Chapter 37: Back In Time P. 5: Ending What Began
The evil Time Controller laughed. "That's right, mediocre life forms! With this suit and all its wonderful abilities, I become the supreme Ninja of all time!"
"This is all types of bad, you know." Said Howard.
"How are you guys going to defeat him?" Plop Plop asked.
"The Time Controller has the mask and abilities of a Ninja. Defeating a mighty enemy requires a mightier force. We need the Kunoichi."
"Uh, I think we should just wake her up first." Called Randy.
The rest turned to see Jennifer, who was still unconscious. Randy handed her to First Ninja so he could check on her.
"It is unknown what's happening to this child."
"What should we do, First Ninj?" Randy asked, full of concern for his beloved friend.
First Ninja thought for a second as he stared at her. "Healing energy can be used to help her wake."
"Right." Replied Randy with a quick nod.
Randy quickly went to hide on a spot to wear his mask. Once he returned, he conjured some energy on his hands and placed a hand on Jennifer's stomach, channeling his healing energy to her. In less than a second, she moaned and started moving.
"Jenn, please wake up."
It took her minutes to return to her senses since the moment she felt the pain striking her heart made her black out. When she finally came to, she opened her eyes to everyone.
"You okay, Jenn?"
"Randy..." She breathed. "I'm fine. But, what just happened?"
Randy helped her stand up. "It doesn't matter what happened. You have to get out of here now."
"No honkin' way, Randy! You know I can't go without you!" She protested. "I'll stay here and help!"
"Jenn, this is for your own sake so that sandman won't attack you. You have to go."
"I'm not moving from here, Ran! I care about you so much, I won't stay back and do nothing!"
Their conversation distracted them for a while, as the Time Controller was already setting a surprise attack on them. He conjured a huge dark energy sphere and was about to throw it at them before Jennifer took notice of that.
"You guys, look out!" She shrieked.
In a second, everyone stood next to each other, with Randy in the middle. He pulled out a red ball.
"Everyone, brace yourselves!"
They closed their eyes, except for First Ninja, who stared at the evil time walker maliciously. Jennifer hugged Randy a bit before he threw down a smokebomb. A red cloud flew up in the air, covering them.
"You won't get away too easily, Ninja!"
On that instant, the Time Controller threw the dark sphere to the spot they stood. The surge of power exploded, creating a big cloud of dust. The villain growled furiously when he saw they actually disappeared.
The group was seen hiding next to a Japanese-like house. They could hear the villain's cry of fury, much to Jennifer's fear.
Randy realized she wouldn't hang on to that, so he held her hand for comfort. She was about to hyperventilate when he did this.
"Jenny, shh." He whispered to her.
Jennifer gulped and let out a silent breath, already calming down. She tried so hard to get rid of her fears, because now the sandman was coming after her and her friends. She was scared of what could such a villain do to them.
Without a moment's thought, the Tkme Controller conjured a dark energy sphere and threw it at some spot. Luckily, it wasn't the spot where the group were hiding, but it did destroyed some things that stood on that area. Less than a second passed, and they heard another explosion caused by yet another dark energy sphere.
"What's he doing?" Whispered Jennifer fearfully.
First Ninja thought for a second before he spoke. "He's looking for us. To create a threat, there must be a victim."
"Me?" She asked.
First Ninja nodded.
Randy held his hands on her shoulders. "Jenn, you seriously need to go. That way that sandman won't threaten or hurt you."
"But, Ran..." She cried. "I can't let him hurt any of you guys!"
He gingerly wiped off her tears with his fingertips. "Shh. Hey, easy. We'll be alright. Trust me."
Jennifer embraced him in a warm hug. She even squeezed him a little before she slowly let go. When they were done, First Ninja nodded to Randy and so did he, then turned to Howard.
"Get her out of here, and stay safe. I'll catch up with you soon, okay?"
"You better not take too long, Cunningham." Said Howard before he gripped Jennifer's arm.
Before they could run, Randy held Jennifer's cheeks with both hands and stared into her sad eyes.
"Jenny, I love you. Stay safe."
"I will!" She cried.
And so, Howard and Plop Plop escorted her out of the battlefield. As they ran, Jennifer looked behind her shoulder, only to see Randy and the First Ninja, who was already on his suit, facing the Time Controller.
She couldn't fight back the urge to cry. This reminded her of her past, the times when her parents shoved her off any battle when the Ninja showed up.
Tears flew off her eyes, but she wiped them off. She knew she could trust Randy and believed he and First Ninja would get out of this safe and sound.
...
"Okay, Time Controller! It's time to finish this!"
"If war is what you want, then war you will have!"
Without any more words, the sandman shot a dark energy beam at both Ninjas, but they jumped out of the way just in time before the beam hit the ground, creating an explosion.
Quickly, Randy used his Cold Rage form and threw a beam of ice at one of his sandy arms. The only thing that happened was that he froze the sandman's arm, and this made the arm so heavy that the sandman almost fell to the ground due to the huge amount of ice on his arm. But there was more to come.
Once he powered down, Randy focused on his hidden power. He did almost the same steps he does when summoning his Air Fist attack, but didn't chanted any words.
On his hands, an invisible wind ball was created. He felt the hidden power flowing into him and the invisible ball. When he felt it was enough power for a single attack, he turned his eyes to the monster.
"Taste my NINJA WIND BLAST!"
The invisible ball was thrown at the sandman, and when it hit him, a huge burst of wind exploded, causing the villain to fall on his back.
Randy felt that power leaving his body. He suddenly fell to the ground.
"Oh, so this is what happens when that power leaves my body. I feel tired."
He stood on his feet before the sandman also stood up and ran to attack him. Randy tried to focus once again on that same power, doing the same hand movements he did before. Seconds later, he felt ready.
The dark sand ninja launched a fist at Randy, but he conjured an invisible dome made with wind, which deflected the time walker's attack and counter-attacked with yet another burst. The sandman stumbled backwards when this happened.
The power disappeared out of him, and a again, he fell to the ground tired.
"A force field?! That was... so... bruce!"
The Time Controller let out a furious yell, and once again ran at the Ninja. Randy felt so tired that he was ajout to doze off. Fortunately for him, the First Ninja interfered and launched a fire dragon at the Time Controller.
"Thanks for that, First Ninj!" Randy exclaimed, getting up.
"You have revealed your hidden power. But do not abuse it, otherwise you will lose your energies."
"You're right. So, what should we do with the sandman?"
They dodged a dark sphere after Randy asked that.
"He's got the mask of a Ninja. We can only rely on a mightier force to stop him."
"Then what's that mightier force? Because gravity won't really work that much."
...
By the meantime, the three were still running. Fortunately for them, there was no sign of the Time Controller trying to attack them. The two Ninjas were distracting him good enough so Jennifer and the others could escape.
Jennifer could hear several explosions in the distance, and once again looked behind her shoulder. Several dark lights could be seen far away.
For a moment, she thought on going back to help them, but she thought he just wanted her safe. Those thoughts crossed her mind. She was told to run, but her heart was insisting.
"Randy..." She whispered.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jennifer took her arm back from Howard and ran to the opposite direction, ignoring some yells from Howard and Plop Plop. She wanted to help Randy because she loved him so badly.
"I'm definitely not going to stay behind and do nothing!" She mumbled.
She sought for the archery set that was borrowed to her. When she found that area, she tokk the bow, many arrows, and a quiver. Then she quickly left.
...
"Ninja flip!"
By the meantime, the sandman made things rough for the two Ninjas, but they always stood their ground while fighting. This angered the villain, and he called upon a rain of dark energy beams that flew straight at the Ninjas. Luckily for them, they could slice the dark beams just as if theh were fruits approaching.
...
Minutes seemed like seconds for Jennifer, as she finally arrived to the spot the Ninjas were fighting. She hid beside onenof the houses there and caught an arrow. In a flash, she strung it back and took her eyes on the battlefield. She saw her worst enemy shooting the dark beams at the two Ninjas, and gasped when suddenly, one of the dark energy beams hit the First Ninja in the stomach, and he fell to the ground, dropping his sword.
"Oh no!"
Both her and Randy took notice of that and went to help. Randy stood next to the fallen First Ninja while Jennifer ran straight to the battlefield with her weapon ready.
The villain's eyes fell on her as she ran, and shot the rain of beams at her, but her speed was enoughly fast like to be hit, so she dodged them until the rain of beams stopped.
On the moment she stood in front of the two Ninjas, she strung the arrow back until the tip was touching the bow, and aimed for her target.
"Nobody hurts MY friends!" She thought.
A tear escaped from her eye before she shot the arrow. It flew so high at an immense speed that it reached to hit the sandman's chest.
The beast let out a cry in pain and shot a bigger beam of dark energy at the three. Knowing that she couldn't do anything to stop him, she just stood there paralyzed.
Seconds before the beam could hit them, the First Ninja awakened and quickly carried Randy and Jennifer on his arms and jumped out of the way. They landed on a rooftop of a house before the beam hit the ground, causing a large explosion.
When everything ended, Randy turned to Jennifer.
"Jenn, what the juice are you doing here? You were supposed to go with Howard."
"I know, but I just couldn't hold it, Ran! I had to help you guys! Didn't you noticed what happened back then? If it wasn't for me, the First Ninja would've been worse!"
"I clearly saw what happened, Jenn. But you shouldn't be here."
"I want to help, Randy! You're not going to stop me from doing so!"
Soon enough, Randy and Jennifer fought wirh words. Randy kept saying that she should go, and Jennifer kept yelling him that she should be there for him and the First Ninja.
The First Ninja was already getting annoyed by their loud discussion, and rolled his eyes. He wanted their discussion to end, so he just wrapped them up with his scarf, making them hit their heads.
"Ow!" They both yelled.
"Stop arguing!" First Ninja yelled, staring at both of them. "Fighting at a time of chaos doesn't lead us to our victory."
"Is that some sort of riddle?" Whispered Jennifer to Randy's ear.
"I have no idea." He whispered back.
"If we want to find a solution to this situation, we must count with a vast amount of energy."
"I guess you're right, First Ninja." Said Jennifer. "But we don't have much power against the Time Controller."
"And I still can't figure out what the juice is that mightier force he mentioned." Randy said to Jennifer.
"And you never will!" Yelled the Time Controller, interrupting their conversation.
The skies were slowly turning red as some thunders cracked and the wind blew harder than ever.
"The Time of Obscurity has come. All of my strength shall guide me to invincibility!"
"Ah!" Yelped Jennifer.
The sandman's dark power had a link with her cursed heart, causing her to feel pain in her chest.
Randy stood beside her and rested a hand on her back. "Jenn?"
"My... my heart..." She panted. "It hurts so much!"
She let out a groan in pain.
"We have to get her back to the others. She's not okay."
And speaking of the others, Howard and Plop Plop were standing next to that house, looking up at the three.
"Cunningham! You know, that kid almost gave me a panic attack!" Howard yelled.
"You guys have to get her out of here! She's not feeling alright!"
"Again with that?! No cheese, man! I won't bear another five minutes of running away like a scaredy baby!"
"Then hide somewhere! This place is too dangerous!"
Randy carried Jennifer bridal-style and both he and First Ninja jumped to the ground.
"Jenn, can you run?"
"I... I guess." She panted.
He gently helped her to her feet. "Go somewhere safe, okay?"
"I will."
She ran off with all the strength she had despite her pains. Howard and Plop Plop didn't followed her, instead, they stayed to help the Ninjas. But they were easily caught in siht by the Time Controller, and he threw a huge beam of dark power at the two chubby dudes.
Randy came just in time to save them, and created an invisible forve field with his new wind powers to deflect the beam. It succeeded on destroying it, but then Randy felt tired.
"I seriously hate when this happens!" He exclaimed.
"What happened?" Howard asked, already confused.
"It's nothing. You should go back for Jennifer."
The Ninja deflected another beam with his sword before Howard spoke.
"What for? She ran away from us so she could help you! We can't risk ourselves one second time because of her!"
"I know she just wanted to help, but now she needs someone to help her."
Howard gave it up. "Fine. I'll go and help her. But make sure you keep your butt safe from that monster."
Randy laughed. "That was funny."
He then looked over at Plop Plop, who quickly said "I'll just go with him." and fled.
...
Jennifer hid on a certain house and slid the door aside. She clutched a hand to her chest. The way her heart pumped was like it could explode out of her chest. It was so much pain that she laid on the floor. This made her feel just a bit comfortable, but the pain in her heart never ceased.
She suddenly heard some footsteps and alerted herself a bit. She tried to crawl to slide the door aside, but her pain increased.
"H-help me..." She whispered weakly.
Right when she said that, the door slid aside, and an exhausted Howard came in. He saw Jennifer lying on the floor and gasped, then hurried to help her up.
"Jackson, what's happening to you?" He asked with some seriousness.
"Howard, I don't feel that good." She groaned. "Please... call the Ninjas. Tell them... that I need their help."
"Really now? Cunningham just told me to stay here and help you."
Jennifer didn't said anything, but gave Howard a look.
"Fine, just... Hang on, I'll be right back."
And with such a rush, he left the room.
"Hurry!" Exclaimed Jennifer with the bit of strength she had before the pain in her chest made her groan again.
...
With Jennifer's negative feelings increasing, the Time Controller became even more powerful. So powerful that he created multiple sand ninja clones. They looked just like him, only without the cape he wore. These clones could work only with the negative energy that comes from a vulnerable heart, which was Jennifer's.
"Yes! Rise, my sand ninjas, and destroy those humans!"
Now Randy and First Ninja were surrounded by hundreds of sand ninja clones, which Randy called "evil sandjas".
"This has got to be a sick joke." He commented.
One of the sand ninjas rushed at Randy. Immediately, he unsheathed his sword and sliced the sand clone, destroying him.
He smiled under his mask. "They might be a lot, but they're quite easy to beat."
All of the sand ninja clones unsheathed their own swords at the same time.
"Bring it on!"
With that said, Randy and the First Ninja charged at the clones, slicing them in a quick motion.
...
Jennifer couldn't hold on to the pain. It was too much for her, and this was because the Time Controller used the link he had with her cursed heart so he could get what he wanted so much, the Time of Obscurity.
"Randy... I need you so much!" She whispered, then groaned in pain.
...
"Ninja slice, Ninja slice, Ninja slice!"
There were lots of sand ninja clones, but they were way too easy for Randy and the First Ninja to defeat. They sliced over a hundred clones, and they were still more clones uprising.
"Man, it's like they're eternal or something!" Said Randy.
He put his sword back in his suit and powered up to his Ninja Rage form.
"Ninja Tengu Fireball!"
The ball of fire hit many sand clones with just one hit. The Ninja then powered down, and soon enough, heard Howard's voice calling him.
"Really? Didn't I told him to help Jennifer?"
The chubby boy panted. "Cunningham, you have to come right now."
"What's wrong?"
"It's Jackson! She needs you!"
Randy knew Jennifer couldn't hang on for much longer, so he just sliced a few more clones and turned to the First Ninja.
"We have to go back. Jennifer needs us."
First Ninja nodded before he shot a fire dragon at a few more clones, destroying them in the process.
"SMOKEBOMB!"
Randy threw down a smokebomb and they all disappeared.
...
"Oh no, Jenn!"
Randy, First Ninja and the rest entered the house Jennifer hid in and found her lying on the floor. They hurried to set her on the bed. By that time, she had fallen asleep because she felt very weak. When they laid her on the bed, the First Ninja noticed something strange when he touched Jennifer's hand. He rubbed her hand a little and felt sand on her skin.
"Her skin has sand."
"Sand?" Repeated Randy, walking towards him. "What do you mean by that?"
He then placed his head on her chest and carefully listened to her heart beating very rapidly.
The First Ninja let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes a little. "I presume the Time Controller has cursed this girl's vulnerable heart."
"What?!" Exclaimed Randy with great concern. "What do you mean by 'cursed'? I-Is there anything we can do to save her?" He stuttered.
The First Ninja opened the ancient book and read through the pages. As he did so, he said "The Time Controller is a supreme evil being. His dark power is capable of cursing the vulnerable ones, making them susceptible to his will. Only a small amount of dark energy into a vulnerable heart may enslave him or her, or destroy the victim's life. But there is only one way to reverse the curse, and by doing it, one of us won't be able to do it anymore."
"And that is?"
"When a vulnerable heart is cursed, only the purest heart of a Ninja can save it by consecrating the cursed heart with pure energy."
"So both of us have the energy to save Jennifer."
"Yes." The First Ninja nodded, closing the book. "But I believe I should tell you this, Ninja... the child looks very weak. We only have one chance to save her life before she becomes lifeless sand."
Randy sighed when he heard that from the First Ninja. He was about to drop a tear before he heard a female moan.
"Randy?"
His eyes turned to Jennifer. She was very pale and her eyes felt heavy. She was about to sit up before Randy helped her down.
"Jenn, stay down. You're very weak."
"No. I... have to stop him."
"We will after we find a solution to your problem. And I suppose that sandman attacked you. What did he do to you?" He said with a bit of seriousness in his voice.
Jennifer breathed out before she spoke. "He cursed my heart. I told him that... that I was going to stop him... and he shot his dark energy at me. At first I felt nothing, but as time passed my heart started to feel strange."
"Maybe that's why she fell unconscious." Said Howard, who was behind the two Ninjas and beside Plop Plop.
"And he took something from me..." She continued, with sad eyes. "...my mask."
"What?!" Everyone shouted.
First Ninja was shocked at this. "You surrendered your heart, your will and all your power to the time walker. I warned you not to do this for your own sake."
By the looks of it, First Ninja was getting altered. But this was because he wanted her to stay safe, and she did the exact opposite just to help her friends.
"I know... and I'm really sorry. I never thought this would happen."
First Ninja let out a sigh and sat next to her. "When I first met you, I always knew you had a kind, but fragile and fearful heart. One that could be exposed to danger if it fails to strengthen. I did my best to help you. Now your life depends on us."
"First Ninja... I'm so sorry. I just wanted to help." She said with sad eyes.
"Do not apologize. You made an act of kindness, and kindness makes a better heart."
Jennifer smiled at his words. Everything he said made her feel better, much better, that she could take a calm and peaceful rest.
The First Ninja sroked her head as she rested before turning to the others. "The Time Controller must be stopped, so that we can interfere and save this girl's vulnerable heart."
Randy and the others nodded.
"First Ninj and I will take care of that, you guys have to stay here and help Jennifer."
"But why? We agreed to do things like this together! The two of us!" Complained Howard.
"Just stay with her and you'll be safe, buddy." Randy replied, resting a hand over his best friend's shoulder. "Don't take your eyes off her. She's very weak."
Howard nodded. "It'll be like a piece of cake, Cunningham."
Before he left, Jennifer opened her eyes and called him.
"Randy?"
He immediately went next to her. "Jenn?"
"Once you guys beat that monster... can you... bring me a new sandglass and my mask back?"
"I will do anything for you, Jenn. Because I love you."
"I love you too, Randy. I always did, and I always will."
Right after she said that, she felt a pain in her chest that made her groan. The dark energy was reacting in her heart, which made it beat faster.
"We better hurry. If we don't beat him now, she'll be worse."
"I think it's best that only I handle this." Said First Ninja.
"Are you sure you can do it yourself? I mean, you said we need a mightier force to defeat the monster. And what is that mightier force, anyway?"
First Ninja smiled under his mask. "You'll soon find out."
He ran out of the room and outside while Randy and the rest stayed with Jennifer, who struggled hard to get rid of the unbearable pain in her heart.
Later...
"Only the purest heart of a Ninja can save it by consecrating the cursed heart with pure energy."
These words lingered in Randy's mind as he thought what kind of energy can be the purest so he could use it to save Jennifer's heart. As he paced around, Howard covered Jennifer with the sheets. She was running out cold.
"Just stay down and relax. Papa Weinerman will take care of you."
"Howard, please." She groaned in pain. "I feel terrible. I'm not in the mood for jokes."
"Sorry, sorry, sorry. Anyway, why would that sandman attack you and then take off your mask just like that? I'm kind of confused."
"I wish I could explain, H. But with a pain like this... I don't have the strengh to talk. I'm sorry."
"Nevermind, then. Hey, can you imagine me puking candy?"
Jennifer didn't said anything. Randy gave Howard a look.
"What? I'm just trying to distract her from that pain of hers."
"I think you should just shut up." Randy suggested.
Everyone stood silent after that. Minutes later, Jennifer felt her pain increasing and involuntarily blacked out. The Time Controller's power was too much that it was taking over, not just her heart, but her whole body as well.
"Uh, guys?" Called Plop Plop, pointing to Jennifer.
Randy walked closer to her and noticed she was even more pale and cold. He shook her by her shoulders.
"Jennifer... Jennifer? Jenny!" He called, but she never responded. "No, no, no, no. You've got to wake up, Jenn! Oh, man, she's not waking up! Why isn't she waking up?!" He exclaimed, fully concerned and panicked.
"What should we do? If we don't save her and beat that monster then it's the end of the world!" Yelled Howard.
"Howard, can you please quit it? I'm feeling panickee right now, and I need to focus! What can be the purest energy we can find?"
"Why are you asking me? You should ask that dumb book of yours."
"The NinjaNomicon already said that only the purest energy can save her. What purest energy can a Ninja have?"
A doodle heart flew around Randy, and some other doodles began appearing in front of him. He saw some pink and red hearts and words saying "LOVE!" and "KISS HER, DUDE!" in front of his eyes. That pure energy was the power of true love.
"That's it!" He exclaimed, already figuring it out.
"Yes! Finally!" Howard also exclaimed, but then raised an eyebrow and asked "Wait, what's it?"
Randy face-palmed. "Can you guys leave, please?"
The chubby dudes stared at each other for a second.
"Maybe we can go to Charlie Cluckers after the fight." Said Plop Plop.
"And eat a whole bucket of chicken? Be my guest." Said Howard with a satisfied smile.
They walked out of the room, giving Randy some privacy.
He stood next to Jennifer and held her head nicely. He thought of those moments they had together since they met each other. It was like a flashback movie in his mind. He visualized every single moment from back then to now, and realized how much he loved her from the beginning.
"Jennifer..." He sighed. "You might have been a silent, awkward kid in the past, but now you're the brucest friend I've met. And I love you... I love you so bad that I wish we would never get separated from each other. That wish can only be granted if you open those big, beautiful, brown eyes for me."
He uncovered his mouth and drew her head closer to him until their lips made contact with each other. Randy closed his eyes while sharing the sweet, warm kiss with Jennifer, and felt his heart racing. The power of true love was lingering in the air.
Soon enough, an invisible burst of energy expanded from them as they kissed. Randy's pure heart consecrated Jennifer's cursed heart with pure energy and broke the time walker's spell.
...
Because the spell was now broken, the dark sand ninja clones were destroyed and turned to lifeless sand. The Time Controller's great power was fading.
The First Ninja, who sliced three other clones, saw that coming when the rest of the clones were destroyed. He somehow knew it was thanks to Randy's pure energy. He threw down a smokebomb and disappeared.
"No... No! NO! CURSE YOU, PATHETIC NINJAS!"
...
By the meantime, Jennifer began having some slight changes. Her once short hair grew a few inches. And the sand that took over her skin faded away. Her skin also recovered its natural peach color.
Finally, her heart was healed, and it started racing like it happened with Randy. It became so strong that it jumped up and down in her chest with every single beat.
Randy separated his lips from hers and covered his mouth under his mask when he felt her waking up. She slowly opened her eyes to him with a smile.
"Randy..." She whispered. "You saved my heart, and all of me."
Without a single thought, Randy caught her in a warm hug. He felt like crying, but decided to stay strong as he hugged her tightly, even though he dropped a tear.
"I love you." She cried. "Thank you so much!"
They slowly withdrew back from each other, and Randy stared at her.
"Jenn... you look so honkin' beautiful right now."
She laughed. "And you're the cutest, kind-hearted Ninja I met, Randy. You seriously are."
Jennifer sat up with a big smile in her face. They stared at each other before they heard a male voice in the distance.
"Cunningham!"
"Is that Howard calling, or is it just me?" Jennifer asked.
Soon enough, Howard, Plop Plop and the First Ninja entered the room they were in, and smiles were formed on their faces.
"Finally! She's back to normal!" Exclaimed Plop Plop.
Jennifer laughed a little. "Yeah, I am."
"Howard, what's with the rush?" Randy asked.
"Oh yeah. I forgot to say that sandman's becoming even more dangerous! He's planning to destroy Jennifer!"
"What?!" She screamed. "He's been freed, he has my mask and now he wants to kill me?! What more does that monster want?! Well, whatever it is, we need a sandglass, and fast!"
"A sandglass? Why would you need one of those things?" Asked Plop Plop.
"Because only with that I can stop him. In my timeline, I was part of a prophecy that mysteriously came to me as a weirdly ancient paper. The prophecy was that a person that was not related to the Ninja can capture the Time Controller and all his power in a sandglass. Then, the now called Golden Sandglass will forever stay in the hands of the next rising Ninja, which was me."
"Now I'm not confused." Howard said. "So you mean only you can bring that monster back to its cage?"
"Exactly, Howard." Jennifer nodded. "Hey, you don't have much of a chowder head after all."
Howard laughed a little. "That happens not too often."
"So, if you're the only one who can stop him, then where can we find a... big, wooden sandglass?!"
Randy's eyes fell on a particular sandglass that was under the bed. He took it on his hands and saw it was big enough to capture all of the Time Controller's power.
"You found one!" Jennifer exclaimed happily, then let out a sigh. "Randy, you totally are my hero."
"Okay. All we have to do now is recover Jennifer's mask."
"And I guess Howard should stay."
"No! I'm not staying this time! I've been staying for too long! Now it's my turn to help!"
"Well, we should get going." Said Jennifer.
She, Randy and First Ninja ran outside. Now Jennifer had all the necessary strength to defeat her first and worst enemy.
...
Jennifer saw the horrendous sky with no sunshine before they all were face-to-face with the Time Controller, who was surprised to see Jennifer still alive and kicking.
"Impossible! My power was strong enough to destroy you!"
"Oh, I guess I've disappointed you. My mistake." She said sarcastically. "Now, hand over my mask!"
The sandman laughed coldly. "Why would I return the mask? Its power makes me invincible."
"Then I guess time's up!"
She took the sandglass from Randy. The villain saw that when she took it in her hands, and his once evil-looking face became a frightened look.
"The Golden Sandglass!" He exclaimed.
"That's right, dirt face!" Exclaimed Randy. "Once we get that mask back, then it's goodbye for you!"
"I will NEVER lose to a weakling! Not once again!"
"Aw, pity." Jennifer said, again, with sarcasm. "But you will, because if I'm still rising, then I'll always be part of the prophecy!"
This angered the villain, and he shot a beam at the three. Randy scooped Jennifer bridal-style and they jumped out of the way. When their feet touched the ground, the First Ninja shot his fist forward, launching a fire dragon at the sandman's face.
"Ninja Air Fist!"
The air fist hit the sandman right after the fire attack. This kept the Time Controller from attacking, giving them a chance to complete their mission.
"Let's go!" Shouted Randy.
The three ran forward at their highest speed. Randy had to hold Jennifer by one arm so she could keep up with them, and he also had a plan. When they got closer enough, Randy tightened his grip on Jennifer's arm before she was lifted off the ground.
Randy spun her in the air and, when the time was right, threw her high in the air. She flew straight at the sandman. She held out a hand to grab her mask. At first she thought she wouldn't make it, but when she extended her hand, she could touch the mask and take it off the sandman's head. Once she did this, all of the sandman's suit began swirling out of his body, along with a strong, red light that expanded everywhere, blinding their sight.
Randy and First Ninja proceeded with their next step. Before all of the suit was gone, they ran to pull on the cape with their stretchy scarves. The scarves attacked themselves to the edges of the cape, and both Ninjas pulled hard, making the sandman fall to his back. Then the cape disappeared and all eyes rested on Jennifer.
"Jenn!"
She caught her mask in the air and wore it on her face. She felt a lot of energy flowing on her veins as the suit swirled around her body, creating her very own Kunoichi suit from bottom to top. Her wavy ponytails popped out and her eyes turned pink. And last, her scarf was created, becoming a bow tie.
She landed safely to the ground, though she sort of made a small hole on the ground due to her strengh.
"Yes! I'm finally back!" She exclaimed with glee.
Randy and First Ninja ran to see her as the Kunoichi once again. Smiles were formed under their masks.
"Jenn, that was so bruce!" Randy said happily.
"I know, right? I'm finally back in my suit! And I really missed it so much."
After that, they turned to see the sandman. They saw him getting up with a look of failure.
"No... No! NOOOO!"
"I told you I would stop you, sandman!" Shouted Jennifer. "Now that I'm back, let's see how you handle the power of three mighty Ninjas!"
"You'll... never... win!"
With that said, the Time Controller summoned all of his power to his hands and shot his hands forward, throwing a massive beam of dark energy at the Ninjas. They all saw that coming and braced themselves.
But... nothing happened.
Randy realized this and both he and First Ninja looked at the Kunoichi. She was busy struggling hard with her newfound power. It was an invisible force field, but made with green light energy, and it was strong.
"I could... use some help here!" She called, still struggling.
"Oh, right."
Randy also used his newfound power to shoot an invisible air attack at the beam of dark energy. It helped Jennifer with her power, making the blast twice as strong.
It was First Ninja's turn to help. He used fire power to collide with the beam. All three powers created the mightier force they were looking for. Soon enough, all three powers became one, and the mightier force destroyed what remained of the Time Controller's power.
The Ninjas powered down. Both Randy and Jennifer fell to their knees due to the massive amount of power they used against the Time Controller. Jennifer then saw the sandglass next to Randy, and picked it up.
"It's time to end this. All that chaos he began, is now beginning to end." She said.
"Is that a riddle?" Randy asked, raising an eyebrow.
With no more words, Jennifer ran towards the Time Controller with the sandglass in hand, and jumped as high as the suit allowed her.
"Hey, sandman! Enjoy your time on this!"
She drew out a sai and opened the sandglass by its wooden side, and aimed at him with it. All of his body started dissolving into golden sand that flew up to the sandglass. As this happened, a golden light started to emerge from the sandglass. The red sky slowly became normal and the wind blew hard.
The Time Controller let out a cry of failure before all of him was captured inside the sandglass. The object sealed itself before the light erupted in a light shockwave that sent everybody to the ground, including Jennifer.
Everything then turned silent as peace returned to the lands. The Time Controller was finally imprisoned in the Golden Sandglass for an eternity. And Jennifer knew she could keep it safe from people that could destroy the object.
She stood up and removed her mask. As soon as she felt the threads unwrapping around her, she felt some energy fading, and fell to her knees with tiredness.
The Golden Sandglass was next to her. She took it with both hands and hugged it to her chest.
"I'm sorry." Was all she said.
This reminded her of the moment when she first imprisoned the time villain in her ancient sandglass, and was sent 20 years back in time along with her parents.
She felt an immense sorrow coming, which led her to cry silently.
But she decided to stop crying and smiled when she heard footsteps coming up.
"Jenn!"
Randy, Howard, Plop Plop and the First Ninja went to see her. They saw her smiling, but her smile disappeared and became sad when she looked at them. Tears began aplearing in her eyes, and her lips shivered.
The Ninja walked close to her. Jennifer looked aside, but Randy gently held her face up by her cheek.
Jennifer stared deep into Randy's sapphire blue eyes, and in just seconds, took him in a big hug. She finally let out her immense cry as the others stood behind them watching with their own expressions.
"Jenn, please don't cry." Randy whispered softly to her ear. "You saved us."
"I know." She replied with a sob. "But this was about to happen in my timeline."
Randy squeezed her up a bit and rubbed her back for comfort. "Shh. Calm down, Jenn. It's over now."
"I just can't hold it, Ran!" She cried.
...
The citizens paced here and there in the ancient city, doing their normal routine of the day.
As for Jennifer, Randy and their friends, they were on a mountain next to the city to say their goodbyes. On that time, Randy and the First Ninja already wore their masks off.
"Goodbye, First Ninja. It was nice to see you again."
"I'm sure that maybe we could pay you guys another visit." Said Howard. "Even though I never ate a whole bucket of Charlie Cluckers!"
They all laughed at that for seconds before the First Ninja handed Jennifer a special gift. It was the mystical fan he bought for her. He placed it on her hands, and she looked at it surprised.
"This is a special gift for your loyalty and heroism. Never lose it, Kunoichi."
"I won't. Thank you, First Ninja." She smiled.
"So, are we gonna' go?" Asked Howard. "You know, I still want to play some Grave Punchers back home."
"That's you alright." Laughed Jennifer. "Well, I should use the sandglass' power now."
Before Jennifer called upon the power of the Golden Sandglass, tears began falling down her face as she saw the First Ninja leaving with his squire. She had to thank him for all the things he did for her. Without a moment's thought, she quickly gave the sandglass to Randy and rushed towards the First Ninja.
"First Ninja! Please wait!" She called in the distance.
The First Ninja turned to see Jennifer before he was unexpectedly caught in a warm hug. His eyes grew big a little when he received the hug from Jennifer, and also gave her a big, warm hug. They later undid the hug and stared at each other.
"Goodbye, First Ninja. I'll miss you so much."
"I will miss you more, young Kunoichi." He said to her, holding a hand on her cheek. "When I saved your life, I thought you were a defenseless child with a fearful heart, but you have proved to be a true Kunoichi. You have the purest of hearts and the true spirit of a Ninja. Take care, child, and remember to stay safe and train."
"I will, my master." She said with a smile, even though her voice sounded sad.
"Never forget that I will always be in your heart."
He rested a hand on her chest after that, then quickly let go, only for Jennifer to give him another small hug.
"Thank you so much for saving me, First Ninja. And for all the things you taught me. I'll never forget that."
"Jenn! We have to go!" Yelled Randy's voice in the distance.
When she heard that, she looked at the First Ninja with tears falling from her eyes.
"You must not mourn for me, child. Sorrow is the one blade that breaks the chain of happiness."
Jennifer wiped out her tears. "You're right. I must not cry."
"Can't you hurry up?! I kind of have an urgency here!" Yelled Howard.
Jennifer smiled at the boys' impatience and said "So long, First Ninja. I hope you remember me too."
And with that, she ran off to her friends.
The First Ninja and his squire stood to watch them leave. Randy handed Jennifer her sandglass, and she shook it a little, summoning a portal on the ground.
"This portal should take us back to our timeline." She said to the boys, and they both nodded in union.
Jennifer's eyes then fell on the First Ninja. She smiled at him, knowing that she'll remember him no matter what. The First Ninja saw her smiling and nodded to her.
Jennifer nodded back as Randy and Howard stood closer to her, and Randy held her hand. She looked at him in the eyes, and he gave her a nod and a confident smile. She smiled at him as well.
The skies began darkening, and the portal grew in size, marking the beginning of its teleportation power. The wind swirled around like a tornado.
Jennifer looked at the ancient city one last time. She would never forget every single thing. When she felt good enough, she and the boys jumped to the portal.
The portal shrank off and they were gone.
"Goodbye, young Kunoichi." First Ninja muttered.
At Norrisville High...
The sun was falling down, the stars were slowly coming out. The sky had a mixture of orange, yellow and pink. The school was already closed for the day, so nobody was around.
On the yard of the school, a golden portal opened up, and the three teens flew out of it, hitting the ground.
Howard fell on his butt, Jennifer hit her back on the ground, and Randy fell over her, but quickly rolled away to let her breathe.
"Man, that was one awkward landing." Said Randy.
"So, what do we do now?" Asked Howard.
"Grave Punchers?" Asked Randy back with a smile.
"Grave Punchers." Howard smiled back.
They both made their usual bro slap and turned to leave back home. Jennifer watched as they walked, but they stopped to see her.
"Hey, Jenn! You coming?" Called Randy.
"Um, yeah. Just... Go ahead, I'll catch up." She said to them.
"Okay. Just don't be too long, okay?"
Jennifer gave Randy a nod. Once they started walking, Jennifer took some time to look at the sky. She thought of the First Ninja. She allowed a smile to form on her face, even though she had the urge to cry. But deep inside she knew he was going to be alright.
"I will never ever forget you, First Ninja." She said. "And I promise that I will always keep this Golden Sandglass safe."
With that said, she turned to leave, following the boys behind.
The next day, after school...
The teens walked out of their classroom, thinking about what they should do next weekend.
"So, what's up for this weekend?" Howard asked.
"I don't know, I was thinking we should go get some bruce prizes at the Game Hole!" Said Randy, pumping his fists.
Even though Jennifer cheered along with the boys, she felt sadness taking over. She walked away from the boys in order to avoid getting stanked again.
"I think it's best that you talk to that kid. She's been kind of like that since she saved us back in ancient Norrisville."
Outside...
Jennifer sat under a tree, pushing her knees to her chest. She remembered what the First Ninja had told her in the past...
"I will miss you more, young Kunoichi. Never forget that I will always be in your heart."
Those words made her cry. She also missed him a lot.
She covered her face with both hands and cried. That was one of her better moments she would never forget.
A sudden crack alerted her, and she looked up to the tree, only to find Randy as the Ninja between the branches. She turned her head back down and sniffed.
"Hi, Ran." She said sadly.
Randy jumped down from the tree's branches and sat next to her. "What's the matter? I thought you were excited about the whole thing."
"I am." She said, smiling a bit, but her smiled faded. "But... I miss him."
"You mean the First Ninja?"
Jennifer just nodded.
"I know. But I'm sure he's having a good time. You don't need to worry about him."
A teary-eyed Jennifer stared at Randy with a small smile.
They both got up to their feet, and Randy removed his mask, revealing a kind smile that made Jennifer feel happy.
"Hey, now that we're here alone, can I tell you something?"
Jennifer sniffed and wiped out a tear from her eye. "Yeah, anything."
Randy felt some butteflies filling his stomach. "Well, I don't really know if this will make you feel just a little mad, but..."
"But... what? Is something wrong that will make me feel mad? Because right now I'm not mad at you. And why would I, anyways?"
Randy didn't replied to what she said. However, he gingerly took her hands and covered them with his. Their hearts fluttered rapidly right when he did this.
"Ran, why are you holding my hands like that?" She asked, feeling awkward.
"Jenn..." He started. "Ever since I met you back in the candy shop, I saw something in you that makes you special. And when I realized you were that mysterious and awesome Kunoichi, I knew there was more than just partnership that connected us."
"That's the most sweetest thing you've ever said to me, Randy. But can you please tell me what's the issue here? You're making me feel very nervous right now."
There was a bit of silence before Randy finally spat it out...
"Jennifer Jackson, future ninth grade Kunoichi... do you want to be my girlfriend?"
The teenage girl's eyes never blinked. No boy has ever asked her to become his girlfriend with such a nice and kind heart like Randy's. She knew he was the one for her. She felt tears coming up as she tried to think of some words.
"Randy Cunningham, ninth grade Ninja... I say yes!"
On that instant, Randy held her up by the waist and spun around with her, they were both laughing so hard. He nicely set her down to her feet after that.
"I love you, Jennifer."
"I love you more, Randy."
"I love you most."
And just then, they hugged each other and shared a sweet kiss. Time seemed to stop for the couple, as they never separated their lips from each other.
Author's note:
Awww! That is such a sweet ending, don't you guys think? Like I said in the last chapter, some scenes are revealed here, and now Jennifer and Randy are a couple! That is so cute!
Anyway, what do you guys think about this chapter? You can tell me through your reviews.
The next chapter (I'll give you a small spoiler!) will have a particular thing we all love. What is it? You'll find out on the next chapter coming soon!
TheCherryBlossomKunoichi says SMOKEBOMB!