Ch.2: Infiltration

"Today of all days and I have to help an international space criminal by climbing through this stupid airduct and spying on a gang that has some sort of plan for the end of the world," Raph complianed as he continued crawling through the main airduct for the Cobra Base.

It had been Zixx's idea that Raph should spy on Aspa first before jumping the gun and see what the Cobra Gang's leader was really up to. Once Raph knew what Aspa was planning he was supposed make his way through the Cobra's ranks and get on the boss's good side, if there was one.

Finally finding an open vent Raph paused and watched as Aspa addressed his court. The big, black snake eyed everyone in the room with his twin-set amber eyes. His mouth opened to reveal to long, gleaming white fangs as he spoke.

Torbin had been right when he said that not all of the members of the Cobra Gang were snakes, there were various traces of aliens in the group to. However the only kind of alien Rapheal didn't see were humans. No humans at all, just snakes and aliens. If the Cobra Gang allowed all people who knew how to fight into their club why exclude the humans?

The answer came when General Aspa spoke "My loyal sujects, time draws near when we shall use our 'Secret Weapon' and rule over this world. Peace has gone on for to long in this sector and now it is time for us to move up as the superior beings of this planet!"

"All hail Aspa!" yelled the audience gathered before the gaint snake.

Suddenly a gaint hooded cobra slithered up towards Aspa and whispered in his ear. Nodding Aspa's head turned right to the opening Raph was using to spy on them. With no doubt that he been discovered Rapheal scooted as fast as he could through the airduct to make his escape.

"A spy!" yelled Aspa "release the Coral Division!"

Raph was only a few feet away from the opening when a series of multiple hisses came screaming towards him blocking his ways of escape. No choice Raph burst out through the opening into the main chamber where General Aspa and the rest of the Cobra Gang had him completely surrounded. The cobra by Aspa's side moved towards Raph ready to shallow the turtle whole, but then...

"Stop!" ordered Aspa and the gaint cobra backed off.

Looking at Rapheal Aspa asked "Who are you?"

"Rapheal," said Raph.

"What are you doing here?" hissed Aspa "and answer quickly or else Mos here gets a turtle added to his supper tonight,"

The hooded cobra, obiviously 'Mos' licked his lips with his forked tounge with the glow of hunger sparkling in his eyes. Taking a deep breath Raph answered "I'm here to join,"

"Ha!" laughed Aspa "think you strike like the ponious bite of the cobra huh? Very well. If you can defeat Mos I shall let you join, if you lose well let's just say there will be one less turtle in the world,"

Almost imedately Mos snapped his jaws towards Rapheal trying to finish off the fight as quickly as he could. Luckily Raph jumped out of the way just in time before the jaws snapped shut ontop of him. Pulling out his sais Raph crossed and uncrossed them giving birth once again to a glowing red energy arc.

Although the arc hit Mos in the center all it managed to do was knock the cobra back a few slithers. Defeating Mos was not going to be an easy task. Mos's tail lashed out knocking Rapheal into a nearby wall, the red-masked turtle was pinned down with no possible way to escape.

Mos raised his head preparing to strike the final blow. As his head snapped towards Rapheal however it stopped in it's tracks. The Cobra Gang was stunned as Mos fell to the floor unconious. Loosening himself from the snake's coils Raph retrieved his two laser sai which were embedded in Mos's body.

"Guess your not so tough after all," said Raph then turned to Aspa.

"You have beaten one of my finest warriors, but how?" asked Aspa.

"That's for me to know and you to find out" said Raph "now about our deal...,"

"Say no more" said Aspa "you have proven your worth and are welcome to our ranks. We could use your talents when the time comes to unleash terror to this world. For now you shall come with me,"

As Aspa slithered away Raph followed close behind wondering where the leader of the Cobra Gang was taking him. Two hallways later Raph found himself led to a redwood door with the symbol of the cobra ecthed on it's surface.

"Welcome Rapheal to the honored suite," said Aspa as he opened the door.

A gasp died in Rapheal's throat the minute the door swung open. This was a room to be fit for a king. Red silk curtians covered the windows, a red bed colored with golden designs, and with two golden cobra statues placed in the far corners of the room.

"Well at least some part of this birthday seems to be going right," thought Rapheal as he walked towards the bed and sat down.

"If you need anything just ask any of my servants and they'll go fetch you whatever you please" said Aspa before closing the door "I have to leave now, caio,"

As soon as Aspa closed the door he slithered down the hall to his own bed chamber where his right hand man, or should say right hand woman Lucy was waiting. The white humaniod cat looked up at her master with brightly shining saphire like eyes. She had been Aspa's servant for many years even before she herself had become a mutant.

"Master" bowed Lucy "I regret to report that Mos has suffered from Isfellnia. This Rapheal's weapons have been crafted by some special force in order to do this to one of our highest ranking officers, I'm afriad that Mos will not make it,"

"That's okay" said Aspa "he's just been replaced by the newest addition to our cause,"

"You can't possibly believe that this turtle can help us?" said Lucy "we are not even sure where his loyalties lie,"

"Oh, all that's fixing to change" said Aspa his eyes gleering evilly "I plan to make sure of it,"

Back in Rapheal's new 'room' the red-masked turtle pulled out a small circular disk he had kept hidden in his belt. Zixx had made it perfectly clear to use it only in an extreme emergency, or at least until he found the Cobra Gang's 'Secret Weapon'.

Rapheal's birthday was about over and right now all the lone turtle could think about was his family. They would have surely noticed that he was gone by now. Knowing them they were probally already tracking him from the tracer in his wrist com.

The wrist com! Oh no! The com was not on his wrist anymore, it could have fallen off anytime. Now not only did he not have a way to contact his brothers, his brothers wouldn't be able to find him if he got himself into a really tough spot.

"Of all the chances" said Raph "and now I have to face this one alone,"

A knock suddenly sounded on his door and Raph mumbled for them to come on in. Lucy came in and introduced herself to Rapheal. Raph took a closer look at Lucy. The snow white cat's fur seemed to glow like a million silver moons as she stood in the dim light. Although see looked harmless Rapheal bet she could get real nasty if she wanted to.

"It's been a long time Rapheal" said Lucy "100 years to be percise,"

"What?" said Raph taking his gaze off of Lucy's slim, yet powerful, body.

"After my mistress died I was so lonely out on the streets until you found me again" said Lucy her saphire eyes sparkling as she recalled the memories "you took care of me then and I ended up making good friends with Klunk. but I'll never forget the kindness you gave to me and my mistress. Ms. Marson,"

"You're Lucy, Ms. M's cat?" said Raph shocked "but how?"

"That is a story for another time" said Lucy "right now General Aspa has requested you to Mos's place. Tomorrow we start the ceremony for your new title,"

"If I even make it to see tomorrow," said Raph.

"What do you mean?" asked Lucy.

"I got bit by a cobra just before I came here" said Raph "and I have no idea how to fix it,"

"Let me take a look," said Lucy grabbing hold of Rapheal's leg seeing the point at which the cobra had bitten. Removing a bright blue and green dust from a pouch that hung at her side Lucy rubbed the dust on the point of entery and the wound instantly healed.

"There you go" said Lucy "the wound's gone, the posion has been deleted, and you'll be in tip-top shape for your ceremony tomorrow. Oh before I leave, I almost forgot,"

Lucy leans in and pecks Rapheal on the cheek. Raph blushes and his eyes grow wide as Lucy walks off and says "Happy Birthday,"

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Meanwhile back at Cody's Penthouse the turtles and thier hosts were just about to give up hope at finding Raph. The decorations for Raph's surprise party had been hung, and the lights were waiting to be turned on so everyone could yell surprise as the birthday boy entered. But he never showed.

Finally, getting tired of the darkness, Serling turned on the lights and looked at the solemn faces of Rapheal's family. Cody entered the room with Starlee following behind saying. "I'm sorry guys, I've tried everything. I've even called Constable Biggles for help, but theres just been no sign of him,"

"What a time to disappear" said Starlee "and on his birthday no less,"

"Yeah" said Mikey "he never misses the chance to throttle me. I just what happened to him?"

"We all are Mikey" said Leo "tomorrow we split up and search the city for Raph. If he's in trouble we'll be there to stop it,"