Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait! Writer's block hit once again, and I've been dealing with a few personal issues. So the wedding is a two-parter, and this involves the travel to Northampton, and the night before the big day. We also get a glimpse at what the bad guys are planning, and who's taking over for Shredder. Who is it? Well, maybe you can guess! Read and review!


Chapter 4: For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll, Part 1

Dozens of packed bags were stuffed into both the Shellraiser and the Party Wagon, leaving everyone wondering if there would be room for the passengers. A specially-made cooler was constructed for Ice Cream Kitty, the mutant in question popping out of the device to meow in content. Alarms were set, perishables were put in the freezer, lights were turned off, and everyone remembered to tend to the tree. All left to do was await the other passengers and be ready to go. Of course, knowing said extra passengers, there was no telling when exactly they would arrive.

"Miwa and Shini'll be here soon. We'll get there in plenty of time." Michelangelo assured the pacing Donatello.

Donnie stopped mid-pace and sighed, glancing away to see Cheyloe chatting the time away with Leo and Raph as the three leaned against the Party Wagon. "I know, Mikey, but I don't want this trip to be a waste. Chey's got enough vacation time for the trip, but we'll have to make sure the guests get here safely…including her parents."

"Dad's supposed to pick them up at the airport in two days, assuming their flight doesn't get delayed." April cut in while putting another bag in the Shellraiser. "That gives us enough time to clean up the farmhouse and decorate."

Donnie looked over at Casey attempting to shove some bags into the back and asked, "Hey, isn't Gabby coming?"

The hockey player shook his head and replied, "Nah, she can't. Doc put 'er on bed rest. Dad an' Angel are gonna look out for 'er, but she gave best wishes to ya."

"That's a shame…" Donnie replied in a crestfallen tone. "You'll have to tell her all about it; tell it as though she were there. She deserves that much. Strange that's she's on bedrest this early, though."

When Splinter came out of the dojo, cane in hand, Leo and Raph immediately went to help their father into the Party Wagon, since it would be easier on his knees than the Shellraiser. Andromeda soon appeared and casually stuffed herself into the Party Wagon cargo. With one final zip, the last bag was promptly tossed into the Shellraiser by Mikey, though a clattering noise told him that the contents were fragile. He immediately blanched when April glared at him, and he seized the opportunity to climb to the top and out of her reach. Donnie saw the exchange and shook his head. Raph's temper started rubbing off on the already-fiery April, and they shared Mikey being the catalyst. Well, at least Raph's temper cooled slightly since he started dating her. He brought the brewing fiasco to a halt with a jingle of the keys and opening the driver's door of the Party Wagon.

"Well, are we about to get this show on the road?" He asked impatiently.

"Don't even think of leaving us behind, Donatello."

Looking at the lair entrance, everyone saw none-other than Miwa and Shinigami. The former, once spotting short hair dyed blonde at the bottom, now sported mid-length dark hair that resembled her mother's. The latter remained unchanged for the most part, save for longer hair. Mikey instantly hopped down from the Shellraiser and wrapped Shinigami in a hug, and Leo and Andie were the first to greet Miwa with many questions.

"You guys made it! I thought we would have to leave without you!" Donnie teased.

"Hey, we can take a break from tracking Tiger Claw to attend a wedding." Miwa snorted, lips pursed together in annoyance. "Besides, these two were going to make sure we came right on time."

Confused, they finally saw what she meant…when Anna and Kaitlyn showed up from the tunnels. Anna now spotted her hair in a bob instead of her long ponytail, and Kaitlyn's curls were longer than ever. Both looked matured in their features compared to their 'baby-faced' friend. Chey stepped out from around the Party Wagon, letting out an excited scream and embracing her two friends.

"You two made it!" The brunette exclaimed.

"We weren't going to miss our best friend's wedding, darling!" Anna mused, clasping her friend's hand and restraining herself from bouncing in glee. "Someone has to finish your dress, after all! You can't look shabby in a dollar-store dress on your big day!"

Kaitlyn snorted, "So you're sayin' she's too good for a retail dress? Typical."

Anna suddenly frowned, replying in a scoff, "Our dear Cheyloe shouldn't wear a run-of-the-mill gown! Since she's officially becoming part of a ninja clan, she must have a dress to fit the part!"

"Hey, you two can argue about dresses when we get to Northampton!" Raph grunted, coming forward and pulling the two women apart before an argument erupted. "Keep at it, and you'll wake Shredder from the dead!"

Anna and Kaitlyn begrudgingly decided to end their argument-common for their opposing personalities-and climb into the Party Wagon with the ever-excited Cheyloe. There were complaints about a lack of space, shot down when Donnie threatened to stuff the Mutanimals in the vehicles, too. He activated the security system the moment the Party Wagon and the Shellraiser exited into the tunnels; anyone not recognized by the system would be met with shuriken launchers. Once they arrived in Northampton and started making preparations, their guests would join them for the celebration until sundown. In terms of crime in the city, Ryoji and Alopex volunteered to stay behind and take care of any 'problems' from the Turks and Purple Dragons.

But they all felt they had nothing to worry about.

Right?


Meanwhile…

"Luc?"

A woman dressed in a nursing uniform entered a room carrying a tray of warm food. The fluorescent lights were dimmed to accommodate the person in question, keeping him from having episodic fits. Now, however, he just sat up in his bed, slumped over and a thin line of saliva dripping from his lips. His hazel eyes, once determined, now glazed over and lifeless. His ash-blonde hair, once well-kept, now unkempt. He paid no heed to the nurse addressing him and alerting him to dinner. That was the current state of Luc Sauveterre…the man once known as Sang. The once-powerful right-hand man of Farrah Rosenberg was now reduced to a mindless husk, thanks to the mental assault from April O'Neil.

The nurse quietly walked forward and sat the tray on a table next to the bed, smiling sweetly at the mentally-vacant man. It was a daily routine of spoon-feeding him meals, cleaning him when he soiled himself, and shaving his face when a beard threatened to grow in. For the first year, he was kept handcuffed to the bed out of fear of his powers. It had been three years since he came, and he showed no signs of recovery. Prison wouldn't do much, so a high-security psychiatric hospital would be enough to care for Luc.

"Time for dinner, Luc." The nurse greeted, not caring that he paid her no heed. "It's your favorite. Let's get you filled up, okay?"

The man felt a spoonful of potatoes be pressed to his lips, and instinct forced him to feebly eat it. It didn't matter if it tasted bad or not; his body commanded him to eat when his mind couldn't even register much. He didn't acknowledge the nurse, but that didn't wipe away her patient smile. As she raised another spoonful of potatoes to Luc's lips, the door suddenly opened, forcing her to turn around in alarm.

"What-"

Luc sat idly on the bed and kept staring into space as a blade sliced through the nurse's throat. Blood spattered onto his cheeks and food, but he paid no heed, nor did he pay heed to who honed the blade. The figure holding the bloodied blade casually marched towards the man, calmly stepping over the nurse and the pool of blood underneath her head. Perhaps because of instinct once again, Luc managed to turn his head slightly to see who approached him.

"Luc Sauveterre…Sang." The figure in black sporting an oni mask addressed. "You are coming with me."

"Helloooo, Northampton!"

Mikey bounded out of the Party Wagon and greeted the sight of the O'Neil farmhouse. The others exited and took in the smell of the forest and the hint of cow manure wafting from distant farms. Shinigami, Anna, and Kaitlyn decided to check the property out, Mikey being the one to give them a tour while everyone else unpacked. Donnie glanced over at the barn and smiled at the bittersweet memories of working at his makeshift lab. Though it was during a time when he went through a self-destructive phase, he could at least be grateful that he had family to overcome it. A series of clucks from the nearby chickens drew his attention, and he found himself approached by one with a grossly-enlarged brain.

"Dr. Cluckingsworth!"

The mutant hen ran up and allowed the turtle to hug and nuzzle her. Once she saw Cheyloe approaching beside Donnie, she offered a cluck of acknowledgement and nuzzled her leg. The brunette grinned and greeted, "Long time, no see, Dr. Cluckingsworth! How do you feel about being in a wedding, girl?"

"What can the chicken do for a wedding, be original recipe or extra crispy?" Raph snorted under the weight of several bags.

Dr. Cluckingsworth gave a squawk of disapproval over Raph's comment, and Donnie and Chey couldn't help but laugh. At the same time, everyone else began unloading their belongings and getting themselves settled in. Casey would check in with Gabrielle while he still had cellphone service, and Leo and Andie would help Splinter get inside. Raph and Miwa decided they would contact Ryoji and Alopex once everything got moved in, and perhaps check in with the Mutanimals as well over any strange activity. Donnie and Chey finished their quick reunion with the mutant hen and decided to lend a hand in moving bags.

"I still can't wrap my mind around Shredder possibly having a biological child taking his place." The genius turtle spoke with a hint of worry, lifting two bags and carrying them to the porch. "If he does have a kid and knew it, why go on and kidnap Miwa?"

"Maybe he didn't know he had a child." Chey replied quietly. "Maybe Shen's sister kept him or her a secret. That would mean the kid figured out that Shredder's their father, right? Maybe her sister spilled it to them?"

That drew Leo's attention. "You don't think Shen's sister would've wanted revenge against Splinter like Shredder did, do you? Would she seriously buy into his lies like that?"

"Women desperate for love'll believe anything, unfortunately." The brunette answered solemnly. "But I honestly find it more likely that Tiger Claw would lead the Foot instead of an illegitimate child…"

"Regardless, either one poses a danger." Leo quickly cut in, holding up a finger to emphasize his point. "Tiger Claw may not have the man-power Shredder did, but he could easily create mutants if he found leftover mutagen."

That made Donnie pause. After Kraang Prime's defeat, Subprime and any other Kraang were taken back to Dimension X by Bishop and the Utroms, along with any mutagen. However, even they were capable of missing a few canisters or tanks. If Tiger Claw or a Shredder kid got hold of it and wanted to avenge their master, they could create more Rahzars, more Fishfaces, more Bebops and Rocksteadys. If they had the means, they could even try to create their own superhumans. But if Miwa and Shini couldn't find them, that meant either Ryoji was paranoid, or they were laying low until the right time. Possibly gathering followers or info on them. What if they found out about the wedding? What if they tried to storm it? What if-

"Hey, you okay?"

Donnie snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Cheyloe clasp her hand on his shoulder, a look of concern on her face. Judging from it, he'd been deep in thought for too long. He couldn't worry about a Foot ambush when he was about to get married; that would ruin it for both of them. To brush off her concerns, he shook his head and gave a gentle smile.

"Yeah…just thinking too much." He replied before kissing her on the forehead. "Come on, let's get everything inside."

Chey's concern seemed to disappear when she hoisted a bag over her shoulder and carried it inside. Donnie trailed behind her with his own belongings, but suddenly found himself stopped by Splinter. "Sensei?"

"Donatello, I would like to suggest an activity before your wedding. It was one that myself and Shen participated in before our marriage." The rat offered, stroking his beard in a way that made his son dread whatever was to be said. "Are you willing to give it a try?"

Donnie quietly gulped, replying in hesitation, "Depends…what is it, Sensei?"

Splinter gave a small grin, making sure that Cheyloe was in ear-shot, and leaned forward on his cane as if he were about to engage in a shady business deal. "There is an old tradition in which the bride and groom do not see each other twenty-four hours before the wedding." Before Donnie could protest, Splinter held up his hand and stopped him. "As I said, Shen and I went through this. It is an opportunity for the both of you to take time to yourselves…enjoying the last moments as being two people before coming together as one."

The genius turtle glanced away in apprehension, but found himself asking, "S-So, it's kind of like a time for self-reflection? Well, I guess I could use the day to be with the guys, a-and Chey could hang out with the girls. But it isn't some sort of test of our commitment, is it?"

"Yes…and no." Splinter replied in his sage-like tone. "It is not exactly meant to prove your commitment; I already know how committed you are to each other, even when apart. Use it as time to spend with your brothers…as you and they must understand that you can't always be together." Seeing his other sons talking and mentioning camping in the woods, the rat added in a somber tone, "Like you, they will eventually settle down and lead their own lives. It is a hard adjustment, but one we must accept."

Splinter's words were a harsh truth, but truth nonetheless. They were already adults, but they wouldn't live together forever, even when they couldn't lead normal lives on the surface. They'd go their own ways…but they'd always stay in touch, wouldn't they? "I understand, Sensei. I'll talk to Cheyloe, and if she's on board, we'll give it a try."

Splinter smiled and put a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "I know you are apprehensive, my son, but you'll be fine."

Well, if Splinter and Shen made it twenty-four hours without seeing each other, maybe he and Cheyloe could do it, too. Just as long as his brothers and Casey didn't decide to throw him some freaky bachelor party out in the woods, of course.

"Cheyloe! Donatello!" Anna chirped, suddenly appearing from the back yard holding scissors and a roll of yellow measuring tape. "It's time to get you fitted into your wedding attire!"

"Now? But we just got here!" Donnie groaned, mentally slapping his forehead.

"You know Anna." Chey chuckled. "Once she has it in mind, she wants to start immediately."


Some days later

Luc didn't make a sound when the figure in black shoved him to the ground. The only reaction out of him was the puddle of drool around his mouth and a glazed-over stare. He was no longer in the psychiatric hospital, but was instead in what looked akin to a throne room recently coming out of abandonment. A small shrine sat against one of the walls, and had a picture of a man that he would recognize if lucid enough. The room was lit with only candles, making the surroundings and people hard to make out. That didn't matter to Luc, and it certainly didn't seem to matter to the figure in black.

"…I've brought him." The figure spoke.

A pair of eyes opened, originating from a large chair enshrouded in darkness. A monotone, feminine voice replied, "Thank you, Tatsu. What of the reptiles?"

"They were not located anywhere in the city, but I did hear that those Hamato flies were scouting around." The man named Tatsu spoke in a distasteful tone. "One of them is determined to kill Tiger Claw."

"The fox, correct? She's been mentioned before." The female got up from her seat and walked over to the mindless Luc, moving her foot to nudge his head slightly. "So it's true…that psychic girl did this to him. Dr. Chaplin should be able to fix him."

Tatsu took this as cue to leave the room, allowing his master to judge the usefulness of the dulled superhuman. To him, it didn't matter in the end if Luc ended up serving them or betraying them; all that mattered was their goal. Once that overenthusiastic scientist Chaplin did his work, they'd get what they needed from the man, one way or another. All that mattered was that the Foot once again rise from the ashes and destroy the Hamato Clan.

The master stared down at the still-drooling Luc-Sang-wondering exactly what kind of man he was before. She prepared herself for the worst: if he decided to be an underhanded traitor like Farrah Rosenberg. After all, what reason would someone as loyal as Tiger Claw lie to her about this man?

"Welcome to the clan…Sang."


"Why did I even agree to this?"

Donatello sat quietly by the fire as Leo, Raph, and Casey roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. It was the night before the wedding, and he was under the strict 'bride and groom cannot see each other for twenty-four hours' policy. The only problem was what to do about sleeping arrangements, and that's when April mentioned a cottage her grandmother had near the farmhouse. With a little sprucing up, it was livable enough to sleep in. Getting a good place to sleep and being near a campfire beat being mummified in measuring tape and holding a pin cushion the entire time. Cheyloe probably had the same relief, too.

"Don't sweat it, D." Casey assured through a mouth full of chewed-up hot dog. "Ya get some metal dude-bonding with us before ya get hitched!"

"That sounded wrong on so many levels." Leo deadpanned, tossing a marshmallow at the human man.

Raph scooted over to the despondent Donnie and wrapped his muscular arm around his shoulders. "Hey, this'll give you a clear head before th' wedding. Gotta get th' cold feet out somehow, right?"

The purple-masked turtle frowned, "I'm not going to get cold feet! I just…" He gave a weak sigh, and confessed, "I just feel like this is some test Sensei set up to shake us up. I know that's not his intention, but I can't help but feel it."

"That's your usual 'thinking too much' attitude, Donnie. Don't focus on the negatives and look at the positives!" The blue-masked turtle also scooted closer and gave his brother what everyone dubbed 'the Colgate smile'. He only used that when he wanted to build another's confidence while giving a speech on why they needed to be confident. "You're getting married tomorrow. You'll have another title to add to the list. Ninja, inventor, chemist, Shreddarah Slayer…and husband. You'll get to experience the feeling Splinter had marrying Tang Shen."

Weren't they forgetting 'hero of New York' to go alongside 'Shreddarah Slayer'? Donnie would let that go this time. Leo had a point, however, as he would be earning the title of husband tomorrow. It was something Splinter experienced, something Casey had, and something his brothers would kill for, and he would be the first of the four to get it. Besides, he knew he wasn't the only one nervous about it; Chey had to be going through the same insecurities as well. Maybe April or Miwa was giving her a pep talk right now. All the girls, even Andromeda, were probably going over the excitement and doing each other's hair…or having Chey set fire to stuff for fun.

"That sounds like something Mikey would say, Leo." Donnie suddenly realized after he made that comment that one turtle was currently unaccounted for. "Hey, wait, where IS Mikey? I haven't seen him since we got here."

Raph and Casey suddenly exchanged looks. Donnie grew nervous when he saw the two get up and go towards the back of the cottage. When they returned, he noticed the two pulling a giant barrel that looked to be filled with whipped cream and sprinkles. Whenever Raph and Casey did something like this, it was usually at his expense. What did Mikey have to do with this, though?

"Since this is your final night as a single turtle…we figured it was time to give you a well-deserved bachelor party." Raph smirked, tapping the barrel with his knuckle.

Donnie ignored Casey holding up two six-packs of beer, instead asking, "Why do you have a barrel full of whipped cream?"

Right then, something popped out of the barrel, splattering whipped cream all over the now-screaming Donnie. Doused in the sweet substance was none-other than Mikey, clad in a too-tight bikini and wiggling his hips while the others broke into a laughing fit. Donnie got through with his screams and just disturbingly stared at his younger brother acting like a bachelor party exotic dancer. Obviously, this was a prank…a very horrifying, embarrassing, Mikey-esque prank.

"Hello there, Mr. Bachelor!" Mikey greeted in a high-pitched voice and puckered his lips at each other. "Shall I give you a kiss?"

Leo, Raph, and Casey laughed harder until they struggled to breathe. The rest of the evening was spent consuming a few beers, charred hot dogs and marshmallows, and throwing globs of whipped cream at each other. Donnie already started formulating an idea of how to get back at them if Raph decided to marry April. Heck, he could do the same thing with Leo or Mikey if they finally started dating Andie and Shini. He'd bide his time...

Just as Donnie predicted, the girls spent the evening in the farmhouse watching Chey set random food items on fire. Both evenings ended with a mess needing cleaning, and Splinter wasn't going to do any of it.

Children.


Well, that got a little wild and silly, didn't it? Well, next chapter will be the event we've waited for, then get ready for a honeymoon, a few ambushes, and another big surprise in the making. Be sure to stay tuned for more of this, more tidbits, and more Dark April!