Note: some parts in this chapter refer to 'A Dangerous Captive' and 'A Sister's Plight'
Chapter Six
Picking up the Pieces
The following night, down in the deep caverns under the city, in the hidden city of Mutopia, Sharky the Shark was sitting on the sofa in the Rec-Room with Percy the Grasshopper and Jack the Wolf.
Percy was laying upside down on the sofa bored and flexing his toes as he stared at the ceiling, Sharky was picking his sharp teeth with a toothpick and Jack was staring at the TV and flicking through the channels mindlessly.
The three mutant men of the Chicago Knights were bored as well as frustrated since they along with Tyroth, Sephie and the women of the Chicago Knights had been searching the city and still were unable to find Diablo and because George and Tyroth had insisted in extra security in the sanctuary as well as different protocols in leaving and re-entering Mutopia, it was becoming tedious, but they knew as well as everyone else that they had to take extra care since they had a Rogue Mutopian on the loose and until he was caught they had to follow these new rules to the letter.
As Jack changed the channel, it landed on a News network and he hesitated for a second as he watched.
"Good evening Chicago, I'm Ruth Peters, police are on the hunt for a Bouncer who went missing over 24 hours ago after finishing a late night shift at the 'Pussy Parlour' Strip club, Milo Howard T'Challa was last seen leaving the club at 4am on Sunday Night by his colleagues, at the same time, a well known Homeless man and ex War Veteran Marcus James Flint has been missing around the same time, police are unsure if the disappearances are connected but are appealing to the public that if they have any information to please get in touch!"
Jack frowned then turned up the volume, and at the same time, Sharky and Percy looked up, and Percy in fact hopped upright in one leap so his feet were on the floor.
"Two missing persons in one night?" Sharky asked.
"Seems that way." Jack said placing his finger to his lips "Listen."
All three men sat quietly as the News Reader continued to speak.
"Also, Police were shocked to find four men tied up, beaten and battered in an alleyway in North West Chicago, not far from the 'Pussy Parlour', all four men had been stripped down to their underpants, and had multiple wounds which included bruises, cuts and slashes, some which included some Satanic Symbols carved on their chests, stomachs and faces, two of the men even had barbed wire wrapped around them, another had his beard hair ripped out, and another had one of his 'Make America Great Again' hats draped over his penis, when the paramedics arrived on the scene, the men were jabbering and moaning, as if they had seen or witnessed something very horrific."
As the Wolf, Grasshopper and Shark continued to listen they stared at each other in horror and it was soon confirmed what they were thinking when the Newsreader spoke again.
"After arriving on the scene and analysing the condition of the men, it was confirmed by the police and forensics it has a strong resemblance to the attacks on the Straight Truths Hate Preacher, his wife and brother, right now, they are unsure if it was the same attacker, but the hunt for witnesses and interviews with the victims are in progress."
"No way!" Jack said.
"There's no doubt about it!" Percy said.
"Diablo!" Sharky said jumping up, "We gotta tell the boss!"
"You think Hugh is in on this?" asked Percy "He's on the hunt for that Raven as much as we are! Searching the daytime hours along with Jake."
"He will be!" Jack said turning the TV off, "Come on, we gotta find Big T!"
The Wolf then lead his comrades out of the Rec room, as they did, they almost bumped into a female Butterfly and Moe the Mole as they were about to enter.
Giving their apologies the three men looked around wondering where the Dragon was.
Walking from the Rec Room towards the Canteen, they saw Cam and Barry carrying some tables and chairs to the Mess Hall.
"You boys seen Tyroth anywhere?" Jack asked.
The Rhino and Warthog looked puzzled and shook their heads.
"Haven't seen him in hours." they said.
"You don't know if he's still topside?" asked Percy.
Cam scratched his head then clicked his fingers.
"You know what!" he said "I do remember him leaving Mutopia over an hour ago."
"He did?" Barry asked raising and eyebrow.
Cam nodded.
"Why?" asked the three male Chicago Knights together.
Cam sighed.
"Well since Diablo betrayed us." he said with a growl "The Chief has made a few visits up top to meet with Hugh along with Jake."
"Damn!" Sharky cursed "He's taking so much on his shoulders! But he's got to remember we're all on this too! We're searching for Diablo and not getting any sleep as much as he is! He can't take all the weight!"
"You know the boss!" Percy said "He does tend to take things on his shoulders, despite having a whole team behind him!"
"That's true." Jack sighed.
Meanwhile topside in Chicago, Tyroth and Jake were speaking with Hugh in his apartment.
Hugh hadn't been long with the police in finding the Red-Necks after they were attacked and as soon as he was off duty he had asked Tyroth and Jake to meet at his apartment.
Tyroth had flown Jake to the apartment complex where Hugh resided and the policeman had let them in though the balcony of the sliding doors.
"So what's the damage Hugh?" Tyroth asked as he sipped some tea, and Jake nodded in agreement.
"Quite high." Hugh said as he looked through the paperwork.
"Four Red-necks, all are pretty much known to us, mainly for assault on Blacks, Homosexuals, Muslims, you name it! Attacked in the same manner as the Hate Preacher and his family."
"And they sport the same Satanic Symbols?" Jake asked.
Hugh nodded.
"There's no doubt it was Diablo!" Tyroth growled "Damn! He's struck again! And we didn't know!"
"Don't beat yourself up about it." Hugh said.
"I should have taken that creature down when I had the chance!" Tyroth sighed "Because he's loose, everything I care about is at risk! I was scared enough when I believed the Foot would find out when I was captured and tortured! But I never let it slip! And neither did Jen...I mean, Amber!"
"I know." Hugh said "And I commend you for your bravery! You and your sister and parents for what you went through."
Jake shuddered.
"I can't think of those evil men without feeling sick." he said "Especially the Venomous Five...and that hideous Doctor, and how Shredder impaled my brother! If it wasn't for that evil man...Callum wouldn't be what he is now!"
As he spoke, he lifted his hand to his face where the scars from Diablo's talons had struck him, they were healed yet still red and angry.
Tyroth placed his paw on Jake's shoulder in comfort and Hugh sighed sadly.
"How is your sister coping?" he asked.
"Mona?" Jake asked then shook his head "Not well, I'm afraid to say, she's still suffering nightmares of what happened, and Michelangelo and Raphael who were injured, along with Master Splinter, are still recovering."
Tyroth closed his eyes as he remembered that after Diablo had shot Splinter, he had almost killed the rat, but thanks to James's skills he had saved the rat's life, yet he had been confined to a wheelchair, until he recovered.
Flashback
It was the morning after Diablo had fled Mutopia and things were no better.
Tyroth had hardly gotten any sleep, and all the Mutopians were scared as well as arguing amongst themselves of how to deal with the situation that there was a Rogue Mutopian.
Many said if Diablo was found that he should die, whilst others said he should be given a trial. Tyroth was torn, as much as he didn't want to kill his own kind, the thought of the Raven being out in the open caused more of a threat, whether he betrayed them further, or through him their enemies would find out about Mutopia.
But right now, all Tyroth wanted to think about was whether Splinter was going to be okay, as he had been shot by the crazed Raven as he was trying to flee Mutopia.
The bullet had torn through his stomach and he was terrified it had hit some vital areas where he would loose a lot of blood.
Last time he saw James, the Chimpanzee Doctor had reported that the Rat was stable, but he wasn't out of the woods yet, and now he was desperate for news.
Arriving at the Medical area, the Dragon could see Leonardo waiting outside looking terrified as well as stressed.
"Leo?" Tyroth said softly, but the blue masked turtle jumped slightly.
"Oh T, you startled me."
"Sorry." Tyroth said "Any news?"
"On Sensei?" Leonardo asked "No, James asked me to stay here whilst he checked on him." tears erupted from the blue masked turtle's eyes and he sat down cradling his head "Oh please..." he whimpered "Please pull through master!"
Tyroth sighed and placed his hand on Leonardo's shoulder in an act of comfort.
"Why did he do it?" Leonardo asked "Why? Why did that Raven do it?"
"Leo..." Tyroth sighed.
"I'm not sure I can do it!" Leonardo began to sob "I don't think I'm ready to be the next sensei! I know he prepared me, but not now! Please! Not now!"
Tyroth swallowed hard.
He knew how much pressure Leonardo was under, being the eldest of the Ninja Turtles and that he was to be the next sensei when Splinter passed on, but he never wanted it to be like this, if Splinter was to die from his wounds.
He knelt before the turtle and was about to speak again when the door opened and James appeared causing the Dragon and turtle and stand up.
"James?" Leonardo asked desperately "How? How is he?"
James looked at Leonardo.
"He's going to be alright." he said, quickly blurting out the words seeing how desperate the blue masked turtle looked.
Leonardo grasped James's shoulders and he looked like he was going to faint but he looked so relieved.
"Oh man thanks!" he said hugging the chimpanzee tightly and James's eyes widened.
"Can I see him?"
James nodded.
"Not too long okay?" he said "He needs to rest." but Leonardo was already in the room before he had finished the sentence.
Tyroth smiled softly at James.
"I can't tell you how grateful we are." he said "You're a true lifesaver! Especially to those who cannot use the Well's healing water."
James blushed slightly and patted Tyroth's shoulder.
"I do what I can." he said "As is my duty, as well as my love, loyalty and dedication to my home and the people I care about."
"And that's what matters." Tyroth said.
End Flashback
"Listen." Hugh said "I know it's hard with Diablo still on the loose, but I am doing all I can, as well as trying to make sure no-one knows about him, nor yourselves."
"And we couldn't be more grateful." Tyroth said then sighed "I wish I didn't place so much pressure on you."
"I can handle this." Hugh said "Trust me, look, why don't yourself and Jake head back to Mutopia and I'll continue to do what I can here during the daytime hours and if I hear anything else, or learn anything from the victims, I will inform you right away."
"Very well." Tyroth said "Again we are ever so grateful."
Hugh nodded.
"Stay safe, okay," he said then looked to the window where he saw some lines of pink starting to a appear "The sun will rise soon, you better get back."
Tyroth agreed and stood up along with Jake.
"Thank you again Hugh." he said "We'll keep you informed as well if we find out anything on patrol!"
The Dragon went to the balcony then knelt down so Jake could climb onto his back then he jumped off the balcony and flew away over the city to head back to Mutopia, Hugh watching them before he closed the sliding doors and closed the blinds biding them a safe journey home.
So word has gotten out about the disappearances of Milo and Marcus, and the Red Necks have been found, and more than likely tortured and tormented by Diablo as well as his new recruits! And the Mutopians know where to point the finger!
Stay tuned for more coming soon!