Midtown Manhattan Magnet High School
"I expect you to know all of these methods and how to use them in the next test. Next is limits." Rick Manson, the calculus teacher said to the students in his class. He had a light skin tone and high brown hair.
The door opened. It was Peter.
"Ah, Mr. Parker, nice of you to join us. I trust you'll have a way to get the material that you've missed today?" He said to him.
"Yes sir. I apologize for being so late." Peter said.
"No need to apologize to me. We'll see if you're really remorseful come the next test." Rick said.
Peter went to take a seat. All of the seats except for the ones in the back, and two rows up were taken. He didn't want to take the seats in the back row, because he wouldn't be able to see anything. So he took a seat two rows up. Only two seats were available. He took the seat next to a girl in a sailor uniform. She gave him a friendly smile, to which he gave one back before he quickly unpacked to start taking notes.
"Odd. I don't remember seeing her before. She looks friendly enough." Peter thought before getting lost in his notes and the lesson.
Time passed before class was over.
"Alright, we'll continue tomorrow where we left off. No homework tonight. Have a good rest of your day everyone!" Rick said. Everyone started to leave out the classroom, the talking already starting. Peter was leaving, getting ready to talk to Gwen about getting what he missed.
"Peter! Sakura! A word." Rick said.
"Someone's in trouble." One of the student's said.
"Got that right. Good luck Parker." Flash said.
"Would you lay off? He's probably not even in trouble." Gwen said.
"Whatever. With how you're constantly defending him he might as well be your boyfriend again." Flash said before walking away.
Gwen rolls her eyes. Harry was frowning a bit.
"Come on, you can't really be taking Flash seriously are you?" Gwen asked.
Harry snapped out of it. "No. Sorry." Harry said.
"As you probably know, Midtown High is participating in the foreign exchange program with Japan. The student you saw in our class was a student from Japan, particularly Tamagawa Minami High. Her name is Sakura Kasugano. As of right now, she doesn't have a partner. Given your excellent standing in school and your studies, I think you'd be the perfect partner. What do you say?" Rick asked.
"I totally forgot about exchange program. And I signed the permission form too." Peter said, remembering that his Aunt May also encouraged it as it was not only a good to learn new people, but there was also a scholarship incentive for those that participated when he told her about it two weeks ago. While Aunt May signed it, he didn't really think much of it at the time as he didn't think there'd be anyone that'd be interested in partnering with him as their companion.
"Sure!" Peter said. He just couldn't say no to someone that had a smile as friendly as hers.
"And don't worry about a language barrier. She seems to be able to speak English well enough." Rick said.
Peter nodded. "Have a good day Mr. Manson." He said, walking out of the classroom.
"So, what'd he say?" Harry asked.
"He just asked if I wanted to have Sakura as my companion for the foreign exchange program." Peter said. "Of course, I accepted."
"I told you he wasn't in trouble." Gwen said to Flash.
"I don't blame you if you want out of the nerd group after a couple of days." Flash said to Sakura before walking away.
"Sorry about Flash. That's just how he is." Peter said.
"No worries. Sakura. Pleased to meet you." She said, bowing and shaking hands with all of them.
"Likewise. Well, looks like you'll be going with us to the next class." Peter said.
"Great! Lead the way!" Sakura said.
"Pete, what about your Aunt May? You think she'll be okay with handling feeding two people in one house?" Gwen said to Peter low.
"I already got that covered. I'm going to try to make this as stress free of a situation for her as I can." Peter said.
"Okay." Gwen said, concern still lingering in her face and tone. "And before you ask, I've already got you covered on the notes."
"Thanks." Peter said, a soft smile on his face.
"Just don't make this a habit alright?" Gwen said playfully.
"I'll try." Peter said. They continued to make their way onto the next class.
Turtles' Lair
"We should be doing somethin'! Karai? Death? A card with Stockman on it? And a great evil returning? It's him! It has to be!" Raph said. They looked at some of the tarot cards except the ones that had people they didn't know. They didn't feel it was right to be peering on the fate of others they didn't know.
"Not yet. We should wait until Casey and April get here. This involves them. They deserve to know about this too." Leo said.
"Besides, even if we decided to go after Stockman, we have no leads to go off of. We're at a disadvantage." Donnie said.
"Unfortunately, Donnie's right. But that doesn't mean we're going to let him get the drop on us either. Once Casey and April arrive, we'll start to form a plan." Leo said.
"What about Karai?" Mikey asked.
"That's where the plan starts. By finding Karai and explaining to her all this. Until then, she can handle herself. I'm sure of it." Leo said confidently.
40 Minutes Later
"Sorry guys. We got here as soon as we could." April said.
"Yeah, we were out." Casey said.
"So, what's up?" He added.
"These." Leo said, showing them the cards. "Spider-Man came here earlier and found her before she collapsed. She dropped these."
"Playing cards? And why are you guys on them?" Casey asked, noticing the cards that had the turtles on them.
"Not playing cards. Tarot cards. Each one sends messages about your direction in life currently." April explained to him.
"Ah. So they're like fortunes?" Casey guessed.
"In a way, yes. But they don't tell your definite future like fortunes would. Your direction and the card that represents you can change based on what you do." Donnie said, recalling the research he did on them while they were waiting for the two to arrive.
"And it's not just us four on them. You guys are on them two. And Spidey, Karai, and Stockman." Mikey said.
"April, you have the Empress card." Leo said as they saw April sitting on a throne on the card.
Donatello scrolls down to find the Empress card and it's meaning. He begins explaining it out loud. "This card, upright, indicates a strong indication of pregnancy or a motherly, nurturing and caring attitude. Many situations would end successfully in your life if you keep this path."
"Casey, you've got the Lovers card." Leo said. Casey was shown to be wearing angel wings
"The upright meaning of this card shows harmony, perfection and love in a relationship. The strong unity and trust that is shown between two companions. It can be from a career, relationship, and/or financial standpoint." Donatello said.
"Gotta be talkin' about me and April." Casey said, embracing her then.
"Awww." April said, turning red.
"Me next!" Mikey said.
"Mikey, you have the Sun." Leo showed everyone the card. He's shown under a sun riding a horse. And from the picture, he seems to be having a great time doing it.
"The Sun card, upright means success, happiness and joy. Along with having joy yourself, you bring joy and inspiration to others as well. Expect to reach the goals that you've set, and more success in your future."
"To all of my doubters out there that said I didn't deserve my title as Battle Nexus Champion, I say 'in your face'!" Mikey said.
"Great. These cards are only gonna make him even more annoying." Raph said. "What's my card Leo?"
"Strength." The card shows Raph with a look as menacing and fierce as the Lion he is near in the card.
"This card, upright shows inner strength and bravery even during moments of danger. Resilience and fearlessness helps you get through anything you put your mind, and you have no issues speaking your mind." Donnie said.
"Yep, sounds just like him." Mikey commented.
Raph hits him on the back of his head, but not as hard as all of the other times that he does it.
"But, you still have time to show compassion and spend time with those you care about. Your strength will allow you to keep a life of stability for a long time ahead." Donnie finished.
"Not so sure about that compassion part. You guys remember a time where he ever showed compassion to any of you guys? Especially me?" Mikey commented, which prompted Raph to hit him on the back of the head again, this time as hard as he usually does.
"Pipe down, knucklehead." Raph said.
"My card is the World." Leo said. The card shows Leo holding his katana's, one in each hand equally.
"The card, upright shows a state of enlightenment, fulfillment, and completion. Encountering this card shows that you have completed a major milestone in life are able to withstand whatever's in front of you." Donnie said.
"What's your card Don?" Raph asked.
"Let's see…. It's the Magician." Leo said. The card shows Donatello in front of a table, with several creations. The card, like all the others they've seen, is upright.
"This card, upright means pure willpower and creation. It means embracing your full potential to become the best version of yourself." Donnie said. "Makes sense why he called me Mr. Wizard." He said, putting a hand on his chin, referring to what his 1987 counterpart called him when the two groups of turtles first met.
"The death card. Karai's. What about that one?" Raph said, referring to the upright card where Karai is holding a scythe and wearing a cloak in front of the Foot Clan symbol.
"Despite the name, it isn't a card whose name should be taken literally, like you could with many of the other cards. It's actually one of the most positive if upright. It means that person on the card is going through a major change in their life. Their old self, or old phase of their life must die, in order for another to start." Donnie said.
"The Foot Clan. Changing the image along with her own from the one the Shredder left." Leo said.
"Well that's a sigh of relief. Looks like she's not in danger after all." Raph said.
"Still though, having all of us and Stockman on these cards doesn't leave me feeling any better." Leo said. "Stockman's card is the Tower. What does this one mean, Donnie?" The card has Stockman on what seems to be a skyscraper, back in his human form, seemingly before all of the Shredder's "punishments". Lightning seems to be behind him.
"This card represents change. In a radical sense. It can be similar to the death card, or the exact opposite. Disaster, and great loss." Donnie said.
"That's not much to go off of. That could be Stockman before he changed when he started working with the Shredder." April said.
"Or it could be something else in the future." Leo said.
"Ya think it could be what we saw in 2105?" Raph asked, referring to Stockman's redemption in the future with then President Bishop.
"Don't know. All I know for sure is that 2105 is a long way from now. Meaning that what happens to Stockman then isn't the one we know now." Leo said.
"Speaking of Bishop, he's got a card too. Temperance. And Splinter! He's got the Emperor card. Shredder's got one too. Think we can get those Don?" Mikey said. Bishop's card has him holding two chalices, pouring water seemingly in both at the same time. It also depicts him as an angel with wings. Splinter has him on a throne with his cane.
"Temperance, upright means patience and remaining calm through any situation. The ability to adapt, even when it comes to working with others. Keeping balance in every situation is key." Donnie said.
"Yep, sounds like him alright." Raph said.
"Am I the only one that finds Bishop in angel's clothing a little odd?" Mikey said.
"Honestly, no." Donnie said.
Leo and the others nodded in agreement.
"Nope." Raph said.
"The Hanged Man. Reversed means needless sacrifice. Sacrificing time and/or several other resources while getting nothing in return." Donnie said.
"He spent all of his efforts trying to destroy us, including himself and it all winded up in failure. Every time." Leo said.
"The Emperor. Splinter's card, upright shows regulation and a strong father figure. He creates structure, and imparts knowledge and discipline." Donnie said.
"A very accurate reading my sons." Splinter said, appearing.
"Master Splinter." Leo said, not hearing him walk in.
"And I see we have a guest." Splinter said, taking his attention to the woman with the purple hair.
"Spider-Man found her unconscious and brought her here." Leo explained. "He said that she mentioned something about a great evil before going unconscious. She also had these." He added, showing the cards.
"Tarot cards. I see. Judging from how accurate my card is, I would say that this woman is a fortune teller." Splinter said.
"Doesn't seem to be one of those scammin' types either. She got us correct a hundred percent." Casey said.
"If that's the case, then there really is a great evil coming." Leo said.
"What do you suppose we do?" Casey asked.
"If it is Stockman, we should definitely keep an eye out. We already told Spider-Man that we'd meet whenever possible to tell him anything we found. Until then, it's probably a good idea for us to talk to Karai about this." Leo said.
"What about her?" Mikey asked.
"I will stay behind to watch over her. She doesn't seem to be suffering from physical wounds or illness. What happened to her seems to have originated mentally. Perhaps the fortune she saw weighed too much on her." Splinter said.
"Then if that's the case, we've got to get going." Leo said. Grabbing his katanas.
"Farewell Master Splinter." Leo said.
"May you all return safely." Splinter said.
Unknown Location, New York
Baxter Stockman was looking outside of a window at people living their normal lives.
"Look at them. Living out their lives without a care in the world. But all of that will change soon enough. Now phase 1 begins." Stockman said, a sinister grin on his face.
Oroku Saki Tower
Two elite foot guards bowed before Karai.
"Begin!" Karai said, in her ninja gear.
The elite guards, one wielding and the other wielding a twin-bladed sword ran at her. The guard with the twin sword took point, attacking her head on. She kept on her guard, watching for the second guard, who would occasionally attempt to use the reach of the spear to catch her off guard. The guard with the spear began to twirl the spear in multiple directions, looking to catch her once while the other attacked in an attempt to keep her attention. She had no choice but to leap back array from the flurry of attacks.
The guards continued to advance on her, keeping up their attack, until Karai was able to grab the spear with her hands and kicking the guard away while disarming him simultaneously. She used the spear to battle against the elite guard with the sword. The guard made quick slices in an effort to not leave an opening for Karai to counter. She had no choice but to use her arm plates to block some of the strikes. When the guard attempted to overpower her with the sword, she used her arm plate to stop the attack. She was able to hold long enough for her to use her other arm with the spear in it to hit his foot with the spearhead, causing him to reel back in pain. She then hit him with the spear several times in a flurry before knocking him down, pointing the head of it at the guard.
Chaplin opened the elevator door, and out with him came the turtles, April and Casey.
"Leonardo. Turtles. April and Casey. Welcome!" Karai said. "What brings you all here?"
The foot elite got up, bowed and left the room as Karai signaled this as the end of the sparring session.
"We came to talk about what we learned from these." Leo said, holding some of the tarot cards.
"Tarot cards?" Karai asked to confirm what she believed she was seeing.
"You know about them?" Leo asked.
"Yes. Tarot cards are used to show your current direction in life. What importance does this play with me?" Karai asked.
"We don't have enough info yet to be sure, but you're on one of the cards here. And so are all of us. And Baxter Stockman." Leo said.
"Spider-Man told us that the owner of these cards said that 'a great evil was returning'. Considering how accurate these cards are to each of us, Splinter believes that the owner of these cards is a fortune teller." Donnie said.
"The real deal." Raph added.
"May I see these cards?" Karai said. Leo handed her the cards and she looked at hers. It was death, upright. She then looked at Stockman's, which was the tower.
"Father." Karai thought after seeing his card as The Hanged Man.
Which she thought fit him perfectly. He was someone that would sacrifice everything, including himself to get what he wanted. Which was revenge and destruction of Splinter and the turtles. And it all culminated in him being erased from existence. While she was grateful for everything that he did for her, she believed that his fate was one that was avoidable, but justified.
"Ever since our last fight with him back on Mutant Island, we haven't heard anything from him since." Leo said.
"Which for someone like him to disappear for that long isn't good. Either he's gone for good or he's planning something. And judging from these cards, it seems to be the latter." Donnie said.
"I will heighten my security and be sure to stay vigilant for any signs of his whereabouts. You will know if I have found something." Karai said, handing them the cards, indicating that she has her own method of communicating with them should she find anything.
"Right. Thanks Karai." Leo said.
They descended back into the elevator and began to leave the Foot Tower.
"I know Karai ain't exactly the chatty type, but did it seem like she's on edge more than usual?" Raph asked.
"She's had to deal with finding a mole in the Foot giving tech to the Purple Dragons. And this is when she's trying to rebuild the Foot Clan's image. Now she's given the news of Stockman and her being on a tarot card about where her life is heading. I can understand why she isn't exactly cheerful about any of this." Donnie said.
"Yeah, but…. something stinks. And it ain't Mikey." Raph said, to which Mikey frowns.
A scientist plants several microchips throughout Foot HQ before walking out not too far where the turtles were.
"Did you plant them?" Otto asked.
"Yes, Doctor. I planted them. Now where's my money?" The scientist said.
"You'll receive it shortly." Stockman said.
"Never speak of this to anyone." Otto said.
"As long as I receive my payment, my lips are sealed." The scientist said before taking off the mask, revealing him to be Chameleon.
Eventually, he saw the money hit his account. To which he grinned before trashing the earpiece.
Unknown Location
"As much as I wanted to not involve anyone else in our plan, Chameleon was an integral part of achieving what we needed." Otto said to Stockman.
"And he has played his short-lived role to perfection. The ends justify the means. What matters is the result once all of this is over." Stockman said, impressed that he was able to do his job, efficiently with no questions asked as was just as quickly able to disassociate himself with it as if he was never involved.
"Phase 1 complete. Once we have what we need, we shall begin Phase 2." Otto said, turning his chair back towards the keyboard, his hands now clenched together on his desk.
All 22 Tarot Cards:
1. Leo:The World
2. Mikey:The Sun
3. Donnie:The Magician
4. Raph:Strength
5. Spidey:The Star
6. Chun-Li:Justice
7. Casey:The Lovers
8. April:The Empress
9. Karai:Death
10. Bishop:Temperance
11. The Wheel of Fortune(Reversed):Cody(Street Fighter/Final Fight)
12. The Devil: Akuma
13. The Tower: Stockman
14. Splinter: The Emperor
15. Guile: The Hierophant
16. The High Priestess: Rose
17. The Chariot: Haggar
18. The Moon: Vega
19. Judgement: M. Bison
20. The Hermit: Sagat
21. The Hanged Man(Reversed): Utrom Shredder(Oroku Saki)
22. The Fool(Reversed): The Symbiote(Host unknown)