I leap out of my chair, jump to the door, unlock it and fly down the street with Bruce trailing behind me, all the pain in my ankle forgotten. Thomas just sits at the table and stares out the door, processing what just happened in those few milliseconds.

"Huh. I guess he runs like a ninja." He admits.


I skid around the corner in the road and sprint down to where the monster attacked me. I don't care how much noise I'm making, I just need to find this time machine. It's my only ticket to fixing this mess!

I bent over, panting, while my eyes frantically search the area around me. Bruce bounces past me and sniffs the floor.

Please let it be here. Please let it be here.

I'm about to start my surch when Bruce barks frantically. There is something at his paws.

"Bruce! Bruce did you find it!" I run up to him and he wags his tail happily.

There is a brick at his paws. Not the time machine.

I clench my fists. "It's just a brick, Bruce!" I kick the brick angrily. With my bad foot.

"OWWWW!" I cry as I hop around the road on my good foot,"Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch!"

Bruce tilts his head as he watches me.

I loose my balance and fall over in a heap.

"Ouch" I slowly pick myself up and dust my jacket off. "Well that was embarrassing."

I'm about to take a step forward when my leg freezes, my eyes widen. Just below my foot is the smashed remains of the Time Ball. I fall onto my knees.

"Noooooo!" I cry in anguish.

Bruce tilts back his head and howls.

I hide my face in my hands. What have I done? How could I be so shoobed in the brain? I should have never stolen this stupid stupid time machine. Now it's broken and no one can fix it!

I look up to see McFist Industries in the distance, almost like it's mocking me.

"It's partially your fault too McShoob!" I yell like he would be able to here me.

Then I stop and think for a second. No one can fix it. Except the one who created it! Viceroy! But wait, I can just go ring the bell on the front door. And I can't exactly break in on my own either. Unless...

"Come on Bruce!" I call my dog as I race down the street to where Howard's house used to be.

I find my BFF cowering behind a pile of rubble.

"Howard!" I holler.

He jumps in shock but relaxes when he sees its me.

"Hey Cunningham. What you need?"

"I need your help."

"OK...for what?"

"No time to explain. All I can say is we're gonna break into McFist Industries!"

Howard leaps to his feet in excitement,"Yeah! I don't know why we're doin' this but I've been dying to bust into that evil, lying, chowder head's place! Let's go!" his stomach rumbles. "Right after I get something to eat."

I grab Howard by the back of his jacket and pull him out from behind the rubble.

"No time. Besides, we've gotta pick something else up first." I say like one of those lines in a movie.

Howard sighs.

My shoulders slump."And we might be able to get you a snack while we're there."

Howard's eyes light up.


A few minutes later, we're both gasping at the wall covered in armory at Thomas's house.

He shrugs, "Just 'cause I'm not the ninja anymore doesn't mean I can't have cool weapons."

"Shweet!" I exclaim.

Howard takes a big bite out of the cheese and lettuce sandwich he got.

"Dish ish sho brushe!" He says with his mouth full.

"Swallow, Howard."

He swallows then says,"This is so bruce! We're gonna be like the ninja!"

"Yes. Yes we are."

Howard stuffs the rest of the sandwich in his mouth and runs over to the variety of weapons. He grabs as much as he can carry and tries to walk out the door with swords scratching the floor and chain sickles dragging behind him but Thomas stops him.

"Only take what you need," he says firmly.

Howard groans but goes and dumps a pile of throwing stars, blades and loads of other things on a table in the middle of the room, muttering under his breath.

I examine the many weapons.

"What exactly are guarding McFist's place?" I ask.

Howard brandishes a sword in front of him. "Those robo-panther-scorpion-dragon things."

"Ugh!" I exclaim. "Robo-panther-scorpion-dragon things! Why does it always have to be robo-panther-scorpion-dragon things!" I take a deep breath after that sentence.

"There names are long hey," says Howard while checking his hair in the blade of another sword.

"I know right?!" I go back to investigating the weaponry.

I hear Howard behind me saying: "ooooo. What does this do-ouch! Stupid thing!"

I ignore him and select a pair of nuncucks, some throwing rings and a long sword. I shove the sword and the nuncucks into my belt and the rings into my pocket. Not as effective as the ninja suit but better then nothing. I turn around to see Howard with THREE swords, his pocket bulging with throwing stars, at least four smaller blades and his thumbs up.

I would roll my eyes but I'm not in the mood. I draw my sword and hold it in front of me.

"Let's go."