Disclaimer: Don't own the TMNT, no matter how many times I've prayed to the cartoon gods. I hope this chapter will make sense. OC's are mine, no touchies!
Acknowledgements:
Sinners: Thanks babe, I hope ppl like it when they go to Ihon! Thanks for the review, hun, you're awzumated.
Reinbeauchaser: Sorry, these little side stories I wrote are supposedly taking place after this story, hence the alcohol consumption. I'll get to that part eventually, don't worry! Thank you for the reviews!
Sassyblondexoxo: Yeah, I know, my dad's the same way. Actually, I think Mikey's prediction is coming true, just not with whom he intended! Thank you for the reviews!
SaphireCat: I'm glad you like it, and I do intend to write more. Although at the rate this story is playing out in my head, it'll be a LOT more. Thanks for the review!
KLCtheBookWorm: Yeah, it'd been forever and a day since I saw the original series (I like that best, the new one weirds me out) so I decided to base it off the movies, since I'd seen them more recently. Lol at this rate, I won't finish this story anytime soon!
(On with the show!)
Lillian and Don were poring over a series of blueprints to the Installation, trying to decide where they could possibly infiltrate, seek and destroy the mutanogen, plans, and possibly reverse any effects already in place. I was skimming recent news articles, thinking that maybe, just maybe, there'd been a sighting, or something that could provide leads. Ana was up topside with Mikey in disguise, doing a general mind scan of passersby's, seeing if they'd had a fright, or if there was general word on the street. Leonardo and Master Splinter were meditating on the matter, and Raphael was doing something in the dojo. It really sounded more like he was killing the punching bag, or some small animal.
Oi.
"Hey Lily," I called, frowning at the computer screen. "Come look at this… does this seem odd to you?"
I'd come across a news vignette about a series of brutal murders with seemingly no location pattern, no gender pattern, and definitely no actual murder style. A completely random series, no weapons discovered, no marks identifiable, and no suspects named.
Lillian came into the lab (Donnie had been nice enough to let me use his precious computer.), leaned over the chair behind me. to read and give me her opinion on the findings.
"Did you find anything else besides this?" She asked, disturbed by the graphic description the reporter had given. What is it with reporters and trying to scare the population?
"Yeah," I answered, pulling up new windows with more recent reports. "Apparently in upstate New York, they'd had a scare with a 'frightening furry creature, with wings like a bat, and the head of a dragon.' I passed it off as a farmer's tale until the murder series caught my eye. Then this one," I said, opening another window to a report from yesterday. "This one scared me. 'Last night,'" I read off the screen, not noticing the three other sets of eyes peer around the door, " 'A series of shocking thefts and attacks terrorized Upstate New York, frightening the townsfolk, and causing several families to evacuate. One eyewitness told investigators that a 'dragon' and several 'shadow-bandits' stormed the small town, raiding and looting, before releasing some 'wild animals', who then attacked several residents and shopkeepers. The death toll at this time is uncertain, and the hospitals have been flooded with the wounded from this unprecedented event. At this time authorities have no leads, and no comments for the press.'"
A gasp came from the doorway. Apparently Mikey and Ana were back, with Don in tow.
"I told you!" Mikey shouted, upset, "We've got another Tokka and Razaa, and this time there's MORE!"
"Not only that," Donnie interjected, "It also seems like the Foot are involved."
"Oh shit!" I smacked my forehead in frustration. "Lily, Ana, I forgot to mention that I'd been informed that the Foot are back up to no good, and that the others need to watch themselves."
Lillian's eyes flinted.
"Mikaela, I wish you had said something sooner." Her voice was harsh. "Dmitri is in hospice care because of a severe beating. Hewould havedied from it, if Rebekah hadn't found him."
I paled.
"My god…" I whispered, hoarse. "Oh my god, I'm sorry…" Eyes wide, I rested my head on my hand. "We're not safe anymore." I raised my head. ANA! I commanded.
Yeah? She said, worried. What's up?
Ana, I need you to go back to the safe house and let everyone know that they need to take whatever they need and go to the club. The Foot are back, and they have a bigger arsenal, and I need everyone to be in a safe location until this blows overI thought, directing it towards her. I didn't need the others wondering what I was talking about, at least not yet.
Gotcha. She acknowledged, running off and out of the Lair.
"Hey, babe, what're you up to?" Mikey asked, racing after her. "Don't go off on your own! It ain't safe!" We heard both of them disappear up the ladder.
"Where's she going?" Don asked, sitting on his bed. Lillian sat down beside him, gazing at me expectantly, and hurt as well. It wasn't often that I kept her out of the loop on things, but this was something that Don didn't need to hear. I sighed.
Too late anyway, Mikey's following Ana back. "Well, I sent Ana to warn the others, and to round 'em up to the club. It's a safe place, Frankie can guard it well, and he has Jesus, Hardy, and Lua to help." Seeing Donnie's confusion, I added, "They're former military, like me and Lillian and Ana."
"Oh." He said, giving Lily a sideways glance, "I see." She gazed back at him impassively, but since I knew her better, I could tell she was challenging him.
"Okay, enough, kids," I said, waving my hands between them. "We have planning to do." I ticked off my fingers, "Tonight, We need some sort of patrol going on, to sweep the city, just in case the Foot decide to try and wreak some havoc, we'll need communication between the Club and the Lair, and we may need some back up unit ready." I looked at the two. "Lillian? I want you to stay here and research everything you can find about this scam that I-12 has come up with, and possible ways to either disable or destroy their operations." Said mouse-girl nodded and moved to the computer, bringing up Donnie's sophisticated search engine. I turned to the Turtle.
"Donnie," I said, gaining his attention from Lillian. " I'll need you to stay here, since you're the only medic we really have, with Lillian to see about reversal possibilities. I'm going to set up the patrol time and group for later." I started to the door, so the two geniuses could start their work, then stopped. "Donnie, does the Foot know of your location?" I asked, fear lacing my voice.
Donnie looked at me hard.
"No." He said, pointing to a tower of electronics. "This here's the platform for all my security measures. If the Foot were looking for us, we'd know where they are, way before they do." He smiled and tapped his dome. "Genius, remember? Ow!" Lillian had slapped him lightly on the arm.
"Okay then genius," She drawled, "Get to work then!"
I laughed, and went on my way to Master Splinters carriage. I knocked lightly.
"Come in Mikaela." His soft voice flowed through the paneling. I frowned. How did he know it was me? Shrugging, I slid open the door, was caressed by scents of sandalwood and frankincense, and candlelit darkness. I closed the door behind me and waited.
"Come sit Mikaela," The aging rat said kindly, patting a cushion. I obliged, seating myself Indian style. Leonardo was seated beside Splinter and across from me. His eyes glittered in the flickering light, as did his masters. "There is something troubling you, child." Splinter said gently, placing a paw, frail-looking but still strong, on my shoulder. "What of it?"
I closed my eyes, relaxing.
"Sensei," I began, using his title, "We have come across some disturbing events that lead us to believe that the Foot has a hand in the escape of this mutant. We also have discovered leads that cause us to believe that there are more mutants freed, and not good ones either." I paused, gathering my strength, "I ask your permission to have your sons go on patrol with myself and Ana tonight." I caught his eyes, my own pleading for his acceptance. "We really could use their skills, Sensei. Myself and Ana, and a few others are trained for combat, but we are only so few, and there are so many to defend." I bowed my head. "I beg of you Sensei, allow us to join forces to stop this monstrosity from causing further harm."
Master Splinter remained silent, but when I opened my eyes, sneaking a peek, I saw he was smiling.
"Child, of course we will help you." He chuckled, "It is what my sons are trained to do, and what they have been doing for some time."
"Yeah," Leo joined in, "Saving the city's become a full time job for us now."
I looked at them, eyes wide.
"Damn, I feel sorry for you. That's one big city!" I jibed, earning a smile from Splinter, and a frown from Leo, but that was probably from my expletive.
"In that case, Sensei," I minced lightly, "I have a plan for tonight."
Master Splinter and Leonardo leaned in as I explained my proposal for the evening.
Later, Ana and Mikey returned to give a progress report of the evacuation of the Mutant-tenanted housing complexes to the club. All was well, and Frankie and Jesus were conferencing battle plans, should the Foot, or one of those crazy mutants, attack. Dmitri was recovering smoothly, and Lua was preparing herself and her kids for recon. Azriel, Gabriella had the ability of flight, thanks to their wings, and were reviewing maps, should they find themselves getting lost, or should a mutant or Foot patrol be spotted.
All in all, we were gearing up for what might be a huge battle. It was a frightening thought, in my opinion.
"Okay, Leo?" I said, properly suited up for patrol. "I'd like you and Raph to stick to the Western side of the area, Mikey and I'll take the Eastern side. That was we'll cover more terrain." I zipped the front of my old recon suit up further. "Gabriella and Azriel, Lua's kids, will provide flight cover, as will Ana. However, Ana will also act as our correspondence, filtering whatever Gabby and Az happen to find." I looked at the Turtle's leader. "Sounds like a plan?"
Leonardo shrugged.
"As good as one can get, providing we know almost nothing of the situation, or whom we're facing."
Mikey nodded sagely.
"Right on, bro." His demeanor cheered suddenly. "So, Mika-babe, it's just you 'n me, huh?" I rolled my eyes.
"Mikey, you are such a dork." I smiled, letting him know I wasn't offended, "Rein in your hormones and we can get going, eh?"
Mike laughed.
"Okay babe, whatever your gorgeousness says!"
"MIKEY!"
A/N: Okay, the story is picking up speed (I think), so I should be getting to more action-y sequences soon. I've got some good ones in mind! I'm really loving writing this… and please keep reviewing! (oh, and I've discovered how to use quickedit, too! Yay!)
The Spade