Howard touched the pinkish scar on the side of his head. It wasn't visible due to his hair sort of covering it. More like, Howard tried to brush some of his hair to conceal the scar. He hated the fact that people can see it. It was not really hard to find.
He mumbled something under his breath in annoyance, tracing his finger on the scar. For the past couple of days, he had tried his damn hardest to figure out what happened to him that day. Howard didn't think about it. Not that he remembered much from that day. The only thing he recalled was waking up in the hospital room with his sister grasping at his hand. Her eyes red from sobbing.
It was something that Howard had tried to put in the back of his head until now.
He had his suspicions. Howard had nothing to base it out of. It was just a nagging feeling.
'Since, Cunningham was supposedly his friend. It was possible that he might know what happened to him. He had tried asking the Ninja awhile back. However, The Ninja had always been hard to track down. Cunningham might be his best bet.
Howard let his hand drop. The scar barely covered. There were times like this that he wished his hair grew longer. Just staring at the mirror made him angry. All he needed was answers. That was all. Not the constant stonewalling from Cunningham.
He knew something. The way he acted nervous around him. Howard also spotted him behind the school. What the juice was he doing there anyway?!
"Why won't anyone tell me anything?!" Howard snapped. For a brief moment his eyes turned red. He immediately did a double take, blinking.
His eyes were back to his normal color.
"Howard?" His sister called out from upstairs, "I heard yelling. Are you okay?"
"I'm okay." Howard sighed, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"Howard?"
"I'm fine, Heidi!"
"Will you be okay, Howie?" Mort asked. Fiddling with his fingers nervously, "I'm not sure if you should go today. "
"I'll be fine, Mort." Howard dismissed his concern with a wave, "No need to worry about me."
"O-okay, Howie. " Mort relented; when it came down to his son, "Be careful. Call me if anything happens or call your sister."
Howard grunted in acknowledgment. Mort spared him one last nervous look before heading out to work. His father had been hovering over him since the incident at school last week. No matter how many times Howard told Mort that he was fine. His father would constantly fret over him.
"He means well." Heidi chuckled at her brother, "You know that."
"So annoying."
"If I remember correctly, you're going on a trip today, right? Are you excited?" Heidi asked. Fetching her car keys from the counter.
"Yeah. To Mcfist's industries." Howard answered, "We're getting a tour. " His frown spreads into a wide grin. He was hoping for a free product form Mcfist, "I'm so hyped!"
"Bring home something for me, kay?"
"I'll get you some jerky."
The class are sitting on the steps, talking to their friends. Howard leaned against the railing, watching the students with an envious look. Howard wished he was there. Having a conversation with the rest of his class.
He longed to have friends. Howard just couldn't admit it to anyone. He'll just be made out to be some desperate loser.
Dammit!
Howard scratched the back of his neck. He felt something soft, "What the ... ?" He looked to see what it was. His eyes widened. Feathers? How? The feathers were orange and blue. Howard was fortunate enough to have caught it on time. He could have been the laughing stock of the entire school.
He immediately suspected it came from the pillows he slept on. Reassured, he tossed them to the side without a second glance.
Howard scratched his neck again as the itching feeling resurfaced. This time, he managed to rip out a lock of feathers, "What the juice?!" Howard tried to contain his panic. Where the hell were these feathers coming from?!
"Okay, everyone!" Silmovitz, the school's principal, called out to the class. "The buses are here to take us to Mcfist Industries, please line up, so we can get a move on!" He said in a cheerful demeanor that always made Howard cringe. He wasn't sure what was worse, Mrs. Driscoll bringing her dead husband on a class trip or the school's principal himself. Both of them were creepy as hell.
Howard let the feathers drop to the ground once more. If he knew this was going to happen. He would have stayed home from school. Too late for that now.
"Hey. Howard?"
Howard turned around to see who was talking to him. He was taken aback when Randy smiled down at him. His face littered with bruises. Which aroused some concern in him, "What happened to you?" He asked, sounding a little more demanding in his questioning, "You look like, you took a hit."
"Ha. Yeah, well. I'm pretty clumsy." He shrugged his shoulders. Randy flinched immediately afterwards as if something was causing him pain.
Howard scoffed at this, "Sounds like you tripped more than once, dude." Seriously, who was buying this? He had bruises on his face. It wasn't just one either.
"Back on topic." Randy said, completely ignoring Howard's 'concern' for him, "Are you okay? I mean, you were kinda angrily grumbling to yourself back there."
Howard's eyes widen in panic, "You saw the feathers?"
"I saw the feathers."
"You better not tell anyone, Cunningham." Howard warned. He attempted to sound intimidating, "I really don't need to be made fun of."
"I'm not making fun!" Randy waved his hands in surrender. His eyes spotted the scar on the side of Howard's head. Regret swam over him for seemingly 'abandoning' him that day. The teen immediately looked away when he realized he had been looking for too long.
Howard followed his eyes. Once, he figured out what Randy was staring at. He immediately clasped his hand on his scar, "Stop looking at it! I already have people staring as enough as it is!"
"Sorry! Sorry! I just- I'm sorry. It looks like you got hurt really badly."
"It's fine." Howard grumbled, "I don't remember it."
"Y-you don't?"
"I don't." He took a step on the bus, "Why are you so curious? It's not like you were there." Howard glanced back at him for a reaction. Surprisingly, Randy looked serious for once. The nervous demeanor that he had before vanished. Howard waited for a response. Desperate for an answer to his year-old question.
"Hurry up, losers!" Flute girl yelled at them, "There are still people waiting to get on!"
"Can it, Flute Girl!" Howard retorted. Stepping inside of the bus. He sat alone in the back. His longing for friends quickly replaced with resentment towards everyone. Yes, that was the healthy way. Blame it on others. He watched with an intense glare as Randy sat alone in the middle of the bus.
As the bus surged forward. He drowned out everyone's conversation. Howard bared his teeth angrily. Unknown to him, his teeth were sharp. His eyes red with rage that building up inside of him.
Randy stared back at Howard, his face pale. Howard returned the sentiment with a cold look on his face. Randy quickly turned around. The red head watched with intensity as the teen rummaged through his bag frantically. He pulled out a red and black book that Howard never has seen before.
Randy slumped forward in his seat.
"That book." Howard observed, the book that lay idly on Randy's lap, "I've seen it before."
Randy flipped around uncontrollably in the book. Drawings coming to life as he fell down towards the abyss that awaited him. He landed safely on the ground. His surroundings a dark void, empty with no signs of the Nomicon's normal bright colors.
"Okay, you're starting to scare me. First Howard. Now, you. What is going on?"
Flickers of blue embers shone brightly, showing him a path. There were no arrows, no doodles. Just darkness. This was starting to feel vaguely familiar. Something that he didn't want to remember. Randy often tried to forget. Despite, the Nomicon constantly reminding him about it.
With a defeated sigh. He walked down the path to face his punishment once again. No matter how many sorry's Randy had delivered to the Nomicon. It seemed like the book will never forgive him. At this point, he was only the Ninja so he can face the consequences of his actions.
It was a fitting punishment. Watch as his friends move on without him. Forget that Randy Cunningham ever existed. It was only recently that he worked up the courage to return to school. Even then, no matter how much he avoided his classmates. It still stung.
"Nomicon? I know you're still mad. But, can we skip this? Howard is in danger of turning into a Tengu. I thought we sealed it back after it had escaped."
Nothing. No response from the book. Just uncomfortable silence. Randy walked down the path towards his destination. No sign of the First Ninja or the NinjaNomicon. It would have been reassuring to at least see someone. Randy should be used to it by now as Plop Plop would only greet him as he entered the book and the occasional advice from the Nomicon.
"Nomicon, please. Howard is in danger."
"Howard... Remember that time we could barely beat the Sorceress?" The disembodied voice echoed throughout the book.
"Nomicon. Don't do this..." Randy's lips trembled. His pain expression evident on his face.
A version of Howard and Randy appeared in front of him. This version of Randy had his hands firmly on his friend's shoulders, "I found out there is a spell to make you stronger. So that, when you're in danger again. You'll manage a lot better in battle."
"Uh, no." Howard grabbed his hand, pushing it away gently, "I think having the bird inside me is enough."
"Howard." Randy's voice trailed off. Randy remembered it well. The sorceress almost had him killed. He recalled Howard bleeding from his wounds from the witch's dark magic. The two had barely made it out of the land of shadows alive. There were no match for her at this rate.
"Cunningham." Howard responded rather sarcastically.
"I was terrified. I thought you almost died." Randy sounded like he was almost pleading.
"Thanks for that, by the way." Howard grunted, "My dad got all panicky when he saw all those gashes. I had to tell him I got caught up in a monster attack. "
"I'll do your homework for a year."
The offer made Howard perk up with interest, "And?"
"I'll give you my allowance for the year as well."
Howard looked at him with more anticipation.
"Free Mc Flubberbusters."
"Deal!"
"I did it to protect to him." Randy muttered to himself, "It was either that or mind wipe him for good. I couldn't bring myself to do that. He was my best friend. But after what happened. I regret not doing it."
Suddenly, the sky above him reverted back to a pastel blue. Grass below flourish again as it seemed that the book was returning back to life.
Black ink swirled in front of him, forming letters.
"Tame the beast from within."
"Tame the beast from within." Randy nodded. He understood what the book meant. Randy will have to reach out to Howard again. He is going to finally fix this mess.
"So what's the plan?"
"I'm performing a ritual where I can make you stronger. You may feel some alterations." Randy explained, pulling out his mask from his backpack, "It shouldn't hurt too much."
"Too much? I don't know about this, Cunningham."
"Howard. You'll be fine. I promise." Randy smiled at him reassuringly. Howard sighed in defeat. If his friend said it was okay. Then, how was he going to doubt him?
Well, alright." Howard shuffled at little at Randy's expectant stare, "So, what kind of new powers do I get?"
"Lots of them, buddy. Lets begin-"
Howard.
Howard?
HOWARD!
"WHAT? WHAT DID SOMETHING HAPPEN?!" Howard jolted up from his seat. His head turning from side to side.
Debbie lost herself for a moment when Howard jumped up like that. Some kids were staring, others were snickering as they left the bus. She took notice of Howard, his face red from embarrassment. She felt like someone was staring at her from. Acting on that suspicion, Debbie turned to see the new kid staring at both Howard and her.
When Debbie turned around, she saw Howard glared at him. Tension brewing in the air. She opened her mouth to say something until Randy spared one last look at Howard before stepping off the bus. She closed her mouth, sighing in relief, "What's that all about? Are you and Randy okay?"
"He's a shoob." He responded coldly. Making his way past Debbie. She followed closely behind him. Howard was normally a grumpy kid. But This? This was a whole new level of angry she has ever seen from Howard before.
"How?" Debbie pressed for answers. Honestly, she thought both Howard and Randy would be good friends. She was hoping Randy would approach Howard eventually. Judging by the stares they gave one another. It seemed like they talked once or twice before. Possibly, not a pleasant discussion.
"I feel like I met him before."
"Huh?" Debbie perked an eyebrow at him in curiosity, "Have you met him?"
"I think so-No, I know I have. He just won't admit it.""Howard." Debbie cast a worried look at him, "You probably thought you saw him."
Howard dug his hand into his pocket. Hesitating. He looked like he was debating with himself over something she couldn't make out. Finally, he took out the photo and handed it to her.
It was a picture of the two of them hanging out. Oh, so they were friends?
"I know what you're thinking, Kang." Howard informed her, "Check the date."
Debbie turned the photo around. Taking a closer look at the date Howard mentioned.
October 7th, 2012.
One year earlier. How is that possible?
"Who gave you this?" Debbie handed the photo back to Howard. She eyed the students around her, Debbie eyes finally landing on Randy; who was seemed to be glaring at everything. Debbie, a journalist in her own right was tempted to confront him based on the photo alone.
"Alright, kids!" Principal Slimovitz yelled to get their attention, "We're going into Mcfist Industries now. I want you guys to be on your best behavior for the Mayor. Stay close, and keep the volume down to a minimum."
"I don't know." Howard whispered, "I thought it was Cunningham at first."
"If he was your friend. Wouldn't you have more photos of him?" Debbie asked. The class walked into the building. Some of them were in awe over the robo apes that seemed to be carrying crates around. Some robo apes are working on assembly lines, packaging Mcfist goodies in their respected boxes.
"I could use some Mcfist jerky right about now." Howard said, focusing his attention on the assembly line, "Maaaybe, If I take one while Prinicpal Silmovitz isn't looking-"
"No," Debbie sighed, "and answer my question."
"Fiiine." Howard grumbled. Honestly, he didn't want to talk about it anymore. However, this was Debbie Kang and she wouldn't stop bothering him if she wasn't provided with a clear answer.
"I tried finding photos of me and him" The red head shrugged, "Nothing. It was like he was wiped from our existence."
"This is crazy." Debbie's eyes narrowed at Randy. This complicated issue was making her head hurt. Even for a reporter like Debbie Kang.