"WAIT!" Shredder cried just as Splinter narrowed his eyes in determination, deciding he was going to protect his family and end this fiend's crazed plan before the turtles were hurt. Splinter was about to ignore his cry when Shredder suddenly fell to his knees and ducked his head into his hands. "Please—it's not what you think. I swear to it."
Shredder's voice was muffled by the position. Splinter watched as the portal closed and they were left in almost near darkness. "Move and die," Splinter promised and backed away slowly, watching the dark figure on the ground. He didn't know what to think about this Shredder's act of humility in the non-threatening pose. Could it be just that—an act? Splinter thought back to Leonardo's hesitance: he and April both agreed that something was amiss… not quite right. He hadn't been there to witness it, but perhaps Renet wasn't sincere in her vengeance against the Hamato family. There was only one way to find out.
Splinter flicked on the overhead lights. Donatello designed the lighting system to perform several different tasks. The settings on the knob could make the bulbs shine lowly so he could work in near darkness and not disturb the others while they slept, or he could turn them all the way up when he didn't have to worry about bothering anyone. Splinter chose the setting where the lights were almost too bright—it hurt Splinter's eyes if he looked too closely.
Shredder hadn't moved a muscle since the portal closed. That was a good sign.
"What are you doing here?" Splinter asked without moving any closer. He couldn't be sure if Shredder was feigning innocence yet. Ninjas often used their skills of deception to lull enemies into a false sense of safety before striking when it would cause the most damage. The Shredder in this universe was deadly, so Splinter had no doubt that his counterpart would be equally so. They had decades to perfect their skills, honing themselves into the perfect weapons.
"I… I don't know, Master Splinter."
Again, Splinter was shocked. Why would someone equal to Splinter's skillset, age, and position call him a Master? Splinter wasn't this Shredder's sensei or friend. Why was Shredder showing such unnecessary respect? It's an act, Splinter decided. It must be.
"I wasn't supposed to come here. This is all wrong." Shredder's voice was still masked by the floor and the Kuro Kabuto. It hung on Shredder's head as if it wasn't made for him. It was too large, but not entirely different from this universe's Kuro Kabuto. Oroku Saki preferred flashy chrome armor, while this one had dark, metallic armor that reflected no light, no shadow and blended into surroundings.
The only fleck of color was the too bright purple sash that was tightly banded around Shredder's small waist. Splinter noted that Shredder was slim, but muscular. Shredder was wearing all black underneath the armor—black long-sleeved undershirt, form-fitted stretchy pants, knee-tall boots, loose wrap tunic, and thin leather gloves. Splinter couldn't see an inch of pale skin except the back of his neck, which was rather thin for a man.
"You will not hurt my sons," Splinter commanded and Shredder's head jerked up, covering his thin neck. The helmet fell back into place, the same dark color as the rest of his armor. It wasn't as ornate as Splinter expected—the only detail was on the thin metal spikes that swept upwards on each side like a piece of fabric blowing in the wind. A shield covered Shredder's mouth; Splinter could only see his eyes, which were as black as his outfit.
Shredder took pause, confused. Splinter felt Shredder studying him, trying to discern his meaning. Splinter knew that Renet was here and pretending to help Oroku Saki. Shredder didn't know how, but the brothers had figured out their plan and believed that Renet was evil.
Instead of trying to explain the truth and denying that scenario, Shredder opted for a different approach. Splinter knew what the turtles told him. Shredder was sure Leonardo had given Splinter all of the information, probably quoting Renet, Tiger Claw, and Fishface word for word. There was no way Splinter would believe Shredder now.
Still, there had to be a way…
Finally, Shredder admitted, "I would kill myself before hurting any of your sons."
Splinter was shocked. That wasn't what he'd expected. He said it with such surety and fierceness, as if he were their protector and ally. That can't be… Splinter puzzled through this new information, trying to discern if Shredder could be trusted or not.
They remained in silence for several minutes before Shredder ventured to say anything else. They were in the lair. That much Shredder had figured out. They were in Donnie's lab where he apparently had some of the Kraang devices. There was no telling how Donnie picked them up, but right now it wasn't in Shredder's best interest. Renet was alone with the Foot Clan and in danger. She wouldn't be able to protect herself against so many enemies or have enough time to escape into the future to Lord Simultaneous or to another dimension.
"Master Splinter?"
"Why are you calling me 'master'?"
"Because you're my sensei."
"I'm not."
"Not in this world, but you are in mine." Shredder could see that Splinter was disturbed by this information. To him, Shredder was evil incarnate and needed to be defeated. Shredder tried again, "Master Splinter, where are the turtles? Why aren't they here in the lair with you?"
Shredder dreaded the answer.
Splinter considered not telling the Foot Clan leader. But the expression in his eyes caused Splinter to back pedal. Those black eyes weren't the eyes of a monster, or a villain. Startled, Splinter didn't see rage or violence in them, but only a vast ocean of sadness. This Shredder looked exhausted, as if he hadn't had one night of restful sleep in months. He didn't have the body language, the expressions, or the voice of a coldhearted, vengeful killer.
In fact, Shredder's voice was light and almost feminine. It was also vulnerable and anxious. The time it took Splinter to answer the question nearly killed Shredder.
"They are spying on Shredder and the Foot. They are trying to find more answers about you."
An anguished cry jerked out of Shredder's mouth. Suddenly, Shredder slumped to the side, breathing so heavily it sounded like he'd run a marathon. "This is all wrong," Splinter heard him muttering. "It's happening again…"
"What is happening again? Why are you here? Tell me the truth."
"Should have left it alone… now he's going to be hurt…"
"Tell me now!" When Shedder wouldn't stop muttering, Splinter tried a different approach. If he was determined to act inferior and pretend Splinter was his teacher… "Yame!"
The effect was instantaneous. Shredder stopped and stared at the old rat. He had slammed his cane against the ground, making it vibrate under Shredder's hands. Splinter watched as the armor-clad portal-jumper shook himself. Shredder hadn't gone off the deep end like that in a while. It always scared Renet when it happened and took her forever to bring Shredder back to awareness. "I'm sorry," Shredder said and stood.
"Forgive me," Shredder bowed. "I don't have time to explain the situation fully at this moment. I must finish my mission."
Splinter didn't ask, but Shredder knew better than to leave the impressive ninjutsu master hanging.
"You know I'm from another universe, but what you've heard about me is a lie. Renet and I have been deceiving Oroku Saki for the sole purpose of destroying him, not your family. In my world, the Foot Clan is a benevolent police force in New York. We helped clean up the streets and put a stop to the old Shredder's crimes."
"The old Shredder? You are not Oroku Saki?"
"No," Splinter could see it now. Now that he was standing, Shredder wasn't but more than five eight and slimmer than the rat had realized. Splinter gaped, finally understanding.
"Do you believe me?"
"Yes," He wanted to laugh at himself for not realizing sooner. How could this be Oroku Saki? He'd been so focused on the armor—and the incredibly detailed disguise. It was a ruse meant to distract the viewer. It was impressive.
"I have to go help Leo, Raph, Mikey, and Donnie. Oroku Saki will try to kill Renet. I didn't go through the correct portal… he'll think she betrayed him." Splinter saw panic flash through those mysteriously dark eyes, shadowed in thick, feathery lashes.
"You're right. I warned Leonardo not to interfere, just to observe."
"Mikey will jump in. He and Renet… uh…" Maybe it wasn't the best idea to bring that information out into the open yet.
Splinter guessed, "Had a relationship in your world?"
"Yes, and I think they might… er, become attracted to one another again."
"It's already begun."
Oh, Mikey… "It's time for me to go, Sensei. I won't let anything happen to them this time." The portal device was still floating in the air. Shredder turned towards it now, snatching it in small, delicate hands and activating it. "Take me to this world's Shredder, you piece of junk."
"You must use caution." Splinter warned, "Do not underestimate Oroku Saki. He is much older than you and has more experience."
"I understand."
The trans-universal device finally opened, forming a thin pink triangle. Shredder watched this time, waiting until a blurry picture of a dark cathedral room appeared. It waved, as if the destination wasn't set. "In case I fail, destroy all of these Kraang devices. Smash them to bits until the buttons don't glow. Just to be certain."
"You will not fail."
Shredder jerked around and stared, not expecting Splinter's praise. He trusted Shredder, somewhat. But there was no time! Renet was in danger. The guys were in danger. Even Casey and April could be hurt.
"Wait," Splinter said, echoing Shredder's earlier words and forcing Shredder to stop. "Tell me your real name. So I can be certain."
Shredder almost smiled. It had been too long, though, so the facial movement ached. Only inches from stepping through the glowing door, Shredder said, "I'm not Oroku Saki, and I'm not a man either. You know my name is…"
I hope everyone who reads this story is enjoying it so far, even if you haven't reviewed. I track my story stats, so I can see all the people who read each chapter. I know you're out there! I still really appreciate the feedback because it helps me improve my writing and deliver something you—the reader—really enjoys.