Chapter 6:

(Donnie's POV)

I winced slightly against the soft light on my face as I slowly came to and realized that I really felt a lot better. It would seem that the nano-bots in my system had forced me into a hibernation state to repair themselves and sitting up again I noticed that they had accomplished that goal for the injury to my shoulder had almost completely healed over.

However that wasn't the only thing I noticed as I took a look around and realized that I wasn't in the same place I had been before and suddenly I had to wonder just how long I had been asleep.

I tried to avoid panic but it was somewhat difficult as I knew full well that my body could have easily decided to recuperate for months or even years and I wouldn't realize it until I was looking at the date on a newspaper.

"Hey?" A voice suddenly said and I looked around to find Zira leaning against a wall nearby. "It's about time." She commented which only made me that much more nervous.

"How – how long have I been out?" I asked quickly hoping that she would understand that I needed an answer and not her usual sarcasm.

"Just a little over a day." She answered seriously and I found myself taking a breath in relief. It was still a little longer than I liked but I'd take a single day over something-plus years anytime.

"Okay." I stated as she walked over to help me to my feet before taking me outside where I realized that (for once) we weren't actually in a prison. "Where are we?"

"Rebel base." She explained simply as I looked around at all the tents scattered aimlessly about the cave-like structure. "Believe it or not the Triceratons have a lot of government issues of their own. It's only a matter of time before they have a revolution on their hands.

"And Traximus?" I added.

"He's actually the Rebel leader, he's stationed himself inside The Games as a way to help prisoners escape." She explained simply as she helped me sit down near a fire where I watched several Triceratons spar in the corner for moment.

"It would have been nice if he could've gotten us out sooner, but I guess I shouldn't complain." She finished sourly however I ignored her as I looked toward the ground realizing that I finally had a little time to think over everything that had happened and maybe come up with a plan to get myself home.

"Zira." I finally spoke up after several minutes of consideration and she turned to look at me again. "I have a plan, but I need a favor."

"You still wanna go back to Earth?" She asked simply and I nodded without looking up, half expecting her to argue about the legitimacy of that again but she only looked away as she answered.

"It isn't going to be easy." She said looking down at the black cuffs that connected us and I laughed dryly at that.

"Yes I know." I admitted. "But if it works; we'll be free, I'll get what I want and you'll get a lot of money." I added causing her to smile briefly before looking at me in interest.

"And what kind of master plan have you cooked up to make that happen?"

"I'm sure you know of a few – clients who would be interested in a Quantitative Aptitudinal." I stated causing her to raise an eyebrow at me as I continued. "Come on, you must be pretty ticked off now that you can't sell me anymore."

"What makes you think I was going to?" She asked with an air of boredom.

"Because I'm rare," I replied simply before adding smartly. "And I'm not stupid."

She laughed under her breath as she sat up a little straighter to fold her legs in consideration. "Assuming that we can –" She started and I didn't miss the way she rubbed her hand over the soul cuff on her wrist. "You'd really be willing to sell yourself?"

"If that's what it takes." I told her seriously and she scoffed before regarding me with her full attention.

"What did you have in mind?"

"You want to what?" Traximus stated in disbelief as we spoke near a hole in the sewer wall that apparently led to the arena. "I knew you were crazy Zira but I didn't think you had a death wish."

"I'm going to pretend that was a compliment." She answered dryly before going on. "And besides – I think it'll work."

"And it may just give you and your rebels the distraction you need to overthrow your Prime Leader." I added sternly causing the Triceraton to look at me in consideration.

"True." He admitted. "But the only reason we haven't attacked yet is because I refuse to lose anyone in a frontal assault. I'm not about to forgo that reasoning just because you think you're expendable."

"I don't!" I argued causing them both to look at me strangely and I sighed. "Okay so after what I just suggested that might be hard to believe. But trust me I know what I'm doing."

The larger male continued to stare at me for a minute before turning away with a growl. "I don't know." He admitted solemnly.

"Traximus," I started again seriously causing him to look back at me. "I appreciate your concern, believe me it's welcome after everything I've been through, but I need to get home." I was practically begging by the time I finished that statement but still he continued to look un-persuaded.

"Please!" I added quietly. "There are people waiting for me."

It took another second but he finally released a large breath as he gave in to my pleading. "Alright, how can I help?"

"That reminds me, you own me a new helmet." Zira stated as she was finally able to replace the black suit she had lost with one the Triceraton rebels had in their arsenal of stolen items.

I just gave her a look as I took in that statement before reaching down to pick up said object from the table and handed it to her, though I immediately recognized that the helmet in my hand was an older version, the thing was still extremely similar to the one she had been using.

"You really expect me to keep using this piece of junk?" She commented looking at the head gear sourly and I sighed.

"You are an extremely difficult person to satisfy." I stated simply as I buttoned up the long white and black jacket I had been given before pulling the hood over my face and turned to walk over to Traximus as he donned a suit of his own only his was that of a guard.

"Well boys." Zira stated commandingly in the process of placing her helmet on her head as she walked up as well. "Let's go cause an anarchy."

About an hour later we had meandered through a maze of sewers and air ducts until finally reaching what looked to be a main entrance to the upper fortress which immediately caused Zira to laugh about something.

"Hiding your rebel base right under the Prime Leader's nose." She commented in amusement. "Now that takes some serious horns." She added causing the Triceraton to smile proudly.

"Zanramon is so concerned with his war that he does not even notice us." Traximus proclaimed and I couldn't help but laugh lightly at the irony before he turned back to me.

"Are you ready?" He asked and I nodded before holding out my wrists so he could put another pair of glowing blue cuffs on them. He then carefully hide the key card in my hand before taking one last look around and quickly fell into character and walked out into the elaborate hallway.

We passed several guards on the way but none of them seemed to think anything of us as we finally arrived at the Prime Leader's throne room and stopped. "Good luck my friends." Traximus added quietly then stood up a bit straighter as he reached out to push open the large double doors and lead the way inside.

I kept my head down and hidden under the hood of my coat as I surveyed the area, taking in the large Triceraton statues and a raised platform at the end of a red-carpeted path. Considering the layout I admittedly expected the Prime Leader to be rather large and intimating but instead he turned out to be rather – short with an obvious inferiority complex.

"Prime Leader." Traximus interrupted as we reached the stairs causing the smallerlizard to cut himself off from yelling at anotherTriceraton and rounded on him.

"What?" He bellowed angrily and I had to struggle to hold in my laughter as his voice reminded me of that of a spoiled child.

It was no wonder they wanted him overthrown.

"A bounty hunter has brought something to our attraction that we think you might be interested in." Traximus continued calmly causing the Prime Leader to look at Zira.

"What is it?" He demanded in a slightly more collected tone of voice.

"A Quantitative Aptitudinal." She answered simply and the Triceraton quickly moved forward to focus on her more intently.

"I'm listening." He stated obviously interested and Zira quietly reached over to push me ahead of her a step while still making sure to keep her hand on my shoulder.

"I found him on a measly backwater planet." She started again with a grin. "I'm willing to trade if you've got the grease."

The Triceraton promptly snarled at her before getting to his feet and strolled down the steps to study me like a piece of art in an auction. "How do I know he's the real thing?"

Zira just laughed before showing him my gantlet which she activated and thus caused the large screen in the room to start playing 'born to be wild' at full volume.

"Turn that off!" The leader promptly ordered the officer on deck as he covered his ears in anger and I couldn't help but chuckle again as the guy quickly ran over to a control panel where he tried several buttons before he was finally forced to just kill the power completely.

"The technology on his planet was at the level of a space worm but yet he still managed to make this little beauty." Zira explained sassily motioning toward the gantlet again. "Just imagine what he could make with your technology."

"Very well." Zanramon said with a pleased little smile but I caught something else in his voice that I didn't like. "How much?"

"A couple hundred pleasure gems should do it." Zira suggested with a smirk.

"Very well." He agreed again without ever losing his smile which I found odd. I didn't care how much a pleasure gem was supposed to be worth; no onewas ever that happy to give up their money. "Then perhaps we should –" He started to suggest before she interrupted him again.

"Hold up there horn-head." She stated simply. "There's a slight hiccup I failed to mention."

The leader promptly lost his smile but kept his stance as he asked. "And what is that?"

"I know how you Triceratons work." She started again as she reached down to remove the glove on her right hand. "You think you can just kill me and take the prize. Well not this time." She added smartly before holding up her wrist for him to see the soul chain which immediately caused the leader to growl as she finished her statement. "If I die so will he."

'Funny she didn't mention that before.' I thought to myself but kept quiet as I listened to the rest of the exchange.

"You are well prepared." Zanramon stated as he looked at the tattoo on her arm before turning back to speak with his officer again. "How many pleasure gems do we have?" The Triceraton promptly answered with a word or number that I didn't understand but judging from Zira's smile I'd say it was a lot.

"That'll do." She declared smartly causing the leader to round on her again and I found myself really wishing that she'd get her priorities straight before she got us both killed.

The Prime Leader was obviously about to say something along the same lines when the door opened again and another Triceraton that I unfortunately recognized strolled in.

"What is it Gruell?" The leader demanded as the arena master waltzed up to us and I quickly hid my face again.

"Prime Leader." Gruell proclaimed roughly. "Two of my prisoners have escaped."

'Aiya!' I thought again as I realized which two prisoners he was referring to.

"That is not my problem Gruell." Zanramon proclaimed with a growl.

"But one of them – was – a – " The other Triceraton started to complain when something caught his eye and he slowly looked toward the floor which caused Zira's tail to flip a little in annoyance. "Algon." Gruell finished before looking up at Zira in recognition and she sighed dejectedly.

"That was a lot of pleasure gems too." She complained sadly before reaching out to whiplash him with her gun sending the guy straight to the ground like a sack of potatoes which allowed me to make my move and rush the Prime Leader.

In less time then it would have taken to blink I had used the hidden key card to deactivate the cuffs again, remove my scarf and used it as a shield to catch the alien's fist when he tired to punch me. A second later I had wrapped it around his wrist forced his arm behind his back and turned him around to promptly inform the Triceraton Officer of his leader's new place in the food chain.

"Don't even think it." Zira warned dangerously when he tried to go for his blaster anyway only for her put her own gun against his head.

"Guard!" The Prime Leader whined toward Traximus. "Arrest these traitors!" He demanded before I readjusted my position and wrapped the other end of my scarf around his muzzle to shut him up.

"You know I don't like being called a traitor by someone I've never met." I stated sourly as Traximus ignored the demand and walked over to speak with the Officer.

"Commander Mozar." He said respectfully. "Revolution is upon us."

Mozar growled in response to that which caused the Prime Leader to mumble something about an attack and the officer quickly lifted his weapon again.

"You're an honorable solder Mozar." Traximus tried again causing the Triceraton to pause. "Surely you can see what this pointless war has cost us. It must end."

"Mozar!" Zanramon suddenly yelled as he managed to free his mouth again. "He stands against me, destroy him." He demanded as I stopped in my motion to shut him up again when I realized that he was digging his own grave.

"But he does not stand against the Republic." Mozar suddenly complained. "He is one of our own."

"He's a traitor." Zanramon yelled again. "Kill him!"

"It is your choice." Traximus spoke up calmly still speaking to Mozar with a great deal of respect. "My friend." He added which caused the other Triceraton to open his eyes a little wider before finally lowering his gun.

"Mozar!" Zanramon screamed again and I winced at the annoying noise. "Do as I say, destroy –"

"No!" Mozar suddenly commanded sternly and I smiled. "There is no honor in this, it is over Prime Leader."

"It is never over, I –" Before the leader could finish that statement I promptly hit the back of his neck causing him to pass out.

"Anyone got a problem with that?" I asked simply causing Traximus and Mozar to blink at me in shock.

"Who are you?" The commander asked off topic.

"Forget him." Zira ordered before I could answer. "You wouldn't have any idea where those gems are would ya?" She added and I sighed before walking up to push her out-of-the-way.

"More importantly –" I started declaring the word toward Zira sternly as she folded her arms to ignore me. "Do you know how to get these off?" I asked lifting my arm to show him the tattoo causing Mozar to look at it before looking over my shoulder at Gruell who was still out cold on the floor.

"He would be the only that would know." He admitted.

"Fair enough." Zira proclaimed and moved over to lift the arena master's face from the ground so she could slap him a few times.

"You're enjoying that aren't you?" I stated with a raised eye-ridge causing her to grin evilly.

"Exceptionally!" She announced before whacking him a few more times however she didn't get the chance to pound him back into consciousness before an alarm suddenly started to sound throughout the base.

"What –" Mozar asked no one particular before we all turned to find that the Prime Leader was gone.

"No!" Traximus called when he spotted the dinosaur all the way on the other side of the room and charged after him only to be stopped when the large double doors were closed and locked from the outside. "Damn it!" Trax swore pounding his fists into the blockage but it wouldn't give way.

"It's no use, that door can withstand a missile." Mozar announced before the Prime Leader's voice suddenly commanded over a loud speaker that all available troops were to arrest the traitors in his throne room.

Traximus growled at the words before turning back to me and Zira. "We need to get you out of here"

"Ow!" I cried angrily when Zira suddenly haled off and hit my bad arm.

"What happened?" She demanded. "I thought you knocked him out?"

"I thought I did – but their bodies must be built differently." I admitted solemnly causing her to glare at me. "Well excuse me for being a little stressed."

"He won't get far." Mozar suddenly told us and we turned back to look at him as he activated something on the control table causing a wall to suddenly slid away nearby. "I am not the only one who is weary of his ways." He added before motioning toward the exit. "Now go!"

"But –" I started to complain before Traximus suddenly started shooting at the door, blasting it multiple times until finally after nearly a solid minute of constant fire it gave way.

"He is right." The rebel stated seriously. "This is a Triceraton matter, no others should be involved."

"But we haven't removed the chain yet." I proclaimed truthfully.

"Forget that – I didn't get my pleasure gems." Zira complained again leaving me to sigh in response.

I was starting to think she might be a little stubborn

"If you get far enough from the power source the cuffs will fade." Mozar explained before looking toward Zira. "And I hate to break it to you but the Prime Leader never intended to pay you. In fact all of our pleasure gems are half way across the galaxy on another base."

"What?" Zira demanded angrily but I quickly grabbed her shoulder and steered her toward the doorway in the wall.

"Thank you." I offered the Triceratons respectfully before forcing her to run.

"Good luck." Traximus called back from the main doorway. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

Zira swore under her breath the whole time we were running through the secret passage but she still kept up with me until we reached what appeared to be a hanger.

"I don't believe this." She complained loudly as we made our way toward the only ship in the place. "What's the galaxy coming too when a person can't even make a decent trade?"

"Yeah, 'cause god forbid they swindle the swindler." I told her sourly pointing out that we weren't exactly the model of good business-persons ourselves.

"That is beyond the point." She proclaimed before a door suddenly opened somewhere in the room and we both ducked down into the shadows as another Triceraton huffed his way into the middle of the platform where he quickly noticed that the ship hadn't taken off yet.

"Donatello?" He asked the room looking around slightly and I got up to see who he was. "Ah there you are." He said once he saw me and walked over. "My name is Monza Ram." He greeted with a raised fist to his chest. "Traximus asked me to bring this to you." He explained before holding out my medical bag as well as my staff.

"Oh!" I said in shock reaching out to take it and immediately felt better with its familiar weight in my hands. "Thank you." I offered with a deep bow and he smiled before looking around as a couple loud bangs interrupted us.

"Quickly!" He commanded pointing us toward the ship as he turned around to level his gun at the door to cover our getaway.

"What's going on?" I had to ask as Zira booked it toward the cruiser and I winced as the soul chain was pulled a little too thin between us.

"Not everyone is ready to forget the glory the Prime Leader has brought us." Monza Ram explained before looking back at me as I panicked slightly, thinking that maybe I should have listened to Traximus. "Do not concern yourself my friend." He added reaching out to place his large hand on my shoulder. "Because of you our people can regain their honor, and for that I thank you."

"Sparky!" Zira suddenly called and winced again as I found that suddenly I didn't want to leave.

"It is alright." Monza Ram assured me. "There have been no casualties, we will be victorious."

"Get over here!" Zira added sternly and I hesitantly turned away from the Triceraton to run over to the ship where I looked back only once to find the alien nodding at me before rushing back into the bowels of the base to continue the fight.

"Honestly, men are so sentimental." I heard Zira complaining from the front of the ship as I jumped down inside and closed the hatch behind me as I felt the thing lifting off a second later.

"You do know how to fly this thing right?" I asked as I grabbed onto something to avoid falling on my face as she accidently rammed the side of the ship into a wall.

"This is the Prime Leader's privet cruiser; you'd think it'd at least have voice command." She muttered in annoyance as I carefully made my way into the other seat to take a look at what we were dealing with.

However her complaint gave me an idea and I quickly reached over to take my gantlet back causing her to protest. Apparently she had been hoping that I wouldn't notice that she hadn't returned it yet.

A second later I had activated a program and lifted my arm up to my mouth where I began to speak. "Computer!" I ordered and Zira looked at me strangely as my voice came out sounding like the Prime Leader's.

"Take us out." I added when I heard the control panel acknowledge my command and suddenly the ship was moving much more gracefully as it shot out of the hanger and into a tunnel only to exit the base completely a minute later which was when I caught Zira glaring at me out of the corner of my eye and turned to smile at her.

"Show off." She insulted and I laughed lightly before turning back to look out the window at the several tri-bases floating around in the air space of an orange planet. However I didn't get a lot of time to admire the view before we suddenly found ourselves being shot at.

"Oh honestly!" Zira swore as a screen came up showing us that we had several cursers on our tail.

"Those don't look like Triceraton ships." I commented truthfully.

"That's because they're not." She proclaimed sternly. "They're from the Federation, they must think we're the Prime Leader."

"You know I've had a lot of bad luck in my life but I swear it was never this bad until I met you." I grumbled seriously as I reached out to take the steering wheel in an attempt to avoid some of the laser fire.

"I was about to say the same thing." She announced absentmindedly while taking the other wheel so she could return fire. However it appeared that nether one of us were too skilled with flying a space cruiser (or at least the Triceraton model) as only a few minutes later we'd been hit and suddenly the alarms started going off as the thing declared that we should prepare for a crash landing.

"How about not." I yelled back at the computer while I struggled to stay in control of the dropping vessel. "I've spent more than enough time in a prison cell, I certainly don't need to see the Federation version."

"Can't argue with you there." Zira piped up as she attempted to pull back on the other wheel but still it wouldn't pull up and we were swiftly getting closer and closer to the planet.

"I have an idea." She suddenly added and I looked at her out of the corner of my eye as she continued. "But you're not gonna like it."

"Is it better than death?" I asked absentmindedly as the windows started to turn red with the heat of entering the atmosphere.

"That depends on your definition of better." She answered nervously.

"I'll take it." I stated watching the landscape of the unknown planet come up on us hard and fast as I tried once again to pull the fired controls out of the dive but still nothing would respond.

"I'll need a minute." She ordered immediately letting go of her steering wheel to release her seat belt and ran to the back of the ship where she pulled something from her pocket and started some kind of practiced procedure.

"I'm not sure we have a minute." I told her with a wince as the ship sliced the top right off some strange looking tree. "I hope this planet isn't with green peace." I added under my breath as we took out three more.

"I'm ready." She called once we were barely feet from hitting the ground at full force and I instantly hoped over my chair to join her where she quickly threw her arms around my neck.

"Hold on, this is gonna to be a rough ride." She ordered just before we both disappeared into another flash of light.


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