Shortest chapter thus far and possibly the most emotionally charged. It was fun, but kinda forces my ability to write confrontation and emotional uphevel into daylight. A place in which I'm not sure about it's quality. More incentive to work at it though.

Chapter 9

Randall watched with detachment as Mike paraded before the Oozma's, lecturing them. He lost interest after Mike begun speaking about the loss they suffered the day before. He just couldn't stop rambling on about it. Randall just wanted to forget.

The lizards concentration was only swayed further when the team opened up about what they had to contribute. It was pitiful.
Randall believed every monster had the capability to achieve great things and push the limits of what was known or done… but when a group of misfits like this set their minds to do the one thing they weren't in any way good at, Randall had to draw the line.

He joined out of sympathy and- he'll admit- peer pressure, but never once did he believe they had any chance of making it past the first challenge let alone winning. It was as Brock Pearson said, it was a miracle they were allowed another chance. He wasn't sure he wanted to continue.

"…So for this to work, I'm going to need you to take every instinct you have- and bury it deep deep down. "

Randall was pulled back to the conversation, looking between the OKs and Mike. Art immediately responded in the positive.
Randall didn't approve of Mikes new approach. The requirements of team work in the challenges prevented him from carrying the team himself- Randall wasn't very sure about that plan in the first place- so he resorted to forcing his way into the leadership position and bossing everyone around. The reptile knew Mike had a disposition for being pushy and controlling, but he'd always shaken it off. Everyone had a less than stellar quality, his was just a little more annoying than others. But he couldn't now shake if off without risking the fragile fronts everyone was putting up to keep the mood alive.

Mike then commanded the OKs to perform scary steps, to which they immediately obliged. Randall was cut short after taking one step.

"Randy, I think you're good. You handled yourself well in the challenge."

The lizard shuddered. He didn't think so. When he finally got out of that urchin infested tunnel he had tears stinging his eyes and an absolute loss of breath, an utter mess. Thomas had actually been hit and was still calmer than him. Randall wasn't looking forward to the next challenge.

"Randy?" Mike gave the reptile an inquiring look. Randall looked back to see the Oozma's occupied with the steps and tentatively approached the sphere, speaking low.

"I don't know if we can do this, Mike."

"If you're implying we get a new team, that's not gonna happen."

"What? No, I meant there's no way we'll get through the next challenge. I freaked out on the first one, imagine how bad the second one will be."

"You did fine! It's them I'm worried about." Mike gestured to the team who had stopped to collectively observe a ladybug. He emphasised his point with an eyeroll before continuing.
"You just keep yourself together and I'll whip these guys into shape."

Randall gave him a doubtful look.

"Miracles happen," Mike shrugged, "look what happened yesterday."

Randall shivered again. Why did the EEKs have to cheat? They would have won without using the gel, couldn't they see that?

"Oh, great." Mike said with a tone of disdain. Randall looked to see the sphere glaring behind him. He turned and was taken aback somewhat. He hadn't expected to see Sullivan outside the Games or class.

"How's it going, Oozma's?"

"What do you want?" Mike spat back, clearly in no mood for the friendly display. The rest of the team had noticed the blue monster's existence and gathered round.

"Nothing," Sullivan shrugged nonchalantly, "just wanted to congratulate you guys on your first victory."

Randall diverted his eyes from the furry monster's smug face. It was discomforting.

"Really? Gee, thanks. You can get going now." Mike dismissively shooed him away. He didn't budge however, appearing even more relaxed now.

"Actually now that I think of it… you should be thanking me."

Mike, of course, couldn't bring himself to ignore the comment and instead gave him a reaction.

"And why's that?"

"The protective gel," Sullivan inspected his claws with disinterest, "was my idea."

Everyone provided Sullivan with the confused expression he desired.

"Hah, what are you talking about?"

"Well, it was actually George who found out about it. The challenge slipped out in the biology department and he caught wind of it. He found some gel that would protect us. Obviously Big Red thought it was a good opportunity to get a leg up in the challenge but the chance of getting caught was high so…" he crossed his arms and smiled broadly, arrogantly, "I got the idea to plant it on the EEKs."

"You're joking." Mike stated flatly.

"Omar made it easy to get it into their house. The rest was all them." He chuckled.

It made sense. There was no doubt Sullivan didn't see the OKs as a threat, so seeing them eliminated in the first challenge wouldn't benefit anyone. But if they could get rid of a fraternity or a certain sorority who was known for their athletic ability, they would be at an advantage. Sullivan was craftier than Randall had first thought.

"You're a real piece of work, Sullivan," Mike pointed an accusing finger to the larger monster, "what's to stop me from reporting you?"

Sullivan shrugged.
"Go ahead. Nobody will believe you."

"I think differently. You want to get back into the scare programme just as bad as I do, why wouldn't you cheat?"

"I didn't cheat."

"How do you sleep at night?"

"Very well, actually, knowing your dreams are about to get crushed."

"If any thing's gonna get crushed here it's your all brawn-no brain frat!"

Randall stepped between them before Sullivan could jab back.
"Why are you here?" He questioned the blue monster, "to gloat? To intimidate us? Just leave us be."

Sullivan straightened out, pulling a bewildered look before sighing.
"One win and you guys are all suddenly tight. It's ridiculous. You can't see that he's using all of you, especially you," he pointed to Randall, "you're the closest thing to a scarer on this team and the beachball is taking full advantage of that."

"Closest thing?" Randall whispered to himself.

"Don't you ever shut up?" Mike fumed.

"When I told Wazowski to join you guys," he pointed to the Oozma's assembled behind Randall and Mike, who stood awkwardly, "after Big Red picked me up he said: 'is that a joke?'."

Mike moved to speak but was cut off.

"He thinks you're all a joke. You are all his last minute back up plan."

Randall stomped up to Sullivan.
"Go away!"

Sullivan took a step back but didn't leave. His verbal barrage turned to Randall.
"You're the biggest fool here for being his friend. You're a stepping stone back into the scare programme for him."

"Stop!"

Sullivan turned back to Mike with a fiery glint in his eyes.
"You're the piece of work, Wazowski. You and your team of adorable monsters."

"What's going on?" The firm voice of Thomas sounded to everyone's left. Randall almost cried out in relief at seeing the furry red monster. He stood in a wide stance, lips taunt and ears flattened. He must have heard the commotion. Sullivan regarded him with significantly less contempt than he did with Mike.

"Was a friendly chat," Sullivan said bitterly before turning, "but I guess it's over." Then he stalked away, his footfalls heavier than usual.

Thomas watched him go, hands clenched tightly before turning to the Oozma's. He regarded them all with a raised eyebrow as if to ask, 'what was that about?'.

"Wow," Art whistled, "that was intense."

"Forget about him, he's just being an ass."

"Those were some hefty things he said, Mike." Don chuckled nervously before it quickly died.

Thomas watched in confusion. He hadn't heard what happened, instead catching the beginning of the altercation from across the quad, resulting in him rushing over. He was about to demand answers but Randall's sudden disappearance stumped his words. He whirled around, searching for the lizard before finding him striding hastily across the quad.
The others hadn't even noticed.

"Randall!" Thomas called out before jogging to catch up.

He rounded the corner of the architecture building to find the reptile leaning against the wall- staring at the ground. Thomas breathed a sigh of relief.
At least he hadn't camouflaged himself.

"Randy." He said quietly, approaching him somewhat warily. He wasn't sure what was wrong and couldn't identify the emotions on Randall's face.

A sniffle brought Thomas from the fence. He was by the lizards side when he finally broke down into barely audible sobs. Kneeling beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder, Thomas waited for him to calm.
He didn't though, the sobs increased in volume and wracked Randall's body as he slid down the wall to rest on the ground.

It took another seven minutes of crying until Randall had tired out and sat silently, occasionally rubbing at his eyes. Thomas didn't want to be the first to speak, unsure of what to say or how it would come across. He sat there awkwardly, biting his lips and staring at the trees in the distance, calmly blowing in the morning breeze.

Randall eventually spoke, voice hoarse.
"Sorry."

Thomas sputtered out a response.
"No, it's... don't worry about it."

A bird landed nearby, pecking at the pavement for scraps of food. Thomas and Randall watched it silently, one contemplating what to say next and the other wishing he could just go home.

Randall eventually stood up, sighing remorsefully as he did so. Thomas hopped up as well, awkwardly standing beside him now.

"The guys will wonder where I am." Randall explained quietly as he rounded the furry monster. His intent was to leave- hopefully the entire situation behind.

"What was that all about?"

Randall's response was immediate.
"Sullivan said some dumb crap."

"Sullivan." Thomas seethed, his mood instantaneously darkening.

Randall turned to see the red monster's hackles raised and sensed his intentions.
"Don't confront him."

"Why not?"

"Because he's looking for a fight and if you give him one he'll happily oblige."

"Good."

Randall sighed, running a hand through his fronds. He wasn't in the mood to argue with Thomas about this.
"Not good. Just leave him alone. Promise me," Randall said decisively, glaring at Thomas, whose confident resolve whittled, "it'll only cause more trouble. Promise me."

Thomas shook his head, clearly disagreeing but nevertheless, "Fine."

Satisfied, Randall turned only to be stopped again.

"It must have been more than some 'dumb crap'."

Randall relented hesitantly.
"…A little more."

"I'm here to talk." Thomas made an open arm gesture, indicating to himself. Randall's heart warmed, reflected through the smile that adorned his face.

"Another time."

Thomas bit his lip and nodded, disappointed. Randall wanted to tell him but he knew it wouldn't do any good. It couldn't be helped, not by anyone. Hopefully he forgot about this so it could never be mentioned again. Randall was doubtful. He had broken down into tears in front of Thomas after all. It was considerably worse than the confrontation with Chet. He'd handle it later.

With a wave and a warm smile, Randall bid farewell. Thomas glared at the ground, unsure how to handle the situation and the emotions it left him with. He was unused to feeling powerless.

His glare hardened only further.
That feeling wasn't going to last long.