Heroes in the Half-Shell
Chapter 19 – Raphael vs. The Shredder
Disclaimer: I do not repeat DO NOT own TMNT and crew in any way cause they belong to Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird (Only knows as the Greatest Guys on Earth!). Other characters like a certain OC that happen in these fanfic rightfully belongs to me and only ME!
Announcement from the writer: Hey guys. SO SO SO sorry for the late update. So much has happened that I didn't get a chance to get to it! Now, before I tell you guys all about it, let's take care of the reviews!
From the reviews/PMs that I got, I will answer them:
To ChelleNorlound
Whoa! I hope Raphael, April, Sally & Vern would get to Eric Sacks' Estate place in time to save Leonardo, Donatello & Michelangelo.
In the movie, I do love the scenes that has to do with Raphael & April, they're amazing. :-)Also, both the movie & the sequel does bring a lot of good memories from my childhood since they got the turtles, Splinter, April, Casey, Shredder, Krang, Vern, Burnette Thompson (which was Burne Thompson back in the 1987 series of Ninja Turtles), Bebop, Rocksteady, the Technodrome as well.So many good memories. :-)
Keep up the good work, I hope you will update soon.
Thanks,
ChelleNorlund.
PS: I'm into job searching as well, but I am still doing volunteer work at an animal shelter taking care of cats though. :-)
That's the plan!
Those scenes are really good. They did share a close relationship out of the other Turtles. And both movies did bring lots of good memories from the past TV series and movies.
To horsemens
Yeah, I'm not a "bad guy" writer either, but you w pieced the story together very well! I can't WAIT for what you have in store for Sally!
Thanks! For the minute there when I wrote this, I was worried!
I think you'll like this one.
To katmar1994
I love it already!
Thanks! There are plenty more adventures where that came from!
And thanks for Anny Shredder, katmar1994 and sodialorido995 for adding me and the story to their favourites. Love to have my fans to come around all the time.
It's Raphael to the rescue!
(Outside of Sacks Estate, outside of Manhattan, NY – 8:48am)
And it has come in the form of their brute brothers and three humans with him.
They were only two minutes out until they arrive at the estate.
Driving up to the front was a bad idea. It would give away their position. So, arriving at the back seems like the best option. And turning right at another path leading towards the docking bay was the perfect choice. They have to make sure that they were not spotted by the Foot or else their cover would be blown. So far, no sirens were made.
Raphael was itching to run all the way to Sacks Estate to save his brothers and lay the smack-down on Shredder for what he did to his father. Known for his great rage, he has learned lately to store it all inside until it was time to let it all out. He was definitely saving it for metalmouth himself.
But if he did ran all the way, the red turtle would lose all the energy that he has when he arrives. Getting a lift with the girls plus their human nerd friend, it seems like the best and only option.
But riding with the humans means he has to listen to the driver talk non-stop since he introduced himself. And it has been going on for about 40 minutes.
"Yeah, I've thought about…I've thought about doing—not becoming a ninja, but… I was doing a bunch of yoga for like 10 days at one point and uh…I pulled a hamstring."
Vern was obviously telling this to the older female in the van. He wanted to show him the more adventurous side of him, hoping that she would be more interest in him. But April was more focus on succeeding the mission to make up for what she has done, not looking for a boyfriend. And so does Sally. Plus, they were the reporter's pets back from her childhood.
Raph rolled his eyes in annoyance; expressing a silent groan. Is he trying to pick her up or what? Lame.
If you didn't stretch properly, then you would be able to pull a muscle. Giving up after that session earlier would consider Vern a sissy in both Raph – and Sally's – case.
"There's the gate right there," April said, pointing to the only entrance to the place.
Vern decided to drop the conversation that he just brought up and gets serious for once. "There it is." Making a slight turn before driving into a straight pathway. Just ahead of them is the wooden gate. Luckily, no-one has suspected the white van pulling up at the back. This mission was looking good so far. Let's try not to jinx it.
All they have to do was park the car and enter the place – undetected. But Raph has other ideas.
"Ram the gate," he ordered.
Wasn't this supposed to be a covert mission? Wasn't he supposed to be the ninja? He is, just a loud one. And the impatient type.
"'Ram the gate'?" Vern repeated. Is he kidding? He only knows for under an hour and he' telling him what to do. "This is Channel 6 property." If his boss finds out that her vehicle has been destroyed, Vern would be collecting his unemployment benefits very soon because of the reason.
But Raph wasn't in the mood to play any games at all. Up to his peak in his temper, he slams his large hand on the back of the passenger seat. "I said RAM THE GATE!" he barked. Both April and Sally looked at the trouble turtle. On his face pictures an anguish look. The girls can tell that he is desperate. His brothers are in there, along with Sacks and Shredder doing…who know what to them! Time was running thin if they continue to stall. He has already lost his father; he can't afford to lose his brothers too.
Vern decided to not argue with the giant turtle; putting his foot on the pedal to floor even more. He leans back into his seat as the car speeds up even more. "All right, everybody, strap in!"
Because Vern is not stopping, the closed gate becomes closer and closer. And he didn't even bother to hit the brakes when they smashed through the big gates. Bits of wood went flying as the van successfully drives in. Vern makes a sharp left, causing the girls to slide onto the right door.
They have finally entered the empty yard with only a few scratches on the car…
…if only four Foot Soldiers weren't occupied guarded at the main doors!
Seeing the large white van heading towards their way, they get into position and starts firing at the defenceless. The blood started to drain out of the humans' faces when they started shooting.
"Oh, shit!" Vern curses out. He was just about to hit the brakes…
"GO, GO, GO, GO!" Raphael cries out. The driver keeps his foot on the pedal. Instead, everyone ducks for covers as the bullets all hit the windshield. Some crack through the glass; making bullet-size holes. Bits of glass fell onto the people. Thankfully, no-one in the van was hit.
And even better, the Foot didn't even bother to move out of the way when the unstoppable vehicle slams right into them. The van then crashes into the second wooden door in its way. That causes Vern to hit the brakes. This is just the entrance that they needed to get inside.
Vern clicks to "R" before driving backwards. Bits of glass from the windshield got stuck to the tires and large planks of wood that was once a wooden door are now resting on the ground. He manages to bring the truck right out of the doorway and a clear pathway for them to enter.
Easy enough, right? Wrong.
Only one Foot survived the crash. He quickly comes up near the driver's seat and starts firing at the intruders. April, Sally and Vern once again duck for cover. They won't survive for much longer if this keeps us.
Time to release the bull!
Raphael decided to make his own entrance. By blasting through the wall of the white van. Thanks to his strengths, he creates a giant hole in the middle before landing on the cold floor. Raph can feel the ice on his bare feet but didn't bother to shake it off. There was one Foot Solider left and his friends are already knocked out.
Gun shots were fired close to him as the giant turtle turns to the shooter. The human was about to fire the next shot but Raph beats him to it as he leaps up in the air and slams his fist on the weapon; disarming him. Using the same fist, the turtle back-hands the fool in the face; making him drop to the ground. Raph shakes his arm out to work off the stiffness in his veins. He would have warmed-up for the show but being cramped-up inside a small truck, he didn't have the space or he didn't bother to do it.
Four down, many more asses to beat down.
But he didn't come here to fight. He came here to save his brothers. And he is gonna need all the help he can get.
Alarms have been going off since the second door was taken down. Guess they have made their presences known to the ones living here.
Raph grabs hold of the handle and opens the door wide open. "Follow me."
Baffled, Vern stares at the turtle before whipping his head over his left shoulder. He just busted a hole through his car! How will he explain this to Thompson? Yep. He's definitely fired.
Well, the cameraman can worry about that later. Right now, one part of the plan is completed. They still need to get to where the other Turtles are.
April and Sally both grabbed their own bags that they have taken with them and hopped out of the car as the teenager was the first to open the door. Raphael takes an early lead, going deeper into the mansion.
Lights and sounds of the alarm system were going off in the lab. Everyone took noticed of this. Some of the chosen Foot Soldiers all geared up; ready to deal with the intruders. One was shouting orders as appointed by Karai herself.
Sacks turns to the flashing light high above on the pipe. Looks like they are inspecting company.
Well, it cannot be the cops. If it was them, red and blue flashing lights plus sirens would have been noticed through the clear transpire windows. Must be the other turtle. The one that was left behind to die. Guess he survived the ambush.
It would take a mere hour to retrieve all the blood from the three mutants' systems. But he has enough. More than enough to start their master plan.
The businessman turns to the main scientist are the main computer. "I'll take this canister to New York to withdraw the mutagen," he commands his employee.
With that order, the scientist starts to disconnect the tube from the large canister and seals the hole up. Right beside him on the concrete ground was a large open steel case. It was designed to carry specific items that are too important to be witnessed by the public view. Like the Turtles' life blood.
He then turns to the rest of the geniuses. "Make sure that you drain all their blood." Sacks does not want to see any more of his creation. He has partly got what he needs at the moment. He will come back for the rest.
Once the hole is sealed up, the scientist carefully places the canister into a foam case within the box, flips the lid down and bolts the locks down. The prepared donation is all set. Sacks walks towards the locked case. "Time to take a bite out of the Big Apple." He bends down to grab the handle and gently hauls the container easily in his grasp. He then heads for his chopper.
Losing almost 70% of his blood, Leonardo was starting to get a bit dizzy. And so were the others.
He looks up to see the malevolent entrepreneur disappeared through the main door, along with a few Foot members.
His vision was getting blurry by the minute. But the leader has a very clear idea who had come a knocking. One particular mutant who is not too happy that his brothers have been taken away and who was even lucky enough to find the place. Possibly with some help from the girls.
Raph…
Raphael may not be psychic, but he has a gut feeling his three brothers are right behind this door.
The large turtle was now in a workshop room with a few steel worktables. Many tools, wires and cords were hanging up neatly by large hooks. Raph has gone through a few rooms; traveling deeper into the mansion. His brothers have to be here somewhere. And they have to be close. He managed to grab his brothers' weapon and equipment before heading inside. He also took his toothpick out, just in case he accidently chokes while kicking somebodies' ass. Only one Foot was in the exact workshop when he spotted the large turtle, heading towards his direction. And he was running on top of the tables.
Running to the end of the first one, Raph does a forward flip, sending him to the other table. He was coming closer to the lone shooter.
Not one single has made contact with his green skin. Except for the times it hit his shell as cover. But rather than bullets, he is using tranq darts.
Raph decided to take him down before he can get through the door. Why not both?
The Foot fired more shots as Raphael leaps up and does a barrel roll in mid-air. But just before he makes ground, he stomps his feet into the poor soldier's chest as he sends him flying and Raph falling towards the closed door.
The attack causes the bolted door to forced open from the outside. Raph and the soldier comes flying in with only the turtle standing.
Now that he has got the door busted down, he can press on without any obstacles. Another Foot was charging towards him but Raph easily builds up momenta, backhand the attacker away and does a little spin due to the big thrust that he pulled off. Another one was coming from his right with a bat in his hand.
"Hey! Get out of here!" he exclaims. But Raph doesn't take orders. He simply kicks the soldier down when he got close.
Every scientist in the room were shaken at the intruder that has entered the room, easily taking down the present Foot. Unable to handle the pressure, they all ditched their workstation and escaped through another door in the laboratory.
The only ones left in the room was the mutant himself. But he wasn't completely alone. Because inside the three large units that were standing in a row are occupied. By three turtles. Each of them wearing a different colour mask.
Raphael has found his brothers.
Their wrists are tied up by metal cuffs. They are standing on their two feet and…their heads are hanging on the side. Are they ok?
"Leo!" he calls out.
Weary from the loss of so much blood, Leo lifts his head a bit. His fuzzy eyes dart to the large figure in the room. It can't be the Shredder. His skin is green and doesn't have a red helmet on. And it was not a helmet; it was a cloth. His vision may be very hazy at the moment but Leo know exactly who it is. His smile curves a bit.
Raph. You came…
His brother is tough as bricks. Good thing that he is made out of bricks.
Relieved that he has found them, Raph now needs to bust them out. He quickly jogs to the middle container where his older brother is.
Mikey was starting to get a lot drowsy now. He can barely hear his brother's gruffly tone when he entered the room. "About time…" he mumbles. His eyes were lolling about due to the dizziness in his head. He was going to hit the zzz very soon. And it will be for a very long time. Donnie was also at the same state as the others. How long will it be until they have stop…
Hang on, guys. I'll get ya's out!
With a might thrust of his foot, Raph kicks the glass door. In his mind, the glass will shatter in that one shot. But in reality, once it made contact,…no crack appeared. The glass door only shook from the impact causing him to staggers backward because of the strong structure. Raph was stunned.
"What the…"
Bulletproof. The glass is bulletproof. Just great. His robust punches and kicks were not going to do much good.
Leo's head was slowly bopping up and down. But mostly it was staying down. This doesn't look good. Raph doesn't have much time. He needs to get them out. Now!
Sally was close behind him. She didn't stay behind with her friends as they were taking a caution distance away from the gun firing. She comes running through the open doorway, to only spot the red turtle at the containers before him.
"Raph!" she calls out, rushing to his side.
The red turtle didn't bother to turn around. He looks at his trapped brothers. They are still with them but not for long. How was Raph going to get them out if he can't break the glass?
Sally takes a closer look at the bindings on each of the Turtles' wrist. Only one particular tube catches her attention. And it was flowing out red stuff. Looking at it makes the teen more worried than ever.
"It's draining their blood," she mutters. It looks like Sacks' and Shredder's plan has already been set in motion. But how long ago was that?
"Not for long it ain't," Raph muttered. Sacks has brought them here to drain their blood for his little scheme. And he is here to put a stop to it. Crossing his arms over, he grips his own weapons and draws them out. Maybe only steel can piece through—
"Raphael."
A new voice enters the scene. Both Raphael and Hope all turn their heads to the source. A steel statue stood at the bright lights of the open loading dock. Hearing his voice sends tremors down Sally's spine. This was the second time that she has seen the monster up close. The first time was when he almost struck April down during his bout with Splinter. Petrified, Sally walks behind the closest stone pillar, out of his vision. For Raphael,…this was his first greeting with…him.
The darkness himself has arrived. The Shredder.
"Glad you could join us."
Raph walks into the same path as he is, swinging his weapons about. He can't fight right now. He came here to save his brothers. But seeing Shredder in the flesh – for the very first time after what he has done to his father, and now to his brothers – the turtle was now seeing red. His blood was now at a boiling point. Raphael has found the one person that almost took down his father and took his brothers away from him.
Fighting against him was now optional.
Shredder was in his chambers when the sirens went off. He had a feeling that the fourth Turtle survived the ordeal. He knew that Raphael wouldn't be killed so easily. He has already taken down the rat and easily subdue the other reptiles. Taking on another of them will be child's play.
Growling at him, the red turtle gets into a fighting stance. Raph is going to make him pay.
"The fourth cage is for you."
You're gonna have to kill me first!
Flicking out his blades, Shredder get into his fighting position.
The ninja master was going to get Raphael's blood. One way or another. Maybe a good-size beat-down will convince him? The rat is not here so he would have a hard time blackmailing him like he did with the others.
Raph may be the strongest ninja out of his brothers. He still considers to be the best fighter of all time. When it comes to brawls, he doesn't need any help or team-up from his bros. He can handle Shredder himself despite no capability combatting against him. But…if he doesn't survive, who will save his siblings?
Good thing he didn't come here alone.
Raph turns to the human teenager. She was hiding behind the stone pillar, hoping to hide her presence from the steel monster himself. "Free my brothers."
Sally looks at the movable turtle, giving him a nod. She doesn't how to but she will try her best.
Bearing his gritted teeth at the steel warrior before him, Raph began his walk which quickly turns into a charging mode. As he charges towards him, Shredder already take a walk and extends his hand out in front.
Just before the thin steel makes contact with the armour, Shredder manages to get his grip on the turtle's throat…and starts to push him back. A human would be no match for a giant mutant with superhuman strength. Shredder is doing this with the help of his armour, courtesy of his adopted son. The Turtle was simply surprised by this. He may be a ninja master but he was a puny human under all that metal.
Digging his feet into the ground, Raph was making a dented path as Shredder continues to drag him. From Shredder's point of view, they were both getting closer to the railing. And if you look over the railing, there appears to be another level that is not too far.
And with a mighty push, he sends the poor turtle off his feet. Literally! Not kidding!
Before his shell makes contact with the railings behind him, Raph goes flying into the air. Just before he goes through the roof, his sturdy shell hits the concrete railing high above his head, breaking off a sizable chunk.
Hitting that pillar rattling through his shell and heads hurt so much for the mutant himself that he was seeing stars. Raph descends towards the ground and lands with a loud thump as well as the concrete slab. Luckily, it didn't fall on top of him or else he would end up with serious pain or a messy bruise.
Raph's brothers all watched the beginning of the brawl and saw all while losing much blood in the process. It was painful to watch even when their vision was getting vague by the second. "That's harsh, man," Mikey said.
Very harsh, indeed. Sally doesn't know if Shredder spotted her or something. He simply walked past her and heads towards the railings. Maybe he was too busy focusing on Raphael to noticed a human present. Let's her be glad that he ignored her.
He leaps over the railings and lands on the lower floor, no longer near the unarmed teenager. He bended his knees on the landing and straighten his posture coming up.
With him focusing on Raph, that leaves the other three turtles left to suffer. Sally faces at the trapped reptiles in the containment. Their heads are now drooping, and their breathing…their breathing has become shallow. Very shallow. Time was nearly up.
Where's April and Vern? Why haven't they shown up? Has the Foot got to them?
The thought has scared her to pieces. It's either she can worry about that later or now. But the one thing that she can do right now is help the Turtles. Raph told her to free them if anything happens to him. But how exactly? She knows some tech like operating a video camera and a digital camera, not to mention her laptop. Taking a good look at the devices near her, it looks pretty complicated.
She feels…helpless. What can she do?
"You!"
Except praying for a miracle.
The stunned adolescent whips her head around to see the last person that she wanted to face.
Sporting a thin red line on her face was something that Sally did to her. Karai was fuming. Guess she doesn't like the mark that Sally gave to her. Well, she had to. The Foot herself had a weapon on her.
The good news is that she is not armed with her handgun this time.
The bad news is that she is still armed. With a long dagger. Her Tanto.
The clean blade reflects the light off the spring sun ready to be stained by something…messy. She thought a firearm aiming at her would be bad, and so is a knife.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me…" she whispers. For the second time today, Sally finds herself in quite a pickle. Instead of a bullet into her chest or head, she would get wounded cut or stab through her heart. Either way, Karai will surely get even. Even if it cost Sally's life.
The young girl does wishes so badly for any of the Turtles or Raph to be at her side or taking this bout. But the Shredder shows up when the alarms went off. The red turtle is occupied with the ninja master himself while the other three are locked away in their glass prison.
Guess it's just her. Sally will do whatever it takes to stop Karai. Or die trying. Ok, maybe not the dying part. She just wants to live through this.
And Karai… the woman here was foolish enough to be defeated by a weakling. How embarrassing. She was supposed to be the strongest female fighter of all…only to be easily overcome by a child. And a small rock. She doesn't want to get even. She wants to win. And eliminating this girl on the spot will satisfied her needs.
Sally could find another weapon to aid her. But she didn't have enough time when Karai quickly advances. Holding the blade in a stabbing motion, the commander thrusted towards the teen's chest. Only have been in a few fights in her life, Sally's first move was to get away from the line of fire. In other words,…DODGE!
The blade was only a few centimetres away from her when Sally quickly move to her right. She nearly takes a stumble but swiftly gains her ground. The girl thanked her lucky stars that she managed to dodge a fatal move. If she didn't react in time,…well…hope her insurance can cover the wound through her spleen.
But Karai was quick enough to do this time a diagonal slash in Sally's direction. The teenager moves back. But she didn't move as much like before. The blade barley touches her. Excepts for the tip of it making contact with her open right palm. The sharp steel makes a clean cut on the knitted glove; creating a very similar red line on the teen's hand.
"Ahhh!" Sally screeches in pain. She felt that! She felt the blade touching her hand that went through her glove!
The girl winces in pain as she falls to her knees. She clutches her injured hand with her unharmed hand. Feeling the burn in her veins was stinging her. Taking a good look of her gloved hand, Karai made a thin red line from the base of her index finger to nearly the left bottom corner of her hand. It was shaking from the pain. Blood was now bleeding through the fabric.
Seeing the cut on her hand reminds on another with the same injury. His life was fading away when they found him. And even more after they left him in the rubble of his home.
Seeing the mark ick her to her stomach. "Splinter…"
His vision was getting dimmer but his ears did pick up his father's name from her mouth. What kind of damage did Shredder do to their master? Were they able to save their father like they were able to find their brother?
Karai has the girl distracted by the wound that she personally gave to her. Another slash to the chest or face would certainly bring her down.
What is Sally gonna do now? She can't dodge any move from a kneeling position. The knife-wielding assailant is a trained fighter. Sally is not. If only she didn't skip on those self-defence classes. Maybe she does need a weapon of her own.
April and Vern finally reached their destination. The gentleman has his backpack on and his camera in one hand. He thought that he could get some evidence of the discovered hideout of the Foot. Coming through the busted door thanks to the red turtle himself, the two adults looked to their right. Sally was kneeling on the ground from the pain in her hand as Karai was towering over her.
"Sal!" April cried out.
The Japanese woman whips her head around to see more company. She easily recognized the lady in the yellow jacket. April O'Neil. The Lieutenant was now very furious. Other than Hope, she clearly remembers the reporter from the subway scuffle and in the underground ambush. She too has intervened in many occasion. This was one of them. Karai's hand motions towards her gun rack. And it will be her last.
Ignoring the pain, Sally's eyes looks upwards and sees this motion. She lets out a hushed dreadful gasp. Karai is going to do the same that she almost did to her back in the sewers! April and Vern would be shot dead. If nothing stops her, Sally would lose the two very people that she cares for. And she would end up living homeless if her current guardian and possible future guardian are killed. Karai was now relying on her gun this time, not the knife. And she going to use it to execute them!
Sally quickly looks around. Nothing in an arms-reach would be any ideal weapon. What can I do? What can I do?!
Aiming her weapon at April as her first target, Karai's index finger tugs the trigger a bit tighter, expecting the intruders to lie in their own pool of blood…
…but she wasn't expecting for a flying chair to come crashing into her!
Without a second thought, Sally grips a hold on a wheel chair, lift it with her might (despite a sore hand) and flings it at the attacker herself. Karai did not assume to be struck by a furniture itself. As soon the chair makes contact with the woman, it causes her to lose her grip on her weapons before crashing down onto the hard floor. Her body was dragged to the ground thanks to the force of the chair and it was lights out for her.
The two adults broke their stare at the defeated woman and draws their sight over to the standing teen. Sally shakes her right hand; easing the pain from the attack that Karai pulled on her. Guess she was returning that favour. Hissing in pain, her hand continued to sting. Sally needs to bandaged up this or it will get infected. Sally can't fight but in crisis like this, it was necessary to use any object around the teen in her disposable. April and Vern were shocked that Sally could pulled a stunt like that. If she throws something like a rock or a pipe, it would actually kill someone.
"That was pretty brutal," the cameraman said. April nodded. She never knew that her young roommate could be this violent. Maybe through words but not with fists.
Sally gets pretty defensive. She had a very good reason of her attack. "And a loaded gun and sharp knife is not?" she countered. "Beside,…," The teenager looks down at the fallen soldier before looking at her friends and pointing at the Foot herself, "…she needs a time-out, ok?"
Sally doesn't know if she should feel bad or relieved. Mostly relieved, I guess.
Raph shakes the stars away from rotating around his head and gets back to reality. The turtle lifted his head slightly to see him.
The Shredder.
The steel monster was standing a few feet away from. Close in their path was a large stone slab. It was broken off after Raph's shell made a huge dent into the foundation. By some miracle that it didn't break the glass floor itself or from both Raph and the Shredder's landing.
Raph came here to save his brothers. And nothing to going to stop him from achieving this goal. And nothing is going to stop the Shredder from accomplishing his destiny by taking what is rightfully his. The Turtles' blood.
Now more furious than ever, he exhales a loud pant before throwing his arms back behind his head. Swinging his legs up, he curved his back, giving him the memento to jump up onto his feet. The trained warrior, has his side turned at the fiery reptile. He was preparing himself. He wanted to make sure that the last subject of his project is too weak and defenceless to defend himself. He used blackmail to take down the other three. Only brute force is the only option.
Raph takes a running forward but the large concrete was in his way. No problem for him as he punches it; destroying into hundreds of pieces. He resumes his running with his tense fists at his side; ready for a major beatdown. Let's try this again!
The three humans ditch the knocked-out soldier herself and raced over to the railings. Looking down below was the charging turtle and the metal giant himself; going head-to-head. Only April and Sally witnessed the match between the Shredder and Splinter. Even the old rat can hold his end against the Japanese terrorist. But what of Rapheal? Can he duke it out with the ninja master himself? His brothers never got a chance to fight against him. Maybe Raph does have a shot. All they can do now is watch and see the outcome.
Once the large turtle was at a foot distance, Raph holds up his dukes and proceed to punch the melon off the monster himself. But Shredder was too skilled to dodge ever single move that the Turtle throws at him. When the last punch comes around, the Shredder blocks the move with his fist, causes the surprised turtle to stumble. Just before the turtle could gain his ground, Shredder quickly does a spinning kick to the face, sending him off his feet and twirling in the air. The turtle lands with a small crunch causing him to yelp a little. Must have hit his funny bone or something. But Raph simply brushes it off as he gets on all fours. The Sai-wielding mutant growls with exasperated. He was getting beaten at his first go. He doesn't like it. Not one bit.
It has only been a few seconds into the brawl and the Shredder was getting irked already. He was expecting to see what one of the Turtles were made of since the rat has trained them to be fighters. To be skilled as the greatest martial artists of all time. Fifteen years would have given them enough time to give him a challenge. Shredder was very disappointed.
Comparing him to the rodent, this was all child's play. Only the rat pleases him. "The RAT…did not teach you well!" he barks. Raph was on his knees when Shredder swinged a mighty thrusted into his face!
Sally covered her gasp with her hand. A one-punch move like that can easily kill someone. The turtle slouches onto the floor; taking a lot from that single punch
"RAPHAEL!" April screeched. She now fears for her former pet. If this keeps up, he surely will meet his father and brothers very soon in the afterlife.
Shredder halts his onslaught and turns around. Seeing the long, wavy brunette hair with a yellow jacket, he can very much tell he has seen this woman from before. She was in fact the very same lady who stopped him from slaying the rat any further. And now, she has found the location. And for that…she and her friends are going to pay.
"You…" Shredder growls. He ditches the fallen turtle and proceed to deal with the intruders themselves.
But Raphael was not down for the count. He was going to execute the humans. Not on his watch. He takes up a running start and charges once again at Shredder. "Focus on me."
Shredder does a split turn to see the charging turtle but not before holding his arm out which slams into the turtle's neckline. Raph was once again off his feet and just before he lands on the glass floor, Shredder kicks him away. He just hopes that this time he stays down.
Sally looks back at the containments. Raph's brothers are still in their prison…and its draining more of their blood every second. She was supposed to free them but only left them a little longer thanks to Karai's interference. She now races back to the trapped reptiles. "Come on! We gotta help them!"
Vern turns to see the teenager moving away but took a second look to see where she was heading to picture a shock look.
The one with the purple mask on gives a bit of a smirk. His head was lounging to the side. Guess April and Sally brought some help after all. Vern now absolutely believes the girls' story. The four reptile vigilantes that stopped the Foot and were former science pets from April's late father and Sally's father's lab was true. Not pure fiction. He needs to listen to the girls from now on even if any of their future stories are even crazier than this.
He points to them before looking where Raphael is. "Three…" he then points to Raph on the ground level. "Four total turtles. One's fighting a robot samurai." Sinking this in, Vern simply shrugs. "Why not?" It's not every day you see something from either a comic book series or a fantasy show to appear right before your eyes. The Foot are one thing with arms, seeing four giant reptiles was a whole new ballgame.
Any normal being would either be astonished, faint on the spot or split. The girls and now Vern have dealt with the first two; separately. The third option does not apply to them anymore. April too leaves her spot and joins her best friend.
Raph was on his fours, trying to shake the last move out of him. His vision quickly came clearer again when he sees the Shredder on the move…again! And this time,…heading his way to the upper level. Again! He saw the humans during the brawl as they have entered his domain. The girls and the male companion with them are going to free his brothers. And the Shredder will stop. He can't let them happen.
Still lying on the ground, Raph leaps a small distance off the ground up to grab hold of his opponent's hydraulic leg; halting in his track. The Shredder stops walking, feeling the slight tug at his leg. He looks down to see the clinging turtle. Persisted, isn't he? But the lone reptile was getting on his last nerve.
The mutant was using whatever weight he has on him to hold or slow the ninja down. Shredder tries to shake him off but he doesn't bludge. The skilled warrior decided to take care of pests. His way. And he does so by punching him square in the face. With each hit to his face, Raph can feel the stinging sensation. But not enough to release his grip on Shredder. And he now knows a certain human who hits harder than he does!
The red brute doesn't need to win. Just enough time for the humans to free the rest of his family. But how long will that be? A few minutes? An hour? A day?
Sally was already at one of the small console when April approaches her. The teen has taken her time to find the release switch for the trapped reptiles. So far, she hasn't found it. Or the way to turn the machine off. They have only just arrived at the estate with no knowledge of how to operate any of the equipment here. And Sally is a lot worried that she might mess up the system if she makes one false move.
What can she do? Give up? Not likely. But on a time limit…almost…possible.
"Well?" April asked. She too analysis the device which proved a little complicated for her as well.
Sally was ready to pop a vessel the more she spends time on the machines. "Well, it would kill for them to leave the manual behind cause I have no idea how to operate this thing!" She now mentally regrets saying the 'K' word as it will happen to the other reptiles' sooner or later. Make that sooner judging the state that they are in.
The anxious woman looks at the turtles one-by-one. Their arms, heads and body were becoming floppier than usual. And sluggish. Time was getting thinner by the second. They need to act. Now!
If only a genius or a technician could help the—
Seeing the tech backpack on the Donatello is just what the doctor ordered. She remembers that for a while now, the only mutant who had a computer station in the underground lair, plus who is the only one who can hack into her phone to delete the photo of them and cannot live without a single microchip would be the ninja with the high-tech specs! Maybe he can help. Anything to free him and his brothers. And to help…no - save Raph. From Shredder.
April rushes up to the far box. The tallest turtle's head was limping very much. His eyelids were nearly shut tight. Just like his two other brothers. And the fourth one is getting his shell smashed.
The scared woman bangs her flat hand against the glass door, trying to get his attention. "DONNIE!"
Vern was still watching the fight when the lone turtle was all on four once again. No longer prying on Shredder's leg as the ninja master managed to shake him off. Now, he is willing to take him down in order to get his blood, just like his brothers. The Shredder takes the turtle by surprise by sucker punch another one to the face.
Raph was now wide open for the evil ninja to strike again. Lifting his feet up, he slams it down on the reptile's shell, earning an audible crunch and a yell from the strong turtle himself.
April bangs on the glass yet again, still trying to get Donnie's attention. "DONNIE!"
They could be too late. If only they have left earlier or aided the reptiles in their fight,…things would have been different.
The purple reptile lifts his head a little, letting a small gap open between his eyelids. They still alive! They're not out of the woods just yet. There was still hope!
April's green eyes are locked onto his yellow ones. "What do we do?" she asked. Anything to help them. Anything to free them from their shackles.
Well,…there is one last resort. But to a human, it could prove deadly. To a mutant turtle,…
Donnie tilt his head to his right, eyeing at the console. "Adrenaline…"
April didn't quite hear him. The wall between them muffled his voice even through the small holes. She pressed her ear up against the glass to get a better sound. "What?"
Looking down to the floor, his breathing was getting shallow and more breathless by the second. But still has enough strength to speak again. "Adrenaline…"
Could it be that simple? A dose of this drug, known as Epinephrine, would bring their strength back? Well, adrenaline is a feeling to some people when they are doing something extreme. But it can be in a form of an instant drug!
Sally takes her eyes off the little screen and looks at April. "What did he say?"
April takes her ear off the glass and looks at the console that Donnie eyed. "Adrenaline…" she repeated.
Stepping off the ledge, April rushes over to the console. Sally step aside for her best friend to take a good look at it. "All right. All right," she mutters. April examines the screen herself with the young teen looking over her shoulder.
WARNING
HEART RATE DECELERATING
CARDIAC ARREST IMMINENT
In technical terms, their hearts are breaking down before they go into a cardiac arrest or an early heart attack at such a young age! April doesn't have much time! Donnie says that injecting them with adrenaline into their systems would save them. So the question is how? Was there a switch or something to activate it? April continues to scan the screen when a rectangle box caught her attention.
ADRENALINE INJECTION
Just what the doctor needed.
She looks at Donnie and back at the console. "Adrenaline." Giving one dose of the substances into their veins will give them the boost that they need. Lucky for them, it is a touchscreen. Using her thumb, April presses the button at fast rate.
Close to where the button is located, the red bar is now filling up. She keeps on presses the button until it hits its limit. When it is done with one subject, she moves onto the next one. Sally keeps a close eye on each of the mutants just to make sure that nothing goes wrong. Hopefully, putting five doses into their veins would be enough for the Turtles to free themselves from their prison. And not too much or else, they will die from instant heart attacks!
Back on the battlefield, more crunching noises were made. And it is all coming from his shell. Not the glass floor. Raph was on his fours once again. At the mercy of the Shredder!
With the help of his hydraulic leg, the metal warrior is trying to smash his shell open. With enough brute force could instantly kill the reptile. Pushing his hands against the clear ground, Raph is struggling as the extra weight is holding him down. He was groaning in pain with every hit that he endures.
April was still pressing the button with her teenage friend at her side. A few more does of the adrenaline and the other Turtles will be free. Free from their own demise and to help their brother. Speaking of Raphael,…
Taking her eye off the screen, she turns to where her last position was while Sally observes the imprisoned reptiles. The oldest human that they know personally in the room was still watching the gruelling unfolding. And it doesn't look too good for the turtle by the looks of it.
"He's going to kill him," he whispers to himself. Acting on instinct, Vern rushes back to where the girls are. Just in case that the steel monster makes his way over to them and takes them out.
Shredder throws his foot down yet again on Raph. His vision was getting a bit weak from the cruel rounds. Using his elbows was the only way to keep his body off the ground. But even with Shredder's strength it proved too problematic. His shell is nearly split into two and he was screaming in pain with every hit that was made. A few more…and Raph will join his father very shortly. With his brothers not far behind if nothing has been done.
Vern has once again join his friends. April was now going at lightning speed on the touchscreen; watching it or any sign or any changes. Both Vern and Sally study any of the three turtle to see if the doses are working and that they are moving once again. She has done two, it was time for the last one.
HEART RATE DECELERATING
CARDIAC ARREST IMMINENT was changed to
ADRENALINE ADMINSTERED
OVERDOSE IMMINENT.
Injecting more than one dosage would do the trick to three mutant turtles. So,…why isn't it working? If it was a human, it would wake them up instantly. But…nothing is happening. She must have given them enough doses to keep them awake for a few weeks. A month tops! Maybe they have a different system than ordinary humans? Or maybe it needs stronger doses that either Sacks or Shredder wouldn't be stupid enough to leave lying around.
Maybe they were a dud. No…it has to work!
Their eyelids are shut. Their heads are limping. Their breathing…very shallow. This is it…
Seeing this is never a good sign.
Terrified, April is slamming her fist against the screen. "GET UP!" Her yell was so loud that everyone is New York and maybe in Jersey have all heard her from the mountainside. Sally too feel the same sentiment as her friend. Her own father knew of these turtles before she came along and she too has a great deal of fondness towards them despite the short timeline.
Shredder leaves the battlefield in his small victory. Despite needing his blood for his mission, he was no use to him now. With one annoyance out of the way, he moves onto his biggest target. Total domination of New York. His ride was waiting for him to take him to his next stage of his master plan. He cannot delay any longer. Shredder retracts his blades back into their gauntlet, leaving an unconscious body in the wake.
Raphael's head was facing down. His shell was nearly split in half, thanks to the work of his foe. But remains motionless. The battle didn't end very soon. Didn't it? If it did,…
On the monitor screen, their heart rate begins to beep at a fast rate. It continues to accelerate.
A different kind of substances finally enters the Turtles' veins. A few seconds have pass and the heart monitor continues to beep rapidly. Please, don't let the Turtles di—
Donatello's head perks up. His eyes are now bulging, his muscle are expanding and he was takings rapid breaths. Between his panting, he sucks in the fresh air of life. The last thing that he almost saw was a bright light, only to be brought back to the bright lights of the main lab itself in the real world.
Vern and Sally witness this as April finished the injection and steps over to see the awakening brainiac turtle himself.
"It's working," Vern said in awe. The heart rate monitor was beeping even quicker.
Leonardo was the second to get the sudden wakeup call. His head jolts up and his muscle all tensed up. His blue eyes were almost rolled to the back thanks to the unexpected impact. His first sound that he makes were loud gasping.
A different sound of groaning was made in the last occupied container. The three humans, simultaneously, looked to their left. Michelangelo was the third and last to feel the sensation as he jerked his head up. His yell increase in volume which turned to a scream. Not a girly one actually.
With the extra power that has entered their veins, the Turtles, one-by-one, jerks both of their wrists down, snapping the binds off them. They didn't feel the painful needles ripped out of their skins as they didn't felt it. The monitor is going haywire even without the connection of its occupies.
He and his brothers were saved. Thanks to April, Sally and…the extra human that they brought along. And now, that they are out of their own harm's way, they need to get out of their glass prison.
If the humans cannot open up the container, they will then do the honours. It is like a bottle that has been pressured with intense force with only a cork that stands in its way. They need to remove the cork in order to be free.
Which is why they all took a step back, ready to be release. Even April sees this happening. "I think we should move."
And that is what they should do. The two adults and the teenager all take a step back but before they had a chance to run for cover, the Turtles wasted no time to smash through the unbreakable door by either jumping or doing a flip. Their brother tried and fail a chance to free them but guess it was vulnerable on the inside than it is on the outside.
Rather than take a few steps away, April, Sally and Vern twist their bodies around, crouch down and covered themselves with their hands and arms from any shattered glass that comes flying at them. Luckily, none has scratch their skins from the impact. The mutants all landed on the concrete ground. The humans turned their bodies around to see them. The three Turtles are no longer in their holding cells. They are out.
Mikey shots up with his shaking hands out front. "Oh! Ifeelreallygoodrightnow! Ifeellikerunning!" And that is what the youngest did as his older brothers were too enjoying this feeling. He circles around them like he was running against the fastest man on the planet or a couple of greyhounds.
"Ifeellikecleaning! Whowantstocleanthedojo?" the chatty leader asks. "I'llcleanthedojo!" If he acts like this, he might get a huge place like a castle to be done in a day.
Imagine if you drank half a dozen of Red Bull or eating a year supply of candy in one sitting. That's is what the Turtles are feeling right now. Their hearts are now racing. Their veins are tingling. And there was no complete stop to them.
And they absolutely…like it.
With this instant rush, they can run a complete marathon and still have the energy left over to ran again, ten-fold. It like someone just jump-set their hearts and brain back to the living…and maybe beyond.
Mikey was still running around his brothers while Donnie pulls the strap forward to slide his goggles back onto his bald head. He takes a running start as he heads towards the railing. "Endorphins! Endorphins!"
Mikey and Leo also follow their brother's lead. "WegototgetRaph!" the eldest calls as he and the youngest takes off running, calling out their brother's name.
"RAPH! RAPH!"
But the three green teens didn't bother to jump over the railings. Instead, they smash through it; breaking the hinges off of the concrete…
…and fall off the platform and landed flat on the glass ground.
"Wow." Sally turns to her friends who were surprised at their hyperactive state as she was. "They're on high." At least they don't drink caffeine. Do they?
After their embarrassing tumble thanks to the new shot that they received, the brothers recovered and jump right up. Their brother remains where the Shredder left him but he was getting the feeling back into his muscle and starts to sit up off the ground with his arms.
The hyperactive reptiles finally reached their alive brother with the youngest circling around them once more and the other two helping him up by the arm. But their mouth was still going off with the quotes: "Areyouokay?" and "Areyoudead?"
No matter how much Raph wants to slap them upside the head, he doesn't quite have his strength back just yet but deep down in his hard shell,…he was so glad that they are ok. Shredder doesn't have them capture and sucking them dry. He thought he has lost them for good.
The team was back together again. The four mutant ninja brothers are united.
With no reason to stick around with who knows how many Foot Soldiers still lurking in the facility, it was time to leave. The three humans on the upper level head towards another exit. They decided not to take the way that they came in. The girls are looking at the destroyed railing of where they last saw them as Vern starts to walk away. They have lost precious time if they want to stop Shredder. "Come on," the male calls out to them. "Come on."
April and Sally leaves their spots with Vern taking the lead towards the new exit. The echo of the reunited mutant brothers was heard as they head towards the gateway to the helipad.
Slowly and steady, Raphael was finally on his feet. His brothers on the other hand, are not sitting still for one second. At least their speech has begun to slow down to its usual speed.
The youngest has already secured his two babies back into his jumper wrap. "We really gotta go!" Mikey feels like he is an excited kid who has been on so many rides at Corny Island. Pretty much all of them and non-stop.
Their rescuer was finally on his feet. "Go where?" Raph's head is like a bowl full of jelly after a few dukes from the Shredder. He wasn't complete back yet but he can try to listen to what they have to say. Not to mention that he is a little wobbly on his feet.
They all answer; one-by-one. As usual, the leader is first. "Sacks Tower!" he replied while circling him, quickly checking for any bruise on his robust brother.
Mikey was next; still running all over the place. "New York City! Times Square!"
Donnie has already picked up his customised Bo-staff. Good thing that their brother brought it here rather than leave it at their destroyed home. "Shredder's going to release a toxin!"
"It's gonna poison the whole city!" Despite feeling energetic at the moment, Mikey was freaking out about the outcome if that plan succeeds. Will they be affected too after taking one gasp of it?
Knowing that only a few bruises won't hold him down, Leo spots his dual katana on the ground. He runs over to pick them up. "And Sacks is gonna sell the antidote!" The eldest slides his weapons back into his gauntlets.
"Made from the mutagen that's in our blood!" Mikey wonders in amazement, spins around while moving all about and behind his older brother. He feels like he was on a school field trip, learning something every day like how to destroy the public right off the map for a dictator to step in and rule all.
Even the brainiac doesn't want to waste time. "So we've got to get going now!" He might use his genius to help stop the virus from spreading, but they cannot simply do it from here. They need to get to the tower. Pronto!
The metalmouth himself is going to kill everyone and Sacks is going to save them with the blood that they stole from them? That's not good.
Raph didn't have to complain or ask them to repeat. He has got the message. They know what they need to do. With one battle done, the war was not over yet. Not until they have conquered the darkness within the Big Apple. The four brothers need to stop Shredder at all cost. For what he has done to the city. To the innocent people like April, Sally,…the guy with them. And Splinter. Father…
The red turtle looks at the only entrance on the same floor. It was the same one that Shredder walked through after their battle. A way out of the building.
"Good. Let's do it for sensei," he said. That is their motive. That is what they just needed to win this conflict. To end Shredder's reign of control and agony. Pulling out the lone toothpick and places it back into his mouth, Raph takes a head start with the others right behind him.
"Okay. We're going!" Like a goofy child that he is, Mikey holds his hands out like he is running to give somebody a great, big hug. "EVERYBODY CALM DOWN! LOOK HOW CALM I AM!" Leo does a victory punch in the air while doing a mid-jump and Donnie grinning from turtle ear to turtle ear.
The effect will wear off eventually. And the actual calmness will eventually return to them.
The Turtles are free and reunited with their brother and now,…the chase to get back to and save New York is on. Stay tuned for the next instalment of:
Heroes in the Half-Shell: The Shortcut
Author's Notes: How many times do I have to say I'm sorry? Is anyone counting?
Between you and me, I had trouble with this chapter. Well, mostly with the chemicals that was used in this scene and how the Turtles were brought back. Or for the fact that I am almost (or very close) to losing my touch! With my videos, my end-of-the-year concert and the job hunt taking up most of my time, I have nearly completely abandoned this! I'm not giving up if that is what you guys are thinking. It will take time for it to all come together. Just please bear with me!
Plus, we had the Solar Eclipse if I'm not mistaken! I maybe from Australia, but I did get a chance to see some of it live on Twitter. It really helps when you see it live from another country. But you know, one of these days, I will see one for myself in person. Funny thing, I read this article last year that the world was going to end on the solar eclipse…
…
…
…
I am such a sucker, right? I can help what I read! At least, we are still standing.
Ok, enough of this, I have a surprise for you guys. We are currently 6 or 7 chapters away from finishing the WHOLE story. That's right! Once that is done, it is onto the sequel! I would love to hear some ideas before I finish this one up. Feel free to PM or review me!
With my videos, I have finished my LW! Sonic X: The Dub Version. I'm still working on the TMNT 1987 cartoon & the 2012 animation. Sonic Boom is still in the works, although I have no idea when that is finishing (Hopefully, not too soon!). Might be able to do Raven's Home as the show before it was such a great childhood show to grow up with. Gotta love that Raven Baxter!
Guess there is nothing much to say but take care, ok?
Until we meet again,
The DragonLord2912