Chapter 7
Thomas was awakened unceremoniously by Chip. Groggily, he proceeded to get himself ready for the day. He then met the rest of the team downstairs, who all drank sodas in the kitchen, the exception being Reggie- who was eating toast- and Johnny, who was nowhere to be seen.
"Hey, Ghola." Javier greeted from his seat on the island.
"Morning," Thomas went to stand beside him, taking the soda offered by the bug and popping it open with a loud hiss, "what's going on?"
"The Scare Games." Chet answered quickly, sidling up to the two of them. He seemed incredibly energetic.
"He knows that," Javier nudged Thomas, "I think he means what's happening now."
Thomas nodded, looking back to Chet. The crab took a swig of soda before explaining, "It's the pre-Scare Games talk."
"More of a redundant speech." Chip chipped in.
Thomas was about to ask what he meant when Johnny walked in, a can of soda already in hand.
"Alright guys," Johnny put his hand up, commanding silence within the room, "as you know, today's sign-ups for the Scare Games."
Chet whooped loudly.
"And of course we're gonna be up against some tough competition this year… Like every year," Thomas looked around in confusion as everyone chuckled, "but that won't deter us from our goal," Johnny pointed to another part of the house, "which is winning another trophy for Roar Omega Roar."
Thomas had seen the trophy room many times, and time and time again he would still be amazed at the sheer number of brass cups that adorned it. All from former members of ROR whom had won individual trophies for sports, academics and cultural achievements. And the faded silver trophy set upon a pedestal in the middle. It practically oozed importance and history.
"For the past four years that I have been in this house ROR has won every Scare Games. The monsters before us had won many more. The monsters that'll come after us will continue to win. And it's all because of us," he made a sweeping motion across the room, "the ones who wear red and yellow. We who belong to Roar Omega Roar."
Everyone gave a couple of off key hoots. Thomas felt himself chuckling.
"We're the best fraternity on campus not because we get good grades or because we have a lot of friends- although those do help. We're the best because we're scary."
Thomas felt something building up inside him, a buzz that excited him.
"We're the ones with big horns, sharp claws and red eyes!"
The tension was mounting and everyone in the room was either smirking dumbly or nodding feverishly in agreement.
"We're monsters!" Johnny banged a fist against the counter.
Everyone whooped together now, Thomas joining in. They banged their fists against any surface, setting a drumroll for Johnny to continue. Thomas had never felt this excited for something before.
"And we are going to win each and every challenge, because we're the best."
Chet whooped before downing his soda and crushing the empty can against his head violently. Reggie let loose an angry guttural cry from his seat, banging the island so hard Javier shifted with every pound.
After a little bit of the hype had died down, Johnny continued.
"So we're gonna go to sign-ups, look our best and intimidate the hell out of our competition."
Thomas' mouth was open in a wide smile. He couldn't wait to see all the other fraternities' worried faces when they pitched up.
"I know you'll all do your best, and do try and have some fun. These are called the Scare Games after all." Johnny finished off by downing his soda, crushing it in his hand after letting out a satisfied 'ah'.
Everyone did the same, including Thomas. The excitement quickly sparked again when Javier let loose a burp. Everyone had their turn, competing to see whose was the loudest. Chet won.
They laughed as they filtered out the kitchen. Johnny had remained behind, tapping Thomas, asking him to stay. As the others left the house, the demon-like monster before Thomas spoke with his usual charm.
"You enjoy the pep talk?"
"It definitely worked."
Johnny's smile brightened.
"Good," he paused for a moment before placing a hand on the red monster's shoulder, "you believed it all, I hope? It was the truth. We're the best fraternity because we are the best individuals."
His eyes seemed to lose a little bit of their vibrancy and his hold loosened.
"And I just want you to know how important that is."
Thomas shifted nervously. This felt like a test.
"I won't let any of you down, I swear."
Johnny chuckled.
"Don't swear on things like that, you'll make a liar of yourself. I just want you to do what you did in the exam- a damn fine job."
Thomas nodded.
"Let's go."
The maroon monster followed Johnny out the house, feeling slightly wary but somehow… warmer inside. Acceptance. He'd already been accepted into the group. But maybe that was the early days, the trial, maybe Johnny just wanted to be sure.
He wouldn't let them down. He'd do exactly as Johnny had said.
His best.
And before Thomas knew it, he was outside on Greek Row, facing a forming crowd of students. A stage was just about set up on the edge of the pavement, the Greek council mulling about, making sure things went smoothly. Monsters of all types filed in from every direction, pooling together in the main street and surrounding lawns. A few were perched up on frat houses, many upon the JOX house.
Thomas didn't know much about how this was going to work. From what he'd gathered, this was somewhat a formal introduction to the Scare Games, kicking it off with sign-ups in a public setting so the hype could really set in. Students wanted to see who was partaking and how tough they appeared this year. Already, Thomas felt several eyes monitoring him. Instead of his usual response, which would involve giving the starer a questioning look and if need be- a threatening gesture, he leisurely strolled down the steps onto the curb to join his teammates, basking in the attention all the while. He was a ROR. He didn't get weird looks anymore, only admiring ones.
"Hardscrabble should be arriving soon, meet back up when she arrives." Johnny announced, dismissing everyone. He turned and walked away, only Chet following. Thomas was unsure where he was off to. It was none of his business. He turned to see the other ROR members disbanding, heading in separate directions. Thomas supposed he should keep himself busy somehow. He wondered if Randall was here yet. He did say he was coming earlier.
The furry monster strolled about lazily, hands in his jacket pockets as he moved through the crowd, eyes peeled for anything purple. As he went, a few familiar faces and more than a few strangers greeted him and gave him a pat or a vigorous handshake. It felt so surreal, being treated with so much adoration. When he'd first experienced it it had vexed him, now however he found it somewhat enjoyable. It was still slightly awkward, but he was adapting fast.
"Hey there, stranger."
Thomas turned to see a large blue figure before him, arms spread in a wide gesture.
"Sullivan." He greeted with some surprise.
"Long time no see, Ghola. How's it been?" Sullivan walked over and clapped Thomas' shoulder with a friendly familiarity that Thomas didn't like one bit.
"Same old."
"I doubt that. Y'know, I seriously didn't believe you became a ROR like everyone said," he pointed to the red letterman jacket, "hardest fraternity to get into."
Thomas picked up the hint of insult in his voice and tried his best not to snap back.
"Weird that out the two prodigal sons they chose me." Thomas copied the other monster's tone of voice and gestured to his jacket. His words were a clear insult, but Sullivan only reacted with a laugh.
"Jaws Theta Chi picked me up pretty early in the semester so it figures."
The maroon monster crossed his arms and got to the point.
"Can I help you with something?"
"Nah," the blue monster waved him off, "just wanted to wish you luck. The Games are gonna be pretty crazy from what I've heard." He smiled before turning and strutting away. Before exiting earshot, Sullivan looked over his shoulder.
"So break a leg, Ghola."
Thomas' ears flattened as he huffed.
"Douchebag." He muttered.
His thoughts were quickly torn away from the other monster when an excitable duo of girls came running up to him, openly fangirling. They kept Thomas busy for a while, practically in awe of the red monster. Thomas found himself bragging shamelessly, talking about his father and how he was molded into the perfect scarer during childhood. Most of it was bent out of shape but if it meant he could keep these girls attention, it didn't matter.
Eventually their conversation was cut short by a massive number of students funneling into the street. The stage was set up and two Greek Council members Thomas recognized as the president and vice president stood upon it, readying a microphone. It was starting. Thomas bid farewell to the girls and rushed off to find his teammates, who were congregated to the right of the stage.
Thomas couldn't help but look around with a pout. Randall hadn't shown up yet. That or the lizard had merely gotten lost in the crowd. He couldn't see very far without his glasses, and tended to misidentify people when viewing them from afar. Thomas wished he would just wear them and forget about what Mike said.
Then it all begun. The band started up and announcements were made. Claire Wheeler kicked it off by welcoming everyone before handing over the mic to the Dean. Everything went quiet as Hardscrabble crawled up to centre stage.
"Good afternoon." she placed her hands behind her back and continued. "As a student I created these games as a friendly competition," she leaned into the mic, smirking a bit as she glanced around the audience, "but be prepared- to take home the trophy you must be the most fearsome monsters on campus."
Just then a diminutive blue monster approached, wielding a massive camera. She quietly requested a picture from the team, to which everyone silently agreed, posing in a variety of forms. Thomas crossed his arms and smirked smugly, ears perked, from his place beside Johnny. The camera flashed brilliantly before letting out a small squeal.
"So good luck, and let the best monsters win." Hardscrabble finished, turning to move off stage. Brock Pearson immediately grabbed the mic and declared loudly, "Alright, everybody! We're closing down sign-ups so we'll see you all-"
Then suddenly a voice from the very back of the crowd hollered out.
"Wait!"
Everyone turned. Thomas did a double take when he saw Wazowski atop a parked car, hand in the air and an excited look in his face. A second later he made his intentions clear.
"I'm signing up!"
It took a moment for everyone to go from bewildered looks to chuckles. The story of Mike and Sullivan's screw up and subsequent banishment from the scare programme had run its course through campus and nearly everyone knew who destroyed the Dean's prized scream canister. Johnny let out an amused, 'what?'.
Claire stepped in, taking the mic and saying in a bored tone.
"Uhhh… you have to be in a fraternity to compete."
Thomas noticed Hardscrabble hadn't left, she had come back onto stage and was watching the scene unfold.
Wazowski didn't miss a beat. In a dramatic display he threw out his arms and declared, "Behold! The next winning fraternity of the Scare Games. The brothers- my brothers- of Oozma Kappa!" He gestured enthusiastically to the group of monsters who stood silently on the side walk.
Utter silence followed long enough for Thomas to mutter to himself.
"What the hell?"
The shortest of the group, a pale, five eyed monster lifted a hand and greeted everyone awkwardly. A balloon beside the group subsequently popped and the fell atop his head.
Thomas dropped his head into his hand. This was embarrassing him.
Hardscrabble crawled off the stage, moving between the parting crowd and approaching the green sphere.
"Mister Wazowski, what are you doing?"
"You just said the winners are the most fearsome monsters on campus. If I win, that means you kicked out the best scarer in the whole school."
The Dean came to a stop before the car, an unamused expression adorning her face.
"That won't happen." She said dismissively.
"How about a little wager?"
Hardscrabble stopped mid-turn.
"If I win, you let me back in the scaring programme."
Javier let out a sigh beside Thomas, shaking his head disapprovingly. Thomas couldn't have agreed more.
"And what would that prove?"
Mike took up a sturdier stance, appearing adamant as he said, "That you were wrong."
The crowd broke into harsh whispers and gasps. Thomas was surprised by the brash response. Didn't he know she could kick him out at any point? He was playing with fire.
What Hardscrabble eventually said though shocked him more.
"Very well, if you win, I will let your entire team into the scare programme."
She couldn't be serious. Thomas turned to Johnny and voiced his concerns. The monster didn't reply.
"But if you lose… you will leave Monsters University." She said decisively, staring down the green monster, daring him to accept. The consequences took Mike by surprise and he paused for a moment. The ultimatum hung in the air for some time. Right when he was about to answer a scrape sounded behind the car. It was Sullivan.
He stood behind Mike, looking between the two of them, brow furrowed in a deep frown.
The Dean gave him a questioning look and Wazowski provided an angry glare.
"I want in." He said simply.
Hardscrabble said nothing. Her questioning look remaining.
"If he gets a second chance then so should I," the blue monster gestured to himself, his voice staying surprisingly level the entire time, "I'll play by the same rules. I'll leave MU if I lose."
The Dean tilted her head a bit. Wazowski said nothing.
"Alright," Hardscrabble said slowly, "I'll let the winner and any member of their team not in the scare programme join. The penalty for losing is leaving Monsters University." She gave them both a look and with firm faces the duo answered simultaneously.
"Deal."
Hardscrabble turned and walked off, stating loud so they could hear.
"Good luck, gentlemen. And Mister Wazowski, I'd recommend you find enough members to compete."
The green sphere's eye widened in alarm.
"We need six guys, right?"
Brock, from the stage, answered.
"Sorry chief, we count bodies- not heads. That dude," he points to the yellow monster in the middle, whom had two heads, "counts as one."
Stray chuckles rose in the crowd, and mocking smirks spread all round. Mike desperately looked around from the top of the car, begging for someone to join. Sullivan gave a victorious laugh from behind him, patting him on the back roughly.
"I guess I won't be seeing you around campus." The blue monster hopped off the car and returned to his teammates, who excitedly swarmed him.
Wazowski's desperate search continued, his hands clutching the top of his head.
Thomas felt slightly bad for him. Only slightly. He'd brought this upon himself. If he wasn't such as arrogant know-it-all in the first place he wouldn't be in the position. Sullivan was at least smart enough to make some friends who could keep him out of any more hot water. For someone who got straight A's, Mike was quite stupid.
The entire ordeal was making Thomas feel queasy and agitated. He didn't want to see this get any worse so he turned away, deciding to face the stage again, hoping the Greek Council would continue with the program. The president fulfilled his wish.
"Yeah, sorry, it doesn't look good. We have to move on, your team doesn't qualify." She looked down at her clipboard, ready to finish up.
Then Mike uttered something that made him whirl around.
"Randy! Randy, thank goodness!"
"What?" Thomas peered over a few heads to see the purple lizard, standing nearby the cars, his eyes wide. He must have come late.
"I need you on my team!" Wazowski gave him a hopeful look, to which Randall averted his eyes, mouthing 'oh'.
'He won't join your stupid cause'.
Thomas thought victoriously. Randall knew better than to get mixed up in this sort of nonsense. Mike hadn't been a good friend all year from what he's seen, but now he needed him. It was time to get a taste of his own medicine. Randall looked up, eyes filled with regret and hands fidgeting nervously, opening his mouth to say he was sorry and that he wasn't going to let him embarrass himself further.
But nothing came from his mouth, instead, the lizard nodded tentatively. Mike burst into a joyous cry and pounded his fists into the air. He hopped down from the car quickly and hurried over to Randall.
"Hear that?" He shouted to the Greek president, "we qualify!"
"Goody." She responded monotonously.
"That your boy, Ghola?" Javier nudged Thomas, referring to the nervous looking reptile being led by Mike to the Oozma Kappa's.
Thomas didn't respond, letting his dumbstruck face and wilting ears do the talking. It couldn't really be true, could it? Why would Randall join? It could only lead to more trouble.
With a sudden flare of rage, Thomas stepped forward, bumping a nearby monster out the way so he could get a better look at the team.
"Randall!" He shouted across the crowd, waiting until the monster looked his way before throwing his arms up in question. He let them fall to his sides again, the anger gone and replaced by pure confusion as Randall grimaced and turned away.
Johnny came up beside Thomas, his usual smirk gone. He looked to the red monster, who looked back helplessly. Johnny's smile came back to life and reassured Thomas.
"C'mon, let's go." He coaxed the furry monster to follow, which he did.
They returned to the ROR house, where they played a game of pool quietly, waiting for the ruckus outside to dissipate. Thomas forfeited a game halfway through, unable to concentrate, before going up to his room and resting on his bed.
He was in turmoil over Randall joining the OKs. Surely it shouldn't be a problem. The Games were free to anyone who qualified, and he just happened to join a team to qualify. A team that happened to be their competition.
Thomas chuckled. What sort of competition were Oozma Kappa really going to be though? They were comprised of a bunch of the most unscary monsters on campus, a know-it-all beachball and… his best friend. Thomas let out a sigh.
Why did something supposed to be fun become so dramatic?
And thus the Games begin. This chapter didn't go into too much depth with what was going on since it was a pretty speak-for-itself scene in the movie, and I only changed a few things up.
But yeah, I'd also like to thank you guys.
Anyone who's followed, favorited, reviewed or even looked in this fic's general direction, thank you. It's heartwarming to see people actually reading something I put time into writing and it makes the process a whole lot more fulfilling.
And it goes without saying that if there's any way you can think of to better the story- be it through grammer, punctuation, plot or another aspect- throw a message my way and give me some advice. Criticism is a writer's best tool to better themselves.
