Hi everyone, thanks again for waiting. Now this chapter is going to be slightly different as we take a look at what's going on outside the Enchanted Forest. What's been happening with those on the other side of the mist wall, both hero and villain alike? Let's find out.
Arendellian Infiltration
The bed ridden Oroku Saki continued to lay back as the formula cocktail comprised of mutagen and extraction from Elsa's blood slowly worked its way from the iv and into his whole body, with Stockman-Fly overseeing the whole process. But even though it was progressing steadily, it wasn't as fast as Saki had hopped.
"It's… taking too long…Stockman!" Saki stuttered. "I grow… severely impatient…!"
"Sir, normal mutagen izzz unstable and can warp your mind, not to mention the phyzzzical risk with the use of mixing the Ice Queen'zzz blood." Stockman explained to him as he worked at the console that controlled the process of the mutation. "But with thizzz new serum, I can control the outcome. But it will take time." He told him in-between buzzes.
"Time… is what I do not have…" Saki replied as he heard the sound of a woman singing in his head once more. "I can hear it…. I must go north…!"
"Sir, Tiger Claw already left with Bradford and Xever a zzzhort time ago." Stockman told him. "In your zzztate, you cannot afford to travel."
"As I lay here…. Weakened and broken… unable to so much as stand… I know my enemies grow stronger." Saki said as Stockman adjusted the iv device on his wrist. "It is… ironic. That I must depend on a lowly… housefly… to get me back on my feet. Even with my other henchmen… I must completely, rely on you, Stockman… and even that impudent Falco."
That caught him by surprise, but it was a most pleasant surprise. "Thank you, Mazzzter Shredder! I will not let you down!" He saluted with a buzz.
"And you find yourselves trapped in that forest?" The Rat King asked as he, Bebop, and Rocksteady listened to Tiger Claw's report over a communicator in the base's lower laboratory.
"Yes, this wall of mist prevents us from leaving. But our enemies remain trapped as well." Tiger Claw replied.
"Yo, you suckers suck if you gonna let a little mist stop you!" Bebop mocked.
"Da, I can plow through mist easily." Rocksteady agreed.
"Then you try 'plowing' through the magic mist! I just love to see you get blasted back!" Fishface argued.
"And even if you do, I personally doubt you will last two seconds in this freaky forest." Rahzar added. "This place is even crazier than Dimension X!"
"Enough!" Tiger Claw stopped the bickering. "Continue to look after the master and keep us informed of his progress. We shall continue scouting this forest and monitoring the Turtles and their allies."
The transmission cut off just as Stockman-Fly entered the lab, already flying toward four tanks that had mutagen streaming in and out of them via tubes that connected to the ceiling.
"Zzzzo, what did Tiger Claw have to zzzay about hizzz little trip?" Stockman-Fly asked as looked at the datapad that was attached to one of the tanks.
"They appear to be trapped in a sort of 'Enchanted Forest', as they put it." The Rat King explained. "There, the Turtles along with the royal family have made allies of its inhabitants."
"They also say the Forest is haunted, dog." Bebop added.
"Haunted?" Stockman-Fly questioned.
"They say spirits live in forest. Is crazy." Rocksteady explained.
"Fazzzinating." Stockman-Fly looked intrigued. "What about the situation in Arendelle?"
"I've had my rats scour the kingdom. It's completely abandoned." The Rat King answered. "Splinter and the Mutanimals watch over the people just outside the kingdom, but don't dare enter."
"Hmm." Stockman-Fly began to think. "A queen who hazzz magic abilitiezzz, and a forezzzt that izzz enchanted. Coincidence? I think not!"
"What are you saying, bug boy?" Bebop asked.
"I'm zzzaying that now izzz the time to zzzee what secrets Arendelle hazzz!" Stockman said. "It izzzz also the perfect time to tezzzt our new mutantzzz! Wouldn't you agree, Falco?"
"Indeed." The Rat King agreed. "The rat DNA will allow me to control them, with the added defensive and offensive abilities of various insectoids." He then sneered. 'And if they test well, I may just introduce some rat DNA to Shredder's formula, so when he recovers, he'll be completely under my control.'
"Eh… rat-bug hybrids?" Rocksteady shared a concerning glance with Bebop. "No thanks. Both are gross alone."
However, Stockman-Fly pressed the release command on the central console, causing all four pods to hiss before opening and revealing the mutated abominations that laid inside. Once they set their eyes on them, Bebop and Rocksteady looked in audible horror, even disgust, while Stockman-Fly and Falco both gave bone-chilling laughs.
Meanwhile; in the large campsite on the cliffs just outside of Arendelle, while the trolls, soldiers, and castle-staff worked to help maintain order and even some levity, in the case of Bulda as she entered several kids, for the civilian population of the kingdom; the group consisting of Master Splinter, Kai, Grand Pabbie, Slash, with Chompy Picasso on his shoulder, Rockwell, Leatherhead, Pigeon Pete, and Mondo Gecko gathered around Metalhead as his speaker connected to the T-Phones of their friends and family within the Enchanted Forest, allowing communication as the young heroes reported what they found, as well as their recent encounter with Tiger Claw and the other Foot forces.
"So, Shredder is alive." Splinter said with a grave expression.
"I'm afraid so, Sensei." Leo confirmed.
"And he might be closer than we think." Elsa added. "I don't think he's in the forest with us, but…"
"He may be close to Arendelle." Leatherhead finished her train of thought. "Do you want us to scout the perimeter and find him?"
"No, if worse-comes-to-worse, we need you to protect the people." Elsa told him.
"So, what's been going on in this forest?" Slash asked. "You say you guys are trapped behind a wall of magic mist?"
"Pretty much." Leo replied, "But we've meet with the Northuldra, as well as several Arendellian soldiers that have been trapped here and they've agreed to help us."
"We've even managed to tame the Fire, Wind, and Water Spirits; whom Mikey has named Bruni, Gale, and Neptune respectively." Elsa added for a little humor, causing Splinter and the others to chuckle.
"Yo, those are awesome spirit names!" Mondo Gecko said.
"What of the Earth Spirit?" Grand Pabbie asked.
"Not yet." Leo informed. "Tiger Claw's attack left several injured and we're treating them now, but we think we may be onto what these three Evils are, or at least one of them."
"Which one?" Splinter asked, getting serious.
"Deception." Elsa began to explain. "We tried talking with the people to see how the fighting started that closed off the forest to begin with. After comparing notes, it looks like it all started when my grandfather, King Runeard, met with Foror, the leader of the Northuldra at the time. Nobody knows the reason for their meeting, but the fighting occurred right after. I know it's not much to go on, but…"
"You believe one of them must have struck first, to initiate the fight." Splinter finished.
"Kai, did Father or Mother ever talk about this?" Elsa asked her servant.
"I'm afraid not, your majesty." Kai shook his head.
"Listen, we hate to ask this of you guys, but we might need your help." Leo said. "We can't do it since we're stuck in here."
"What do you need?" Slash asked.
"We need you to enter the castle." Leo told them. "I know the Spirits drove everyone out just a short time ago, but with all four of them here with us, maybe they're not overlooking the kingdom, and the castle might have the answers we need."
"The library might have something we can use." Elsa began. "I used to have servants bring me books on ancient myths or legends to find a solution with my powers when I was a shut-in. But, maybe you can find something in my father's old room. It used to belong to our grandfather before Father became king, but it was locked away when he and Mother passed away. Kai, I know this might sound wrong but…"
"I understand." Kai nodded. "If this can help solve whatever you must do and save the kingdom, then I will allow it."
"We'll investigate the castle." Leatherhead said. "And we will let you know if we find anything significant."
"Thank you guys, so much!" Elsa praised "We appreciate it."
"No need to thank us, this is what family does for one another." Splinter said with a smile. "You just be careful, and watch out for your brothers and sisters."
"Yes, sensei." Leo and Elsa both said at the same time before the transmission ended.
"Wahoo! We got a mission!" Pigeon Pete bounced up and down repeatedly as he flew into the air excitedly. "Are you guys excited?!"
"You know I am, bird buddy! Cowabunga!" Mondo exchanged a high-five with Pete as the others walked closer toward the cliff's edge to get a full view of the kingdom.
"Well doc? Can you sense anything?" Slash asked psychic of the Mutanimals, who was already reaching out with his powers.
"No, it would seem that no other forms of life or sentience is currently dwelling within the kingdom." Rockwell informed. "Not even the Spirits."
"I cannot sense them either." Pabbie added. "It is likely as Elsa and Leonardo said, the Spirits now currently lay in the Enchanted Forest."
"Then why did they attack the kingdom to begin with?" Kai asked.
"Perhaps it wasn't an attack, but merely to get our attention. Or rather the attention of Elsa and the others." Leatherhead guessed.
"Hmm." Splinter stroke his beard. "Regardless, I feel the answer may lie within the castle. However, while the Spirits may not be present, I do not believe it is safe for the people to return to Arendelle at this time. So only the Mutanimals and I will enter, along with Metalhead."
"Agreed." Slash nodded. "Pabbie, you're in charge of guard-duty while we're away."
"Of course." Grand Pabbie nodded.
"Master Splinter." Kai walked toward him as he handed him a certain key. "This is the key to enter the room of the late King Agnarr. It is as Queen Elsa said, Agnarr's room once belonged to King Runeard before his passing. Normally, I would not allow this. But… if doing this will mean saving all of Arendelle, then I will trust the judgement of our Queen and her closest companions."
"I understand." Splinter took the key before gazing toward the castle in the distance. "Let's go."
At the same time, the entire exchanged was witnessed by Stockman-Fly thanks to his incredible vision as a mutant fly, even from such a distance away. He hovered over a higher cliffside as he saw Splinter lead the Mutanimals and Metalhead toward the kingdom, while also leaving Chompy Picasso with everyone at the cliffside. He then hovered downward to where the Rat King was waiting alongside Bebop and Rocksteady.
"It appearzzz they are going back to Arendelle." Stockman-Fly said. "They are heading toward the cazzztle."
"Why are they going back in? Didn't a bunch of ghosts or something drive them out?" Bebop questioned.
"Da, does not matter. We now squash their heads like blueberries." Rocksteady said.
"Yes, the time to end our mutual enemies has come." The Rat King sneered as he used his powers to call upon four new mutants that approached from behind.
Each of them appeared to be a cross between a massive rat and a certain type of insect or arachnid. The tallest of the bunch had the body of a rat and head of a rat with the four rear legs and front bladed legs of a praying mantis, along with a set of antennas. The second also had the body of a rat, while crawling on eight massive legs of a giant spider, along with the eyes and mandible of a spider as well. The third had the body and legs of a rat, with an outer shell and massive horn of a Hercules beetle. The fourth and final one appeared mostly rat, save for the claws and stinger of a giant scorpion.
"I said it before and I'll say it again, that is just straight-up nasty, yo!" Bebop exclaimed.
"Yes! Who in hell crosses bugs with rats?! Is creepy and gross!" Rocksteady added.
"Both insects and rats have long since been considered vermin and parasites since humans first came to being." The Rat King said. "Well not anymore."
"Yezzz, now izzz the time for thozzze on the bottom to rizzze! For the glory of the Shredder!" Stockman-Fly exclaimed with a loud buzz before flying straight toward the kingdom, with the mantis-rat and beetle-rat mutants flew alongside him. Rockstead and Bebop both followed by sliding down the cliffside with the spider-rat and scorpion-rat mutants; with the Rat King being the last one to go down as he had a sinister smirk on his face.
Arendelle, what was once a bustling and happy kingdom filled with life, is now nothing more than a ghost town. It was so eerie that it almost put the entire team on edge as they made their way toward the castle. Once they crossed the bridge and reached the gates, that blew open slightly with a gentle and haunting breeze, both Mondo and Pete clung to each other in comic fear.
"Alright, we're not expecting any trouble here, but just in case…" Slash began to relay instructions. "Leatherhead, you guard the castle from the fjord. Pete, you take the skies. Mondo, you and Metalhead stay out by the courtyard."
"Understood." Leatherhead nodded before leaping over the bridge and into the water below.
"You got it." Pete saluted, despite his earlier fear, before flying into the air.
"Ain't nothing gonna get past us!" Mondo vowed while Metalhead simply nodded his head.
"Rockwell and I will search the library." Slash continued as he spoke more so to Splinter directly. "You'll take the king's room?"
"Yes." Splinter nodded. "Be certain that everyone is in constant contact. I do not wish to tempt the anger of any spirits, nor arouse suspicion of any other unwanted visitors."
"You suspect the Foot may be here as well?" Rockwell guessed.
"Tiger Claw, Bradford, and Xever are not the Shredder's only henchmen." Splinter said. "And if he truly is close, I can think of no other reason than to do harm to Arendelle, and I shudder to think what dark and terrible fate he has planned for it."
"Hey, we stopped buckethead before, and we'll do it again." Slash said. "So, let's do what he came here to do."
Splinter nodded in understanding as they entered the castle.
After Slash and Rockwell parted with Splinter to head to the castle's library, Master Splinter found himself before the sealed doors to the room of the late king. He pulled out the key that Kai had given to him as he held some reluctance about doing something like this. But if there was any information that Agnarr or Runeard had about the Enchanted Forest that could help his sons, daughter, and their friends; he would be sure to find it.
So, with a heavy heart, Splinter inserted the key and turned it, opening the door for the first time in six years. Master Splinter immediately took notice of how large the room was, almost as big as the living area of their lair back in New York. It had a large and well-decorated bed at the far end, along with a large chandelier hanging over the top, complete with dressers, nightstands on both sides, and as Splinter walked in, he noticed two balcony doors on the left and right side. He even glanced backwards to see two massively framed paintings, each on the opposite sides of the door. On the left was a picture of whom he assumed was Agnarr and his wife, Iduna, who bore a strong resemblance to Elsa and Anna, and in their arms was the toddler Elsa and infant Anna. On the right side, was the framed painting of the former king Runeard, standing tall with a younger Agnarr, who appeared in his adolescent form.
Deciding he observed enough, Master Splinter began his search as he first took to a bookshelf where a series of dust-covered books were located. In fact, the whole room was covered in so much dust, which was to be expected due to being unused these past six years. But that didn't mean Splinter wouldn't be annoyed at the dust that would inevitably get into his fur.
Library
Rockwell appeared to be in a meditation-like position as he sat cross-legged, hovering in the air, as multiple books circled around him like planets orbiting the sun. He skimmed through several books at a time and appeared to absorb all the knowledge and content of each book he surveyed.
"How's it going over there, doc?" Slash asked as he sat at a table with a few books, maps, and atlases around him.
"The royal library is a treasure trove of knowledge." Rockwell informed. "Unfortunately, I am unable to deter myth from reality. Any mention of the spirits or the four elements stems from other cultures. If we had more time, I may be able to find an answer."
"Something's telling me we don't got much time." Slash said. "But I think I did find something. Come over here." He directed his friend to join him, prompting Rockwell to set himself and the books down gently before making is way over to the Mutanimals' leader.
"It's a map of the region." Rockwell saw what Slash was looking at before pointing to the northernmost area with the word 'Northuldra' on it. "This appears to be where our friends are, the so-called Enchanted Forest."
"Yeah but look what's right above it." Slash pointed to the sea that was above the region that appeared to have a rather unusual title.
"'The Dark Sea?'" Rockwell read aloud. "Well, that's rather ominous."
"Says here that place is completely unexplored." Slash said as he looked at the contents of the book. "Any expeditions there completely vanished, nobody ever returned. Like this world's version of the Bermuda Triangle."
"Hmm, perhaps there's a reason for that." Rockwell theorized. "The sea is just north of the Enchanted Forest, and that place is supposed to be the home of magical spirits, one of them embodying water…"
"And if this Water Spirit thing is really responsible for all that, then it's there for a reason." Slash seemed to follow his teammate's train of thought. "It's guarding something. But what?"
Suddenly, Rockwell felt his head as his psychic powers picked up an unfamiliar presence nearby, one that carried hostel intent.
"Doc?" Slash looked to him with concern.
"We're not alone."
Right as he said that, the ground in front of them suddenly burst open as the hideous Beatle-Rat mutant dug its way into the library, with the Scorpion-Rat mutant climbing out from directly behind it before leaping straight toward Rockwell, flashing its stinger at him before Rockwell leapt backwards and used his powers to pull a series of tables and chairs forward and send them flying straight towards the Scorpion-Rat, who used its claws and tail to bat the projectiles away before charging at Rockwell.
Slash used his morning star to bat away the horned thrust from the Beatle-Rat to knock it back before going on the offensive. However, the Beatle-Rat brought its wings out in front of it like an armored-shield to block Slash's strike, causing him to back away cautiously.
"What the hell are these things?! More crazy magic stuff?!" Slash questioned as he locked his weapon against the horn of the Beatle-Rat that tried to bite at him.
"No! They're mutants!" Rockwell stated as he climbed up a bookshelf and onto the higher area of the library, close to the ceiling. Even with the Scorpion-Rat mutant following him, Rockwell was still able to read its mind. "And they're not randomly attacking either! They're under orders… from Falco!"
"You gotta be freaking kidding me…!" Slash muttered as he tried to attack the Beatle-Rat.
Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard, as Pigeon Pete continued to fly and patrol the sky, Mondo Gecko appeared to be in a staring contest with Metalhead. The mutant teenage gecko remained unblinking as he stared strenuously into the eyes of the machine that was incapable of blinking.
"Won't blink… won't blink…. Won't lick my eyes either…!" Mondo tried to push past this impossible obstacle, only for Metalhead to turn away. "Ah ha! You looked away! Win for Mondo Gecko! All hail the…!" Suddenly, Metalhead clamped his mouth shut as the robot looked to him and brought its finger toward where the mouth would be, silently telling him to be quiet as he let go and surveyed the area.
Metalhead continued to glance around the courtyard, unable to find anything at the moment. "Uh, what's going on dude? I don't see anything." Mondo said, but Metalhead seemed convinced there was something here.
The robotic turtle then switched its optics to thermal vision, where he spotted something that was completely invisible to the naked eye. Immediately, Metalhead's right arm converted into a machine gun as he fired rapid blasts of blue energy at the figure, scoring direct hits to knock him to the ground, causing him to turn visible.
"Eh yo, watch the lasers metal-boy!" Bebop exclaimed.
"Bebop?!" Mondo Gecko shouted in surprise, but Metalhead quickly grabbed him and flew toward the side to avoid the rapid gun fire coming from the entrance from the courtyard. The one shooting was revealed to be Bebop's partner.
"Bah, Turtle-friends hold still so I can shoot you!" Rocksteady said.
"Rocksteady?! What are you clowns doing here?!" Mondo glared as he and Metalhead prepared for combat while their enemies regrouped.
"None of your business, homey!" Bebop told him.
"Only business you should know, is how to stay alive!" Rocksteady roared as he and Bebop fired their mutual ranged attacks at them, causing Mondo and Metalhead to avoid the projectiles however they could.
The resulting explosions also drew the attention of Pigeon Pete in the air. "What's going on down there?" Suddenly, he was struck from behind, causing him to crash towards the roof of the castle. But Pete quickly recovered as he looked toward his attacker. "Hey, Fly-Boy!"
"It'zzz Baxter Stockman!" Stockman-Fly buzzed angrily. "The Shredder'zzz number one henchman!"
"Yeah right!" Pete called out as he hovered directly in front of him. "That guy's got a tiger, dog, rhino, and pig on his side. Heck, Fishface is scarier than you!"
"Oh, let me zzzhow you juzzzt how zzzcary an insect can be." Stockman stated as he and Pete flew directly at each other.
Leatherhead continued to circle around the fjord, remaining close to the castle as he heard the sounds of battle coming from the courtyard. "My friends…" He muttered to himself and was about to swim back up and help them, only for something to come flying straight down toward him, grab him and yank him out of the water before throwing him toward a set of rocks just below the castle's walls, near the building's foundation.
The mutant alligator picked himself up as he looked to see the Mantis-Rat mutant hovered in the air before setting down on the rocks to hiss at him. The Mantis-Rat appeared almost twice as tall as Leatherhead himself. One look could tell that this mutant had no intention of befriending him, which was fine for Leatherhead.
Seeing how he had to finish off this mutant quickly and help his friends, and nobody else was around to get hurt, he decided to forgo restraint. Leatherhead's eyes turned white as he gave his signature roar at the Mantis-Rat, who returned a hiss at him before they charged each other.
Meanwhile, back in the late king's quarters, Splinter had searched every book, under every desk, drawer, and bed, but had found nothing. He was beginning to wonder if either Agnarr or Runeard had stored anything hear at all. It was starting to grow frustrating, not just this scenario, but the fact this was all he could do to help his sons, daughter, and their friends. Though he was confident in his capabilities as a teacher, as their father he still wanted to help in any way he can and being helpless was the one thing that frustrated him the most.
But he also knew this frustration would get him nowhere. So, deciding to take a small mental break in order to calm his mind, Splinter kneeled on the floor and tried to put himself in a mediative trance. As he entered said trance, and allowed his mind to clear, his enhanced senses picked up on something. Not just the highly trained senses from his intense life-long training in ninjitsu, but those of his mutant rat DNA. He heard a sound, a very faint and discreet sound that the untrained ear of a normal human wouldn't be able to detect.
It sounded like a faint hiss, and it came from the portrait of Runeard and the young Agnarr. Splinter stood up and made his way toward the portrait, concentrating on the faint sound that seemed to come from the left side of the portrait, or rather behind it. He ran his fingers along the side to feel it was partially hollow, as if something was behind it. He then placed his fingers underneath the portrait and found it was able to swing open like a door, revealing a smaller wooden door built into the wall.
"Hmm, curious." Splinter said to himself as he tried to open the door, only to find it locked. No matter though. With a quick jab, he severed the lock and allowed the door to open up, causing all the trapped air inside to blow out in a sudden gust, as if this door hadn't been opened in years, decades even.
Master Splinter then entered the room, the light from the outside windows of the bedroom illuminating the small chamber and allowing Splinter to see its contents. There were a series of dust-covered papers and small books scattered all over the wooden desk, and even on the chair. But what stuck out the most was the large map that had been nailed to the wall. With a wave of his hand, Splinter brushed off the dust to reveal the worn-out map was that of the region the Kingdom of Arendelle shared with the Northuldra territory, which had multiple X's, circles, and arrows pointed in specific directions and locations, such as territorial routes, locations of campsites and even where the spirits dwelled. The map also included the Dark Sea further north. But at the top of the large map was a word written in slightly faded ink that caught Splinter's interest.
"Ahtohallan…?" Splinter read the word aloud, the name sounding unfamiliar. He then took a look at several of the papers around him. Most of them appeared to be detailed sketches and descriptions of the four spirits; he saw a small gecko that was lit a flame, a horse made entirely out of water, a visible sketch of a breeze of wind, and giants made of stone.
Many of the books that he skimmed appeared to be detailed plans involving the use of dams, as well as the effect they have on the river they were built on, and the possible effects on the land around them.
Based on the amount of dust here, evident by the lack of use for this chamber, it was clear that this was a private chamber made by and for Runeard only. But did Agnarr know of this? That question remained and several others popped up, but one thing was made quite clear.
"He was obsessed with the forest…." Splinter said with a serious expression on his face.
"How interesting."
The sound of the new and dreadfully familiar voice caught Splinter's attention, as well as the massive shadow that loomed over him. Acting on instinct, Splinter turned around and thrusted his index and middle fingers together to create an invisible force that sent the massive presence behind him flying and crashing into the bed of the main study.
Master Splinter stepped out to see the disgusting looking Spider-Rat mutant that he attacked, but that wasn't who he was focusing on right now as a certain black-robbed and blindfolded psychic mutant stepped in from the windows.
"Hello, Hamato."
"Falco." Splinter glared at the Rat King. "I should have suspected you would remain by the Shredder's side. And here I thought you were a king."
"I am a King! The Rat King!" Falco declared. "And I will take my throne once again, with not only these new mutants…" He first referred to the Spider-Rat that was already back on his feet. "…but the newest monstrosity that the fool is turning himself into. I will use their power to crush the Turtles and their precious friends to a pulp and take Arendelle for myself! And once this kingdom is under my thrall, I shall use it as the foundation of my new empire that will spread across this world as every man, woman, and child will bow and tremble at the mere mention of my name!"
"No!" Splinter stated as he drew his blade from his staff and carried the sheath like a secondary weapon. "You will not take another life! I will not allow you to escape this time!"
"Then let us see which is the superior rat, shall we?" The Rat King questioned as he psychically commanded the Spider-Rat to attack Splinter.
The Spider-Rat first lashed out with its front legs, which Splinter blocked and parried with his blade and sheath before delivering an airborne axe-kick while flipping backwards to gain some distance. The Spider-Rat snarled at him as it shot webbing from its mandibles, which Splinter ducked and rolled out of the way easily enough, leaping to the wall on the left side of the bedroom before leaping from that to slash at its body, the force sending the hybrid mutant flying and crashing into the other wall.
However, right as Splinter landed, the Rat King gave a powerful kick and thrust to send Splinter rolling back out into the hallway, though he quickly recovered and got back on his feet. The Spider-Rat quickly recovered and joined the Rat King in walking out into the hallway as the later picked up a sword from one of the many sets of armor along the wall.
"Did you forget, Hamato?" The Rat King began. "I've seen your mind. Not only have I seen your traumas and your weaknesses, I've seen your techniques. Every single move and ability that you've learned and spent your entire life to master, is now mine to use. You've spent years honing your body, but I'd need only look into your mind to know everything you know."
"Just because you know how I fight; doesn't you mean you yourself can." Splinter told him as the Rat King and his hybrid mutant leapt toward him, the later crawling on the ceilings.
Splinter first used his blade and sheath to black and parry the sword-strikes from the Rat King before they locked weapons. The Spider-Rat then crawled directly above Splinter and shot more webbing toward him, prompting Splinter to break from his fight with Falco and leapt back further away. He then swiped his feet to knock down the nearest set of armor before sending them towards his two opponents as projectiles. However, the Spider-Rat leapt down from the ceiling to cover his master while closing his spider-legs around him like a makeshift shield to block Splinter's projectiles.
Once he was out of projectiles, the Rat King went on the attack again, rushing Splinter with his sword as they clashed weapons again. The Spider-Rat leapt above them and behind Splinter as it tried to slash its spider-legs at him from behind, which Splinter blocked and held with his sheath, while using his blade to hold back the sword from the Rat King. Locked between two opponents, Splinter felt stuck, or so it seemed….
Hamato Yoshi quickly ducked, causing the two opponents to fall down towards each other, which Splinter took advantage of by sweeping both of them off their feet. He quickly dealt a kick to knock the Rat King down before thrusting his blade into the abdomen of the Spider-Rat, causing it to squeal in pain. And while it was still airborne, Splinter delivered a palm thrust to completely push the blade through with enough force that it seemed like a bullet as it shot through, killing the Spider-Rat as the residual force sent it rolling across the hallway.
The Rat King growled as he picked himself up, glaring through the eyes of the rat on his shoulder as Splinter casually retrieved his blade and glared in return at his enemy. However, before any fighting could resume, something crashed through the wall on the left side, which was revealed to be Slash as he rolled down an intersecting hallway.
He tried to pick himself up, but he wouldn't be able to in time with the speed the charging Beetle-Rat was going. However, Splinter was quick to come to the rescue with a speedy-slash to halt the Beetle-Rat's advance, allowing Slash a chance to slam his mace across the face of the monster before Splinter thrusted his fingers again to send the creature rolling back before standing side-by-side with the leader of the Mutanimals.
"I see your day is going about as well as ours." Slash commented toward Splinter as Rockwell quickly leapt through the hole Slash made and flew towards the pair, with the Scorpion-Rat in pursuit.
"Falco." Rockwell glared at his former lab partner as he recovered along with the Beatle-Rat, with the Scorpion-Rat regrouping next to him. "Just when I think you can't grow mad enough, you prove me wrong."
"You call it madness; I call it genius." The Rat King began. "True, I thought the idea of combining rodent DNA with that of insects seemed rather ridiculous, but if you think about it, rats and insects are both survivors in their own right. So, while these prototypes here aren't perfect, I'm still rather pleased with the results. Who know? I may find other test subjects in that so-called Enchanted Forest with all those little humans that dwell there, not to mention all your friends."
"Over our dead bodies, freak!" Slash stated.
"Just the way I like it." The Rat King replied. "Attack!" He commanded the Scorpion-Rat and Beetle-Rat as they charged the heroes.
"Go! Now!" Splinter declared as he, Slash, and Rockwell charged forward as well in response.
Back outside; Bebop continued to 'dance' and throw out a series of palm-thrusts that sent laser blasts Mondo's way, who had only his skateboard and was quick to preform every trick he knew to avoid the blasts.
"Dude dancing while fighting is so cool! It only sucks that you're evil!" Mondo declared. "Well, all evil dudes deserve to get Mondoed!" He skateboarded directly toward Bebop. "Cowabunga!"
However, Bebop actually leapt backwards while flipping in the air to send an energy-projectile form his Mohawk straight toward Mondo, scoring a direct hit to send him rolling back on the ground.
"Ah yeah. How do you like that gecko-boy?" Bebop gave a taunting dance.
At the same time, Rocksteady continued to shoot with his gatling gun towards the flying Metalhead, who threw out his right fist, which shot out like a rocket to knock the gatling gun out of Rocksteady's hands before Metalhead shot with his energy-guns from his left hand to destroy the gatling gun. Believing him disarmed as his right rocket fist returned, Metalhead flew directly toward Rocksteady and scored with a flying punch to the face. However, as Metalhead flew past him, Rocksteady grabbed him by the foot to slam him down on to the ground.
"I am gonna crush you like tin foil!" Rocksteady stated as he lifted his foot to crush him, only for Metalhead to open his mouth and blast a flame-thrower at Rocksteady to knock him off. "Knock it off! Is hotter than Megan Fox!" Rocksteady tried to shield himself as Metalhead continued to pound him with the flames.
Meanwhile, in the air, Pigeon Pete and Stockman-Fly continued to engage in their 'fight' as they slapped at each other in mid-air. "Hey! Watch the mandiblezzz you jerk!" Stockman-Fly buzzed angrily.
"You watch the feathers, you meaner jerk! Pigeon Pete called back.
However, their fight was interrupted by a loud roar from above as they glanced up to see the source of the roar was Leatherhead, being carried up in the grip of the Mantis-Rat before dropping him, watching the mutant gator fall into the courtyard, crashing on impact and creating a small crater as he landed.
"Leatherhead!" Pigeon Pete flew down to try and help him up, only to get slashed in the back by the Mantis-Rat and sent crashing to the ground next to him. Mondo Gecko and Metalhead both regrouped toward their fallen allies as they struggled to pick themselves up with Bebop and Rocksteady coming in from one end, and the Mantis-Rat landing behind him.
"Yezzz! How do you like that, you goodie-two-shoezzz!" Stockman-Fly mocked as he hovered in the air, awfully close to a window. "Thizzz is the newfound strength of the Foot! And we will…!"
Suddenly, Master Splinter leapt from the window, shattering the glass and catching Stockman-Fly off guard as Splinter grabbed him by the head with one hand to send him smacking on to the ground right before Splinter landed. Right behind him, Slash and Rockwell leapt out from the broken window as well as they all regrouped around their friends.
"Dude! Calvary's here!" Mondo cheered.
"Don't get cocky yet." Slash warned. "We got guys coming in behind us."
True to his word, the Beetle-Rat and Scorpion-Rat leapt out from the window and landed beside the Mantis-Rat as the glared at the heroes, with Stockman-Fly flying above them.
"Aaah! What are those things?!" Pigeon Pete exclaimed.
"So, there are more of these creatures." Leatherhead observed.
"Indeed, wretched mutant hybrids created by Stockman and Falco." Rockwell informed.
"And they are but the first." The Rat King announced as he stood from the broken window, literally looking down on the heroes. "Soon, I will create an unstoppable army and will take this world in the name of the Rat King!"
"Ahem!" Stockman-Fly coughed as he looked directly toward Falco. "Don't you mean, in the namezzz of the Shredder and the Rat King?"
"Yes, yes, of course." The Rat King waved off.
That caught Slash's attention. "Hang on, I've got an idea." He said to his teammates and allies before raising his voice. "Hey Stockman! I hate to break it to ya, but old Rat King up there ain't serving anyone but himself!"
"What?!" Stockman-Fly questioned as the Rat King began to girt his teeth.
"It is true." Rockwell confirmed, following their lead. "I used to work with Falco, and I can tell you that he only ever does anything for his own personal benefit. He sees nobody else as his equal. I was once his partner myself, and he turned me into a mutant!"
Even Bebop and Rocksteady looked toward each other in surprise.
"Victor Falco is a madman who only thinks of himself first and foremost!" Splinter stated to Stockman. "You know he has the power to communicate with rats, so you know he has tried the same with me. I have seen his mind as he has seen mine. His only goal is his absolute domination over all others, including the Shredder!"
Stockman-Fly the looked directly toward the Rat King. "Is thizzz true?"
The Rat King scoffed. "They are trying to deceive you. It's an obvious ploy from a desperate enemy."
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Rockwell then sent a psychic wave toward the two of them. This special telepathic technique was directed more toward the Rat King as it pulled his thoughts and broadcasted them directly toward Stockman, allowing him to see the true intentions of his so-called ally.
"You!" Stockman-Fly buzzed angrily toward the growling Rat King. "How dare you betray uzzzz! Nobody turnzzz their back on the Shredder!" He shot himself toward the Rat King, grabbing him and taking him toward the roof.
This took all the enemy mutants by surprise, particularly the rat-insect mutants that were about to aid their master as he telepathically called for them. However, this also left them vulnerable for a shoulder-bash from Leatherhead, a mace-strike from Slash, and a rocket-punch from Metalhead to send them crashing into the castle walls.
"We'll take care of the bugs-rats!" Slash told Splinter. "You handle the not-so-dynamic duo, over there!" He pointed to the shocked Bebop and Rocksteady.
"Understood!" Splinter nodded as he rushed toward Rocksteady first, leaping forward to deliver a double foot thrust while airborne with enough power to send the mutant rhino crashing through the gates and rolling toward the bridge. Before Bebop could even react, Splinter had dealt a powerful palm-strike to his chest to send him rolling on to the bridge as well.
They both got up with glares to see Splinter standing in front of them as well, taking a ninjitsu stance while making a 'come here' gesture with his hand.
In the courtyard, the Mutanimals and Metalhead split up to take on the remaining three rat-bug mutant hybrids as Mondo Gecko scatted directly toward the Scorpion-Rat.
"Hey bug-rat!" Mondo called to him. "Yo mama is so ugly; she makes you look like Britney Spears!"
The Scorpion-Rat roared in anger to Mondo as it tried to thrust its stinger toward him, only for Leatherhead to lunge at him and bite down on the tail with enough strength and force to rip the tail off completely, causing the Scorpion-Rat to screech in pain. Leatherhead then grabbed on to both its claws and used his raw strength to rip the arms off completely before using the left one to impale and kill the Scorpion-Rat, allowing Leatherhead to give a victorious roar.
"Dude, talk about savage!" Mondo gave a thumbs up, which Leatherhead was eager to return.
Meanwhile, the Mantis-Rat flew in pursuit of Pigeon Pete along the top of the walls surrounding the courtyard. "Hey! Come and get me! Fresh pigeon meat over here!" Pete taunted as he slapped his own butt, causing the Mantis-Rat to fly after him even faster as Pete flew closer toward the roof.
However, just as the Mantis-Rat was about to close in, Pete flew directly upwards to reveal a surprise attack from Slash, who leapt from the roof to deliver a powerful mace strike to knock the Mantis-Rat down to the ground. The creature was about to get back up, but Slash had already leapt down from the roof, raised his mace, and brought it down onto the Mantis-Rat's head to completely crush it just as he landed.
At the same time, the Beetle-Rat attempted to charge Rockwell, only for the psychic mutant to focus his powers directly on his enemy, hauling the Beetle-Rat into the air and used his powers to pry open it's armor, exposing the soft flesh underneath.
"Metalhead! Now!" Rockwell called, prompting Metalhead next to him to fire both his rocket-fists into the exposed flesh of the Beetle-Rat, crushing all its vital organs before the rocket-fists returned.
"Well done." Rockwell congratulated the robot. "I can see why Donatello thinks so fondly of you." To which, Metalhead gave a nod in acknowledgement.
Back on the bridge, Splinter continued to engage both Bebop and Rocksteady in a fierce battle that was clearly in the rat master's favor. Bebop continued to 'dance' and dish out laser blasts from his belt and palms, but Splinter avoided them all as he got in close to deal multiple jabs into Bebop's chest, followed by a kick to the snot and a swipe of the legs to knock him off his feet before thrusting his palm to send Bebop falling into the water.
Rocksteady roared as he tried to charge Splinter horn-first, but Splinter swerved around him to thrust his fingers into the back of Rocksteady's neck, causing a sharp pain to travel down his nervous system, leaving him vulnerable for Splinter to grab him by the horn, slip his foot over his leg, and use Rocksteady's own weight against him as he hauled him over the bridge and into the water, falling on top of Bebop who just breached the surface.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Stockman-Fly spat a multitude of acid-wads toward the Rat King, who used his own agility to avoid it before leaping and climbing his way to the very top of the castle where Stockman-Fly met him in the air.
"How could you?!" Stockman-Fly buzzed angrily. "You would betray uzzz?! After all the loyalty and friendship?!"
"Loyalty to a deluded fool too obsessed with revenge?!" The Rat King argued. "He could easily take both this world and our world with what he had at his disposal! But he's more focused on his pitiful vendetta! What is the purpose of serving someone so short sighted?! I assure you, my goals are far grander as I will rule this primitive world!"
"No! You will not!" Master Splinter suddenly appeared as he delivered a palm-strike to knock off the rat on the Rat King's shoulder, removing his ability to see, save with Splinter's own eyes. "You will not escape this time, Falco!"
"I AM THE RAT KING!" He screamed as he reached out and grabbed Splinter's head, trying to channel all his power into his mind in an attempt to break his will. "YOU WILL NOT RESIST ME ANYMORE! YOU WILL BE MINE!"
"No. I. Will. Not!" Master Splinter exclaimed as he broke from the Rat King's mental and physical grip before delivering a powerful punch that sent the Rat King flying and falling toward the rocks just over the fjord. Falco happened to land on his head, causing his neck to snap before he rolled over and sank into the water below.
That it was it. Victor Falco, also known as the Rat King, was dead. If his neck being snapped didn't kill him, he would surely drown in the water below.
Master Splinter gave a sigh, one of relief to know for certain that one of his most feared enemies was no more. Now only one remained as he turned toward Stockman-Fly.
"Baxter Stockman, you claim to be loyal toward the Shredder, but I promise that loyalty is not shared." He began as the Mutanimals and Metalhead made their way to the roof as well. "You, Tiger Claw, Bradford, Xever, and everyone else are nothing more than pawns in his game of revenge, pawns that he won't hesitate to sacrifice if it means getting his vengeance faster. I will tell you this only once, walk away from the Shredder now while you have the chance. Step out of the cycle of hatred that he will pull you into. We may even find a means to turn you human once more. It does not have to end in violence."
Stockman remained silent for a moment before speaking. "No! I refuzzze! I like being a fly! Look at me!" He shot into the air. "I can fly! I can zzzee farther than any human! I'm zzzzmarter than any human! Thizzz izzz not over, Hamato Yoshi! We will learn the zzzecrets of thizzzz Enchanted Forest, no matter the cozzzt!" He then flew away, heading back toward the mountains, causing Splinter and his allies to look in disappointment or even annoyance.
"I'll get him!" Pigeon Pete was about to give pursuit.
"No, let him go." Slash stopped him. "He's not what we came here to do."
"Agreed." Rockwell said. "Though this was a victory, our main objective has not been reached."
"Actually, I believe I may have found what we were searching for." Splinter revealed.
Master Splinter lead the Mutanimals and Metalhead back into the castle, into the room of the late King Agnarr, and to the secret room he discovered behind the portrait of Runeard.
"Whoa… a secret room!" Mondo Gecko looked around. "That is so cool!"
Slash, Leatherhead, and Rockwell got a good look at the map as well as the other pieces of paper and books that were hidden in the room.
"It looks like Runeard was very interested in the Enchanted Forest, as well as what lay beyond it." Leatherhead observed.
"We read in the library that the Dark Sea is supposed to be impossible to sail through." Slash said. "But what the heck is this 'Ahtohallan'?"
"Hmm, I remember reading that name in many of the myths in the library." Rockwell recalled. "It's supposed to be a magic river further north. Some of those myths say it holds answers to this world's past, others say it is the world's source of magic, but I can't say whether or not it is truth or merely myth."
"Whatever the reason, it is clear that Elsa and Anna's grandfather was interested in the Enchanted Forest, and even this Ahtohallan, up to the point of obsession." Master Splinter deduced.
"So, it would seem that his visits to the Northuldra weren't as diplomatic as we first thought." Rockwell said.
"Look at this map." Slash pointed to the map on the wall. "Looks like he scouted the entire region, looking for possible weak spots or even places where the spirits dwell."
"Almost as if he were planning an attack." Leatherhead said as he narrowed his eyes.
"We'll need to relay this information to the others." Splinter said. "I believe we may be coming close to discovering what the evil of deception is. As well as the evil of hatred, though I believe at this point, we already know who it is."
After helping Bebop and Rocksteady from the castle's fjord, they and Stockman-Fly returned to their hidden base within the Arendelle mountains as Stockman reported to his still-bedridden master.
"Mazzzter Shredder… I… have to report that my mission wazzz… a failure." Stockman said in reluctance. "Falco wazzz intending to betray you. Splinter killed him, azzz well as the last of our mutant henchmen; save for Bebop and Rockzzzteady, and Tiger Claw'zzz team in the Enchanted Forezzzt. I am…. Zzzory." He bowed his head apologetically.
However, Saki didn't appear the least bit angry, or even upset. "Stockman…. Your… formula…"
"Yezzz…. Mazzzter…?"
"It's working…." Saki revealed as the veins in his right arm began to glow a mix of cyan blue and light green, he could already feel the power surging in it. "It's finally working…!"
He clenched his fist as a series of ice-blades shot out from his arm, along with a set of curved claws at his knuckles. But instead of the typical cyan blue or even white as ice normally would be, this ice was pitch black. The glow traveled to his eyes as the Shredder chuckled evilly.
Done.
So, how did you all like this chapter? I found it rather enjoyable. The fights with Splinter, the Mutanimals, and Metalhead against Stockman, Bebop, Rocksteady, the Rat King, and the bug-rat hybrid mutants were fun to write. Some good news. The Rat King is now dead for good, as are his hybrid mutants; and the heroes are getting closer to discover what the evil of 'deception' is, as well as the evil of 'hatred' (though the evil of 'hunger' remains a mystery for the moment). Bad news though… Shredder's close to recovering.
What's next for our heroes? How will Elsa and Anna react to what their grandfather has been planning? How will they and the Turtles fair about the evils that are not only coming closer toward them, but maybe even growing from within? Find out in the next chapter. Until then, stay safe and stay healthy out there.