Note: I'm so happy to begin my new chapter series! After finishing, "A Turtle & His Sisyphus", I've brainstormed and wanted to do a different chapter series for a while, and wanted a chance to try something new! Note that this does take place during TMNT 2003 (with influences of the TMNT 2007 movie as well) after season 4. I have aged the turtles up to follow the series, being around 22-23 during this time-frame. I wanted to give a spin on my own twist of Season 5, Ninja Tribunal. With the season getting mixed reviews, I wanted to try and take a stab at it myself with having similar themes but some other twists and turns as well. To those who have followed my previous works, I'm so happy you guys are back and hope you enjoy a little glimpse of what is to come! To any new people, thank you for taking your time to check it out! In regards to update times (ha..) I try to do at the least once a month, or every other week. Messages and Reviews are biiiig helps and motivators for me to continue! Please share your thoughts and I'd love to hear! Thank you! Enjoy!

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The Gambit

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Michelangelo didn't think much of the future, let alone his own fate. He flowed with what fate dealt him. He celebrated every victory his family faced even at the worst odds. He cursed and spited their enemies that damaged his family deeply. He watched Leonardo suffocate himself in his own guilt, Raphael lock himself away, Donatello crack under pressure. He refused to see his family in shambles. He made sure Taco Fridays were a thing, their video gaming tournaments every two weeks. He needed to make sure they all took a breath of fresh air, every stupid joke or game— they were living in those moments. Those moments kept him going. It's what is making him survive this hell.

He wanted to live. He wanted to go home. He struggled on his feet, knowing if he didn't-.

His mind didn't even clear before receiving a blunt strike over the head that send him stumbling back straight into the dirt. Get up. Get. Up. Mikey could practically hear his family's voice in his head, wait— is he actually hearing them? Hell he could barely hear anything. He heard a gust of air swoosh above him. Move! Rolling over as fast as possible, he heard the clank of metal slam right into the dirt. Get up. Get up!

His vision blurred as he struggled to even grip the cold dirt on the ground. Grasping anything that he could focus on, he struggled to crawl over to a nearby boulder. He had one nunchuck left, knowing it wouldn't be any good if he couldn't get up on his feet. He heard footsteps slowly approaching him, as if they knew too he wouldn't be getting away.

Stumbling back on his feet, he fought with every muscle in his body to stand up straight. He heard the voice chuckle darkly behind him. It was getting closer to him. Mikey leaned against the boulder with his weapon in hand, turning to face his threat. It menacingly mocked, "I didn't return for a coward's death. I will make you suffer. I will earn my place."

Mikey knew his odds sucked. He was already barely seeing straight, his enemy had a sword and some pretty good armor. Daylight was fading, he had no more throwing stars— and starting to lose strength. Mikey wouldn't let his family see him go down so easy. Shaking his head, he steadied his ground and armed himself. Smirking, Mikey laughed, "Not today, asshole."

All hero's stories start somewhere. Mikey struggled to figure out when this one actually began…

Blackouts usually mean one thing in the lair. Well, in the last few years Mikey has grown to learn there are actually two kinds of blackouts. But, his goal was only to enjoy one of those kinds tonight. The one he enjoyed more was the kind where wicked storms come in and Donnie gets so caught up in his other projects he used his last power grids on the shell cells rather than the generator. Meaning, until the power grids finish powering back up— they were out of power for the night. Blackouts can mean more trouble topside, but due to the massive rain and winds outside— the four of them had no where to go.

It also just happened to be the few times a year Splinter goes and visits the Ancient One for a few weeks— meaning Captain Leo is on duty.

Mikey knew that meant three things were for sure going to happen tonight.

One, that it was a family house rule — Splinter tested and approved — that they would all get to play board games and hang out that night. For safety reasons of staying together, of course. But, mostly because as kids Mikey was so easily bored to the point where he drove the others insane if they didn't all entertain themselves. Mikey wondered if a lot of the family traditions like these were planned, or actually to keep him from bothering Raph?

Two, Raphael is going to drink. A few years shy after their 21st birthdays, Leo still feels uneasy about drinking as a whole— really only having one shot of something with Splinter on New Years. Since meeting Casey, Raphael used these moments as one of the many few opportunities he can drink without worrying about patrol. It was fun, and humorous to watch. Mikey involved himself in aiding Casey in bringing Raph home, and sometimes the aftermath. But sometimes, it isn't good. Mikey could only remember a few times when Raphael was actually really bad; his birthday, New Years, and when Leo left. Barely seeing Raphael as it was when Leo left to South America in that year, he knew he drank too much. Mikey was happy when Raphael cut back a while after that, not wanting to upset Leo. But that was a few years back, Raphael only drinks casually— sometimes. Donnie wasn't quick to it, nor did he usually turn it away. Donnie wasn't much of a 'light weight', as Raph commented, but Don does get a lot more talkative and energized than usual. As for himself? Mikey totally knew he was a light weight, sappy, and dancing drinker. Many of those evenings ended horribly, he grimaced with the mere thought of it.

Third, Mikey would pull off at least one successful prank. What good is being a ninja during a blackout without actually pulling off a successful prank? He knew he had to pick a victim first. Knowing Leo was already in the dark about Raphael sneaking alcohol in his room and technically being the eldest and head of house who has to be in charge— he decided to give his eldest brother a freebie. Donnie already is on duty to try and get power back on, Mikey knew not to mess with his brother's focus at a times like this. Casey and April are guests, and he knew way better than to prank a lady. Casey, as good of a target, is better as bait. Bait for the only victim left in the house. Good ol' reliable Raphie. He'll never see it coming.

"For the last time," Donatello groaned, burying his head in his hands. "you can only go into the safety zone if you have the exact number to get in. If it's a seven, then you can spilt it between two pawns. If not, then you have to go backwards that number."

"That's not in the rules!" Leonardo snatched the booklet out of Donatello's hands, flipping hastily through the pages until he reached the end of the book. His eyes light up as he pointed to the bullet statement in the book. "See? It says you can't move until-!"

"We're playing it with Mikey's rules, remember?" Donnie flatly spoke, staring blankly over on the other side of the table where Mikey and Raph were sitting. Casey and April were behind them on the couch, his arm wrapped around hers as his face twisted in confusion.

Mikey was still gleaming with pride as he took his yellow pawn piece and hovered it over Leo's. "I guess you can say you just got played! HA! Sorry!" Mikey prolonged the phrase as he laughed as he used his pawn to kick Leo's away.

"Come on!" Leo complained, quickly picking up his piece as he fought Mikey's on the place marker. "That's a dumb rule we let you have when you were six! We're adults now and if we're going to play this board game we have to do it fair and right! You don't get to kick me off!"

Raphael was already mentally checking himself out as arguing ensured from his brothers. Leaning back onto the couch behind him, he desperately looked up at Casey as he held his drink. "I'm seriously not drunk enough for this shit."

"Dude," Casey leaned in. His voice cracked, feeling like he was horribly betrayed by his best friend as he whispered to him. "You're drinking and you dared not inform me there was even alcohol here? The hell is it I gotta-."

"Barely," Raphael cut him off, showing him his soda. "I only have another few shots left from the stuff we had the other night. Leo would have a canary if he knew I was drinking on 'family game night'. So can it before I make you."

"Wait, this is a thing? Come on, let me have one!" Casey reached for Raph's drink, desperately leaning over the couch as Raph spotted further away.

"Ugh, fine. I give up. Casey, there's soda in the kitchen." Leonardo stood on his feet, crossing his arms as he glanced over at the pair. "It'll be warm though. Do you want some? April?"

"I'm okay!" April smiled, patting Casey's pack. She leaned on his shoulder, knowing deep down what Casey really was looking for. "What about you?"

"Yeah, Case." Raphael snickered behind his drink. "There's a lot of em', go get your own Jones."

"I'm content. For now." Casey huffed, glaring at Raph one final time before returning the embrace from April with a quick peck.

"Alright, I'll be back. Just go without me." Leonardo picked up one of the candles and left the room.

Mikey waited until Leo was out of sight to take a drink from his spiked soda. Giving a thumbs up to Raph, he jumped over to him "Dude, he didn't even realize! He's gonna flip if he finds out. You got more?"

"Wait, you're all drinking but us two?" Casey threw his hands up in the air, crossing them in a huff. "Assholes."

"Oh yeah," Raphael rolled his slightly wishing he didn't involve his youngest brother in his scheme. "like I'm dumb enough to leave that shit lying around. I told you, I don't have enough so make it last or just chug it all. Your choice."

"Oh," Donnie sighed disappointedly as he looked at his empty glass. "Well, I shouldn't really be doing this anyway. I need to fix the generator at some point tonight anyway."

"Lame," Mikey dramatically sighed. Reaching for his shell cell, he checked the time. 1:30AM? Hm, not a bad time to begin a little spooky prank. Opening up his messages, he quickly shot a text to Casey.

Mikey: 1:30AM: "I think it's time to scare Raphie!"

"Just leave it, it's not like anyone is going cause trouble topside on a night like this." Raphael took another sip, looking over at the couple. "You guys better crash here tonight, it's pretty bad to drive."

"Oh, now I get hospitality?" Casey scoffed, sitting upright as he held his chest dramatically in pain as he took out his phone and began tapping on it. "Worst hosting ever. But, yeah, I rather we stay at least until morning if April's cool with it."

"Yeah, I don't have to be in tomorrow until noon anyway! Besides, we haven't stayed here in a while!" April recently started her research job over at one of the nearby hospitals. Although she always has an interest in tech workings, her experience with Stockman and helping the turtles pulled her more towards health services. Finishing up school almost a year ago, April and Casey are practically certified adults Mikey thought. Well, almost. Casey takes different ships at an auto shop, sometimes talking about going back to school. But Casey was always better on task than in a book. The couple has since Shredder's fall lived together and recently engaged. April and Casey were always like members of their family.

Casey: 1:32AM: "Hell yeah. Should be all set. On your go, sir!"

The task was simple. The prank was a classic, Mikey proudly reflected. Annoy Raphael to the point where he somehow had to storm up to his room, or convince him to get more alcohol in his room. Then, once he opens his door— a bucket of slime will get all over him! A bit childish, a bit awesomeness. Ha. Clearing his throat, Mikey pouted at his empty drink. "Raaaaph, come on. Be a pal and fill us up would ya?"

"What part of, 'I don't have any more', do you not understand?" Raphael leaned over, smacking his youngest brother on the upside of his head. "Quit talking about it before Fearless hears, idiot."

"OW! Come on! This is getting real old!" Mikey rubbed the back of his head, wondering how much more he has to pull. Eventually Raph would go to his room to sleep, but he couldn't wait that long for the satisfaction.

"Hey, come on." Donnie pushed, moving over to sit next to Mikey. Gently elbowing him with a small smile, Donnie reached over the game and flipped a game card. "Let's finish up so I can get back to work and you guys can play something different."

"Okay." Mikey sighed with a pout, resting his head on his hand as he leaned over the coffee table. Flipping a 'SORRY' card, Mikey perked back up as he removed one of his home piece over Raph's. "So totally not sorry!"

"Oh, I'm crushed." Mikey looked up at Raph, hoping for a satisfying look of defeat. Instead, Raph was sitting up looking over Mikey's head as he started off into the darkness. "Fearless is sure taking his sweet time. I haven't heard a peep from him."

"Give the guy some space," Casey shrugged, shifting on the couch as April laid on his lap and began to close her eyes. He held her as he lowered his voice, "Maybe he's in the bathroom or something."

"No, he should have been back by now-."

A loud crash echoed the whole lair, making everyone jump up. April sat up and moved closer to Casey as he put his arm around her. Raphael tensed up as he instinctively reached for his sai on his belt. Donnie remained still, leaning forward slightly as he grabbed the flashlight on the table and shined it across to the kitchen. The small light shined only to reveal a silent hallow.

"Uh, where's Leo?" Donnie hesitantly questioned with a concerned look to Raph. Donnie was the first to stand up as he shined the light across the kitchen. "Leo?"

"What the hell," Raphael shook his head as he followed Donnie. He didn't slow as he stormed over to the empty kitchen. Mikey nervously watched as Raph's face scrunched up, knowing he was thinking the worst case scenario. "Fuck. Case stay with April in here, I'm gonna check the bedrooms and bathrooms. Don you check the lab. Mikey, check the locks and go with Don and see about that generator."

Oh crap, wait! NO!

"Uh wait! Raph!" Mikey cried out as Raphael already fled to the hall. Everyone was armed and moving. Donnie handed Mikey a flash light as he began rushing off. Mikey stumbled as he followed Don to the front. Grabbing donnie's arm he whispered, "Dude, my prank! It's gonna go off! Oh crap now is so not the good-."

"Just get the doors, okay?" Donnie tensed up, shaking off his brother's grip.

Mikey gulped as Donnie's light, and his silhouette, faded off. Luckily, the lair had only a few entry points. The water one from the sub, the elevator from topside, and the large doors. Mikey reached down to the sub entrance and tugged hard. Feeling the hard metal locked tight, Mikey took a breath of relief. He walked over to the elevator entrance, even though it was out of service it never hurt to check. He attempted to pull the door open to no avail. With only one lock to go, he wasn't too sure what to hope for. It be locked, and something already be in the lair? Or be unlocked, and know something got in?

It should be locked. It should be locked. Reaching for the handle bar, Mikey slightly pushed it. His heart skipped a beat as he heard a small creek, he pulled slightly more as he dreadfully realized it was unlocked. "Crap, crap, crap!"

Taking a deep breath, he held his nunchuck as he prepared himself for whatever waited. Just do it. Just pull. One. Two. THREE! Throwing the door open he heard something snap, and in seconds felt something slimy and sticky cover him from head to toe. He screamed, dropping his flashlight as he fell backward, "AH! Guys! Help!"

He expected to hear massive, hurried steps to him. What he wasn't expecting was the hail of laughing and cheers. Mikey sat up, trying to take in what actually happened. Leonardo emerged from the other side of the front entrance, attempting not to laugh himself he still had a sad look in his eyes as he handed Mikey a towel. "Sorry little bro, had to get you back from last year."

"WHAT?" Mikey exclaimed, feeling like he was in utter shock at the mere thought that Leo was involved in a prank. Donnie, April and Casey followed suit with Raphael leading the pack. His shell cell was out as he rushed over. Raph was the first on the scene, as usual when it comes to faults by Michelangelo. He was laughing so hard he could swear he saw tears. "THAT'S for trying to get me! HA! Come on, smile! We gotta commemorate this moment!"

Raphael gave his phone to Casey as he hopped on the other side of Mikey while Donnie stood behind him. Raphael gave a thumbs up and a big smile, Donnie smiled as he leaned over Mikey. Mikey was shocked to see Leo actually smile for a photo too. If he wasn't completely grossed out in slime and feeling utterly defeated— he actually would be enjoying this with them. He couldn't remember the last time the four of them actually were this relaxed, happy, and just having fun. Mikey wanted to remember this defeat proudly, kept his pout and doing a thumbs down as Casey shouted, "Say 'gotca'!"

"GOTCA!"

A flash from Raphael's phone marked this moment in history. Just as the flash came and went, an even larger flash shined into the lair. A loud wail of wind and clouds filled the room as the group felt themselves slight pushed back against the current. Leonardo instinctively jumped in front of his family, sword in hand. A shadow emerged from the cloud with a loud thud as the cloud slowly dissipated. Leo held a light with one hand at eye level, and held his sword close as he approached the figure. "Leo!" Donnie warned, jumping closer to Leo. He felt Raphael tug him back, putting himself in front of him as he followed suit behind Leonardo.

"Usagi?" Leonardo gasped as he dropped his sword, quickly kneeling down to the figure. Shining his light, Usagi struggled to his knees as he held his side, his hand covered in blood. "Usagi! Don! Get the first aid! Usagi," Leonardo's tone lowered as the others quickly joined. "What happened? How did this-?"

"Nevermind that, Leonardo-san." Usage dismissed the wound, his face grimacing as he attempted to move his bloodied hand. Desperately he used his other hand to balance himself on Leo, his voice deepened as he spoke, "Splinter-san sent me. They're coming for you. I need to take you somewhere safe, you have to come with me."

Michangelo watched the happiness fade from Leonardo's eyes fade. He felt his own stomach twist as he watched Leo's whole aura shift. Mikey knew deep how much burden he has for being a leader, a brother. Raphael swooped in right to Leo's side, as Donnie rushed over to Usagi's attempting to take a look at the wound. Usagi flinched as he attempted to stand, "Come. You remember how to get to the Nexus, yes?"

"Splinter?" Leonardo jumped in, "You were with him?"

"Yes, I was. We have to-."

"Usagi," Don asserted, looking closer. "You're losing blood fast. I got to help you before going anywhere. Just relax and let me help."

"If you must. Thank you, Donatello-san. But it must be quick. We have no time to lose."

It was weird for Leonardo to see Usagi so shaken, so worried. He's seen his passion and stature in battle and in the face of dangers before. Leonardo shined the light for Donatello to clean the wound. It was a katana blade, he was certain.

"Who attacked you?" Raphael questioned, helping Usagi on his feet. "What's going on?"

"Just bandits, but it's who they are working for. People with great power and influence in these worlds. The Tribunal. They are…powerful beings who know many secrets of the world and beyond." Usage frowned, "They have been undisturbed for years, decades even. They've…returned. What brings them back, I cannot say. But their presences mark a great danger."

"Enough for Splinter to reach out to you? Why?" Leonardo pressed, "What are they after? What do they want from us?"

"It's not what they want, it's who." Usagi grimly replied, picking his head up he looked behind Raphael over to Michelangelo. "They're looking for the Battle Nexus Champion, for Michelangelo-san."

Mikey felt his heart sink as each of his brothers turned to him with worry. "Uh. Sure, I take house calls but…To do what, exactly?"

"I…I am sorry, I…" Usagi hesitated, looking down at his wound. "Splinter-san and the Ancient One were extremely concerned, asked me to take you all away from here. If they find you all, there is no escape. Whatever their will is…it will be done. In the past, they…call upon the Champion and train them to…do what they ask. It is…supposed to be a high honor, a calling if you will. I've only heard them call upon the Champion a few times every in history. Whatever it is…I…cannot stop them. None of us can. There is…much you all don't know. Much that…I've kept from you. I promise I will explain, once we are safe."

"Dude, what do they want me to do that 'oh powerful beings' can't?" Mikey panicked, "I'm like totally not any of those things! I mean, I'll help if I can but— what if I don't want to?"

"There…is no refusal. You do not have a choice. You have proven your victory, and…the debt must be paid." Usagi closed his eyes, and hung his head. "Forgive me. I…I thought you knew the risk of competing in the Nexus. Whatever happens we…cannot stop it."

"What can we do?" Leonardo wearily asked, hoping for anything to save his family.

Usagi sadly looked up at Leo. "Pray that it will be swift, and quick."