Randy's curiosity got the better of him and he stayed after school hours the next day (Much to the dismay of Howard who wanted to play Grave Punchers).
As he made his way toward the basement he saw the rat again. The rat froze and stared at him like it had last night. It got onto it's haunches a rubbed it eyes quickly before looking back again. It let out a surprised squeak before it ran off again.
Randy followed after it like last night "Come back here! The janitor might catch you this time!"
The rat didn't heed his warning and made it to the basement, uncaught.
Randy paused at the wall again, while the rat scurried in.
"You say you've found him?" Asked the smooth voice. Randy listened closely and heard frantic squeaking. "You mean like how you found him last night?"
The squeaking became more frantic.
The Sorcerer sighed, annoyed. "I need proof then."
Randy felt the cold sweat come back. His heart pounded very hard against his chest.
In his moment of fear he didn't notice how hungry he was. His stomach let out a harsh growl. He quickly grabbed onto his stomach as if he could silence it.
The talking between The Sorcerer and the rat turned to silence abruptly.
The Ninja stayed silent and leaned his back closer to the wall, realizing coming back was a mistake.
"Who's there?"
He decided to run for it, but ended up tripping on his scarf. He crashed to the ground with a loud thud.
He heard chuckling from The Sorcerer. "Oh, I think I know who you are."
Randy felt paralyzed as green smoke formed around him. Its started to pull him behind the wall. He quickly grabbed the floor, but it was no use. He was pulled towards his arch enemy, then dropped before him.
"Hello, Ninja..." Greeted the Sorcerer.
"Sorcerer!" Randy proclaimed, jumping to his feet and producing his sword.
The Sorcerer smirked. "You think your puny sword can take me down?"
The Ninja didn't back down from his defensive pose.
"Come closer..." The Sorcerer urged him. He sounded more curious than anything else.
Randy felt fear shoot through him again as he backed up. He felt the paralyzing feeling again as the green smoke pulled him closer again, but this time more gentle.
He was brought to his knees in front of The Sorcerer.
The Sorcerer put one of his clawed fingers under the Ninja's chin and brought it up so they made eye contact.
"You look..different..." The Sorcerer commented in confusion.
"Wh-what?" Was all Randy managed to choke out.
The Sorcerer paused for a moment to think. "Your eyes are blue and you look so...fragile."
He started mindlessly playing with Randy's wrist by gently twirling is back and forth. "Very fragile."
Randy frowned and pulled his arm away in a swift motion.
"You look nothing like the one who trapped me here."
"Wait...you think I'm the first ninja?" Randy asked, confused.
"What do you mean by "First" Ninja?" The Sorcerer asked.
"Well uh..." Randy hesitated a bit. The school year had just started so The Sorcerer would probably be able to guess how little experience he had and squash him like a bug. Although...maybe if he knew the truth he'd stop and leave Norrisville alone. "I'm...not the one who trapped you here...that guy died...hundreds of years ago..."
The Sorcerer froze. He looked over the Ninja again and compared him to the one he remembered so well.
They were...nothing alike.
The Sorcerer sighed. "Listen, Ninja...it's...late...perhaps you should come back tomorrow and we could discuss this more..."
"O-okay.." Randy said hesitantly. "T-tomorrow..."
…..
Randy walked home slowly that night to clear his thoughts.
The Sorcerer wanted to talk more about it? Why? Was he planning something? Or was he just being paranoid again?
His head hurt from all these speculations and he was glad to be home.
Randy climbed into bed and snuggled down. He saw The Nomicon glow.
He sighed and opened it.
Curiosity may give you the knowledge you seek, but it can also cause great pain.
"Uh..Nomicon...you already told me this yesterday." Randy pointed out. "And I still don't get it! Can you just, gee I don't know, explain it to me!"
The NinjaNomicon kicked him out.
"Fine..I'll figure it out on my own..." Randy grumbled. He looked at the clock and then added, "...Tomorrow."