Hi Miraculous, I'm trying to get these chapters out as fast as possible , believe me, I can't stand having to wait when a story gets really good and then you have to wait forever for then next chapter. But if you are reading some of my other stories, please review, I would love to know what you think. And as always, thank you again to Yukio87 and Guest for your continuing reviews.
Ch 20 A Plan of Action.
"With all due respect your majesty." The captain of the guard stepped forward. "We cannot permit you to surrender to the foot clan."
"I am not asking for your permission Captain." Splinter stated angrily. "I am going and there will be no discussion about it."
Now Raph stepped forward. "With all due respect ya majesty." He stated in growing irritation. "But if our fathers are in da castle, then I want ta confront them." His voice began to rise. "I want an explanation as ta why they did what they did so I'm comin' wit ya!"
"Calm down Raph." Donnie began but Raph quickly turned on him.
"Don't you dare tell me ta calm down Donnie!" Raph screamed at him. "Our fathers GAVE us ta da foot clan for what reason we don't know!" He put his thumb against his own chest. "My dad let one of dem hit me on da head while he sat back and WATCHED!" He pointed to the castle. "And now ya say they're probably in there and if that's true, then they're probably makin' plans with dat bastard Shredder as ta da best way ta take over our kingdom!" Donnie backed slightly away as Raph now stood in front of him and pushed his beak against his. "And you want me ta CALM DOWN!"
"YES!" Donnie yelled back pushing his hands against Raph's chest. Raph staggered back and clenched his fist. The two panted hard and glared at each other angrily for several moments before Mikey finally came over and pried them apart.
"Guys please." Mikey begged quietly, tears again running down his face. The other two looked at him before finally calming down.
"Sorry Mikey," They told him. The looked around and noticed everyone was staring at them. "Sorry everyone," The two terrapins mumbled together looking at the ground in shame.
Splinter came forward and placed a paw on both their arms, looking up at them with an understanding smile. "It is alright Raphael, Donatello." They looked down at him and smiled back. "We all understand there is a lot you are going through." They nodded and watched as he returned to stand next to the captain. "But now is not the time for you to confront your fathers, now is the time for us to save the prince and find a way to take back the kingdom." His eyes searched the many faces that stared at him. "And the best way to do that is for my surrender."
Mikey looked at the king with pleading eyes. "Your majesty," He began. "I honestly have to agree with Raph here." Splinter tilted his head at him. "After what our fathers did, we deserve to go in there with you. We deserve to confront our fathers and stop them before they do something they'll really regret."
"I think they already have Mikey." Raph told him hotly.
Mikey turned to him with eyes angry and filled with tears. "No they haven't." He insisted, choking on his words. He looked back at the king trying hard to fight the tears and sobs that were erupting from his throat. "Your highness, everyone knows you are a fair and just king, and so far, our fathers have done nothing more than attempt to take over the kingdom." Splinter continued to nod at the younger turtle. "So if we can stop them from killing anyone, get them to realize what they're doing is wrong and maybe have them help us…."Once again tears began to flow down Mikey's cheeks and he had to bring his hands to his mouth to stifle the sobs. "Then you won't have them put to…..to death….Right?"
Splinter lowered his eyes in thought. Normally, anyone who commits treason is automatically put to death, but that was something he did not like doing. For the most part, Splinter hardly ever had anyone put in the dungeons and he never had put anyone to death. Mostly because his people were taken care of and those who did commit crimes he would force them to pay some sort of retribution. But that was something he really didn't have to worry about since crimes in Mutantania were fairly low. And even this would be one of those times he would see to it that the terrapin leaders would pay but not with their lives if it could be helped.
He looked up at Mikey and smiled. "If we can stop them before anyone is harmed, then yes Michelangelo." He assured him. "I will do everything I can to see they are spared." He then shook his head. "But again, right now is not the time to confront you fathers, that is something I will allow you to do after all this is done and over with."
"So now the question still remains your highness," The captain once again addressed him. "How are we going to get into the castle without you having to surrender yourself?" He furrowed his brow in concentration. "It's not like you can go back into the castle via that tunnel since the castle is surrounded by the foot and unless you know of another one…."
Splinter shook his head. "The only tunnel is the one that goes past the dungeons." He assured him. He turned to the turtles. "And I understand you wish to confront your fathers but as I have already stated, now is not the time." He walked over to his horse. "I will surrender and after they release Leonardo, storm the castle."
"But what if they don't release him?" Raph asked.
Splinter frowned in thought. He was just about to respond when Donnie snapped his fingers.
"Wait a minute." Donnie stepped forward. "There is another tunnel." He stated. Everyone once again looked at him in surprise. "It was built when the fire tribe took an outpost at the base of the mountains, just before the humans attacked." He looked from one face to another. "He created the tunnel as a way for the sun and wind tribes to get to the mountain tribe if they became overpowered by the humans before help could arrive." He explained. "After the war between the humans and the terrapins ended, King Yuudai built his castle and connected the tunnel as an escape route in case there was ever an attack on the kingdom."
"There is a tunnel that leads from the outer valley to the base of the mountain" Splinter looked at Donnie uncertainly. "I have been all over the castle and I have never come across it."
Donnie furrowed his eye ridges. "Well, maybe it's been walled up." Donnie muttered. "But I'm sure we can find it. From what I remember it's supposed to be somewhere by the sun tribe."
"Oh great goin' genius," Raph practically yelled. "Ya expect us ta go searching all over da valley by Mikey's tribe and look for some tunnel?" Raph threw his hands up. "Nice! Ya had ta go and get our hopes up."
"No wait." Mikey looked over at them. "I know what he's talking about." He turned to Splinter excitedly. "There's a shrine right outside my village and I remember hearing rumors about a tunnel being behind the shrine that was used as a type of roadway to assist with getting from our village to the mountain village."
"Very good Michelangelo," Splinter nodded and turned to the captain. "You and I will go to the shrine," He turned to Michelangelo. "You will show us where the shrine is Michelangelo, than we will infiltrate the castle via the tunnel." The guard nodded. "Bring at least half the guards with us, the rest will stay here and wait for your signal."
"No way," Raph stepped up before the captain could respond. "We're going wit ya." He demanded waving between him and Donnie. "We're not waitin' around here for everythin' to be over. We're dealing wit our fathers and we're doin' it now!"
"You will hold your tongue terrapin child!" The captain stepped up to Raph angrily. "That is no way to speak to the king."
Raph stared at the captain then backed down. "Forgive me your majesty." He cast his gaze downward. "I just feel that if we can deal with our dads now, maybe we can prevent some bloodshed."
Splinter nodded in understanding. "That is alright Raphael." He soothed. "You, Michelangelo and Donatello may accompany us into the castle." He now turned to his guard. "Let us mount up and get to the tunnel. We need to get to my son."
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Two ninja came over and forced Leo to sit at the table again. The young prince stared in shock as Tokkra and the turtle in foot ninja garb came forward. "Remove your mask my son." Tokkra requested. "It has been too long since I have seen your face."
Leo's eyes widen. "Son?" He muttered. "I thought your son was dead." He watched as the turtle ninja did as requested and removed his mask. The removal of the mask revealed a dark green turtle with deep cold brown eyes. He glanced over at Leo with a look of pure hatred.
"That was the story we told the other clans, only the water tribe knew the truth." Tokkra responded turning to him. "Instead, I had my son sent to the foot clan to be taught their knowledge of ninjutsu and insight on the human kingdom. That way we could combine our resources in taking over the kingdoms." He looked back at the other turtle. "Your mother and sisters will be pleased to see you again Kenichi."
The turtle gave a slight bow of his head. "And I am looking forward to seeing them as well father."
Tokkra smiled at him then turned back to Leo. He removed a scroll from his pocket and placed it on the table. "What is this?" Leo demanded, picking up the scroll and reading the small lettering.
Tokkra leered at him with a twisted grin. "This is a declaration you will sign stating that you are naming me your successor upon your death."
Leo looked up at him in startled. "First of all this kingdom is not under my rule so that paper is a waste of time and second…." Leo leaned closer to him. "Even if I am to die, nothing you do to me is going to make me turn the kingdom over to you because everyone knows I would never do that."
Tokkra shook his head. "You are a pathetic child." He sneered and pointed to the Shredder. "You became grateful when I and the rest of the leaders returned to find the king dead and Saki about to kill you. We tried to stop him but it was too late." He pointed to the floor in a dramatic sweep. "He had stabbed you and you bled to death, but you were so grateful that we stopped him from taking over the kingdom that you had me write out this note telling all that I am now the king and you, with your last ounce of strength, signed it."
"No one will believe that." Leo huffed in annoyance. "And besides, you left in anger." Leo pointed out. "Why would you return?"
Tokkra shrugged. "We felt bad about how we let the evening end." He explained. "We wanted to apologize to the king and his son."
"You have a story for everything." Leo scoffed. "But none of that matters. As long as the king lives my signature means nothing and I will never sign that scroll anyway."
Tokkra waved his hand at him. "We will find the king and when we do," He leered at him with a malicious glare. "We will kill him." He stood back and glanced behind him at his son. "As for your signature, the foot clan has lots of fun ways of making you comply. Kenichi, please show the prince some of the ways you have to convince him to do our bidding."
As Kenichi unsheathe his sword, Leo attempted to stand and back away but the two ninja on either side of him held him down hard. "Why are you letting him do this!?" Leo demanded of the other leaders who had been standing by the door watching with helpless and uncertain expressions. "Don't you have minds of your own!?" Leo looked back at Tokkra. "The clans will figure out that you and the foot are in league with each other, they'll never bow to you."
Tokkra laughed. "The only ones who could figure it out might be their sons," He nodded toward the other leaders. "But they are more than likely at the foot tower by now, and I'm sure they are being…." He looked at his son with a satisfied glare. "Reconditioned shall we say?"
Leo continued to struggle. "Why would the foot want this kingdom anyway?" He demanded. "Mutantania has nothing the foot would want!"
"You stupid excuse for a prince." Tokkra sneered. "Mutantania has one of the richest orichalcum mines in this realm. And once Shredder has overthrown King Mifune, we will take control of the operation and rule together over this realm!"
Leo stared at him in shock, his eyes widening in disbelief. "You knew about a resource that would help our kingdom and our people and you would rather betray us!?" Leo shook his head. "How can you be so foolish?"
Tokkra once again slapped the prince across the face. "You are the foolish one!" He shouted. "We could have full control over this realm and you would rather let others from outside our kingdom come in and share in what we have." He waved his hand at the foot leader. "It is because of you and your father I needed their help to overthrow this joke of a monarchy!" He continued to yell at the prince. "But now you have no choice." He picked up the scroll and shoved it in Leo's face. "You will sign and turn your kingdom over to me...NOW!"
"NEVER!" Leo screamed.
"Kenichi." Tokkra turned to him and forced a calm breath. "Deal with the prince."
Kenichi slowly made his way over toward Leo. He looked over at Shredder and smiled cruelly when the tall ninja nodded. Leo watched as the sword in the other turtle's hand was brought in front of his face. Leo's breath hitched and he pushed his head as far into the chair as possible as the sword lightly touched his beak and dug in ever so slightly. Kenichi suddenly brought the sword up and swung it around. The next thing Leo knew the sword was going right through Tokkra's chest!
Tokkra let out a choked gasp as the sword went right through him. He looked at his son with wide disbelieving eyes. "Kenichi….." He gasped one of his hands grabbed the sword and the other reached out to touch his son. "Why?"
Kenichi pulled out the sword roughly while he kicked his foot out, smacking Tokkra in his plastron and pushing him onto the floor. Behind Leo, the other three leaders gasped in horrified shock. They turned in an attempt to make their way out of the room but were quickly overpowered by other ninja who forced them over to the table and made them sit down.
Leo looked up at Kenichi in disbelief. "Why would you do that?" He asked as he once again backed into the chair, watching as the bloody blade came back to the front of his face.
"You should be grateful to me for doing that Leonardo." Kenichi told him, moving the sword slowly under Leo's nose.
The prince wrinkled his beak as a strong coppery smell came at him. "Why should I be grateful to you for anything?" He demanded.
Kenichi took the sword away from Leo and pointed it back at Tokkra. "Because," He said as he now began to make his way toward the other leaders, moving his sword to and fro menacingly. "It was my father and these so called leaders that killed your whore of a mother."
