Chapter 20

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I heard the others giving it their all in the shifted headpiece I had as I dove towards my next opponent, blood seeping from multiple wounds. She screamed as I hit her full force, knocking her down and both of us sliding across the floor. I slammed my paw into her head, hearing a crack and seeing her body go limp.

Instantly I spotted my next target, leaping up and half grabbing the Hork-Bajir around the throat as he tried to shoot Amanda, both of us hitting the floor with a thump.

It screeched, slashing at me and making me scream out as it successfully lopped my front leg clean off, making me loosen my grip just enough for them to get an advantage.

I felt my back hit the floor hard, looking up and seeing the Hork-Bajir standing over me, wrist blades raised over me, ready to strike.

(NO!) In seconds he was gone, and all I saw was a white blur, and then something slam into the wall beside me, then a thump as it hit the floor.

(This is getting pretty intense!) I heard Marco cry out from wherever he was on the ship.

"I think... plan B! Needs to be... implimented!" I heard Leo cry out as he fought, and I heard Ithiell agree as Amanda dragged me against the wall, putting herself between me and the enemies around us, giving me time to shift into a tigress. As soon as I did, I dove around her and leaped back into the frey, my strength renewed.

We were still a fair way from the bridge, and from what I could guess... the other teams were still trying to get into their positions. We had half expected this, knowing it wasn't going to be easy... especially knowing how many Yeerks would be on the pool ship... but we were running out of time. The Yeerks were starting to get organized...

(All right everyone, on my mark we all throw an electric neutralizer... so get ready) Ithiell said, then his thought speak changed to a more authoritative tone, even as we all hit and bit and slashed and screamed in anger or pain. I didn't see any end to this group of Yeerks that we'd run into. The last few groups we'd ploughed through, this one...

(Shredder and Visser Three!) Ithiell called out, jumping over a Hork-Bajir and hitting the human controller behind him, teeth flashing (It is now time to move into position! Enter the Pool ship immediately!)

I dove in front of him as he reached the opposite wall, fending off a taxxon, and another Hork-Bajir as he shifted an arm and his belt with the gear on it, grabbing a device and holding it at the ready.

(Everyone ready?) He called to the others, and we heart Robert let out a shriek, turning as his massive body hit the floor for a moment, before he was back up on three legs. He hadn't hesitated...

I had a stupid moment where I had wondered what Serah would have done, before I heard the others reply that they were, and Ithiell gave the order.

(Jump!) The three of us tried to jump, using the wall as leverage as Ithiell threw the device down, the floor lighting up below us. We tried to keep up for as long as possible, Ithiell and I bouncing back and forth off the walls as the device did it's job, electrifying the Yeerks on the ground.

Thankfully, the charge dissipated in seconds, and all the Yeerks around us fell to the floor, literally smoking.

(Damn! Those are some powerful devices Donnie cooked up!) Rachel almost laughed.

(What can I say? My boy's a genius!) I looked around at the others, not seeing any other Yeerks in the hallway in, all of us shifting back. The gear we had on as ourselves would absorb the electric current, but as animals...

"It was nothing" I heard Donnie laugh nervously, smiling a little before Ithiell tapped my shoulder to get me moving.

"All right, everyone okay?" Ithiell touched his headpiece as we all started to move down the halls, indicating we stop at a corner. I saw Robert peek out, then duck back in and look at us, giving us a slow nod. We continued on, hearing everyone answer.

(We just ran around a corner, and almost smacked into Shredder and his ninjas taking down another lot of Yeerks, but we're good) Marco responded, sounding a little out of breath.

"Sounds like the Shredder didn't follow the plan" Leo didn't sound impressed, and I heard Ithiell sigh as we moved on.

"Just remember Leo, we predicted this. Just as long as we stick to our missions we'll be good"

"I know, we're almost there" He responded, although he still didn't sound happy.

"Rach, you good?" I heard Raph ask, smirking a little as Ithiell instructed me to peek around the corner this time.

(I'm fine, stop worrying and get to it loverboy!)

"I..." I heard him grunt as I peeked out, ducking my head back in and holding my fingers up with how many enemies there were around the corner.

"Chudnit" He muttered in a low tone "We can't waste any more time"

We all nodded, shifting as fast as we could and taking to the air, moving over the three Hork-Bajir as fast as possible. We knew they'd probably seen us, but Ithiell was right, there really was no more time.

"We're in" I heard Donnie report, then heard shots being fired, and another fight started.

(Us too!) Marco now, then Cassie yelped and their battle was now heard through our earpieces.

(I hope they'll be okay) Robert sounded genuinely concerned, but before I could comment, Ithiell announced we were at the door to the bridge.

(Four guards, let's do it!) We moved above them, our bodies slamming hard into them as we grew rapidly.

Ithiell knocked his opponent out straight away, but Amanda, Robert and I had a little more trouble. Thankfully, we had some interesting little devices that we jabbed into their necks, rendering them immobile for a short time. Soon, the guards were down, and we quickly finished them off, throwing another electrical device towards the Hork-Bajir that followed us.

Ithiell pulled out two heavy boxes from the shoulder bag he had been carrying, slapping one on each door and moving himself and us all back.

"Cover your heads, and get ready" He pulled out a small controller, waiting for all of us to shift before he hit the button, moving back and covering his head as a shrill beeping came from both devices before...

KA-BOOOOOM!

I ducked as the doors were ripped from their hinges, exploding over our heads and revealing the large bridge before us. Before anyone could move Ithiell threw two more devices in near the door, zapping the Yeerks that were now trying to run at us, and then...

"Get them!" I heard Visser Two screech as we all dove into action, biting and hitting and clawing anything that came near us.

(Ithiell!) I shoved him out of the way as a shot went past, burning my shoulder before going after the one who fired the shot.

"Thanks Jade" He dove off again, whipping his tail forward and cracking the neck of the Hork-Bajir that was coming at him. Then he was off again, and we all continued to fight hard.

I slammed into a taxxon, ripping it to shreds and leaping off it and into two controllers who were about to fire at me. I dug my claws into one's chest, then smacked another with a paw. Safe to say they both went down hard.

"Smokin 'em!" Ithiell suddenly yelled, and I looked over as he threw a smoke bomb down, the three of us ducking out of range and hearing the controllers cry out.

Soon we were all back in, using the distraction to rip into the last of them.

I just happened to look over, seeing Ithiell had finally reached Visser Two, knocking her down and using his weight to pin her. I saw a Hork-Bajir behind him-

(HA!) Robert yelled, body slamming the him and flattening him into the wall, crushing him as he did.

(We did it! We took the bridge!) Amanda cried, and I finally looked around through the clearing smoke and seeing they were all down.

"All right Yeerk" Ithiell said, and we all moved over to him, seeing a Dracon beam in her hand start to lift, but I was soon there slamming it back down and out of her hands, growling a little.

"I'll kill you all" She snarled, watching as we all shifted back, looking down at her.

"You tried that, remember? Didn't work too well"

"We're in!" I heard Donnie cry in triumph, and soon Marco did something similar.

(Ax is getting to work guys, we should have full control of the weapons soon)

"So Yeerk" Robert started, walking over to stand over her "Where's your boss?"

"Why would I tell you filthy humans something like that?" She spat.

"Well... maybe because you hate her, and you Yeerks have a knack for backstabbing one another?" I supplied, kneeling down beside her. She tried to spit at me, but I moved out of the way just in time.

"Amanda? Take over would you?" Ithiell started to move, and Visser Two attempted to attack, but Amanda was slamming her back to the ground, pushing her now bigger mass down and pinning her again.

"You filthy Changeling! I will... I will..."

"Blah blah blah" Was Ithiell's response, waving a hand around as he moved to the console she'd been at, tapping away and seeing some of the screens light up.

"How about you get out of April's head, and we might actually be nice enough to flick you into the pool" I offered, hearing one of the turtles mutter something under their breath. Visser Two's response was a frustrated scream in my direction.

"All right, I've gotten control of the systems. I've managed to lock large sections off where most of the Yeerks are. We have some running around still, but we should be fine"

"We'll that's a relief. Last thing we want its more surprises" Leo muttered, almost sighing.

"Bad news is... Visser and his followers have made it to the Yeerk pool, so who knows what kind of mess he'll make in there"

"Well...can't be any worse than the mess we've just made. Can you lock him in there?" Marco asked.

"Done, hopefully that'll hold him while we finish up" Ithiell responded, his fingers still flying over the console.

"What about the Shredder?" Splinter spoke up, and we all looked at each other, then over at Ithiell.

"He's... well, he's still in the same area Marco reported him in. But... hmm, I don't know what he's up to"

"Just make sure he can't get into any systems" Donnie told him, then made a strange kind of grunt.

"On it"

"Have you found Visser One yet?" Marco's voice sounded hopeful and worried all at once.

"Uh.. hang on..." We waited a few moment, before Ithiell slammed his hand down on the side of the console, stepping back and looking pleased with himself.

"Bam baby! Got her on this deck, looks like she's in her... or someone else's... quarters"

"I'll go and get her"

"Not alone you wont" I told Marco, looking up at Ithiell, who nodded to me.

"Here, take this" He grabbed a device from the bag, throwing it at me. I caught it, looking from him to Visser Two.

"But... don't you need it to-"

"Jade, really?" He pulled another device out, and I smirked, shoving it in my pocket as he gave me the directions. I nodded, turning towards the door and making my feet move.

"I'm on my way, just guide me there" I heard Marco say as I ran down the hallway, collapsing forward and my paws now hitting the ground as I ran.

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I finally managed to get to the door, and the room itself was locked, as Ithiell had made sure it was.

"Ithiell, I'm here... are you sure she's-"

"Oh she's in there. Just be careful, she's probably got a weapon pointed at the door"

"Can you open the door?"

"Not yet! I'm almost there" Marco sounded a little annoyed. So, being the good girl I was, I just stood at the door, looking around.

"All right, all right, don't get your knickers in a knot"

"I wear boxers, thank you very much!"

"Too much info dude" I heard Mikey mutter, smiling and shaking my head. For once... Mikey was right.

Soon enough I saw Marco skidding around the corner, running towards me and looking pretty red faced and out of breath.

"All right, when you guys are ready?" Ithiell asked, and I pulled out my dagger, readying it and catching a look from Marco.

"Oh I won't hurt her... much"

"Jade" He growled a little, and I put my hands up defensively.

"Hey, she's got a thing against me, I aint letting her get the upper hand again"

He sighed, but moved back to the door, readying himself for anything.

"Get ready to be possibly shot at" Ithiell muttered, and as soon as Marco gave the go ahead the door started to-

TSSSEEEW!

"Ya!" Marco yelped, surprisingly twisting his body out of his way of the shot.

"Lookout!" I dove forward, ducking behind a piece of furniture as she took another shot at me, the material above me exploding into pieces.

"Mom, it's me!" He cried out again, and I managed to move and grab his leg, yanking him down and making him yelp.

He soon got the message, crawling over to the couch I think it was, both of us yelping as another shot incinerated the material just above our heads.

"You... you disgusting creature! How can... urgh..."

"You talking about me or him?" I popped my head above the couch, seeing she had her head in her hands, looking like she was struggling with something.

"You!" She suddenly snarled, pointing the gun at me, her hand shaking. I rolled away from my hiding spot, behind a chair as she took a shot at where I had been seconds before.

"Mom, come on, it's me!"

"M-Mar-" I chanced another peek, seeing she seemed to be struggling again.

"Marco, here!" I yanked the device from my pocket, tossing it at him.

"What-"

"I'll distract her, you use that on her"

"What...but-"

"Just do it!"

"I won't let you get close, you filth!" She suddenly snarled, incinerating part of the chair next to my arm. I hissed a little, grabbing my arm and feeling it burn.

"Guess again!" I clutched my dagger close again, readying it and diving over the chair, heading straight at her as she aimed the gun at me. In seconds I dodged left, just barely being missed by the next shot.

"How the hell do I use it!" I heard Marco yelp as I dodged again, half scrambling behind some kind of table, yelping as the shot shattered something on it.

"Put it at the base of her neck" Ithiell instructed "Then push that very obvious button... should take her down in one shot"

"Hurry it up Marco!" I snapped, diving behind a kitchenette of sorts, tucking my legs up against me as she took another shot, partially blowing it apart.

"You..." Before I knew it the weapon was aimed in my face, and I scrambled to my feet, backing up and knowing I was backing into a dead end. The face behind that weapon...

Visser One's eyes bored into mine as she stepped forward, and I finally hit the wall, staring back at her as she smiled a little.

"You... you little brat... you've been a thorn in my side for years... you just... won't...die. And now... you've infiltrated my ship, and tried to take it over... you..."

"Well in my defense, you did try to kill me first"

"Not the point" She shook the gun at me, finally in front of my face, pointing the gun straight into my forehead. I wanted to close my eyes, knowing this would probably hurt if Marco didn't get his ass into gear... but my eyes were locked on hers. Those dark... haunting eyes...

"I'm going to enjoy watching you burn..." She smiled then, starting to pull the trigger-

She yelped suddenly, her body starting to convulse and the Dracon beam slipping out of her hands as she collapsed towards the floor, revealing Marco behind her.

"Took you long-" I sighed, stopping when Marco moved to kneel beside his mother, who's body had finally stopped convulsing, laying limp.

"Oh my god, what did it-" I knelt down on the other side of her, leaning over and putting a hand on his shoulder gently.

"She's not dead... Ithiell made it so it would the electrical current would be just be strong enough to knock the Yeerk about, and..." I stopped, moving both hands to lift her head, turning it to the side and seeing the tail of the Yeerk slip out of her ear.

"You wanna do the honors?" I asked him, and he nodded, his brow furrowed as he carefully yanked the Yeerk out of his mothers ear, then moved back and tossed it as hard as he could against the opposite wall, letting out a cry of anger as he did.

He turned back, kneeling down and gently taking his mother in his arms, tears starting to fall freely down his cheeks. Slowly, he looked up at me.

"She... she's finally..."

I smiled, nodding at him and patting his shoulder gently, getting up and surveying the room. It was torn to bits...

"Uh, guys... we might need some help!" Leo's voice suddenly crackled in my earpiece, and I shared a look with Marco.

"What's wrong?" Ithiell asked, and then I heard him groan.

"We got too many enemies down here! We need backup!" Raph yelled, suddenly hearing shots being fired.

"A large group must have broken free... " Ithiell sounded a little annoyed.

"We're on our way" Marco went to get up, but I stopped him.

"No, you need to take care of your mom right now. Lock the door behind me" I got up, tapping my earpiece.

"Ithiell, which way do I go?"

"Oh no you don't, I'm coming to meet you" Was Ithiell's response, hearing the doors shut behind me.

"You guys better hurry!"

"Jade, go, I'll meet up with you then, go left and two floors down at the nearest dropshaft!" Ithiell instructed "I'll guide you the rest of the way more from there"

"On my way" I took off down the hallway, shifting as I went, feeling like something terrible was about to happen.

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Things are getting hairy! What's gonna happen next!

Please read and review!

Constructive criticism appreciated!