The pinkette sighed as she closed her brown eyes and inhaled the sent of the trees around her. So much had happened and now she finally got her time to think. Three days ago she had met up with the turtles only to be pissed off by Leo causing her to leave the lair. When Mikey had surprised her with an unexpected visit he had also accidentally broke her IPod when he stepped on it which had led to Angel chasing across several rooftops until she finally managed to hit him. And yet when she told him to leave her alone she had jumped off a rooftop and was rescued by a mysterious man. This man had later revealed himself to be none other than Oroku Saki, leader of the Foot Clan and a humanitarian rights activist. Or at least that's how he had presented himself to her. The man had kindly taken her home and left with her a package. Inside the package was a topaz necklace that she was wearing now three days later. When she got home she was greeted by Leonardo with whom she had an argument and only began to say things that would possibly console him just so he could shut up!
The boy was dissing her new friend and he hadn't even met him yet. He was saying things along the lines of that Mr. Saki was their mortal enemy the Shredder and that she should cut all ties with him as well as tell him everything that went on in their meeting. It was vastly annoying! Sure, she loved the guy like a brother but he did need to learn to shut his trap every now and again!
The night continued with multiple ninja storming into her apartment and Leo ordering her to run. Thinking back on it maybe she could've stayed and helped him but no. Instead she followed his orders blindly and ran until she reached the sewers and called Donnie who had told her to stay put as he, Raph and Mikey would be there soon. Raph and Donnie went above to her apartment to rescue Leo as Mikey grabbed her hand to lead her to the lair. When they were about halfway there did Mikey confess his feelings to her. Sure the timing could have been better but the truth of the matter was that Mikey liked her like she had a crush on him. And then he kissed her and the pinkette swore that she saw fireworks. The moment was ruined when Angel smelled smoke and she ran after the source with Mikey trailing behind her. When they came to the manhole that they were at earlier they found Raph and Donnie carrying a battered bruised and charred Leo. Angel knew what was going on and so as quick and quiet as she could she sneaked up to the surface and dashed up to her her apartment and ripped open a floorboard where a medium-sized metallic box was. The gloves on Angel's hands helped with most of the burn but the burn faded almost as soon as it had started. It was odd but Angel didn't have time to think of it as part of the ceiling crashed down on her. The teenage girl was rescued minutes later by an older Foot Ninja who helped her out into the hallway where Mikey was. Mikey wanted to fight the guy but got distracted when the girl made her way over to him which gave the ninja time to escape out a window. The duo also made their way out the window where they landed roughly and Angel's pain tolerance skyrocketed. The girl had passed out and was given strange dreams about her past by the time that they had made it into the lair. When the pinkette was lying comfortably on the couch did something strange happen to her according to Mikey when he talked about it last night.
Apparently her stomach and chest started to glow red as well as her birthmark appear on her right arm. Angel had the power to heal herself but she had never known about it until Mikey had told her. What was the cause? Where did it come from? And why did her dragon birthmark suddenly reappear now when it has been gone since the teenage girl was six?
When the girl awoke she found out that Leo was in danger from being poisoned and she was put on watch duty while the rest of the boys went out to get the plant that would save his life. The teenage girl did that as such she had sang a soft healing song and confessed to him how important as a big brother she was to her. And then she passed out holding his hand and received another strange dream this time about her Father. This dream had him come to her to talk. How she needed to find the Dragon Blade of Power and keep it away from...someone. She didn't catch the name. But that's just the thing. The Dragon Blade hasn't been seen since she was a child when her own Father was studying it for some reason or another. That was on the night that her childhood home burned down and her brother and herself had barely escaped with their lives. When Angel awoke, she found Leo barely conscious and then he got sick. Angel left the room to grab a bowl of cool water and washcloth she returned to wipe him down and to try and keep his temperature down. He kept on talking though. Trying to tell her that Mr. Saki and the Shredder were the same person. He was delusional! There was no way that someone as nice as Mr. Saki was the Shredder. Mr. Saki was a very nice businessman who housed the Foot Clan whereas the Shredder was a very evil person who would do anything to achieve his ends. He sounded like a Slytherin whereas Mr. Saki might be a Ravenclaw if you were to use Harry Potter terms.
Angel had calmly told him as such until he had passed out. Angel then had made a promise to herself to seek out Mr. Saki and help her. The teenage girl was certain that with the oddities that had happened this past weekend that more were to come and she didn't want to bother her friends. Not to mention that they were keeping her locked in the lair like a prisoner or at least that's how she was feeling. It was with pure luck that she managed to sneak out of the lair this morning and escape. And so here she was now in Central Park enjoying the early morning breeze.
"Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday dear Angel,
Happy birthday to me."
The teenager whispered to herself as she listened to the birds singing. She sighed. She was seventeen today so why didn't she feel happy? Why did she feel so scared? There was no reason to. The boys came back in time albeit barely and saved Leo's life. Her crush of four years seemed to like her. So why did she feel so scared, so alone in a crowded room? The answer is... because she is alone. She had never spent a birthday without a family member sure the turtles are there with Master Splinter and they might have something for her but it's not the same! They aren't her family. They're friends, close friends maybe but still friends. The pinkette walked over to a nearby park bench, set her box down next to her and sat down with her elbows in her lap and her chin in her hands and she sighed once more. Maybe eventually she would find Mr. Saki and he could help her figure out what happened to her this past weekend but for now she could enjoy the fresh air while she could. It was certain that the turtles would be after her once they found out that she had ran away from their so-called 'sanctuary' which felt more like a prison.
Maybe she could find her freedom out her in the crisp and clear morning air. Maybe she could be free from the metaphorical chains that bound her to the sorrow that surrounded her Grandmother's death. Maybe..just maybe...
And so begins our story.
Angel gathered up her box into her arms and got up from the bench and started walking. She needed to get away from where she was. Yes, it was early in the morning but who knows when the turtles would be searching for her. It's not like she didn't like them or anything but it was annoying having to stay underground when she needed the air, the fresh clean air like that she was receiving now,to survive. Not to mention that the girl had taken bi-daily runs every day for the past year. It just felt so weird to not do that for the past few days.
The rosette quickly made her way out of Central Park and towards one of the busier areas of the city. The perfect way to hide was to blend in. It was instantly a turtle-proof plan. As Angel was traveling, she came across a payphone. Now that she thought about it, it would probably be better if she called up Mr. Saki herself instead of waiting for the stupid off-chance that she might come across him while walking about. Angel walked up to the phone booth and set her box down, crouched down and opened it. She sifted through the few items in there until she found what she needed. A plastic bag full of various bills and coins. The teenager pulled out a few quarters from the bag before sealing up said bag and putting it back inside the box. The teenager placed her feet firmly around said box to prevent theft from foolish teenagers who their jollies off of stealing from other people. Angel flipped through the phone book underneath the phone until she came across Mr. Saki's name, number and address.
The teenager sighed before placing a couple of quarters in the machine and she dialed his number. And now to wait. Wait to live, wait to die, wait for an absolution that would never come. Okay now she was acting like Rose from that movie she liked to watch with Gramma, Titanic. The rosette glanced warily behind her. She had the odd feeling of being watched. It was just like the feeling from the other night only.. it felt worse somehow.
How right she had been to be wary of her surroundings, for her instincts didn't deceive her. The early morning had layered the city with a chilly mist, and it worked as a perfect camouflage and as an advantage to stalking predators.
This ninja here was no exception. He observed from the rooftops through infrared binoculars, scrutinizing every the rosette's every gesture. No one would ever be able to see the malicious grin behind his mask.
A brunette secretary sat at her desk, filling the schedule of her employer, Oroku Saki. He was a busy man, but so many were with so much wealth and power. Exceptionally though, he had asked not to be disturbed this afternoon nor take any appointments unless it was an emergency.
The phone at her desk had been ringing three times before the secretary sighed and picked it up. "Saki residence. How can I help you?"
Angel quickly calmed herself and quietly cleared her throat before speaking. "Yes, my name is Angel and I would like to speak with Mr. Saki. I have something that I would like to discuss with him. Would you be able to kindly connect me to him or should I call back later?"
The rosette hoped that she would be able to talk with Mr. Saki. What had happened this past weekend had really freaked her out and she really needed a normal person to speak to about it. The ninjas who had invaded her apartment and then set it ablaze, the lack of a burn from removing her box, the healing powers and her birthmark that had appeared.. It was enough to freak any decent person out so yeah... The 17-year-old girl really hope that he was in so she could talk to him about what had happened and all. Not to mention that she hated this feeling coming over her. This feeling of fear, of uselessness, of being stalked by a predator. It was enough to set her nerves on edge.
The secretary was not in the best of moods, mostly because she worked overtime, but also disturbing Mr Saki would get her into trouble. Additionally, this "Angel" sounded very young to be asking for some important meeting.
"With all due respect, Miss, but Mr. Saki has made himself unavailable today unless it's an emergency." Then something popped in her head. "Angel" was a name that sounded quite familiar... She had heard her name being mentioned by Mr. Saki himself. Could she be important enough to notify him?
The ninja could only revel as he stared at her from afar. She was very perceptive and self-aware; it didn't surprise him that her dormant powers had alerted her of his presence. After all, they were both neither enemy nor friend. It was only a matter of time until the prophecy came true.
All that needed to be done was to let things unfold, and interfere if someone is trying to prevent the girl from following the path to her destiny.
Little did the ninja know that Angel's senses hadn't only been triggered by his presence, but also by one who approached the phone box in fast, silent strides. He went to a corner and observed.
"That's unfortunate. Mr. Saki had told me to get in touch with him if I ever needed something but I suppose that I'll just call back later. Have a nice day, Ma'am." Angel told the secretary politely before slamming the phone into its receiver and picking up her box. The teenage girl exited the phone booth and glanced over her shoulder. "I coulda sworn..." The rosette shook her head before continuing down the street with a frown in place. She had really wanted to talk with Mr. Saki but if he's busy then he's busy. It really shouldn't surprise her with all that he had told her the other night and all. Angel sighed, "I guess that I'm just gonna have to call or stop by some other time. For now though... I guess I should enjoy my freedom while I still have it before my kidnappers , I mean my 'friends', come and take me back again. Geez, I come to New York to be free and I end up being virtually kidnapped by my so-called friends to 'keep me safe.' It's stupid!"
The teenage girl froze in place as she heard something. She could've swore that she heard something, or someone, coming up behind her. Angel didn't know what it was but she didn't want to move until it had passed her by or something.
The secretary stared at the phone in disbelief, but then hung up. She reached her fingers towards the numbers, hesitated momentarily, then sighed and dialed numbers.
The phone rang once... Twice...
Sneaking and spying on your friends did nothing to solve problems, if not worsen them.
That's what the mutant turtle was thinking as he followed her through the sewers and into the city. He had been awake the whole night, and he caught her going out without letting them know. Not wanting to alert her and being curious as what she was up to, he decided to follow her.
However, he realized it was not only stupid, but completely insincere, and he felt as if he was betraying their friendship.
But for what it was worth, maybe it was a good thing that he found out what she was up to. It surprised him to see that was trying to get hold of the Shredder. Did she really believe that he was all good? She seemed convinced by it, especially after hearing her speak her mind like that. He wasn't offended at all, but he was very disappointed in himself. They were friends, if not family, and they should have made more effort to make sure she felt at home, not caged against her will and having no one to turn to but to some stranger she befriended who happens to be their worst enemy.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw her froze. She was on the edge, and he knew it was because she was aware she was being followed. It made him feel all the more terrible.
He sighed, tightened his purple mask and ran up to her. "Angel, hold up!"
Angel groaned and turned her head up to face the sky as she mentally screamed. Why? Why in the hell did she have to be followed? Couldn't she get an hour's worth of peace? No, she couldn't. 'But Angel it is not safe up here, bleh bleh bleh!' The rosette mocked in her head before deciding that she might as well be nice. The teenage girl sighed before turning around with a very tight grip on her box and forcing a smile upon her face. "Hey, Donnie! What's up? What brings you to this side of town this early? You weren't following me or anything were you?" Angel's face turned serious as she looked into Donnie's eyes. "Were you? Choose carefully. If you were then there had better be a damn good reason why." Hopefully she'd be able to escape again soon. And maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to be out much longer too! She gazed up into the eyes of the turtle before her. hoping that he wouldn't see through her lies and allow her to be up and about without a chaperone. She had to escape the genius turtle soon so she could try to find Mr. Saki. "Look if you're wondering. I only got out the lair for some air and to call up on a friend of mine." Angel sighed. She knew what was more than likely going to happen. Donnie was going to talk to her, try to convince her that Mr. Saki wasn't who he really was and then he'd force her back to the lair. The fact of the matter was that Angel didn't want to be anywhere near that place! Or at least not anytime soon. The rosette turned her head to face a nearby shop window. Said window belonged to a book store and instead of her reflection Angel saw something entirely different. The teenage girl saw a dragon. A red dragon! It must've been about 6 feet tall and had leathery dark-maroon scales, a silver underbelly and claws, fierce golden eyes and a bright pink mane.
'I must be imagining it. Wake up, Angel! Dragons aren't real nor do they exist!' Angel mentally smacked her head. 'But then if they are then why did I see a dragon instead of my reflection in the window?'
The reflection reminded the rosette a lot of... But it couldn't be! He was only supposed to be an imaginary friend from when she was younger. A friend she could turn to when things got rough, a family she could turn to when Gramma was busy taking care of Ryan. A vague memory of the night her childhood home went up in flames came to the front of her mind. 'A teacher... who helped me stay alive and keep my brother safe the night that our parents and our house went ablaze. It couldn't be... but if it is... It's... just not possible. C'est impossible`! C'est impossible`!'
The turtle slowed his pace as he finally caught up with her. "Hey. Where are you off to?"
At first, she didn't answer. He raised the ridge of his eye and only then noticed that she'd been staring at the window, almost in distress. Worried, he gently squeezed her shoulder. "Everything all right, Angel?"
Angel snapped out of her gaze upon the shop window only to look up into Donnie's concerned brown eyes. "I'm fine. I just needed to breathe was all. That and make a call to a friend but he's apparently not in yet."
The rosette glanced back at the reflection in the shop window. Just what the hell is going on here? Why did her birthmark come back? And why is she seeing dragons in store windows? Donnie is easy to explain away since he's always been one she could trust but this? All that's she's been dealing with for the past several days.. Angel can't help but feel that she can't trust anyone except a stranger, a friendly stranger, with her story. The friendly stranger in mind was none other than Mr. Saki but if he's not in then how is she going to be able to get in touch with him?
Donatello was one not easy to fool, but he chose to not press further as he lowered his eyes. This turtle was intelligent, including on the emotional scale. He now understood that she didn't trust him enough to divulge her worries, and it became all the more significant to restore that trust, step by step.
"Yeah. I agree that the stench of the sewers can get on your nerves. I've grown used it, being raised down there and all."
"I figure you would be but either way y'all wouldn't let me have my space. Did you know that I used to go on bi-daily runs everyday for those three years that I was in Florida? Well with how you guys were treating me I had no chance to go outside to even get a breath of fresh air let alone run... Do you know how that made me feel? And while I'm at it how long were you following me? You never did answer my question, Donnie." Angel gaze turned fierce at the memory of realizing that it was Donnie following her. "And why as well. Why were you following me? Can I not be trusted? Is that it? Am I not to be trusted to wander about topside without having someone tail me? Am I able to have a few moments of privacy so I can actually figure out what the Hell happened this weekend?!"
Donnie's hand slipped off her shoulder as words burst out of her mouth. He was perplexed and shocked to see how mistreated she had felt. He lowered his head in guilt. "I'm sorry..." he began, "I was up late, tinkering. I saw you go out, and I followed you."
He raised his auburn eyes to meet her gaze. "I followed you because I was worried, like any friend would be. This guy you're trying to get in touch with is dangerous. Plus, the Purple Dragons have been up to something these past couple of days, so I had to be sure you weren't going to run into them. But..."
He sighed in defeat. "Well, I'm not here to bring you back home. I'm here to listen. Was it really because of us that you left to go to Florida?"
Angel frowned deeply as she shook her head and backed away from the purple-banded turtle slightly, "No. You're wrong. You and Leo are wrong. Mr. Saki is a nice guy! How could you accuse him of being dangerous if he's only been trying to help me! What's wrong with that?! And do you take me for an idiot?! Did you really think that I'd go back to the same dumbasses who tried to take me away from my Gramma?" The rosette shook her head in disbelief, "I left because I had no choice. Gramma had this feeling that something was wrong, that we wee in trouble so we left to Florida. I only came back New York was the only place that I could call home. It was the best place I could go since Gramma died about 6 months ago."
'Not that you would really care,' Angel thought angrily, 'Who would really care about pathetic little Angel who can't do a damn thing right? Who can't even keep an apartment for a week before it ends up blowing sky high just like her childhood home!'
"You're maybe not as smart as I am, but you're definitely not an idiot." the turtle stated, "The point is, you're on the Foot's target list. They have connections with the Purple Dragons, and they can spot you a lot faster than any Foot soldier can."
He paused as he tried to find the right words. "I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. I really am. We weren't so supportive these past couple of days, but you know we care about you."
He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a shell-shaped device. "This is what I spent my night doing. It's the other reason why I was following you. It's a cellphone, also known as a 'Shell-cell'. It still needs a bit of tuning, but it works just fine... in case you need to reach us."
Angel raised an eyebrow at the purple-banded turtle before her, "How do you know that I'm even on their list anyways. They could've been going after Leo on that night for all I know." Mr. Saki had said that the Foot were ninjas that had betrayed him for the Shredder. The rosette gently fingered the topaz necklace that hung around her neck. She hoped that she'd be able to see her friend soon and get some answers cuz Donnie was really starting to annoy and confuse her. The teenage girl sighed. Donnie didn't know... he really didn't know how it felt to lose someone so important to her, someone who had raised her ever since her parents had died. He doesn't know nor will he know until that time in the future that Master Splinter kicks the bucket.
Angel gently picked up the Shell-cell and looked it over. It looked to be like an other cell only it was in the shape of a miniature turtle shell. Hence the name. "Very cool. Do I have your numbers in it or do you have to add them for me?" The teenage girl asked with the barest glimpse of a smile on her face. That was one less thing for her to get with the little money that she does have.
Donnie nodded in response, prodding his finger onto a button on the Shell cell. "They're on your contact list, which you can access here. There's me, Raph, Mikey, Leo, even Master Splinter... But don't count on him to answer; he doesn't even know how to pick up a phone."
With that being said, he stepped back, albeit clumsily and gave her sheepish smile. "Well, I think that's that... I know you want some time alone, so I'll head home and make sure the others won't go out looking for you. It's the least I can do to make things right."
Angel hugged Donnie, "Thanks.. You don't know how much it means to me that you or anyone would do this for me so yeah. Thanks." Angel gave him a quick friendly kiss on the cheek before walking backwards a few steps. "You take care of yourself alright? I'll one of you to tell you that I'm on my way back."
With that said the rosette walked off down the road as she stuffed the Shell-cell into her front pocket. The teenage girl was happy that she had a phone again but Donnie really didn't have to do this for her. Huh.. Maybe he cared about her more than she thought. If that's true then maybe the same could be said of the others... Well let's just see how the day takes her before she makes any final decisions on the boys, shall we?
Donnie was left immobile in place, taken by surprise by Angel's hug and her kiss as he stared after her. If his brothers had seen him, they would have mocked that blush and the surprise that had been painted on his face. He drew in a breath and stepped backwards, chuckling to himself.
'At least I can say 'I've been kissed by a girl and I liked it'.' the purple-masked thought to himself, though he quickly cast that thought aside as he felt it was a tad inappropriate.
He approached the nearest manhole when suddenly, a puff was heard and engulfed the area in a thick mist in an instant. Donnie coughed and squeezed his eyes; it was smoke, filling his lungs and stinging his eyes. He drew out his staff, spinning his head from left to right, alerted by a quiet laughter.
"Who's out there?!" he yelled, trying to keep his cool. He failed once he saw the intimidating, long, snake-like silhouette zipping by and disappearing into nothingness beyond the mist. Along with that came a roar that gripped at his heart, instilling a terrible fear unlike anything he'd experienced before.
He regained control of himself, steadying the staff in both of his sweaty hands. His pants were irregular, but he fought the urge to give into that fear and focused on his surroundings, ready for battle in case the enemy struck first. He waited, and at the same time, asked himself a very dire question.
What the shell was going on?
Nobody could possibly comprehend the mood the great Oroku Saki was in. He had been called by his secretary, who informed him that a person by the name of 'Angel' had tried to reach him. It annoyed him, up to the point of boiling in anger, that the secretary did not heed the priorities he had previously given: if someone by the name of 'Angel' calls, put her on the line, no matter what the schedule was that day. He would have to deal with the useless, shallow secretary later.
His limousine suddenly halted when the driver lowered the shaded window that connected to the front seats. "Mr Saki, the young woman is in front of the café 'La charisma'. Should I escort her here?"
"No. I will go see her on my own." the tone of his voice was fierce and strong, "I want you parked nearby. Await my orders, and if there are any valuable updates, notify me on my phone."
"Yes, sir." the chauffeur replied, watching the master exit the car on his own and slam the door shut. He breathed out a sigh of relief; he would never want to get on his bad side, knowing that the consequences could be fatal for him.
Pray this girl is on his side, or else she's done for.
Angel looked up at the sign of the cafe before her. The rosette shrugged her left shoulder as she entered went up the counter and made a request for a French Vanilla Iced Coffee. She had discovered that coffee was god for chilling her nerves and waking her up but only if it was French Vanilla Iced Coffee. Regular coffee just didn't do it for her and as for the Iced Mocha.. it had to be done right otherwise it would be just plain crap according to her taste buds. Once she had her coffee in hand and the cashier was paid she wandered off to a table made for two by the window. The teen set her box on the table as she glanced out the window boredly.
There weren't many people in the cafe` this morning for which she was grateful. The teenager already had enough weird stares given to her when she was walking with the morning crowd and could only assume that it was due to her half-burned clothes. Angel had to go back and get her box that night otherwise she would truly have nothing sans for the clothes on her back and the necklace that hung around her neck which Mr. Saki had given her. The rosette gently fingered the topaz necklace around her neck as she took a sip of her iced coffee. Mmm. This was definitely the good stuff to calm her fretted nerves from the ordeal which had transpired this past weekend.
Oroku Saki had walked into the café, his eyes sweeping the restaurant until they spotted the pink strands of Angel. He smiled, though smirked inwardly and his malicious intent hidden behind the soft, relieved expression on his face. He slowly made his way towards the table when he caught sight of a waiter being pushed by a balding, overweight client. The waiter kipped forward, his trey with a pot of hot tea slipping out of his hands and leaping into the direction of the young girl.
With inhuman, fast reflexes, he sped through the café and swayed his hands in fluid movements as he caught the teapot by the handle and two china cups with his firm fingers. If he hadn't done so, Angel would have had a hot shower of Jasmine tea to accompany that Iced coffee of hers.
"It would seem that fate has granted you luck on such short notice, Angel."
In the echoes of time, cries and shouts traveled across reality, bringing forth hazy images that showed a fighter writhing in pain. The struggle of a combatant was wearing him down, and he dealt with an assailant that was anything but ordinary. A mythical, dangerous creature slithered in a mist, his nostrils breathing out smoke that could be harmful. Dark claws slashed in quick strikes, only often missing its target.
And then, a crimson stare caught the attention of the valiant fighter, who bled from deep gashes. It had him mesmerized in fear that he didn't notice the tail that slid onto him from behind before ensnaring his foot. Before he could do anything about it, the tail had finally trapped him in a tight grip, squeezing the air from his lungs. The tail was drawn to the face of the beastly assailant.
A dragon, whose scales sharp and bathed in obscurity left the fighter to shudder in fright. His darkened stare of his crimson eyes displayed the horrific, imminent wrath. And with a swift stroke, his mouth lunged forward and his teeth dug deep into the shoulder of the fighter.
The hazy images cleared up, and a terrifying, gut-wrenching roar of agony erupted from the mouth of Donatello, the ninja turtle.
In that instant, the eyes of a wise rat flashed open, his body jolting upright from his disturbed slumber. "DONATELLO!"
Angel glanced over at the commotion and as her eyes widened she couldn't help but involuntarily duck. 'Not again!' Angel's mind screamed at her. Brown orbs quickly shut as she anticipated the burn which never came. Instead she was greeted with a familiar voice. A voice that was always kind to her. The rosette opened her eyes carefully and was greeted by the familiar sight of the man she dared to call her friend.
"Mr. Saki," She breathed, "I - Thank you. I didn't think that I'd be able to see you today after what your secretary told me. She said you were busy for the rest of the day and evening." Angel raised an eyebrow, "How did you find me anyway? I didn't exactly plan to come here in advance."
The asian man smiled at her and set down the tea cups and the pot on the table. "That was a mistake on the secretary's part. I had instructed her to put you through, but she may have not paid attention, since she was busy 'doing her nails'."
He sat down on the opposite end of the table, signaling the waiter with his hands that he'll pay for the tea. "I was in a business meeting a few blocks away from this café. It was a lucky coincidence; my driver saw you, and I thought I might as well talk to you."
He raised the teapot and poured gently some jasmine into both cups. He offered one to Angel, took the other for himself and sipped at the tea. It wasn't the best he's ever had, but it sufficed to ease his mind. "How have you been? I've heard dreadful things about what's happened to you over a week ago. Are you all right?"
A trail of blood led into an alleyway where Donatello rested his shell against a brick wall, recuperating from a vicious attack. He shook his head in both fear and disbelief, his right arm trembling as he held a gushing shoulder. He scavenged a garbage can just to find a torn shirt and wrapped it around his deep wound, tightening it to prevent from further blood loss. He hadn't lost a lot, but it was a large amount to leave him weak, vulnerable, almost disoriented...
He had to drag his entire body against the wall as he tried to find a place to hide away from this savage beast. A dragon, he corrected himself, which left him also puzzled if he wasn't reminded of the pain in his left shoulder.
"Where are you going, Donatello? You can't hide for long..."
A dragon who can speak... How is this even-
He scratched that thought. He was a talking ninja turtle, for Pete's sake...
He reached for his Shell cell, clumsily flipped it open with his blood-stained fingers when the phone violently shot out of his hand. He felt the strong repercussion of it, clutching onto his aching hand as he spotted a ninja star wedged into his cellphone.
Confused, he looked up and saw a foot soldier approaching. "This little runaway ends now, turtle. Thank you for donating your blood to me; I can assure you that it will come to great use to me..."
Donnie's eyes widened as he witnessed something unbeknownst, inconceivable to him. A scream silenced the neighborhood before vanishing into the chill of the early morning.
The rosette sighed sadly, "It could've been better. I've been wondering if it might've been better for me to have taken up your offer at staying at your place for the night instead of retreating home where after about an hour or so it had caught fire. And it's not even the first time that my home had caught fire." Angel took a sip of the Jasmine tea. It was alright but not the best. Afterwards she started fiddling with the dragon birthmark upon her right wrist that spread out until the head rested in her palm. "A friend of mine saved me from being trapped in my own apartment after I had left his side to retrieve this." With that said, she tapped the medium-sized metallic box on the table before her. "It's my Box of Memories. No matter what new home I go to, it's comes with me. I couldn't bear to leave it behind. Anyways when my friend, Michelangelo, brought me back to his place apparently something weird happened to me. I think that I had some busted ribs that pierced one of my lungs and when I was laying on his couch I started to glow. That is to say, my chest and stomach did and the glow must've been some kind of healing ability...but the thing is that well.. that had never happened before. And on top of that my birthmark here came back after having disappeared when I was about 6."
The rosette teenager stopped fiddling with her hand and held it out plain for Mr. Saki to see. It was a red dragon with a spiky dark-red mane that had the tail curling up around her elbow and the head resting in her palm. The mouth of the head was open as if prepared to spew fire. "It's just weird because I had thought that it was gone and now it's come back with some sort of weird ability and it's kinda freaking me out.." Angel looked up slightly fearfully into Mr. Saki's dark eyes, "Did I mention that today's my 17th birthday?"
The 17 year old rosette sighed softly as she took another sip of the tea and felt the calming effects take place. Things had just been so weird over this weekend. Everything from the burning of her apartment to her newly found healing powers and all the way up to a dream. It was the same dream that she had ever since she had laid down on the couch for the first bit of decent sleep.
In her dream there was fire. Fire and burning rock all around her. When Angel looked below there was a crater, a very deep crater full of corpses and skeletons. It looked like they had been there for a long time. The rosette heard something weird. Not weird per sè just strange... it sounded like wings. But why would something be flying anywhere near this hunk of death. The girl looked up and what she saw amazed her. There was a girl above her and she was wearing some type of armor. The girl was wearing a red sleeveless turtleneck shirt with gold trim that stopped about two inches above her belly button, a pair of red and gold gauntlets, a large gold belt, black skinny jeans, black 3 inch high heeled boots with gold cuffs, and a silver tiara with a gold upside down crescent moon with dark silver swirls rested upon her forehead. As if that wasn't even enough the girl had wings. Wings! The girl had dark-red and black wings. The girl descended and landed next to Angel. Despite her being right next to her, Angel wasn't able to tell what color her hair was and that was before her eyes glowed white and her hair was lit on fire.
"Who are you?" The rosette asked warily.
"I am the Princess of this land. This place is a distant planet in a far away galaxy, far from the Andromeda system of which your own planet, Earth, calls its home. This is or rather was Aurelea. Before the war, everything was lush and green. There was a moment of peace and when that moment passed war was upon us. They came out of nowhere. No one could say where or when they came from. My Patera and Matim, King and Queen to you, fought long and hard with the best of the warriors but alas there was nothing we could do. My Patera sent my Matim and her son on one of the escape pods as well as many others on other escape. This planet, Aurelea, is cursed to forever burn unless.."
"Unless what? What is it, Princess?" Angel felt for the Princess. She wished that she could do something but it didn't seem like there was anything she could do. And there was something..something about the Princess that seemed familiar somehow.
"Unless the Red Dragon returns and fulfills the prophecy foretold centuries ago, Aurelea will continue to burn for all time. The prophecy foretold that the Red Dragon would return to us once their powers had returned upon their Seventeenth year. The Red Dragon will either save our world or be the destroyer of worlds. It's all up to them." The Princess narrowed her white eyes at the rosette before her. And it was always at that time that Angel would be brought back to the world of the living.
Angel's been trying to work out the dream but unless the Princess thinks that she's the Red Dragon, there's nothing that she could do. Sure, Angel now had some sort of healing power but use was it to her on a planet that billions maybe even trillions of light years away. The rosette sighed once more as she took another sip of Jasmine tea. She glanced down at the cup and saw her reflection was reminded of the reflection of herself which she saw earlier. It was probably nothing but her imagination. Most likely..
Angel sighed once more. "I realize that you might not believe me but that's what honest to God happened. I'm really freaked out and I don't know what to do. With all that had happened to me this past weekend and that weird repetitive dream.." Angel looked up from her cup to meet Mr. Saki's inquiring gaze. "I didn't tell you about that, did I? Well it's basically this. I'm on this rock and everywhere I turn there's fire. I look below me and there's this deep crater that's filled with rotten corpses and skeletons which look like that they've been there for a very long time. Then I look up when I hear something strange. I see a girl who must have been about my age who was flying above me and had dragon wings and was wearing some type of armor on top of that she had glowing white eyes and her hair was consumed by fire. She landed next to me and told me about the planet that I was apparently visiting and the war that had consumed it which had led to the planet, Aurelea, being cursed to eternal flame. The girl had told me about this prophecy of a dragon, a Red Dragon who upon their Seventeenth year would come unto their powers and be forced to make a choice. The Red Dragon would have to choose to either save Aurelea or be the destroyer of worlds. And that's where I wake up."
The rosette shook her head lightly, "It's just weird. I don't know why I'm getting a dream like this. I mean my Gramma used to tell me bedtime stories about dragons, not that I remember them exactly, but I never dreamt about anything like this before. Why would I be getting these sort of dreams now? I'm not exactly sure why I'm telling you all of this either. You must think that I'm crazy or something..." Angel took a sip of her iced coffee. The teenager averted her eyes to taking in the scene outside the window as her nerves calmed down. She must've been stupid. Searching out Mr. Saki and telling him everything that had happened along with her dreams. He must see her as some type of lunatic and must be searching for a way to get her into some sort of mental hospital. 'But what if he isn't, Angel?' The little voice inside her head spoke up. This is the voice that Angel would often ignore after all she'd ignored it when it told her that Mr. Saki was dangerous, 'What if he's searching for a way to help you? A real way to help that doesn't involve you ending up at a mental hospital. Maybe he knows something about magic powers and all.. He could help you with your healing abilities!'
If Angel could then she'd want to throttle that voice. It made a complete U-turn from it's point of view the other night. That night it had said not to trust him, that Mr. Saki was evil and out for her blood. And now it's telling her to trust him and his judgment because he can help her. Make up your mind, dammit! Angel frowned deeply at the voice. It was really annoying...
Oroku Saki was absorbed by her story-telling, though he hid it well behind his collective self; he knew the stories about dragons, but this was something very different from what he imagined. He had heard from scouts and spies that a mighty family had descended from the skies, gifted with dragonesque powers.
He knew very well who she was, and there was no mistaking it; the blade of the Red Dragon in his possession does not lie.
"That is quite a tale, Angel..." he began, pouring himself another cup of tea. After a quiet sip, he placed his cup gently back onto the table. "Dreams are doors that lead you to reveal you many things, from worries to actual truths."
He looked intently at the young girl, his eyes softened and his face brightened. "If you possess something, then it is not a mental or psychological disability. You have a gift, and it has begun to awaken."
He decided it was time for the great unveiling of the truth she'd been denied for so long. "The Red Dragon is within you, my child. The mark on your arm proves it and your dreams confirm that you are the prophecized child."
Angel's dark orbs widened in surprise. "What?" she whispered. "The Red Dragon is inside of me? But how I - I've never done anything to merit this..this thing inside me. No. You have to be wrong. It can't be me. It can't be! I'm just a normal girl who's been trying to live a normal life along with the fact that my Gramma packed me up to move every couple of years. How can it possibly be me anyways. I'm sure that there are loads of people who have dragon birthmarks on their arms. So how can you even be certain that I'm the one!"
Angel was flipping out. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening to her! She's a dragon... NO! There's no such thing as dragons. Angel knew that. Hell, everybody and their Grandmother knew that! If dragons still existed then why wouldn't they reveal themselves. And why her? Why her?! Why did she have to be the one to make a choice? Why did she have to be the one with a new found power with multiple more on the way? Why did she have to be the one to choose to either save that other planet or be the destroyer of worlds. Angel drew her arm back and held it close to her chest. Maybe she was wrong to tell Mr. Saki all of this. He was clearly delusional to believe in all this and yet... and yet a part of her was telling her to trust him.
That part of her was starting to rationalize all that had happened into what was apparently inside her. The reason why she smelled the smoke first was because she had a sensitive nose. The reason why her hands didn't burn when retrieving her box was because she was immune to fire. The reason why she was healed was because the thing inside her wanted to keep her alive. The reason why she was aware of Donnie coming after her was because the thing wanted her to be aware. But there was still one question on her mind. Why? "How do you know or think that this is true, Mr. Saki?"
"I know this may seem unbelievable to you, but I may be the only one who can tell you who you are and what you're destined to be." the master replied and simultaneously called on the waiter. As he paid for the tea, he looked at her warily. "This topic cannot be discussed here in a public place. What say you come to my residence and there we can talk quietly?"
Angel nodded once quickly. She had a feeling that this was going to take a while for her brain to fully integrate into her knowledge. The rosette stood up and finished the last of her coffee in a quick sip. She had a feeling that what he was saying was true but she didn't want to believe it. "Okay," she answered softly. What she was destined to be, huh. Angel sighed softly. This was going to take some time. 'Gramma, give me strength!'
He nodded as he stood up. "Very well. My driver should be waiting outside. There is much we need to discuss..."
He and Angel walked out of the café, a black car pulling up the street. The driver opened the car door, ushering Angel to get in. As the girl slid onto the seat, Oroku Saki's phone vibrated. He produced the phone from his pocket and read a message he'd just received.
Green technician deposited. Awaiting reward at dojo.
Kuro
He couldn't resist a smile. This day undeniably kept getting better and better.
And with that smile, he sat next to Angel and ordered the driver to take them to his abode.
Once Angel was seated in the car. She looked down and started to fidget with the markings on her arm. She was nervous. There was no telling what he was going to tell her. The rosette thought for a moment that maybe it would've been better for her to stay in the lair but then again.. If she had she wouldn't have found out exactly what her dream meant. She averted her eyes and watched the scenery blow by as the driver drove off to take them to wherever they were supposed to go.
Angel couldn't help but feel a bit wary as to what was going on. Just what was going to be revealed to her now? It couldn't be worse than being told that she has a dragon, a Red Dragon, inside of her... Could it?
Rushing across rooftops, the entire family of the sewers chased after a terrible premonition sensed by the father. The rat followed his sons, eyes searching everywhere for the one he had felt was in danger.
"We must hurry, my sons." he spoke as he made another leap, "Never have I experienced such form of warning. Donatello's life may be at stake."
"Understood, Master Splinter." Leonardo replied, leading the team, "Donnie installed a radar on each cell-shell to pinpoint the location of the other ones. Luckily he's shown me how to use it."
As the leader turned on his shell-cell and activated the radar, he furrowed his eyes in confusion. Michelangelo was first to notice. "What is it, bro?"
"I don't get it..." Leo began, "Everybody except Master Splinter's got a shell-cell, right?"
They all nodded, Raphael however was quick to react. "What you gettin' at, Leo?"
"This shell-cell is picking up four of them."
"So?"
"With this one, there are five shell-cells. Since when do we have five of them?"
Leo suddenly slowed down, signaling the rest of the family to halt. From the edge of the roof, he peered down into an alley. "One shell-cell is located here. This could be an ambush, so be ready for anything."
"I was born ready!" Mikey replied, unable to contain his excitement as he drew out his nun-chucks. Raphael, on the other hand, wasn't as cheerful as his small brother. He frowned, and his eyes suddenly widened as he spotted something.
He jumped off the rooftop much to Leo's disapproval, and the Master followed him behind, both curious and protective of his son. He suddenly saw what his own son was seeing, and it shocked him to the core.
Raphael's jaw was wide, and he was unable to hide his horror as splotches of blood covered the walls and the ground in this alley. Both stain and stench mingled into a crimson terror to the turtles and the rat.
"Jesus..." Mikey was not someone who practiced faith, but he wished he did, for doubt and fear didn't spare him from imagining what could have happened here.
What's worse, there was no sign of Donatello.
Leonardo, who was still in shock but better off than his brothers and master, finally found the cellphone. Cracked and drenched in a puddle of blood - his brother's blood - he took the cell and flipped it open.
An image was displayed, a terrifying form recognizable. It belonged to that of a black dragon bearing razor-sharp fangs.
Oroku Saki had everything planned. The time drew nearer, and if it weren't for his talents of deception, he would have shown his enthusiasm.
The car slowed and halted in front of his mansion, the architecture evidently influenced by Japanese culture. He slid out of his car and watched as the driver opened the car door for his guest. "Welcome, Angel, to the Saki residence."
Angel slid out of the car slowly as her eyes widened in awe in all of what she was seeing. Angel had always been interested in the Asian culture, more so the Japanese than any other, so the mansion before her appealed to her senses greatly. "Woah..." The rosette breathed as she stood next to the car as the driver closed the door behind her, "Y-You live here? I... Wow."
'The last name makes so much more sense now,' Angel mused, 'He must definitely be of Asian or at least Japanese descent to have acquired this mansion..'
Although there was this feeling, this strange feeling in her gut. It seemed to warn her of something. It was similar to that of the feelings that she's had this past weekend and yet it was stronger here. And yet there was something compelling her to stay. A hypnotism of sorts that was overtaking her mind. Angel blinked and the feeling of danger was gone although the compulsion to stay near Mr. Saki remained. Just what was going on with her mind?
Oroku Saki's richness knew no limits, as it obviously amazed his guest, up to the point of leaving her immobile.
He couldn't hide his amusement. Standing by her side, he gently pushed her forward, both of them walking in equal strides. "My ancestors were leaders of ninjas operating throughout Japan, even in China when our country was threatened. We are an acclaimed family in Japan, highly ranked in society because of our history. Unfortunately, there are men who seek to usurp my power, betraying me and donning an armor all to soil my family's honor..."
He and Angel walked up a flight of stairs, leading them to the gate of the big asian mansion. A blonde-haired manservant was there to open the door, revealing a spacious lot, with several dozens of black-clad ninjas practicing. With the manservant leading the way into the entrance of the residence, he looked over to the girl, noticing that she was absent-minded. "Are you troubled?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Saki, for all of that's happened to you. I wish that there was something I could do to help you.." Angel spoke softly as she took in the ninjas practicing before them. The rosette gulped quickly. They looked like and they seemed to fight like those whom she and her friends were fighting against a few nights ago. But Leo and Mikey had said that they were ninjas who worked for the Shredder..Then again Mr. Saki had said that he housed a school of loyal ninjas. Angel's dark orbs widened slightly as she watched the ninjas practice. It was simply amazing to see something like this in person. It was one thing to watch action movies involving ninjas but it was another entirely to see them in person as she was now! "I'm fine. I'm just well...amazed by what I see is all."
And while she was busy being amazed by all that Mr. Saki was showing her, the rosette had forgotten about her friends. Not realizing that Donnie was in trouble or that the others were looking for him. She didn't even realize that the others had completely forgotten about her or the danger that she was going to encounter soon in order to realize her destiny.
Apologetic, he creased his brows and softened his gaze. "These are among my finest followers, so I do apologize if they seem intimidating. A family like mine has to always be ready for enemies who would strike at any time."
They both entered the asian mansion, which, at first, appeared to be some sort of dojo with smooth, almost gleaming wood as a floor. Armors and the symbol of the Foot hung as drapes on the wall, the interior lit by small windows near the ceilings. They continued walking beyond that room and into a living room, the grey tiles on the floor acting as a slight contrast to the previous room.
While the manservant took Oroku Saki's coat, another servant had appeared and set some tea and japanese biscuits on a glass table, surrounded by comfortable couches. This room was garnered by ancient vases and reliquaries that dated from the Feudal time in Japan, from blades to Japanese tapestries. The blonde manservant looked quietly and indifferently to Angel, and offered a hand to take her coat. As he waited for her response, Oroku had taken a seat, serving himself some tea, all the while anticipating the events that would follow.
The turtle brothers sprang from one rooftop to the other, following the additional signal they didn't know of, but seemed to be their only lead to finding Donatello. Everyone was deep in thought, except for Raph.
"Looks like we're gonna have ourselves some fricasseed dragon tonight." he growled, "I fer one am up to it."
Master Splinter didn't leave that retort unanswered. "Rein in that temperament of yours, Raphael. Anger will not help us win against an enemy we know little of-"
A sudden yell erupted from below, a cry for help that sounded all too familiar. The brothers looked at each other, realizing that all recognized that voice.
"Donnie!"
They all dove into an alley, hopping their way off walls and firestairs as they suddenly saw a form writhing in pain. Leonardo rushed in first, turning the form over, only to confirm that it was Donatello.
"Leo..." he wheezed, groaning as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Raph and Mikey had appeared, too. "Who did dis to ya, Donnie?!" came Raph's angry yell.
Master Splinter pushed both turtles aside to get a good look at his son. He couldn't hide the pain as he saw how much his son was suffering from deep gashes and large bruises. His leg seemed to be broken, too.
"My son... Let's get your wounds treated, then tell us everything."
The asian mansion was big, but no one every knew its true size. For example, outsiders didn't know that this mansion had a dungeon, where the evil Shredder kept his prisoners. In the darkest part of it, a creature was chained to the wall, blood oozing from several wounds.
It was Donatello.
"I just find it really cool is all. It's one being next-to-obsessed with action movies that involve ninjas or martial artists in general and actually seeing some in person like I have today." Angel explained herself with a smile as they walked into the mansion and found herself slightly mesmerized by the wall hangings and the armor which was all around the dojo. "Wicked.." The teenage girl breathed out. She was glad more than ever right now that she had sought out Mr. Saki for help this morning despite all that Leo and Mikey had been force-feeding her this past weekend while she was essentially locked up. It was more of Leo than Mikey at any rate which led to Angel trying not to blow up at the two which was funny. She never really got mad at either of them before but now it was like the rosette had to constantly be keeping her temper in check. And they say Raph has a bad temper...
As Angel stepped into the next room with Mr. Saki she felt something. It was almost like the thudding of a heartbeat and yet not. It was calling to her from somewhere in the room. There was also a kind of twisting going on in her gut that screamed at her as if to say that something was wrong. The rosette gazed around the room at all of the Feudal Japanese items. Angel blinked and then she unzipped the black jacket she had been wearing and took it off to reveal her tattered and torn tie-dye t-shirt as she handed her jacket off to the manservant. Angel walked over to the table and sat on the couch opposite of Mr. Saki suddenly feeling a little awkward. Her clothes weren't nice like how they used to be. They were all tattered, torn, and even burned in some places. Angel would get herself something new to wear if she didn't have to worry about where she was going to live next, let alone where her next meal was going to come from. Besides she could only live with the turtles for so long until they began to get annoyed with her presence not to mention that she didn't feel exactly welcome there 100% of the time so maybe it was best that she was trying to get away and all.
That feeling from before continued to pulse as if to say, 'I'm here! I'm here! Come and find me!' It wasn't exactly a friendly feeling but nor was it a threatening one either. It was just simply confusing. There was also the sense of danger that seemed to grow stronger the more that she hung around with Mr. Saki. It was curious considering that Angel knows that the guy isn't dangerous and yet the feeling was there all the same. Those feelings were enough to put her nerves on edge. Just what the Hell was going on? And why was she feeling like this?
Angel held her gray box close to her as she continued to observe the room through her dark orbs. From what she has seen, it was obvious that Mr. Saki held a great interest in Asian history if all of the blades and tapestries hanging about were of any indication. He seemed to be a great history buff if the inquiries into her past were of any indication. Speaking of which... The teenage girl turned her fierce gaze upon the Asian man sitting before her.
"Okay. You said that you'd give me my answers once we were here. Now please tell me. What are you going on about when you said that I had some dragon inside me. It's impossible I mean. There can only ever really be one soul per body so why do you say that that dragon...thing is inside me?"
Despite her being mesmerized by the mansion, Angel knew that she had to get her answers and soon. The rosette knew that there was something in here calling to her. Calling for her to find it..whatever it was. She knew that it was important seeing as it kept on calling for her heartstrings the longer that she ignored it. It was almost like an ache of sorts was taking place within her. Oh, Mr. Saki had better have an answer for her or things were not going to be going well between them.
At that moment, the grand master of martial arts, who had taken a sip from the japanese green tea, placed the jaded cup onto the table. "Yes. You host an ancient dragon inside you. A red dragon, to be precise, whose mighty powers are as mystifying as they are mysterious. Legend has it that he or she who who hosts this dragon will wields its blade and become the Red Dragon Warrior."
He rose from the table and walked to a set of drawers made of mahogany. Out he pulled a scroll, and he unrolled it onto the table, revealing a red dragon within a circle and surrounded by Chinese characters. "Have you ever seen this scroll?" he asked with searching eyes.
Angel blinked. Okay so now not only was she a host to some dragon within her body but now she was to be some kind of warrior! Granted she needed to access some blade but all the same.. The rosette looked up at the Asian Man before her. "How are you even sure that I'm the one that you've been looking for?"
Angel looked carefully at the scroll that lay before her. It did look a little familiar.. Almost like she had seen it a very long time ago or perhaps in a dream. The rosette furrowed her eyebrows and shut her eyes as she tried to remember. A vague memory came to her mind. Of a time when she was very young and was wanting to know what her Father was up to. Angel opened her eyes slowly, "A very long time ago when I was a little girl. I believe my Father had it at the time.."
His gaze fell, focusing on the scroll once more. "This scroll is an ancient artefact from 800 B.C. It was written in an old dialect that only a few specific people can read."
He pushed the artefact towards Angel. "My family has been keeping this safe for hundreds of generations, waiting for this day. Take it, and maybe you'll find yourself enlightened."
The rosette gulped. Only a few specific people... Is that really so? If so then this would either prove or disprove whether or not she is who he says she is. This is the test to prove to her as to whether or not she's this 'Red Dragon Warrior.' Angel wasn't even sure if she really believed in all of this magical nonsense..but she wanted to. If there were such things as mutant ninja turtles, rat ninjutsu masters, and real ninjas then there might just be a possibility that all of this craziness surrounding dragons is real too.
Angel gently picked up the ancient scroll and let her eyes wander over the inscriptions. Her mind was filled with knowledge. Knowledge of a time from long ago. And then... her world went dark as she collapsed on the couch from the sudden onslaught of knowledge.
When Angel next opened her eyes all she could see was white. There was nothing around her except for this whiteness. The rosette stood up and started to look around hoping to find something beyond all of this whiteness. Gradually in the distance there was a shadow that was quickly making its way towards her. Once it was in front of her, the rosette's eyes popped.
"N-No way... I-It can't be! You... You CAN'T be real! You just can't!"