Chapter 6

A Shot Heard Around the World




" Hey guys! Anyone home?"

Mike opened the door and let April in. " Hey Ape! How's it goin?"

"Hopefully it gets better!" April remarked as she let Samantha down to the floor.

"Uncley Wikey!" Samantha rushed to Mike and grabbed onto of his leg. Mike bent down and picked up the child.

" Hey there Sammy!" He raised up his hand. " Give me three!" Samantha giggled loudly as she smacked Mike's hand. She then looked at her own hand and then back at Mike.

"Fhree hands!" Samantha pointed at her hand and laughed.

" I hope not! Then I think your Daddy would be questioning his paternity." Mike joked. April threw Mike a smug look, then laughed.

" Hey April." Leo walked into the living, Linda following him closely. " Hey Sammy!" He kissed the child on the cheek. Samantha stuck out her tongue in response.

"Yuckie!" She wiped at her face. She then threw out her hand in Leo's face.

" Fhree hands, Wewo!"

"Three hands?" Leo looked at Mike. " What did you do this time?"

Mike shook his head. " Hey it was all her this time! I think she means three fingers."

" So, April," Leo walked her into the living room. " Don tells us you have some information on that Riley guy."

April sat down in Splinter's armchair, pulling the clasp out of her hair. " Yeah, I do. And boy is it crazy! Where do I start?"

Mike plopped down on the couch, Samantha sitting in his lap. " Like any good story starts! At the beginning!"

April smiled and leaned back in the chair. " Jonas Riley had everything a kid could want in life. Great parents, big house, big yard, a dog, and the best education money could buy. His parents were lawyers, so it was anything Jonas wanted, Jonas got. When he was around the age of nine, his parents were killed by a deranged mutant, one who his father had put behind bars years before. He jumped them in Central Park one night and got away easily. Here is were it gets a little too familiar."

" How do you mean?" Mike turned his head.

" He was adopted in to the Foot."

" Ooooooooohhhh!" Mike nodded.

" Shredder found him in dumpster days later. He adopted Jonas, so to speak. Trained him in all forms of combat. He became a top strategist for the Foot. But his main mission was track down the mutant who killed his parents and get his revenge, which he did, and horribly so. Ever since then, he's been against mutants of all kinds. He was really up in arms when congress passed the mutant integration act." April rubbed her forehead. " But there is something that I don't understand."

" What is it?" Leo asked.

"There is a three year period where Jonas vanished. Nothing on his whereabouts or anything. It's like he disappeared from the earth." April then glanced at the clock on the wall.

" Oh crap! I gotta go guys!" She jumped up from the chair and headed for the door. " That parade starts in 15 minutes and I gotta get to the U.N. building."

Mike scratched his head. " Where did you get all of that stuff on that Riley dude anyway?"

" Same place everyone else does, the internet." April shrugged.

Don then walked into the living room, Raph behind him. " April? When did you get here?"

"About five minutes ago, Donnie. I'm sorry but I have to go!"

" What parade?" Mike asked.

"The Madira King is speaking with his council at the U.N. today. I thought you guys knew that."

Everyone had blank expressions on their faces.

" I guess the T.V. has been off for awhile," April muttered to herself.

" No," Mike joked. " The remote is broke." Don rolled his eyes.

" I've never seen the King before." Linda quietly said. " I wish to go."

" Really?" Leo looked at her. " Okay then. Anyone else care to join us?"

Raph backed off away from everyone and Mike started to make faces at Samantha. Don was the only one to speak.

" I'll go."

"Okay, then let's go because I am late!" April shouted as she shoved everyone through the door.



Jonas stood at the window, looking down at the U.N. building. People had already began to fill up the sidewalks and crowd the streets. Traffic had been shut down an hour ago and many cop cars sat at the end of each side of the street. General Zard walked up behind Jonas.

" Tell me you are not backing out on us, Mr. Riley?"

Jonas jumped from fright and bumped his head on the window. "Shit!" he rubbed his head. " Don't fucking do that!"

Zard laughed and looked down onto the crowd.

" Look at them." He nodded towards a group who held up signs welcoming the King to the city. " The human race is so pathetic."

Jonas narrowed his eyes. " Yeah, well, mutants ain't exactly all that great."

Zard gave a Jonas an evil look. " It was humans who created those mutants down there, was it not?"

Jonas returned the evil look and walked away from the window. " So, when is this guy getting here?"

" Any moment. Don't get too excited so soon, Mr. Riley." Zard continued to look out the window. " You have to chose a person for this mission very carefully. No mistakes can be made."

Just then, the door to the office opened and two Madira soldiers entered, dragging a human between them. They saluted the general then removed the hood that covered the man's face.

Jonas looked at the man in disgust. " It's just some homeless guy! What the hell was all that crap about choosing carefully!"

Zard laughed again, walking towards the man. " He has no family. He has no future. No home, no job." He turned to Jonas. " He has nothing to live for. He is perfect." He placed his long fingers on the man's head and pressed. A light radiated from Zard's fingers and seemed to pulse through the man's brain. The man shook at first, but soon began to let out a horrible scream. Jonas held his ears and prayed it would be over soon. After a another minute, Zard let his hands slowly drop. Jonas looked at the man's face. No expression was there. It was like he was dead inside.

" Damn," Jonas said as he looked at the man closer. He watch as the spit in his mouth fell to the floor. " What the hell did you do to him?"

Zard sat in an office chair that was sitting near the window. "It's mind control, Mr. Riley. He is now our puppet. What we say, he will do."

"Mind control?" Jonas laughed loudly. " I thought that shit was just in the movies."

Zard stared at Jonas blankly as he continued to laugh. " Perhaps you would like to have it done then I could make you jump out of this window."

Jonas stopped his laughter.

Zard smiled then turned the chair around to the window. He smiled as he saw the police escort turn the corner, followed by the limo that carried His Majesty and the Madira royal court.

" Ah, exactly on time." He turned back to the soldiers and nodded. They dropped the man and he fell to the floor.

" Get up, you dog!" Zard shouted. The man climbed back to his feet almost instantly. Zard smiled proudly. " Now, it is time for you to go to work."



The crowd yelled and cheered loudly as the limousine came around the street. General Lee almost had to hold his ears to block out the sound. He chuckled as he thought of what the mayor was doing now. Probably getting a manicure or something. He should have told the mayor to escort this parade up his ass. Lee laughed at himself. Yes, that's what he should have said. The policeman who drove the cruiser turned to Lee, his eyebrows raised up. Lee coughed, trying to cover up his laughter.

" Catching a cold *cough*" Lee replied.



Linda strained her neck trying to catch a glimpse of the limo, but had no luck.

" What's going on, Leonardo? I can't see!"

Leo noticed her struggle. " Here, let me help." Linda let out a yelp as Leo picked her up and placed her on his shoulders. " Is that better?"

"Yeah, it is." Linda saw the limo passing by slowly, the back window down. A hand waved as they drove by. " He's waving at us." She smiled and waved back eagerly.

"Hey buddy!" A human tapped Leo on the shoulder. " We can't see now! Do you mind moving your girlfriend's ass out of the way?"

Leo's jaw dropped. "I beg your pardon?"

" I said move it, you freak!" The man raised his fist in the air. Don suddenly grabbed the man's hand and squeezed.

" Why don't you go stand somewhere else, buddy!" He pushed the man over and kicked him in the behind.

The man stood back up. " You're gonna get it, freak!" As he rushed towards Don, another mutant stepped in front of him.

" Why don't you just go? Stop causing problems!"

All the other mutants and humans started in.

"Yeah, get lost!" "Trouble maker!"

"Move your own ass!" "Get out of here!"

The man screamed in anger then walked away from the crowd. Everyone turned back to the cars.

" Geesh. Some people." Don returned to his spot next to Leo. He looked up at Linda then whispered to his brother. "Girlfriend?" He laughed quietly.

Leo rolled his eyes. " Don't you start it too."

"Start what?" Linda looked down.

" Nothing." Leo smiled back up at her. Don laughed louder. Leo shoved his elbow into Don's side and the laughing stopped.



"This is April O'Neil reporting from the Untied Nations building where a historic event is taking place." April spoke into the camera. " For the first time, the ruler of the Madira race has come to New York City to talk with the world leaders. The main topic planning to be discussed is the recent bombings that occurred several months ago." The camera suddenly turned and focused on the limo that had now pulled into the U.N. driveway. The cheering became louder.

" The limo has arrived! This crowd is very excited. This will be a first time for many to see this wonderful and peaceful king. He has gave a lot to this city and the citizens of New York are indeed very grateful. Wait a minute. Who is that man? Kenny? Are you getting this?" The camera focused on a man, dressed in black. " What in the world is he doing?"

The man staggered towards the car. He looked up at the sun and squinted his eyes. He looked back down to earth.

"Kill," The word slurred out of his mouth. He continued to walk to the limo and eventually made it to the door. A cop approached the man and tried to apprehend him.

"Kill." he said again. Then the cop fell to the ground.

" What just happened? Did he just kill that officer?" April panicked. The crowd started to get uneasy. " What is going on?" April looked around for any sign of help.

The rest of the police started towards the man. Suddenly, he lunged for the limo, and threw open the door. Gun shots rang out over the streets.

" Oh my god!" April was heard screaming off camera. " He just shot him!!"

All at once, silence took over the crowd. Everyone watched as the man staggered out of the limo. The cops raced to catch him. He then turned the gun on himself.



Linda could not process the passed events in her brain fast enough. All see could see was the mass of people angrily swarming around here. She didn't even hear Leo tell her they needed to get out of there, or when he was pushed over by the massive crowd. She just remembered she ended up on the ground. An unknown hand help her up and she found herself suddenly without Leo or Don. The crowd pushed Linda away from the U.N. Everyone was screaming, crying and calling out in anger. Rocks and glass bottles were being thrown over her head. Humans were grabbing mutants and beating them down. Mutants were in turn attacking humans. The chaos around her was so overwhelming, she suddenly felt very sick and lite-headed. She knew passing out was not an option at this point. She had to concentrate on finding a way out of the crowd. Another rock flew by, barely missing her head but hitting a mutant the was in front of her. The mutant fell instantly, it's blood spilled onto the sidewalk. Linda looked at him in terror. Soon another wave of people carried her away, trampling over the mutants' body. The nausea returned and she held the vomit back.

"LOOK OUT!" a woman screamed out. Behind Linda, an explosive went off, sending everyone to the ground. Linda covered her head as debris fell back down. Linda quickly rose to her feet and jumped over the bodies on the ground. She ran as fast as she ever had, her lungs started to hurt with every breath. She thought of Leo, hoping he and Don had gotten away safely. Tears streamed down her face as she raced home. She needed her father. She needed him now more than ever.



Leo couldn't remember much after the gun shots. He just found himself running, Don close behind him. The crowd was moving so fast, he didn't think they would ever make it out. They climbed up a fire escape several blocks away and watched the horrible scene below. Leo then realized Linda was not with them. He started to go back when Don grabbed him.

" Are you crazy?!" Don shouted. " Do you see what's going on down there? You're gonna get yourself killed!"

" I don't care!" Leo broke away from Don's grasp. " Linda is down there! I need to go find her."

" Leo! You can't!" Don grabbed Leo's arm and pulled him back so hard , Leo fell to the ground.

" Don!"

" Leo, she can take care of herself! She's had ninja training, remember? She's okay!"

Leo closed his eyes and caught his breath. " I can't believe I lost her down there. I'm sure I had her hand." Leo jumped to his feet and walked over the ledge. He stared in disbelief at the people below him.

" What has happened to everyone?" Leo said, mainly to himself. Don joined him and looked down on the crowd. "The people of this city were never like this. Where is all of the anger coming from?"

" I don't know." Don shook his head. " I can't believe the Madira king is dead. Why would someone want him dead? After all he's done for us, for this city."

Leo had no answer. Then he suddenly jumped. " Oh, god, Donnie! April! We have to find April!"

Leo rushed back down the fire escape, Don racing after him. They ran back around to the U.N., dodging rocks and fire. They spotted the Channel 3 news van and ran to it.

"April!" Leo shouted over the crowd as loud as he could. Don circled back around the van, watching the air for anything to come flying by.

"APRIL!!!" Leo shouted again.

"Under here!" A voice called out. Leo bent down and found April under the van. Her face was dirty and she had a slight scratch on her forehead. She managed a smile and waved. " Hi! How are you doing?"

Leo shoved his hand to her. " Come on! We gotta get out of here!"



Linda finally arrived on her block and flew up the steps to her apartment. Her fingers fumbled with her house keys. She unlocked the door and flew into the apartment. She slammed the door and collapsed on the floor. Tears poured down her face, her sobs blocking her airway and made it harder for her to catch her breath. She turned herself around and curled into a fetal position.

"Leonardo," she whispered through her sobs. "Please be okay."

She then heard footsteps approach from behind her. Hoping it was her father, she sat upright and turned around. She gasped at the man standing there, for it was not her father.

"Are you Linda?"

The man was Japanese, his accent mixing with his English. Linda scrambled quickly to her feet, ready to fight.

" Do not be afraid, young one. I am a friend." He reached for her.

" Don't touch me!" Linda screamed. She held up her hands and took a fighting stance.

" Who are you? Where is my father?"

The man bowed down, but kept his eyes on her. " I am Yuki. I am an old friend of your fathers'. We have known each other for many years. You are Linda, are you not?"

Linda glared at Yuki. " Yes, but if you a friend, you should know that without me telling you so."

Yuki stepped back. " Your father did not talk about his family. To us, you did not exist."

"Linda was becoming angry. " What are talking about? My father would never do that. And who is 'us'? I want answers, NOW! Where is my father?!"

Yuki shook his head. " Do not get angry. I am a friend. Come in and I will tell you what you need to know. Your father asked me to watch over you until he returns."

" What?!" Linda moved back. " Where is he? What have you done with him?" She bumped against the door.

Yuki moved closer. " Come, Linda. I have made tea for us. I will tell you everything. I will answer all of your questions."

" No! You stay away from me!" Linda turned and grabbed the door knob. The door flew open and Linda found herself once again running away.

The tears became more aggressive as they poured from her eyes. She felt so lost. Everyone was disappearing from her life. Linda felt her legs give out from under her and she again collapsed on the ground. She laid there for what seemed to her like an eternity, sobbing and trying to breath at the same time. She looked up and noticed she had landed in an alley. Realizing she was again in danger, she pulled herself over to space behind a dumpster and squeezed behind it. In a matter of minutes, exhaustion took over and she fell into a deep sleep.


Hours later, Linda woke to the sound of a cat jumping on the dumpster. She jumped, startling the cat as she did. It ran back down the alley and out of sight. Linda moved slightly, feeling her muscles pull in every direction. All of the running she did and sleeping in a awkward position made her body very stiff. She made it to her feet and stretched lightly, being careful not to pull anything the wrong way. Linda noticed it was now dark and she glanced at her watch. It read 9 o'clock. She had slept for six hours! Linda knew she hade to get back to the sewers and head for the Turtles home. She look around for a manhole but found a grate across the street. She ran over to it and slid through it.



"Casey? Hey honey. Yes, I am fine. I'm with the guys. Yes, Sammy is fine too. What about you?" April babbled into Mike's cell phone. The turtles sat around the kitchen table with Splinter, not knowing what to say or what to think. Leo rested his head on the table, his thoughts were on Linda. He still felt guilty for leaving her behind. Silent tears streamed down his face.

Mike held on to Samantha, twirling her wavy red hair around his finger.

"Frhee hands, Wikey?" Samantha held up her hand.

Mike smiled slightly. " Yeah, kid. Three hands."


Linda knew she had passed this drain before. She couldn't remember the way Leo had showed her. All of the tunnels looked the same to her. The confusion was driving Linda to the point of breaking down again. When the tears hit her eyes, she looked up and found herself in an old, abandoned subway station. She looked around in amazement at the wood structures. How they were still standing, she couldn't explain. Time had certainly taken its toll on this place. As her eyes wondered up the stairwell, a small light was shining through the cracks in the floor. Linda climbed the stairs and realized there was a trap door in the ceiling. Not caring were it led to, she pushed up on it and moved it. Shielding her eye from the light, she pulled herself up through the hole.

Linda heard voices talking in another room. She spotted a door and quickly moved up a ladder to a balcony. She quietly opened the door and peered out. Standing below her was a large group of people, all dressed in black, and wore a red claw shaped design on their clothing. Linda couldn't believe her eyes! It was the Foot Clan! The ninjas her father always told her about! Then a loud booming voice rang out. It gave Linda chills up and down her spine. The figure that spoke stepped closer to the ninjas. It seemed to carry itself in a hunched over position. The skin that wasn't covered by the black fabric looked heavily scared and discolored, almost a blueish-green. Large muscles seemed to burst out of the fabric. She felt disgusted by the sight of this thing, whatever it was. It spoke again, its voice gargled as if it was underwater. Linda felt she had enough and turned to leave when she heard another voice.

"Master Shredder, I am here to serve you as you had requested."

Shredder?! Linda spun back around and leaned farther over the balcony. The hunched figure walked into the light and turned around to the voice that address him. Linda gasped then grabbed her mouth.

If it was Shredder, he was only a ghost of his former self. Linda couldn't believe her eyes when she looked at his face, which she couldn't see much of in the first place. Black fabric was stretched from his head and down across the bridge of his nose. The only visible part was his right eye. The eye itself was ready to pop out of its socket and the skin that surrounded the eye was that same blueish-green as the rest of his skin, and looked like it could be peeled away. Linda held down her stomach as she stared at Shredder. Then the other voice she heard spoke again.

" You asked for me, Master, and I am ready to serve you. I am ready to help you find your enemies."

Linda knew that voice. It was her father! Her own father, working for the Foot? For Shredder? Linda didn't want to believe it. She looked back down and saw Han standing there, bowed down in front of Shredder. The tears began to well up again as Linda ran back through the door and down the ladder. She jumped down into the subway station and headed for one of the subway cars. She slid the door back and hid under the bench seat. There, she once again cried herself to sleep.