RENET WAS WAITING. She gripped her time scepter so tightly that her knuckles bleached white. She was too afraid to turn and look at Oroku Saki. She thought that he was probably more terrifying than the other one had been. The portal remained empty. She kept hoping Shredder would step through in a blaze of dark triumph, but it never happened.
"Where is he?" Fishface, the most impatient of Shredder's followers, finally asked. Karai was fixated on the timestress, her eyes narrowed in obvious distrust.
"Come on…" Renet whispered, visibly leaning towards the image of the dojo. How could this happen? Everything… falling apart in only seconds. Renet suddenly came alive with fierce anger. She began to shake with it.
"Well?" Fishface took a menacing step towards Renet. His metal droid feet made loud clunking noises each time one hit the ground. It echoed throughout the cathedral, bouncing off the arched walls.
"I don't know!" Renet screamed, spinning around to face the mutant fish. He gaped, startled at her audacity. Karai gripped the tanto at her waist, small hand wrapping around the hilt. She didn't pull it… yet.
Shredder addressed the mutant fly with an Afro, "Why isn't it working, Stockman?" He buzzed nervously, floating around the portal.
"I'm not sure, Mazzzster…" His head twitched and his hands fluttered as he studied the opening to another universe. Stockman and his scientists tried to find the problem and solve it—quickly. Shredder was already angry, but it directed it at Renet. "There must have… been… some interference."
"What kind of interference?" Tiger Claw's accent was beginning to grate on Renet's nerves. She was seething—she could see the plan slowly crumbling before her and there was nothing she could do to fix it. Everything had been going perfectly and now Shredder had to ruin it! Where is she? All she had to do was press a button! Renet let out a frustrated howl and paced the length of the room. They were surprised by her reaction.
"Perhaps another portal firing up in our proximity…" A scientist trailed off when Tiger Claw's talons extended. He honestly wasn't interested—Renet was up to something.
She was rapidly trying to find out how to salvage their plan. Her boots clicked, her staff was glowing. It reacted to her anger, making the sand tumble faster. It only reminded her that she was running out of time.
Karai muttered, "Not the Kraang," while following Renet's movements with a watchful gaze.
"Of course not," Stockman buzzed.
The turtles in the rafters tensed. Raph made eye contact with Donnie, communicating his question without words. What about the devices in the lair? Raph might have accidently turned it on… Donnie's answer didn't ease Raph- or Leo's- worries. Possibly. They were brothers and knew each other well enough to speak through facial expressions and body movements.
"Sensei," Leo murmured through his teeth so lowly the others couldn't hear his exact words, but guessed. The scene below had escalated. They'd turned their attention to Renet.
Tiger Claw was telling her, "You better figure it out."
"She's a liar," Karai hissed, "She deceived us. This was all part of her plan."
Renet halted her pacing, fear beginning to return. Her frustration still clouded her mind."This wasn't supposed to happen."
"Well, it did."
Renet exploded. Her body and face were on fire. Her brain shut down and her mouth ran away without consulting it first. As Renet spoke, Karai became more and more suspicious… and pissed. "You're nothing compared to the Karai in the alternate world. Nothing. She is honorable. She is brave and strong. She could kick your ass without breaking a sweat. And guess what, little girl? You would deserve it! Because… because you're a… a... what's it called—a muhonin!" That was the only insulting Japanese term that Renet knew and seemed appropriate for the situation.
Renet didn't see Karai move. Suddenly, she was lying flat on her butt and her scepter had been jerked away and tossed out of arms reach. Karai's flat knife thrust under Renet's chin. She pressed it hard enough to draw blood; it trickled down Renet's throat.
Leo grabbed Mikey's arm. He'd reached for his nunchaku, but didn't fight his brother.
"Enough, Karai," she obeyed her master and pulled back, smirking. Renet let out the air she'd unconsciously held in her lungs. "Don't get up," Shredder told Renet when she pushed herself into a sitting position. Her eyes flicked towards the staff—too far to grab. Shredder's back was to her. She might have time to activate it and open a door...
It had been several minutes now and no one stepped through the portal. Shredder decided that there never had been an alternate Shredder. It was all a lie, just as Karai stated.
"You're going to regret this, timestress." Tiger Claw jerked Renet up by her arm, gripping her so tightly that she cried out in pain. His claws sank into flesh, cutting through her tight sleeves. Renet shrieked, savagely trying to get away from him. It was no use. Tiger Claw was too strong. She grabbed tufts of his fur with her free hand, but it didn't even faze the mutant. Shredder walked towards the struggling girl. Tiger Claw shook Renet until she stopped moving. Shredder lifted her face up, pressing his fingers into her chin. "I always keep my promises."
"What now, Master?"
"Kill her."
Mikey frantically argued with Leo, trying to urge them into a battle. April was right. Renet wasn't trying to destroy them.
"No," Leo whispered.
"Please!" Mikey tried his puppy dog expression—wide baby blue eyes, bottom lip jutting out into a pout.
"We can take them," Raph insisted.
Leo watched them manhandle Renet. Leo firmly believed in protecting the innocent. He would always jump in to save an innocent even if it meant putting his own life in danger and receiving no gratitude. But he didn't know if Renet was worth risking his brother's lives. Mikey was convinced, but he didn't have enough evidence. Leo wouldn't be able to watch them tear the timestress to pieces...
"She's defenseless," Donnie told Leo.
Leo glanced at his most rational brother—the brother he always counted on to be the voice of reason. Donnie was the most even tempered turtle and almost as noble as Leo. Donnie believed that Renet was worth saving. That really meant something to Leo. The oldest ordered, "Grab Renet. Get out. Do not engage Shredder."
"I love you, bro," Mikey beamed, then jumped from his rafter without a second thought. "Booyakasha!" His brothers followed, brandishing their weapons.
"All right… finally some action," Raph instantly zeroed in on Fishface, who flicked his switchblade at the red-banded turtle.
"Ready for an ass-kicking, Fishsticks?"
"It's Xever!"
Raph didn't answer. He only attacked, coming at Fishface quickly. His sai gleamed maniacally- blocked by Xever's own blade.
"Mikey!" Renet cried happily, new tears forming in the corners of her eyes. While Donnie and Mikey went after Tiger Claw, Karai faced off with Leo.
"I thought you were above all of this," Leo stated.
"I thought you were done being a naïve little boy… well, turtle." Karai's laughing tone and smirk only pissed Leo off more. At one time, he had been stupid enough to believe this skilled kunoichi, but he wasn't that same turtle anymore. He'd matured and realized his family's safety always had to be his top priority.
Leo struck first, but she'd expected it. She twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding a sharp katana to the throat.
Baxter Stockman and his scientists were frantically working on the portal. The image inside kept changing, never settling on one place. First, the darkened dojo, then an intensely bright room with concrete walls and a steel bay door. Stockman was chanting, "Mazzzster, Mazzzster," trying to get Shredder's attention.
The blades in Shredder's gauntlets extended, tapering into thin points. He advanced on an unsuspecting Donatello.
Tiger Claw released Renet and tossed her to the side like a used ragdoll. She rolled into a ball, clutching her injured arm. Pain seared through her entire body. She crawled towards the time staff.
The mutant tiger declared, "I will finally have my revenge on you turtles." Then he whipped out two pistols and began shooting at the two turtles. Mikey and Donnie dodged the laser beams, deflecting them with bo and nunchaku. He wasn't aiming to stun them today. He was aiming to kill.
"You okay, babe?" Mikey didn't look at Renet, but heard her grunt in reply. "Don't worry, babe, we'll get you out of here in no time!"
Tiger Claw punched Mikey in the gut. Mikey bit his tongue, tasting metallic blood. Donnie whacked Tiger Claw's thick, furry arm with his bo. It hurt him enough that he staggered backwards and away from Mikey.
Shredder raised his blades, seeing dark green skin. Head connected to shoulder. Exposed neck. Bright, purple mask tails. Unsuspecting victim. It ends now.
A low whirring noise began.
Renet's hands wrapped around the time scepter.
It was getting louder.
"Mazzzster Shredder!"
Stockman's scream reverberated through the entire throne room, startling all of the inhabitants. Donnie ducked away from Shredder's attack, flipping backwards in the air. Mikey ran to Renet. Karai and Leo paused. Raph knocked Fishface onto the ground and looked up.
The noise was deafening. Leo covered his ear holes.
Blinding light erupted from the portal. Renet shielded her eyes, ducking her head into Mikey's collarbone. Everyone averted their gazes. Still, black dots danced inside eyelids once it was finally over.
Still reeling, it took them a few seconds to realize that there was a figure standing in the pink haze of the portal. The glow surrounded the alternate Shredder, making her outfit seem even darker in comparison.
Shredder's own chrome armor was glaring and intense while she was understated. Still, it didn't stop Shredder from grinning under his Kabuto. "Finally…" Shredder's Foot soldiers burst through the doors, coming to a halt as they took in the scene before them. "Welcome to New York, Oroku Saki."
Leo wanted to kick himself. He'd listened to Mikey, Raph, and Donnie instead of Master Splinter. They weren't supposed to interfere. They'd only come to spy. Now they were going to die at the hands of two Shredders. This Shredder held the secret to their destruction.
The other Shredder didn't reply. She stared at the brothers, taking them all in. Her heart soared seeing their familiar faces after so many depressing months. Leo, as stoic and fierce as always, Raph looking tough and angry, Mikey holding Renet just like the good ole' days… and Donnie. Sweet, quiet, passionate Donnie. She settled on him for a few moments before a splotch of red caught her eye.
Renet. Blood on her neck and arm. Coating her royal blue leotard and dripping onto her prized white boots.
"Welcome to New York," Shredder tried again, bowing formally. She didn't return it.
"You injured Renet." Shredder stated matter-of-factly.
"A slight miscalculation." The male Shredder answered, trying to get a better look at the figure. "I'm sure you understand there are casualties in war." Mikey glanced down at Renet, taking in her wide, terrified face, strange helmet, and plump, kissable lips. Surely she couldn't be evil… especially when she was clutching him so tightly.
"I'm sure," The other Shredder stated, sliding one foot forward and moving out of the light's glare. Leo gaped when he noticed the less bulky armor. This wasn't what he was expecting, but he still couldn't see through the disguise as Splinter had. He stood frozen when the other Shredder's revealed her tekko-kagi.
"What are you doing?" Oroku Saki asked, leaning into a fighting stance.
Ignoring him, she pivoted and slashed the floating device to pieces. Renet screamed, jerking away from Mikey. "No!" She was distraught. "What have you done? You'll never be able to go back!" It wasn't like it was easy to convince the Kraang to give away their tech.
"That portal led to Splinter and the lair." She stated nonchalantly.
Tiger Claw growled, "Now how are we supposed to kill the rat?"
"I'm sure you'll figure it out." She was mocking Shredder now. Donnie couldn't decide if this Shredder had just helped them on purpose or had done it to spite Oroku Saki. When Shredder didn't answer, she continued, "And maybe you'll be able to figure out how to kill the turtles on your own."
"An honorable ninja would uphold his end of the bargain." Shredder told her. He watched the muscles in her legs, waiting for one to twitch and indicate when she would strike. But she remained in a relaxed stance.
"An honorable ninja doesn't lie either, but... well." Donnie watched her shrug. It was such a familiar movement. Donnie wondered what she lied about? Her intentions in this dimension?
"You're not my father. You are not Oroku Saki," Karai, of course, was correct, but they weren't supposed to know that. Renet wanted to smack her Shredder with the time scepter. Shredder and Renet came here to help the turtles defeat the Foot Clan and the Kraang. They couldn't do that if Shredder knew their secrets.
"I know," She laughed. The femininity of the sound couldn't be ignored. Suddenly, her disguise wasn't as convincing—in fact, it all faded away, revealing a slight, but muscular woman dressed in all black. The Kuro Kabuto still hid her face, but it was obvious now that she wasn't the real Shredder. The turtles watched, stunned, as she removed the too-big helmet and tossed it on the ground.
When her gaze flicked upwards, Karai gasped, almost dropping her tanto. She stumbled backwards. Leo shrugged out of the way to avoid being trampled.
Those eyes. Her hair wasn't dyed blonde underneath, or short, but was a curtain of midnight black that reached her shoulders. And there was a long, jagged scar that snaked up the side of her neck and marred her otherwise perfect jaw. Slightly older, more womanly. But ultimately, the same person. "I'm you." Karai said, "And I'm here to kill our father."
