Finding Randy Cunningham was a different story. Since, he obtained the photo. Howard made an effort to locate him. It was like, Randy was here and the next, he was not. It was 10 am the next morning and the weird kid still wasn't there. Class had started late due to an early morning monster attack. Honestly, Howard wasn't complaining. He was overjoyed that Homeroom had been cancelled, it was a drag to sit through.
Additionally, it was nice to NOT have a shoe being thrown at him by Mr. Bannister.
By science class, Randy still hadn't shown up. Howard normally didn't care about the other students. This was different. Howard wanted an explanation on why Randy was in this picture that he SWORE he didn't remember taking. Countless times, he tried to recall anything that would help him remember that day. Was his sister with him? Did he go alone with him? It looked like they did. Judging by the photo. The two of them seemed happy.
It drove Howard nuts. He tried to find any other photo of them together. He had ransacked his entire room, looking for any signs of their past 'friendship.' There was nothing. It was like this kid never existed to him. Howard had to keep looking, for the sake of his own sanity.
"Sorry, I'm late. -" A familiar voice rang through his ears as he cast a glance towards the owner of the voice, "I had woken up late and-"
"No excuses, ." had stopped teaching her class to scold the new kid. Randy stood by the doorway, panting heavily. One of his hands is holding the side of his hip tightly, "You know the rules. You must be in class as the first bell rings. Isn't that right, Jerry?"
"Yes, dear!" said; imitating her husband's voice as best as she could. She held the mandible of her husband's skull. Copying the way a normal living human would talk, "That's a detention for you, mister!"
The class snickered at Randy's misfortune. Howard had to suppress the urge to grin. He had detention as well for not completing his homework due to his long sleepless night. He silently blamed Randy for this. Let's see him try to wiggle his way out of this one.
Randy hung his head low, making his way towards his desk and settling down. resumed instructing her class. Howard tuned her out immediately. Preferring not to listen to her boring lecture that was about to come. He will ask Bucky for notes. Giving as the dinger boy owed him a favor, anyhow.
Once the class was finished. Randy bolted from his desk and ran off. Doing who knows what.
"Mr. Weinerman." Mrs. Driscoll called out to him, "Come here, would you please?" Howard groaned under his breath. Back tracking towards the science teacher.
"How are you feeling?" She asked. Arching an eyebrow at her student, "With your head, I mean."
"I'm fine?" Howard frowned. Rubbing the side of his head where his injury used to be, "Why? Did my dad tell you to check up on me?"
"No reason." She hummed in thought, "Jerry and I are just worried is all."
"Um, okay?" Howard let his hand drop to the ground. Clearly weirded out by the teacher's sudden interest in him.
"Go on to class now, Mr. Weinerman. We wouldn't want another accident to happen."
"R-right." Howard swiftly turned around, exiting the classroom. Next was Math. Which he fell asleep in. Howard barely heard the bell to the lunchroom ring. When he did, he bolted from the room completely energized for his meal.
Howard took a bite of his tater tots. The redhead scanned his surroundings for his 'friend' to no avail. Honestly, you would have to be a total honkin' shoob to miss tater tot day! What he gathered so far is that, Randy would be absent at certain times. For the past week, Randy would be late to class early in the morning. Apologize profusely for his tardiness.
He must be racking up in detention slips. A new record aside from Bash Thompson. Who got a detention on the first day of school.
It didn't count. His step-father. Hannibal Mcfist literally makes sure the detention is swept under the rug.
"What is that?!"
Everyone rushed over to the window to take a look. Howard perked up to see what was going on. Students were crowding the window to witness the action taking place. Interested. He got up from his seat, pushing past people to the front and taking a look outside. It was a monster, of course. They get those every week.
The creature appeared long and slender like a snake. Its face is like face of a human. Their wings shaped like a bird. The bird-like monster opened its mouth. Fire emerges from within the yokai's mouth.
People scrambled away from the scene. Howard was about to join the other students. Until something clicked in his mind. This entire scenario was familiar. Instead, of the giant bird-like monster. An image of a bird demon flashed through his mind. Opening its mouth, the same way as the yokai that was in front of him.
The sound it made felt familiar to him. He felt drawn to it. He should get a little closer.
"What the-"
"Howard!" Debbie Kang came into his view, rushing towards him with a frightened look evident on her face. She didn't even try to hide her worry for Howard, "What are you doing?!"
"Huh?" Howard snapped out of his daze to look at Debbie Kang, "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?!" Debbie snapped at Howard. Her fingers pointed, widely at the yokai, "That Itsumade is what's wrong! We have to go now!"
"Alright! Alright!" Howard could feel Debbie tugging at his shirt. She was pulling him with her. He could feel himself moving with her. But, his eyes remained on the yokai. The fireball zoomed towards their location. On instinct, he grabs Debbie and holds on to her tightly in a rather protective embrace. She had her face buried against his chest. Howard peels his eyes away from the demon. Again. Ready for the worst to happen.
A massive explosion rang through his ears. It hurts like hell. Otherwise, He and Debbie were okay. Howard felt like his heart is about to come out of his chest. He cracked his eyes opened. A wave of nausea effecting him. His ears were still ringing from the explosion outside.
He looked outside to see the window behind them still intact. The Ninja stood outside, a bow and arrow in hand.
How the juice did he survive that? He could see tints of red here and there. It was shaped like some sort of barrier.
The Itsumade dove towards it's new target, raising it's claw towards the Ninja. The Ninja jumped out of the way with ease as if this was natural to him. The bird flew back up in the air, giant wings flapping to gain some momentum. It lets out an unholy screech.
"Itsumademo? Itsumademo?" It cried out.
Another ball of fire was hurled towards the Ninja's direction. The fire becoming, much more intense than before.
The Ninja jumped on top of a car, then on to the school roof to get a clear view of his opponent.
He prepared his bow and arrow. Patiently waiting for the ideal moment to strike. The Itsumade drew near, plunging toward its target.
The Ninja shoots an arrow. If you listen close enough. You could faintly hear the whistle of the arrow plunging into the bird's eye.
" Kore de owarida!"
It fell to the ground. Letting out a cry of pain before dissipating in smoke. Howard stood there, shocked. He didn't see the whole thing. What Howard felt was the ground moving when that beast finally went down.
Howard watched as the Ninja jumped down, picking up the arrow that he used on the yokai before disappearing before his very eyes.
"Howard?"
He could hear Debbie's voice garbled up. Reading her lips, he could make out that she was calling out to him.
"Hm?" Howard looked down to see Debbie staring back at him. Her face red from either embarrassment or blushing. Possibly a combination of both things.
"Sorry." Howard let's go of her; smiling rather sheepishly. "I didn't mean to crush you."
"You should be." Debbie huffed, dusting herself off, "You almost got yourself killed! Again!"
Howard flinched at her yelling. The ringing had finally stopped and this was the first thing he was greeted to? He rubbed his ears at the pain the explosion had caused him. He cautiously rubbed his ears in a failed attempt to sooth his irritated ears.
"Oh..." Howard rubbed his arm, "Right-uh ... Sorry?" He said, almost quietly.
"Unbelievable!" Debbie grabbed him by the arm, pulling the teen harshly with her, "You are the worst! It's like everyone has to start babysitting you!"
"Debbie, stop!" He whined as Debbie pulled on his arm. Honestly, why did she care so much about him? It was weirding him out!
"Wait, Debbie! I have to ask you something."
"What?" She stopped. Turning towards him with an impatient look.
"How did you know what that thing is?" He asked. What was it again? The teen could barely make it out because he was so busy not trying to die like the last time.
"The Itsumade?" Debbie answered him. Letting go of him, "It's because I read, Howard. You should try it, sometime."
"Yeah. Yeah."
"I'm wondering, how it got here?" Debbie pondered. Howard waved his hand dismissively. Honestly, Howard didn't care for these things as long as the Ninja took care of it. And he did. So, he didn't see why anyone would pursue the issue any further.
"Who cares? The Ninja killed it."
"I care, Howard. Haven't you noticed the frequent monster attacks?"
"No?" He shrugged his shoulders, "Should I?"
"I mean. You did get attacked by one." Debbie pointed out. The corners of Howard's mouth twitched. Did she have to bring it up? Did everyone in his life have to remind him on a daily basis? What's worse being that Howard didn't remember what happened. Only that he was found bleeding on the floor.
"Attention Students." The intercom voice crackled, "Due to another recent monster attack. Classes are cancelled. Your parents will be notified individually. Please report outside the school for a head count. That will be all."
"We should head out." Howard grumbled under his breath as he made his way towards the exit.
Howard sat on the steps of the school. Dreading what is to come. Howard could practically imagine the scenario when his father answers the phone from his school informing him that there were two monster attacks in one day. He couldn't wait for the barrage of questions that awaited him. The good thing about it is that his mother will end up spoiling him rotten over this whole thing like she normally does. He could already smell his favorite meal being cooked on the stove.
Everyone was talking among themselves at this point. They were used to this by now. It got to the point that they have monster drills over situations like this.
He wasn't the one to talk as he was almost killed. Though, what the juice was he doing in the back anyway? That was where the Ninja was fighting that thing.
Curiosity once again struck him. Howard backtracked away from the rest of the group to confront Randy. This guy was trying to be sneaky; walking slowly on the grass to the sidewalk away from the teacher's prying eyes. Howard ran as much as his stubby legs would permit him.
"Hey you!"
Randy paused. His back stiffening at the sound of his voice before continuing to walk. Opting to ignore him.
"Don't ignore me, you shoob!"
He kept on walking, annoying Howard immensely. Howard hated the fact that Randy ignored his presence. He felt some sort of betrayal even if they weren't friends. It still stung, nonetheless. Howard, angered by Randy's silence reaches out and grabbing the teen by the shoulder. It led to Randy letting out a pained yelp.
"Hey!"
"I hear you!" Randy sighed. With little choice, he finally turned around to face Howard. His face littered with bruises and scratches. Whatever happened to him, he took one hell of a beating. Howard had to wince at that. Almost feel bad, even.
"What happened to you?"
"Does it matter?" He sighed. His blue eyes looking from side to side cautiously, "Listen, I have things to do."
"You're supposed to be with the class." The taller boy rubbed his arms nervously. Glancing at the class and then back at Howard, "I have somewhere to be."
"Never mind, that." Howard said dismissively, "We have other things to talk about."
"I need to go-"
"Do I know you?" Howard asked, "the reason I asked is that I feel like I knew you from someplace. Were we friends at one point?"
Randy's jaw clenched tight. His eyes darted away from Howard. Howard took notice of this, thinking it was time to push forward.
"Don't lie to me."
"I don't know you."
"You're lying." Howard pushed forward. He grips the photo that is in his short's pocket, "Want to know how I know you're lying?" He was about to expose his 'friend's' lies. Finally, Howard was going to get the answers he so rightly deserved.
"Howard!" A feminine voice called out to him. Howard sighed, knowing who EXACTLY is calling out to him. Randy looked relieved at the distraction. Why now? He turned to see his sister rushing towards him. Her long red hair swinging from side to side, "Heidi." Howard mused, clearly annoyed that she interrupted the conversation.
"Listen, uh, Howard?" Randy placed his hand onto Howard's shoulder in an effort to comfort the angered teen, "I really wish I could help. I really don't know what you're talking about. I swear, I never met you before."
Howard retorts by slapping his hand away from Randy's, giving him a cold hard glare. Randy flinched at this. His eyes downcast on the ground.
"You're a lying honk of shi-"
"Howard!" Heidi immediately pulled her younger brother into a tight embrace, "I was so worried about you! I heard about what happened and I had to drive to the school." Despite, her younger brother's constant squirming and protest. She did not let go. She thought she could have potentially lost her younger brother again.
"Will you let go?!" Hunk snapped; pulling himself away from his older sister, "I don't need your smothering!"
"Who were you talking to?" She tilts her head. She saw her brother talking to someone. A kid with purple hair. She never saw him before. Must have been a new kid.
"I was talking to-" He turned around to see Randy no longer there, "Aw you gotta be honkin' kidding me."
"I saw him running away when I came by. Is he your new friend?"
"No." He scoffed at her, "Just some weird kid." Howard grumbled. His blood was starting to boil. He didn't like being lied to, especially by someone whom he might have considered as a friend at one point. He planned on finding him again. Intending on cramming the picture into his face, showing him that they had been friends at one point.
He felt like he was going crazy.
"Well," It would have been great if Howard had friends to accompany him. Howard had been alone since he was a child. No one ever wanted to play with him. Partially because of his snobby attitude towards others, "I was worried sick about you." She gestured her hands down the hill, "the school called about a monster attack and then when I didn't see you at the front entrance. I freaked!"
"You didn't have to worry." He felt guilt for worrying his sister. She didn't need to worry. He could take care of himself. Howard had been doing a good job at it, so far. He was just annoyed that everyone was constantly badgering him over an event that happened a year ago. Debbie, , Heidi and now his father.
"Is dad coming home early?" He dreaded his father's over-protectiveness. It was only going to be getting worse from here.
"Yes. I told dad, I said I'll come get you instead. He seemed to be okay with that."
It was either Dad or Heidi. He preferred Heidi. At least, she wasn't AS overbearing as his father came to be.
"Come on, I'll drive you home," She said gently. Heidi guided her brother to the car that her father bought for her on her birthday. The vehicle was hard to miss. It had been a truck that their uncle had driven before he got arrested. Why Mort got her his uncle's getaway car was beyond him.
"Heidi?" Howard didn't turn to look at his sister. He wasn't really about this mushy stuff he was about to relay to his sister. This whole Randy thing was starting to bug him. Without giving out too much information. He wanted to know his sister's opinion on this, "Does that kid seem familiar to you?"
"Do you mean the new kid you were telling me about earlier?" She frowned, tapping her finger against the steering wheel in thought. She had no memories of him. Heidi would have known if Howard was friends with a purple-haired kid, "No. Why? Do you? You just told me he was the new kid."
"I don't know? I don't I've seen him anywhere other than school." Howard's eyes were trained on the window, staring at the school's clock tower that was seen from his house.
"Maybe?" Heidi turned at the corner of the street. She had the car park in front of their house, turning off the ignition, "He was probably here before he came to the school, maybe that's how you recognize him?"
"Probably." Then, there was that flash. Howard saw a different monster than the one he was facing before.
It was a bird-like thing. Instead of-whatever the juice that was. He remembered at that moment he heard a screech. It felt like that particular screech was like a calling to him. Like the bird was calling out to him. Howard hadn't said anything. Who would believe him if he had? That he felt like his legs were moving on his own.
"Howard?" He must have not paid attention because the door to the passenger side opened for him, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He sighed through his teeth. Stepping out of the car, "I'm just exhausted."
He was not fine. Howard was angry beyond belief.