Michelangelo pats Spike's shoulders from behind, with a towel draped around his neck. "Alright, just aim at his weak spot."
"Where would that be?"
"I'll let you know when I find it." Michelangelo gulps. "Tough nut to crack. So uh, try not to get smashed."
Spike cracks her neck. "I'll try."
Raphael moves to the center of the mat as Splinter settles. Spike meets the other turtle in the middle, and they shake hands.
"Begin," Splinter calls.
Spike slides out of the way as Raphael begins with his signature move: Punching within five seconds of the match. She swings behind him, almost as fast as his recover, turning to plant a kick into her plastron.
Spike grunts, sets her feet, and shoves back. Raphael's green eyes widen at the unexpected move and swings back around for a roundhouse kick. Spike ducks and spins as he flips over her head, bringing his arm back for a punch aimed at her midsection. She dodges-and the punch doesn't slow, landing on her right cheekbone.
Spike staggers, working her jaw as Donatello gasps.
Raphael freezes. "Oh no. I'm sorry. I'm real sorry, Spike, I didn't mean to hit you in the face. Are you hurt? I mean it, I would never hit you in the face, come on, are you okay?"
Spike glances up at him as her mouth twitches before bringing her own fist back and giving him a blow to match.
Raphael stumbles backward. "Yikes!" He rubs his cheek, narrowing his eyes.
Spike grins widely, stepping backward and beckoning.
"Come on, let me hear the smack talk!" Michelangelo shouts. "Go, ninja, go ninja, go ninja go!"
"My money's still on Raph," Donatello says.
Raphael eyes Spike before sliding to the right. Spike moves to block, and Raphael switches left and clips her side, sending her teetering on the edge of the mat. She ducks into a somersault and comes up on Raphael's other side.
"Oh, nice," Raphael says, cocking his head. He throws a hook and body-shot combination punch series, as Spike ducks under and blocks blow after blow. One smashes into her plastron, and she rebounds, shoving back at his shoulders, pushing him off balance. She swings a roundhouse kick, and knocks him sideways.
"Come on Raphael!" Donatello shouts.
Michelangelo glares at him. "Dude, he beats us up, and now you're rooting for him?"
"Well, he is our brother!"
"C'mon, big guy, hit me with your best shot," Spike grins, spreading her arms.
"If you say so." Raphael aims a jab.
Spike's arms snap front, and she grabs his wrist, twisting his arm and moving to curl it behind his shell before he spins back out of it, and tackles Spike to the ground.
Splinter shakes his head, turning to Leonardo. "The art of the ninja is dead, my son. Look at those two."
"They're acting like kids," Leonardo sighs.
April bursts through the door of the dojo, supported by Irma.
"Guys!" Irma shouts. "Something's wrong with April!"
Thanks for reading, guys. Please let me know what you think in a review, it helps me write. As always, I'll see you in the next chapter.