Randy quietly entered The Sorcerer's lair.

"Hello, Ninja." The Sorcerer greeted.

Randy avoided eye contact and didn't say anything.

"Ninja?"

"...Turns out McFist hates The Ninja.." Randy said, still not looking at The Sorcerer. He then looked him in the eyes. "I wonder why..."

"Ninja, I made a deal with him. If he were to catch you, I would have given him any power he wanted.." The Sorcerer explained.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Randy asked, hurt filling his voice.

The Sorcerer thought for a moment. "I didn't tell you because...because you'd have a response like this!"

Randy looked mad. "I wouldn't have if you told me!"

"Would you have forgiven me if you knew?" The Sorcerer asked,seriously.

Randy looked at the ground and stayed silent for a moment. "No."

He looked back up. "Maybe I shouldn't come down here anymore...maybe..just for a while..."

"If that's what you want Ninja." The Sorcerer said, managing to hide any emotion in his voice.

He didn't understand why, but on the inside those words hurt a lot. He'd only known him two weeks, why was this bothering him so much? The Ninja probably wouldn't come back, the maybe, was a false hope, he could probably get over it soon enough. He had his rat companion to keep him company. But what about when he stanked people? Would he be reminded of The Ninja again? He wasn't sure how stanking would go if he too were upset. In four years he'd be gone and replaced with another freshman anyway. In a thousand years or so, he'd be dead and long forgotten by The Sorcerer.

…...

When Randy got home he held The NinjaNomicon close to his chest.

"C-curiosity m-may give y-you the kn-kn-owledge you seek, but it c-can also cause gr-great p-pain" Randy stuttered as he squeezed the book in his arms. "I k-know what y-you meant now N-nomicon."

The Nomicon glowed a small bit to show it's approval.

Randy thought about a few nights ago and jolted up in fear. "Nomicon... d-did he t-take off my mask that one night?"

There was temptation, but the temptation was not enough to persuade the decision.

Randy looked relived and hugged The Nomicon tighter. "I'm really sorry I didn't listen to you Nomicon."

The Nomicon is the true tool of the warrior.

Randy smirked. "Now you're just being full of yourself."

The Nomcion glowed again and gave a growl. Randy just laughed and playfully punched the Nomicon lightly.

"Night Nomicon." Randy said, putting in on his table.

…..

It had been two and a half hours and Randy was unable to fall asleep. He kept thinking of The Sorcerer and McFist.

McFist had been a role model to him ever since he was young, and The Sorcerer had been his...acquaintance for two weeks. It hurt him to think of that. Two people he trusted, two people he cared for, wanted him dead. The Sorcerer could've kept it a secret because he did intend to harm him still. But why hadn't he done it that night he fell asleep in his lair? Why hadn't he even taken off his mask. The Nomicon made it clear he almost did, but...why didn't he follow through. Randy's head hurt.

He went to the bathroom and found Ibprofen PM. He then played Grave Puncher for a bit until it kicked in and curled into bed.

…..

"Randy, dear?" Said a gentle voice. He opened his eyes and saw his mom gently nudging his shoulder. "You over slept dear, you need to go to school."

"Sorry, mom." Randy apologized. "I had a really rough night."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that dear. What's wrong?"She asked gently.

"I was just thinking about things.."

"What kind of things."

"Ninja things." Randy said as he stretched.

When a student becomes a Ninja, a note is also left for the parent. It's more a note of comfort that their child will be fine more than anything. How the Ninja suit will keep them safe and what not. Randy's poor mom almost had a heart attack when she got that note.

"Do you want me to take you to school?" She asked gently.

"Nah. I'm gonna walk with Howard." Randy said, getting out of bed. He looked at the clock. He still had enough time to shower and everything before school.

…..

During their walk to school, Randy had managed to not let Howard know about last night. He kept himself calm and collected. Howard didn't suspect anything.

It was first period, when he didn't have anyone to talk to, to distract him that things got bad. He couldn't focus on the lesson and often kept thinking of The Sorcerer. Why had he trusted him in the first place. If he had forgiven him what would've happened? Would The Sorcerer still have the urge (Randy assumed he had), to kill him? Or would it be like before, when they were frie-..acquaintances?

I can't deal with this anymore...I can't fight stanks, I'll just keep thinking about The Sorcerer! Maybe I can forget our...acquaintanceship somehow...Wait! Maybe The Nomicon has a mind wipe or something..

When rhere was five minutes left of class and the students were given free time, Randy sloomped into The Nomicon.