Nomi watched Sketchy Walk away slowly until she was out of sight . There was so much more he wanted to tell her ,but the walk home was Cold and silent. there was no talking that went on amongst the group of guys,only enough to learn , the Big orange envelope with approved mark in red letters that Randy had only a few days earlier was Sketch's adoption finalization papers.

~Saturday~

Howard had spent the night to play video games until him and Randy passed out. Nomi was already up Saturday morning, his thoughts churning in his head.

*Was it a success or failure?* * this is all my fault.* *why?*

Nomi was looking down "sorry" He brought up is knees and put his head on them leaning against Randy's bunk bed.

"I say it was a success" Randy said in his scruffy morning voice.

"W-what? " Nomi spoke.

"You Don't do a good job thinking to yourself, you just said all those things out loud." Randy said as he rolled off his gaming chair where he had fell asleep.

"What makes you think this was a success?" Nomi snarled.

"We put the sorcerer in the hole of stone back where he belongs!" Randy said optimistically.

"That's not what I meant "

Randy's optimistic look faded "oh i see."

"her faith is all my fault ." Nomi said

"how?"

"It was my ONE mistake that took her family!"

"you mean-?"

"Mac Antfee! he was the worst thing to happen to Norrisville in 800 years."Nomi interrupted.

Randy sighed

" I wasn't done helping her"

"You mean you weren't ready to let go."

Nomi sat up. Before he could disagree Randy interrupted.

"It Better she left you then you leaving her."

"What?"

"Nomi, you are the Nomicon , after my dutie of four years and you mind wipe me you have to find the next Norrisville ninja."

Nomi put his hand in his jacket pocket pulled out his M-P-3 PLAYER. Randy's old one that he had given him when they first met , promising he would teach him to be a regular teenager. Nomi placed the two earbuds in each of his ears.

"Nomi you have to see that with-" Randy spoke on ,but Nomi had switched his music on. (Loud)

Nomi Watched Randy jabber on and on Nomi knew it was rude ,but he just couldn't stand to hear any more about her. Then Howard woke up, soon him and Randy started talking about a completely different subject .

Nomi got up and left the room .

"Where is he going ?"howard asks.

"I don't know probably geting breakfast." Randy answered.

Nomi walked down the steps , making it down he sees miss Cunningham reading the paper. He walks over and sits on a stool next Miss Cunningham. His music still blasting in his ears . Miss Cunningham Spoke to Nomi, Nomi

Not hearing any of it miss Cunningham's words she looked synthetic as she spoke. then handing Nomi an envelope.

It was from the Fowler's . Inside was a little note and four pictures.

The note read:

hey ,here are the pictures that my dad took of us . Sorry that my dad is so embarrassing .

Sincerely: Theresa.

the pics where of Randy and Theresa, Debbie Kang and Howard, Sketchy and Nomi, (at the house) Bucky and Sketchy (at the ball) . Nomi stopped and look at the last two.

Nomi let out a sigh , he looked at the last one where Bash had dumped water on Sketchy. She was soaked. than looking at the other one, Nomi saw her smiling (a real smile) he couldn't help to smile back at the photo.

"I'm leaving Saturday morning." Sketch's voice echoed in his head. Nomi as stubborn as he could be , he darted out the door.

"What was that all about ?"Miss Cunningham said.

"and from standing on top of the stairs case"It was determination!" Randy yelled.

Nomi Ran Down the street holding the pic close to him. as the M-P-3 PLAYER blasted his ears. playing

"Still Worth Fighting For"

So hard to let go

And I still hear the sound

Of your voice singin' in my head

I can't surrender

'Cause the rope's slowly coming apart

But hangin' by a thread

It's gone on

For too long

And this is it

So take a look into my eyes one last time

So we never forget

The way we were before

When we came alive at the moment we met

This is still worth fighting

Still worth fighting for

A glass that's half empty

Won't wash away the mistakes

It only makes a mess

It's worth defending

A tiny glimpse of what it would take

To make us better yet

It's gone on

For too long

And this is it

So take a look into my eyes one last time

So we never forget

The way we were before

When we came alive at the moment we met

This is still worth fighting for

A love that wants to live

I'll give you all I've got to give

So let's try one last time

So we never forget

This is still worth fighting

Still worth fighting for

Now that we know just who we are

Now that we've finally come this far

I'm ready for one more battle scar

'Cause this is still worth fighting for

So take a look into my eyes one last time

So we never forget the way we were before

When we came alive at the moment we met

This is still worth fighting for

A love that wants to live

I'll give you all I've got to give

So let's try one last time

So we never forget

This is still worth fighting for

(I'm ready for one more battle scar)

This is still worth fighting for

(I'm ready for one more battle scar)

This is still worth fighting

We're still worth fighting for

Nomi ran Ran FAST he didn't understand himself what he was going to do but he could feel his heart beating, but not from running something else was pushing him Forward it was better than determination itself almost something like passion.

Nomi ran through the streets of Norrisville , even if it was early he didn't care , he didn't care that he was sore from yesterdays battle, he didn't care if he wasn't wearing shoes he simply didn't care about anything else.

Nomi ran to his destination the Norrisville graveyard. hooking his hand on the pole, not slowing down on the sharp turn, more like running faster.

Finally reaching sketch's spirithouse swinging open the old rusted metal door seeing

no one ,nothing was there. All of her necessity he had seen the first time were gone. Nomi's heart sank

"Too late..." Nomi said under his breath.

sitting down by the Flinch's graves Nomi took a stick and doodled in the loose dirt.

"I'm sorry..."

Nomi took his earbuds off and shove them them back in his jacket. sitting by Sketch's grave Nomi imagine he was sitting by Sketchy " You were different, you understood." Nomi said to Sketchy. Nomi imagine Sketchy blushing. he took off his amulet and placed it on Sketch's grave

"Here where this ,that way you won't be alone."

"Thanks"

Nomi jumped , looking around vigorously For the source of the voice. Nomi got up and with hands in his pockets head hanging he walked away.

~Cunningham residence~

Nomi enter the house hoping no one would be there , he couldn't stand for the subject to be brought back up. but he triped on the Nomicon that was laid in the doorway.

Without Nomi possessing it was just a regular 800 year old ancient Japanese book.

"What The?!" Nomi said on the ground.

Nomi picked up the Nomicon, and sat on the couch. He noticed there was a bookmark. He opened the book to it's bookmarked.

"With great gain , comes great loss." Nomi read out loud . it was written in red sharpie

"D-Did Randy do this?" he asked himself.

Nomi new Randy wasn't in the house, it was too quiet so he pulled out his phone and texted him

"did you write in the Nomicon?"

"yup " Randy replied

"why?"

" . ^^"

"what?"

"it's a lesson."

"OK, where are you?"

"Greg's game hole, why"

"meet me at training ground!"

"Crap" Randy replied before Nomi went out the door to train.

( finding an easy solution of wasting weekends)

~Monday~

Randy and Nomi got a ride to school. After exiting the car they ran into Howard. Walking to the main lobby a conversation started.

"So do you think Sketchy will still be coming to Norrisville high at her new foster home?" Howard asked.

"No." Nomi said as he through his ear buds on and walked away.

"What the juice is up with him?" Howard said.

"he's confused about his newfound feelings and or emotions ."Randy answered.

" With the book out of whack you're starting to sound like the new Nomicon ,Cunningham" Howard said.

"ha ha yeah."

"so do you?"

"I'm not sure."Randy said

... Awkward silence...

"So are you going with your dad to bring a teen to work day?"Randy asked

"yeah! No way am i passing up a day off school! " Howard yelled acoustically.

"are you and the Book ?"

"I know I am ,but I'm not so sure about Nomi"

"cool."

They went on this any other regular day at Norrisville high ... with a monster attack. But other than that it was boring.

Nomi was walking to class when he saw Sketchy?! at her locker

Nomi Ran up behind her sweeping her up into the air hugging her

"Sketchy I'm so glad to see you! "

"UM Nomi? what are you doing!?"

"Nomi opened his eyes and was saw who he actually hug

"OH GOD RANDY I'M SORRY but has anyone ever told you you look like Sketchy from the back?" Nomi said as he set Randy on the floor

"Um No I think you are just seeing things!" Randy blushed

" Are you going to go to bring your teen to work day with me and mom?" Randy asked.

"Nah"

" ok tell me if you change your mind." Randy said as he walked away.

~Tuesday~

*OK remaining students well your fellow students are out on their take your teen to work Day ,with their parents and or guardians you'll be here having a normal school day, however the students will return back to school at 1 o'clock in the gymnasium to show what they've learned with their parents at a booth! as the education part of this program OK ... So everyone have a terrific Tuesday*

the Announcements shut off . Nomi didn't change his mind, he was one of the few students that did not pertain in this activity.

a small percentage of the students were there but they were back round characters.

Nomi sat in his first period class: science. It was just him and Mrs. Driscoll

"Um, Nomi is no real reason for me to teach today,but I can't have you sit here and do nothing. so do something with this paper and pencil."Mrs Driscoll said as she waved the pencil like it was some kind of rattle. Then going back to her seat.

Nomi didn't feel like writing words. so he just scratch the paper with a pencil, then scratches became Sketches , than those sketches he came lines . Nomi liked drawing but he's never been this consumed in a project.

Before the bell rang Mrs. Driscoll pulled the paper out from under Nomi's pencil.

"Wow Nomi you are a talented artists, this looks like someone I know Catchy I think her name is?"

"It's Sketchy." Nomi said grinning his teeth.

"oh yeah she was smart ,*sigh* too bad she got transferred." Mrs. Driscoll said but not really caring.

"WAIT ! WAT-(RRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGG) Nomi was cut off.

"oh break time!" she said as she went to the back office.

Nomi continued The day ,He knew Sketchy was leaving but a big part of him was hoping that she didn't transfer. He really needed to smash something now!

~12:56~

It was only a few minutes left before Nomi could enter the gymnasium ,and see everyone not being alone.

The gymnasium doors open Nomi looks around teen day was packed , especially the Mcfist industry section. that was full technology.

Randy and Rudy were at Rudy's booth justice and legal act apartment of the courthouse.

"hey Nomi " Randy yelled at Nomi. " my mom's job is cool. She's practically a cop!"

"Why didn't you notice it before?"Nomi said

" cuz I never seen mom in action before! see we were working on this-"

(BooM!)

A small explosion on the other side of gymnasium let out a Puff of smoke by the Mcfist Industries section!

a white human exoskeleton robot about the size of Nomi with glowing yellow eyes, randomly activated breaking out of the display case at Viceroy's booth

" it's ninja o clo-!" Randy started.

"Randy let me handle this, I gotta smash something. you help everyone evacuate!"

"OK!" Randy yelled

*smoke bomb* Nomi emerged wearing his cape and Tengu mask from the red smoke seeing the exoskelton up close shocked him , the exoskeleton was wearing Nomi's amulet.

"WTJ THAT'S NO YOURS!"Nomi yelled in the empty gymnasium. red doodles appeared in front of him, as he hears. "With great gain, comes great loss."

"That still makes no sense!"he yelled

the exoskelton leap into action! Nomi unprepared was kicked through the wall into the schools main lobby.

"ugh! OK now I'm mad!" Nomi yelled as he and the exoskeleton meant eye too eye in the lobby. fighting hand to hand , the exoskeleton was strong! there was no way Viceroy design this thing by himself. Landing a few hits on the exoskeleton, the exoskeleton doing the same ,most of the hits were dodged!

Nomi was done playing! He pulled out his bow staff and held it in front of him. the exoskeleton's arm opened a secret compartment pulling out a small stick. the stick expanded to a staff , holding it in front of him as well.

Nomi doesn't hesitate to charge at him! The two staffs meeting made a clash the echo through the halls! The exoskeleton throws his staff around to smash Nomi in the neck. Nomi ducks sliding his foot knocking the exoskeleton onto his back. Nomi held out his sword now , Ready the end this. But before Nomi through his sword down on the ground the exoskeleton rolled out of the sword's path now on his feet! Pulling out a sword as well!

Clanging of swords and metal fill the school halls with echoes. The exoskeleton sliced Nomi on his left cheek , Nomi wiping it he hissed , but not in pain but in anger! Nomi through a Ninja Boom ball at it !

*BOOOM!*

The explosion was bigger than Nomi thought ! Throwing him backwards to the center of the lobby. Nomi looked around seeing what was left of the exoskeleton , But not seeing his amulet. The fight was over.

he let out a sigh looking down at the carp's eye. on his knees.

~silence~

The words echoed again " with great gain comes great loss."

" I understand."

he looked up the amulet being held in front of him! he slowly turned around

"S-sketchy?" he said with his bleeding cheek.

He didn't know if he was imagining again so he waited for a reply...

"yeah?" she smiled

Nomi heart soared jumping up and hug her.

He's never hugged someone so tight!

"SKETCHY! I knew it!" he said still hugging

"I Found your amulet Nomi, at the Graveyard."

"I know I left it there , I can't believe it Mrs. Driscoll said you transferred."

"yeah transferred classes, to science and technology academic enhancement. Sketchy said.

"Nomi?" she spoke again.

"Yeah?" he let her go.

"I Missed you, I really thought I was never going to see you again!"

"Me Too."

"Nomi ,almost losing you made me realize something."

"what?"

"That your my best friend." She blushed. Like she was about to say something else.

"Sketchy?" voice echoed through the halls.

"Who's That?" Nomi asked

"That my New Dad."Sketchy answered." You want to meet him?"

Nomi nodded yes. still wearing his Tengu Mask.

"Dad over here!" she yelled

and turning the corner was Viceroy!

"Sketchy, you found the exoskeleton we designed."

"You helped him design that thing?" Nomi asked

"yeah."

"That explains a lot."

well thank you for destroying our "rogue" robot Ninja, but watch out, next time might not be so easy" Viceroy said

"yeah"

"OK Sketchy I'll be in the gymnasium when you're ready." Viceroy said as he walked away.

Sketchy smiled ( a real smile) "see you tomorrow Nomi? "

"Yeah" He said.

she started walk away , but Nomi grabbed her hand.

"wait."he said.

"yeah?"

"Sketchy almost losing you made me realize something too."Nomi said as he took off his mask.

"What ?"

"that I really care about you ." Nomi kissed sketchy on the cheek.

"u missed " she said. and she kissed Nomi on the mouth.

...

"see u tomorrow."she said as she walked away

"yeah you to."

Nomi and Sketchy Never told anyone about their kiss . the gang embark on many other adventures but this one was one they would never forget.

~The End~