A/N: I OWN NOTHING BUT MY CHARACTERS!
~Third Person P.O.V~
It was a normal Saturday for Randy and Howard as they hung out in one of their favorite spots, Greg's Game Hole.
Howard was messing around with a game as Randy walked over from the food hole with a basket of nachos in his hands.
"Chos for my bro?" Randy said presenting the nachos to his friend, tearing his attention away from his game.
Howard looked at the over-cheesed nachos and laughed in disbelief. "Wow! What happened here? Looks like somebody fell asleep at the cheese pump."
"There was a big crowd at the nacho station." Randy says defensively. "I had to rush it."
"Man, if I knew you were gonna shoob it up this bad, I'd have gotten them myself." Howard said turning his attention back to his game.
That made Randy look thoughtful. "Yeah, why didn't you get them yourself?"
"Because you like getting them for me." Howard laughs. "I'm not gonna take that away from you."
"Uh, yeah, no I love waiting in line for 20 minutes to get you chos." Randy replied sarcastically.
"Look, if it'll make you happy, I'll eat these." Howard said but his expression said the opposite. "It's just disappointing because I know you can do better."
Randy sighed tiredly. "Ahh. I'll be back!"
Throwing the untouched nachos into a nearby trashcan, Randy grudgingly started his way back to the snack bar of the arcade.
"Cunningham, wait!"
Randy stops mid-step and turns around hopeful. "Hmm?"
"Five tokens should hold me over till you get back." Howard said casually not sensing the tension.
Groaning loudly, Randy dug through his pocket and gave Howard the tokens before stomping back towards the Food Hole with hands in pockets and hunched shoulders.
"You're a great friend." Howard called out to Randy's retreating back. "Maybe the best friend ever!"
"If I don't fix them, it's all we'll talk about." Randy mumbled under his breath annoyed. "I'll be, Let's go hang in my house. And he'll be, Remember when you didn't fix my 'chos?"
As Randy reached the upper level, his annoyance turned into surprise as the Food Hole he was use to now had a more café feel.
"Welcome to Greg's Folk Hole!" Greg welcomed the audience. "Skee-bop, daddio, skee-bop!"
"Folk Hole?" Randy repeated surprised. "This place was just a Food Hole!"
"Psst! Randy!"
Looking in the direction he heard his name, to his delight, saw Riley sitting down on one of the round flat sofa.
Plopping down next to her, he asked. "Hey, Whats going here?"
"I think Greg is trying to make poetry a thing here but I'm not sure. Rachel dragged me here the moment she heard about it, saying something about a thing she was working on." Riley explained.
Before Randy could ask, Greg started talking again. "Give a nice big round of snap-plause for Rachel!"
The audience started snapping their fingers with Randy and Riley doing the same after a moment.
Rachel, who was sitting on a stool with a guitar on stage, smiled at the audience. "This is, like, a song about two people who totally do so much for us and never ever, ever is like, Hey, what about us? This jam is for you!"
"Wonder whos she's talking about." Randy wondered outloud as Rachel started playing her guitar. "Sounds like some Bruce people."
"Your guess is as good as mine." Was Riley's reply.
Rachel- "They say they're a couple of students just like you and me, The Ninja and Kunoichi of Norrisville..."
Randy gasped. "She's singing about us!"
"Aw Rachel..." Riley gushed quietly while smiling with a hand over her heart.
It was apparently not quiet enough as a guy next to them shushed the two.
"-know their secret identities, But I doubt I ever will-"
Randy and Riley sighed feeling tranquil as the song played while unknowingly tilting their heads to the side.
"Mysterious as night. They smokebomb right after a fight, The Ninja and Kunoichi of Norrisville will save us all..."
"That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard." Randy sighed tearing up a bit.
He wiped the tear away as he heard Riley hum in agreement that sounded a little closer than before.
Glancing to the side, he stiffened up with wide eyes when he noticed their position they unknowingly fell into.
Warm brown eyes suddenly stared back into his blue ones in surprise.
During the song, the two unknowingly snuggled up to each other with Riley's head on Randy's shoulder with his head gently placed on hers.
Both blushing bright red, they quickly separated glancing away awkwardly while bringing their attention back to Rachel.
"I only wish they was here tonight so I could say Thankers to their faces."
"Maybe they are here tonight..." Randy said slyly while sending Riley a knowing look.
Riley sighed knowing what he was thinking. "Randy-"
"Shh!" Shushed the guy from before making Riley rear back in surprise.
Randy glared at the guy. "You, shh! She's not even singing!"
After the guy scurries off, Randy looks at Riley hopefully. "Come on, Rachel deserves it; Going out of her way to make a song for us."
Riley had a thoughtful look on his face. "Normally I would say no because we can only do so many public apperances..." She glanced at Randy's forming puppy face and smiled. "But since its Rachel, why not."
Randy cheered quietly with a fist pump and the two quickly ran off to suit up.
If the two teens took the time to take a closer around the room they would have seen their archenemy and his wife in the same room as them dressed for the event.
"I finally gotcha all to myself!" Marci McFist said happily as she hugged her husband's arm. "You know, you been so busy lately tryin' to destroy the darn Ninja and Kunoichi."
"Yep, just you and me, honey bean." McFist reassured while gazing loving at his wife. "Tonight the Ninja and Kunoichi doesn't exist."
"Smokebomb!"
Right on que, Ninja and Kunoichi appeared.
"Ninja and Kunoichi!" Rachel gasped happily.
"Ninja and Kunoichi?!" Marci gasped surprised.
"The Ninja and Kunoichi?!" McFist gasped horrified.
"That's right, it's us!" Ninja said to the crowd before turning to Rachel. "Rachel, we just wanted to say we loved your song."
"It was really thoughtful." Kunoichi added smiling under her mask.
"O-M-Squee!" Rachel gushed. "I appreciate that so much!"
"And we appreciate you appreciating us appreciating it." Ninja said back as Kunoichi smiled at the interaction.
McFist quickly pulled out his phone and called his scientist. "Viceroy. The Ninja and Kunoichi are here! Send in the heppest bot you got, pronto! You know, hep! Like a hep cat. Man, you are square."
"Hannibal!" Marci pouted. "You promised no Ninja and Kunoichi!"
She walked away in a huff with McFist trying to explain himself. "But they I didn't-How did-I was- Where you goin', berry patch?"
Not a minute later the background of the stage blew up to reveal the hep robot McFist asked for.
The robot scatted. "Destroy!"
"Gotta give it to Viceroy. Guy's got a robot for everything!" Ninja pointed out.
The robot scatted some more before hitting its bongos turning it into a blaster that fired at the two heroes knocking them back.
"Blast!"
With the heroes out of the way, the robot started moving closer to Rachel who screamed. "Ninja! Kunoichi! Help! Ahh! "
Rachel cowered from the incoming robot but sighed in relief as Ninja and Kunoichi jumped in its path, with Ninja kicking it away.
"Allow us to turn the beat around." Ninja said before Kunoichi stepped up, launching an air fist at the robot pushing it back some.
Ninja took the opening. "Ninja-Rings!"
As expected, the robot began short-circuiting before slumping over dead.
The few people in the audience that stayed started snapping for the Ninja duo.
"Ninja! Kunoichi! You guys are my squee-ros!" Rachel said happily.
Before Ninja could say something, he felt a harsh tug on his scarf.
Kunoichi joined him with looking down to see Howard glaring up him.
"What are you doing?" Howard asked. "Why aren't you in the nacho line?"
Kunoichi sent him a weird look. Didn't he hear any of the fighting?
"I've been a little busy." Ninja said casually leaning on the rail.
"Y'know I'm starting to think you don't care about getting my nachos."
Ninja started feeling his earlier annoyance come back. "I'm starting to think I don't care about getting your nachos."
Kunoichi finally realizes the situation and slaps her forehead. "Oh boy..."
"Ha!" Howard laughed. "You don't mean that."
Ninja jumps over the railing to stand next to Howard on the stairs. "I mean it, I really mean it! I do everything for you! I'm sick of it!"
Howard just continues to chuckle while looking doubtful. "OK, name one thing you do for me."
"Uh your homework. I buy your food. You wouldn't be able to find your way home without me!"
"Wait, are you not getting me nachos?" Howard asked looking concerned.
"No!" Ninja snaps. "I'm never getting you nachos again!"
Growling under his breath, Ninja stalked off towards the back exit.
Worried, Kunoichi jumped the railing and followed after her partner ignoring Howard.
"Ninja. Red! Hold up!" Kunoichi catches up to her angry partner as he exited the building to the back ally. "Ninja seriously, whats wrong?"
"Honkin' Howard." Ninja grumbled crossing his arms. "I do everything for him and not even a thank you! Just more stuff!"
Kunoichi sighed understandingly. "Ninja, I get Howard isn't the nicest ,smartest, or humblest person around but he's still your friend. I think you two just need some time apart before trying to talk each other again and reach an understanding."
Ninja just scoffs at the idea. "Pfft, like Howard would pay attention long enough to listen."
"Ninj-"
"Hey, Ninja. Hey, Kunoichi."
The teen heroes jumped slightly and turned to see Rachel walking up to them.
"Rachel!" Ninja says surprised. "Hey, what's up?"
"Hey..." Kunoichi greeted awkwardly.
"I just had to thank you guys." Rachel said with her usual smile.
"Aw, No thanks necessary." Ninja said humbly with a wave of his hand.
"Yeah, its what we do." Kunoichi threw in.
"Uh, thanks totally necessary." Rachel persisted. "You saved my life. I am so gonna pay you guys back."
"Uh...no thats okay you don't have-"
"No, no, no, as the Ninja and Kunoichi, We can't possibly take-"
"Stop right there, Silly-Billys." Rachel interrupted. "I know what you're gonna say, As the Ninja and Kunoichi, We can't let anybody do anything for us because we're heroes!"
"I don't sound like that." Ninja looked at his partner worried. "Do I sound like that?"
Kunoichi gave him a so-so gesture.
"It's time you guys let someone show you a little squee-ppreciation!" Rachel said.
Ninja rubbed the back of his looking unsure. "Well, I guess a little squee-ppreciation wouldn't hurt."
Kunoichi's eyes widen in panic. "Uh Ninja that's not-"
She was interrupted by the sudden familiar call from the Ninja/Kunoichi Nomicons.
Rachel glanced at the flashing lights coming off her two heroes still smiling.
"Uh, just give us one second" Ninja said before he and Kunoichi went behind a dumpster and opened their books.
"Arwoooh!"
~Inside the Ninja/Kunoichi Nomicon~
The two teens yelled as they fell from the sky towards a bundle of pillows.
Once landing and shaking off the daze, Randy and Riley looked to see an overweight doodle Ninja and Kunoichi being pampered by some servants.
Suddenly the wall next to them was torn down by a dragon.
The best roared at the doodle duo as they struggled to stand and fight.
When they brought out their weapons, Doodle Ninja accidently knocked a plate over with the food forming a message.
-Those who rely on others for everything can rely on themselves for nothing.-
The two doodle warriors battled the dragon only for a short time as they quickly became tired allowing the dragon to burn them into a crisp.
Riley cringes at the sight while Randy just looks on indifferent. "Welcome to two and a half minutes ago, Nomicon." He says sarcastically. "I already told this to Howard. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some squee-ppreciation to get to."
That catches Riley's attention. "Wait Randy-"
She didn't get to finish as the now annoyed dragon swatted them out of the book with its tail.
~Back Outside~
As their minds returned back to their bodies they both notice something a little...off.
That thing being them in some massage chairs with Rachel going back and forth in giving them a massage.
"W-w-w-wh-what the j-j-j-juice is ha-a-appening?!" A confused Ninja asked while Kunoichi quickly sat up startled.
"Relax, you two." Rachel said still giving him a massage since Kunoichi got up. "You're in good hands: mine."
"You really doOon't -" Ninja moans in satisfaction when Rachel massages a certain spot. "-that's the spot. Oh, a Ninja could get used to this."
Kunoichi felt her eye twitch. "Alright! Intervention time!"
Grabbing her partner by the scarf, she gives Rachel a polite smile under her mask. "Could you give us a minute."
"Sure." Rachel chirped happily as she watched the she-ninja drag her partner behind the dumpster.
"H-Hey! Kuno!?" Ninja yelped as he was dragged.
Once hidden from view, Kunoichi lets go of her partner.
"What the juice was that about Kuno?" Ninja asked in bewilderment.
"The juice is, I'm gonna need you to put Rachel down gently and deny her squee-ppreciation." Kunoichi answered bluntly, arms crossed.
"Wha-why?" He asked confused. "She wants to. And what's wrong with accepting some appreciation."
"Nothing." Kunoichi said. "Its just that Rachel has the unhealthy habit of being a doormat when she does stuff like this."
"Doormat?" Ninja said surprised from the blunt answer. "Isn't that a little harsh?"
"Kind of, but you've never seen the aftermath of these things. Its never pretty."
Ninja gave her a skeptical look. "Even if I do say no, I don't think she's gonna take that as an answer. She seems pretty persistent."
Kunoichi opened her mouth to say something only to close with a sigh. "Bonk, your right. When Rachel sets her mind on something its over."
"Then what should we do?" Ninja asked.
Kunoichi thinks for a moment before getting an idea. "Got it. We let her do one small thing for us to satisfy her, say thank you, then quickly get out of the situation."
"Gotcha."
Satisfied with the plan, the two walked from behind the dumpster and towards a waiting Rachel.
"Alright Rachel, we're ready for that squee-ppreciation." Kunoichi said happily, silently cringing at her words.
Rachel clapped her hands happily with squeal. "Ya! This gonna be so much fun!"
"Wow! You guys are really Bruce at this!" Rachel commented as she gathered weapons from the ground.
Kunoichi decided something simple and asked Rachel to help clean up weapons after a target practice session.
"Yeah, we are pretty Bruce." Ninja said smugly until his partner elbowed him lightly to bring down his ego.
"As they say, practice makes perfect." Kunoichi recited.
"With 800 years of practice, I don't doubt it." Rachel said as she finished up.
Kunoichi nodded at the finished job. "Thanks Rachel. You were a great help. But now we got to go-"
"Wait!" Rachel cried out. "That cant be all you need help with." She gives them a pouting face.
"Um..." Kunoichi fumbles with a reply until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Looking at the owner of the hand, Ninja sent her a reassuring look.
Ninja turns to Rachel. "Sorry Rachel, but Kuno had some important tasks she has to do on her own. But you can still help me with some stuff."
Rachel brighten up again.
"Ninja..." Kunoichi hissed in warning.
"Relax." Ninja whispered. "She doesn't seem to be letting up, so I'll let her do a few more things for me before ending it gently."
Kunoichi sighed reluctantly. "Okay fine. But remember, a few things, a thank you, and book it. Got it."
Ninja waved his hand. "It'll be fine. You have nothing to worry about."
"If your sure..."
~Riley's P.O.V.~
You have nothing to worry about. Honkin' liar.
'I should choke this lying shoob with his own scarf!' I thought to myself as I heard him whine about some mini-muffins being to far away from my spot behind the tent he was in.
All day, I watched in steaming anger as Ninja took advantage of Rachel's kindness task after task without a single thank you.
And the tasks were ridiculous!
Ironing his scarf, what's the point of that?
Sharping his sword, she shouldn't even being touching that!
Polishing his Ninja rings, totally unnecessary!
"Rachel! Rachel!" I heard him call before his tone turned needy. "Hey, Rachel?"
I hear her rush in panting. "I got- pant-that hot chocolate-pant-you like."
"Aw! Aren't you a peach!" I hear him take a sip of his drink then groan in disappointment.
Don't. You. DARE.
"Is something wrong?" Rachel asked worryingly.
"No, no no, no, it's just not really hot."
'Breath in, Breath out. Breath in, Breathout.'
"I'm sorry." Rachel apologized. "I'll ride back. It's just on the other side of town."
'BreathinBreathoutBreathinBreathout.'
"No, you don't have to." Ninja reassured that made me calm down just a tiny bit.
Until he spoke again.
"I just won't drink it." The undeniable sound of liquid being poured on the ground was heard. "There, see? All better."
Then I heard it.
A tiny whimper that grew into sobbing.
Rachel was crying.
He.
Made.
Her.
CRY!
-SNAP!-
HE'S DEAD!
As I heard Rachel run out the tent crying, I slipped out from spot to stand next to the entrance with my arms crossed.
"Hey, what just-" Ninja stops mid-sentence when catches sight of me and my deathly calm expression. "Hey Kuno, you look mad..."
"Mad?" I chuckled dryly. "No no no, I'm not mad... I'M FURIOUS!"
Ninja takes a couple steps back startled. "I don't get it! Why are you mad at me?"
"Wh-Why!? Because you made my best friend cry you selfish shoob!"
"B-b-but she wanted to do stuff for me!"
"And yet, not once have said a please or thank you! You just took advantage of her kindness to the point of wearing her out!" I took a breath trying to calm down. "Its like your turning into Howard."
"How the juice am I turning into Howa-" Ninja stops and a look of realization and guilt dawned on his face as I saw the Nomicon's message appeared in front of us. "Oh I'm a shoob."
I grunted with a nod and grabbed a fistful of his suit to pull him close. "Correct. And before I tear you apart like the shoob you are, your going to give Rachel the biggest most sincerest apology ever."
Ninja nodded quickly and fearfully with wide eyes. "Y-yes ma'am."
Nodding, I shoved him towards where Rachel was crying with her back to us.
Shuffling over, Ninja started talking as I tapped my foot behind him. "Listen Rachel I am so sorry about everything. I had no idea how bad I was- oh boy..."
Confused at the sudden trail off, I looked at Rachel on to gasp in horror as Rachel started turning into a monster.
"No, no, no. Don't do that." Ninja tried to divert. "Just let me finish apologizing-"
Rachel didn't let him finish as she kicked him away.
"Ninja!" I called out in worry before turning back to Rachel. "Rachel, listen to me you need to calm dow- Augh!"
I groaned as I was knocked to the side by Rachel, making land next to my partner.
"Ugh, this is all my fault." I hear Ninja say as I shakily got to my feet. "I shouldn't have let her do everything for me. She wrote a great song. That should have been enough."
We heard Rachel roar as she charged at us with her claws out.
"Rachel, please, you have to stop!" I pleaded to her as she got closer.
But before she could reach us, a rope trap snagged her leg and held her upside down.
Wait what?
Ninja voiced my confusion. "What wait, wait, what what?!"
A rustle of leave made us look towards the bushes to see...
"Howard?!"
"Hello, old friends." Howard greeted calmly.
"What happened to you?!" Ninja asked surprised as we took in his new attire.
"Today has been a grand adventure. When I thought all was lost, in my darkest hour, I learned something about myself: I am a survivor. "
Pushing away some vegetation, Howard revealed a very impressive treehouse.
He can do this but not do his school work.
Ninja and I gapped as Ninja said. "You built that?"
"I owe you an apology." Howard said to Ninja. "I have taken advantage of our friendship."
"No, Howard- Well, yes, you did," Ninja said before looking at his friend fondly. "But also you didn't. I shouldn't always do everything for you. But it's hard because I do like getting 'chos for my bro. "
"Ha! I knew it!" Howard gloated. "I was right!"
Ninja and I stare at him blankly.
"Fine. You were right, too." Rachel started growling again. "So what about the fan-girl?"
Ninja steps up. "Rachel, you did so much for me but I didn't truly squee-ppreciate it until now. This one's for you." Ninja pulls out a ukulele from his suit.
'How much stuff do these suits have?' I thought while patting my sides.
Ninja- "Born to squee-ppreciate She's making my day The Ninja-fan of Norrisville When I act a shoob she does it anyway Forgive me I hope she will The Ninja-fan of Norrisville is the Brucest of all..."
Howard and I slightly cringe at the song.
Rachel chitters happily and in a wave of green mist, turned back to normal
"Let us never speak of that song again."
"Agreed..."
After checking Rachel over, I sat her down on a near by post to rest.
"You doing better Rachel?" I asked sitting next to her.
"Yeah a little..." Rachel answered holding her head. "My head still kind of hurts."
"Yeah turning into a monster will do that." I said jokingly making her grin a bit before sighing.
"Sigh, Riley was right..." I hear her mutter under her breath.
That caught my attention. "Wha- I mean who?"
"My best friend." She explained. "She told me being too nice to someone would get me in trouble one day and she was right."
Seeing her sad look made me a little guilty. "Rachel, I think I- I mean Riley meant was you have to be careful who your nice to. Cause some people can take advantage of that and hurt you. But that should never stop you from being a good person. Just remember, if you don't want to do something you have the right to say no."
Rachel was silent for a moment before smiling at me. "Thanks Kunoichi."
"No probl-" A sudden ping from my phone interrupted me.
Confused, I took out my phone and looked at the message.
Randy: McFist heading towards the tent. GET OUT OF THERE!
Crud.
I must have lost my poker face as Rachel asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Errrrr...NO! We just need leave. Now. As fast as humanly possible." I say quickly as I scooped her up and booked it just as McFist and his wife started coming down the stairs towards the beach.
Once we were far away enough, and after I grabbed Rachel's bike, I set her and her bike down by the road.
"Think you can ride home from here?" I asked as I panted from the quick retreat.
"Yeah, Thank you." Rachel puts on her helmet and gets her on her bike. "Thanks again for the advise."
"No problem."
"You know..." Rachel trailed off as she eyed me. "You kind of remined of Riley now that I think about."
I tense up.
"But I know she wouldn't do anything close to the dangerous stuff you guys do."
Aaaaannnd there's the stab of guilt.
"Well anyway, see ya Kunoichi."
Watching her ride away, I looked down at my suit covered feet for a while with thousands of thoughts flying around in my head.
Lifting my head back towards where Rachel rode off.
I made a decision.
"Oh hey Riley. Did you need something?" Rachel asked as she answered her door happily.
"Uh...kind of..." I rubbed the back of my head nervously. "Could we talk inside?"
"Sure. We can talk in my room." She lets me in and we walked up to her room.
Sitting next to her on her bed, I stared down at the wooden floor trying to get my thoughts together.
"So what did you want to talk to about?"
Taking a deep breath, and ignoring my buzzing bag, I looked at her. "I...I think I'm ready to tell you whats been going on lately."
That catches Rachel's attention as she turned to face me fully with upmost attention.
Sighing, I reached into my now still bag , pulled out my Nomicon, and handed it to her. "Do not open it."
Rachel takes book, looking it over while tracing the markings with her fingers. "Riley...what is this?"
"The Kunoichi Nomicon. A handbook to put it in simpler terms."
That seemed to confuse her even more as I pull my mask from my pocket.
"But Riley, why would you need a Kunoichi handbook?"
Without saying a word, I held up my mask for her to see before pulling it on.
And in a flash of blue, I was suited with my best friend gapping at me.
"Your-your the Kunoichi...?"
"Yep." I reply simply as I watched her brain short-ciruit.
It was silent for a moment before she stuttered. "I-I think I'm gonna need a better explanation..."
~~1 Explanation later~~
"So a different Ninja and Kunoichi are choossen every 4 years."
"Yep."
"Which is you and some other guy."
"Correct."
"And the reason for people becoming monsters is because some 800 year old Sorcerer guy does it when someone becomes sad."
"Dude needs a life."
"And its your job to stop him from taking over world."
"Right on point."
"Thats...wow."
"You know your taking this alot better than I thought you would." I pointed out as I pulled my legs up to sit criss-cross on the bed with my mask now off.
"Mainly because I was beginning to think my best friend was actually 800 years old."
That made me laugh. "We met in the 1st grade!"
"Thats was confused me!"
We laughed a bit before settling down.
"So I have a question..."
"Shoot."
"Does this mean you know who the Ninja is?"
Sitting up a little straighter, I said in a serious tone. "Yes, but I'm not allowed to tell you since its against-"
"Its Randy isnt it."
"-the ruuuul- Why do you say that?" I asked silently gapping.
She stares at me blankly while counting off with her fingers. "1. It explains why/how Howard is seen talking to him casually at times. 2. Pretty obvious reason why you two have been hanging out more. And 3, with being 800 years off the table it explains why they sound/act the same."
I stare at Rachel for a long moment before leaning back slightly. "For someone who is all about cute things, you can be scary when you want to be."
"Learned it from the best." Rachel said with a wink.
Smiling, I pulled her into hug. "Thank you for being my friend Rachel."
I felt her return the hug. "Thanks for trusting me."
