Chapter 19

The day of the field trip had finally come and students were eagerly bouncing in their seats as they waiting to board the buses.

"Okay everyone, walk in a single file line to the buses and no running." Ms. Wilding instructed, students hurrying out the door with Randy, Howard, and Lex at the back of the line. Boarding the first bus as fast as possible, they all sat down in the back with Howard next to Lex and Randy in the seat next to them, the Ninja Nomicon lying beside him. (You mad with the seating arrangements bro?)

"So, how do you think this is gonna go?" Lex asked curiously.

"Bad. McFist knows the Ninja is a student so he's probably going to do something." Randy said.

"C'mon Randy, what's he gonna do with the rest of the school around?" Howard said confidently.

"This is McFist we're talking about, but I'm gonna agree with Howard for once. What's he gonna do? Besides," Lex grinned cheekily, "there's two of us. We can handle anything he throws at us!"

"At least you're thinking positively about it. But still… what if–"

"Randy Cunningham, don't you dare give me any 'what ifs'!"

"But–"

"Or buts!"

"…"

"Stop thinking about it, too."

"But anything could happen!"

"Exactly. Anything could happen. That means that today could go by calmly and we can all have a good time, like we always do! Just promise me you'll try and stay positive for the day."

"Lex…"

"Promise?"

"…I promise."

"Good!"

After an eternal bus ride, the trio stood at the entrance of McFist Industries with their group waiting to enter. Randy looked up at the intimidating building, clutching the Ninja Nomicon he'd hidden in his jacket, and gulped.

"Cunningham." He looked over to Lex, who grasped his hand and tried to smile reassuringly. "Relax, okay? We're on a field trip!" Randy nodded in reply, blushing at their intertwined hands.

"C'mon students! We have to hurry if we want to see everything McFist industries has to offer!" Ms. Wilding stated, leading the large group into the building and out of the cold.

"Hello, I will be your guide around the building for today. Remember not to touch anything or run off on your own. If you'll please follow me…" A Robo-ape said in its monotone voice.

"Remember, don't touch, look at, think about, or even breath near our stuff, kids!" Lex whispered, mocking the robotic primate. Randy and Howard laughed, putting on innocent faces when the Robo-ape turned to look at them quizzically. The trio continued to giggle as they followed the group around the giant building. There were computers and desks lining walls, people looking at and testing products, people talking about their ideas for a meeting, etc. Hours later, when they were all finished eating lunch, the trio was growing a bit bored. Randy was thankful that McFist hadn't done anything yet, though. (Oh Randy. He doesn't suspect a thing… :3)

"…and this is where McFist himself works. Only Robo-apes and his assistant, Viceroy, are allowed inside." The Robo-ape guide pointed out a door with a window that showed off a long hallway with many more doors that everyone looked at curiously, "Now, if you look over here…" As the Robo-ape and group began to walk away, Lex stayed put, staring at the door with a mischievous grin.

"I don't think anyone will mind if I take a peek…" She mumbled, watching the group turn the corner. Looking through the door again, Lex noticed one of the doors beyond that one was wide open with a faint light coming from inside. Trying the doorknob, Lex easily slipped inside, unaware of the danger that lurked within. I mean, her dad had been inside at least once and Viceroy was always there. It couldn't be THAT dangerous…right? (Hehehe…they're clueless) Warily sneaking towards the door, Lex took a deep breath and looked around. No one was around to see. Either way, what could one little look hurt? Looking inside the door, Lex saw something huge hidden under a sheet, but it was still too dark to make out what it COULD be. Taking a few tentative steps, Lex decided it was safe and walked over to the thing. It blinked red every few moments and Lex nearly thought she saw movement.

"But that's ridiculous! Why would whatever it is move?" Lex tried to reassure herself, still eyeing the thing under the sheet. Curiosity taking control, Lex moved closer and closer, her hand stretched out to grab the sheet that hid…whatever it was from view. Just as her hand touched the sheet, the thing tossed it off violently and reached a metallic arm forward towards her. Jumping back, Lex gasped at the thing. It was a robot that was ten feet tall with glaring red eyes, blinking lights down its arms, spiked feet and knuckles, and was made of pure steel with the word "DOOM" engraved on its chest. The robot reached out again towards Lex, who quickly ran back out the door and slammed it shut behind her. It wouldn't do much, but it would give her some extra escape time. The robot busted through the door just as Lex was out of the hallway and trying to find her group. 'I'm just gonna have to find everyone and tell them what happened,' Lex thought as she ran faster at the sound of the robot's clunking feet, 'I can't Ninja out with a bunch of people here!'

Randy and Howard yawned as the Robo-ape droned on and on in its monotoned voice.

"This is boring. I mean, it was cool at first, but now…" Randy groaned.

"I'd rather be at school." Howard muttered. The two were silent for a moment, but immediately started laughing at the statement.

"Hahahahaha! Yeah…school. What do you think Lex? Lex?" Randy stopped laughing, finally realizing that Lex wasn't next to them or anywhere in the group.

"Uh, Howard, where'd Lex go?"

"What do you mean, 'where did Lex go'? Wasn't she here?" Howard asked, looking around for their friend.

"She WAS, but now she's not." Randy's eyes suddenly widened as a scary thought occurred to him, "You don't think she's in trouble, do you?"

"No telling." That's when they all heard a huge crash and a few people scream.

"Never mind." Suddenly, a ginormous robot burst into view, it's glowing eyes scanning the room. One of the kids screeched, the rest of the class following as they scrambled around and attempted to find an exit.

"Seriously?!" Howard said at the same time that Randy triumphantly yelled, "I knew it! I knew it! I knew McFist was up to something and you guys didn't! In your face! Who's the cheese? I'm the cheese!"

"You can rub it in later! Right now we need to either leave or have you Ninjas help out!"

"Oh yeah! Sorry…" They sprinted off as the robot did a noise that was a mix between a roar and a screech, destroying anything and everything it came across. Its main purpose seemed to be to just wreck havoc among everyone. As the duo ran through the seemingly endless halls, that crashed into someone and fell to the floor with a thud.

"Ow…" "Ouch…!"

"Lex?" "Howard? Cunningham? Oh my glob, it's nice to know you're in one piece!" Lex jumped up and helped them up, hugging them both.

"Lex, where were you?! You weren't in the group and I had no idea where you were! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" Randy blurted out as he held Lex's shoulders, eyeing her to make sure she wasn't injured.

"You were…worried about me?" Lex asked quietly.

"Of course I was, why wouldn't I be?" Randy whispered, hugging Lex tightly, as if afraid she'd disappear if he let go.

"Ahem, I hate to interrupt this adorable love scene, but there's a dangerous killing machine behind us and I'd rather leave here in one piece." Howard interjected impatiently, glancing over his shoulder.

"Oh yeah! So, how are we going to get out of here?"

"Cunningham, you don't seriously think I'm leaving after that!"

"Lex, there's a robot of mass destruction behind us. We need to go! Everyone else is doing that and I want you to be safe because I lo–! Just because!"

"We're Ninjas. We need to stop that thing before it figures out it can smash through windows just as well as doors." Randy looked down at Lex, seeing the determination in her eyes, and nodded.

"I'm sorry. I'm being stupid. How are we gonna get our masks on with this many people running around though?"

"Just hide under a desk or the bathroom around the corner!"

"Got it!" They ran in separate directions, Lex towards the bathroom and Randy under a desk. Pulling on their masks, they leaped out, Randy holding a katana and Lex holding a spiked fan.

"Wanna be my distraction?" Lex asked.

"Only if you destroy it in ten minutes or less." Randy answered, looking back at Lex with a smirk that matched her own.

"I'll be done in five."

"It's a done deal. Howard, hold the Nomicon." Randy handed the book to Howard before he charged with Lex towards the robot.

"Ninja fan!" Lex called out, tossing the fan out of hand as it flew around. It hit the robot successfully in the leg, but did I nothing but bounce off and hit the wall above Lex's head.

"Well, that's an obvious bad sign." Lex muttered, yanking the fan out of the wall.

"Why won't it fall apart?! You'd think I left a scratch by now!" Randy complained as he tried to slice apart the robot to no avail.

"It's some tough steel! Impenetrable!" Lex yelled, trying to distract the robot as best as she possibly could. It swung its huge arms and stomped the floor around it as it attempted to hit Lex.

"Ninjas: targeted. Mission: capture." The robot said, reaching out for Lex again.

"Target…he knew we'd do something!"

"I was right!"

"Now's not the time to start with that, Cunningham!"

"Stand back!" Randy threw a blinking black and red ball at the robot, who caught it and have it a confused look. That's when it exploded and created a thick cloud of smoke. Once it cleared, it revealed the unscathed robot who grinned, laughing at the attempt of destroying it. Randy smirked, pointing to the floor. A large ring had cut into the floor around the robot and fell, bringing the metallic monster along with it.

"Is now the time to start?"

"Cunningham, don't you dare…"

"I was right! You were wrong! I saved the day because I saw it coming! Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Cunningham…" Lex tried to sound stern, but began to giggle at Randy as he danced around in triumph. "Cunningham!" He turned to her, a smile still glued to his face. "Stop being so cute when I'm supposed to be annoyed with you!" Randy blushed instantly at Lex's statement, looking at the floor.

"O-only if you admit I was right."

"You were right. I still had a feeling this would happen though, so I'm not entirely wrong…"

"Whoa whoa whoa! Let's not take any credit here!" They laughed until a laser suddenly shot up through the hole in the floor.

"How…HOW?!" Lex groaned in agitation, leaping through the floor with Randy close behind. They slashed, punched, and kicked at the robot but it didn't seem to do anything. Out of nowhere, Nomi, in his own Ninja outfit, jumped down and threw his chain sickle (I forgot what its called!) at the robot's joint.

"Nomi?! Howard, I told you to hold the Nomicon!" Randy shouted.

"You mean the book? But what does that have to do…" Lex started before her eyes widened and she realized what Randy meant. "You mean…Nomi's…"

"The Ninja Nomicon, yes. Sorry you, couldn't find out under less stressful circumstances." Nomi said with a small grin.

"I-it's fine. A bit unexpected though." Lex mumbled the last part as she continued to fight off the robot.

"I agree, but I think we can talk about this later." The robot seemed to be getting angrier and angrier with each passing moment of fighting three ninjas and raised its hand to swat any of them away.

"Lex!" (Don't you mean Kasumi?) Nomi and Randy yelled as the robot's arm came closer and closer to Lex. Her eyes widened and she stood there, unable to move. Suddenly, she came into contact with the floor and closed her eyes tightly until she heard a groan of pain. Opening her eyes, Lex gasped at the sight of Nomicon lying against the wall with his eyes closed.

"Nomi!" Lex called out, rushing to Nomi's side. The robot stopped for a minute before trying to grab Lex again. Randy stepped in, holding his katana out as he tried to direct the robot away while still keeping an eyeing Lex and Nomi.

"Nomi? Nomi, are you okay? Please don't tell me that you're hurt…" Lex said, putting an hand on Nomicon's shoulder, making him wince.

"I'm sorry!"

"I-it's fine."

"Oh Nomi, why'd you have to do something so stupid!? Look at you! You're hurt and I don't even know how badly!"

"Lex…" Nomi put a hand on Lex's cheek as she just stared at him worriedly, "I did it because I couldn't bear seeing you hurt. That's the reason I pushed both you and Randy out of the way."

"You should've just let it happen! Ugh…Howard! I need you to take Nomi out of here now!" Lex called out loudly. She turned back to Nomi and stood up. "Stay here, got it?" Nomicon nodded, wrapping his arms around his torso in an attempt to ease the pain.

"Ninja revenge kick!" Lex yelled, kicking the robot full in the face.

"Ninja sword slice!" Randy shouted, bringing the sword across the robot's middle, where it got stuck. The robot swatted at Randy, sending him backwards and smack into anther wall. He slid down, hidden behind a group of desks as Lex cried out.

"Randy!" She tried to get to Randy, but the robot smacked her too, sending her down with a thud. 'Randy…Nomi…' Lex thought as she slowly slipped out of consciousness. "Lex…" Randy whispered, Lex being carried away by the robot the last thing he got to before blacking out.