It was Saturday, the first weekend of the school year. Randy and Howard were celebrating by Grave Puncher.

Randy was having a really bad losing streak. Usually he won at least half of the games when they played.

"What's wrong with you Cunningham?" Howard asked. "You're really out of it."

"Nothing...well..actually...remember how I promised that was the last time I'd stay after?"

"Yes." Howard sounded angry.

"Well, I uh..have to go back on Monday." Randy said.

"Cunningham, you promised me you wouldn't! You've never backed down from a promise!"

"Listen..this is important Ninja business." Randy explained.

"What are you doing exactly?" Howard asked.

"Well...I've been talking to uh..." Randy muttered the last part quietly. "The Sorcerer..."

"The What?" Howard asked, puzzled.

"Th-the Sorcerer..." Randy stuttered.

"The Sorcerer? You mean the thing that stanks everyone!?" Howard asked in shock.

"Howard! It's not like that. He-"

"Are you crazy Cunningham!? He'll kill you!"

"I think if he wanted to kill me, he would've done it by now." Randy pointed out. "Besides we're on good terms now..."

"Good terms? He's your enemy! Does that.. book thing...know about this?"

Randy bit his lip slightly. "Yeah..it..it knows..."

"Did it say anything, or has it gone crazy too!?"

"All it said was 'Curiosity may give you the knowledge you seek, but it can also cause great pain.'" Randy said. "I think it's talking about you.."

"What?" Howard asked. The riddle confused him and he had no idea how Randy came to that conclusion.

"I'm getting knowledge from The Sorcerer, but I'm straining our friendship."

"Yes. You are." Howard grumbled.

"I'm sorry..." Randy said. He sounded really pained that he hurt his friend's feelings.

"If you were you would hang out with me on Monday instead of him." Howard protested. He was getting annoyed of Randy's Ninja business and was close to making a word, or an acronym, or, something for it.

"I'm trying to protect everyone." Randy said. "And right now besides fighting Stanks, this is really the only thing I can do. Look, maybe if I can become friends with him, I can stop the Stanking."

"I didn't think I'd ever say this, but listen to The Nomicon!" Howard yelled.

Randy sighed.

"Howard. If this works, then I won't ever have to ninja out again and abandon you. The ninja won't be needed anymore and it'll just like how it was in Middle School again."

"Fine..." He grumbled. "But you're mine on the weekends."

"Of course, buddy." Randy said.

He sat back down next to Howard and they continued their grave punching.