Of Rats and Men.

April's POV.

Hey, viewers. Wow. Ellie wasn't kidding about your sense of timing. It's been about a week since the mushroom incident. Casey proposed that he and I hang out for the weekend, but Irma insisted that she'd tag along. Typical.

We just finished lunch at the local pizza place, and it doesn't seem to be settling with Irma, "Ugh! I know they claimed that pizza was glutenfree, but I definitely tasted gluten."

We walked into the nearest alley. Casey brought his bike, just in case we need it.

"Thanks for hanging out with us on our date, Irma. We really needed a chaperone." Casey thanked Irma in a sarcastic tone.

"Anything I can do to help." Irma smiled, missing the sarcasm.

"Um, who said this was a date, Casey?" I asked with a cheeky smirk.

Casey smiled back. As we reached the end of the alley, a brown rat scurried past us. Casey dropped his bike and yelped in fright.

He calmed down and wondered, "What the?"

"I can't believe someone as big as you, is afraid of a little rat." Irma chuckled.

Casey shot a glare at Irma, and picked up his bike. A ginger tabby cat came by meowing at the rat in warning. Then acted natural. She must have been chasing the rat off.

I smiled, "And I can't believe that rat was afraid of this adorable little kitty." I picked up the kitty and she smiled at me, "Aw."

"I mean, rats are relatively harmless." Irma started on her facts about rats, "They also share many similarities to humans, which is why they're used in scientific experiments."

As I searched the kitty for any signs of ownership, Casey whispered to me, "Does she ever shut up?"

I frowned, "Little kitty doesn't have any tags." Then I looked at Casey, "We can't just leave her here."

Casey hopped on his bike and I followed. "Don't look at me. I'm more of a rat person." Irma pointed out.

She looked down the alley, thinking she heard something.

"Catch you later, Irma. Got to find this kitty a home." I said goodbye to my friend. Irma smiled and waved.

Maybe this kitty can be with Ellie and the Turtles. Raph and Ellie had pets before. Well... When I was looking after Mulan for Ellie, when I was still angry at her and the Turtles, Mulan escaped her cage and ran off. I wasn't able to find her. And Mikey pretty much acts like one. Only one way to find out.


*Meanwhile, in the Lair...*

Eleanor's POV.

Heya viewers. Where did you go off to? Hehehe. Anywho, you caught and the boys at a good time. We're going through a new training exercise. Uncle Splinter chose Leo to be his demonstration. Leo was unsure, as he noticed his teacher was holding a blindfold.

"I don't know, Master Splinter. This doesn't seem fair." Leo said with an uncertain tone.

Uncle Splinter put the blindfold over his eyes and tied it at the back of his head, "I assure you, it isn't."

Leo drew one of his katanas and charged to attack Uncle Splinter. But, Splinter moved aside and behind Leo, before the blade hit him. Raph, Donnie and Mikey burst into laughter in Leo's embarrassment.

"Oh, man." Mikey sighed, calming himself down.

"A swing and a miss." Raph smiled.

Leo looked at his brothers, then at me. I gave him a smiled and a thumbs-up. Leo blushed, then hopped back to his feet and he and Uncle Splinter circled each other.

"Blind fighting is more than honing your other senses. It is about perception." Uncle Splinter informed, as Leo drew his other katana, "And giving the illusion of control."

Splinter's ears twitched. Leo leaped to try attacking from above, but Uncle Splinter dodged by leaning back. Leo continued to attack, but Uncle Splinter kept dodging and stayed very close.

"You may think you have the upper hand in the situation, but-" Uncle Splinter caught one of Leo's wrists and said to his ear, "You do not."

With that, Uncle Splinter disarmed Leo and threw him into the ground. Again, Leo's brother's laughed at his embarrassment.

"Looks like someone needs a shower." Mikey joked.

"How's that floor tasting, Lame-o-nardo?" Raph asked.

I quietly moved aside, as Uncle Splinter walked behind the trio and whacked them across the head with one of Leo's katanas.

"Ow!" The three yelped in pain.

"It is not hard to sense loudmouths." Splinter scolded.

Then he clutched his head. Splinter and turned and removed his blindfold. I looked at his aura and it flinched. Like he was trying to fight something.

"伯父さん(Oji-san/Uncle)? Is something wrong?" I asked, as Leo got back to his feet.

"You turtles!" Uncle Splinter hissed, catching the boys' attention. He turned to the boys and raised Leo's katana to attack, "You will all-"

The boys braced themselves. Quickly, I grabbed Splinter's wrist and looked into his eyes. My uncle's eyes were glowing a familiar red. One look into my eyes and Splinter's eyes stopped glowing and gasped in shock and dismay.

I let go of my uncle's wrist and he dropped Leo's katana.

"Master Splinter, are you alright?" Leo asked his father.

Uncle Splinter fell to his knees, "I am sorry, my sons. This is... Something is wrong. I must meditate. We will continue this training another time."

Leo picked up his other katana and joined his brothers in leaving the Dojo.

"Yo, did you see that?" Mikey asked, "Sensei gave me the crazy eyes."

Leo gave his father a last look and left. I folded my arms and looked at my uncle. His aura was flickering like a candle flame in a glass case.

I walked over to my uncle, "伯父さん."

"I said we will continue another time, Eleanor." He told me.

I shook my head, "No. You don't have to be an empath to know something's wrong."

I stood in front of Splinter, crouched to his level and looked at my right bandaged hand. I lift my left hand and gently placed it over my uncle's forehead. The second my fingers touched his fur, I saw quick glimpse of a face I thought we'd never see again.

Uncle Splinter flinched again, and I removed my hand, "He's trying to control you again, isn't he?" I asked in a serious tone.

Splinter looked at me and nodded, "Yes."

I thought for a second, then a memory hit me. Better now than never to use it. I stood up and started burning some insence on Uncle Splinter's shrine.

Splinter noticed and asked me, "What are you doing?"

"Something I should've done months ago." I answered, as I setted the shrine up, "Miyamoto-Sensei taught me this technique years ago."

"What technique?" He asked.

"It's very old. If two souls have a bond strong enough, they can meld minds and overwhelm any form of infiltration." I explained, then added, "Kind of like a mix between a defence mechanism and a spiritual link. One question remains though."

I turned my uncle and asked, "Are you willing to try it?"

Splinter looked away in thought. Then he looked at me dead in the eyes and nodded. With that, he and I sat across from each other and started meditating. I put my hands over my uncles and I could see into his mind. I sensed the infiltrator.


*Inside Master Splinter's Mind...*

Uncle Splinter opened his eyes and grimaced, "No. I defeated you. You were gone."

In fear, he started scurrying further into the darkness.

"I am never gone. I live because you live." A familiar voice answered.

I entered my uncle's mind and appeared in front of him in a protective manner.

"Falco!" I hissed, making my presence known.

The voice smiled, "Aah. Dear Eleanor. Still trying to save what you can't."

"You will leave this mind!" I demanded of Falco.

Splinter's image disappeared and was replaced by a glowing, light blue orb.

"I'm even deeper than your uncle's mind. I'm inside his very soul." Falco told me, as the orb took the form of my uncle, when he was human.

Falco grabbed the glowing man and told Splinter, "You will give everything to your King! Your Rat King!"

"No! You have no control over me." Uncle Splinter shouted, trying to protect himself.

"I have what I came for." Falco said, then he was gone.


*Back in Reality...*

I opened my eyes and I saw Uncle Splinter standing over me with his hands out in a sign. He opened his eyes and gasped. Uncle Splinter fell to his knees and put his hand over his forehead.

Worry took its hold on me. Falco has gotten stronger and is damaging Splinter's psyche. This isn't good.

I placed my hand over my uncle's shoulder. Splinter looked me and looked away. I couldn't blame him. There's a reason Falco calls himself the 'Rat King', and it doesn't mean good things.

I put Splinter's arm over my shoulders and helped him back to his feet, "C'mon. Let's get you some ice."

Uncle Splinter grabbed his cane and nodded in agreement. With my help, Splinter made his way to the kitchen.

Before we entered, I heard Raph ask, "What are you babbling about?"

I entered and saw the Turtles, April and Casey around the dining table. Mikey was in front of the refridgerator, looking like he's hiding something.

"Guys. We have a problem." I alerted.

Then Uncle Splinter walked in and made his way to the refridgerator, "Need ice... For my head... And possibly... A Cheesicle."

"You can't do that! No, Sensei!" Mikey quickly protested, closing the door in Splinter's face.

Uncle Splinter glared at Mikey in aggression, "No? You tell me no?" Uh-oh.

"Mikey, get back!" I shouted, pushing Mikey behind me.

Splinter's eyes turned red again. He roared and started acting like an aggressive, wild rat. My uncle charged toward Mikey. Mikey ran and I held Splinter back and away from Mikey. Uncle Splinter was a lot stronger than he lets on, but I won't let Falco use him to hurt my family.

Casey quickly hid under the dining table, "This is not helping my whole rat thing."

I stared into my uncle's glowing maniacal red eyes, "You will release my uncle, you Monster!"

The aggressive behavior got worse and my uncle bit me over my shoulder. I screamed in pain and my grip loosened. Uncle Splinter grabbed my wrists and me into the wall, by to entrance of the kitchen.

My back and ribcage cracked loudly, head felt very light and my vision was getting blurry. I tried to get back to my feet, but my body wouldn't let me. The last thing I heard was Leo and Raph crying my name before the darkness took over.


Leonardo's POV.

Master Splinter bit Ellie in her shoulder and threw her into the wall, near the entrance. She tried to get back to her feet, but she blacked out.

My heart stopped, and my blood ran cold. "Ellie!" Raph and I cried.

Master Splinter roared again and turned his attention to Mikey again. Mikey got himself cornered.

"Help him!" I instructed.

Donnie, Raph and I restrained Master Splinter to the dining table. But he was too strong and threw us away from him.

Master Splinter stood up and spoke in a familiar tone, "I've got what I came for. Soon New York and the world will be mine!"

Then the red glow was gone and Master Splinter collapsed on the table.

"Sensei, are you okay?" I asked in worry.

"What happened?" April asked.

Splinter sat up, rubbed his forehead and grimaced, "The Rat King has returned."

April, my brothers and I gasped in shock. The Rat King is back? How, when, and why? Explains what's been going on lately.

"Who's the 'Rat King'?" Casey asked.

"Victor Falco used to be a scientist, until he was paid to experiment with Mutagen." April explained, "He was able to make a neurochemical to give a person telepathic abilities. However, one of his experiments when wrong and he was mutated with a telepathic connection with every rat in New York."

"So, a telepathic supervillian. Got it." Casey understood.

"Ellie!" Raph called, as he ran to check on our unconscious cousin.

Ellie was very pale and had her hand over her bandaged torso. Dark red liquid was spilling from her hand. My heart dropped. Oh no...

Master Splinter got off the dining table and walked over to his injured niece. Sadness and regret was radiating off my father like rain. He picked Ellie up, bridal style, as carefully as he could.

Weak and in pain, Ellie opened her eyes and looked at her uncle, "伯父さん?"

Splinter held Ellie close to his chest, "ごめんなさい, 親愛なる 姪 (Gomen'nasai, shin'ainaru mei/I'm so sorry, my dear niece)."

As a reply, Ellie rested her head on Master Splinter's chest, closed her eyes and smiled in relief. I could tell she doesn't blame Splinter for his actions. She never did.

April, Casey, Master Splinter, my brothers and I made our way to the Lounge. Master Splinter gently placed Ellie on the couch, so she could rest up.

Mikey turned on the tv and the news channel was broadcasting, with the woman news reporter. She was in the streets, holding up an umbrella, due to it raining. And we saw the street was overrun by multiple rats and large rat Mutants.

That explains why the number of missing Mutagen canisters has decreased. Villians and other citizens are stumbling across them too.

"This is Joan Grody reporting live from Bleecker street, where giant rats have emerged from the sewers." The woman reported, "These revolting rodents are snatching people away, on this edition of Grody to the Max."

Then the rats attacked her. A brown rat looked at the camera and then static.

"Giant rats? Giant rats?" Casey muttered as he backed into the couch in fear.

"Maybe you should sit this one out, Casey." April suggested.

I turned to Master Splinter, "We could really use your help, Sensei. Last time you took that creep down with one punch."

"Last time was different, Leo." Ellie spoke up, "Falco was just getting used to his telepathic abilities."

Splinter nodded with a sullen look, "Eleanor is right. The Rat King has grown too powerful. I do not fear for myself, but for what he could... Force me to do."

With that, April, Casey, my brothers and I grabbed our gear and made our way to the surface, to try and stop the abductions and the Rat King's plan.


Eleanor's POV.

Once the boys, April and Casey were gone, Uncle Splinter walked into the Dojo, to meditate, and I stayed on the couch, to try and rest and heal as much as I could. I feel like such a burden.

I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. In my black vision I saw the streets of New York. Citizens running in fear and I was chasing after them, like I was hunting them down and taking them away. My vision was maniacal red.

"Revel in the madness, my brother. There is room for you in my new world." I heard Falco's voice speak.

I looked at the window, saw my reflection and hissed. Uncle Splinter?! I snapped my eyes open and quickly sat up, to catch my breath from the shock. How the heck did I see that?

"No! Get out of my head!" I heard Uncle Splinter shout from the Dojo.

"It doesn't matter. You already belong to me. You just don't know it yet." Falco replied.

You know what? That's it! I can't just sit around, do nothing, and let this madman take control of my uncle, forcing him to hurt his own family!

I stood up, grabbed my ninja gear and set out to find Falco's underground lair. Without a doubt, Falco's Mutants have left a trail.


Leonardo's POV.

April, my brothers and I returned to the Lair and informed Master Splinter what happened. We were able to stop the rats, but Casey was taken. Master Splinter was very worried, as he had bad news as well.

"The Rat King peered into my mind, to see what makes me unique. With that knowledge, he will create an army of rat people." He explained to us.

"We got to stop him, Sensei." Raph told Splinter.

"I told you, he is too powerful." Master Splinter reminded Raph, then added in a sad tone, "Even for me."

"But, Master Splinter, if there's one time we could use your help, it's now." I pointed out.

Splinter hit the ground with his cane, "Enough! I will not put you in danger again."

He turned and started making his way to his room. But, April spoke up, "We believe in you, Sensei. We need your help and so does Casey."

Splinter said nothing and continued. The Rat King must've really got to him, for Sensei to asked like this.

Mikey looked around and noticed something, "Wait, where's Elle?"

This stopped Splinter in his tracks and turn. We all looked around and noticed there was no sign of a certain Lizard Mutant.

Realization hit me, as my heart stopped for a second, "Oh, no... Ellie's gone after the Rat King on her own!"

"What?!" Raph exclaimed, "We gotta find her, before she kills herself!"

I stared at my brother in confusion. Since when did he care about Ellie this much? Does he like her too? I shook my head of the thought and nodded in agreement.

With that, my brothers, April and I geared up and left the sewers to find where Ellie ran off to. Half-way through the sewer tunnels, we heard a loud shout of pain. My brothers, April and I quickly followed it.


Eleanor's POV.

Agh! My body gave into the pain of my re-opened scar again! I can't stop now. The tracks are gonna fade, and Falco's aura is out of my range.

"On your feet, Shen. Your family needs you. Stop being a burden and get up!" I told myself, trying to get back to my feet, but my knees won't let me move.

"Ellie!" I heard a familiar, tough voice shout from behind me. My vision was too blurry, I couldn't see anything.

"Raph?" I recognized.

I heard five footsteps and something green, brown and yellow came into my view. Two, three fingered hands were over my shoulders.

"What do you think you're doing? Do you want to make your injury worse?" Raph asked me with worry and fear in his voice.

"Ellie, you need to go back. You can't fight in your current condition." Donnie told me.

I closed my eyes, as tears of anger welled in my eyes. Shredder's rules and brutal training were really getting to me. As I explained before, Shredder hates slackers and idiots. If you're injured and you don't continue training the next day, you're not usefull to him.

When I was eleven, Bradford trained me so roughly, he fractured my lower spine. Karai told me I should rest and try again once I healed. But, being stupidly stubborn and remembering Shredder's rule, I declined and continued after ten minutes of resting. I ended up bed-writen for five months and wearing leg braces for the rest of my life.

Yeah, I lied about being born with weak legs. I didn't want you viewers to think I'm weak. But there's the truth. I wear leg braces because of a permanent fractured lower spine.

"No." I answered.

"What?" Raph asked.

"You heard me." I looked at him, "I'm not letting Falco control Splinter, and force him to kill you. I don't care if I'm hurt and can't move. That madman has to be stopped!" I told him.

I could feel Raph staring at me in the eyes. Then, I felt someone put my arm over its shoulders and helped me back to my feet.

"Can never change your mind, huh?" I heard Leo's voice joke. My heart skipped a few beats and a smile grew on my face.

With that, the boys and April joined me in finding Falco's lair. Once we arrived, I sensed a number of rat and scared auras, along with Casey's and Falco's. And they were hanging in mid-air. Must mean the humans were all in suspended cages.

"There's Casey. He's alive." April gasped in relief, the tilted her head, "And Irma?"

"We can't let the humans see us, April. You have to free 'em." Donnie told April.

I sensed a familiar aura behind us, as a hand touched Leo's shoulder.

Leo put me down and turned, "Sensei?"

"It is time the Rat King is dethroned." I heard my uncle announce from behind us.

Leo smiled, "I knew you wouldn't let us down."

"If I should lose control, you do what you have to do." Uncle Splinter told us. April, the boys and I nodded in understanding.

"Nothing's gonna happen. 'Cause I got my super-secret weapon. Yeah." Mikey assured, stroking what look like an ice box.

"Let's go!" Leo instructed, putting me down.

With that, the group split up and took their positions. Leo drew out a knife and was ready to throw it at Falco, however Uncle Splinter grabbed it. Leo noticed and Falco laughed. He knew we were here. No. Not again!

"No! Get out!" Uncle Splinter shouted, trying to fight the telepathic control.

But, his struggle was in vain, as Falco smiled, "You're mine now, Splinter. Destroy your sons! One by one!"

Uncle Splinter turned Leo on to his shell and tried to attack him. But Leo fought back.

Instinct and adreneline kicked into my system and I could stand on my own. I glared at Falco and attacked him with a powerful tackle, knocking the telepathic control over my uncle.

Falco recovered from the attack and glared at me, behind his bandages, "You!"

Splinter regained his senses and turned his attention to Falco.

Falco ran into an escape elevator and ordered his rats, "Destroy them!"

Uncle Splinter and I chased after him. Falco landed on one of his rat Mutants and ordered, "Go, Caligula!"

The rat obeyed and ran. Splinter and I landed and quickly chased after him.

"You run like a coward when not in control!" Splinter told Falco.

"Who said I'm not in control?" Falco asked. Then he shouted, "Attack!"

I felt a pull at the back of my mind and I looked behind us, "伯父さん!"

Uncle Splinter looked back and saw it as well. A large wave of sewer rats running toward us. Uncle Splinter and I were able to outrun the wave and chased Falco into the lower levels of the sewers, where its only platforms, pipes and decaying buildings.

Falco hopped off his steed and hopped across the platforms. Splinter and I chased after him. To reach the higher platforms, Falco used a wall of rats. Splinter leaped toward the platform and grabbed hold of the wall.

Falco stood over Splinter and shouted, "Fall!"

A wall of rats fell on to Splinter and forced him to let go, by biting his hands.

I dived after him and was able to stop his fall by grabbing his wrist, "Gotcha!"

Splinter looked and gave me a smile. Then he looked at Falco, who continued to run, "I will not let you escape this time."

Using our animal characteristics, Splinter and I climbed up the wall and chased after Falco. Being a lizard, I was able to intercept Falco before Splinter.

Out of breath and nowhere else to run, Falco turned to me and took a stance. The adreneline was wearing off, and my vision was getting blurry again. So, I have to make this quick.

I charged toward Falco and delivered a few attacks. However he dodged them and punched me in the scar. Then he kicked me into the air and threw me into the nearest wall. The adreneline wore off, pain coursed through my body and I couldn't move.

My vision got so bad, the only thing I could do is listen. I saw something brown run toward me, and Uncle Splinter's voice calling, "Eleanor!"

I felt a four-fingered hand over my cheek. I placed my hand over it and instantly recognized it was my uncle. Splinter turned to Falco, the black blur. Falco tried to use his telepathy to take control of my uncle again. But, this time, I was blocking him with our mind-meld.

Splinter walked toward Falco and attacked him. But, like me, Falco kept dodging and then gave Uncle Splinter a punch in the gut. Splinter tumbled back and fell to his knees.

"That's right. Bow before your master, Rat. There's nothing you can do that I can't see coming." Falco smiled.

"So you still think you are in control of the situation?" Splinter asked with a hidden tone of an idea.

With a quick strike, Uncle Splinter knocked the white rat off Falco's shoulder and swiped the bandage over his eyes.

"Aristotle!" Falco cried as the rat fell into the casm. He turned to Splinter and hissed, "You'll pay for that. I can still see through your eyes." Splinter revealed the bandage in his hand and Falco noticed, "What?"

"How about now?" Splinter asked, wrapping the bandage over his eyes.

Then Falco started wondering and attacking thin air.

"Control is an illusion." Splinter told Falco. He was able to attack him and throw him to the ground.

Falco got back to his feet and shouted, "Where are you?"

"It can be even more blinding than the inability to see. It can..." Splinter continued. Falco started swinging punches, but he lost his footing and fell off the edge, into the casm.

"Send you over the edge." Splinter finished. Then he removed the bandage from his eyes, "Goodbye, my King."

Once everything calmed down, and gone quiet, I heard Uncle Splinter run up to me, "Eleanor, can you hear me?"

"This is... Becoming quite a habit... Is it?" I joked in a weak tone.

"You have done very well, my child." Splinter smiled, picked me up, bridal style, and as gently as he could.

"I'm just... Glad the nightmare... Is finally over." I smiled.

"Rest well, now." He told me.

I nodded, rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes. A smile of relief appeared on my face. The Rat King is no more. All of the rats and Uncle Splinter can now rest with clear minds.