Unknown
The argument had been going on for a while. It was really more of a dressing down though since after Luna's initial greeting she couldn't get a word in edgewise.
"You were made mortal for a reason! You were sent here to learn the consequences of acting on your own without considering the larger picture," Zeus began sternly. "Yet you continue to break with all tradition and associate with demons and monsters!"
"I-" she tried to interject.
"Then you embroil your father in this mess and become a half immortal creature! A complete unknown, who challenges the balance of the entire Olympic system!" Zeus bellowed over the top of her protest. "If your father wasn't so indispensable I would never have allowed it,"
"He-" she started.
"Really! What were you thinking?" Zeus cut her off.
It was a good thing that Selene had kept her hand, and power, firmly in place over Raphael. With his first words Zeus had offended Raph and stirred his already riled protective instincts to levels Raph never even suspected he had.
"Granted, the human attack against you was unanticipated and it does seem that someone's underling may be getting out of hand, but that is an internal matter for Olympians. It does not grant you blanket permission to unlock dormant gifts in monsters and start conflicts where mortals might see," Zeus was lecturing.
"But-" she said.
"It seems you have learned nothing from your time here. Your rebellion remains unquelled. You cannot leave a single rule unchallenged," Zeus continued to rage. "It had to be you who engaged in the first soul bonding to ever occur to a god. Yet you selected monsters instead of an immortal peer."
Raph could feel that each separate remark was like a blade to Luna's heart. His bond flared with her emotions, pummeling him with pain, insecurity, and regret.
His brothers had just quieted her guilt an' put da poor girl back together! Now dis egotistical maniac had da nerve ta cut her down with his lies? She didn't choose any of dis!
Selene had to extinguish his hands more than a dozen times and even had to throw a sound barrier around them, as Raph vented his rage incoherently at a volume that would definitely have caught the King's attention.
"Such arrogance," Zeus declared. "Not only did you bond two powerful beings, but you claimed the remainder as family! Did you not think the other gods deserved a chance at such a rare creature? I cannot condone such greed, young one."
Raphael was not alone in his anger. Selene's hand on his shoulder tightened with every declaration Zeus made and her face was set in a defiant mask.
"This current behaviour only further reveals your aberrations. Perhaps that was the reason you selected monsters," Zeus mused, as if it had just occurred to him. "You are so reviled among your peers, none of them would have you."
That offhand comment was the final twist of the knife. Luna drooped to her knees in front of her King as if her feet had been cut from under her. Tears streamed down her face.
"Why are ya holdin' me here?" Raph raged at Selene. "He's hurtin' her!"
"I'm saving your life, my son," she replied sternly.
Raphael blinked, startled by the honorary term only Splinter had ever used with him. Her voice softened.
"He wouldn't even have to look up to end you." Selene continued. "Luna can take this. She couldn't handle losing a mate."
"After all of this, you have the nerve to summon me and beseech a favor?" Zeus' incredulous laugh dripped with scorn and contempt and drew Raph's flaming eyes back across the gap.
"You wish me to grant shades access to the afterlife," Zeus tsked at her in disdain. "Luna, you are too soft hearted. Always trying to save the unsavable. Just like that child. If you had left well enough alone, none of this would have happened."
She bowed her head.
"Please," she begged in a small crushed voice that Raph had to strain to hear. "Grant them entry. If only to uphold the honor of an Olympian's word."
There was a long silence, but she didn't look up.
"For the honor of the whole," Zeus agreed.
He waved a hand at the hovering shades and with another deafening crash of thunder they all disappeared. Leaving Luna kneeling alone on the rooftop.
As she staggered to her feet, still weeping, and walked to the side of the building to stare out at the city lights, Selene released Raphael. He did not need her quiet plea to urge him to Luna's side. Turmoil, pain, sorrow, guilt, anxiety, anguish… none of those words were enough to describe what was hammering at him through their bond.
Raph leapt the gap and approached her silently, not knowing what to say, but needing to be there. She knew who was behind her.
"Tell me you didn't hear that," she begged quietly without turning around.
Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment and she held her arms clenched tightly across her chest. Why did it have to be Raphael who witnessed her demeaning? The King had degraded her. Revealed her secret. She was soft. She was weak. She wasn't fit to be a goddess.
Raphael was proud and strong. He would not want a weak partner, like her, for a mate. He had bound himself to her in a moment of desperation. Out of a need to save his brother.
He certainly wouldn't want to stay with someone the King thought so poorly of. If he was Olympian, he'd demand she release him from her bond. And she would. He deserved better.
She waited for him to speak.
Raphael reached out gently and rested both his hands on her shoulders. It was the first time he had dared to touch her since he carried her home from the Fall. He had not allowed himself the privilege during the weeks that followed. It had not been his place. And yet he had yearned for it.
Emotions swirled so powerfully within him, it was all he could do to make his voice light as he answered.
"What I heard was a buncha hot air from a loud-mouthed bastard who feels threatened by ya."
She flinched, at his touch and his light tone. He wasn't taking this seriously. The King's words were law. She had to make him understand. She was nothing. He, Leonardo, the whole family- mortal though they were- were much more important than then her, the lowest god.
Had she really been trying to protect them when she claimed them as family? Or was she just as selfish as the King claimed?
She snorted mirthlessly.
"Oh, so you politely ignored the part about me being completely worthless as a goddess, an unknown and unclassifiable being, an ignorant rebel who thinks only of herself, a no good busybody that always mucks things up for the rest, a greedy miscreant…" Luna trailed off with a little yelp as Raphael spun her almost violently to face him.
"Lies," he spat with intensity, as he speared her with a look. "The whole pack of 'em."
She stared at him, eyes hot and still spilling over with tears. She saw anger on his face, and desire, yet his eyes spoke of some deeper conflict. He wouldn't ask. He didn't know he had the right. She had to offer.
"I will understand," she spoke softly, "if you do not wish to be my mate. I know now that I am flawed, and a tie to me will only weaken you. You are strong. Powerful. You should not have to share. You have the right to refuse me…to withdraw your bond."
She watched as his face changed. Now he knew. She closed her eyes in despair as more tears escaped. She did not want him to see how much she had been depending on his strength. She did not want to see his relief.
Raphael felt her heartbeat falter as his face went numb with shock.
She thought he wanted out? In what twisted universe would he want d'at? She wasn't weak!
She saved a child knowing it would cause her banishment. She endured da pain of death, twice. She stood up alone against three terrifying apparitions ta save his baby brother. She demeaned herself ta d'at fucking idiot they call a king so some poor souls she didn't know could make it ta da afterlife.
She was tempered steel coated in velvet. She was perfect.
He reach out to her, gently placed his palm over one flaming cheek, and stroked away her tears with his thumb. She was so damn beautiful, it made his hands shake.
"No," he said. It was a soft, emphatic, growling denial of everything in her offer.
She looked up into his eyes, startled. She saw only desire, awe, and… love. He wanted to be her bonded. The hole that had been tearing it's way through her heart began to heal.
"But-"
Raphael closed the space between them and placed a finger across her lips. Stopping the protest before it could form.
"No."
Raphael wished he was eloquent, like Donatello, and could explain away all of the hurtful things that awful creature said. He wished he was funny, like Michelangelo, able to banish her tears with laughter. He wished he was calm and compassionate, like Leonardo, to soothe her fears. He was none of these things.
He was, however, a damn good ninja. A fact that would save her life.
Even as distracted as he was standing that close to her, he sensed the danger. A slight buzz from a loose bit of fletching was his only warning.
With an oath that could have blistered paint, Raphael shoved her away from him with the hand that had only moments before been caressing her face.
Luna fell as a crossbow bolt shot directly through the space where her head had just been and impaled itself halfway to the fletching in the gravel of the rooftop. Three more followed, but she had taken the initiative and rolled into the scant cover provided by the knee wall at the edge of the building.
From that position, she frantically looked around as much as she could without leaving her protection. She couldn't seem to catch a break. Her enemies were everywhere.
Raphael had disappeared, but she knew he hadn't abandoned her. She could feel his heartbeat nearby, once again in perfect counterpoint to her own. His voice hissed out of the darkness.
"Luna, stay where ya are. These guys are not yer enemies. They're old friends of mine," he drawled sarcastically.
Raph watched from his concealed position as her eyes narrowed from surprise to hardened determination, and her hair burst into dramatic flames.
Mortals dared to threaten her mate? They must have a death wish.
"Luna," he drew her name out warningly. "These clowns ain't nothin' I can't handle. Let's save the fireworks in case we need a surprise later."
"I'm gonna draw 'em away." he paused. "Stay there until ya see all of 'em follow me."
She nodded and stroked a hand through her flaming hair, dousing it. She was willing to believe him when he said he could handle it.
"East a here three buildings we got friends. That's over da wall yer leanin' on." Raph continued. "Da gaps are narrow here, I know ya can make da jumps. Take da North fire escape down four levels an' knock on da window. You'll be safe there."
So I can concentrate, he thought.
Raph eyed her to see if she'd obey, and paused a moment to focus before the fight. He felt exhilaration fill him. This was exactly what he needed. He didn't know why the Foot were out here, but a good old fashioned beat-down, with an enemy he knew, would be great to clear his head.
Luna would be ok. She would be safe at April's. He just hoped there weren't more Foot concealed out there between her and the apartment. He suddenly wished Don had given her a phone or a tracking device. No one had thought about her having to go somewhere alone anytime soon.
He jumped when she spoke in his head a moment later.
I'll keep this line open, she said. So you can give me a play by play.
He smiled. He forgot she could do that.
Just remember to keep YOUR flames under control, ok big guy? she said.
I only burn for you babe. He replied with a smirk, and launched himself at a dead run across the building to lead the Foot away.
Luna smiled at his answer and hunched down in the ley of the wall as first one, than a dozen more, black clad figures leapt over her as they raced after Raphael to the nearby rooftop. She heard him taunting and egging them on. No one stopped to look for her.
So, who's the friend? she asked while she waited.
Guy named Casey. He comes with sometimes when we're, uh, out. Raph paused to smack two black clad heads together. Heck, ya betta invite 'im to join me when ya get there. Or he'll ride my shell about it for a week.
When the area around her was clear, she stood up and leapt for the next building as quietly and unobtrusively as she could. She felt a rush as she cleared the gap. This was actually kind of exciting. She smiled hugely as she sank into the shadows of the nearest A/C unit and started slinking across the roof.
Havin' fun playin' ninja, sweetheart? Raph called. He'd obviously felt the rush.
She stuck her tongue out at him even though she knew he couldn't see it. He'd still get the mental image. She glanced back at him two roofs away and saw he'd doubled over with laughter.
Two of the black clad figures looked at each other in confusion then shrugged and tried to take advantage of his strange behaviour. They got a quick backhanded fist and a kick instead.
Keep going Luna or Casey's not gonna have anyone left to play with.
She picked up the pace and trotted to the next gap. It was a little larger but still looked do-able. Luna backed up a few paces, ran, and jumped. She gave a little mental cheer when she landed and raised her fists over her head like a gymnast.
Crap! She ducked quickly and went back to trying to slink through the shadows.
Raph, eight more of those pajama guys just came out of the stairwell of this building.
They see ya? he asked in concern.
She smiled again. Raph was so protective even his mental voice held a threatening growl.
No, they're headed for the fight.
Stay low, only one more building to go sweetheart. he replied.
She blushed at the endearment, and considered the last building. It was taller than the one she was on by about two stories. What now? Climbing?
No, right there at the side nearest her was some sort of extra little out building. She stood on a protruding pipe and jumped to get the edge of it, then dragged herself up. Now there was only one story to go. She hesitated, unsure what to do.
um Raph? I'm a story too short, she said.
Straight ahead of ya there's a ledge. Ya see it? It's two feet deep. Ya can land it. D'en there's a metal ladder on da far right.
Luna considered the jump carefully. It was a little farther than the last one and, if she jumped too hard, she might ricochet off the building and fall backwards. Two feet wasn't really a lot of room for landing.
She thought about just using her power to levitate up but the silvery light would give away her position. Plus, she didn't want to compromise the living arrangements of whomever these friends were by leading pajama men to their window.
Finally, she held her hands out in front of her and made just her fingertips 'sticky' with the tiniest amount of power. Then she ran and jumped as hard as she could before she lost her nerve. She made the ledge and slapped the wall with her fingers to cement the landing. It worked and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Ya ok Luna? he called.
I got this. She answered and began to climb up the ladder.
It took no time at all for her to find the fire escape and make her way down the four levels but it was 3 AM when she pounded on the window so she really hoped these friends were used to visitors at strange hours.
A light came on immediately as a dark haired man in a grey tee and plaid pj pants stumbled into the hall, yawning and scratching his head.
"I'm a comin', hold ya horses Raph!" he said, then froze.
The redhead on the fire escape, while hot, was not the type of hothead he had expected. She pounded again.
"Casey! Let him in!" a woman's voice called in irritation from the bedroom.
"April, babe, it's not a him." Casey replied over his shoulder, without taking his eyes off the window.
"What?" a slightly disheveled woman appeared in the hall behind him, pulling on a bathrobe. She followed his gaze to the window and did a double take. "Oh my god, LUNA!"
April rushed to the window, threw up the sash, and pulled the girl inside.
"You know this girl babe?" Casey asked, just as Luna asked, "You Casey?"
"Who's askin'?" he said bluntly. April hit him up the back of his head.
This the guy? She sent Raph a mental picture of the man in front of her.
D'at's him.
"Raphael says, and I quote, 'Get dressed, ya numbskull. If ya don't hurry I won't save ya a dance partner. And I know how much ya love ta tango with da foot.'" Luna said, trying to mimic Raph's Brooklyn accent as best she could.
"The Foot!" Casey exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. He ran back toward the bedroom shouting "Where are they?"
"Four buildings west, one north." she replied.
"So close?" he called. There was a crash from the bedroom and the sound of a lot of objects falling over. "I got this!" he said loudly.
April covered her face with a hand.
The man came running back down the hall, dressed in torn jeans, an old sports jersey, and a hockey mask. He had a golf bag on his back with various sporting equipment inside. Luna exchanged a look with the woman.
"Don't ask," April said quietly.
"How many were there?" Casey asked eagerly, as he headed toward the window and the fire escape.
"Twenty-one by my last count," Luna said.
Thirty-two Raph chimed in. But he's down by ten.
Luna rolled her eyes, sensing where this was going. Casey was climbing out the window.
"Excuse me," she corrected sarcastically. "Raph says 32 and you're down by 10."
"No way!" Casey said.
He stood up on the fire escape and shook his fist to the city at large.
"You're not gonna beat me hothead!" Casey yelled, before dashing up the fire escape.