I walk home with a steely determination. I push all thoughts of the battle behind me. I walk. One foot in front of the non-existent other. Howard keeps pace beside me, opening his mouth then saying nothing. The atmosphere is too quiet and my thoughts are too loud.
"Talk to me. Tell me a joke- something." He looks up in surprise.
"Seriously? Um, ok," Howard scratches the back of his head, then grins slyly. "Hey Cunningham."
"What."
"Look under there!" Howard exclaims, pointing vaguely in the other direction.
I take a good look at our surroundings: suburban houses, the road, mailboxes…? "Huh?"
"No really look under there! I can't believe what I'm seeing!" If I hadn't been so distracted, I might've noticed his sarcasm.
"Under where Howard!?" I say through gritted teeth, hands in the air.
"Haha I made you say underwear!" He practically doubles over with laughter. Despite everything I chuckle as well.
"What the juice man? Come up with that yourself?"
"Nah. I learned it at the Norrisville Local Library."
"And why were you at the library? You hate books."
"Some things should remain a mystery," He replies cryptically.
I roll my eyes. "Whatever." I have to admit it's a pretty good joke. It also alleviated the oppressive feeling of utter doom a bit.
We're at my house in no time. "Moooom!" No answer. Good. I sling my satchel onto the couch and rush to my room, trusting Howard to close the door. The Nomicon is sitting right where I left it, flashing furiously. I open the book just as Howard walks in behind me, shloomping us both.
The paper figures and doodles aren't welcoming as they used to be. The doodles form hands and grab for the leg, uncovering it. A samurai tries to slice Howard's head off. Before we land, an unseen force pushes us so that we fall on our faces in the dojo.
"The juice? You told me you found a Ninja book, but not that it does this?" Howard picks himself off the ground. "Shame our textbooks can't do this."
I shrug.
I felt a disturbance through our bond. It reeks of the Sorcerer.
Nomi looks anything but cool and composed. If he wasn't the only guy in here, I'd never recognize him with his age shifting. He is still a young man, but his bright red hair is mussed with a gray streak on one side, eyebrows knitted. Aw, he does care.
"Is he that Nomi senpai you're always going on about?"
I groan. "Nomi sensei, Howard. It's an important difference." Pretending that did not just happen I turn to my teacher. "What bond?"
The teacher/pupil bond that allows me to protect you. Like the time I, via the scarf, healed you.
"So you're saying you didn't do this?" I put the leg forward, knowing the answer already. Hoo boi. Nomi doesn't like the wings; how's he going to feel about this?
His expression is priceless, I wish I had a camera. His words are written out the equivalent of a censored cuss word: all random symbols. After a minute, he dares to touch it and pulls back like it burned him.
I thought I stopped the infection. The demon.
"The Sorcerer?" I verify. I glance anxiously at my friend swatting at probing doodles.
Not exactly. The Evil One does not just manipulate the physical forms of humans. Each transformation bonds a demon to their body, not their soul mind you. If that were the case nothing you could do could reverse the process. You have a bird demon, the Tengu.
It makes sense… I shiver from disgusted. I feel violated now more than ever. "Is there anything you can do about this?"
I am afraid not. Your human leg is lost to you.
I am going to have a honking bird leg. Forever.
"Kinda ironic considering you're scared of chickens," Howard states helpfully.
"For the last time I'm not part chicken!"
Nomi looks distastefully at us.
Speaking of such things, what is he doing here? An agent of the Sorcerer within my pages!? I think not!
Nomi draws his katana, pointing it at Howard. "Hey man, watch where you point that thing!"
"Hold on a sec! He's my friend!" I push the tip of the weapon away.
Can you not feel it? He has a Sorcerer's power ball.
The doodles freeze and poof out of existence. Howard stares at the wooden floor like it's a new Grave Puncher game, with undivided attention.
"An orb thing? Howard…?" This can't be true! If he did he would be like Julian.
"I picked it up after the fight with Julian. I was going to tell you about it but…" he trails off and takes out a little bag. It looks so familiar… he had had it on the beach! He had saved me twice now. But that means-!
"I know what you're thinking! And no I did not become some crazy psycho, I don't even hardly touch it." Howard crossed his arms.
You must get rid of it immediately. Its intrinsic connection to its master makes it very dangerous. In all likelihood, he is probably able to sense and track it
I have not known Nomi very long, but fear is recognizable on all faces. Fear that the power ball will lead the Sorcerer and McFist right to him.
Leave and dispose of it. Come back later for training Ninja, without him.
He looks pointedly at Howard. Swiftly grabbing the end of his cloak, Nomi draws it up with a flourish, like a magician making his grand exit. Red smoke fills the dojo and our minds return to our bodies in my room.
I am laying on my stomach, head resting on the ancient book. Howard is laying on me, head resting on my butt.
"Ugh dude ge'off," I groan. Wood flooring does not make the best place to lay down.
Howard obliges. "Disgusting. When did you last wash these pants?"
"Some things should remain a mystery," I reference from earlier. Encouraged by his eye roll, I continue. "I actually have no idea. I haven't done laundry in-"
"No stop! You're right. Some things should stay unknown." He stares down at the small, seemingly innocent, bag. "Do we really have to get rid of it?"
"Nomi said-"
"I don't care what he said! Nomi-Shnomi has a stick up his cheese hole and doesn't recognize its potential!"
"Shh Howard! He might hear you!" I pick up the Nomicon and pretend like I'm an adult trying to keep a small child from hearing a bad word.
"Honestly Cunnigham! It's fine. The ball stays in the bag, safe and sound, until I really need it. The only times I touched was when the semi nearly hit me and at the beach."
"But what about the whole tracking thing?" I hate to admit it, but maybe he does have a point.
"I've had it for a week and we're still here. Besides Buttermaker, no one has even been stanked in the last week." He grins smugly, knowing his argument is good. "Plus using the villain's weapon against him is a classic move."
"Fiiine. I just won't tell Nomi." I'm slightly concerned about the way he's stroking the bag. Eh, he does weird stuff all the time.
We instinctually wander over to the TV and gaming console. I'm not sure what disc is in it at the moment.
We play for a half hour, but our hearts aren't in the game. Howard hits the pause button.
"I destanked that senior earlier… who says the same can't be done to you?"
My mouth drops open. "Howard… that's genius!" I could finally just be myself again! That would also mean no more flying; I think back wistfully to my last flight. It also means partying at the beach is back on. No one wants to see a guy with a bird leg in swim trunks.
"Told ya I'm a mastermind."
"You've never said that before."
"Just did." He upends the bag, power ball rolling into his palm. He rubs its polished surface with a thumb. "Um… undo-o chicken leg-o?"
I roll the pant leg up to see if it worked. "I don't think that's how it works bro."
He makes a frustrated noise and closes his eyes. After a tense moment, the ball glows. Dark, oily green drops of sludge start to roll off my alien appendage. My wings are forced out of my back, painfully similar to that night with Julian.
Howard opens his eyes- they are bright green instead of his chestnut brown.
"Buddy?" I'm scared. "Can you hear me?"
No response. Inch by inch I'm slowly being dragged toward them. The matter is coming off faster now and I still can't see pink skin. Nomi said my leg was gone for good. Without this one, would I not have one at all?
"Howard!"
He snaps out of it, dropping the power ball. I kick it to the other side of the room with the bad foot.
"I… I don't know what happened. Cunningham-" I cut Howard off with a hug. I'm just really happy that didn't end worse.
"You tried that's all that matters."
He hisses, gently pushing me away and cradling his hand. There's a little burn mark from where he held the ball.
"I'll get some ice."
Without much of a choice, I return to the book later. Howard is conked out on my bed and won't notice. This time, I'm at the base of a waterfall. Golden koi swim in the pool beneath.
My teacher is practicing with a bo staff, twirling it in dizzying, complex formations. Simultaneously, he is jumping from rock to slippery rock, never once looking down. I wonder why he practices when he can never leave the book.
I was planning on teaching you this today. However, I sense your mind is far too troubled to concentrate.
"The bond thing again?"
He stops the staff.
No. The frown on your face speaks volumes. I scowl harder. Being a Ninja isn't just about the physical actions, he or she must also be at peace with oneself. Today, we are going to talk.
"About what?"
About whatever you would like. Though the conversation will most likely be more engaging and beneficial if we stay on relatable topics.
I will away my shoes, perks of this mind-scape, and then scrunch up my nose. Funny that I could forget like that. I put back one shoe and dip my only foot into the pool of water. Curious koi nibble on my toes.
"I suppose Grave Puncher is off the list then? Well, I do have one thing I was wondering about. Aren't ninjas supposed to have masks or something? You want me to keep my identity a secret and yet my face is mostly exposed. How does that even work?" This has been on my mind every time I transform. Surely someone would recognize me.
The consciousness in human form sits across from me on a rock, bo staff resting in his lap.
Humans do not trust others who wear masks, literally or metaphorically. They equate that with something to hide. I alter their memories so they can see your face, but not remember it. The Ninja is the savior of the people and he cannot do his job if those people do not trust him
I mull that one over. Makes sense. But I'm the Ninja, and as long as the Sorcerer exists, it'll be my job to fight him. How long will this last? All of freshman year? High school? Life?
I know what you and your friend did. Do not be discouraged, a villain's curse can be the hero's blessing. Try to make the most of it.
I stare at him. "Has anyone told you you're a stalker? And honking confusing?"
I told you before, I can see what you see.
My face turns red. "…Everything?"
Unfortunately, yes.
Yup, definitely don't want this the rest of my life.
a/n Don't be afraid to review, kay? Your words of support (and criticism) really help with my writing! Also, another friendly reminder that there's a poll on my profile for my next fic which may be my last multi chapter for this fandom! The options are the continuation of Level 1 or not-a-cop's 9th grade sorcerer, a weinerham gang au, a sequel to wings or any other suggestion you may have!
Words of wisdom by nomi credit to finaldeos