(I hope everyone had Happy Holidays and that everyone will have a Happy New Year. Here's the next chapter guys.)
Guest: He might meet some of its known members, but not the team itself…or at least I don't have any plans for him to. He would 'defend' himself against them, without trying to hurt them. Drew' strength level is…well…you'll find out how it works in the books to come. As for Drew's weakness of beautiful women, that will be explained in the next book…as best I can explain it.
Chapter 50: Before We Begin
(Battle Nexus, moments later)
The group then fond themselves on a high platform, overlooking a great arena. Many warriors of different shapes, sizes, and species stood in the arena & the stands. All present cheered at the sight of the Daimyo. A horn was blown, and the Daimyo walked to the edge of the platform.
"Warriors! You have traveled from across the multiverse and I bid you welcome to the Battle Nexus Tournament!" The Daimyo proclaimed, his War Staff raised in his right armored hand.
The warriors and crowd cheered with excitement.
"To those who had been defeated in battle! I salute your determination and courage!" The Daimyo spoke.
A line of warriors bowed their heads, their faces calm yet still the emotion of disappointment and probably sadness present.
"And to those who have passed the Preliminary Round, I say congratulations and brace yourselves for the combat to come!" The Daimyo proclaimed.
Those warriors stood firm, ready for what was next.
"For soon, the next round will begin!" The Daimyo proclaimed, raising the War Staff higher in the air.
Fireworks shot off, giving a decorative show in the sky as the warriors & crowd cheered. The Daimyo turned to the group.
"You should hurry if you are to compete in the next round. A few of my soldiers will escort you. Good luck young warriors." The Daimyo said.
The turtles and Drew bowed respectfully then followed a few samurai soldiers.
"I shall go watch from the stand, my friend. I hope to speak to you and your sons before we all journey home." D'Jinn said to Master Splinter.
"Of course, I hope you enjoy the rest of the tournament." Master Splinter replied, then bowed his head.
D'Jinn bowed back then walked off, a samurai escorting him.
"I look forward to seeing your sons in battle, old friend." The Daimyo said.
"As do I. They have grown to be truly noble warriors." Master Splinter agreed, pride in his voice.
"As it seems you have a 'new son'. What is this story, my friend? If you don't mind telling me?" The Daimyo asked respectfully.
"Ah, it is a long story my friend." Master Splinter replied.
(Through a hall of statues)
The soldiers had brought them to the entrance of a hall to lead them to the arena, to which the group thanked them.
"Remember this guys?! The Pavilion of Past Champions! Haha! Do you think? Yes! YES! Hahaha!" Mikey chuckled excitedly, then howled with laughter as he ran farther down.
"Hey! Easy Mikey!" Leo grunted.
They followed him, to which they looked at a particular statue. Mikey grinned with glee at it. The other turtles groaned in annoyance, but Drew smiled under his mask. The statue was of Mikey. Michaelangelo stood with his nunchucks in hands, his legs spread and steady. It also had the familiar grin of the turtle's.
"At least they got your stupid grin correct." Raph taunted.
"Well at least I have a statue!" Mikey countered.
Raph's right eye twitched in anger.
"Guys, come on. Let's show our respect." Leonardo said.
The group faced the statues of Master Splinter and Master Hamato Yoshi (to which Mikey's statue was to the right of it). The five bowed respectfully, then stood up.
"Let's go guys." Leo then said, the others following him into the arena.
They found themselves amongst a crowd of diverse warriors. The turtles chuckled when they saw a few familiar faces. The group approached three warriors: an anthropomorphized rabbit samurai, a similar samurai styled rhino with a cut horn, and a muscular anthropomorphized Triceratops in gladiator armor and also holding a large double sided battle axe.
"Well if it isn't our old friends." The Triceratops being chuckled.
"Traximus! Good to see ya! Heh ha!" Raph chuckled, shaking hands with the large warrior.
"Always good to see you friends." The rabbit samurai said, bowing.
"Likewise Usagi-san." Leo replied, bowing.
"*Sighs* Hello Gen." Donnie said, unenthusiastically.
"Greeting Turtles, always a pleasure." Gen cackled with a snort.
Traximus, Usagi, and Gennosuke turned to looked at the strange clad in black.
"Who is this?" Usagi asked.
"This is Drew, our father's new student and our new friend…and brother." Leo answered, a warm smile on his face.
Drew bowed to the trio. Usagi bowed, Gen nodded, and Traximus saluted him with his right fist slamming against his muscular chest. Drew stood up, Usagi did the same.
"We have some time before the first Tier begins, what's your story friend?" Usagi asked.
"That's…a bit of a long story." Drew answered.
(Atop the platform of the Battle Nexus)
"…That…is a truly dreadful tale…this young warrior…he has faced such losses…hatred…fear…and he wishes to return there? He has the heart of a great dragon to be willing to die to defend those who hate and fear him so much." The Daimyo gasped after hearing Drew' story.
"There is a great darkness in him and around him. But not in the way most would think it means. He is a true shadow warrior." Master Splinter replied.
"There is some more to him, my friend." The Daimyo added.
"I know. I sensed it when we first met, but I don't know what it is." Master Splinter replied.
"As do I, it is a mystery to me. The power within him is unknown to me…yet there is something…something deep within him…a mystic power…an ancient, great magic dwells within his blood & spirit." The Daimyo said.
"Indeed, but what could it be?...We may never know." Master Splinter sighed in agreement.
"Yes…" The Daimyo replied.
(In the arena)
The three warriors stood in complete shock and disbelief.
"That is a truly…terrifying tale. I am sorry that you had to experience all that." Usagi said.
Drew nodded, silent.
"My time as a slave of my own kind was awful. It is not the same as what you went through, but I know it was hard for you." Traximus said.
"I'm glad you home was restored to a peaceful life. Me…I…never mind." Drew sighed.
"Well you're with us for now, and we're glad you're here." Leo said, putting a reassuring hand n Drew's shoulder.
"Thank you." Drew said, smiling under his mask.
Leo smiled and nodded.
"I hate to interrupt this emotional moment, but how about I tell you all about the wager I've made on…" Gen started to say.
"My friend, perhaps we should focus on the tournament instead?" Usagi said.
The group began to squabble over Gen's bet on himself. He had lost last time to Kluh, a ruthless fighter who had lost to Mikey twice, even though the first had…complications. Drew chuckled, shaking his head.
(Atop the platform)
"Well I wish him and your other sons the best, my friend." The Daimyo said.
"Thank you." Master Splinter replied, smiling.
The Daimyo nodded.
"It is time." The Daimyo said.
He then slammed the War Staff into the gong beside him, the sound echoing through the area below and around them. The warriors' attention turned to the platform.
"Let the contest, begin!" The Daimyo proclaimed.
He raised the War Staff from where he sat, the mystic tool was suddenly surrounded with a pale blue electric energy. It shot a surge of that lightning to the arena below. Suddenly around the warriors the lightning ran in a circle. They were suddenly lowered several feet below, then suddenly walls rose up separating the warriors into pairs.
"Warriors! First Tier, begin!" The Daimyo proclaimed, raising the War Staff high.
'Good luck to you everyone.' Drew sighed in his mind.
Drew turned to face his opponent and bowed.
To be continued…
