At the Mighty Mutanimals...
Xylirathine lay down on a Creeper seat, under the engine of the Mutanimals new ride.
The turtles had the Shellraiser and the Party Wagon, now the Mutanimals decided they needed something to travel around in besides on foot. This way, they could make a trip much faster and if they had something they needed to transport after a mission, they could throw it in the back of the dump truck.
But first things first, they had to make sure it was 'mobile-ready', let alone 'battle-ready'. And since Xyler was the closest thing to a 'Donnie' they had and gained the most 'mechanical' experience, he was a prime choice to check everything in, on, and under the truck.
The Salamandrian finally rolled himself out from under the truck, sitting up and taking a towel nearby. He wiped from his head to his chest since he was covered in grease from working on the truck. He did have Mondo Gecko and Rockwell helping him, but they abandoned him a while ago.
"How's the work going?" It was Slash coming to check on how the truck was coming along. Xyler stood up to answer his question.
"Quite well. Although I do feel like we could do better with armour.." Xyler stated, gently knocking on the side of the truck. "And don't even get me started on installing a weapon system."
Suddenly, Mondo drove by on his skateboard. "Weapons system?! Far out!"
"Yeah, you won't be controlling any of the weapons, Mondo." Xyler told the Gecko mutant.
"Why not?"
"Because you are most likely to damage something that didn't need to be."
Slash spoke up. "For once, we agree.."
During the first little while of joining the Mutanimals, Xyler and Mona understood that it may take some time for Slash to trust them. What with his past with Newtralizer. But the two Salimandrians proved that they meant him and his friends no harm, and were accepted into the team. If Raphael and Serena could trust them, then Slash could.
After deciding that the truck-work was good for now, Xyler covered it up with a sheet and went to do something for himself. Or more for Serengela.
Once Xyler wanted to rebuild the Triceriton Empire, he knew he would need some recruits right away. His old friend from the wars, T'Ythkooga, was an obvious choice. He could get connections from Salamandria itself, and others would trust his word. Unlike Xyler's.
Next on his personal list was Serengela. The female terrapin that ultimately changed the course of his life. He knew he had feelings for her, very strong ones, but he didn't know what they were or how to explain them. He figured he could further this understanding if he stayed with her.
So he wanted her on his team for support, her Ninjistu skills, and for a possible relationship.
But he knew it wouldn't be easy convincing Serena to leave her home planet. Which is why, with a little help from the Utroms in Dimension X, Xyler had started to work on a new communication device that Serena could use to contact her family from any point in the galaxy, and visa versa. Hopefully this would be enough for Serena to agree to his offer.
Unfortunately, it wasn't long until someone else began to interrupt his work. This time, it was Mona Lisa going to confront Xyler. "I do not believe you realize how this endeavor will affect our turtle friends."
'At least she gets to the point..' Xyler thought. He wanted a better explanation though. "What do you mean?"
"It is clear you only mentioned it to us and Serengela. Based on Raphael's reaction when I informed him, you left her to tell the turtles by herself."
"I'm surprised you care for Serengela's well being. It's not like you two have ever been friends."
The female Salimandrian growled. "That is an unnecessary comment. If you truly care for her, you would be with her. Especially in such a massive decision like this."
"I do not expect Serengela to tell the turtles anything if she does not wish." Xyler told her while he turned away from his work and then realized something in Mona's words. "And why would you even tell Raphael about my plans? He has no business in it."
"Well, he seemed extremely concerned when I told him." Mona Lisa explained.
Xyler was confused at this claim. "Why would Raphael be so concerned?"
Raph's POV:
Why am I so concerned about all this? If just the thought that Serena would possibly spend the rest of her life with Xyler puts me on edge like this, what if it became reality? And it wouldn't be just an 'across town' situation either. Serena would leave, be out in space where I couldn't reach her if she was in trouble. What if I was on the brink of losing Serena for good?
My stomach churned at the thought as I sat at the edge of my bed. Hunched over with my arms resting on top of my knees. I thought as hard as I could, searching every inch of my brain, looking for a reason why I didn't want Serena to be with him.
'Love' is way out of the question; I'm with Mona now, and I'm pretty sure Serena wants nothing more to do with me. Let alone be with me again.
In fact, she doesn't seem like she would want a relationship with anyone anymore. She's even said, to my face, that she needs time to figure herself out.
So what the hell is it?!
Maybe it was that fact it was him: Xyler...
Ever since I first laid eyes on him with Serena, I knew he was bad news. And I was proved right. He was the reason Dregg attacked Salamandria to lure us to his bug-infested planet, the reason Serena was mind controlled in the first place, the reason why she now has to deal with those freaky powers of hers. Xyler was responsible for all of it!
And yet, we trusted him to 'cure' Serena and keep his promise that he'd stop the Triceritons.
Why? Maybe I'd never understand any of it...
