU was ranking up a lot of points on the scoreboard, twenty-seven to seven. She saw the game was pretty simple and could follow through even if she had some confusion over certain rules during playoffs, each team was more about trying to get to the other end of the goal, seeing Fear Tech was losing real bad against theirs. Marian saw the MU players had the upper advantage over the rest, knowing this would be an easy win in their book after seeing their larger than life player on the field winning the goals with half the rivals hanging onto his humongous form and barely slowing the big guy down. To say that kinda defeat the purpose of a good match, maybe but everyone was enjoying themselves and no complains were made in the process.
Then another touchdown and Monster University was in the clear to win! She heard the loud boisterous cheering in the stands, her ears now being plummeted with the echoing noise from many until she decided to excuse herself and go use the restroom. Hopefully when she got back, everyone would be a bit more mellow and less in the habit of screaming themselves hoarse. Bach flew towards Leda's lap while Grieg took to head to Randall's tail, using it to hang upside which the lizard didn't mind so long as he didn't add too much weight to it. Marian was glad to be away from all that commotion and took the moment to freshen up and then go to the soda machine to grab a cold drink as all that cheering was making her a bit parched. But as she stuck the dollar and two quarters in and pressed the tab for her selected beverage, nothing came out. She scowled and tried again.
"Oh c'mon, stupid vending machine, what is wrong with you?!" She was trying hard not to smash her finger harder as she jabbed it over and over until she heard a familiar voice speaking from behind. "Oh, hey there, Marian." Not now, not now, she chanted as she wished he'd leave and go bug someone else for a change. But as her aunt said, 'if wishes were like bats…'
Marian chose to be calm as she turned around, seeing the ROR leader standing right there and grinning her way. "You know, I think there's a law somewhere that says stalking someone is illegal."
"Oh, really? Because it's hard not to resist having you running through my mind all the time. Should that be considered illegal?" Marian had to bite her cheek, wondering what was up with jocks who make such comments. Was that what Johnny hopes: that she'd be putty in his arms with just some simpering words and waxing flowery poetry?
"Yeah, I don't run. I mostly fly, and even if I did, I don't think there'd be enough space to go through your head, and really, I got to go and see my friends."
"Oh, they're fine. I know that your buddies Mickey and Andy are keeping your friend company."
"Mike and Randall, and much as it's rather tempting to go and join you, I made plans with my pals, and I hate breaking promises."
"Promises, promises, yeah. But I know I can make some, too, especially for you if you let me." He hit his fist against the machine; the thing shook before something came out - her soda, to be precise.
"You know, I'm a patient monster and can wait as long as it takes for you to say yes." He handed her the can, her seeing him make his way back to the bleachers but not without throwing one last quip, "See ya around, beautiful." Marian just stood there, can in hand and wondered what it was that made these monsters so annoyingly persistent in pursuing her. She had no clue which got on her nerve more, Johnny or Sulley but thought with the both of them was enough to give her a migraine.
Hopefully they'll eventually give up once they saw how uninterested she was but she had high doubts it would be anytime soon. She decided to head back to her friends and put this whole thing behind her while watching the game yet knowing that MU was going to come home with the victory already in hand.
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The first few days of October had came to play, and Mike was working harder than ever through the Scaring lesson with him answering most of Professor Knight's questions, getting each one right.
"The answer is C. Fangs!" Mike answered after the teacher listed a few multiple choices on the board and was the first to have his hand up and respond to the question.
"Well, done, Mr. Wazowski." The teacher and even a few students were looking at the cyclops, more intrigued finding he was proving to be something when it came to knowing the best fears and chills of today's lecture.
"A bowl of spiders!" Again right; Marian smiled as she listened to him rapidly shoot off and seeing the teacher was pleased to see how well he was getting them right. "A clown running in the dark!"
"Right again!" Leda and Randall jotted this down, having another surprise question pop in, and like before, the cyclops being on a roll as he said, "Warts, boils and moles, in that order."
"Outstanding, very well done there!" Mike was grinning as he heard such praise, but Marian's sharp hearing picked up a certain scoff, and glancing from the corner of her eyes, there was Sulley in his ROR jacket glancing away to the other side while muttering 'Teacher's pet.' Marian couldn't help but mentally shake her head.
Hmph, looks like the overgrown furball doesn't seem to get that Mike is practically in the top five right now in class; bet he doesn't check his own grade quota like some of us do…
The vampire and her friends saw they were swimming right up there with Mike all the way in the lead, knowing that he wouldn't stop until he came out number one. She hadn't meant to look him up, but she found Sullivan's name which was showing his grades were in the barely passable part of the list, and knew his luck would need some sort of miracle in the coming exam around December.
Looks like we'll just see how he faces up when it comes to that. It would be something to see the last of him once it comes out that he didn't make it pass this semester and likely kick out of the program.
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The autumn season was getting a bit cooler, the colorful changes in the leaves now a reddish-orange and few monsters taking the liberty to enjoy the crisp weather that was right at their doorstep. The gang were having one of their off-days from studying; Marian decided to go hit the gym and get a bit of exercise before catching a flick with Leda in the evening.
Mike said he would be by later after he returned some books to the library but didn't mind her getting a headstart on it. Leda and Randall had declined the offer, but the Gor-Lamia said she would come join her next time, but the two reptilian monsters were helping out for the Humanween weekend party for the dorms as they were the designated bakers and had a couple theme ideas for the snacks. Randall was also helping her out there.
She admitted it did sound rather exciting as this would be her first experience to one of these monster events but had plenty of time before then. Marian's familiars were also working to get into shapes as Bach went to pick up the small lightest dumbbell - a q-tip with some water balloons - Grieg using a rubber band to stretch his wings while Chai was doing jump rope with a shoelace improvised by her. Marian moved to go to the nearest bench and grabbed a hundred and fifty pound set each and adjusted them onto the steel bar. She went to go sit under and began lifting it up, feeling her lungs expand and then exhaling on the way up.
Marian did about twenty rep of these, feeling she was barely breaking a sweat before she heard a voice that made her good mood vanish in a second. "Damn, didn't think you could pull that off while looking as good as you do there. You mind spotting me, could use someone like you on the bar."
Ugh, someone just stake me please! Marian wondered why things couldn't ever go her way without having one of these guys bugging her for the love of all unholy. And she had a pretty good idea why Sulley was asking, and there was no way she would, not even for all the blood in the world!
"Sorry, but I'm pretty much finished here. Perhaps you should find someone else to help you in that department." She made her way towards the treadmill, hoping that he would get the hint, but alas, she forgot this was a Sullivan who seemed very determined just to get into her face.
"So, Mina, you know the RORs are having their annual Humanween party and thought given that maybe if you want to come join the fun, it's going to be a total blast there and-" Marian tried her hardest to ignore the big lug as he chose the machine on her left, moving to keep up the same pace she was.
This was just as soon as Mike was finishing his stretching and seeing Marian was being bothered, so he went to go help her as he got onto the trend on her right. "Hey, Sulky for the last time, she's not interested in whatever you seem to think it is because unlike you, Mina here has standards and doesn't have time to be bothered by you and your ongoing harassment."
The bigger monster's brow furrowed down at him. "Well Mickey, I don't remember inviting you to this, and besides, I doubt your chicken legs can keep up with us." Sulley scowled while Mike was busy adjusting the setting on the machine to match tempo with the two. This was not going as he had planned, and this butterball better butt out of it if he knew what was good for him. "Hey, you ever heard of 'two's company, three's a crowd'? Frankly I don't recall asking you to come over and butt in here."
"Haha funny, but it looks to me like you're the one who's the extra wheel in this group, so why don't you be like a bee and buzz off?"
Marian was really starting to find herself getting a migraine from the two arguing and both running at the same time with her right in the middle of it. "Thanks Mike, and as for you, Sullivan, I want to do my workouts with people who don't bother me twenty-four seven and know where personal space isn't invaded."
Either he didn't hear or he just pretended he hadn't. "Ah c'mon, surely you're not serious about wanting to listen to this beachball all day. 'Sides, what does he have that I don't?"
Um...a brain and a sense of manners! Marian wanted to smack him so bad but Mike decided, "How about let's see who can last the longest here, hotshot, unless you're too scared."
She could tell this would not end well, especially as they put the speed to "run from mob as fast as you can" mode, and only those who had been doing this for ages or had much greater agility could pull that off. She was right as Sulley was the first to stumble and get thrown backwards off the thing, colliding hard judging from the sound of the impact and his moan of pain. Mike got to savor his victory for just a few minutes before he, too, found himself being knocked off but not without having a few tumbles and having his sweatband tying him up in the process.
"Mike!" She jumped off the machine and rushed to his side, checking to see if he was all right. She removed the band from his legs, seeing his eye look like it was spinning wildly like some giant black marble before coming to rest again.
"C'mon, let's go get you checked at the nurse's." Marian whistled to her familiars; they stopped what they were doing to come join her as they followed her lead. She passed the other monster who was pulling himself from the dumbbell set, thinking it served him right but had to focus on helping Mike to get his head checked out and prayed he didn't get a concussion because of it.
"Oh, Mommy, where did all the pretty pink unicorns go…" Marian had to keep from rolling her eyes as she carried him out while the cyclops was grinning dopey and singing some weird song about pineapples and sponges to her all the way to the medical room.
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Thankfully Mike had recovered from that small incident and had no lasting brain damage which was a good sign to him as he felt if he lost any bit of knowledge, it would kill him quite literally, though Marian had to say he should have considered it the next time he tried to go all out on the trend again. Hearing that Sulley had also gotten out from the nurse's office but had recovered fast left him upset until Randall said his tail was in a splint and had to be with it for a few days. That perked the cyclops up, but Marian thought it was getting a bit ridiculous how these boys were acting. Somehow she was half-tempted to hypnotize Sulley and tell him to take a jump off a high cliff but remembered the legend of a zing that said no power could undo it which, given her situation, meant he would still be linked to her. 'Side she doubt she could get away with murder since everyone would figure it had to be her with how much he was constantly going after her. She curse over the fates and wish someone had answers to why this happen. Maybe she could ask Aunt Wanda or Eunice if they had any clue, long as they didn't tell Dad, then that should be fine.
Leda, who could see the obvious frustration on Mina's current predicament and tried to be the ongoing support for her to lean on during this time of crisis, "Well, it can't be helped. Boys will be boys, and mom said they do like to compete over anything and can be worse than us when it comes right down to it."
The vampire had to agree with her on that, seeing how Johnny and Sulley seem to fit perfectly in that category all too well. "Yeah, I hear ya on that, but really, I just think that Mike's taken the whole 'big brother' thing a bit much. I mean, I appreciate it, but I can very well handle it myself."
She and Leda decided to let it drop once they got to class, and as the teacher had given them a test yesterday, they were waiting to see what grade they got. Randall and Leda both had a ninety-eight with Marian being a ninety-nine with the extra credit, but seeing Mike got everything all on his test with a hundred and one in total.
"Nice work there, Mike." She smiled at him who returned the gesture.
"Thanks. I see you also answered the extra credit part, too. Gotta say that was too easy there." The vampire chuckled, seeing that only he would assume those were "simple" in his mind. So far, they had all done well and called for a celebration. "How about after school we go grab some pizza from Fearbino's. I could really go for a pepperoni and spider egg pizza."
"Same, but make mine with extra cheese, but let's make sure there's no garlic bread. Just the smell alone is enough to make me gag!" Leda and Randall who were listening in on the two were also being on board as pizza was right up their alley. As they were exiting the building, chatting away about their next class, the cyclops saw the big furry monster up ahead and couldn't help himself as he walked towards Sulley.
Sulley was in the midst of saying hey to his frat brothers while highfiving Johnny who were coming to greet him when something bumped into him and looked down to see it was that annoying green thorn in his side. "Whoopsie, my bad, Sulkey. Just passing on through!"
Mike went under Sulley's arm and turned to send a full on smirk as he went to show off his grade to the gathered ROR members. "Oh by the way, fellas: booya in your face, A++! How do you like them odds! Looks like this monster knows his scaring unlike some people! If I were you, I better brush up on my books, Sulky boy, if you want to make it through the program."
The RORs said nothing, though the blue-purple polka dotted monster frowned at the little green marble. But when the cyclops' friends, including Marian came over and saw Mike just to further aggravate him, moved to put his hand on the vampire's waist, making his scowl deepen. He was just about ready to go over, but felt Javier snatch the paper out of his hand, his four eyes scanning it before passing the test to Johnny to see for himself. The frat leader was not pleased by what he saw: the giant C- that stood out in red ink, but Sulley took it from him and tried to laugh it off by saying, "Ah no, worries. I'll do fine on the next one. It's no biggie, guys!" But he didn't see the look on the RORs' face as he chose to go off and do his own thing at the moment.
Sulley then chose to ball it up and toss it into the nearest garbage can as he didn't think it would matter in the long run, and would no doubt show that to the wannabe scarer the next time in class.
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Soon October had faded quietly into November, and with the scaring final being so close, it was time to up everyone's game and see how far they'd come in the long run. Mike was ready as he practiced day and night, working till he could snarl it in his sleep. Now was the time to own it when the teacher came upon Mike and saw him getting into position, seeing the result of all his hard work.
"Ogre slump!" He let his arms drop to the floor behind him, had his lower jaw propped forward with a half-open eye that made him look like he was between sleeping and bored.
"Zombie snarl!" He threw his arms ups, mouth wide with tongue sticking out and eye bulging out of socket. "Dominant silverback gorilla." That was easy as the cyclops got to imitate an ape with his knuckles on the ground, lip tucked in and making his chest stick up, giving off grunts that impressed the professor by his performance.
"That is some remarkable improvement, Michael. " Mike saw Marian and Leda were smiling from the other side while the professor walked towards Sulley, doing the same snarl he had done previously, but Professor Knight was not thoroughly impressed like last time.
"One frightening face does not make a Scarer, Mr. Sullivan." Sulley was taken aback by this, but then turned to find the cyclops giving him a smug grin followed by the pistol fingers before turning to Marian who was smiling in his direction. The blue monster had taken notice of this, feeling ticked off as he watched not only did the puny pipsqueak show him up today, but also getting a look from the female monster he had his eye on which made it even ten times worst.
Sulley was of one mind that he wasn't going to back down from this. That little monster had no idea that he made the biggest mistake, and Sulley planned to rectify it when the Scaring Final came around and showed him who was boss.
That beachball wouldn't know what hit him when he was through with him.