Motherly Affection
Haanaken
Hallo, everyone. Really hope you like this new segment. ^^
Please, take care.
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Quote:
Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
______
She'd dis-activated them.
All that time, all that effort.....
........they were worse then useless now.
No.
The time of purification was still at hand. Kanone threw Mary an enraged snarl, and aimed once, twice-with his crossbow over the balcony.
A stunned Leo looked up just in time. His face paled.
"DUCK!"
The four scattered-and happily, seeing as the second arrow the man had fired tore off a piece of fabric from Donatello's head.
"Stay outta range!"
"Gee. Thanks, sir-points-out-the-obvious-a-lot," snapped Raph, ducking behind a nearby barrel that had something painted on it.
To be saved for the Fourth of July...what did that mean?
_______
Kanone cursed.
He lacked a good chance of actually HITTING his targets, from so high up. Had there only been one turtle-well, skill was obviously not going to fail
him then.
But FOUR turtles-who wouldn't-stop-MOVING-just made it very difficult to make his firing successful-mainly because he could not startle one with a
hoax shot, trap it in a stasis-and shoot it to death, as had been his classical code.
There were only four arrows left. Just enough, if he got on their level and aimed for the heart or vertebrae...!
Kanone attempted to run down the steps.
She still wasn't his concern. With a grunt, he began to make his way for the downstairs level.
"Arrrgghhhh!"
Mary tackled him, face now quite ruddy as she attempted to regain breath, head spinning violently.
Kanone twisted around, and attempted to kick her off-but no dice. His limbs flailed helplessly.
It was too hard to kick her off-his spine was already screaming from where she'd dealt a blow.
NOW, he was getting....annoyed.
__________
With all of his might, Kanone shoved Mary away. She stumbled back, using the railing to catch herself for a second-just a second-but that second
was really all he required as he flew down the steps, Mary in pursuit.
Face darkening with irritation, Kanone turned around to fire-but Mary had reached the last step, and the arrow deflected off the railing post.
Two arrows left.
Very well. He'd strangle the little brats himself. He had no qualms about doing such things.
A smile curved his lips. Mikey was dead ahead, desperate to find cover.
But, the truth was, he could not find any.
___________
Don seized a corner or Mikey's shell and tugged him beside a barrel....
Too late. The man was slowly taking steps over to where four quivering turtles were hiding.
Mary hurried forward-but Kanone whipped around, and shot one more time.
Forced to hit the ground to avoid the penultimate arrow, she rolled to the side, breathing ragged, heart pounding wildly.
No!
___________
What the woman did next, some might call really rather stupid.
And I might have to send Kanone at you for that. (Most likely not, of course.)
But, dear readers, I do hope that you might find the aspiration to call it heroic, because not many would have done the same as Mary Mikell did
that night.
Running forward, inwardly begging for help-Mary planted herself in Kanone's path, eyes damp.
____________
Was this really going to be it?
The woman heard Kanone step slowly closer, metal edged toes clanking slightly on the aluminum flooring of the grid-heard, but did not want to
hear, could feel his oily, suffocating presence in the air, but did not want to.....
She only squeezed Michelangelo harder, silently praying, panic beginning to make her hands tremble slightly.
Mary wanted to flinch as the despicable man spoke again.
"Step aside, woman."
What was even more infuriating then his revolting presence was his tone. She wanted to kick him, at the very least.
The others....well, they involved somewhat nastier thoughts, such as sicing the family pets on him in an attack.
Mary remained frozen, even as she heard Kanone speak again:
"I said, step aside. Now."
There was the smallest chance that, if he ran out of arrows, the turtles could at least outrun this maniac-!
(No! Mary-don't be a hero-! O.O)
Still, Mary's heart hammered, and, in between listening to her own ragged breathing, she thought she could even hear Kanone's butterscotch
eyes narrow.
"Do you really want to spend your final moments protecting the filth of the Earth?" the man asked softly.
Oh, God, help us.....
Biting her lip, Mary reached out squeeze Leo's arm in response......but he wasn't there. Mary's eyes popped open.
The chibis looked nothing short of terrified, but the Leader managed a look of semi-angry defiance, brown eyes burning softly with resolve across
Mary's rib cage.
The woman froze, and attempted to tug the turtle back-but-he-wouldn't-!
Kanone simply shrugged.
"What the heck. Who am I to deny you safe passing?"
The cross bow clicked. Mary closed her eyes once again, willing to hammering heart to slow down.
No.
She didn't want to spend her last minutes like this-!
Mary attempted to drift to fonder memories-it was better to be in a sea of Autumn color, better to looking at the stars with Mikey, holding
Raphael, reading to Donny, sitting in the pews with Leo-!
Anything, anything-beat this.
These were good memories. And ones she didn't want to lose.
Not now. Not ever.
But, if Kanone was as good a shot as he bragged, then things were very, very bad, indeed.
Silence. She drew herself ready for the click that meant he fired-the own fire that would-!
"By the way, those who aid themselves with scum will garner no sympathy."
Mary's eyes flashed open into a glower.
"Interesting, Hilbert. Because the one I pity the most in this world is standing right in front of me."
Butterscotch orbs flickered, as a look of surprise, then unbridled fury raced across his face.
"How....dare you?"
A humorless smirk made its way to her face.
If she were lucky....and his rage caused him to misaim once again.....well, it was four chibi turtles and a furious mom against an exhausted
lunatic.
Now was the time to fan these flames with the truth.
"You're pathetic," Mary said softly, eyes narrowing in the deathly silence.
"You're weak. You're pitiful. AND you're stupid. It's really kind of embarrassing to watch."
Kanone's grimace deepened.
"Watch it, woman-you obviously forget who's holding the tools here."
Mary raised an eyebrow.
"Really? A sad, sad little man who looks like a two year old- and gets his kicks from hunting down five year old turtles like he's some type of hero
when he's nothing short of a bully and a coward?"
Kanone snarled.
"You dare-?!"
"Yes. I dare. Instead of facing your own demons, you create your own. You hide, you cry-you throw temper tantrums. That little toy in your hands-
is just another way for you to flee. Like I said...."
Mary raised her eyes to Kanone, the quiet anger building up an unnaturally frosty look in her eyes to the blazing orbs of Kanone.
"Oversized toddler." she slowly repeated for emphasis.
"Weak."
"And-you'll never hear me, or anyone else deny it-WEAK."
Another click.
Mary kept her eyes squeezed shut, regardless, feeling Don's pitter patting heartbeat pressed behind on her back....as well as the one frantically
beating in her own chest.
Silence.
~*~*~*
Why didn't he.....?
......
Uncomfortably, the seconds dragged by, achy heartbeat by achy heartbeat was telling them they were still conscious, still breathing-and still
alive.
At least....for one more second.
~*~
After a good three minutes of silence went by, the woman grit her teeth, eyes stinging somewhat.
Even if a happy ending couldn't be found on Earth.....!
Better to meet your end "on your feet," as the saying went, aye, regardless if you passed on surrounded by kin or those of nature?
Managing a small, bitter smile-praying that Kanone wasn't going to fire at the little guys-there was no need to fear for Jessi and Arek's safety,
seeing as they had most likely had stayed back to the house by this time-unless Kanone decided....
Unless he decided to-!
Mary's eyes snapped open, the thick, wild mantra of fear accelerating like wildfire through her body.
He wouldn't.
He wouldn't dare-!
But, at that moment, Mary's mind drew to a blank in shock.
Thought had almost ceased from the intense wave of astonishment that went through her body.
The final arrow had indeed fired, contrary to her expectations, already loose from the crossbow in the man's shaking hands.
Kanone had staggered back, yellow slits enormous....and now somewhat dilated.
~*~*~*
A thin, gray figure-dressed in faded brown and black monk's robes.
A figure that Mary Mikell was almost certain that she might never see again-!
Splinter the rat stood in front of the five, arrow in his hand, gazing at Kanone.
....and his expression could of quite easily burnt a hole through arctic metal.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Raph drew teary eyes from Mary's shoulders, trembling as he did so.
His own eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Spli-!"
Splinter did not move his vision from the man scowling a few feet away, but he did hold up a hand, causing Raphael to fall silent.
Mary only stared at him before a trembling, slightly hysteric smile twitched at her lips.
The tables had turned.
It was now a seriously furious mother, four five year old turtles, a ninjitsu master looking ready to kill-against Kanone Hilbert.
Who, no longer held anything, other then empty promises and threats against their lives.
Just like he no longer held an arrow in his hands.
~*~*~*~*~
For several seconds, there was a bone chilling stillness in the air as Mary staggered up. Her eyes flashed around.....
....and caught to that of the entrance.
Leaning on a nearby oil barrel, Ken gave her a faint thumbs-up, albeit looking a bit dazed.
How had he-?
But that didn't matter. She could of kissed him-but there were a few more....matters to be dealt with right now.
Snapping her eyes back to the two circling figures, the woman faintly wondered if she and Ken should step in.
As if catching onto what she'd been thinking-Splinter's onyx eyes met hers for the briefest second.
He managed to shake his head once, then twice.....but the woman understood.
Did Master Splinter know this guy? Kanone certainly seemed to....otherwise, she doubted even HE would be glaring at the rat with such loathing.
But the same expression-the same as when she had called him a coward-was there.
Was it actually.....fear?
"Miss....Mary-san, correct?"
The woman started as Splinter bowed his head politely.
"Honor dictates that I...ask for permission to take your place in combat. If you were not to settle this vermin-may I be so bold as to ask for your
blessing in finishing off your opponent?
Mary blinked at him for a minute or so before speaking.
"Zettaini sou desu."
The rat managed a faint nod.
"Arigatou."
"Do- itashi mashite."
Itching though she was to land another good hit to the abominable, awful, asinine, bad, beastly, one or two other rather unlovely things that
began with a "B".....
No time for that.
Finally, the rat spoke once again. Mary flinched slightly.
It wasn't rasping. It was quiet. It was almost....courteous. Not at all what she'd expected-which might of been an endless stream of swear
words.
Leo shuddered from where he perched, burying his face in Mary's arm.
"You've survived....."
The rat allowed the arrow to quietly break in his hands, the little snap! echoing like gunfire nonetheless in the empty halls, foot brushing slightly
the cold cement of the floors.
Splinter's onyx orbs narrowed.
"....for far too long, Mister Hilbert."
Don buried his face inbetween Mary's arm, staring at Splinter with wide eyes as she stroked his head absentmindedly.
Oh, dear. Truth be told, he was rather more afraid for Kanone at this point then he was for the rat, odd as that sounded.
He had NEVER heard him use such a dark tone before.....
Kanone continued his own circling pace, frantic scowl on his features while golden eyes dilated.
The....rat had came.
He would have gladly hunted him down-but the nezumi had come for his....charges.
Why?
His eyes widened.
These people-the woman, the man-this vermin-
He gave the four turtles hunched together a bewildered stare.
Just WHAT was so friggin' special about these...these things that they'd risk death?!
He remembered the first time all too well.....
~*~*~
Kanone had staggered backwards, indiscriminately firing a shot into the air.
Bang.
Terrified cats, possums, rodents of all shapes and sizes fled out of hiding places, squealing, snarling, rushing to find new solitude.....
Smoke trailed slightly from the new hole in the cement, plaster and rocks falling blindly down into a fine, granulated dust.
Kanone snarled, losing all pretense of sweet innocence as it twisted grotesquely.
And he narrowly avoided Splinter's fist from smashing into his face.
Sideleaping quickly, fumbling for his weapon....
And a powerful kick sent it flying away over the edge.
Kanone let out a growl. Hand to hand?
He could live with that. It was the first thing Foot soliders learned.....
He lunged forwards.
The turtles' motionless bodies had long since been pulled into a safe corner of the shadows. Splinter could still see them with his excellent
nightvision.
And he ducked to avoid Kanone's fist, forcing him to tear his eyes away.
Heckfire! Kanone was FAST.....
Splinter nimbly leapt upon the iron railing, avoiding Kanone's Double Phoenix Twist....
He was certainly well versed in Martial arts....Perhaps this would land him...
Nope. The young man quickly counterattacked.....
Kanone had a Backfist style, while Splinter used his Master's Falling Rain technique. An equally matched style.
And equally ruthless.
And as all heck broke loose, the battle fully began.
In the Darkness, the all mighty darkness,
Stood a wee, little man with a two inch needle sword.
He leapt and stabbed,
Cantered and parried,
Dashed and lunged,
Fighting the shadows amassed before him....
The thrill of battle had never hit Kanone so much as he swung his knuckles into Splinter's side.
With a grunt, the rat aimed a kick at Kanone's shinbone in retaliation.
Dancing away, stars swimming before his eyes, Kanone smiled.
Possibly because he never had such a fit match before....
No. Splinter was more then a fit match now in comparison to the crippled muscles he still had....!
Kanone unconsciously pressed his false hand to his back, ferocious snarl never dying from his features.
He need not fear death. As long as these worthless imbeciles followed him....it needn't be a fool's errand.
Even if he wasn't able to top Splinter-and, if he was, the Mikells would obviously overtake his weakened state, heck or high water. That much
was obvious.
He had to laugh at the irony.
How pitiful. Two suburban New Yorkers kicking the mighty Kanone Hilbert's can.
But he had to admit, the game had already driven the man past his edge. Though fatigue dripped at every corner of his aching muscles-and the
very same rat whose family he had attempted to kill....
....twice now....was standing in front of him, that wasn't what was truly bothering him.
Death.
That had always been the selfsame amusement he'd directed to himself when he tore his soul into shadow. He had had no qualms about such
actions-and, in his debauchery, gained a savage pleasure from the world of lies the original Kanone Hilbert had screamed from beyond his iron
walls of the Dissociative identity disorder he'd been diagnosed with so long ago....
...but the man who had screamed when Kanone had pushed Alex over the edge, cried for the countless stream of victims brought down....
...was dead.
Or so Kanone had believed....until tonight.
Before, he had reveled in it-tactic after brilliant tactic-been well pleased by his success...
It had rather been The Most Dangerous Game indeed. The pleasure of careful manipulation-as if upon a chessboard.
Occasionally, the early win had brought him satisfaction. Pleasure even, bringing down the mighty protocols like the diseased bits of plague rats
that they'd been....
But when had his fingertips become red? To the point that the rusty scent was no longer a privileged self indulgence.....
...but something almost unenjoyable?
~*~*~*
What Kanone hated most in life was himself.
And the pity that had stirred in his soul for the Hamato's miserable little ragtag clan.
Disgust, annoyance, revulsion that such things had the audacity to take a stand in this cruel world when everything would be so much simpler-so
much sweeter to turn your face to the wall and die like you wanted to......
...and pity. The five had their backs to the wall since the day they were born. Why couldn't he spare them the meaningless token of life when
death could bring the peace Kanone thought he once desired....
...once....?
So why was the rat treating HIM like he was the evil one here? He'd only been helping the rest of the world-and himself, by their demise.
So now.....why?
And why had the woman's words bothered him so?
~*~*~*
"Oversized toddler." she slowly repeated for emphasis.
"Weak."
"And-you'll never hear me, or anyone else deny it-WEAK."
Surely, that was untrue. Not even a Foot solider would have the audacity to dare to say such things.
Mary was wrong. She HAD to be.
A smile graced his features.
"Interesting. Didn't know if you'd show up."
Master Splinter's eyes flickered.
"You survived, when you should have not. You showed your face again....when you should have not."
Mary blinked as Ken helped her up, then made a shhing motion towards the elevator doors.
They were jammed at the moment...but it would probably take just a moment or two to fix....
....once he was done watching this go-round. Splinter was speaking again.
"You attempt to harm my little ones-when you know I would tear you apart for such an action.
Regardless.....you did it, when you should have not."
Ken stared at the rat, mouth slightly open.
Oh, yeah.
Jessi and Arek-he was going to ground them for eternity for what they'd gone ahead and done-but the man had been right to guide the rat here.
All the same, he was going to try reeeeallly hard not to get on this fellow's bad side.
Kanone's eyes narrowed as Splinter resumed speaking.
"You sank into a new low.....by dragging innocent people into this....when you should have not.
Do not presume to make another mistake tonight, Hilbert. Surrender now-and may the authorities drag you into the selfsame slime that you are.
For else....it will be the last error you ever make."
Kanone stared at him, looking bewildered.
And then, began to chuckle slightly.
"Well....I dunno about that. Seems a little too dull for my existence."
Still, the words that the rat spoke next were still frightening:
" I told you.....tonight....."
Splinter's words were tinged with pain....and rage.
"....if you do not heed my final warning...."
He paused in midstep.
"....it ends, Hilbert. It ends for you here and now."
~*~*~*
Am....kind of....exhausted.....
G-Gomen Nasai....a few chapters l-left....Zzzzz....
Just let me cry in peace.