* (If you're a bit confused, I published this earlier under a slightly different name, then took it down to change a few things)*
Hello! So, this is the beginning of my first multi-chapter TMNT fic! I've had some fun writing this, so I hope you enjoy reading! I should update this every week. (Check my profile for more info). This starts directly after "The Gauntlet", and I'll let you know where we are in canon during the story, though this is slightly AU. Enjoy! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That right belongs to Nickelodeon/Viacom. I do own Cody Watts, and any other OC's. Please don't sue me; I have nothing worth taking!
From the Other Side
The worst part was always the waiting.
I hate it when Master Shredder doesn't allow me, or any of the other Foot Clan ninjas, to go out on a mission, especially since he was actually going to fight. But, apparently, Chris and Xever had gone slightly rouge after Master Shredder gave them a much needed lecture, and found the Ninja Turtles. So, he had gone out after them, determined not to let Splinter's disciples slip from his grasp again.
These Ninja Turtles were strange creatures. I'm not lying when I tell you that they actually are turtles who are ninjas. And I don't mean that they're the cute little turtle's kids buy from pet stores. They're human sized, and have human level intelligence, considering they talk in English to each other. And they have a very strong grasp of ninjutsu. I should know; I've fought against them before. They're tough fighters, as we've lost most of the fights. But, I know that Master Shredder will take them down this time. The turtles are good, but Master Shredder's better. I've seen him train, and it's...awe inspiring.
Master Shredder's only been in America for a few months. He came here after he learned that Splinter was here. But we've been here for years. Master Shredder's got branches of Foot Clan in many nations, and we've avoided detection for years. We're an elite clan of ninjas made up of some of the best fighters on Earth.
I'm still shocked that I'm even part of this ancient and powerful organization. I'm just an 18-year-old kid from Manhattan who got picked up off the streets at 16 and pulled into this. I've been grateful ever since. The world is a cold place to teenaged orphans, but these guys gave me a job, a home, and, at times, a family.
I'm aware that some of our activity is...not exactly legal, but it's for a good cause. We'll make them all see one day. Besides, I'll take some minor law breaking over being a homeless bum any day.
"Cody," Another ninja calls my name and I look up. We've all been waiting in Master Shredder's throne room for his return, ready to celebrate his victory over Splinters followers. "He's coming."
The worst part is almost over.
I nod and slip my mask over my face. They get rather hot, but you can see just fine through them, and they keep our identities hidden. I stand at attention with my other fellow ninjas and wait for Master Shredder to come in, victorious at last. I can already see it: He'll know where Splinter is, and we'll prepare to storm his hideout and take him down once and for all.
Instead of hearing his slow, proud, metallic footsteps, we hear the metal on his boots clanking at a very fast pace.
We all jump out of the way as Master Shredder runs in, carrying something that looks like a large fish that is jumping and gasping for air. He dumps the fish into the water around his throne room and the large, red fish immediately begins to swim in an effort to fill his gills with air. Even with the masks covering our expressions, I can tell that we're all confused.
Why does that fish look so human?
That's not even the most shocking part. Soon after the Master Shredder throws the fish into the water, a large, blonde dog, walking with a human-like posture, storms in. One arm is larger than the other, and he's almost covered in spikes. His eyes are a dark red, and he looks ready to attack. This animal looks human as well, and very familiar.
It hits me suddenly.
"Chris?" I ask, and it doesn't even occur to me that I'm not supposed to talk. The normal procedure has been messed up so much that I'm not even sure what to do. The dog turns to me, and his expression softens enough that I know that I'm right. That large, mutant dog is Chris Bradford, my mentor and the, now former, man who's the whole reason I'm even in the Foot Clan today.
I probably would have stared at him in shock for who knows how long if Master Shredder's angry yell didn't snap me out of it. We all look towards him, and even the fish pokes his head out of the water. For some reason, this action makes me register that the mutant fish is Xever, but I don't fully process it. I'm too focused on Master Shredder. Even before he speaks, I already know that this mission was a failure.
"They've gotten away again..." Master Shredder says, his voice much lower than I had been expected after that yell. "And it was your fault!" He yells suddenly, looking at Chris and Xever.
"Master Shredder, if there's anyone you should blame, it would be Bradford," Xever says, pointing a webbed hand at Chris, who bares his teeth and growls in response. "He's the one who poured the mutagen on us!"
"I don't care who's fault it is," Master Shredder says, and we all look at him. Even underneath his mask, I can tell that he is tired, pissed, and out for revenge. "I almost had those turtles and they got away again. I was so close to getting rid of Splinter's disciples for once and for all! These turtles aren't going to go away. We must continue our goal of taking them down. But, we must also discover the origin of this mutagen. I believe that it is what made these turtles into what they are today. Plus, we may be able to get you two back to your normal forms again," Chris and Xever both look relieved at this prospect.
"We will discuss our options tomorrow morning. Until then, you all are dismissed," Master Shredder waves us off, and I watch Chris start to make a move towards him. "And I'd like to be left alone," At that Chris' shoulders slump, and he turns towards the crowds of ninja's leaving. I run after him, flowing him in the training room, where he begins to literally beat the sand out of a punching bag.
"Chris," I say, pulling my mask off, and he looks at me. I don't know if I'll ever get used to those black and red eyes.
"Cody, I know that this must be a bit shocking to you," He says, his voice slightly gruffer sounding than I remember it.
"What exactly happened?"
"We found the turtles attempting to disarm a large mutagen bomb set up by...someone. Something? I don't know. But, the technology of it was much more advanced than anything I've ever seen before. Even the purple one, who's much smarter than the others, was having trouble disarming the thing. We took the opportunity to strike. And I'll admit, we ended up losing."
I'm having a hard time seeing him like this. Chris is like a brother to me, and he looks so...depressed. He's been like this for a while. The fact that he's failed at capturing the turtles, which has made Master Shredder angry at him, has been taking a toll on him. It's like tonight was almost the final straw.
"I'll admit, I was fully prepared to go down with honor and take those damn turtles with me. But, that idea drove me to do something stupid. As much as I hate to admit it, Xever's right. I was the reason the mission was a failure.
"The turtles had cornered us on the bomb, near the mutagen, and I thought that if I poured it on them, I could take them down at the expense of me and Xever. But, somehow, it only hit me and Xever. We were swept off the roof, and I blacked out for a few minutes. I awoke when I felt the pain of the mutation. Somehow, Xever and I climbed back up to the roof, where Master Shredder was almost finished with those turtles. But, we distracted him, and they got away!" With that last sentence, he gave the punching bag a strong punch with his larger arm, sending the bag flying towards the wall, where it broke open on impact.
"Chris," I said, trying to find something to say that could make him feel better, but he just turned and growled at me. I instinctively jumped back and got ready to strike. That seemed to register with him some, because he backed off, and I dropped my guard.
"I'm sorry, Cody...I just need to be alone," He said, turning away from me.
"Okay," I mutter. "I'm he for ya, bro," I say, and he gives me a small smile as I leave the room.
So, I know that it's a little weird to not see the turtles in a TMNT fic, but they'll come...in a few chapters. XD However, we see another new face that's a little more friendly next chapter! Hope to see you next week! :D
