Hey everybody. Listen, I noticed that I made slight mistake. If you remember back to the first prologue chapter, the turtles already had their mask, and if you don't remember the first prologue chapter, you might want to go back and read it. This will mess me up in an episode down the road and I felt like I needed to correct it and let you guys and gals out there know. So getting to the point, the turtles do not have their mask yet. I'm sorry that this had to happen. But please don't let that stop that from you enjoying this next chapter.

Prologue 3

Chaos and Discipline

3 weeks after rescue

This was probably the slowest part of the day. Master Splinter told us all to go to bed. Even though I got used to the smell a long time ago, I still had trouble falling asleep. I kept thinking of Sissy. Did I abandon her to Sensei? Will I ever see her again? Will Sensei kill her next? All these things plus some kept me up until I passed out from exhaustion.

"Enough," I whispered to myself as I got out of my bed, "I need to stop this before I go crazy, maybe I need a walk." I started to walk towards the entrance of the lair when I was stopped dead in my tracks.

"So where do you think you're going?" I heard from the corner. The person walked out of the shadows and I saw that it was Raph.

"Ohh… Hey Raph… I was just going to go for a walk."

"I see, just needing to get out for a little while?"

"Yeah, look don't worry about me. I'll be back in the morning."

"Well, I'm coming with you. I need to get out too."

"I'm guessing there is no talking you out of this."

A smile grew on his face, "You know me like I'm a brother." We both left the lair and made sure that we were way out of earshot before we decided to start talking

I took a deep breath, "So why are you needing to get out?" I asked him.

"Ehh… sometimes I need to get away from the others."

"What's wrong with them? They seem pretty cool."

"Yeah, it's just that it seems like they don't understand me. All of them expect me to want to do what they want to do. Then there is Master Splinter saying what we can and can't do. I just want to have some freedom. That is why I get mad. Do you know what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, I think so. I just never had to deal with it before, so I can't help you much."

"So what's your problem then?"

"It's just… Sissy. It's been close to a month and I have not heard anything about her or Sensei."

"And you're wanting to know what happened to them, huh?"

"Yeah…"

"Well I know what you need." He hit me as hard as he could, almost throwing me into the sewage, then ran, "Tag, you're it!"

I started to chase him, "You little…" I started to yell at him before I was interrupted.

"What? We are the same size, aren't we, shell-less one?"

"What are you trying to get at, shell brain?"

"Just that the shell can take a hit for me."

"An armored ninja, never heard of that one before." I tagged Raph on the shoulder. "Then again I never heard of a big mouthed ninja either."

"Big mouthed? Have you met Mikey? You can't get him to shut up to save the world at times!"

"Listen to yourself. I have to make sure we are more than a mile away from the lair so Master Splinter doesn't wake up."

"I'm going to enjoy catching up to you." I took a hard right turn then jump over a river of sewage. Before he even made the turn, I jump into a large pipe that didn't have any sewage going through it. I held my breath and stayed perfectly still until I saw that Raph passed me up. He did not even notice that I was hiding, instead, he thought that I mad another turn and was looking down the next crossway. I just had to show off after realizing how well I fooled him.

"When do you think that will be? I thought that since you were mutated, you would be at least a little bit faster." He realized where I was and ran at me at full speed. I started to run, but it was no good. Raph jumped across the sewage river and tackled me.

"Starting to wish you had a shell now?" he asked, pinning me to the ground.

"Have a protective shell or be as ugly as you?" I managed to push him off of me with my feet, "I think I'll take my chances."

"Ha, you're not half bad, Mac, not half good either, but not bad."

"Same for you. Think we should be getting back before Master Splinter realizes we are gone?"

"Eh yeah, I'm starting to get a little tired to."

4 weeks after rescue

It was free time in the lair. Training was over for now and everyone goes their separate ways until dinner. Mikey was playing Mario Kart. Donnie was in his lab area working on the phone I got him. Raph was trying out the new punching bag that Master Splinter got him. Though I could not find Leo. I started walking around the lair looking for him when I heard my answer.

"Ahh..." I heard from the dojo.

"Leo, is that you?" I started running towards the dojo and saw Leo picking himself off the ground. I would have offered him a hand up, but he was on his feel by the time I got up to him.

"Yeah, I just got clumsy that's all."

"Why are you still training? Shouldn't you be resting?"

"No, I want to be the best ninja ever. I can't do that if I am not training."

"Is there any way I can help you?"

"I don't know. You said that your old sensei taught you ninjustu?"

"Yeah, but only how to punch and block." I started to think about my old training. It felt good to be able to do what my ancestor did many years ago, but I only knew the basics and even still have not mastered those. I did not want to be a hindrance to Leo's training because of lack of knowledge.

"That is all I could ask for." Leo went to the center of the dojo, "I am trying to work on the kata Master Splinter showed me, but I just can't seem to get it."

"I'm sure Raph will let you use the punching bag if you ask. You don't need me to be one for me." I told him, releaved that I will still be of use but not wanting it to be in that way.

"No, I wouldn't ask you to do that. Just stand there and tell you what you think." He took a step back then started his kata. He started punching the air almost chaotically but still in a way that showed that he was in complete control over his movements. He then pushed the air with his right elbow then tried to swing his left foot around his body to kick, but this did not work the way he wanted it two and he landed flat on his shell.

"That looked amazing, Leo! That last part needs work, but you looked incredible."

"Thanks, but I always fall there, but I don't know why"

"Have you tried the other foot?"

"What?"

"I might be wrong, but it looks awkward when you kick with your front leg like that."

Leo stepped back and tried the kata again. When it was time for him to kick he took my suggestion and land on his feet. "It actually worked…" He said, looking around in disbelief.

"And it looked a lot better too."

"Thank you, Mac. I owe you a big one."

"No problem, once I have to go we may not see each other again." This was really the first time I have ever thought about this. After my time was up I would have to leave the sewers and find my own way.

"What are your plans after Master Splinter says you have to go?"

"I don't know. There seems to be a nice guy that lives in the junkyard. I guess I could go and live with him."

"It is a shame. I don't understand why Master Splinter says why you have to go, but he knows more than I do."

"Yeah."

"Did your old Sensei teach you any katas?" Leo asked me, obviously trying to change the subject, but I just went with it.

"There is one, I don't know how much I remember but I can try." I walked to the middle of the dojo and tried to concentrate. As soon as I got into the correct position, I remembered everything about the kata. First you have to punch high, then immediately afterwards punch towards the stomach. While the opponent is unbalanced, sweep him off your feet with yours. Finally, swing your foot around your body but close to the ground so that it hits your opponent while he is still on the ground.

"I don't know about that last move." Leo said while stepping back, obviously not interested in learning the kata anymore.

"I know. I'm not a big fan of hitting my opponents while they are down either, but it is what I have learned from Sensei."

"I'm sorry, but your old sensei is a dishonorable man. No one should learn from here, much less you."

"It's ok. I have no respect for him anymore."

"Good, I can teach you that kata if you want me to."

"My sons and guest, it is time to eat." We heard Master Splinter say from the kitchen area.

"After dinner?" I asked him, hunger was starting getting to me.

"Sure thing."

That night

One thing that is for sure is that for a rat, Master Splinter sure did know how to cook. Leo was a good teacher as well. After dinner, he taught me as much of the kata that he could. I got the gist of it, but it was still alluding me. It just felt wrong when it was time for the shove.

I got up in the middle of the night and went back to the dojo, trying not to wake anybody up. I stood in the middle of the area and thought about what I was to do. I could do all of the punches and the kick right; it was just the shove that was giving me trouble. I started the first move, going smoothly into the next punch, then the punch after that. When it came time for the shove, the move did not well and it messed the kick up this time.

"What am I doing wrong?" I whispered to myself.

"You need to adjust your shoulders." I heard behind me. I turned as fast as I could. Master Splinter was standing right there, watching my movements carefully.

"Master Splinter… I'm sorry that I woke you up… I"

"Do not call one 'master' unless you serve him, and you will also find it hard to sneak upon a rat."

"I meant no disrespect. I was only wanting to try out that kata that you taught the others."

"Your eagerness to learn and continue what your old sensei amuses me. Assume the position that is giving you trouble."

I did as he said, not knowing what kind of teacher he was. Sensei was nice enough during training, but he could be quick to punish if you did not follow his orders to the 't'.

"Bring your elbows in some," Splinter grabbed my shoulders and moved them, "so that your enemy can not grab you and bring your to your knees. Instead, you will bring him to his knees."

I took a deep bow to Splinter, "I am sorry. I will pack my things and leave before the others wake up."

"You expect me to punish you for wanting to learn? I can assure you, young man, whatever kind of man your old sensei was, he is not me."

"Then what do you want me to do?"

"Sleep, Machiavelli, all I want you do right now is sleep."

The next day

That night of sleep was the best I have had ever since I came here. I did not think about Sissy, Sensei, or being alone. I felt safe, like I was meant to be here. I stopped to see what the others were doing; they were going through their morning warm ups. A thought went through my head, it just seemed to desperate and crazy for it to happen. I got up and started to walk towards the others. The closer I got the better that insane thought seemed to make more sense. I did not want to leave; I wanted to stay here with the turtles.

I walked up to where Splinter was sitting and took a deep bow, "Master Splinter… I may… ask you a question?"

"Did you not just do so?" Splinter said with a smile, then he waved for the turtles to stop practicing.

"I didn't mean… I just wanted to know if I could stay here and train with the others."

"Hmm… this does put us in a unique position." He said while stroking his beard.

I started clenching my fist, "I will do anything to stay."

"That will not be necessary, Machiavelli. The five of us have been talking and we want you to stay with us."

My entire mind went blank. They wanted me to stay! I thought earlier that I would have to beg for me to stay, and they were just going to let me stay just like that.

"I did not think that you wanted me to stay."

"Machiavelli, you have stayed in our home for four weeks. For most people, that is far too long, but the mind of someone with as much evil and malice as your old sensei knows no bounds. During this week, you have proved that you have a pure heart and an undying loyalty to those around you. This is what makes us want you to stay."

"I guess we already agree on this." All of the guys ran up to me hugged me. I tried to hold them up, but I fell on the floor right at Master Splinter's feet.

"Yes, now we shall begin your training immediately."

"Yes, sensei."

Gotta love a happy ending *someone throws a tomato at me* except for that guy. I don't know what's wrong with him. But on a lighter note, I hope you guys and gals enjoyed this chapter. Please stay tuned for the next and final chapter of the prelude.