In The Mind of A Fish

By: Phoenix Ride

Shredder wasn't to pleased when we came back and reported Stockman's betrayal. Immediately, the little imp was put on the list enemies to be destroyed. Turst me, it is going to be personal pleasure to rip apart Stockman's hide.

We refrianed from telling Shredder about our brief alliance with the turtles though, knowing full well what his reaction could be. Simply, we said that they had escaped our grasp. He accepted that truth, and we walked away.

Still a little tired from our recent struggle, me and Dogpound retired to our rooms. Niether one of us spoke a word, but I could tell that tonight's little experince had plagued both our minds.

Lying down, on my bed, I thought of my brief adventure with the turtle called Raphael. The red-masked turtle had intrigued me.

Always, during our fights, I noticed that he was the fierce attacker who didn't like to be bound by anothers rules. When his leader always ordered a stop to our fun, he was angry as much as I. Yet another trait we both share.

It didn't take him to long to adjust to my fighting style after my mutation. That time, I had nearly beaten him with my posion bite. But now, he knew to stay away from my mouth, as well as my legs.

Raphael has always been an interesting opponent to fight, and it's a surprise that I opened up so easily to him about my past. Of course, that may be from the fact that we were trapped together for awhile.

Ah yes, Stockman, I guess I have to thank that rat for one thing. Of all the turtles, Raphael is who I felt was closest to me.

We shared our dread humor while walking through Stockman's maze, and made great allies while taking down Stockman's machine. If things were fated a little different, perhaps me and that turtle would make good friends.

But that is not meant to be. My mission is clear; the destruction of Raph and his family. People would insult me for going soft if I relented. And in prison, "soft" is the last thing you'd ever want to be.

That is why I had grabbed the ball Donatello threw away in the maze. Once the truce was over, I had every intention to bring at least one turtle down. However, what I didn't see coming was saving one turtle's life.

While stuck in Stockman's maze, one of the idiots traps, nearly turned both me and Raphael into dust. My metal legs helped me to hold onto the floor, but the turtle was already slipping in the air.

With nothing to grab onto, Raphael zoomed towards the fan, and even though it would have been easier to watch him be destroyed, that wasn't how I wanted this turtle's life to end. I rescued his life, not because he had saved mine earlier, but only because he deserved a fitful death.

Facing Stockman's monster, it was like we could read each other's minds. Our timing was perfect in every way, and beautiful carnage scattered the room.

Unfortunately, the little imp that trapped us all, managed to evade our grasp.

The struggle was over, and the truce anulled. To tired to fight, we went our seperate ways. I could hear the one named Mikey comment to Raph on how well we had worked together. But the red-masked turtle was correct in stating that I was still the enemey.

Grabbing Stockman's ball, I immediately threw it towards Leonardo's head, only to be stopped by Raphael's sai.

His green eyes glared at mine, and a silent challenge lay between us. A challenge I've turned down for now, but in the future, I will activate full force.

Sleep well Raphael, for tomorrow, your destruction will be at my hands.

The End