Radical Transformation
~
The fire was reflected in the blade as it was raised, and as it came down so were their fearful expressions. It sliced through the air and bit effortlessly into the rope that held the four captives. The rope loosened and fell to the floor.
Leo, Donny, Mikey and Prida all breathed and looked at the rope, then looked, stunned, up at the Foot soldier.
Suddenly Tatsu stormed up to the soldier, face twisted in an ugly snarl, and grabbed the Foot by the front of his clothes, pulling him closer to keep his grip firm. With his other hand he reached and pulled off the Foot member's head mask. Underneath was a tousled mess of sandy colored hair and a red bandanna.
"Raph?!" Leo breathed from the floor. Donny, Mikey and Prida all stared, surprised. Prida was overjoyed to see he was alright, but it just didn't show on her face. Raph looked as though the beating he took wasn't going to heal too quickly: His cheek was bruised, he had a small gauze bandage taped to his forehead half under his bandana and he was slightly unstable on his feet.
With effort, Raph wrenched himself from Tatsu's grasp and stumbled back, tossing the thing he had picked up off the floor to his brothers and Prida. It clinked as it hit the floor, and they saw it was the chain of keys to their metal cuffs.
Donny quickly grabbed it and hutched on his butt closer to Mikey so he could unlock his cuffs.
Tatsu started for Raph, who threw a punch, landing it on Tatsu's cheek. He did not stumble or move, except to turn his head back and glare at the teenager. Raph looked at his throbbing fist and then back at Tatsu.
"Erm," Raph said, and then was grabbed by his stolen black Foot uniform and thrown into the air, landing heavily on his back, feet from the wave of fire that was still burning and crackling.
The rest of the Foot clan had recovered from the sudden fire attack and started to make their way over to help Tatsu (not that he needed it) and over to the now free Mikey and Donny, who was helping Leo and Prida.
Mikey turned to the Foot while Donny worked on Leo's cuffs. Prida was watching, fearfully, as Tatsu landed another blow to Raph, and another. But then the teenager found his feet again and landed a solid kick to the gut, and at last Tatsu groaned in pain, and bent forward. Raph was swarmed by Foot soldiers before he could do any more damage to Tatsu.
"Hurry Donny!" Prida cried, glancing at Donny who had just unlocked Leo's wrists.
"I am, I am!" Donny said, rushing over to Prida.
Leo rushed over to help his brother, and as soon as Donny unchained Prida he threw the keys aside and grabbed her shoulders.
"Prida - you gotta get out!" He said. "Go get the police or something - but just -" He didn't finished. A Foot soldier had thrown a chain link around his neck and was not being kind. Donny groped at the chain around his neck, trying to slip his fingers underneath it. He and the soldiers were stumbling all over the place as Donny was gasping for breath. He managed to get his fingers between the chain and his windpipe. He brought his elbow back into the chest of the Foot and then summoned the strength to throw him over his shoulder. The dude landed on his back and stayed there. Donny coughed and massaged his throat, before turning to find Prida. She was busy with her own opponents, standing behind Mikey and trying to do as much damage as she could to the ones who got past Mikey and thought about sneaking up behind him. Donny hoped she wouldn't get hurt. Before he could think any more he spun automatically and grabbed the fist that held a blunt object that was aiming for his head. He twisted the arm and the dude spun over and landed on the floor, tripping over another clumsy soldier. Donny made a 'pff' sound and shook his head.
Through the shadows of the main entrance the large, spiky edged figure of Shredder emerged, staring at the fighting that had broken out while he was dealing with the three blunderings that had returned. He stared around, unnoticed by anyone, and wondered how his captives could have gotten free. He saw his right-hand, Tatsu, and watched as he and other soldiers fight one of the teenagers. Shredder paused for a slit second. He counted four brothers, when there should have been three. Shredder realized immediately that the forth must have stolen the uniform of one of the Foot soldiers he sent to kill that teenager, which explains why only three came back. Shredder disappeared back into the shadows.
Tatsu was pretty steamed about being kicked in the stomach, and was doing well by proving how angry that made him to Leo and Raph.
"Raph - why the hell did you risk your life coming here?!" Leo shouted to his brother, blocking a punch that was coming his way. "You just won't admit when you're down!"
"Hey - you're the one with the concussion!" Raph yelled. "Don't you tell me whose kiddin' themselves!"
"There's nothing wrong with me -" Leo said, and as he stumbled back was caught in the face by a fist from Tatsu, who moved on to deal with Raph while the Foot tried to finish Leo.
"Pft! Yeah Leo!" Raph retorted, before he himself was punched in the temple by Tatsu, who was on a role. "Okay ugly - you're gonna pay for tha -" Tatsu stopped him from finishing his sentence with a series of punches and kicks. Blood droplets flew from Raph's nose.
In front, Leo was not doing any better even though he was facing the inexperienced Foot. His vision was blurring for some reason all of a sudden, and his head throbbed painfully. He couldn't see the attacks coming at him. Before he knew it he was on the floor, his arms shaking with his weight because he was propping himself up, head dropped and breathing heavy.
"Stop!" The deep, cold voice of Shredder commanded twice in less than an hour.
Everyone turned to look at him, and saw he had, in his tight grasp, Raph; Shredder's hand was grasping his jaw and tilting his head, with the sharp spikes from his other hand pressed against his exposed neck. Raph's nose was bleeding badly, and it was apparent from the beating he had taken earlier and the one he had just received from Tatsu that he couldn't get out of this if he wanted to. His stolen Foot uniform had been ripped and torn, showing his gray t-shirt and jeans underneath.
His brothers ceased their attacks immediately and Prida gasped. They were all breathing heavy, all bleeding. The fire around them had spread even further around the room, dancing away and slowly eating at the wooden floor.
Shredder seemed to pause for a second or two as if waiting for them to dare and do anything. They didn't.
"So, we have all four here," he growled, looking into the face of each of his teenage enemies. "And yet one should be dead, and the old man should be here. Neither have happened, but I know that one of those can happen right now, if I choose to." He forced Raph's head back further to one side and put pressure on the points. Two thin red streams of blood streamed slowly down his neck. "OR I can have the girl terminated," Shredder suddenly said, and Tatsu grabbed Prida, whipped a knife from a sheath strapped to his ankle and held it against Prida's throat. She whimpered quietly in fear, eyes wide.
Donny and Mikey looked helplessly to Tatsu who held Prida with a knife to her throat, and then to Shredder who had Raph. Donny, for perhaps the first time, was whispering panicky in his head 'what do I do? What can I do? What should I do? I don't know . . .' He could almost hear Mikey's thoughts saying the same.
"You have no reason to kill Prida," Donny heard himself saying in a quieter tone than he wanted. "Let her go, she has nothing to do with this."
"Exactly the reason to kill her," Shredder growled. "She is no use to me, I will soon have the old man, and power will be mine; and I have you four, after so long I can crush you right now . . . But I will have to wait. You are the bait I have set to lure the old man here, and when I have his power, I can dispose of you in ways you cannot even imagine."
Donny and Mikey shuddered invisibly. They could imagine some pretty nasty stuff. Leo, who was on his stomach on the floor, closed his eyes, trying his best to send a telepathic message to this man, warning him of the danger that might happen if he were to turn up. Not knowing if it worked or not, Leo felt his strength disappear and his head fell to the floor, completely drained. All he could do was listen and hope that neither Raph nor Prida were injured, or Mikey and Donny.
"I can kill her, and I can kill him," Shredder said, loving the control he had right now. He jerked Raph.
"You won't be killing anybody . . ."
Everyone turned around to where the new voice had come from. It had sounded powerful, wise, and yet old. They all directed their eyes to the figure that stood in the darkness, silhouette. Then suddenly the fire roared and rose in the air, the high flames took the form of a howling wolf head, and illuminated the old man that now stood there. He calmly walked through the fire that had returned to its continuous dancing. The flames did not do any harm to this man, and as he walked out of it, it trailed behind like a cloak, as though it was weakly attracted to him like a magnet. It faded and returned to the line of fire.
"At last," Shredder growled in a whisper. "You have made me wait long enough old man, now it is time for me to take what I want."
"I know what you want," the old man said calmly. Now he had emerged into the light of the dim bulb above and the stronger fire light they could all see that he was still dressed in the many pocketed trench coat, but it was not fastened, and now his clothing was visible: underneath he wore a dark red robe, pattered with gold symbols. Around his neck were many different amulets and crystals in thin, gold wire frames on black chains. On his face, which was old with a pure white beard and long white hair, were blue painted symbols and patterns. His eyes were turquoise, almost jewel-like. His face was old, with a weathered look about it, but had the air of great magnificence and power, as well as wisdom and importance. All this was the impression off this man that everyone in the room felt.
"And I know what you seek," Shredder said, eyes on the old man. "You seek these four boys, and I have them."
At this some of the Foot soldiers stepped up and restrained Donny and Mikey. Leo was left on the floor, eyes closed. He was still conscious, but only just. He wanted to be able to pick his head up and take a quick look at this man, but he couldn't. He didn't have the strength. But when the man had made his appearance, Leo suddenly felt calmer, relaxed slightly, as though he had been given a comforting sedative that he needed. He also had the idea that the only reason he hadn't slipped into unconsciousness was because the man had somehow stopped that from happening.
"You know what I want," Shredder said.
"Yes," the old man said. "I realize the situation you have created to attain it, as well." He spoke with the strong air of a wise teacher you know you can never prove wrong, or trick.
"I do not know why you need these teenagers," Shredder said. "It is not my business therefore I will not ask, but I have a certain vengeance against them, and I will not hesitate to kill them." It was a threat; a threat to the old man that, in other words, meant that Shredder would kill them if the old man didn't give Shredder the power he wanted from him.
I understand," the old man spoke calmly, no change of expression, or tone of voice. "Do you understand that I possess the ability to control beings?"
As if to prove it he raised one of his arm and held his fingertips stretched out at the group of Foot soldiers restraining Donny. They slowly let him go and stepped back with silent footsteps, all staring at the man. Everyone else in the room watched as Donny, mouth parted slightly, started to walk in a trance-like state towards the old man. Everyone watched the teenager as he walked up to the man's outstretched fingers. The old man slowly dropped his arm, and Donny remained statue-still, eyes now closed.
"You are telling me that you could do the same to me?" Shredder growled. "You could, but you are in my territory, surrounded by MY clan of Ninjas! You could not control the whole lot, and think what could happen after you take off with your prizes. I know there are MANY people out there who would die to get their hands on you, and I can team with them. We would be unstoppable and you know it. You would only take these four boys, who you need, leaving the girl behind. Would you like to have the death of an innocent girl on your conscience?"
"You are right," the old man said. "I would not like to be responsible for that death. I am not heartless, like yourself . . . though the young lady is important in future events, and it may not be wise to kill her."
Prida looked at Shredder and then at the old man, the cold blade of the knife was still pressed against her neck.
There was a sudden noise behind Tatsu who had his back to the shadows, and then suddenly his knife hand was yanked away from Prida's neck, he was turned, and punched smack on the nose by -
"Casey!" Mikey shouted, surprised.
Prida fell forward, turned and scrambled away on her butt. No one took notice of her because most of the Foot soldiers were now rushing towards Casey.
"Thought you guys might need my help," Casey said, pushing back the wave of Foot soldiers that came at him at once.
Suddenly Raph was no longer being held at spike point by Shredder, he had disappeared into thin air, and, as Shredder was looking around baffled, he saw that Leo had also disappeared, and Mikey was rushing over to help Prida up.
"C'mon let's go!" He said, taking her hand and running over to the old dude and Donny, who was shaking his head, the trance broken. Casey had brought them just enough time to get out of there.
"Casey?" Donny said, frowning, being pulled along to the main exit of the factory by Mikey. "Casey! C'mon!"
Casey twirled his favorite hockey stick, knocking down a circle of soldiers, and with a last punch broke away from the attacks and followed the old man, Donny, Mikey and Prida, who, he was glad to see, was alright.
Shredder roared with rage. "GET THEM!"
The Foot clan, some picking themselves off the floor, followed Casey as he ran after his friends. Donny, Mikey and Prida glanced back to make sure he was following.
"Where's the old man?" Mikey shouted, feeling out of breath already, his head pounding. They all glanced over their shoulders again to look for the man, but all they saw behind them was Casey, and the light from the fire rapidly disappear as they ran away from it.
"Where's Raph and Leo!?" Prida shouted, and stopped.
"Prida c'mon!" Donny halted and grabbed her arm.
Casey ran up to them, grabbing Prida's other arm as he ran. Mikey and Donny followed.
"Let's get outta here!" Casey yelled. "April's outside waiting for us!
"The old man disappeared, along with Leo and Raph!" Mikey yelled.
They all ran down the dark corridor that lead to the exit, but up ahead where human shadows, and they guessed it was of the rest of the Foot clan Raph had managed to go to the west side of the factory. But before they all reached the creeping shadows, they were suddenly attacked my another, smaller shadow, and as it came into the dim light they saw it was -
"Master Splinter!" Mikey said, surprised and happy. Splinter smiled warmly, his old cane in one hand.
"Aghh!" Prida screamed shortly, stopped and stared at the rat, mouth wide open.
"Oh no - Prida it's okay!" Mikey said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. "He's our Sensei - our father."
Prida still stared, shocked as she was pulled by Mikey past the four foot rat. He smiled politely at her, and Prida turned around away from him, brow furrowing, staring at the rushing floor and mouthing the words 'rat - big, walking rat!' to herself.
Casey nodded at Splinter as he joined their group. He had never seen the old sensei run, but as he was doing so now, he looked much different than an old being, he looked younger somehow, and much more energetic than was thought.
They ran through the entrance they had come through into this factory of Hell, and out the doors into the cool air of a dark dawn. The sky was lit with the orange of the rising sun, but it still cast shadows between buildings. April suddenly appeared, having been hiding in the shadows with a metal bar in her hands to protect herself. She run up to Donny and Mikey and hugged them, whispering that she was glad they were safe. Then she turned and quickly hugged Prida.
"I'm so glad you're okay Prida!" April said as they were all creeping around the building into the shadows of the building. "Where's Leo and Raph?!" She asked, panicked.
"Safe, I hope," Donny said.
"Splinter!" April said, surprised. "How did you get here?"
"With the help of a father's bond to his sons," Splinter replied wisely. Prida was still staring at him, her eyes were wide, and her mouth was parted slightly now.
The group of six sped around the corner to the left of the factory, and ran through a maze of buildings and alleyways. As they were running through one dark alleyway between two old, towering buildings a sudden orb of light appeared in front of them and seemed to explode soundlessly, giving out more glowing light, growing until it shaped itself into a human shape, and then it exploded again and the light became blinding. Donny, Mikey and Prida shielded their eyes; Casey protectively wrapped his arms around April and turned them both away from the light; Splinter raised a hand over his eyes and moved into the shadows. Strange happenings or not he didn't want to be seen by a stray passerby.
When they all looked back there were three figures, seemingly made of silver fluid-like, glowing metal. Then the details and colors started to grow, and the silver glow died out. The middle and taller form was recognizable as the old man, and the other two, staring at their hands confusedly, were recognizable as Leo and Raph.
"Leo . . . Raph . . ." Donny said, amazed at their stunning entrance. "You're alright . . ."
"You are not clear of danger yet," the old man spoke, looking down at Donny, who stared into those misty turquoise eyes, as though his gaze was ensnared by some invisible power. When he spoke Leo and Raph stared at him as though seeing him for the first time. Then they looked back at their brothers, April, Casey and Prida. They only just noticed the dark form of Splinter in the shadows.
Mikey stepped forward, shakily. "You're . . . here to turn us back, aren't you?" He asked.
Before the old man could answer Donny stepped next to Mikey.
"Why exactly do you WANT to change us back?" He asked, eyes narrowed in slight confusion, but still he stared into those eyes. "Why is it important that you change us back?"
The old man studied Donny's own eyes; looking deep into them. He was not pondering his answer, he was studying this teenager, who asked a question he didn't think he would be asked.
"Your transformation was an accident," he said finally, in a soft voice. "It should not have happened, therefore it disturbed the balance of the magical astral plane, an unconscious dimension that allows me to use the magic powder that was accidentally added to you pizza. I must realign this balance if I am to gain access to the strongest, most powerful magic I can conjure from this dimension. It is for the sake of my home world, but I shall not go into detail about that."
All four brothers, April, Casey and Prida stared at the man, and then seemed to regain themselves and close their mouths. Prida stared at the scene; it was incredible what she had come to learn about her friends. Then she frowned, where had that rat man gone?
"And now . . . is the time to change you back," the old man said, something in his tone had changed slightly.
Leo, Donny, Raph and Mikey looked up from staring at the ground to him. They glanced at each other, nervous. Mikey felt unsafe in this alleyway. To him it still felt too close to the factory.
Behind them, April took Casey's hand, and he held her with both of his. They stared as the man closed his eyes and raised his hands as if they were hovering over a large crystal ball, and then suddenly Leo, Donny, Raph and Mikey began to glow. They frowned, amazed, and looked at their glowing hands. Prida watched, fascinated, as her friend's bandannas turned silver, and looked like they were made of smooth, fluid metal. Then the rest of them turned silver, color disappeared, and the shimmering white glow around them brightened. They looked like human shaped bodies of fluid silver metal. Casey, April and Prida hadn't realized their mouths had opened, but they continued to stare until the glows were too bright and the guys could not be seen because it was too intense. Casey, again, shielded April against the bright light, and Prida squinted, determined to watch it all, but she screwed her eyes shut and raised her hand to her eyes. The shadows Splinter was hidden in were lit up, and he too shielded his eyes. Then, as quick as it had grown, the light began to fade, and the shadows returned, concealing Splinter again. Prida opened her eyes and Casey and April turned back to see the glowing white light grow smaller until four spheres of light were recognized. The light stopped fading and seemed to pulse for about two seconds, before it then seemed to explode backwards and was though it got sucked into the guys. It disappeared at their hearts, where it seemed to glow inside them, then it disappeared completely.
The whole alleyway was silent now. Prida breathed and lowered her arm, her squinting eyes relaxed into surprise at the four beings that now stood before her.
Leo, Don, Mikey and Raph opened their eyes and waited for their eyes to adjust to the dark alleyway again. They all blinked rapidly and looked at their still raised hands. They were green . . . with three fingers. Their backs felt surprisingly heavy, and they knew they had their shells back. They looked at each other, studying their brothers, finding it weird to be looking at their turtle selves after so long; they had gotten too used to being human. Their clothes had disappeared, and their bandannas were over their eyes again. They were back to normal.
"We're . . . back to normal," Mikey said, a small smile on his face. He looked up at Leo, and his eyes seemed to twinkle.
April had slowly walked up to Donny. She put a hand on his shell and he looked her, then she hugged him, and Leo, Raph and Mikey joined in. Casey smiled and nodded at the scene.
Leo was surprised to find that he was so happy to be back to his turtle form. He didn't think he would be. The weight on his back of his shell was something he hadn't been used to for a while, but it felt somehow comforting.
After April had hugged them Mikey grinned and hugged Donny. Splinter watched from the shadows with a smile. He was very happy for his sons, and very glad to see that they themselves were happy about being back to their original form. April, grinning, went back to stand with Casey.
"Alright - Donny, you still look as handsome as you did a month ago," Mikey grinned, one hand on Donny's shell, his cheek on Donny's shoulder.
Leo stepped over to Raph, who was looking down at his hands. Leo put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's good to be back," Leo said softly. "You know this is right, we couldn't have stayed human forever . . ."
Raph didn't look at him. "I know . . ." he said very quietly, almost a whisper. He felt uncomfortable under the eyes of one person though. He looked up into her eyes, and Prida, who had been staring amazed, looked back. She closed her mouth and slowly smiled. So before her stood her four best friends, now looking like they did on the newspaper clipping she had blue-tacked on her wall. She bit her lip, grinning. It was incredible.
"Gimme three!" Mikey said to Leo, who grinned and slapped his hand. "Man now I don't have to worry about saying five!" Leo laughed.
"But, what about our home?" Donny said, frowning at the ground.
The old man stepped forward, and everyone noticed him again.
"I have taken care of that," he said, a smile on his face caused by all the happiness. "No one knows your whereabouts; no one knows they had found it. It has been deleted from memories of those who knew the location."
"Alright," Mikey said, smiling. He then noticed Prida, and walked over to her. He was exactly her height. "Hey Prida," he said, smiling. "This is . . . the real us . . ." He took her hand in his three fingered one. She held it up and looked at his hand, then looked past it to his face, and smiled.
"You're just as cute," she said, and hugged him. He grinned as they pulled away, and she kissed his cheek and reflected his grin. She still had her arms around his shoulders as she looked at Leo, Donny and Raph. "Oh boy, how am I meant to tell you guys apart now?" She laughed, and then she held one arm out to Leo for a cuddle and said, "C'mere Leo."
Leo laughed, knowing whatever form, she would always recognize them. He walked over and she hugged him. She kissed his cheek as well, and green or not she saw a tint of red in his cheeks.
April laughed and lent her head on Casey's shoulder. He looked down at her and she kissed his lips. They both smiled.
The old man smiled down at all the happy faces. He began to button up his coat as Prida was hugging Donny, commenting on his likeness to his human form. She pecked him on his cheek like Leo and Mikey's, and then they all looked at the old man as he stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"My task has been done, mishaps been righted; it is time for me to move on to my own world problems," he said. "I bid you all . . . a good life . . ." and with that he disappeared and where he stood a small orb of silver glowing light hovered, before rising up and vanishing.
Everyone was silent for a few seconds after he had gone, still staring up into the dawn sky, and then they all looked down again.
"Master Splinter!" Mikey suddenly said in his happy tone. He ran over to where Splinter had half emerged from the shadows and hugged his Master. "Back to normal Sensei, back to normal."
Splinter smiled at his son. "I would very much like to go back home, would you not, my sons?"
"Definitely," Mikey grinned. "Home sweet home. Hey I hope my Rayman drawing is back under my bed when I get back!"
April laughed. "I'll just have to get it back from the evidence cabinet if it isn't." She looked at Splinter. "I'd love to go back to the sewers with you, I can help straighten the place out."
Splinter chuckled and made his way out of the shadows. "Thank you, April. That would be very kind." He stopped as he passed Prida, and turned to her. He bowed politely. "It has been a pleasure, Miss Valantine. I feel I will see you down in our home soon."
Prida stared at him, and then to everyone's relief she smiled and imitated his bow.
"I look forward to seeing you again, er, Sir," she said.
Splinter chuckled again. "You may call me Splinter, my child."
Prida grinned.
"And now, let us return home," Splinter said to April, and they both walked off around the corner to find a grate they could access the sewer tunnels through, leaving the others to say goodbyes for now.
"Casey!" Mikey suddenly said as he had when he shouted Splinter's name. "Hey, so what's up with you and April then, is this the real thing?"
Casey gave a one sided smile, and as he was talking to Mikey Leo stepped closer to Donny, Raph and Prida, watching the sun rise. The sky was a beautiful color, and they wondered just what time it was in the morning. Prida knew she should get back to her baby-sitting if she was going to be able to sneak in without anyone noticing.
"So I guess I'm not gonna be seeing you guys in school on Monday," Prida said, smiling, the sound of Mikey and Casey's voice continued in the background.
Leo looked at her. "No, but everyone else is gonna wanna know where we are. Could you tell them that -?"
"That you didn't know it but you had to go back to LA," Prida finished. She stared at the mix of colors in the clouds. "I . . . can come visit you . . . right guys?"
Raph smiled. "Sure ya can, as long as you don't bring that idiot, Tooks, along by mistake."
Prida smiled. "Don't worry, he's not gonna stop me from seeing you guys." She glanced at Donny and Raph, and then at Leo on her other side. "But . . . thanks . . ."
"What's the thanks for?" Leo asked, smiling.
"For everything," she replied quietly.
Behind them, Mikey stopped talking and frowned slightly. He stepped out of the alleyway and looked down the deserted road.
Casey frowned at him and looked as well.
"So what are you gonna do about that Shred-der dude?" Prida asked.
"I dunno," Donny said. "He never stays dead . . . he'll always be after us."
"No . . ." Leo said. "We'll defeat him, sometime, we WILL win."
Mikey listened. He heard a noise, it was growing louder. It sounded like a truck engine, but no one ever comes down this neighborhood, it's known for some of the toughest street gangs.
"Well, think I should be getting back to Laurence's," Prida said. "I don't want them to know where and what I've been doing today." She smiled, turned and hugged Raph. "Haven't given you a hug yet," she said, and pulled her head back to look into his face. She smiled and kissed his lips. "That's for being my savior so many times, " she said, smiling. He closed his mouth and grinned.
"Oh great," Mikey said, a tone that said it wasn't great at all. "Don't think about relaxing too soon, we got company to deal with first!"
Leo, Don, Raph and Prida rushed to Mikey and Casey's side and glanced down the street. The Foot clan was running towards them, running alongside a truck full of more Foot members. They were running pretty fast and they didn't look too happy about being sent to recapture Shredder's enemies so early in the morning.
"I think it would be best to run," Casey suggested, watching as the Foot drew closer.
"Wise idea," Leo said, and they all took off back into the alleyway, running as fast as they could to the street at the other end of the alley. Seconds after they had taken off, the Foot entered the alley and took chase.
~
The fire was reflected in the blade as it was raised, and as it came down so were their fearful expressions. It sliced through the air and bit effortlessly into the rope that held the four captives. The rope loosened and fell to the floor.
Leo, Donny, Mikey and Prida all breathed and looked at the rope, then looked, stunned, up at the Foot soldier.
Suddenly Tatsu stormed up to the soldier, face twisted in an ugly snarl, and grabbed the Foot by the front of his clothes, pulling him closer to keep his grip firm. With his other hand he reached and pulled off the Foot member's head mask. Underneath was a tousled mess of sandy colored hair and a red bandanna.
"Raph?!" Leo breathed from the floor. Donny, Mikey and Prida all stared, surprised. Prida was overjoyed to see he was alright, but it just didn't show on her face. Raph looked as though the beating he took wasn't going to heal too quickly: His cheek was bruised, he had a small gauze bandage taped to his forehead half under his bandana and he was slightly unstable on his feet.
With effort, Raph wrenched himself from Tatsu's grasp and stumbled back, tossing the thing he had picked up off the floor to his brothers and Prida. It clinked as it hit the floor, and they saw it was the chain of keys to their metal cuffs.
Donny quickly grabbed it and hutched on his butt closer to Mikey so he could unlock his cuffs.
Tatsu started for Raph, who threw a punch, landing it on Tatsu's cheek. He did not stumble or move, except to turn his head back and glare at the teenager. Raph looked at his throbbing fist and then back at Tatsu.
"Erm," Raph said, and then was grabbed by his stolen black Foot uniform and thrown into the air, landing heavily on his back, feet from the wave of fire that was still burning and crackling.
The rest of the Foot clan had recovered from the sudden fire attack and started to make their way over to help Tatsu (not that he needed it) and over to the now free Mikey and Donny, who was helping Leo and Prida.
Mikey turned to the Foot while Donny worked on Leo's cuffs. Prida was watching, fearfully, as Tatsu landed another blow to Raph, and another. But then the teenager found his feet again and landed a solid kick to the gut, and at last Tatsu groaned in pain, and bent forward. Raph was swarmed by Foot soldiers before he could do any more damage to Tatsu.
"Hurry Donny!" Prida cried, glancing at Donny who had just unlocked Leo's wrists.
"I am, I am!" Donny said, rushing over to Prida.
Leo rushed over to help his brother, and as soon as Donny unchained Prida he threw the keys aside and grabbed her shoulders.
"Prida - you gotta get out!" He said. "Go get the police or something - but just -" He didn't finished. A Foot soldier had thrown a chain link around his neck and was not being kind. Donny groped at the chain around his neck, trying to slip his fingers underneath it. He and the soldiers were stumbling all over the place as Donny was gasping for breath. He managed to get his fingers between the chain and his windpipe. He brought his elbow back into the chest of the Foot and then summoned the strength to throw him over his shoulder. The dude landed on his back and stayed there. Donny coughed and massaged his throat, before turning to find Prida. She was busy with her own opponents, standing behind Mikey and trying to do as much damage as she could to the ones who got past Mikey and thought about sneaking up behind him. Donny hoped she wouldn't get hurt. Before he could think any more he spun automatically and grabbed the fist that held a blunt object that was aiming for his head. He twisted the arm and the dude spun over and landed on the floor, tripping over another clumsy soldier. Donny made a 'pff' sound and shook his head.
Through the shadows of the main entrance the large, spiky edged figure of Shredder emerged, staring at the fighting that had broken out while he was dealing with the three blunderings that had returned. He stared around, unnoticed by anyone, and wondered how his captives could have gotten free. He saw his right-hand, Tatsu, and watched as he and other soldiers fight one of the teenagers. Shredder paused for a slit second. He counted four brothers, when there should have been three. Shredder realized immediately that the forth must have stolen the uniform of one of the Foot soldiers he sent to kill that teenager, which explains why only three came back. Shredder disappeared back into the shadows.
Tatsu was pretty steamed about being kicked in the stomach, and was doing well by proving how angry that made him to Leo and Raph.
"Raph - why the hell did you risk your life coming here?!" Leo shouted to his brother, blocking a punch that was coming his way. "You just won't admit when you're down!"
"Hey - you're the one with the concussion!" Raph yelled. "Don't you tell me whose kiddin' themselves!"
"There's nothing wrong with me -" Leo said, and as he stumbled back was caught in the face by a fist from Tatsu, who moved on to deal with Raph while the Foot tried to finish Leo.
"Pft! Yeah Leo!" Raph retorted, before he himself was punched in the temple by Tatsu, who was on a role. "Okay ugly - you're gonna pay for tha -" Tatsu stopped him from finishing his sentence with a series of punches and kicks. Blood droplets flew from Raph's nose.
In front, Leo was not doing any better even though he was facing the inexperienced Foot. His vision was blurring for some reason all of a sudden, and his head throbbed painfully. He couldn't see the attacks coming at him. Before he knew it he was on the floor, his arms shaking with his weight because he was propping himself up, head dropped and breathing heavy.
"Stop!" The deep, cold voice of Shredder commanded twice in less than an hour.
Everyone turned to look at him, and saw he had, in his tight grasp, Raph; Shredder's hand was grasping his jaw and tilting his head, with the sharp spikes from his other hand pressed against his exposed neck. Raph's nose was bleeding badly, and it was apparent from the beating he had taken earlier and the one he had just received from Tatsu that he couldn't get out of this if he wanted to. His stolen Foot uniform had been ripped and torn, showing his gray t-shirt and jeans underneath.
His brothers ceased their attacks immediately and Prida gasped. They were all breathing heavy, all bleeding. The fire around them had spread even further around the room, dancing away and slowly eating at the wooden floor.
Shredder seemed to pause for a second or two as if waiting for them to dare and do anything. They didn't.
"So, we have all four here," he growled, looking into the face of each of his teenage enemies. "And yet one should be dead, and the old man should be here. Neither have happened, but I know that one of those can happen right now, if I choose to." He forced Raph's head back further to one side and put pressure on the points. Two thin red streams of blood streamed slowly down his neck. "OR I can have the girl terminated," Shredder suddenly said, and Tatsu grabbed Prida, whipped a knife from a sheath strapped to his ankle and held it against Prida's throat. She whimpered quietly in fear, eyes wide.
Donny and Mikey looked helplessly to Tatsu who held Prida with a knife to her throat, and then to Shredder who had Raph. Donny, for perhaps the first time, was whispering panicky in his head 'what do I do? What can I do? What should I do? I don't know . . .' He could almost hear Mikey's thoughts saying the same.
"You have no reason to kill Prida," Donny heard himself saying in a quieter tone than he wanted. "Let her go, she has nothing to do with this."
"Exactly the reason to kill her," Shredder growled. "She is no use to me, I will soon have the old man, and power will be mine; and I have you four, after so long I can crush you right now . . . But I will have to wait. You are the bait I have set to lure the old man here, and when I have his power, I can dispose of you in ways you cannot even imagine."
Donny and Mikey shuddered invisibly. They could imagine some pretty nasty stuff. Leo, who was on his stomach on the floor, closed his eyes, trying his best to send a telepathic message to this man, warning him of the danger that might happen if he were to turn up. Not knowing if it worked or not, Leo felt his strength disappear and his head fell to the floor, completely drained. All he could do was listen and hope that neither Raph nor Prida were injured, or Mikey and Donny.
"I can kill her, and I can kill him," Shredder said, loving the control he had right now. He jerked Raph.
"You won't be killing anybody . . ."
Everyone turned around to where the new voice had come from. It had sounded powerful, wise, and yet old. They all directed their eyes to the figure that stood in the darkness, silhouette. Then suddenly the fire roared and rose in the air, the high flames took the form of a howling wolf head, and illuminated the old man that now stood there. He calmly walked through the fire that had returned to its continuous dancing. The flames did not do any harm to this man, and as he walked out of it, it trailed behind like a cloak, as though it was weakly attracted to him like a magnet. It faded and returned to the line of fire.
"At last," Shredder growled in a whisper. "You have made me wait long enough old man, now it is time for me to take what I want."
"I know what you want," the old man said calmly. Now he had emerged into the light of the dim bulb above and the stronger fire light they could all see that he was still dressed in the many pocketed trench coat, but it was not fastened, and now his clothing was visible: underneath he wore a dark red robe, pattered with gold symbols. Around his neck were many different amulets and crystals in thin, gold wire frames on black chains. On his face, which was old with a pure white beard and long white hair, were blue painted symbols and patterns. His eyes were turquoise, almost jewel-like. His face was old, with a weathered look about it, but had the air of great magnificence and power, as well as wisdom and importance. All this was the impression off this man that everyone in the room felt.
"And I know what you seek," Shredder said, eyes on the old man. "You seek these four boys, and I have them."
At this some of the Foot soldiers stepped up and restrained Donny and Mikey. Leo was left on the floor, eyes closed. He was still conscious, but only just. He wanted to be able to pick his head up and take a quick look at this man, but he couldn't. He didn't have the strength. But when the man had made his appearance, Leo suddenly felt calmer, relaxed slightly, as though he had been given a comforting sedative that he needed. He also had the idea that the only reason he hadn't slipped into unconsciousness was because the man had somehow stopped that from happening.
"You know what I want," Shredder said.
"Yes," the old man said. "I realize the situation you have created to attain it, as well." He spoke with the strong air of a wise teacher you know you can never prove wrong, or trick.
"I do not know why you need these teenagers," Shredder said. "It is not my business therefore I will not ask, but I have a certain vengeance against them, and I will not hesitate to kill them." It was a threat; a threat to the old man that, in other words, meant that Shredder would kill them if the old man didn't give Shredder the power he wanted from him.
I understand," the old man spoke calmly, no change of expression, or tone of voice. "Do you understand that I possess the ability to control beings?"
As if to prove it he raised one of his arm and held his fingertips stretched out at the group of Foot soldiers restraining Donny. They slowly let him go and stepped back with silent footsteps, all staring at the man. Everyone else in the room watched as Donny, mouth parted slightly, started to walk in a trance-like state towards the old man. Everyone watched the teenager as he walked up to the man's outstretched fingers. The old man slowly dropped his arm, and Donny remained statue-still, eyes now closed.
"You are telling me that you could do the same to me?" Shredder growled. "You could, but you are in my territory, surrounded by MY clan of Ninjas! You could not control the whole lot, and think what could happen after you take off with your prizes. I know there are MANY people out there who would die to get their hands on you, and I can team with them. We would be unstoppable and you know it. You would only take these four boys, who you need, leaving the girl behind. Would you like to have the death of an innocent girl on your conscience?"
"You are right," the old man said. "I would not like to be responsible for that death. I am not heartless, like yourself . . . though the young lady is important in future events, and it may not be wise to kill her."
Prida looked at Shredder and then at the old man, the cold blade of the knife was still pressed against her neck.
There was a sudden noise behind Tatsu who had his back to the shadows, and then suddenly his knife hand was yanked away from Prida's neck, he was turned, and punched smack on the nose by -
"Casey!" Mikey shouted, surprised.
Prida fell forward, turned and scrambled away on her butt. No one took notice of her because most of the Foot soldiers were now rushing towards Casey.
"Thought you guys might need my help," Casey said, pushing back the wave of Foot soldiers that came at him at once.
Suddenly Raph was no longer being held at spike point by Shredder, he had disappeared into thin air, and, as Shredder was looking around baffled, he saw that Leo had also disappeared, and Mikey was rushing over to help Prida up.
"C'mon let's go!" He said, taking her hand and running over to the old dude and Donny, who was shaking his head, the trance broken. Casey had brought them just enough time to get out of there.
"Casey?" Donny said, frowning, being pulled along to the main exit of the factory by Mikey. "Casey! C'mon!"
Casey twirled his favorite hockey stick, knocking down a circle of soldiers, and with a last punch broke away from the attacks and followed the old man, Donny, Mikey and Prida, who, he was glad to see, was alright.
Shredder roared with rage. "GET THEM!"
The Foot clan, some picking themselves off the floor, followed Casey as he ran after his friends. Donny, Mikey and Prida glanced back to make sure he was following.
"Where's the old man?" Mikey shouted, feeling out of breath already, his head pounding. They all glanced over their shoulders again to look for the man, but all they saw behind them was Casey, and the light from the fire rapidly disappear as they ran away from it.
"Where's Raph and Leo!?" Prida shouted, and stopped.
"Prida c'mon!" Donny halted and grabbed her arm.
Casey ran up to them, grabbing Prida's other arm as he ran. Mikey and Donny followed.
"Let's get outta here!" Casey yelled. "April's outside waiting for us!
"The old man disappeared, along with Leo and Raph!" Mikey yelled.
They all ran down the dark corridor that lead to the exit, but up ahead where human shadows, and they guessed it was of the rest of the Foot clan Raph had managed to go to the west side of the factory. But before they all reached the creeping shadows, they were suddenly attacked my another, smaller shadow, and as it came into the dim light they saw it was -
"Master Splinter!" Mikey said, surprised and happy. Splinter smiled warmly, his old cane in one hand.
"Aghh!" Prida screamed shortly, stopped and stared at the rat, mouth wide open.
"Oh no - Prida it's okay!" Mikey said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along. "He's our Sensei - our father."
Prida still stared, shocked as she was pulled by Mikey past the four foot rat. He smiled politely at her, and Prida turned around away from him, brow furrowing, staring at the rushing floor and mouthing the words 'rat - big, walking rat!' to herself.
Casey nodded at Splinter as he joined their group. He had never seen the old sensei run, but as he was doing so now, he looked much different than an old being, he looked younger somehow, and much more energetic than was thought.
They ran through the entrance they had come through into this factory of Hell, and out the doors into the cool air of a dark dawn. The sky was lit with the orange of the rising sun, but it still cast shadows between buildings. April suddenly appeared, having been hiding in the shadows with a metal bar in her hands to protect herself. She run up to Donny and Mikey and hugged them, whispering that she was glad they were safe. Then she turned and quickly hugged Prida.
"I'm so glad you're okay Prida!" April said as they were all creeping around the building into the shadows of the building. "Where's Leo and Raph?!" She asked, panicked.
"Safe, I hope," Donny said.
"Splinter!" April said, surprised. "How did you get here?"
"With the help of a father's bond to his sons," Splinter replied wisely. Prida was still staring at him, her eyes were wide, and her mouth was parted slightly now.
The group of six sped around the corner to the left of the factory, and ran through a maze of buildings and alleyways. As they were running through one dark alleyway between two old, towering buildings a sudden orb of light appeared in front of them and seemed to explode soundlessly, giving out more glowing light, growing until it shaped itself into a human shape, and then it exploded again and the light became blinding. Donny, Mikey and Prida shielded their eyes; Casey protectively wrapped his arms around April and turned them both away from the light; Splinter raised a hand over his eyes and moved into the shadows. Strange happenings or not he didn't want to be seen by a stray passerby.
When they all looked back there were three figures, seemingly made of silver fluid-like, glowing metal. Then the details and colors started to grow, and the silver glow died out. The middle and taller form was recognizable as the old man, and the other two, staring at their hands confusedly, were recognizable as Leo and Raph.
"Leo . . . Raph . . ." Donny said, amazed at their stunning entrance. "You're alright . . ."
"You are not clear of danger yet," the old man spoke, looking down at Donny, who stared into those misty turquoise eyes, as though his gaze was ensnared by some invisible power. When he spoke Leo and Raph stared at him as though seeing him for the first time. Then they looked back at their brothers, April, Casey and Prida. They only just noticed the dark form of Splinter in the shadows.
Mikey stepped forward, shakily. "You're . . . here to turn us back, aren't you?" He asked.
Before the old man could answer Donny stepped next to Mikey.
"Why exactly do you WANT to change us back?" He asked, eyes narrowed in slight confusion, but still he stared into those eyes. "Why is it important that you change us back?"
The old man studied Donny's own eyes; looking deep into them. He was not pondering his answer, he was studying this teenager, who asked a question he didn't think he would be asked.
"Your transformation was an accident," he said finally, in a soft voice. "It should not have happened, therefore it disturbed the balance of the magical astral plane, an unconscious dimension that allows me to use the magic powder that was accidentally added to you pizza. I must realign this balance if I am to gain access to the strongest, most powerful magic I can conjure from this dimension. It is for the sake of my home world, but I shall not go into detail about that."
All four brothers, April, Casey and Prida stared at the man, and then seemed to regain themselves and close their mouths. Prida stared at the scene; it was incredible what she had come to learn about her friends. Then she frowned, where had that rat man gone?
"And now . . . is the time to change you back," the old man said, something in his tone had changed slightly.
Leo, Donny, Raph and Mikey looked up from staring at the ground to him. They glanced at each other, nervous. Mikey felt unsafe in this alleyway. To him it still felt too close to the factory.
Behind them, April took Casey's hand, and he held her with both of his. They stared as the man closed his eyes and raised his hands as if they were hovering over a large crystal ball, and then suddenly Leo, Donny, Raph and Mikey began to glow. They frowned, amazed, and looked at their glowing hands. Prida watched, fascinated, as her friend's bandannas turned silver, and looked like they were made of smooth, fluid metal. Then the rest of them turned silver, color disappeared, and the shimmering white glow around them brightened. They looked like human shaped bodies of fluid silver metal. Casey, April and Prida hadn't realized their mouths had opened, but they continued to stare until the glows were too bright and the guys could not be seen because it was too intense. Casey, again, shielded April against the bright light, and Prida squinted, determined to watch it all, but she screwed her eyes shut and raised her hand to her eyes. The shadows Splinter was hidden in were lit up, and he too shielded his eyes. Then, as quick as it had grown, the light began to fade, and the shadows returned, concealing Splinter again. Prida opened her eyes and Casey and April turned back to see the glowing white light grow smaller until four spheres of light were recognized. The light stopped fading and seemed to pulse for about two seconds, before it then seemed to explode backwards and was though it got sucked into the guys. It disappeared at their hearts, where it seemed to glow inside them, then it disappeared completely.
The whole alleyway was silent now. Prida breathed and lowered her arm, her squinting eyes relaxed into surprise at the four beings that now stood before her.
Leo, Don, Mikey and Raph opened their eyes and waited for their eyes to adjust to the dark alleyway again. They all blinked rapidly and looked at their still raised hands. They were green . . . with three fingers. Their backs felt surprisingly heavy, and they knew they had their shells back. They looked at each other, studying their brothers, finding it weird to be looking at their turtle selves after so long; they had gotten too used to being human. Their clothes had disappeared, and their bandannas were over their eyes again. They were back to normal.
"We're . . . back to normal," Mikey said, a small smile on his face. He looked up at Leo, and his eyes seemed to twinkle.
April had slowly walked up to Donny. She put a hand on his shell and he looked her, then she hugged him, and Leo, Raph and Mikey joined in. Casey smiled and nodded at the scene.
Leo was surprised to find that he was so happy to be back to his turtle form. He didn't think he would be. The weight on his back of his shell was something he hadn't been used to for a while, but it felt somehow comforting.
After April had hugged them Mikey grinned and hugged Donny. Splinter watched from the shadows with a smile. He was very happy for his sons, and very glad to see that they themselves were happy about being back to their original form. April, grinning, went back to stand with Casey.
"Alright - Donny, you still look as handsome as you did a month ago," Mikey grinned, one hand on Donny's shell, his cheek on Donny's shoulder.
Leo stepped over to Raph, who was looking down at his hands. Leo put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's good to be back," Leo said softly. "You know this is right, we couldn't have stayed human forever . . ."
Raph didn't look at him. "I know . . ." he said very quietly, almost a whisper. He felt uncomfortable under the eyes of one person though. He looked up into her eyes, and Prida, who had been staring amazed, looked back. She closed her mouth and slowly smiled. So before her stood her four best friends, now looking like they did on the newspaper clipping she had blue-tacked on her wall. She bit her lip, grinning. It was incredible.
"Gimme three!" Mikey said to Leo, who grinned and slapped his hand. "Man now I don't have to worry about saying five!" Leo laughed.
"But, what about our home?" Donny said, frowning at the ground.
The old man stepped forward, and everyone noticed him again.
"I have taken care of that," he said, a smile on his face caused by all the happiness. "No one knows your whereabouts; no one knows they had found it. It has been deleted from memories of those who knew the location."
"Alright," Mikey said, smiling. He then noticed Prida, and walked over to her. He was exactly her height. "Hey Prida," he said, smiling. "This is . . . the real us . . ." He took her hand in his three fingered one. She held it up and looked at his hand, then looked past it to his face, and smiled.
"You're just as cute," she said, and hugged him. He grinned as they pulled away, and she kissed his cheek and reflected his grin. She still had her arms around his shoulders as she looked at Leo, Donny and Raph. "Oh boy, how am I meant to tell you guys apart now?" She laughed, and then she held one arm out to Leo for a cuddle and said, "C'mere Leo."
Leo laughed, knowing whatever form, she would always recognize them. He walked over and she hugged him. She kissed his cheek as well, and green or not she saw a tint of red in his cheeks.
April laughed and lent her head on Casey's shoulder. He looked down at her and she kissed his lips. They both smiled.
The old man smiled down at all the happy faces. He began to button up his coat as Prida was hugging Donny, commenting on his likeness to his human form. She pecked him on his cheek like Leo and Mikey's, and then they all looked at the old man as he stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"My task has been done, mishaps been righted; it is time for me to move on to my own world problems," he said. "I bid you all . . . a good life . . ." and with that he disappeared and where he stood a small orb of silver glowing light hovered, before rising up and vanishing.
Everyone was silent for a few seconds after he had gone, still staring up into the dawn sky, and then they all looked down again.
"Master Splinter!" Mikey suddenly said in his happy tone. He ran over to where Splinter had half emerged from the shadows and hugged his Master. "Back to normal Sensei, back to normal."
Splinter smiled at his son. "I would very much like to go back home, would you not, my sons?"
"Definitely," Mikey grinned. "Home sweet home. Hey I hope my Rayman drawing is back under my bed when I get back!"
April laughed. "I'll just have to get it back from the evidence cabinet if it isn't." She looked at Splinter. "I'd love to go back to the sewers with you, I can help straighten the place out."
Splinter chuckled and made his way out of the shadows. "Thank you, April. That would be very kind." He stopped as he passed Prida, and turned to her. He bowed politely. "It has been a pleasure, Miss Valantine. I feel I will see you down in our home soon."
Prida stared at him, and then to everyone's relief she smiled and imitated his bow.
"I look forward to seeing you again, er, Sir," she said.
Splinter chuckled again. "You may call me Splinter, my child."
Prida grinned.
"And now, let us return home," Splinter said to April, and they both walked off around the corner to find a grate they could access the sewer tunnels through, leaving the others to say goodbyes for now.
"Casey!" Mikey suddenly said as he had when he shouted Splinter's name. "Hey, so what's up with you and April then, is this the real thing?"
Casey gave a one sided smile, and as he was talking to Mikey Leo stepped closer to Donny, Raph and Prida, watching the sun rise. The sky was a beautiful color, and they wondered just what time it was in the morning. Prida knew she should get back to her baby-sitting if she was going to be able to sneak in without anyone noticing.
"So I guess I'm not gonna be seeing you guys in school on Monday," Prida said, smiling, the sound of Mikey and Casey's voice continued in the background.
Leo looked at her. "No, but everyone else is gonna wanna know where we are. Could you tell them that -?"
"That you didn't know it but you had to go back to LA," Prida finished. She stared at the mix of colors in the clouds. "I . . . can come visit you . . . right guys?"
Raph smiled. "Sure ya can, as long as you don't bring that idiot, Tooks, along by mistake."
Prida smiled. "Don't worry, he's not gonna stop me from seeing you guys." She glanced at Donny and Raph, and then at Leo on her other side. "But . . . thanks . . ."
"What's the thanks for?" Leo asked, smiling.
"For everything," she replied quietly.
Behind them, Mikey stopped talking and frowned slightly. He stepped out of the alleyway and looked down the deserted road.
Casey frowned at him and looked as well.
"So what are you gonna do about that Shred-der dude?" Prida asked.
"I dunno," Donny said. "He never stays dead . . . he'll always be after us."
"No . . ." Leo said. "We'll defeat him, sometime, we WILL win."
Mikey listened. He heard a noise, it was growing louder. It sounded like a truck engine, but no one ever comes down this neighborhood, it's known for some of the toughest street gangs.
"Well, think I should be getting back to Laurence's," Prida said. "I don't want them to know where and what I've been doing today." She smiled, turned and hugged Raph. "Haven't given you a hug yet," she said, and pulled her head back to look into his face. She smiled and kissed his lips. "That's for being my savior so many times, " she said, smiling. He closed his mouth and grinned.
"Oh great," Mikey said, a tone that said it wasn't great at all. "Don't think about relaxing too soon, we got company to deal with first!"
Leo, Don, Raph and Prida rushed to Mikey and Casey's side and glanced down the street. The Foot clan was running towards them, running alongside a truck full of more Foot members. They were running pretty fast and they didn't look too happy about being sent to recapture Shredder's enemies so early in the morning.
"I think it would be best to run," Casey suggested, watching as the Foot drew closer.
"Wise idea," Leo said, and they all took off back into the alleyway, running as fast as they could to the street at the other end of the alley. Seconds after they had taken off, the Foot entered the alley and took chase.