Never Say Xever.
"How dare you! You're no sister of mine!"
Eleanor's POV.
I sat up awake from the nightmare, panting. Cold sweat dropped from my forehead. This was the fourth time, this week, I've had that nightmare. How can someone say that?
"Ellie? You okay?" I heard Mikey asked me.
Oh, my bad. I was spending my day with Master Splinter and the Turtles. I had a sparring session with Raph. Raph placed a bet on who would go the longest. The loser would have to clean out the pizza boxes in the Lair. So, we fought until one of us was exhausted. I lost, of course. I cleared out the boxes and must've crashed on the couch. Instead of taking a nap, I must've fell asleep and had my nightmare.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and calmed myself down, "I'm fine, Mikey. It was just a nightmare."
"Sounded more than a nightmare to me. You were moaning and screaming." Raph commented.
"Oh. Sorry about that, guys." I sheepishly smiled, scratching the back of my head, embarrassed. I looked and noticed someone put a blanket over me, "Who put this over me?"
"Leo did." Mikey answered, pointed to Leo, who was sitting on the other side, blushing and rubbing the back of his head.
I lightly blushed as well, "Thank you, Leo."
"What was your dream about?" Donnie asked.
"Just something silly." I answered. I don't want to worry the boys too much.
"Hey, guys!" A familiar voice shouted from the toll gates.
The boys and I looked and saw April entering the Lair. The boys and I were happy to see her.
"Hey, April. What's up?" Leo greeted, then asked.
"Well, I found a noodle shop, downtown. And I was thinking you guys can join me in checking it out." April answered with a smile.
The boys and I smiled. It's been a while since the boys got out of the sewer. The boys and I got our ninja gear, just in case. And followed April to the noodle shop. I followed like a normal person would. But, the Turtles kept to the shadows. It slowed us down a bit. Can't blame the boys being cautious. They're Mutants. If I was a Mutant, I'd be hiding in the shadows as well.
"You guys want to speed it up a little?" April asked, looking behind her.
"Are you saying turtles are slow?" Donnie asked, from the ticket booth of the theater.
"That's a hurtful stereotype." Mikey said, from the other side of the booth, with Raph behind him.
"Trust us, April. We are better off keeping a low profile." Leo assured, from the poster wall, "We find people treat us better when they don't know we exist." He explained.
"Sorry. I'm just so excited to get you out of the sewer for a change." April said with a smile.
"What are you talking about? We go out all the time." Raph asked, then pointed out.
"Yeah, but tonight you're going to do something besides hitting people." April answered.
"Aww." Raph moaned, dropping into a shlump posture.
"Don't worry. You're going to love this noodle place I found." April reassured the Turtles.
"And you're sure we'll be welcome?" Donnie asked.
"Oh, yeah. Mr. Murakami doesn't care what you look like. In fact, he won't even know what you look like. He's blind." April answered and explained. I smiled with her, then... Did she say Murakami?
"Awesome." Mikey smiled, but got hit at the back of the head, by Raph.
I gave Mikey a look, "Mikey..."
"I mean, for us obviously." He corrected.
"Wait, did you say Murakami?" I asked April with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, why?" April answered, then asked.
Raph sighed, "Don't tell us. You know him."
I smiled with a nodd, "Yeah. He's my boss."
"Boss?" Donnie asked.
"Oh, yeah. I got a part-time job, as his assistant, a few days ago." I explained. I looked over to Raph and noticed that he was giving me a look. I rubbed the back of my head, "Like I said before, Raph. I'll keep you posted."
We arrived at the noodle store. However, by the shadows of the window curtains, chaos was happening. Three early adult men were trashing the shop from the inside and bullying an elderly man.
"Oh, no." April gasped.
I sighed with a bored expression on my face, "Not again..."
"Who are those creeps?" Donnie asked.
"The Purple Dragons." April answered.
"They think they own the streets around here." I explained.
Things started to go sour, as there was nothing else to destroy. So, the Purple Dragons turned their view to Murakami-san.
Murakami was a chubby, early-elder man of Japanese descent. He wore a chef's hat, a white collared shirt, brown pants, a Japanese apron and wooden sandals. Over his eyes, Murakami wore a pair of round shades, bringing a dead giveaway that he was blind.
"Guys, we have to help him." I told the Turtles.
"So much for not hitting people tonight." Leo said to Raph.
Raph smiled, "Oh, well."
The boys and I dashed into the entrance and got into a defensive stance, with Mikey shouting, "Booyakasha!"
The Purple Dragons looked and saw us. Now I can to the description of these street punks. The Purple Dragons have three things in common. They're of Asian descent. Their style of clothing are of hardcore rocker and street punk. And they have a dragon tattoo on their left arms. That's basically all I can say.
The leader, Fong, looked at me, "Hamato?"
I shrugged, "What's up, Fong."
"All right, let him go. You don't want any trouble." Leo told the Dragons.
"We, on the other hand, do." Raph included.
"Whoa, those guys were serious. They really are giant turtles." Fong, gasped, then told Tsoi and Sid.
Fong, by physical description, is shorter and skinnier than Tsoi and Sid.
Sid is buff, but stupid.
And Tsoi is a good combination between the other two, of course the only one with a goatie.
How do I know them? I used to be a member of their gang. I walked out on them a long time ago.
Hold on. The Purple Dragons have heard about the Turtles? How could... Xever, you sneaky fish.
"You've heard of us?" Mikey asked the Dragons, then he looked at his brothers, "Dudes, we're famous."
"That's bad." Donnie told Mikey.
"Oh. Right." Mikey said, with his smile falling.
"Whatever you are, this neighborhood is ours. So why don't you slither back to the ocean you came from?" Fong told the boys.
"Turtles don't slither, Fong!" I told Fong.
"Actually, we're freshwater turtles." Donnie told Fong, then got caught in thought, "I suspect that we're derived from the diamondback terrapin. But, it's possible we're a common box-"
"Get 'em!" Fong shouted, cutting Donnie off.
The boys and I dashed into combat with the Purple Dragons. Raph and I took Tsoi, Mikey and Donnie took on Sid, and Leo fought Fong. The Dragons were easy to take down, due to they know no ninjutsu.
However, in mid-fight, Mikey got side-tracked by a bowl of ramen. April, who tried to stay out of the fights and get Murakami out, notice Sid aiming to take Mikey by surprise, and threw a wok lid at him. The impact threw him to the ground.
Mikey noticed and gave April a thumbs up, "Thanks, April."
April smiled, "You're welcome." April help Murakami's arm over her shoulder and lead him to the exit. She saw a dish flying toward her, so she yelled, "Duck!" Murakami ducked and April helped him out of the shop.
Donnie, Mikey, Raph and I were able to defeat Tsoi and Sid with no trouble. Leo defeated Fong, but he didn't knock him out. He let Fong go.
"Get out of here." Leo told Fong with a glare.
Fong smirked, and walked toward the exit of the shop. He woke his gang, "Come on. Let's go." Then he looked at the Turtles and me, "This ain't over, greenie. Nor for you, Hamato." Then he ran off to who-knows-where. Maybe to tell Xever what he saw.
"'Greenie'? Really? I wonder how many brain cells he put to work on that." Donnie wondered.
"You just let him go? What the heck was that?" Raph asked Leo.
"They weren't exactly a threat. They'd had enough." Leo answered.
"Dude! They were beating up a blind guy. There's no 'enough'. Now they'll think we're wimps and we don't have the guts to finish the job." Raph shouted.
Leo sulked a little.
I lightly smiled at Leo, "I think you did the right thing, Leo."
Leo looked at me and smiled back.
"And how do you know those guys?" Raph asked me, giving me a suspicious look.
"Why angry at me? I was just a member of their gang, until I ditched them. I never hurt anyone." I answered with all honesty.
"Wow. That was great, you guys." April said, leading Murakami back inside.
"Thanks, April. Did you see when I caught the one guy and flipped him onto the counter? Did it look cool?" Donnie answered, then asked. He chuckled, "I bet it looked cool."
"The coolest." April answered with a big smile and looked away slightly.
Donnie's smile fell, "You didn't see it, did you?"
"No, I did not." April admitted.
"My friends, I'm indebted to you. Please, allow me to make you a meal. Free of charge." Murakami spoke up with a smile.
Raph smiled, "I think we can allow that."
"What is your favorite dish?" Murakami asked.
The boys smiled and said in unison, "Pizza!"
Murakami nodded then asked me, "Ellie-chan, would you like to help me with this dish?"
I smiled, "はい, 村上様 (Hai, Murakami-sama/Yes, Mr. Murakami)."
And like that, Murakami and I got to work. Murakami took care of the of the ingredients, while I took care of the dough and the herbs and spices. Murakami was really quick and checked on every piece of food that needed a lid lifted, or flipping.
"Murakami-san, that was awesome!" Donnie said, as he watched us.
"You're like a ninja, but for food." Mikey smiled.
Once Murakami and I were finished, we served four dishes of gyoza dumplings.
"Pizza gyoza." Murakami indentified with a smile.
"Pizza gyoza?" April wondered.
The boys looked unsure. "Go ahead, guys. You'll like them." I assured.
The boys tried one and they looked like their eyes were about to fall out of their heads. The boys smiled in delight, "Wow." "Delish!"
"It's like I got a one-way ticket to Flavorville." Donnie said with a smile.
I chuckled and proudly folded my arms, "Told ya so."
"This is really good too, you know." April said, holding her bowl of ramen soup.
The boys looked at her, then returned to their food. I lightly smiled. They're boys. One-track-minded when it comes to food. I should know, my best cousin, from my father's side, is a boy. Haven't seen him in a while. I wonder how that crazy Hockey Puck is doing?
A thought came to Leo. "Uh, Murakami-san, do the Purple Dragons come around a lot?" He asked Murakami.
Murakami sighed as his smile fell, "Yes. They demand protection money but I refuse to pay. They will surely return."
"Well, they wouldn't if somebody hadn't wimped out." Raph replied, shooting a look at Leo.
Leo sulked a little. I gave Leo a ressuring hand over his shoulder. Being the micheivous little brother, Mikey took the last of Leo's pizza gyoza. Leo noticed and gave Mikey a glare. Mikey chuckled.
*Later, back at the Lair.*
I went to the Lair with the Turtle's to continue my training with Uncle Splinter. The boys were doing their own thing, and April returned to her home.
As I trained with Splinter, a nagging pain at the back of my mind kept distracting me. It got worse when Splinter aimed a punch at me, as his image was replaced by Shredder's. I gasped, tried to protect myself and braced for the attack. Splinter hit me and the force caused me to fall on my back.
I rubbed my head and saw Splinter giving me his hand. I took his hand and he helped me up.
"What is wrong, Eleanor? You seem more distracted that normal." Splinter asked.
"I'm worried, Sensei. The city's punk gang, the Purple Dragons, know about your sons, before meeting them. I fear Shredder is making his next move." I admitted.
"You seem to know a lot about the Shredder. Is there something you're not telling us?" Splinter commented, then asked.
My blood ran cold by the question. I don't know if I should tell him, or keep it a secret. If I do tell them, what will they say? What will they do? My train of thought was broken by Raph's voice.
"Whoa, whoa, Leo. I think he's had enough. You better let him go." Raph said.
"I get it. You're making fun of me for not mercilessly pummeling a helpless man." Leo's voice spoke up.
"Yes, I am. You showed weakness. Those guys only understand one language." Raph answered.
"Chinese?" Mikey guessed.
"No. Fists." Raph replied.
"What about feet?" Mikey asked.
Raph sighed, "They understand feet."
"That would make them bilingual." Donnie pointed out. Master Splinter and I exit the dojo, to see what the argument was about.
"Argh! The point is we can't go soft on them!" Raph shouted.
"To show mercy is not soft. It is a sign of true strength." Splinter said. I nodded in agreement.
"But, Sensei, they're criminals. This is war." Raph pointed out.
I shook my head lightly, "They're not criminals, Raph. They're a gang of punks. Every city has a few."
"A Daimyo of the 16th century once said, 'In times of peace, never forget the possibility of war. In times of war, never forget compassion.'" Uncle Splinter quoted. I smiled and nodded. Miyamoto-Sensei said the same thing to me.
"I'm guessing that guy lost a lot of wars." Raph commented.
Master Splinter narrowed his eyes and quickly aimed his cane at Raph. The quick motion caused Raph to gasp and tense up.
Master Splinter smiled, "You see? Mercy." Then, he used his cane to hit Raph's arm.
"Ow! Okay, look. Compassion is great. But the Purple Dragons are not going to leave Murakami alone." Raph corrected, then pointed out.
"So we'll track down the Dragons and make sure they got the message. And if they didn't, we'll send them one." Leo answered, then punched his hand, proving his point, "Special delivery."
"Was that meant to sound tough or stupid?" Raph asked.
"How are we gonna track someone down when we can't talk to anybody?" Donnie wondered.
I thought for a second, then smirked, "I think I know who can help us."
*Later, in the city.*
After telling April my plan, she and I found the guy we were looking for. A Chinese fish shop owner, Zhao.
(A/N: I know this guy is known as 'Shopkeeper', but I wanted to give him a name.)
He was sweeping just outside his store. Like the Purple Dragons, Zhao was of Asian descent, and was wearing a light grey, collared shirt, dark pants and shoes with suspenders.
April tapped Zhao's shoulder, getting his attention, looked both ends of the street and said to him, "We're looking for the Purple Dragons."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Zhao answered, looking away from us.
I looked at the streets, as April whispered to him, "Don't worry, we can protect you. We're undercover cops."
"You look like you're 16 and your friend looks 14." He told April and I.
I lightly smiled and shrugged, "Relax, Zhao. You know me."
Zhao looked at me closely then recognized me, "Oh, you've really grown up, Hamato." Then he looked at April, "And she's your partner?"
"I know. I'm really good at this." April said, leaning on the window stand. She leaned too close in and she broke the stand, "Whoa." The fish fell on to the street. April lightly blushed and smiled.
"Real smooth." I commented, pinching the bridge of my nose and shaking my head. I felt April give me a look. I've spent too much time with Raph.
"Let me see your badges." Zhao requested.
"Are you crazy?" I asked.
"We can't carry a badge. That would blow our cover." April pointed out.
"I suppose that makes sense." Zhao thought, scratching his head.
April and I smiled.
After Zhao told us everything we needed to know. The Turtles and I made our way to the Purple Dragons' hang, a run-down tattoo parlor. One good thing about the Dragons, they know how to pick their hideouts. April went home, since she had homework to finish. I finished mine two nights ago.
"Zhao said this was the place." I told the Turtles.
"Cool. Can we get tattoos?" Mikey smiled, then asked. "I want to get one of my face on my face. It'll be like I'm wearing a mask and the mask is me." He cheered in enthusiasm. The boys and I just looked at him. "I just blew your minds, right?" Mikey asked, folding his arms with a smile.
"You know they use needles for that." Donnie pointed out.
"Can it, dorks." Raph told the younger brothers, as he saw Fong walk out of the parlor and began walking down the street, "There he is."
The boys and I quietly followed Fong down the street, until he walked into an abandoned fortune cookie factory. We waited a few seconds, got our weapons ready and charged though the window.
"Freeze, dirt bags!" Leo shouted, until we saw that the Purple Dragons were accompanied by Bradford, Xever, and my sister, Sam. "Uh-oh." Leo muttered.
"I think we can find them ourselves." Xever said with a smirk.
"Oh, man. This is awkward. It's Chris Bradford, my ex-friend. The Kunoichi and that other guy." Mikey grimaced.
"The name is Xever. So you don't forget, I'll write it on your shells..." Xever introduced himself, then got his knives ready, "With these."
The Purple Dragons and Shredder's henchmen dashed into battle with me and the Turtles. We spread out and took on an opponent, or two, each.
Leo and I took care of Sid and Fong. Fong tried to sneak-attack on us, but we caught him and he hit his face against a wall. He turned to see Leo's katana and my eskrima stick aimed at his face.
"You're making me sorry I let you go." Leo told Fong.
Unknown to me and Leo, Sam and Xever sneaked behind us, Xever attacked Leo and threw him down the stairs, whilst Sammy threw me against the railing. Sam got her kamas out and aimed to attack me. I blocked her attack with my sticks.
The boys were fighting Bradford, Xever and the Dragons. They weren't holding up very well.
"姉は、私はあなたを傷つけたくはありません(Ane wa, watashi wa anata o kizutsuketaku wa arimasen/Older sister, I don't want to hurt you)." I told my sister.
I was able to push her away from me. I tried to run and help my friends, but Sam stopped me. Obviously, she wanted me away from them.
"どうして彼と一緒いる? (Dōshite kare to issho iru/Why are you with him?)" I asked, talking about her working for Shredder.
"あなたは何について話していますか?(Anata wa nani ni tsuite hanashite imasu ka/What are you talking about?)" Sam asked me with a confused look, "彼は私たちを提起. (Kare wa watashitachi o teiki/He raised us.)"
"何? (Nani/What?) サム、ます独自の鼻の前で見ることができないか(Samu, masu dokuji no hana no mae de miru koto ga dekinai ka/Sam, can't you see in front of your own nose)? 彼があなたに嘘をいます (Kare ga anata ni uso o imasu/He's lying to you). " I asked, then pointed out.
My words must've touched a nerve is Sam's mind. She shouted, "びっくり電話! (Bikkuri denwa/How dare you!) ます鉱山なく姉じゃないんだ! (Masu kōzan naku ane janai nda/You're no sister of mine!)"
My eyes widened and my blood froze. My nightmare was a vision. I felt my heart literally break like glass.
Sammy dashed at me and threw some very violent blows at me. I tried to block, dodge and counter, but her anger made her too quick. Using my instincts and agility, I grabbed Sammy's arms and performed a 巴投 (Tomoe-Nage/Circle Throw or Monkey Flip), to throw her toward the wall.
Sam recovered and whistled loudly. Within seconds, ninjas of the Foot Clan arrived. The Turtles and I were out-numbered.
"Turtles, Ellie, fall back!" Leo told us, sheathing his weapons.
Raph looked at his older brother, as the ninjas threw kunai knives and stars at us, "We're giving up? Again? You kidding me?"
"Yes, it's all part of my hilarious 'let's all live' routine." Leo answered, as he jumped toward the ceilling.
The boys and narrowly made our escape and dashed off, back to the Lair. I looked back at Sam for a second, before catching up.
"Hey! Stay and fight, you cold-blooded cowards!" I heard Xever shout, but we ignored him.
The Turtles and I returned to the Lair and rested. All of us were feeling down, due to not being able to finish, or win this battle. I couldn't stop thinking about Sam's words.
'You're no sister of mine.'
The words echoed in my head. My heart ached so much that I had to fight back tears. The poor girl. Undergoing unimaginable torture, and she doesn't remember me.
"Man, could that fight have been any more embarrassing?" Raph asked, punching the dummy in frustration.
"Sure. We could have been hit in the face with pies." Mikey answered, not knowing the Raph's question was rhetorical.
Raph glared at Mikey in annoyance.
Leo sighed, "It's called fighting smart, Raph." He stood up and looked at his brother, "The Purple Dragons have Bradford, that Kunoichi and Xever on their side now. Last time, we barely beat those guys." Leo pointed out.
"Yeah, because they're willing to fight to the finish. The only way to beat them is to be just as ruthless as they are." Raph argued.
"Raphael, this 'Xever' can cross lines that you won't. This may make him dangerous, but it does not make him strong." Master Splinter told Raph.
"But Xever wins fights. Isn't that what matters? And he never shows anyone mercy." Raph pointed out, folding his arms.
Leo looked down in thought, then he looked at me, "Ellie, you know something about that Kunoichi. You two were speaking like you know each other very well." He told me.
This got everyone's attention. I guess I can't hide the truth now. I rubbed my arms in discomfort and sighed, "Yeah, I do."
Raph gave me a look, "Care to tell us?"
I closed my eyes and braced myself, "The Kunoichi is my sister, Samantha."
The boys and Master Splinter were shocked by this information. Now everything about my family becomes clear.
I remembered what Master Splinter said, 'What you hide may be dangerous to those around you.'
He was right, if we're gonna fight the Shredder, I have to tell my friends the truth. Regardless of the consequences.
"You're related to Shredder?" Donnie asked, finally able to speak.
My eyes widen,"What?" Then I shook my head, "No! Heavens no." I looked at my fidgeting hands, "You see, after my uncle's 'disappearance', and my former Sensei's death, my mother knew she would be next. She tried to keep me and Sam safe by moving here to New York. Of course, it didn't last long. Shredder killed my mother and set our home ablaze. My father was away on a business trip. I was able to escape the attack, and I bumped into the Purple Dragons. That's how I became a member of the gang. It was a few months after Mother's fight with Vic."
Mikey looked at me, confused. I looked at him, "Spider Bytez." Mikey nodded in understanding.
I closed my eyes, fighting tears, "The leader at the time, Xever, noticed my ninjutsu skills and had me become a pupil of Shredder." I looked at the boys dead in eyes, before continuing, "But, I wanted nothing to do with it. So, a few weeks after I turned twelve, I made my escape. I made it, of course. But, I didn't notice Sam was alive and watching me the whole time." I lowered my head to a sulk, "The last thing I remember was Shredder telling me I have my uncles eyes, and I should suffer the same fate as he did." I shook my head, "So, now Sam's become a member of his elite henchman and doesn't remember anything about her family. The sister I know and love, slowly fading to a cold soul."
"Whoa..." Mikey gasped.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Raph asked.
I hugged myself in fear, with tears welling up in my eyes again, "Because, I was afraid what you guys would do to me, if you found out." I admitted.
I braced myself, the tears falling down my cheeks, unsure what the boys were gonna do, or say. Then, they did something that surprised me.
"Ellie, do you really think we're that shallow?" Leo asked, putting my hands into his.
My tears stopped. That look in Leo's eyes. His brothers and mentor had the same look. The only time I've seen this look is from April and my cousin; Acceptance.
"You're our friend, Elle. We don't care if you were the bad guy's student." Mikey included, placing a hand over my shoulder.
"Indeed, you have proven to have a heart of a true warrior." Master Splinter said with a kind smile.
The boys thew their arms around me. Tears of happiness welled up in my eyes. I haven't felt so happy, since Miyamoto-Sensei gave me my green bandana and April became my friend.
"Thank you guys." I said, returning the hug.
The boys released the hug after a few seconds.
"So, if you're not really related to the Shredder, then who?" Donnie asked.
I looked at Splinter, wondering if I should tell them. Splinter gave me a smile and nodded.
"My mother's name was Hamato Leiko." I answered.
The boys' eyes widen in shock. Well, except for Mikey, who raised a brown in thought.
"Hamato Leiko..." He repeated, "Where have I heard that name before?"
I lightly giggled, "Mikey. My mother is your father's sister."
Mikey's eyes widened in clarity Then the boys threw their arms around me again and I returned them.
Unfortunately, the tender moment was dissolved by my cell phone ringing in April's notification tone. The boys let me go and I got my cell out from my pocket. I answered and read the message.
"What is it?" Donnie asked.
"It's April. She wants us to meet her at Murakami's noodle shop, ASAP." I answered.
The boys and I got our ninja gear and dashed out of the Lair, into the city, to meet April. She was pacing back and forth in front the entrance of Murakami's shop.
"April, what's wrong?" Leo asked April.
"It's Murakami." April answered.
She opened the door and the shop looked like it was torn inside-out. And Murakami was nowhere to be found.
"Someone took him and left this." April explained and showed us a note on the wall, pinned by a familiar street knife.
I looked at the knife and instantly recognized it, "That's Xever's knife."
"Sweet! Free knife." Mikey smiled.
"The note, dummy." Donnie pointed out to Mikey. Donnie took the note and began reading, "'No more running. If you want the old man, meet us on the roof of the fortune cookie factory.'"
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's bust in there and save Murakami." Raph asked and exclaimed.
"Not so fast. Think, Raphael." Leo told Raph.
"There's two words that don't usually go together." Donnie commented.
"This is obviously a trap." Leo summarized
"Well, what choice do we have?" Raph asked.
Leo thought for a second, then smiled, "Maybe we do need to think more like Xever."
"But Master Splinter said-" Donnie interjected, but was cut off by Leo.
"I know. But Xever crossed the line dragging Murakami into this. He's got to learn that we can cross the line too. No more Mr. Nice Turtle." Leo explained, then smiled.
"Yes!" Raph cheered, then smiled, punching his hand, "I never liked Mr. Nice Turtle."
I thought for a second and smirked, "And I think I know where to start."
After a little while, Leo explained a plan of an exchange of Bradford for Murakami. The Turtles and I arrived at the tattoo parlor and waited for Bradford to show his face.
"Remember, he's strong. So speed and stealth are essential." I reminded the boys.
"Okay, everybody know the plan?" Leo asked, recieving a nodd from Donnie, Raph and myself. Leo looked over to his youngest brother, "Mikey?"
"Yes." Mikey answered with a bland smile.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes." Mikey smiled, pointing at me to confirm.
Leo folded his arms, "Tell me what it is."
Mikey thought for a few seconds and then smiled sheepishly, "Um... Maybe we should go over it one more time?"
The boys and I sighed and rubbed our temples in annoyance. We ran through the plan with Mikey, again. And we made sure that he remembered. After a few minutes of waiting, Bradford left the parlor and Raph appeared behind him.
Bradford prepared for a fight, but Leo and I jumped on top of him and Raph tackled him down. Mikey bound Bradford with rope and Donnie used duct tape to prevent Bradford from shouting for help. To make he doesn't escape, the Turtles and I encased him into a trashcan and chained it up with a lock.
"Gentlemen, welcome to the other side of the line." Leo said with a smile.
"Now I'm definitely going to need a tat." Mikey smiled, but Raph hit him in the arm, "Ow!"
Mikey and Raph tried to pick up Bradford, but his muscle mass and the weight of the trashcan made it quite difficult. "Dang, this sucker's heavy." Raph commented.
Mikey lost his grip and Bradford rolled off Raph's back and rolled into the wall.
"Sorry." Mikey apologised to Bradford.
"Don't apologize to him." Raph told him.
"I mean, sorry I didn't drop you harder!" Mikey corrected.
"There you go." Raph smiled.
With none of us strong enough to lift the trashcan, Raph decided it would be better to roll Bradford over to the fortune cookie factory. Have to say, it was quite funny to hear Bradford mumble in pain.
"Cozy in there?" Leo asked.
Bradford mumbled in response, as Raph and Mikey rolled him down the street.
"Good." Raph replied with a smirk.
We arrived at the fortune cookie factory, but there was little to no sign of Xever, Sam, or Murakami. Until Donnie looked up.
"Uh-oh, you guys. Look." Donnie said.
The boys and I looked up and saw that Xever was on the roof, walking on a wooden pillar, and Murakami was hanging on a rope. Anger burned in my chest.
"Dude, Xever's a jerk." Mikey said.
"You have no idea..." I growled.
The Turtles and I made our way to the roof of the factory, Xever was accompanied by the Purple Dragons, and Sam, who wasn't wearing her mask this time.
"We're here, Xever." I called, getting Xever's attention. Xever smirked.
"Now let the noodle man go." Leo told the Brazilian henchman.
"Sorry, there's been a change of plans." Xever said with a smirk. A group of Foot Ninjas appeared and got prepared for a fight.
Leo smiled, "Actually, there's been another change of plans."
Mikey and Donnie unlock the chains and lifted the trashcan to reveal Bradford.
"I love it when a change of plans comes together." Donnie smiled.
"You let our friend go and we'll let your friend go." Leo told Xever.
Xever chuckled and smirked, "He's not my friend."
The boys looked at each other, as Xever walked toward Murakami and began cutting the rope with his knife. As a reaction, Raph leaned Bradford over the edge as well.
"Uh, we're not kidding. Okay, s-stop or we'll toss him." Leo studdered, trying to keep his cool.
"Go ahead. It'll save me the trouble." Xever said with a confident smirk.
Xever continued to cut the rope. The anger in my chest got too much. I had to retaliate.
"You snakehead!" I shouted, about to dash to attack Xever, but Donnie held me back.
"Uh, Raph?" Leo called, giving up.
Raph looked at Bradford and sighed, "Aw, crud."
Raph threw Bradford away from the edge and on to the floor.
Xever chuckled, "That's what I thought."
Sammy pointed at us and shouted, "Attack!"
The Foot Ninjas dashed toward us. Donnie let go of me and I dashed toward the ninjas. I may be angry, but I'm not that much like Raph. I know how to control myself.
The Turtles and I defeated the Foot Ninjas with ease. However, the more we defeated, more came. Of course, Xever tried to throw us off-guard by throwing kunai knives at us, but we dodged or deflected them. After some time of defeating the ninjas, their numbers got us surrounded.
"All right. Let's settle the score, pond scum." Bradford said, anger clear in his aura and eyes.
"We're the ones who didn't want to throw you off the roof." Donnie pointed out, but Bradford didn't listen.
Along with the ninjas, Xever, Bradford and Sam joined into the battle. It was difficult for the boys and I to keep up. As I was fighting the ninjas and Sam, I noticed that she wasn't harming my friends. It was only me she was aiming for.
Mikey and Donnie didn't last long against Bradford and Xever. Raph was in battle with Xever, and Xever was too quick. Leo was battling Bradford, as he was doing well. I held my own against my own sister, but she was getting quicker. Xever was able to kick Raph down, this caught Leo's attention.
"Raph!" Leo called out to his brother in worry.
Unfortunately, Xever and Bradford took this distraction as an opportunity and beat Leo down. I noticed this and I got worried too.
"Leo!" I called.
Sammy caught me, while my guard was down and tripped me into the air with Shredder's Death Dragon Kata. While I was in the air, Sam punched me in the stomach and the force threw me with the Turtles.
Xever chuckled, "See, Bradford? That is how you catch turtles. And next, I'll show you how to fillet them."
"You'd never have caught them without me and you know it." Bradford argued.
Xever chuckled, "Oh, yes. What would we have done without your brave leadership from inside the trash can?"
I heard metal clashing with stone. I opened my eyes and saw one of Leo's katanas. I looked over and saw Leo noticed it too. We looked and saw Fong with a look on his face, before he ran off. Leo smiled and I looked at him with a smile. I knew he made the right choice on letting Fong go.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to cut these turtles into little pieces." Xever said, as he got his knife ready.
Leo stood up and aimed his katana at Xever, "I don't think so."
Leo jumped backward and cut through the support of the water tank. I moved the other boys back, so they wont get caught by the rushing water, that caught Bradford, Sam, Xever and the rest of the Foot Ninjas. However the water put pressure on the pillar and the rope that held Murakami snapped. Being faster, Mikey used his kusarigama chain and saved Murakami from the fall.
"I got him!" Mikey called.
"Nice save, Mikey." Leo smiled, then he, his brothers and I began to pull Mikey and Murakami up.
"Don't look down, Murakami-san. Or, um, listen down." Mikey told Murakami.
I noticed Leo looking across the street. I followed his gaze and I saw Fong, looking at us and, then running off again. Leo looked at me and I smiled. He smiled back at me.
*Later, at Murakami's Shop.*
We returned Murakami back to his store and he said he had a for us for his rescue. He walked into his kitchen and came back with a sealed white bag.
"Accept this token of my gratitude. Pizza gyoza." Murakami said with a smile.
"Awesome. Thanks, Murakami-san." Donnie said, taking the back.
"You're welcome, Ellie and Turtle-san." Murakami replied.
The boys and I bowed, but Donnie noticed what Murakami said, "Wait, how did you-"
"I do have other senses. Touch, smell." Murakami explained.
The boys and I looked at Mikey. Mikey lifted his arm and sniffed his armpit. He quickly lowered his arm and sheepishly smiled.
"You don't think we're weird and scary?" Leo asked.
"You saved my life. Who am I to complain? Any friend of Ellie-chan's is a friend of mine." Murakami answered.
Mikey smiled and hugged Murakami. Murakami gasped in surprise, then smiled. I smiled as well. The Turtles were able to make another friend, regardless of their appearance.
*Later, back at the Lair*
The Turtles, April, Master Splinter and I were sitting around the lounge, enjoying our pizza gyoza. Leo told Master Splinter what happened and Donnie was trying to convince April to try the gyoza.
"Just try one. Sometimes things that don't seem like they go together actually make a great couple." Donnie tried to reason, but realized what he said, then corrected, "I mean, food."
April sighed in defeat, "Fine." She took the gyoza, thought for a second, the smiled in delight, "Whoa. These are amazing."
Donnie smiled. However, April the last three gyoza on Donnie's plate. I lightly giggled at the moment.
"You boys showed your strength today." Master Splinter told Raph, Leo and myself.
"Yeah, but we almost got beaten." Raph pointed out.
"Your strength was mercy. That is why the Purple Dragon helped you." Master Splinter explained.
Leo looked at Raph and smirked, "Well? Say it."
Raph sighed in defeat and admitted, "Okay, okay. You were right."
Leo smiled, "Ahh, see? That wasn't so-"
Raph cut Leo off with a smirk of his own, "Your wimpiness might not be totally useless."
Leo chuckled, "Oh-ho. I'll show you who's wimpy. No mercy."
And Leo and Raph got into a little play-fight. I couldn't help but smile and giggle. Unfortunately, my smile faded to worry as I can't help but think that The Shredder is gonna go after the Turtles and Uncle Splinter himself. And Sam doesn't remember anything. How did that happen? Can I tell her the truth?
My worry turned into determination. I won't let him harm my family. Not again!
