= 3

Chapter 8

Positive, Negative, Affirmative

Part 2

Raphael grew up being taught trust was something one earned and not bestowed upon. Midnight was asking for too much if he wanted Raphael's trust. He tried giving the hero a good hard stare down but the monsters got close and he had to retaliate again. Ducking low to avoid the swing of its tail and he turned tackled Fire. Fire fell down to the ground and Raphael stabbed him in the chest with his sais as Bitters closed in arms slashing at the turtle. Raphael blocked the arms swipes, grabbing hold of one and tossing him over his shoulder in a wide arc so Bitters would hit the ground on his back. He then leapt in the air towards Bitters, kicking him hard in the jaw. The boomerangs speakers turned up, soon the whole block would be able to hear the dirty horrible noises and see what was going on!

So Red was just going to ignore him. Midnight was met with silence.
"Seriously Raphael. What kind of stuff ya into? The videos are quite creepy.." The actors really tried to act like the animals they dressed as, and truthfully it was beyond creepy but he didn't want to hurt the turtles feeling. Of all the stuff out there on the internet why did his weapon pick this for him?
"Mine?! Your weapon there said it was yer favorite!" Raphael retorted.
"Oh yeah?!" Midnight playfully responded.
"Yeah! This stuff is yours!" Raphael was getting defensive.
"If that was TRUE, it wouldn't have to download the videos would it? It would already be on the system. This here, is what YOU like. She's always good at guessing." Midnight said nonchalantly, a smirk curled up under his mask.
"I don't! After an Hour and a half of this, it's time to turn it off or help me or I will hurt you." Another threatening plea from the turtle. It must be torturing him.
"Sure, sure. Only WHEN you free me it will be turned off.. wait I get it. You don't like humans cause you're a turtle. Oh, smart. That's why the videos are so out-there." This was the closest they had to his taste on this planet. Nodding his head understandingly, he finally understood why the weapon picked these specific genre of videos.
"No! ... Shud it.. This conversation is beyond me." Raphael got more flustered, the hesitation in his voice as the tone grew weaker.
"I bet it is, I mean you must have.. urges." Rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Midnight almost could pity the turtles for being the only ones of their kind.
"You ain't any better then that piece of junk! Ya know that?" Raphael spat, keeping his back from Midnight, his grip on the sais tightened. Finally hitting a nerve with the turtle. Yup, that was the end of this very enlightening conversation.
"Ooo. Sorry. Turtle moody tonight." The hero playfully teased. That really did it, Raphael turned to him with those big mean eyes of his and Midnight knew he was in a lot of trouble. Shock ran across Midnights hidden face, Raphael threw one of his sais at him! Shutting his eyes he tensed up and expected to be feeling pain, instead felt a wind breeze up against his neck. Opening his eye, the sai was just an inch from his throat embedded into the car.

"Ya. I got urges alright.. a lot. I need to resist dem most the time. Yer special, I feel like I can just unleas' myself on ya." Raphael threatened darkly, he was the maniac in the family and it was about time Midnight understood this. Slowly he made his way over to Midnight and towered over him. Midnight was truthfully scared of the turtle and his silent brooding look. The way his arm grabbed for the sai and pulled it out slowly made his heart skip a few beats.
His antics had put him on a thin sheet of ice with the Red, giving him an innocent but weary smile and his stomach had the butterfly effect. Raphael knew how to be scary and Midnight loved every second of it! "I get your.. point.." Midnight said meekly while staring at his pointy sais, Raphael was suddenly flanked on the right by Bitters that forced him to side flip to dodge and lead the monster away from Midnight.

The provocative noises made Raphael impatient and effected his ability to fight. A few times he paused by the distraction of the absurd noises, frustration that rolled off his attitude that made his punches clumsy, his defense was next to nil, he missed out on his counter-strikes and barely managed to dodge any strikes himself. Freeing him must be such a big deal if Raphael thought this was the better option.
Raphael was doing all the hard work and Midnight just sat there quietly for ten minutes with nothing to do. Since the turtle was so hell bent on keeping him pinned to this car there wasn't much else he could do. A curious eye did watch the videos but it really wasn't his kind of thing and grew bored of it real quick.
So very bored. There must be something he could do. Sitting here was exhausting! The fiery sensation in his muscles even got bored and faded away, sighing he stared at the sky and grew slightly concerned about the growing daylight.
Their operation shouldn't have taken this long, how was he going to explain this back home?

Time for some more fun with Red. If he can't fight along side Raphael then he will give Red his full support like a real friend. Clearing his throat he started to put his sports announcer voice into gear.

"Tonight is going to be a good on Jeff, I feel it.. Welcome fans of all genders and species! Today we gathered here to watch the EPIC and THRILLING fight of the century! Tonight our contestant will be the feisty newbie turtle, RAPHAEL who's got all the sass he needs to win and GIVE AN APPLAUSE for the returning champions THE SISTER ANTS whom must defend their title this year. Bitters the UNBEATABLE and Fire the BLAZING! Let's get to know the sisters while they warm up! It's their 3rd year they came here to defend their championship reign. Back home in Louisiana the sisters ants are called Spazz from a gifted ONE OF A KIND technique of falling all over the place! Solenopsis race is a formidable opponent. WOW the battle started. Raphael throws a phoenix punch. The fans gasp! Bitters barely dodged and CLAMPS onto Raphaels right arm. What GRACE! Raphael is a new comer to the game and is he just going to stand there and take it, is he?! Stay tuned folks we are about to find out!"

"Cant ya be serious for two minutes?"
Raphael shook his head in disbelief. This hero wanna-be was giving the play-by-play of this fight and he wasn't to shabby, but it was so annoying and distracting! Was he trying to distract him till the ants land a fatal blow on him? First with the boomerang and now this, it certainly was a plan that was working. Growling real loud, wishing Midnight would have remained unconscious. His arm was stuck between Bitters pincers, But Raphael was so angry he easily managed to remove his arm from its grasp and sent the ant right into the pavement with a swift motion.

"I haven't seen that move attempted since the late winter of 1943. Wow, this level of ninjutsu is AMAZING. You are in for a good match tonight folks! I can feel it! With Bitters temporary out of commission, Fire steps up in her place! Fire is the twin sister of Bitters, and if the gossip is true then Raphael better watch his back for Fire is known to be super strong and protective over its dear sister! Last of its family tree. Don't weep yet folks! LOOK! Raphael is showing her just who is boss in the ring with the repeated kicks to the ribs! THE POWER. Looking for an opening in Fires guard.. HE FOUND IT! Fire is in a lot of trouble now that Raphael is in close - whoa! The turtle is picking up Fire, the strength to do that IS INCREDIBLE. I NEVER seen this done before in ALL MY YEARS, What a spectacular moment to bare witness! Raphael is getting ready- NO Ahh! no no no no! RAPHAEL!"

Midnight screamed as Fire was tossed in his direction, what kind of crazy turtle is he?! Assuming the fetal position on the ground, curling his knees up to his chest. Fire smashed into the car so hard that the car flipped over to its side, Midnight flinched harder when he heard the sudden sound of a car crashing down beside him.
Raphael, panting with blood vessels that looked like they were about to pop.

"That was so unsportmen like bro! For reals this time! This match is totally rigged!" Midnight couldn't believe he wasn't dead or hurting. After the ringing was out of his ears he opened his eyes to peek behind him and saw that the car was rolled over, gulping down a whole load of fear. That shook his nerves. Taking the moment to relish in the fact he came out okay and miraculously unharmed, the panic went away and then he realized what had just happened. Raphael had just freed him in the most dramatic way possible. The cloak was no longer under the tire, Midnight stood up with just the expression of pure misbelief written all overbid face as he glanced around hesitantly at the mess, inspecting himself for damages. It was good to stretch and stand that was for sure. He thought to himself.
"As promised, turning the videos off. Thanks Raphael.. but I gotta split now!" The usual friendly smile returned, waved as he turned to leave.
"Yer leavin'. Just like that?" Raphael huffed out, after everything that happened tonight he was just going to bail out like it wasn't his problem. That irked him.
"Yes Raphael. I am The Midnight Prince. Emphasis on Midnight, I don't operate during the day." Daylight was his enemy, Midnight shrugged one shoulder as there wasn't much more he could do now.
"But these ants are going to keep killin' others." Raphael said angrily with a touch of concern, surely he couldn't be serious about all this.

"Hmm.. Sorry, off the clock. Unless of course.. someone says: 'Help, I wish The Midnight Prince will save me'. A super hero can't leave when someones in danger." Midnights voice mocked the sounds of a distressed woman, putting a dramatic hand over his forehead like he was about to faint from the horrors. Been a while since he seen any good movies that did this, but lowering his hand he turned to Raphael, who stood there with a disgusted expression.
"Nah..Out of luck kid."
"Its not my luck that's running out. I am going to bed. Night."
"People died!" Raphael spat.
"YES, and who's fault is it that our time got wasted?" Midnights voice became stern and raised up.
"You were injured and passed out! You slept through most of the night."
"I don't know what your problem is, but you think you're all that tough then these monsters should be a easy obstacle. Despite the fact they regenerate like the wolverine."
"You never explained why they do that."
Midnights mouth twitched as his energy became soft and if one looked deep enough in his body language, a bit saddened.
"... Don't worry on why. Just keep safe."

Midnight took out his skateboard from his back and set in on the ground, casually strolling towards the exit. Humming a soft tune from the music box his mom had. Fire and Bitters were battle ready and Raphael knew there was no end to this. Watching Midnight stroll away his gut told him he was making the biggest mistake ever.
"Wait.." Raphaels hand reached out towards him but Midnight didn't stop or look back. Anger washed away and became guilt. He had been acting like an idiot this whole entire night and he had to make up for it by doing the right thing. Swallowing down what pride he had left, he heard voice lose its shape turning into a feeble desperate plea.
"I... no.. Don't.. grr... help..I wish The Midnight Prince was here to save me from these monsters."
Raphael said it. Ashamed in himself for caving in but he said it! Couldn't look at Midnight as he was almost scared to see his reaction. Rejection would sting after begging like this, but accepting his words would mean the end of his dignity. Showing his vulnerable side for once. In truth Raphael had no idea how to defeat these monsters and needed his help.

Midnight stopped in his tracks. A rare humble smile appeared as he pulled out his nun chucks and started twirling them in his hands.
"A super hero can't ignore the cries of an civilian in need. Together this time."
"Yes. Together." There was no mocking, no probing, or weird remarks on his character. Very unlike his deceased brother. Raphael felt at ease, with each twirl of the Nun Chucks the ghost of Mikey was finally gone and Midnight stood in his rightful place.

Standing strong, side by side. A bond started to forge between the bickering couple. A smile appeared and their game faces were on. Raphael felt a sense of peace and an renewed determination to fight for this time he knew it was the last round. Midnight was eager to finally get back into the battle, and Red finally trusted him to cover his back. It was the best feeling ever and he vowed not to disappoint. For a moment their hearts and minds were synced with each other.

Pressed up back to back the two ants circled them. Midnight faced off Fire who had only 3 arms now and Raphael glared down Bitters. The turtle wasn't angry, it was worse than that Raphael was focused and carried a grin. The two ants moved upon them, circling them first. Striking down at them with two of their arms, Raph and Midnight blocked and countered it together, pivoting on one heel Midnight high kicked Fire while his nun-chucks simultaneously went for his lower abdomen. Raphael threw his sais like throwing knives right under Bitters lower left arm then rushed in with a jump, grabbing his sai his two feet slammed into Bitter's chest then did a back flip over Midnight.

Like a perfectly timed dance, Midnights knees bent so he ducked low as Raphael went over head while changing his target from Bitters to an off balance Fire. Midnight moved fast on his toes to jump up and raised his Nun Chucks smashing them into Fire's pincers, there was a loud crack and a splatter of blood as the right pincer broke off. Landing on his feet he sweeps Fires two legs while his chucks smashed against its hips.
Raphaels flip landed him on top of Bitters shoulders with his two green legs wrapped around its neck. Raphael dropped his body to do a somersault and with his momentum Bitters was tossed over head and Raphael bounced off his arms and landed perfectly on his feet. Grabbing his second sai he charged forward and leaped high up into the air, two feet crashed down into Bitter's chest while his sai dug deep into Bitter's shoulders. Bitters squirmed and used its arms to punch Raphael which sent him back, quickly Raphael regained control and pinned those two arms and pushed himself back onto his feet. Back to back with Midnight once more.

Midnight was having some trouble with Fire, dodging and dancing around the very upset ant who was fighting for its life now. He felt Raphael behind him which made Midnight fight all the harder, he didn't want to upset Red now that he had accepted him!

He dived between the ants legs and rolled up behind him while his chucks hit the pressure points on its belly and back shoulders. Leaping up to attack from behind, Fire did something unexpected and used its tail to swat Midnight away. Impacting with the ground sure hurt! Landing on his stomach, his mask dug into the road. Shaking off the blow he got up on all fours, Fire pounced on top of him used his stinger to strike down at Midnight's body. Worried, Midnight flinched up and braced for a direct hit.

He heard a crack of the stinger making impact and a huge weight that pressed him flat out on his stomach. 'oof' Midnight grunted as he rubbed his sore shoulder. There was no pain from the stinger, unsure of what just happened so he hesitantly looked away from the road and glanced up. On top of Midnight body was a grinning Raphael "Turtle.. sir?" The stinger was embedded in the back of his broken shell. Midnight turned over onto his back, Raphael entire body shielded him from the blow and Midnight was just shocked.
"Guess we both have a weakness to tail attacks." Raphael joked lightly while he grimaced.
"The stinger broke your shell!" Midnight shouted with concern, a broken shell couldn't been good for a turtle. Should have just let the stinger hit him.
"No, it was broken before. Still handy, your armor broken so I figured you could use mine." Raphael said though grunts, the excruciating pain came back but he made sure as heck to downplay the pain for Midnights sake.
"Red.." Midnights voice was low and very soft. That did it, he was officially touched by him. His nose tickled up.
"Stop givin' me dem puppy eyes and get ta work!" Raphael barked. He wasn't about to start this nonsense with him! Glaring hard at Midnight, he felt the bugs breathe brushing against his neck and he wasn't sure if he had the stomach to hold its contents in.

Midnight snapped out of his emotional state and nodded his head. "You got it." He smiled playfully. Raphael was sandwiched between him and Fire, so Midnight had to crawl out from underneath Raphael and in the nick of time too!
As soon as he was free, Bitters did a dog pile on top of Fire and it squished Raphael. His legs and arms caved in at the weight of the two ants, he was yelling and cussing that even made Midnight bat an eye and look away. After a few moments he looked back at the chaotic scene.
"Raphael, I got some bad news!"
"Save it, get em off me you pipsqueak! GET 'EM OFF!" Raphael elbowed Bitters cheek whenever he tried biting him with his pincers, but it retaliated by adding more weight onto his back shell.
"But you're going to want to hear this!" Midnight just stood there, with a certain eagerness in his voice.
"Spit it out then.." Raphael dared to humor him, it was this or stay trapped under these bugs! Doing his hardest to crawl out from under them, Fire rolled and Raphael body was no longer visible to Midnight. Trapped underneath the two smelly hairy sister ants.

"See, I am a smart super hero. I got the power of deduction! Throughout this battle I have deduced something that could change your life forever." Midnight nun chuck were put away and he spoke and paced around in a nonchalant attitude. Waving his hands in a childish gesture with each word he said.
"...Yeah..?" Raphael head and shoulders poked out from underneath, one arm he got free and stretched far out as he kept pulling himself to freedom but alas, he wasn't making progress. Couldn't even reach his sai's! Their hairy bodies were tickling his arms. Gross, gross.
"I deduced you suffer from a condition called Entomophia, fear of bugs!" Midnight finger snapped and he pointed to the turtle with his accusation.
" ..." Raphael couldn't even... Never did he understand that phrase till just now. He was utterly speechless.
"I am sooo slick! Phew! Glad we got that out of the way." Brushing the sweat off his brow and exhaled in such a jovial way.
"MIDNIGHT! If you don' get dem off me I AM GOIN' TO TARE THAT HEAD OFF!" Raphael shouted, his lips were twitching and he slammed his fist hard on the ground and tried to reach over to Midnight to strangle him!
"I love it when I am right! Right on brah, coming!" His smile brightened under his mask, there was just something special seeing Raphael underneath two bugs that he is scared of.

Midnight redrew his nun chucks and charged in. His spinning chucks hit Bitters with enough power it pushed him off from Fire's back and with a twirling kick against Fires side ribs, Raphael was almost instantly set finally set free. Grabbing his shoulder, Midnight helped Raphael up and as soon as he got to his feet Midnight felt a hard smack on his head.
"Owww." Midnight pouted as he rubbed his head. Knowing too well he deserved that.
Raphael was exhausted, huffing after being the bottom of the dog pile. "Can we end tis now?"
Midnight pulled out his skateboard and it transformed into the Moonstar. Jumping on, he nodded at Raphael. "Time for my magic. Get on turtle buddie." The joy in his voice was still irritating but least Raphael could manage it. Raphael jumped on as the two ants started to get up. The Moonstar shot forward, turning the board to its side it smashed into the two ants which put them back on their backs again.
Gliding up high above the lot, where the sun shined behind them both as they were now the victors of tonight's chaos. Midnight put his nun chucks away and drew out his boomerang, raising it up high and their shadows casts over the ants.

"What yer waitin' for? Just hit em." Raphael said impatiently. Midnight was hesitating then lowered his weapon, this was disappointing. Raphael only assumed their attacks weren't enough, ah shell, he was looking forward to getting back home. His hand reached for his sai but as he did so Midnight body twisted and gave him his left glove.
"You protected me even when the battle seemed hopeless. I trust you enough to do the honors." No jokes or quips this time and Raphael was taken back by it. Taking the glove, he slipped it onto his hand while Midnight handed him the boomerang.
"Why the glove?" Raphael asked, he barely managed to fit his hand inside. The boomerang though was incredibly light and he fumbled with it between two index fingers.
"We are dealing with radiation and electricity. Best not to get shocked by your own weapon." Midnight explained simply, with a small smile under the mask.
"Oh.. I uh.. never threw a boomerang before." Looking sheepish, none of his brothers really played with a boomerang before. There was no way he could hit the ants from all the way up here in the sky.
"You missed my head back there, pretty good aim to me."
"Ya said it right.. I missed..." Raphael admitted while his eyes peered off to the left.
Chills ran down the spine. He was aiming for his head? So rude and yet it felt like Raphael wouldn't be him if he tried for anything less than his head. So Midnight smiled warmly.
"Trust me, you can't miss even if you tried. Push that orange button." Midnight showed him the motion of the hand in how to throw a boomerang. Raphael nodded, unsure. Pushing the button the entire weapon electrified. He nearly dropped it! The bolts circled around the weapon but it didn't hurt him in the slightest. A smile quickly turned into a grin.

Raphael raised up the boomerang and threw it with all his might. The bolts circled around the Sister Ants and with a last scream they went poof. No evidence at all that they had even existed. The long night was finally over.
The boomerang came flying back and Raphael caught it with ease. Feeling pretty confident in himself. The both yelled out with euphoria as they jumped and shook their fist to the skies. They had won.
Midnight jumped up and down on the Moonstar. Monster Hunting never been this fun before..

Midnight had taken the turtle back to Payson Street were this journey had started. The street was still empty and the two hovered over a manhole in the middle of the road. Raphael jumped down from the board, he looked absolutely exhausted and in pain. Battered from the night but Midnight suspected he was in more pain than Raphael was leading on. Stubborn turtle.
Tucked away in Raphael belt was Fire's leg that he had amputated earlier in the fight. A gift for Donatello when he got back home. On that note, Master Splinter and Leonardo were surely to be up by now and worrying about his whereabouts.
Midnight stood tall like the Super Hero he was, hovering low on his Moonstar as he watched Raphael lift up the manhole and slip right on in with ease.
"Gotta admit Midnight, ya know how ta show a turtle a good time." Raphael smiled at Midnight, tonight couldn't have gone better. He got to beat the living daylights out of the two ants all night long! So drained from all the emotions he had let out tonight but it put him in a better mind frame.

"Does this make us friends?" Midnight asked with a child like voice. There was so much hope that poured out of his energy, perhaps a little too much.
"Uh. No.." Raphael cringed and withdrew himself. There was a certain hardness there and Midnight pondered on this, Raphael was an emotional turtle that enjoyed to keep things inside. He learned that tonight, so perhaps he shouldn't be so straight forward?
"Hmm.. next time we meet. Show me how to do the Alley Oop."
Raphael casually shrugged his one shoulder. "Yeah.. whatever, sure."
Midnight smile brightened under the mask. Felt a warmth in his chest. "Goodbye Raphael and.. Thanks."
"Midnight.." Raphael grabbed the manhole cover closer to him as he took two steps down.
"Yeah?" Midnight blinked, his orange cape blew in the morning breeze.
Raphael looked up with a big smirk. "I got'cha back." The manhole lowered and just like that the turtle was gone.
"Darn it!.. you're right." Midnight mouth twitch. They both struck an emotional cord with each other tonight and this made him pout. They were even.