Leorai Week 2017: Day 2 – Fantasy AU
Feudal Japan is known for its many myths and legends. Their depictions of horrible monstrosities and honorable heroes are still talked about to this day. This is one of their legends, about a war in the shadows, between two mystic ninja clans
The Shredder, a wicked and vile man; forever fitted in a suit of armor. An armor which makes a mockery of the samurai's way of life. He spreads his darkness across the land, crushing anyone that tries to dare oppose him under his Foot Clan army. But there was one Clan that always stood against him, who hindered the Shredder and his plans of conquering Japan.
The Hamato Clan, though small compared to Shredder's Foot army, were raised to challenge anything no matter the difficulty they face thanks to their clan's Sensei, Master Splinter. A wise and powerful ninja master, who was once a man who led a resistance against the Shredder until a devastating attack by the full force of Shredder's Foot Clan, including strange and horrific creatures. The attack wiped out nearly all of the resistance. Splinter, however, was captured by an even stranger yet equally threatening force, a race of unknown beings, who calls themselves the Kraang. Strange creatures that with their unnatural magic, were able to change any man or animal into an entirely different creature. The Kraang did it to Splinter transforming him into that of a rat-man.
Splinter managed to escape the Kraang and the Shredder. But afraid of what he became, fled into the depths of a hidden cave, where he found an abandoned underground shrine. That is where he found four small kappa infants, lost, alone and defenseless. From then on, Splinter decided to raise the four Yokai as if they were his own sons.
Naming them after four incredible foreigners who had aided him during the resistance. And so Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo were raised into the art of ninjutsu. To protect the innocent that are being threatened by the Shredder and others.
However, we are not here for the entire story. But for one of the many stories which branched out from this war. This is between well-respected members of both Clans and how a love started to bloom between each other.
Hamato Leonardo, oldest of the Kappa brothers and the one who leads them to battle against the Foot Clan and any other villains who commit unspeakable crimes against the innocent. Always wanting to follow Splinter's footstep, he came a bit of a teacher's pet, which he was teased about many times. Known for his fearlessness and unselfish nature. Willing to sacrifice his life for the good of others.
And Oroku Karai, a once innocent child to a family of farmer's, that was until she was left orphaned at a young age. All thanks to one of the many raids the Shredder committed, she was found and raised by the Shredder himself to become a weapon of the Foot and lying to her that it was the Hamato Clan that destroyed her village. Blinded by his words, Karai became a top assassin of the Foot and the Shredder's second in command.
At first, the two were enemies of one another. But yet, they felt a connection… something more. As the war continued to rage on. They become less like enemies and more like friendly rivals, engaging in spars, rather than battles to the death. Though while their growing relationship made Leo's brother a bit skeptic, especially with Raphael. She joined the Hamato Clan many times to face off against the Kraang, which she believe are the real enemy.
Karai eventually saw the truth as just what a monster the Shredder truly was, once she learned that it was him that destroyed her village, as well as the death of her parents. Driven by revenge she went after his life. But was easily overpowered the Shredder but before her defeat. She shouted that she has aligned herself to the Hamato Clan.
As punishment, the Shredder imprisoned her for many days, trying to guilt her into joining back to the Foot, but to no prevail. To which Karai considered it as a victory over him.
During those days Leo and his brothers tried many times to free Karai from her imprisonment, though unfortunately failed in each attempt.
Eventually, the Shredder tired of Karai's refusal to return to his side and instead decided to use her to bait the Hamato Clan to come to him. Knowing that they will try again to free her.
Leading them to a spring, which has been transformed by the Kraang into a pool of 'mutagen ooze', a type of unknown chemical which could combine the DNA of two or more organism into a mostly horrify abomination. Or in the case of the Shredder, his elite warriors.
Shredder's planned on using a venomous snake DNA to transform Hamato Yoshi's own students into his own worst enemies.
The Hamato Clan came as the Shredder predicted and an epic battle was taken place. Splinter faced the Shredder once again, while the brothers took on the rest of the Foot forces. Halfway through the battle, it seemed to be going the Foot Clan's way, as one by one the brothers were captured in the cages that littered the ground. Splinter himself was tied up when the Shredder decided to have his own men intervene their battle.
Thankful Leo has able to escape from his cage, thanks to having his sword wedged between its openings. He went after Karai, who was extended above the spring in a cage and was in the middle of freeing her. But unfortunately, the Shredder was having none of it. Leaping after the kappa, his signature wrist blades, poised for the kill.
Leonardo was able to spot the madman coming after him and dodge as the blades came for his head, but that instead turned into a big mistake.
The chain that kept Karai's cage extended in the air was cut clean, and all that Karai could do was scream as she fell directly into the mutagen ooze. Both Clan stood in silence as the Karai is transformed into a snake-like mutant.
It's been weeks since that night and Leonardo is once again out on patrol on his own, desperately searching for the woman he loves. Yes, Leo loves Karai and has for some time. He was actually going to proclaim it to Karai once she had gotten comfortable living in 'The Shrine'.
But instead, he's outside the safety of their home, searching for Karai. After ears-dropping on a village about talk of a strange snake creature appearing near the mountain, they live beside. Leo is sure that this must be Karai and begins making his trip up, in hopes he can bring her home.
How long has it been?
Groggily making up from her makeshift bed, she peeks out the entrance of the small cave, near halfway up a mountain, she calls home. The starry night sky beckons her that it's safe for her to at least scavenge for some scraps food. Just as she thought of food her stomach growled in hunger, it's been days since she had eaten a proper meal.
Her mind is still blurry from that night. However what she can remember, was the dreadful grip of fear, as she watched her new clan facing defeat. Which then turned to hope once Leo came onto of her cage. But that just turned in horror when she was free falling straight into the ooze.
But what she remembers the most, just as her mind went numb, was the look of horror on Leo's face. Never did she had seen him so scared, it plagues her nightmares.
However, she knows that Leo is still looking for her, desperately wanting to bring her back to home. There were some close encounters between the two… but, she afraid. Afraid of what she has become, afraid of what she might do to Leo and his family.
She will not lie that she had feelings for the adorable kappa. But that was when they were enemies, it would go against the Shredder and the Foot Clan. And going against his back just because of 'feelings', would be considered a death sentence. She had hoped that those emotions would diminish as the war continues onwards.
But instead, those feelings grew bigger and louder that she could not ignore them any longer; she had to tell him and she would of. If was not for the call of vengeance against the Shredder that so blindly led her to her fate. Maybe then they would have been a lot closer to each another, rather than continuing to play this pointless game of hide and seek.
"Karai!" The sudden call of her name, making her jump. No, he already found her. Why can't he understand, she's trying to protect him by being far away from him. But she knows that her heart is screaming at her, not this time.
Her pondering allowed Leo to cautiously walk into her cave, without her able to slip away from him again.
"Karai?" Leo said cautiously, getting Karai's attention. When she finally turns to see him. All that Leo could do was stare at sheer beauty. The moonlight gleams perfectly with her albino scales, showing off her curvy body. Her eyes are simply a perfect shade of green. He would not lie and say that she is perhaps more beautiful than when she was human.
"Leo…" Karai hissed, sounding depressed. She clearly wants no-one, especially the one she loves to see her in this state.
"Please Karai; not this time." Leo continued, "No more of this please."
Karai could agree with him and would come home with him in a heartbeat. If it was not for this frightful fear of what she has become.
"Just go back home to family." Karai again tried to push Leonardo away. However, Leo was having none of it.
"But you're a part of that same family, Karai." Leo pleaded, tears threatening to seep out of his eyes. "Maybe not in blood, but still family. Everyone misses you… I miss you."
Karai's heart was already a mess. But hearing Leo's voice sounding so lost and destroyed. Almost in the same way she feels about everything that has happened to her. She does not deserve his attention, let alone his affections.
"Why… do you always care about me?" Karai hoarsely asked, tears already running down her face. But she wants to know why Hamato Leonardo has always come to her aid. Her heart knows the answer, but the brain wants to believe.
To Leo ears its sound like a stupid question. But he can see in her eyes, she needs his answers. This is his chance, everything that he kept bottled, can now come out.
"Because I love you Karai." Leo finally said those three words. And he means them, from the bottom of his heart.
Karai froze once she heard Leo said them. It was there that Karai realized that there was no point in hiding from him anymore.
"I… I love you too, Leo," Karai said back.
And as if an enormous weight was lifted off the both of them, they embrace one another and passionately kissed. Karai gently wrapping around Leo body in order for the full effect. They continued until they needed air, then they stared into each other's eye and remained in their embrace.
Finally, the two were united. Karai was welcomed back to the Hamato Clan with open arms. It was then discovered that Karai was able to mutate back to a human form, although a few scales appeared here and there.
The love between Leo and Karai grew larger and founder into a blossomed romance. Though limited thanks to Master Splinter's stern one on one about what is acceptable in The Shrine and what is not. But when they were able to find time for themselves, it just felt right between them.
However, there was still a war to be won. The Foot Clan was still on the march and the Shredder became more deranged and heartless. Even mutating himself into an abomination in order to get an upper hand against the Hamato Clan. It took two long years until it finally reached its climax. Launching a final assault on the Shredder's domain. This time they will defeat the Shredder, no matter what.
A battle to end all battles took place. Though while the Foot fought with the superior numbers and the same ferocity they always bring. The Kappa brothers and their allies were at their ultimate peak. After hours of none stop fighting, the Foot was brought to its knees. All that remained was the Shredder, it was fitting for the brother, to finish it off.
After an entire hour of the kappa's most grueling fight, Leo manages to deal the killing blow, finally ending the madman's nearly twenty years of bloodshed and destruction. Their victory finally bringing an end to the Hamato/Foot war.
Though while the main threat was defeated. There were still those who threatened the peace, such as the Kraang. But Japan knew that their guardian protectors will be there to stop them. Perhaps that will be a story for another day.
For Leo and Karai, they joined hands in marriage and eventually brought a son and daughter into the world. Leo eventually taking over as Leader of the Hamato Clan, after the passing of the one he called Father. And together, along with his brothers would raise a new generation of their own. And teach any of those in the way of the ninja who seeks out to find them and joins them in their fight to protect the innocent from within the shadow. The Hamato Clan will forever live on as Japan's shadow guardians.
And so that concludes Day 2: Fantasy AU.
I hope I did okay, I feel I did okay. But I did it for you guys and to carry on the Leorai ship.
And again, review, favorite and follow me tomorrow.
Day 3: Sparring Together