Ch.2: Raph's Rescue

Meanwhile, down in the safe haven that mutants liked to call the Underground, a solemn ritual was taking place as the Hamato family buried and mourned over Karai.

Tears stained their eyes as they recalled the brave sacrifice that led to the ninja's grave. Karai, also known as Master Splinter's beloved Miwa, had spent most of her life confused on what she truly should be.

Yet, in the last moments of her life, that confusion was gone, as she bravely sacrificed herself so that Splinter, her true father, could live.

Tears continued to flow as Leo, Don, Mikey, and Master Splinter continued to mourn. Only one pair of eyes stood apart, watching the proceedings from out of the shadows.

His green eyes were downcast with a mixture of guilt and rage. Releasing a deep sigh, Raphael slowly turned around and walked away, leaving the sight of that room.

The red-masked turtle felt his fists grind up along his sides as the thought of Karai's death continued to play in his mind like a bad song.

It was he who had killed her. It was his fault that his family had to mourn.

Shredder may have been behind Raphael's delusion, but it was still him that struck the final blow.

To be that out of control, to feel that much hate and rage at the same time, this was the depth of Raphael's greatest fears. And for the last few days, it had all become real.

Cursing himself, Raphael looked down to once where the gauntlets had been, the tools he had used to slay Karai. A look of disgust curdled up upon his face. Hopefully those weapons were still rotting in the sewer someplace.

He would never wear those fiendish pieces of steel ever again. But still, it could never atone for his crimes.

Far off in the corner, the Mighty Mutanimals were doing their best to take care of the mutants under their guard. Slash had still yet to return from the turtles lair, coming back with a fresh load of supplies so that his family could stay.

Raphael almost wished that he had talked to Slash before the large turtle decided to leave. But it was too late for regrets now, just like it was too late to earn the forgiveness of his family.

Leo hated him. Don hated him. Mikey hated him. Heck, even Master Splinter hated him.

His family didn't want him anymore, so why should he stay? It would only bring them more pain.

"I'd better get some air," Raphael thought, before his mind could even become more morbid.

Shaking his head, Raphael tightened the leather around his sais and stalked out of the Underground, walking into the cold, dark sewers, completely alone.


Meanwhile, somewhere else in the sewers, Zog was running for his life as the sound of Bishop's men pounded along behind him.

The Triceraton's breathing was harsh and shallow, barely holding on in the impure nitrogen air. His body was feeling woozy and his eyes were becoming glazed.

Zog quickly fought off the dizziness, cursing the Kraang for stealing his tools when he crash-landed on Earth months ago.

Those wicked brains had been their enemies for a long time. Zog had to reclaim his equipment and report back to base. Captain Mozar need to know…This planet needed to be destroyed!

Suddenly, Zog found himself trapped, surrounded on nearly all sides by Bishop's troops. The soldiers already had most of the exits blocked, and Bishop stood behind a wall of his men, an evil smile growing on his smug face.

A massive clicking sound was heard as the soldiers armed and aimed their guns directly at Zog. The Triceraton growled, as Bishop raised up his hand. Then, the agent threw his hand down, giving the signal to fire.

Immediately a flurry of shots rang out, zapping against Zog's hard skin. Writhing out in pain against the blasts, the Triceraton crumbled and fell to his knees, screaming his rage at the assault. The stone walls of the sewers reflected those echoes, carrying them far away into the dark.


Somewhere close-by, Raphael stopped as he heard the sound of Zog's screams. Someone nearby was in trouble, and the faint sound of gunfire could be heard too.

Reacting on instinct, Raphael ran full out to help whoever was in need. When he finally got there, the sight that lay before his eyes was to amazing to believe.

Struggling against a barrage of laser fire appeared to be some kind of mutant dinosaur, bending on his knees. His blue eyes growled as he glared at Bishop, who Raphael suddenly realized was there.

"Bishop," growled Raph under his breath, hands curling into fists on his sides.

Every time he thought of the name, something vile would pop up into his thoughts. Something about this government agent was bad news, he could feel it! Raphael only wished that he could finally remember the reason why.

But, right now, figuring out Bishop's intentions was not the important thing on the plate, saving the dino was.

Drawing out his sais, Raphael yelled and jumped in to help out Zog, surprising Bishop and his troops with the actions of a sudden fight.

Dodging nimbly around the laser blasts, Raphael quickly took out most of the heavy-armed goons, allowing Zog enough time to break and recover before he went after some of the men himself.

While fighting, Zog flung a glance towards his unexpected ally. This turtle warrior who had somehow appeared from the dark. Swinging out his blades, five more men tumbled to his sai.

"A worthy ally indeed," thought Zog, knocking down a few more thugs with his horn. Maybe this turtle warrior would be useful in taking down the Kraang.

"Ah, did I interrupt the party Bishop?" asked Raphael, knocking down one more goon.

"Raphael" said Bishop angrily " you have just made a big mistake."

With that said, Bishop suddenly threw a sharp, metal object right at Raph's head, barely giving the turtle any moment to dodge.

Zog instantly recognized the incoming missile and moved himself in to protect, electricity dancing off his as the device hit his skin.

"No!" cried Raph, hurrying over to help Zog stand up as Bishop ordered his men to back into firing line.

Seeing that there was no choice and they had to escape, Raph reluctantly dug out one of the smoke bombs from his belt and threw it down hard on the floor. A cloud of purple and black instantly moved up to cover both him and Zog just as the soldiers lasers fired.

"Stop!" Bishop commanded as the smoke cleared, and he saw that neither one of his targets was no longer in sight.

Raphael and Zog had both managed to get away, and Bishop stood his ground fuming and displeased.

A huge mistake had been made here tonight. And it was a problem in the future that soon Bishop would have to pay. Bishop and perhaps the entire world, if things were left in the Triceratons hands.