Chapter Forty-Nine
I Will See you Again
Back in Mutopia, Hugh had arrived and was sitting at a table in the mess hall opposite Tyroth.
The Police Chief straight after getting off his shift travelled down to Mutopia to inform Tyroth of Diablo's activities, including the men the Raven had dropped off at the police station after Lamia had had her way with them to punish them for what they did to her.
"It was just like with Dale!" Hugh explained "The two other men who were associated with the other one you left for us by the sewers were dropped off at the police station! They had strange marks on their faces and bodies, almost like mild electrical burns as well as bite marks on their arms!"
Tyroth's eyes widened.
"That new mutant!" Tyroth said "She's an electric eel! She must have inflicted the wounds! And the bite marks are from the young Vampire bat!"
He touched his throat as he remembered how she had attacked him and drank his blood, he was never going to forget that incident for as long as he lived!
"So, what's going to happen to the men that Diablo dropped off at the station?" The Dragon asked.
"At the moment, the two men who were dropped off are being treated at the hospital for their injuries, and my colleagues are interviewing the first man as we speak! We've also arrested the father of the Muslim girl who you say was mutated by Diablo. The first man dobbed him in as the main instigator of the plot behind the attempted Honour Killing."
"That's good to know." Tyroth sighed "Hugh, I just can't deal with it, all these activities, and Diablo is always one step ahead."
"He can't keep it up!" Hugh said, "One day he will slip! Law Breakers never allude the police for long, we always catch up to them!"
"But when?" Tyroth rested his chin on his hands "Where? And When?"
"Hey guys." A female voice made the human and Dragon look up and they saw Patch the Badger walk over with a tray with some drinks as well as some food which consisted of two cups of coffee, some sandwiches, and doughnuts.
"Oh, thank you Patch." Tyroth said.
"Louie thought you might be hungry, especially you Hugh, after a crazy shift!" The badger explained.
"Thank you my dear!" Hugh smiled "Yeah, it has been mad, well with all that's topside and all."
Patch gave a bitter smile then walked back to the kitchens to assist Louie.
Tyroth watched her go back to the kitchen.
"Poor girl." He said, "She's still rather shaken by the memories of Diablo, especially since she was his first shooting victim."
Hugh frowned.
"I can understand." He said as he remembered the whole story of Diablo's escape and how he hurt many Mutopians and their friends.
"So anyway, I've managed to keep your secret, when I was informed of the incidents above, I had to again act shocked and claim to have no idea of who or what was causing the attacks, trying to keep this whole thing controlled and professional." Hugh explained as he sipped his coffee.
"We couldn't be more grateful." Tyroth said.
"Anything for you Bug T!" Hugh said "Also," he leaned forward slightly, "I did manage to find out something else than might be useful and may be what Diablo might be attracted to."
"You did!?" Tyroth's eyebrow ridges shot up as he looked hopeful.
He looked around to check if anyone was listening.
Luckily there were only a few people in the Mess Hall, and they were sitting quite far away and there were loud noises coming from the kitchen area where Louie and Patch were preparing for the next meal, and on some speakers around the Hall, which had been installed by Hacker the Spider some weeks ago, some music was playing softly from an attached radio, both to entertain the Mutopians and create an atmosphere in the Hall.
"What did you find out?" Tyroth asked.
"You're not going to believe this." Hugh said quietly "But as I was driving around the city, I saw some people handing out flyers as well as pinning some to walls and telephone pylons, I stopped the car to grab one from a wall and needless to say, I was shocked as well as bewildered."
"What was it?" Tyroth asked.
"Here." Hugh reached into his trench coat pocket and pulled out a piece of folded paper which he handed to the Dragon.
Tyroth frowned and opened it, then his eyes widened, and his jaw dropped.
"No way!" he said, "What in the name of Odin are these people thinking?"
Hugh shrugged.
"They're not, in my opinion!" he replied.
The Dragon smoothed the paper out and had another read of it, it was a small poster, and on it had a photograph of a Church, once they knew well as well as the Symbol for The Straight Truths Church!
Join us this Sunday Night for an Evening of Worship and Thanks
Show the Enemy we are not afraid
When we fall, we get up again!
"They're holding a meeting and advertising it? Trying to get more followers? What the hell?" Tyroth asked "This is insanity!"
"I know!" Hugh said, "Their leader is still in Hospital traumatised, as is his wife and brother, and the children who witnessed the attack on their mother and uncle are still in the care system."
"Then if the leader is still in hospital, then who's leading the service?" Tyroth asked.
"I did some investigating before I came." Hugh said, "It's one of the other members, a cousin who apparently steps in if he's unable to, like illness or something, but since the leader was attacked, the church laid low for a bit."
"Maybe they decided not to stay quiet for long." Tyroth clarified "But they're digging themselves a deep pit! If Diablo's found out about this…He might strike!"
"That's not good!" Hugh said.
"But…this may give us the chance to snare him! And his followers!" Tyroth said, a light of hope welling within him.
"You think?" Hugh asked raising an eyebrow.
"It's worth a shot!" Tyroth said "Come on Hugh! Let's get to the Dojo and gather the other Knights and Jake too! We'll have a conference!"
Hugh nodded determined.
"Okay!" he said.
Back in New York, Monalisa was sitting in front of the TV which was muted and broadcasting the news, it was the late hours of the day and she had woken from yet more nightmares.
Despite trying to move on with her life and focus on her family as well as keeping New York safe from the Purple Dragons, the Foot and the Venomous Five, she still couldn't shake the thoughts of Diablo from her mind and the safety of Mutopia with the Raven on the loose.
Earlier she sat up in bed, wiping the sweat from her forehead and looking over at her sleeping mate, who hadn't stirred.
She felt guilty for the nightmares she suffered and making her mate and the rest of her family worry.
Every day, despite keeping up appearances, she couldn't shake away her fears and feelings.
Despite the constant updates from Mutopia, she hadn't felt any comfort.
"I can't just sit here!" she said to herself, "It's been weeks since we returned to New York, weeks since Diablo betrayed Mutopia, and broke my heart." She hugged her knees.
"I can't do this anymore." Mona thought to herself "I can't just sit here and let Tyroth, Jake and the Knights chase Diablo."
Resting her forehead on her hands and rubbing her fingers on her head, she started to make up her mind.
She knew it was risky and dangerous, and she knew the turtles, and Splinter would be worried as well as furious, but she couldn't sit still.
"I have to help the Mutopians." She thought to herself "I'll go there, and I will help them find Diablo! My brother and I will meet again! I will see him again!"
Standing up from the sofa, feeling determined, she went to the kitchen, picking up some paper and a pen and began to write a letter, telling her family she loved them, and where she was going and that she would return soon.
Mona then walked to her and Raphael's room and placed the letter on her side of the bed so Raphael would see it when he woke up.
She gazed at her lover, seeing him fast asleep and tears came to her eyes when she saw the bandage around his hand where Diablo had shot him.
She leaned down and kissed his forehead, yet he didn't respond.
"I love you so much baby." She whispered, "I'm sorry to do this, but Diablo is my responsibility, I don't want to drag you down with me, I will be back soon."
She gave him another kiss, then went to the wardrobe where she saw her black one-piece jumpsuit, boots, and long leather coat she wore when she fought the Purple Dragons not long after being mutated, and what she used when in disguise when infiltrating criminal nests.
She then went to Pandora's room to say goodbye to her daughter.
Slipping quietly into her daughter's room, she walked over to the bed.
The seven-year-old mutant girl was curled up under the covers, deep in slumber, yet she had dropped her teddy bear Cuddles, over the side, more than likely it had happened when she had rolled over.
Mona sighed and picked up the worn bear, giving it a kiss and placed it in Pandora's arms.
As that happened, Pandora wrapped her arms tightly around him and a small smile graced her face.
Mona felt the tears flow again as she knelt and kissed her daughter's cheek.
"Pandora." She whispered "Mummy loves you; mummy loves you so much! Never forget that!"
She kissed Pandora again, tucked her more into the covers, so she wouldn't be cold, then quietly left the bedroom.
After packing a rucksack of food, drink as well as some money she had acquired when she and her family had fought some Purple Dragons a few nights ago and raided their pockets for cash, she was dressed in her black clothes and was walking over to Raphael's Shell-Cycle.
Stroking the handles, she thought of the lessons Raphael had given her on it as Casey's Farmhouse, as well as letting her drive sometimes when they went topside, whether for pleasure or on missions in New York.
She also knew Raphael wanted to teach Pandora how to ride it when she was old enough to drive.
Wheeling the Shell-Cycle to the entrance of the garage, she opened the doors and took it outside, closing the doors behind her.
The Sun was starting to get lower as it was beginning to get dark and where the garage was, it was already dark due to being hidden in an alleyway.
Checking there was no-one around, Mona quickly placed the black motorcycle helmet on her head and jumped on the Shell-Cycle.
Then turning to look back at the garage and sighing sadly, she powered the Shell-Cycle and drive off into the city and in the direction of Chicago.
"I will find you Callum…" Mona whispered to herself "Believe me, trust me when I say, I am coming for you!"
So Hugh has informed Tyroth of the Straight Truths Church are having a meeting on Sunday! Despite their leaders attack on him by Diablo, and the Police Officer and Dragon believe Diablo may attack, so a plan is in action if the other Knights agree to go with it!
Yet, now Mona has decided she's not going to sit still and is travelling to Mutopia alone! What will the Turtles say when they realise she's gone?
Well, keep checking back to find out!