The Legacy

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.

Author's Note: This is bound to be a long chapter people so give yourself time. However many different viewpoints do break the chapter up if you get interrupted. Ramica.

Chapter Eighteen – A wild chase

Ramiela:

Wished I knew what was going on. Shay get me out of bed, tell me she takes me some place special with lots of grass to play in.

Don't want to play. I tired I just wants to sleep.

Shay puts clothes on me, takes me out of home. I ain't suppose to leave home less I with family daddy say so. I tell Shay that and she say, " It okay."

Shay climb up a ladder and lift a lid I try to hide in the sewer but Shay come catch me and tells me to climb ladder topside.

This not right!

I know daddy don't want me topside. It not 'lowed. Veeeerrrry Bad!

Shay come up ladder, and try to pick me up. She gets hold of my arm and I try to pull way.

" No Shay I go home" I try to tell her to take me home, but Shay not listen to me.

She grab me and pull me to her and I drop my Franklin. I bend down to pick him up but Shay picks me up and pack me away from Franklin.

" No Shay got to have Franklin," I tell her.

She tell me she git me nother Franklin. Don't want nother Franklin, wants my Franklin.

I wants down. Wants to go home to daddy but Shay tell me.

" No!" Shay say I be very bad girl and daddy don't love me no more coz I so bad.

Not true. Daddy say he love me when he put me to bed. He did!

Shay tell me " Ninja who are very bad can't stay in clan they gots to leave. So Daddy don't want me coz I not ninja now. Daddy say Shay can have me to be her little girl."

I don't wants Shay. I wants daddy. Wants him so bad, I so scared.

Maybe daddy ain't here coz what Shay say is true I not ninja coz I been very bad today, and now don't want me or love me coz I not ninja.

Michaelangelo:

The night was quiet, a little too quiet when one took into consideration how many Foot soldiers we had run into in the last few nights, and now hardly a trace of them to be found anywhere.

Even the petty hoods seemed to be taking a break this evening, either that or they knew what area of town we were in and took their business elsewhere.

I knew this sudden lack of activity bothered Leo, if it seemed wrong to me, then this sudden drop in activity had to be screaming at him, and as usual our leader was taking the cautious route.

Raph was just plain irritated at the sudden change and was dealing with it in his normal fashion, meaning he was bugging Leo.

" This is boring Leo, there has to be a drug deal or something that we can break up for a bit of entertainment."

Leo ignored him but Raph persisted in his usual manner muttering something about finding more action in the local bar.

I went over and nudged Donny " How long before Leo loses his cool?"

Don smiled, " Depends on how well Raph pushes his buttons. We all know what a button pusher he is."

I figured that it was around one in the morning maybe a bit after as I tried to find something to amuse me and keep me awake beyond Raph's one sided argument.

Leo turned glaring hard in Raph's direction and that caused him to falter ever so slightly. Leo had more then perfected that stony glare of his to the point that it was almost as intimidating as Splinter's.

" If you are quite done Raphael" Leo began in a cool tone a single eye ridge arched as if he was ready to ask for the time.

" Maybe I am" Raph grinned, " Maybe I'm not."

Leo snorted softly " I don't think we are going learn much tonight. The Foot activity might increase between three and four but I doubt it, whatever is going on the Foot are either waiting to spring it on us or they gave up on it because we were in the way."

" Not likely the latter" Don muttered.

Leo nodded glad to have Don's input " We may as well head home and get a decent nights sleep for a change."

" I second that motion Leo, extra sleep and some hard earned zees I am all for hitting the pillow" I cheered.

Raph decided to curb his tongue for the moment, he knew by us going home now meant that we had the night off and he didn't want to risk losing it. Raph had learned a bit of discretion over the last few years.

We headed for home by route of the nearest manhole cover and into the sewers, sludging our way through the water and grime. I was feeling pretty good, that is until we neared the entrance of our home.

I suddenly sensed that something wasn't right my hands moved almost involuntarily for my nunchuks and I could see Leo already drawing his katana in one smooth fluid motion. We were all instantly alert and ready for there was no denying that something was wrong.

I reached out with my senses in hopes of picking up on it, but couldn't get anything definite; the emotions that seemed to emanate from the lair were starting to fade making it difficult to read.

Leo kicked open the door a quick glance assured all of us that nothing was out of place, but fear lingered.

Leo headed to check on Splinter while I headed in the opposite direction to check on Rama.

I found Rama's bed lay empty, no sign of her in the bedroom instantly I glanced at her favourite stuffed toys gathered on her bed, a quick mental count left me one short. Franklin was gone and I knew Rama wouldn't go far without him in tow.

Rama had to be dragging Franklin along but to where?

" Rama" I whispered feeling the unfamiliar stirring of panic rising in me.

I went to my bedroom to check it on impulse alone as Rama often went to sleep in my bed, but I knew even before I got there that she wouldn't be in my bed either.

" Leo, Mike come here." Don's urgent shout from the living room drifted through the lair echoing ever so slightly.

I was in the living room in record time and I saw Don by our answering machine it was flashing the number two " Always check the obvious" Don said, he turned to see Splinter and Leo coming from the other way.

" Rama isn't here." I stated trying to keep the panic from my voice.

Splinter's head jerked up and his eyes narrowed at the news, his tail lashed hard on the floor.

Don turned up the volume on the answering machine and pressed play.

" I don't know when you might be getting this but Shay's got Rama and she has taken off with her" Karena explained her voice tight with desperation " I'm trying to follow but I can't seem to get close enough to her. I'll update when I can."

The answering machine let us know the call had come in at twelve forty nine a.m.

That was what? Twenty, or twenty five minutes ago and by this point they could be in any given direction in the city. I felt a cold hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Another short message followed listing a couple of streets and a general direction, which Karena felt Shay might be heading in and that message had come in about ten minutes ago.

" Anyone know Karena's cell number?" Don asked hopefully.

Of course none of us knew it we never even thought we'd have to call Karena for any reason. Now we had to try and reach her, if only to keep tabs on where Shay might be.

All I could think of was what Rama had to be going through at this moment, and I couldn't help her.

If Shay left the state finding or getting Rama back would be next to impossible but I quickly blocked that thought out to deal instead with the moment, and not a very happy moment either.

Shay would be running in panic mode, so I wouldn't be surprised if she lost Karena all together in the busy streets of New York.

Don shook his head " I think I can rig up a patch to transfer phone calls to our home number to one of our phones." Don suggested, " It shouldn't take too long."

" In the meantime we can start closing in," Leo declared sharply.

" Exactly but Leo I might need one other phone" Don hedged.

I handed Don my cell phone knowing Raph and Leo would still have theirs. Don had built our cell phones many years ago, we used them to keep in touch with one another on patrols when we split up or for other reasons. It was handy and useful and not taxing as using mental communication.

I followed Leo with Raph close behind gnashing his teeth grumbling threats under his breath.

As far as I was concerned I wasn't going stop hunting for Rama until she was at home safe, where she belonged. Shay wasn't going anywhere that I wasn't going be following her, moving in the shadows awaiting for the time to take back my daughter.

Donatello:

I watched my brothers leave and hurried to my lab to get what I needed to make the changes to the cell phone that needed to be done. Meanwhile Splinter headed to the kitchen to make himself some tea, I could tell our Master was upset and disturbed but he was smart enough to stay out of our way and let us do what we had to.

I knew I could do the job fairly quickly, something that wouldn't happen if I had my brothers at home where Raph could rant, rage and fume and Mike fuss over what might be happening with Ramiela.

Besides if the others were in or near where Shay was the better chance we had of getting Ramiela home.

Time, I knew was of the essence at the moment, it was both an enemy and a friend and we had to utilize what time we had wisely and play to our strengths.

My plan was to do a quick reprogramming on my own cell phone so it would act independently but still be patched into our home phone number. I didn't think I needed the spare cell, but I wanted to play it safe.

As I worked on that I hoped for a call from Karena to come in, so I could relay the latest news to Leo and the others. By the time I was done, not even fifteen minutes later I still hadn't heard anything from Karena and I knew the others would be getting anxious by now.

Suddenly the phone rang and I found myself breathing a soft sigh of relief, I hoped that it was Karena and not Leo looking for an update, either way it would be a good test run for my work.

By the second ring of our home phone my cell phone was also ringing, but Mike's untampered phone stayed silent. What can I say? I know my stuff and I'm good at it.

I picked up my cell " Talk to me. Don here."

"Don?" Karena huffed into the phone sounding shocked " That really you?"

" Where are you Karena?" I asked ignoring her question, right now the information she had was far more important. I hated being abrupt with her but I had no choice.

" I lost Shay. I can't see them or hear them" She replied her voice high pitched almost frantic.

" Calm down Karena. Think of where you are, what is around you in the surrounding area?" I suggested keeping my voice calm.

I was hoping even a general area would provide a clue to where Shay might have disappeared to.

" I don't…no wait…" Karena hesitated at first, "The bus station it is a few blocks from here. Shay might be trying to get a ticket for Rama or an earlier bus."

" Or a different bus to some other area all together" I concluded, " Great Karena head towards the bus station. The others will be there soon and I am on my way. Just keep following your hunches" I told her as I ended our call.

I know following gut instinct wasn't exactly scientific but I was also a ninja, and I knew that a lot of those hunches were often far more reliable then stopping to rationalize everything.

I called the others to inform them of the latest news, then told Splinter what was up before leaving to catch up with my brothers.

Karena:

I don't know how or where I lost Shay, and then I found myself panicking as seconds seemed to stretch into agonizing minutes. My heart was pounding and my lungs seemed starved for air.

Yet I cursed myself for having lost them so completely.

How could I just lose them? Where had they gone to?

I decided to call in my latest news discouraging as it was, while I had been chasing after Shay, I didn't have much time to call in since I had first started after Shay. I was startled to hear Don answering the phone. I almost hung up thinking I called the wrong number.

I filled Don in on what was going on, and while I was babbling I realized that the bus depot was only a few blocks over and up a block or so.

It made sense for Shay to be there and now that I knew I forced myself to run as fast as I could in that direction.

I knew Don had said the others would be here soon but I couldn't afford to wait for them, because I had no idea where they were.

As I neared the bus depot I saw Shay up ahead, she had Rama by the wrist and Rama was struggling wildly, doing her best to break free. Shay jerked and pulled roughly on the child's arm, in a way that caused me to wince with sympathy.

Rama hauled off and kicked Shay on the shin bone.

Way to go Rama! I mentally cheered, and would have done so aloud, if I had the breath to do so.

Shay hauled off and back handed Rama hard across the cheek, the impact from that blow alone ought to have toppled her over, that is if Shay didn't have such a vise like grip on her in the first place.

I had never seen Mike or any of his family strike Rama, even gently like a simple slap across the fingers, Mike preferred other forms of punishment to discipline Rama, but there was no doubt that this blow had been a hard one.

Rama stopped struggling and burst into tears, she turned in that instant and saw me, trying to get through the people going in and out of the bus depot towards her.

" Karena!" she yelled through her tears.

Shay glanced up a shocked look on her face. She swooped down and scooped Rama into her arms and took off running as if her life depended on it.

I could hear Rama yelling to me to help her as her calls faded into the crowd.

My legs and lungs were protesting the exercise I had already done and I knew without a doubt, that I'd end up paying for pushing myself so hard, but I did my best to catch up with both of them once more.

I had been so close to getting Rama but Shay was alerted to me now, and somehow between that and what must have been her second wind, the gap between us grew wider. I reached for my phone to call in the latest news.

Ramiela:

I hates Shay. She not nice. She keep calling me Rama. I tells her I Ramiela but she call me Rama anyways; that daddy's name for me.

I wants my daddy but he not come for me, maybe Shay right daddy not come coz I a bad girl. A very bad girl.

Maybe daddy don't want me.

But I don't want to be with Shay. Shay say I go live with her and we have lots of fun and she be my mommy.

Don't know what mommy is. If Shay a mommy then I don't want no mommy just wants a daddy.

I sooo scared.

I hits and kick at Shay like Sensay teach me but I veeerrrrry bad by hit and kicks Shay, not 'spose to do it outside dojo.

Shay hit me real hard. It hurts!

Then I see Karena.

Oh Karena help me please!

It good seeing someone I know, like Karena. Too many people topside, lots of people I don't know. Karena got to help me.

Shay grab me though and soon I don't see Karena no more.

I don't like Shay at all and I don't like topside.

I don't see no grass or trees or any flowers even. I know they 'spose to be here. Daddy brought me flowers from topside before.

Where they all go?

Maybe only ninja can see those things and I'm not ninja anymore so I can't sees them.

If I not ninja Shay right daddy don't want me.

I still wants him though, wants him lots and lots.

Michaelangelo:

I don't think I had ever been more scared in my entire life, but I knew we were closing the gap. Rooftop travel allowed for a speedy way of getting around and of course we weren't wasting much time either going at tip speed for the most part.

Don's last call was that Karena had seen Shay leaving the bus depot, Shay probably wanted to keep moving to avoid being caught or attracting attention of any kind.

Raph had a permanent furious look etched on his face, his body trembled with the anger that he was just waiting to release. As far as he was concerned Shay had gone too far in grabbing his niece and she was going pay.

I was reaching out with all of my senses, while Rama didn't know how to mentally communicate with us, I still was able to pick up on her feelings or emotions, especially when they were running high. I figured if Rama was broadcasting any emotion I'd be able to find her quicker.

I paused on a rooftop and caught just a flicker of something and looked down in time to Shay holding Rama close and running like mad.

I heard Rama's fearful wailing and I reached out trying to mentally let her know I was here though I doubted she'd feel it.

" Guys to the East its Shay" I yelled to the others just before propelling myself off the rooftop determined to not lose sight of her, now that I had found her.

" Raph cut her off try to herd her into an alley where we can block her in. An alley with a quick escape route preferably Raph" Leo ordered.

" My pleasure Leo, leave it to me" Raph hissed as he sprinted ahead leaving us behind.

I knew that this was one order Raph wasn't going fight Leo on, in fact he'd obey it right to the letter.

I began to relax a little now knowing that Shay wasn't going be able to go anywhere without one of us being seconds behind her.

We kept mental communication up between us, and Raph to insure where the run would come to an end, or to let him know if Shay was switching directions.

Karena wasn't as fit as we were and with having to deal with what traffic and crowds were on the street she had a lot more difficulty keeping up, but of course if it hadn't been for Karena we might not even be this close to ending this.

Once we were sure of Raph's placement in regards to where Shay was, Leo went to block off the other end of the alley, while I dropped down on a fire escape that ended in the alley itself waiting for the right chance to drop in on Shay.

Our trap was set and Shay would be surrounded with no way out, no escape.

Very soon now Rama would be back where she belonged.

Ramiela:

I tired and scared. Can't see Karena now she gone.

I keep looking Karena see me once maybe she see me again.

" Going some where?"

I turn " Uncle Raphiel!"

I try reaching out for him but Shay holds me tight and runs away from Uncle. Uncle Raphiel don't try to stop her.

He gots to help me.

Or does Uncle know I not ninja anymore?

I look over Shay's shoulder and see Uncle Raphiel coming fast, moving in close behind.

" Enough Shay! Let Rama go!"

" Daddy" I turn to see him, don't know where he came from but I glad he here but he look soooo mad. Never see daddy look or sound this mad before.

Shay back up to wall holding me tight " Michael?"

" Don't Michael me. I said Let her go!"

Daddy really mad now.

But if daddy here, maybe he do love me, not sure, don't know. Glad daddy here even though he is so mad.

Michaelangelo:

Shay gripped Rama tighter to her, I saw a frantic desperate look in her eyes, but it was the look in Rama's eyes that got to me, Rama's eyes had such a mixture of fear, terror and pain all in one.

I could tell Shay wasn't about to relinquish Rama not even now with Leo and Raph on either side of her and me, right in front of her.

What a fool!

Did she really believe that she could deal with three very pissed off ninja turtles?

Anything that I might have once felt for Shay was dead and gone in a heartbeat, she had hurt Rama deeply with this one cruel act of hers.

I wasn't about to turn Rama into a tug of war rope between us, I just reached over and pinched a nerve in Shay's arm causing her to loosen her grip and allowing me to take Rama from her with ease.

" It is all right baby it is over now," I whispered to Rama.

Rama's body trembled violently in my arms she buried her face into my neck and clung tight to me whimpering and crying.

I felt Raph brush past me and looked up in time to see him pin Shay against the wall, as if he had been waiting for this moment and he probably had, one sai was out a single tip caressing Shay's throat causing a small scratch to weep blood.

" I ought to kill you right now, where you stand ama kusoimaimashii" Raph snarled vehemently his face twisted in rage. ( Ama is the b with an itch word. While the other Japanese word means the f-ing. Yeah Raph is just a little ticked.)

" No, Raph don't!" I ordered quickly, not that I didn't want to do it myself, "Rama has been through enough for one night don't add to it." I pleaded with him.

I think if Rama hadn't been here I would have let him do the job right here and now, heck the way I was feeling I would probably join him but Rama just didn't need to see it.

Raph backed off a sneer on his face and a hostile glare in his eyes while Shay huddled against the wall of the building.

I detected a movement near one end of the alley and turned to see who it was but it was only Don coming with his arm around Karena supporting her a bit, as they walked together to where we were.

Karena looked thoroughly exhausted, her face was all sweated and her hair was dishevelled yet at that moment she looked absolutely stunning to me.

If Leo didn't get his act together soon I just might make a play for her myself. I knew she liked Leo, but hey if my brother wasn't going get his shell in gear then he deserved to lose out on the best thing that could ever happen to him.

I held Rama close stroking her back through the hooded jacket she had on, Shay had also dressed her in jeans and a pair of shoes from somewhere. I kept whispering low to her, trying to comfort and sooth her.

" Guys why don't you take Rama home now" I said handing her over to Raph.

It wasn't an easy task to do for I had to pry Rama's fingers off of me and she kept trying to get back to me.

" No daddy. No daddy. Stay" Rama sobbed trying to break loose from Raph to get back to me.

" Sssh baby, your uncles are going take you home now. I'll be along in a bit Rama I promise. I love you Rama" I caressed her tear stained cheek looked into her reddened eyes, " It is all right hon."

The look Rama gave me then said quite clearly that she didn't know if it would be all right ever again.

Raph held her tight to him as she fought to break free sobbing wildly.

She wanted so much to stay with me. I would have allowed it except I had some unfinished business I needed to tend to with Shay.

She might get away with her life, but she was going know real fast that was all she might get out of tonight.

I turned back staring hard into Shay's eyes she cowered back and gave me a faint trembling, hesitant smile.

" Shay and I are going have ourselves a little talk" I announced as my brothers turned and headed for the manhole cover and the sewers beyond.

TBC

Chibi Rose Angel: Yes Shay was up to something, and as far as I know I have never tried to make people like Shay, or feel for her. I just let people make up their own ideas on her. A gratitude for your insight.

Lenni:No problem I love your excitement and how much you are enjoying this story all over again. Thanks for mumbling or putting a gag on yourself though it was fun to read. A gratitude for your insight.

Reinbeauchaser: Thanks for keeping mum on what happens as I do believe I have a few new readers out there. That insight of yours into Rama's attitude poses a neat little plot bunny. Who knows one day I might get to it after chasing a few other rascally rabbits around, course that means this one might escape. Oh well can't catch all those bunnies. A gratitude for your insight.

Digimongirl: Glad you are enjoying the story and I hope this answers what you were looking for. A gratitude for your insight.

Lunar Ninja: Well someone was able to slow Shay down I think. As for wringing necks, nope haven't seen that yet so you may have to stay tuned. At least I am a colourful pill, ah wait a second didn't I tell you to forget about it, I didn't really want to know? Hmm.A gratitude for your insight.

Lioness Goddess: Mike isn't the only one who wants to treat Shay a lesson, but being the father he ought to get first pick over his brother's. Of course Shay wasn't nice but she wasn't thinking too clearly and probably acted on impulse to try and give her daughter a better life. Course that changes in another story. Here is your update hope it was fast enough. A gratitude for your insight.