ABLATION.
The ear-splitting scrapes of steel on steel filled the nights air as the four fearsome warriors fought to the finish in yet another unexpected battle. Since their time as teenagers, the four turtles would often patrol the New York rooftops, doing their part in diminishing petty crime and saving the world on far more than one occasion. Their nightly task one of the few staples in their rather lofty lives. It seems, despite their fierce effort for peace and prosperity, life fancies the dark tunnels and steep drops as opposed to the speedy flat-zones of the, comparatively, childish rides. As far as metaphors were concerned.
It has been three years since the death of their father and sensei. Though their hearts will never be whole without the incense-filled chasm now forged into their hearts; they have learned to live without him- always honoring his teachings and his memory. If anything, their bonds have grown closer, their allegiance much stronger now that a member has been removed.
So life carried on, and with it the ceaseless script that composed the rather unconventional life of four brothers.
With the mindset of monotony, the fight drawled on. It was the usual horde of foot ninja, their numbers an attempt at garnering enough brain cells for a mildly successful barrage. Yet, as usual, it was only cause for a slight appearance of weariness as far as the turtles were perturbed. That is, until the odds transposed. Typical.
The exhaustion was just setting in when a new wave of Foot appeared, and wherever the flying monkeys go- so goes the wicked witch herself. Karai stood in what was likely to appear as a stoic pose, surveying the scene before her from a birds eye view. Apparently the loss of her father had an adverse effect, seeing as she was now hell bent on revenge, something of which she masked in the flowery phrase of 'restoring honor'. Pah- as if honor ever packaged itself to the negative.
However, the greater power was selfish that night. It seems evil overthrew the triumph of good, for the vendetta was about to start anew- and as unpredictably as it always seems to be.
A venomous smirk adorned her face, her stride laced with arsenic confidence.
All four turtles were fighting valiantly, each immersed in the dodging and retaliating that is typical of fights. Yet one turtle was unfortunate enough to catch sight of the leader's scrutiny, his mouth already declaring the news to the remaining portion of his team. With a signal to the army of Foot behind her, the subservient ninjas ran forth to further solidify the abstract wall separating the brothers from each other.
Lazily claiming a defensive stance, Karai nodded towards the orange-banded turtle, her tone all but begging him to charge. And, being the impatient turtle he was, did just so with a breathy snarl of irritation.
For Michelangelo's part, he fought ferociously. Finally displaying the sheer amount of potential he contained. It had been a long night, and the young turtle wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed when Karai, of all creatures, just had to appear in what could have been a quick fight. The majority of his attacks made contact, the sheer speed and spectacular improvising working to his full advantage in dodging the swift and deadly swings of her blade.
Raphael, currently fighting a good ten or so Foot, glanced over to his baby brother-the sight inciting a shocked expression as Mike sent a rather powerful kick to Karai's chest, causing her to stumble back a step or two.
His view was suddenly cut off as the fight beckoned for his attention. An action that left a churning of anxiety deep within his stomach. Of course, that particular feeling didn't last too long as his attention was again called to the ever-growing amount of Foot flooding forth toward the three eldest turtles. Until, of course, tragedy struck.
Michelangelo was beginning to grow weary. Heck, he was weary almost instantly. Afterall, this was Karai he was fighting, heir to the Shredder himself. Karai, being the one track mind she was, noticed this instantly and prepared to gain the upperhand- a leverage that she acquired with extreme efficiency. Now on the defense, Michelangelo began to dodge more fervently than before- the tails of his bandana catching on her blade multiple times. His mind reeled for a way out, eyes tracing the water tower to his right. Its been done before. But maybe, just maybe it could work. Leaping away from the open space, Michelangelo flipped himself onto the first wrung of the ladder, knowing full well how desperate the action was.
Perhaps it was the bitter irony of the memories of her father's first defeat. The humiliation, the utter degradation she felt that this insignificant turtle would even propose such an idea. Like poets to a sonnet- she snapped.
Deleterious to say the least. With a rage-filled roar, Karai hurled her katana at the stunned turtle, the tip imbedding itself in his left arm, pinning him to the tower. Clearly not satisfied with such superficial injuries, Karai launched herself forward, ready to seal the proverbial deal.
Stomping to the cemented turtle, Karai grabbed hold of her weapon, allowing the motion to jar Michelangelo's injury. Noticing the brave front being built brick by brick, Karai thrust the sword further into the water tower, reveling in the sickening squish and the muffled screams as the youngest turtle fought down the screeches of anguish. Forcing his lips into a grim smile, Michelangelo wriggled against the blade, a vain attempt to wrench free. His voice, soft and laden with pain, uttered a quiet quip as his final defense, "You'll lose, Karai... people like you, they always lose. In fact- you've already lost."
She might have replied verbally. In fact, she probably did. Her voice laced with so much venom a gorgon would scarce tell the difference between her and Medusa. But its not what she says next, no. Nothing could top the consequent action.
A gut wrenching wail penetrated the suddenly stale night air. This wasn't so foreign of course, considering the life both parties lead, however this particular scream held so much agony Raphael actually paused mid-swing to look leftward. A reaction the proceedings of which will forever be inscribed into his memory.
Karai, katana in hand, stood over the writhing turtle, her eyes drifting to the green lump laying a few feet away. A twisted sneer appeared on her face as she observed the twitching appendage, the nerves frenzied and seizing in animated spasms. Her gaze so dark and focused, one could argue she was still in battle; her mind warring within itself as small memories of a loose alliance dredged their way to surface. Her haze so thick, she almost didn't notice the remaining three turtles sprinting towards her in time. Snapping her eyes to what remained of the Foot, she signaled for retreat. It was a successful night, she had broken them. They all knew it. Like a hunter to her prey- she would return to finish the job in due time. A lofty smile on her blood-splattered face, she vanished into the night.
A/N: Okay, so this will be a loose story. By loose I mean, it will almost be like a bunch of oneshots strung together. This isn't a story that preludes to SAINW, though it will hint to Don's experience with that world from time to time. But Don isn't gonna disappear, Karai isn't gonna take over NY and Leo's not gonna discover the Matrix. ('Tis a joke of course, we all know Leo is totes Neo in SAINW- they're like twins guys. Sunglasses and all.) But it will be a story, just not in the whole "it has a definite ending' sort of aspect. More like a mild AU where Mike loses his arm and Splinter isn't around and its their misadventures involving this general idea of Mike not having an arm. I promise- as morbid as it may sound- it WILL be funny, later on... I usually balance humor and angst fairly well and fairly practically- at least I strive to, so if this isn't your cup of tea- be patient, coffee is on the way! I've read stories with huge debilitating experiences happening to a turtle and I want to go farther than the angst and fluff most authors stop at. I want to see them live their lives normally after the trauma dulls and having one arm becomes normal for Mike and his brothers. So... I hope I got that point across... if you have any questions PM me and I'll be happy to answer them! But please, I would LOVE feedback on this guys, so please REVIEW!