Rise of the Turtles Part 1

For the city that never sleeps, the citizens of New York run about on their daily lives. But what they don't know is that there are others living their lives hidden within the shadows. Deep down in the sewers that no human explore, lives a small family. A family of six that are always there for each other.

A rat man, who used to be human, raised four baby turtles. Until the sixth member of their family arrived when the boys were five years old. She was dirty and wounded when she had first met them. Trust did not come easily to her. But after spending time with the family of five, she had slowly started trusting them. She had even started opening herself a little more, showing emotions little by little. This girl's name was Emi Hamato.

~Onto the story!~

It was late afternoon in New York City. Down in the sewers and into an abandoned subway, is a lair that belongs to the Hamato family. They have all gathered together in the dojo for one last training for the day before they can go about the rest of their day.

In the middle of the dojo crouched Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Leonardo. Emi, who was the odd number of not having a partner, was sitting on the sideline, waiting to fight against the finalist.

The first to start the duel was Leonardo versus Michelangelo. They both stood up as they quickly drawn their weapons out. They stared down at each other, assessing, waiting for the first to make a move. When one didn't though, Leo decided to attack, yelling out a battle cry. Smiling, Mikey ran towards him while spinning his nunchucks, "Oh, yeah! Michelangelo is on the move!"

Getting close enough to the orange terrapin, Leo swung his sword at him but he was too slow as Mikey flipped himself over him, now standing behind him. Turning around, he watches as Mikey spun his nunchucks before holding them ready, "You don't know what to do."

Ignoring him, Leo kept attacking while the young terrapin kept dodging his every swing.

"I'm here, I'm there. I could be anywhere."

Mikey's eyes widen when he saw the sword coming down close to his face. Dodging once more, he smiled, "How do you stop what you can't even see?"

Thinking, Leo held the handle of his sword where the blade was pointing behind him. Seeing that he wasn't moving, Michelangelo decided to take that chance to attack. Running, he kept spinning his nunchucks until he was at an arm's length. He got his weapon ready and was about to swing it down on Leo's head, however, he didn't see the older terrapin's weapon.

Leo had taken that chance to hit Mikey in the stomach with the handle of his sword, making him roll a couple of feet away from him. Losing his breath, he fell onto the ground.

"Like that?" said Leo, smirking.

Grunting, Mikey lifted a finger, "Good one, Leo."

Emi's giggle could be heard within the dojo, catching Leo's attention. He looked her way and smile proudly that he made her laugh. She smiled brightly and patted Mikey on his shell, when he made his way to sit next to her, earning herself a hug and a smile in return.

Next turtles to fight were Raphael versus Donatello. Grasping his bo staff from his back, Donnie spun it a few times before getting into an attack position. Seeing as how it was Donnie, Raph cracked his neck before making an agreement, "All right, Donnie. Put down the staff and no one gets hurt."

"Uh, you said that last time, Raph, and then you hurt me," said Donnie, not falling for his brother's words.

Getting in a defensive position, he shrugs, "Yeah, but less than I would have."

"Yeah, right."

The two started to spar. Donnie attacking while Raph kept dodging his every swing. In the end, the purple terrapin got his staff taken away and broken in half. Which is now being held in Raph's hands, a smirk on his face.

"Should've dropped the staff?" he asked, a bit scared of his tempered brother.

"Should've dropped the staff."

Spinning the half's broken staff in his hands, Raph ran and started pounding it on him.

"Okay, okay, ow! I'm down!"

Raph stopped hurting him when he saw Leo stepping into the middle of the room, unsheathing his sword. Donnie took that time to go and sit on the other side of Emi, earning himself a giggle and a pat on his leg. Mikey stuck his tongue out at him before turning back to look at the duel before him. Ignoring him, Donnie smiled at Emi before he too paid attention to the duel.

Both Leo and Raph kneeled on the ground, the former announcing the start of the battle, "Onegaishimasu."

"Whatever you say," said Raph, not one to follow the formal way.

Standing, they both brought their weapons up and pointed it at each other. Without any second thought, any plans, Leo had taken the first initiative and swung his sword. Raph had countered his attack by blocking the sword with his sais. The fight between the two was going pretty well for Leo seeing as how he easily unarmed Raph, leaving him with only one sai left. Thinking that he got the upper hand, he charged with his sword raised above his head. However, Raph had unexpectedly caught him off guard. Making Leo losing the duel and leaving Raph the unexpected win.

Standing over him, Raph smirked, "Nice try." He then turns to look at their female sibling, "Now it's your turn, Emi."

Excited that it was finally her turn, Emi jumped to her feet and exchanged a high-five/three with Leo, who had taken her seat. Standing in the middle of the room, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose before exhaling it slowly through her mouth. Opening her eyes, gold met emerald greens.

Bowing, she did the same as Leo before going on a defensive. She quickly took out her twin tessens and held them. One above her head while the other held near her chest protectively. Smiling, Raph twirled his retrieved sais in his hands, "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you, little sister."

Smirking, she showed a fang, "I don't doubt you will, Raphie."

He grunted at that nickname before charging at her. Patiently waiting until he was at arm's length, Emi swung the arm that held the tessen above her head forward, slapping the sai that was aimed at her, out of his hand. Not giving him enough time to recover from her attack, she took a step forward and spun lightly on her feet, appearing behind him.

His eyes widen at her unexpected tactic and was about to turn around to face her. Except, he didn't see how wide his feet were apart, which gave her the chance to put a foot there and trip the red terrapin down on his front.

Raph groaned when he knew that he lost. He looked up at the giggling girl. Her tail swishes happily behind her as her eyes were bright with laughter and a playful smile on her lips, "Nice try, Raph." Rolling his eyes, he smirked when she mocked his words, that he had said to Leo, back at him.

"Ya Me!"

Looking to see Master Splinter walking into the room, all five siblings walked to sit side-by-side in the middle of the room. Both Leo and Emi bowed respectfully to their father while the other three sat stock still, waiting for their father's words.

"You all did very well," Splinter started.

Raph interrupted before more could be said, "But I did better." Leo looked at him in disbelief while Emi, who was sitting on the other side of Leo, lightly glared at him with a pout.

As he walked around them, Splinter replied, "This is about self-improvement, Raphael. It is not about winning and losing."

"I know, sensei. But I won and they lost," he said cockily until Splinter stopped behind him and pinches him in the neck. "Ah, ah, ah! But what's really important is that we all did our best. Good job, everyone!"

But when Spinter didn't let go, Raph finally said, "And good job to you too, Emi! You're the one who won, not me!"

That finally made the elder man let go of him, Splinter chuckling with his daughter's giggles.

~Dinner time~

Everyone was in the kitchen eating dinner, which was algae and worms. No one complained while they ate. Even though Emi didn't like it, she had learned a very long time ago to accept whatever food that is given and to not complain. Food was quite scarce for them seeing as how none of them could buy any from the surface.

"There's a little more algae and worms left if anyone wants it," said Mikey, trying to see if any one of them wants any seconds. "Anybody? Anybody?"

Can't take the food anymore, they, besides Splinter, responded, "No, thanks."

"I'm good."

"All yours."

"No, thank you."

Smiling, Mikey put the pot down before holding something behind his back, "Well, I guess no one left room for..." he brought a green cake which looked really similar to the algae that they were eating and put it in on the table, "cake!"

Surprised, they all looked at it closely, "Whoa!"

"It is a cake!" said Donnie, shock that they actually have one right in front of them.

Raph swiped a finger at the cake and licked it, "Made of... algae... and..." he looks back at the cake when he saw a worm wormed its way out of the top, "worms."

Pointing at it, Leo asked, "What's the frosting made out of?"

Sniffing it, Emi pushed herself a bit away from it, "You don't want to know."

Mikey nodded before shouting in excitement, "Happy Mutation Day!"

Happy, the three brothers shouted, "Happy Mutation Day!"

"Ah, yes," Splinter spoke, catching everyone's attention to him. "Fifteen years ago today, our lives changed forever and we became the unlikeliest of families."

He then chuckles and patted Emi on the head, "And it was also ten years ago today, that you have stumbled upon our family and became a part of it."

Emi smiled with a blush, happy that she was a part of their mutation day.

Mikey put an arm on the table, leaning his head on his hand as he looks up at their father, "Tell us the story, Master Splinter."

"Michelangelo, I have already told it many times."

"Please! Pleeee-mph!"

Raph had come up behind him and quickly put a hand over his mouth, "Please. It's the only way to shut Mikey up."

"Ah, very well," Splinter finally agreed. "Many years ago, when I was still human. I was leaving the pet store with four baby turtles."

"That was us?" Mikey interrupted.

"Yes. Don't interrupt," said Splinter. "I passed a strange man on the street. Something felt off about him. I decided to follow."

He then explains how the strange men he had followed were about to either take him or eliminate him until he had made a decision to fight. He had fought well until the canister that held whatever that was inside broke and spilled all over him. He had dropped the glass bowl that held the turtles in, exposing them to the same mutagen, which turned them to what they are today.

Bringing the same canister up, Splinter continued, "That was the beginning of our life together. It was the mysterious substance in this canister that, in a way, gave birth to us all."

Looking at it, Mikey grabbed it out of his hands and hugged it, "Mom."

The siblings all blinked at his weird action until Mikey shouted in excitement, "Now tell us how we met Emi, Master Splinter!"

They all looked at Emi and Master Splinter, waiting for the story to begin. For some reason, it was always Emi's story on how she came to be with the little family that intrigued them the most.

Humming, Splinter smiled, "I remember it like it was just yesterday."

~Flashback~

Celebrating the boys fifth Mutation Day, Splinter smiled happily down at his sons who were all shouting and playing around in the middle of the living area. With a flicker of his ear, he thought he might've heard something somewhere from the entrance of the lair. Looking over, he stood up from his seat and walked over to it.

When he looked down at both subway tunnels, there was nothing there. Sighing, he put a hand up to his temple and thought that he probably either needed to rest or meditate. He looked back at his sons when he heard them shouting and laughing with each other.

Smiling, he was about to head back to them until he heard the sound again. Looking down at the tunnel, his eyes narrowed while his ears flickered to hear the sound once more. When he heard it again, he was able to make out the sound of sparks. Dreading that the enemy that he had encountered five years ago knew where they were, Splinter quickly made a hasty decision and looked back at his sons.

"Leonardo! Get yourself and your brothers hidden. Quickly!"

Hearing the seriousness in his father's tone, he nodded and started to pull his brothers with him to hide until their father came back to get them. Mikey and Raph protested at first until they saw the seriousness on their father's face, who has turned his attention back down the tunnel. Doing as he said, all four terrapin brothers went to hide together.

Once he knew that they were safe and hidden, Splinter quickly ran down the tunnel to confront whoever it was, truly hoping that it was not the enemy whom he was thinking of. When he arrived at the scene, his hope plummeted down quickly when he saw that it was the same enemies who had turned him into what he is now.

Getting ready to confront them, he made a quick plan on gaining their attention so he could steer them away from the lair. Before he could initiate it though, he noticed that they didn't even see his presence. Their attention was somewhere else.

Observing where they were shooting at, his eyes widen when he saw a little girl who looked no older than his sons, with long white hair and golden eyes, dodging and fighting her way through them. He watched at how she punches the enemies, creating her small fist size hole in the middle of their chests and leaving claw marks on the ones who tried to get near her from behind.

Wait. Claw marks?

He looked at her more closely and saw that she was actually clawing them down. His eyes went to one of the enemies that she had her back turned to and saw that she was about to get shot from behind. Eyes widening, the memory of his beloved wife and daughter flashed in front of his eyes. He ran as quickly as he could and with a raised fist, he shouted, "No!"

The little girl turned around and watched him punch the enemy to the ground. Huffing, Splinter turned to look at the girl to see if she was alright. He sighed in relief when he saw that she was not shot or injured other than the injuries that she already has.

Their attention was taken away from each other when they heard more of the enemies guns being ready to use. Growling, the girl's sclera turned black as her eyes changed from gold to a dark red. Taking a deep breath, she let out a loud roar.

The roar was so loud that Splinter yelled out in pain, falling to his knees as he tried to block the noise out with his hands on his ears.

When she was done, he slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at their enemies. His eyes widen when he saw that every one of the enemies body had burst up in flames with huge claw marks slashed where their body laid.

Looking to see where the girl had went, he saw her on the other side of the room. She held onto one of the enemies head while another was under her foot. With a growl, she instantly crushed them as if they were mere bugs. Walking up to her, Splinter watched the girl closely, wondering what she would do.

He had accidentally kicked one of the enemies arms, creating a loud clatter. She turned her head so fast to him, that if she was a normal human girl, she would've received a pretty bad whiplash. Looking at the little girl, who had taken out all of the enemies down on her own, Splinter could see that her eyes had gone back to normal.

Crouching down so he could be at her eye level, he stared deep into her eyes as she did the same to him. They stared at each other for a while until she blinked and looked away. Seeing that she is not going to harm him, he deemed it safe that she does not see him as an enemy.

"May I ask why they were trying to kill you?"

She looked at him, then at the destroyed enemies, before looking back up at him. "Not kill. Capture," she softly replied.

His eyes narrowed as he hummed, "Do you know why?"

She shook her head. Looking at her for a little bit longer, Splinter noticed that she had white dog ears on her head with a white fluffy tail to match her hair and ears. Putting a hand on her head, he felt her tense before she turned to look at him.

Her eyes narrowed in mistrust at his hand. She didn't know if this demon rat would hurt her like all the other demons and humans so far. But when she looked into his eyes, she saw emotions that no other has ever shown to her before. An emotion that looked like... kindness? She couldn't tell since she has never encountered anyone who had ever looked at her with those kinds of eyes before.

"Do you have anyone to go to little one?"

Looking around her, her ears swiveled a bit when she caught a noise. She looked up at the sewer tunnel that she had come from and couldn't help but thought that she might have seen four big shadows hidden within it. Shaking her head, she looked back at it and saw that it was gone. Thinking that it might've been her eyes playing tricks on her, she turned her attention back to the man, "No. I got no one."

She looked at her surrounding and mumbled, "I've always been alone."

Feeling sympathy, he took his hand off from her head and held it out to her, "Will you come with me?"

She looked down at his offered hand before looking up at him. He continued, "I have four sons who are still waiting for me back home. Today is their Mutation Day and I do not wish to leave them alone for too long."

She looked at him for a bit longer, contemplating his offer. But, there was nothing to really think about. Those men in suits brought her from her world and had taken and brought her here to this world. Even when she's able to find her way back home, there wouldn't really be anyone waiting for her. There will be nothing but a forest filled with animals and demons.

Hesitating, she slowly put her hand in his. She just hoped that she wouldn't regret her decision on being with this rat demon and his sons. Smiling, Splinter brought her close to him and carried her within his arms. He felt her tense at first when he had put his arms around her, but quickly relax.

Checking their surroundings, Splinter made sure that there were no more enemies or no enemies lurking in the shadows before making his way back to the lair. Once he arrived back home, he shouted for his sons, "Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo!"

The little girl's ears twitched when she heard multiple scuffles of feet making their way to them.

"Dad!"

Splinter smiled down at his sons when they all came to hug him. He patted them on the head until Mikey noticed the girl in his arm, "Who's that daddy?"

Crouching down in front of his sons, he put the girl down so she could stand on her own two feet. When she did though, she patted her white kimono of dust before turning to look at the terrapin turtles. She didn't look surprised when she saw them. The only thing she did was a small bow, "Hello."

Now that she was in the light, he noticed that she was wearing a white kimono that had little blue and purple flowers on a branch at the front of her dress with a symbol that he does not recognize on the back of it. He hummed and wondered if she was taken from Japan.

The boys did the same and bowed back, "Hello!"

They then introduced themselves and Mikey was the first to cling to the girl. Uncomfortable, she was trying really hard to get out of his hold but gave up when she noticed that he wouldn't be letting go anytime soon.

"What's your name?" Donnie asked, curious about the new girl.

Staring down at the ground, her ears drooped, "I... don't have one. Was never given one."

The brothers, feeling sorry for her, all looked up at their father, "How about you give her a name Dad?"

Chuckling, Splinter smiled, "I would be honored to give you a name. That is if you wish to have one."

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with a little bit of hope, "Y-you would do that?"

He nodded, "Yes."

Hesitating, she bowed, "Yes, please!"

He chuckled before putting a hand on her shoulder, "There is no need to bow. You may raise your head."

Doing as he said, she blushed as she looked anywhere but at the man. Smiling, he hummed, "How about... Emi?"

"Emi?" she wondered.

"Emi... I like that name!" Leo shouted, a bright smile on his face. The brothers nodded and agreed with their elder brother.

"Emi," she said, rolling it on her tongue. She didn't know what it was. If it was because of her name that she was finally given or if it was something else, but something warm was felt deep within her, making her feel all warm and fuzzy. Looking up at the little family, she smiled, "I love it!"

Splinter couldn't help but smile at Emi's smile. It reminded him so much of his wife's. He wonders if his daughter would have smiled at him like that too if she had lived. Putting a hand on her head, he warmly smiles at her, "Welcome to our home, Emi, my daughter."

~End of Flashback~

The terrapin brothers smiled at the memory. That was one of the greatest and most memorable memories to all of them. And to have Emi come into their life on the day of their Mutation Day, made the day that much more precious.

Smiling at the memory, Leo looked at his brothers and Emi. They were all smiling and knew what they wanted to ask. Agreeing with one another just by communicating with their eyes, they all nodded.

"So, Sensei. Now that we're fifteen, I think we're finally ready to go up to the surface, don't you?" Leo asked, hoping that their father would let them go.

"Yes."

They all started cheering, excited to finally go to the surface until their father ruined it, "and no."

Their excitement deflated quickly by his words.

"Oh, man. Come on."

"Lame."

"I hate when he does that."

Emi pouted, "Phooey."

Ignoring their disappointment, Splinter continued, "You have grown powerful, but you are still young." Standing up, he started to walk out of the kitchen, stopping at the door, "You lack the maturity to use your skills wisely."

Looking at Emi, whose eyes was still on him, he smiled, "Well, all except one."

Blushing, she rubbed the back of her head, giggling in embarrassment. None of the boys could argue with their Sensei there. Even though the boys and Emi had trained together at the same time, their little sister was always the one who was able to take them down quite easily. Whether if they had gone easy on her or she on them, she would always come out victorious and not boast about it. Whatever weakness that they have, she would always be there to help them to turn their weakness into strength.

Turning back to their father, Donatello asked, "So, Sensei. Isn't that just no?"

"Yes... and no," he replied. Turning to face them, he explained, "Wisdom comes from experience. And experience comes from making mistakes."

"Aha!" said Donnie, before thinking through their father's words. "So in order for us to gain the wisdom, we have to make the mistakes. So we can go."

"No."

"And yes?"

"No!"

Disappointed, he slumped forward in his seat. Emi patted his shell in empathy, receiving a small smile in return. Looking away from them, Leo decided to reason with their father this time, "Sensei, we know you're trying to protect us, but we can't spend our whole lives hiding down here."

Thinking about his words, Splinter looked away from them for a while as he ran a hand on his goatee. He knew how they felt. Yet, even if he were to voice his reason of wishing to keep them hidden. He knew that they will always be curious about the surface as more and more years passed by. Taking a quick glance at his children, he went back to looking at the space in front of him until he took a double look at them.

They were now on their knees, begging him with their puppy eye looks as their hands clasped in front of them. Of course, seeing the boys had no effect on him. Emi, on the other hand. Her eyes were wide with a pleading look. Her ears flattening themselves on her head. Not being able to resist his daughter, he finally gave in, "You may go, tonight."

Hearing his words of permission was like the greatest gift for them. They all started cheering with excitement again. Standing up from the floor, Mikey held his hand up, "High three!" Without any hesitation, they all gave a high three.

Squealing in excitement, Emi jumped up and down, "I'm so excited! I think I'll go and train a little bit more before we head up."

They all smiled at her and nodded. Giving their confirmation to her. Smiling, she made her way out of the kitchen. She was about halfway to the dojo until someone stopped her, "Emi! Wait a sec!"

Turning around to confront them, Emi smiled when she saw Raph jogging up to her.

"Need something, Raph?"

He smirked as they continue their way to the dojo, "We still got plenty of time before we could head to the surface. So how about a bit of sparring before we do?"

Smirking, she flipped her hair, "You sure about that Raphie? I might kick your shell again."

Chuckling, he pounded a fist to his palm, "Oh don't worry. I won't go easy on you this time."

She laughed. When they finally arrived back into the dojo, they didn't see Master Splinter anywhere. Figuring that he was probably in his room, the two siblings took their place in the middle of the room.

Taking out her twin tessens, Emi got into a defensive position like earlier before. Taking out his sais, Raph spun them in his hands before settling himself in a defensive position as well. Assessing one another, they both started to slow steps circling each other. When one of them couldn't find a weakness on the other, Raph had taken the initiative to start the duel first.

He let out a battle cry as he ran at her, sais ready to pierce her. Slowing her breathing, Emi let out a slow breath before closing the tessen by her chest and ran it straight down at the length of the sais. Once they met the handle, Raph was about to twist his sai to get rid her of her weapon. But he was too slow. Emi had reacted that much quicker than he did and gotten rid of his instead.

While she did that, she took a step forward and slid a foot behind one of his foot, tripping him straight on his back. He grunted before looking up at her, who now has a foot on his plastron. She smirked down at him, "Guess I'm still the winner, huh Raphie?"

"Whatever... you..." he slowly said, getting rid of his second weapon without her noticing before latching onto her ankle, "say!"

Emi yelped when Raph pulled on her ankle, making her drop her weapons. She got the wind knocked out of her when she landed harshly on her back. Raph didn't make her breathing any easier seeing as how he got up quickly and was now straddling on top of her, pinning her down on the ground.

He chuckled, "Guess I finally caught you off guard little sister."

She pouted, "Not fair, Raph! You were already down."

"This isn't training. So I see it as fair play," he said, smirking down at her.

Before she could reply, someone clearing their throat caught their attention. Turning to the source, they both saw Leo standing by the entrance of the dojo. He held a frown on his face, his arms crossed in front of him. Emi could've sworn that she saw him glare at Raph before being back to looking sternly.

"Can we help you?" Raph asked, an eyebrow raised.

All he got in response were narrowed eyes from the blue terrapin before he huffed and stomped away. Confused, Emi looked at the red terrapin, "What's wrong with Leo?"

Knowing exactly what was wrong with him, Raph decided to play dumb for his brother's sake and shrug, "Dunno." Facing back down at her, he smirks, "You should be more worried about yourself than Leo, Em."

Rolling her eyes, she twisted her hands in his grip to grasp his wrists and kicked him off her, landing him back on his shell. Flipping herself back on her feet, she offered him a hand, grinning down at him, "Nah. I pretty much can take care of myself. Thanks though big bro."

Grunting, Raph chuckled before accepting her outstretched hand to help him up. Smiling, Emi looked back at where Leo was just standing at. Her smile turned into a frown when she remembered how he had stomped away from them earlier.

Knowing exactly what was on her mind, Raph patted her head, "Don't worry about Leo, Em. He just needs to watch some Space Heroes, in order to be himself again."

Trusting his words, she smiled, "Okay."

"So, what are you going to be doing?"

Picking up their weapons from the ground, she put his sais away on the weapon display before tucking her's away. "I'm gonna stay in here a little bit longer. Gonna meditate," she replied.

Nodding, he smiled, "Alright. We'll come get you before we leave."

Nodding, she smiled and went to sit under the beautifully grown tree and started on her peaceful meditation.

Smiling at her calm look, Raph quietly left the dojo and went towards the living area. There, sitting in front of the television was none other than Leonardo. He was watching Space Heroes as usual, which made Raph roll his eyes at. Picking up his comic, he went to sit on the stairs that led to Donnie's lab. As he was enjoying his comic, it was quickly ruined when the older terrapin started announcing the same monologue as his favorite character on the television.

"Gentlemen, I have a bold and daring plan. There's no time for hesitation. My orders must be carried out without question!"

Rolling his eyes, Raph exasperated made his presence known, "You know this show is stupid, right?"

Turning to look at him, Leo couldn't help but narrow his eyes at him, "Space Heroes is a great show. And Captain Ryan is a great hero. Someday, I am gonna be just like him."

Looking at him over his comic, Raph shrugs and went back to focus on the book in hand, "Well, you do like to hear yourself talk, so you're on your way."

Leo couldn't help but be frustrated at his brothers' words. And then, he remembers what happened in the dojo. Seeing as how none of their brothers were around, and Emi not anywhere at a hearing distance to listen in on their conversation, Leo asked, "Hey, Raph. About what happened earlier between you and Emi in the dojo..."

Raph interrupted him, knowing exactly what he was going to say, "We just spar. That's it."

"Yeah, I know. But the way how you two were earlier..."

Letting out an exasperated sigh, he glared at his brother, "Look, Leo. There's nothing going on between the two of us, okay? I only see Emi as a little sister. Sure she's pretty but that's all I see of her okay?"

Narrowing his eyes, Leo couldn't help but just be insecure about how close his brother was to Emi. He knows that he shouldn't be feeling like this. But he just couldn't help it. Ten years ago when Master Splinter brought Emi into their life, he had developed a small crush on her. At first, he just thought that it might've been a phase so he didn't think much about it. But as the years passed by and he had gotten to know her a little more, he realized that his crush on her had developed quite a lot.

He didn't know what to do about this feeling so the first person whom he confided this in was Raph. He knew that if anyone wouldn't rat his feelings out to the said girl, he knew that the hot-tempered turtle was the right to tell this too. At first, Raph hadn't believed him, but when he saw how serious it was for the blue terrapin, he instantly took this conversation straight to Splinter.

The wise man, when he was told of this, was at a loss for words. He knew that the boys would start to develop crushes, love, and heartbreaks when they were older, but he had not count for them to develop at such a young age. Though he knew that Emi was his adopted daughter, he had not count for one of his sons to fall in love with her. Then again, he guessed he should've known that it might've happened sometime in the near future.

So his only advice for his eldest son was to take things slow and to see if his feelings for her were only that of a sibling love or if it was actually true love. Leo had agreed to his advice, but as the years gone by, his feelings for her were only strengthened.

He groaned and was about to say something else until their other two brothers ran in.

"It's go time!" Mikey shouted.

Excited, the jealousy that Leo held for his brother was pushed aside as they all smiled at each other before running into the dojo to grab their weapons. Emi was standing in the middle of the room when they entered. Master Splinter standing next to her.

When they all grabbed their weapons, they all went to stand near the bottom of the stairs of the turnstiles in a line, waiting for their father's warnings. Splinter went to stand in front of them and looked at each and every one, "You are going up to a strange and hostile world. You must maintain awareness at all times."

Standing up straight, they all replied, "Hai, sensei!" and were about to leave until they were stopped by his words.

"Stay in the shadows."

"Hai, sensei!"

"Don't talk to strangers."

"Hai, sensei!"

"Everyone is a stranger!"

His warnings for them were starting to make them anxious seeing as how he's only giving them warnings now just to keep them in the lair a little longer.

"Hai, sensei," they replied a little deflated before finally making their way to the turnstiles. They were all just up on the stairs until Master Splinter stopped them once more, "Make sure you go before you leave. The restrooms up there are filthy."

Embarrassed by his words, they all looked at him over their shoulder, "Sensei!"

Finally knowing that he couldn't stop them, he sighed, "Good luck, my sons and daughter."

Smiling, they all shouted in excitement before finally leaving the lair. Before they couldn't hear their Sensei anymore, they all heard his last warning, "Make sure you watch out for your sister!" They didn't hear whatever else he had to say after that since they were farther down into the sewers. It took them a while to reach the closest manhole, but they finally reached it.

Looking to one another, they all debated over who should go up first. Emi voted to go and check first since she has been to the surface before. But Leo, being the protective one, rejected that idea and decided to go first. Emi crossed her arms in front of her and pouted but didn't argue.

They all watched the elder terrapin climbed the ladder to the manhole cover. After checking to see if the coast was cleared of humans, he signaled to them and started climbing out. They all followed not too far behind.

Putting the manhole back on, they all looked around in awe of the sight. Emi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when she saw a homeless man sleeping on a thrown out mattress with a newspaper as his makeshift blanket.

The silence between them were all broken when Mikey spoke in awe, "It's so beautiful."

Looking at each other, they all smiled and started running out of the alley. Of course, they were careful to check to see if there are any humans nearby so they wouldn't see them. Too excited, Leo started to run ahead of them, "The city is just full of possibility. There could be an adventure around this corner..." he checked out the main streets before running to another alleyway, "Or-or this one...Or this one!"

When he sees that there wasn't anything, he smiles with a shrug, "There's not, but there could be!"

The brothers ignored his excitement as they all walked down the street. Emi was the only one who was listening, giggling at his excitement. Her laughter made him smile, a blush appearing on his cheeks. Walking behind their brothers, Leo walked next to Emi, his blush still apparent. She smiled at him before her attention was grabbed by Donnie and Mikey who got really excited by seeing something that excited them.

Skipping over to the brainiac terrapin, she grabbed him by the arm and started to pull him over to where Leo was, "Come on Donnie!"

He smiled at her and waited with her and Leo out on the street. After Raph dragged Mikey to them, Donnie asked, "So where to next?"

Before any of them could answer, a light from a passerby on a moped came driving up to them, coming to a halt. Surprised at how they look, the boy on the vehicle stared at them before Raph decided to scare him by growling. He shouted in fright and turned his moped around.

"That was kinda fun," Raph chuckled.

Emi punched him on the arm, "That was mean, Raph."

He shrugs, "Oh well."

They turn their attention to Leo when he spoke, "We're too exposed out here."

Looking around, Emi pointed up at the rooftops, "What about up there?"

Smiling, he nodded before leading them, "Come on."

Climbing up to the rooftops didn't take them long. Using the fire escape as their ladder, they got up there in mere seconds. Looking at each other, Leo looked around when he noticed that one of them was missing.

"Where's Mikey?"

Before any of them could reply, Mikey shouted, "You guys! Look what I found!"

Turning to look at him, they saw him holding a flat white box in his hands. Curious, Emi walked up to him, "What did you get, Mikey?"

He shrugs and placed it on an air conditioner. They all surrounded it, minds wondering what it is.

"Pizz-a?" read Mikey.

Ignoring his mispronunciation, Donnie asked, "Should we open it?"

"Careful! It could be dangerous," said Leo, being cautious for his siblings.

Raph and Emi looked at each other before shaking their heads. Grabbing the top of the box, the former lifted the top off to reveal a steaming, fresh, and hot pizza. They all looked at it curiously.

"I think it's food," said Donnie, answering their unquestioned curiosity.

"It's not like any food I ever saw," Raph replied.

As they kept looking at it, the smell of the sweet enticing aroma that was coming from it made Emi's mouth salivated. Seeing as how no one was going to try it, she announced herself, "I'll try it if no one's going to."

Just when she was about to grab it, Leo panicked and grabbed her outstretched hand, "No Emi! It could be poisoned or something."

She pouted, "But Leo~ It smells so good."

He shook his head, making her pouted even more but listened to him. Seeing as how none of them were going to try, Mikey decided that he'll try it instead, "I'll try it."

None of them stopped him when he grabbed a slice of pizza. They all watched anxiously as the young terrapin took a small bite of it. When he did, his mind exploded from heavenly flavor that he has ever tasted. Without any hesitation, he started to gobble it all up and burped once he was done. Noticing that the others were still watching him, he started to try a lie so he could keep it all to himself.

"Uh, yuck. You guys won't like it," he said, then started to grab the box for himself. "I'll take the rest."

They all instantly knew right away that he was lying and started to fight over for a slice. Grabbing one, Emi ate it and moaned at the delicious taste. The way how the melted cheese tasted on her taste buds. The flavor of the pepperoni and sauce. There were no words to it other than the cheese making it quite greasy.

"I never thought I'd taste anything better than worms and algae, but this is amazing!" said Raph, finishing his second slice.

Nodding, Emi agreed with him as she finished quickly eating her slice. Once she was done, she finished licking her fingers clean when Mikey shouted in happiness, "I love it up here!"

Laughing, she swung an arm around his shoulder, "You and me both!"

Smiling, he wrapped an arm around her as well. Looking at each other, they all smiled at each other and laughed. Emi looked up at the bright moon that showered them with its light. It has been quite a long time since she has stood under it and now that she is back underneath the sky, the only thing that is pumping through her body is to run and howl for all to hear.

And doing just that she did. She ran and started jumping from rooftops to rooftops, howling with laughter. The terrapins not far behind her. They all smiled as they watched her laugh and have fun while chasing after her.

Running with excitement and adrenaline rushing through their veins, they all skidded to a stop next to each other on a rooftop. Barely out of breath, they all watched the city night lights illuminate the dark. Relishing in the cool wind blowing through her hair, Emi's attention was taken when Leo broke the silence, "Alright, guys, it's getting late. We should probably head back home."

They all groaned, disappointed that they already have to leave the surface. Not arguing with him, they all started to walk until Donnie stopped them, "Guys! Look at that!"

Turning to look at where he pointed, they all saw a red-haired girl taking a nightly stroll with a man whom they assume is her father.

"She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

They all gave him a disbelief look, looking at Emi who tilted her head in curiosity at the girl, and then back at their brother. Though Leo may not show it, he was glad that he doesn't have to worry about any of his little brothers having feelings for their white-haired sister.

"Isn't she the only girl you've ever seen? Besides Emi," said Raph, snapping his little brother from his daze.

Looking at his hot-tempered brother, then Emi, he huffs, "My point still stands."

Ears flickering, Emi growled when she saw a white van stopped itself in front of the father and daughter. Seeing her uneasiness, Leo walked up to her, "What's wrong Emi?"

His question was answered when he looked down at the scene. A man in a white tank top jumped out of the passenger side, while four men in suits jumped out of the back of the van. Emi growled lowly in her throat at seeing those men kidnapping the two.

"We gotta save 'em!" shouted Donnie, about to jump to help.

But Leo stopped him by putting a hand on his shoulder, "Splinter's instructions were very clear. We're supposed to stay away from people. And bathrooms."

Glancing his way, Emi couldn't help but find Leo adorable. She giggled, "Cute."

Leo blushed at her words before smiling goofily. Smiling at him, she focused her attention back to the situation in front of her while listening to their conversation.

"I thought you wanted to be a hero. Since when do heroes ask for permission?" Raph asked, mentally rolling his eyes at how their older brother was around their sister.

"They don't, but-"

Before Leo could finish, Donnie interrupted, "Well, I'm going!" and just with that, he leaped off to help. The other two younger terrapins, not wanting to miss out on the action, jumped right after.

Watching them leave to help the girl, Emi turned to see if Leo would follow. Instead of following, he stood in his same place, sighing. Smiling in sympathy, she walked up to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He tensed under her touch and quickly looked at her. A blush made its way upon his cheeks.

"E-Emi! I thought for sure you would've followed the others."

Giggling, she patted his shoulder, "Don't let what Raph said put you down. And he's kind of right. You did want an adventure when we got up here. Well, now you got one."

Rubbing the back of his neck, he nodded, "Yeah, I know."

Smiling, her hand that was on his shoulder went to grasp his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "It's alright to listen to Master Splinter's words, Leo. But when it comes to a situation like this, it's best to follow your heart and disobey his words for a while."

He thought about her words before smiling. Looking down at her, he nodded, "Yeah, thanks Emi." Turning to where their brothers ran off to, he smiled at her over his shoulder, "Let's go help our brothers."

Nodding, she smiled and followed right behind him.

It didn't take them long to catch up to the others. They looked at one another before nodding, jumping down to save the girl and her father.

Kicking one of the men away from the girl, Emi couldn't help grunt when she thought that she felt a metallic body instead of one of flesh. Her eyes narrowed at the man-in-suit in front of her. Glancing at the other men in suit, she noticed that they all looked the same. Not one of them looked different other than the man in tank-top,

Feeling a fist about to close in on her face, Emi dodged her head to the right. The man missed his attack but didn't relent it just there. He started to throw multiple punches and kicks at her. Dodging every one of them flawlessly, her eyes widen when she saw Donnie about to jab the enemy that was back to back with her.

Looking at the one in front of her, she smirked at the idea planning in her head. Waiting at the last second when the purple terrapin jabbed his opponent in the chest, Emi flipped backward, over the attacked man, watching in satisfaction as the man fell right on top of her opponent.

She smiled, "Thanks for the help, Donnie."

He was left confused when she left him to help the others. However, every time when she tried to help one of the brothers, they would always get in each other's way. She always had to help the other with their opponent.

Frowning, she couldn't help but noticed how much they lack in their teamwork. They were all over the places, trying to fight their own opponent, accidentally hitting or stopping each other with their weapons. Seeing the men making their way away with the girl and her father, Emi started to run after her brothers, who started arguing.

"You just jabbed me with your sword," Raph said angrily.

"Well, I didn't know you were gonna land where I was stabbing," Leo replied, frustrated at the outcome of their first real battle.

Rolling her eyes, Emi ran next to Leo, "Cute boys. Now save the argument for later. We have a vehicle to catch."

Agreeing, they all silently ran. They started to slow down when they saw Donnie, standing in the middle of the street looking at every which way.

"Donnie! What happened?" asked Leo.

Sighing in frustration, the terrapin in question answered, "I lost them. They drove away too fast."

Walking up to him, Emi put a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry Donnie. We'll save them."

She got a silent nod. Not hearing the talkative turtle, Emi started looking around, "Where's Mikey?"

Her question also caught their attention and they started to look around. Groaning, Raph grunted, "He must still be back there."

Without a word, they all silently walked back to go and get their baby brother. Just when they were a block away, they apparently didn't need to go far. Mikey came running up to them shouting, "Guys! Guys! You're never gonna believe this!"

Pointing at the direction at where he came from, he continued, "That dude, he-he... had a brain!"

"We all have brains, Mikey," Leo replied dully.

"Not all of us," Donnie added.

Emi couldn't help but giggle, earning a smile from a certain blue terrapin. Raph roll his eyes when his brother thought that no one was looking.

"In our chests?" Mikey continues.

His question instantly made Emi stop her laughter and put her entire focus on the young terrapin.

"No, Mikey. Not in our chests," said Leo, getting a bit tired with his little brother's dumb discovery.

Angry, Mikey shouted, "You're not listening to me!"

That earned him a slap to the face. Putting his hand up in defense, he glared at his eldest brother, "Did you just slap me?"

"I was calming you down."

"Why would that calm me down?!"

"I think he's delusional," said Donnie.

Deciding to intervene, Emi stepped between the two, "Okay, that's enough." She turned to look at the young terrapin, "Where did you see this Mikey?"

Doing as she asked, he started to walk towards the location, "Just-Just-Come here. I'm telling you. The big guy was a robot and he had a freaky weird alien brain thing in his chest."

As they followed him, Leo lean closer to Emi, talking in a quiet tone, "You don't really believe him, do you?"

Not losing the serious look on her face, she replied, "Not many things. But this... yeah. I do."

He looked at her in disbelief. Leo has known Emi for a very long time now and knew that there weren't many things that she didn't believe. Especially when it comes to something like an alien robot with a brain in its chest. But seeing how serious she is at just Mikey's little belief story about the topic, he couldn't help but believe him as well.

Leo had known for a long time now that when it comes to Emi's instinct, they were never wrong. Humming, he nodded and stood back up straight.

Still following their baby brother, Mikey pleaded with them, "You gotta believe me."

Before Emi could reassure him, Raph replied first, "I'm not sure we do."

"Oh yeah? Well, you'll change your tune when you see that he's-" Mikey started before looking into the alley that he had left the alien robot just to see that it was empty, "Gone?"

Raph shook his head at their baby brother's imagination before leaving with the others. Watching them walk away, Mikey frowned when he saw none of them believed him.

Emi was about to walk away too until she saw the sadness on Michelangelo's face. Taking a glance at the alleyway, she looked back at the orange terrapin and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her glumly. She smiled warmly at him, "If anything Mikey, I believe you."

Her words seemed to have brightened him even just a little when he looked at her, "Really?"

She nodded, "The others might take a while. We'll just have to prove it to them that alien robots does exist."

"Alien robots with brains in their chests!"

Giggling, she ruffles his head, "Yeah Mikey. Alien robots with brains in their chests." Taking her hand off his head, she wrapped an arm around his shoulder, "Now come on, we don't want to be left behind."

Smiling, he nodded and took her hand, dragging her with him to catch up to their brothers.

~Back at the Lair~

Once they got back home, they all went to sit in the dojo as they explained to their father about what happened. He stood in front of them with his eyes narrowed down at them. Mostly to his sons.

"And so your inability to work together allowed them all to get away."

"Well, maybe if I didn't have to waste time arguing with hero boy, I could've saved them," Raph angrily replied back.

Not liking being accused, Leo pointed at him, "Hey, if you hadn't gotten in my way, I could have done it." He then turned to the purple terrapin next to him, "And you went flying off on your own. How smart was that?"

"Well, it would've worked out great if somebody hadn't hit me in the head with their nunchucks!" Donnie shouted at the orange terrapin.

Still frustrated that none of the brothers believed him, Mikey angrily replied, "Well, none of this would've happened if..." he looked to his other side to blame this on. But seeing how Emi was sitting on Raph's other side, he brought the blame to their sensei without thinking. "Somebody hadn't trusted us to go up there in the first place."

Hearing his accusation towards their father, they all gasped and looked up at him.

Feeling guilty, Mikey rubbed the top of his head, "Oh geez. Sensei, I didn't mean to-"

"No, Michelangelo. You are right," Splinter interrupted him.

"I am?"

"He is?" the others asked, shocked for once that he was.

Pacing in front of them, he explained further for his words, "You were not fully prepared for what was up there. I trained you to fight as individuals, not as a team. And as your teacher, your father, the responsibility for that is mine. Perhaps in another year we can try again."

"W-Wha-? Another year?" Donnie asked in disbelief. "Ha-has everybody forgotten that people were kidnapped? They don't have a year! Sensei, we have to do something now!"

Splinters eyes narrowed down at him, making him continue, "You weren't there, sensei. You didn't see the way that girl looked into my eyes. She was scared. And she was counting on me- us-" he corrected himself. "To save her!"

Contemplating over his third oldest son, Splinter walked over to the pedestal that held a picture of his wife and daughter. As he stared at it, he could remember the day his beloved wife died in his arms in the raging flames. Not wanting his sons to experience what he had, he finally agreed, "Yes, you must save her."

"I agree, sensei," Leo started. "But in that fight, we weren't exactly a well-oiled machine."

"Like that robot with the brain thingy," Mikey added.

"Give it a rest," said Raph, getting tiring of his topic about the alien robots.

Thinking, Splinter hummed, "If you are to fight more effectively as a unit, you are going to need a Leader."

Hearing the word leader, Leo instantly brought a hand up, "Can I be the Leader?"

"Why should you the Leader?" asked Raph, pounding a fist into his hand. "I kicked your butt. I should be the Leader."

"Hey, I'm smarter than all you guys put together. It should be me," said Donnie, crossing his arms in front of him.

"No way! It should be me!" shouted Mikey. All the brothers blinked in bewilderment at him.

"I don't really have a reason. I just think it would be neat."

Splinter smiled in amusement at them, "What about Emi? From what you all have told me, she is the one who mostly helped you all in your battle. With a quick thinking and taking action upon it at the last second, I think she would be quite fitting to be Leader. Don't you think?"

They all looked over at the girl, who had been sitting there with them in silence. They blinked at her, eyes wide at what their sensei had just said.

Blinking, she looked at them, "What?"

"Is it true?" Leo asked, still surprised at her.

She shrugged, "It's not really that hard to plan and execute it in seconds. You just need to know what's in your surrounding and use it to your advantage. Like how earlier when I was fighting against my own opponent, Donnie's opponent was back to back with me. I had used his timing for when he was going to jab his opponent to fly into mine. Killing two birds with one stone."

Their jaw dropped at her explanation. Especially Donnie's. Now he understood what she meant when she thanked him earlier during the fight.

Chuckling, Splinter put a hand on her head, "As you can tell, Emi seem to make quite a Leader. Don't you think so?"

The brothers couldn't argue with him there. Heck, even they didn't think about using the same tactic like she did during their fight until now. Smiling, Emi looked up at their father, "Sensei, as much as I like the title of Leader. I prefer if you have chosen someone else. Being a Leader will be too much work."

Humming, he nodded before leaving to his room. Opening the door, he looked over at their direction, "Since Emi has chosen not to be the Leader, this will be a difficult decision. I will meditate on it." He closed the door shut before it was quickly opened, "It's Leonardo." With that said, he quickly shut it again.

Emi looked over at the red terrapin when he grunted out in frustration.

"No hard feelings, Raph?" Leo asked, happy that he got chosen.

Standing up, he started leaving the dojo, "Stick it in your shell."

Seeing that they too were no longer needed, both Donnie and Mikey got up and left, leaving Leo and Emi alone. Nervous that they were alone together, the former cleared his throat, "So... what do you think might be the best plan tonight on trying to get the family back?"

Straightening her legs in front of her, she shrugs, "You're the Leader, Leo. You have to make up the plan."

He rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah I know. But with what sensei had said about you... and what with your quick thinking-"

She interrupted him by facing him, putting a finger on his lips, "Leo. Every Leader makes different decision. Different plans. If you're not quite sure about your plans and want to know another's opinion, I'll always be here to help you."

He blushed at her finger on his lips but smile when she took it away, "Thanks Emi."

~Later tonight~

After coming up with a plan, both Leo and Emi had gathered everyone together again as they all went back to the surface. While they were finding the right building, Leo had explained his plan to the others, before they finally found it and decided to stake out on the building next to it.

It was only a few minutes that they had only been there until Mikey whispered-asked, "Explain to me one more time what we're doing here."

The brothers all groan at him. Deciding to explain, Emi walked to stand next to the orange terrapin, "Mikey, you see that building over there?"

He nodded, "Uh huh."

"On the side of it, it has the same logo as the one on the van that kidnapped the family. We're here waiting for one of the kidnappers to show up."

Leo then intervened, quietly pounding a fist in his hand, "And when he does, we'll make him tell us where they took them."

"And then we got ourselves a van!" Mikey fist pumped, still not getting what their objective is.

Face-palming, Leo glared at him, "Just hit the guy I tell you to."

"Will do!"

Walking away from the young terrapin, Emi went to stand next to Leo, her tail swishing behind her. "Are you sure this is gonna work?" asked Raph, not too confident about the whole stakeout plan.

Smirking, Leo went back to watching the building, "Trust me. They'll be here any second."

~Hours later~

It was getting late and none of the kidnappers still haven't shown up. Getting frustrated by just wasting their time up on a rooftop, Raph huffed out angrily, "Give it up already. The guy's not gonna show."

"We have to be patient," Leo replied, taking a glance at his brother before watching the building again.

"No, you have to come up with a better plan, 'cause the five of us standing here with our thumbs up our noses..."

He was interrupted by Mikey, "I don't think they'd fit." He then said in excitement, "Emi's might will though!"

That earned him a thrown rock to the head by said girl.

"Ow!"

Glancing away from him, he finishes, "is pointless."

"You sure about that, Raph?" said Leo, a smirk making its way on his face.

"He just showed up, didn't he?"

Emi giggled and nodded, "You should've complained two hours ago, Raph." She only got a got a quiet "whatever" in reply.

Gathering together, they all looked down at the van, watching as the guy in the tank top walks out of the vehicle. Before they could make a move to jump down there to surround him, Leo started one of Captain Ryan's speech, "Gentlemen, I have a bold and daring plan. There's no time for hesitation."

As much as Emi loved the blue terrapin turtle, she jumped down off the roof with the others, not waiting for him to finish. Still going along with the plan, they all surrounded the man, with no way out for him to escape.

"Alright, buddy. We can do this the easy way, or-" Raph said, taking a look at Leo, earning a nod from the latter, before facing back at the man, weapons drawn, "my vote- the hard way."

"Yeah, look at it logically. There are four of us and one of you. What are you gonna do?" Donnie added.

His question was answered when the man pulled out a plasma gun out from behind him. Without hesitation, he started firing at them. Dodging, Emi dug her claws into the wall as they watched the kidnapper escape by getting back into his van. Jumping down to stand next to Leo, Emi watch as the van turned a corner.

"He's getting away again!" Donnie shouted.

Looking up at the rooftops, Leo narrowed his eyes, "No he's not."

Seeing him turn to look at her, Emi knew exactly what he wanted her to do. Smirking, she nodded, "The hunt is on."

Running, she took a giant leap up to the rooftops, not using any of the fire escapes to ladder her up. Once her feet touched the pavement of the roof, her golden eyes glinted dangerously in the midst of night. With a burst of speed, she shot forward, running and jumping over multiple rooftops in mere seconds. Seeing the van already in her sight, she took out a shuriken and threw it straight at the wheels. Hearing the sweet sound of the tires popping, Emi couldn't help but smirk at her job well done.

It didn't take the terrapin brothers long enough to catch up to her. Looking down at the overturned van, Leo smirked, "Now we're getting somewhere."

Smirking, Emi flipped her hair, "Don't ever doubt me for a second."

He chuckles before focusing back on the mission on hand, "Come on."

Nodding, they all stealthily made their way down the building that the van was closest to. Hidden within the shadows, they waited for Leo's orders. However, he started to give them some weird hand signs that none of the brothers understood.

Frustrated, Raph whispered-shouted, "I don't know what that means."

Looking at them over her shoulders, Emi smiled apologetically, "It means go around back."

"Why didn't he just say so?" said Mikey, then turned to his sister. "I'm surprised you understood that, Emi."

Before she could reply, Leo frustratedly whispered-shouted at them, "Guys!"

Focusing, they all held their weapons and slowly walked out of the shadow. They separated where three went one side while the other two went the other, surrounding the car so the kidnapper couldn't escape.

Once they finally made it to the back of the vehicle, Raph approached it and opened the closed door. But in doing so, a container which held some kind of glowing substance rolled out of it. It kept rolling until it stopped in front of Mikey's feet.

He stared at it for a few second, recognizing the container.

"Mom?"

Testing the waters~ BYES!