Bō

Plan

Robin was now certain that New York City had no need for a Titans branch, because it had skilled mutant ninja Turtles guarding it already. (Meanwhile, Beast Boy finds a kindred spirit within this new team, and enemies team up to bring them all down...)

"It's not unusual for our team to go to other cities. Anyone who sees us won't be too concerned," Robin explained to the Turtles. "We often investigate leads on our entourage of villains like this - doing sweeps of other cities."

Leonardo frowned. "That's fine, but...I'd really appreciate it if we could...split up. If you guys are noticed, and we're with you..."

Robin sighed. "I know, Leo. I...really, I know."

"Well," Raph grumbled, "why don't we split up or something? Pairs or trios. Then we're less likely to attract attention." After a moment of silence, Raph looked around and realized all eyes were on him. "...What?"

"Raph...that's actually not a bad idea," Donatello mused. "Could your team work with that."

Robin nodded the affirmative, and the Turtles beamed.

"They're on the move."

"I know that," Katarou grumbled. "I still don't see why you're here though."

The daughter of the Shredder grinned. "Just to give you some back-up, in case you do decide to fight...and to inform my father of how your plan is working out."

Katarou snorted. "Shredder need not worry. So long as we keep them on their toes...they'll fall, sooner or later."

"Um...so..."

"Please spare yourself the pain and just stop talking."

Mikey gulped, glancing again at the girl in the blue cloak. "Yeah, yeah, sure. Just, uh...you're not the talkative type?"

"What part of my previous statement did you not understand?"

"Right." They continued on, Mikey hopping gracefully from rooftop to rooftop as Raven hovered after him. She was like a shadow herself...and the fact that she wasn't talking was not helpful.

Mikey could be silent when he needed to be, but even his brothers would strike up conversations or make jokes when on patrol. This girl...she was beginning to freak him out a little bit.

"You're a lot like Beast Boy, aren't you?"

"What?" Oh, now she wanted to talk.

Raven rolled her eyes. "You and Beast Boy - I can see why you like each other. You're both loud, obnoxious-" she received an indignant 'Hey!' at this - "enjoy video games, pizza, and pranks... You're like kindred spirits. You even have similar voices and attitudes about...well, everything."

"Uh...thanks?"

She looked at him again, and then sighed. "You're afraid of me though. Like he was when we first met."

Now Mikey was just confused. And sheepish, but that's besides the point. "How...how could you tell?"

"I'm an empath. I sense emotions. Fear is radiating from you in waves."

Mikey blushed. "Oh. Sorry. I - hey, look!"

Both were thankful for the distraction. Mikey pointed down the alleyway, and Raven frowned at the scene. Two robots were loading a truck with...well, even Raven was unable to tell.

"Should we engage?"

"Let me radio Robin..."

"This reminds me of the night we first met."

"Except this time there are considerably less evil ninjas and aliens in robot bodies."

"That's true."

Robin grinned as he and Donnie leapt from one rooftop to the next. To be honest, when this whole issue was over, Robin hoped that they would at least consider meeting some of the other Titans; it would be great to have these guys be available for big fights with megalomaniacs and supervillain teamups.

Suddenly, his earpiece crackled with static. Then came Raven's voice, "Robin, Michelangelo and I have spotted some Kraang at a warehouse, moving...I don't quite know what. Should we engage them?"

Robin was about to say 'yes', but paused and glanced at Donatello. The purple banded Turtle shrugged, and mouthed, 'Ask Leo.' "Um, Raven, ask Leonardo. The Kraang are his and his brothers' enemies; we're only here to help minimize the Katarou threat."

A pause. Then: "Right, of course. Raven out."

Don looked at Robin, brown eyes swimming with thought. "Why not make the decision yourself?"

Robin chuckled. "As I told Raven, we're only here for Katarou. The Kraang are still your enemies. If you want help, we'll give it, but for now our focus is this."

Don nodded. "Right, of course." And they went back to their silent yet comfortable patrol.

"Leonardo, do you copy?"

Leo almost jumped as Raven's voice echoed in his ear piece - custom designed by Cyborg, apparently. The half-man, half-machine was just as handy as Donnie, if not more so. "Yeah, Raven, this is Leo. What's up?"

"Michelangelo and I have spotted a few Kraang at a warehouse. They're moving unknown cargo in a truck, and are about to leave. Do you want us to engage? And don't tell me to ask Robin - he said to ask you."

"That sounds like Robin," Beast Boy - who momentarily shifted from hawk form - muttered to Starfire. The alien princess giggled slightly, and then quieted herself as Leo glanced back at them.

"Our main focus is Katarou...but if you feel you can handle them, take them out and investigate the cargo. They are still of concern, as their alliance with Shredder is unknown."

"Alright...Michelangelo believes we can engage them and win, so that's what we'll do. Raven out."

"May X'hal give them luck," Starfire murmured. Both Leo and Beast Boy quirked an eyebrow at this statement, but said nothing.

"Alright, let's continue onward."

"Wonder if Cy and Raph are having any luck," Beast Boy murmured as Leo strode past him.

"If they find anything," the leader said, slightly terse, "they'll radio us. Now let's keep moving."

Without another word, Leo leapt from the rooftop. Starfire and Beast Boy glanced at each other, and then shrugged. Starfire dove off the building, as did Beast Boy, who morphed into a hawk before hitting the ground.

Above them, watching, were Karai and Katarou. The latter was now aiming an arrow at Leonardo, waiting for him to pause.

"Why go for Leo?" Karai asked, her tone neutral and devoid of emotion. "Why not Robin? Doesn't he pose a bigger threat?"

"Robin," Katarou hissed, "will be dealt with when the time comes. But Leonardo is the leader of the mutants, and they are all that matter to Shredder. As such, I'm taking him out first. Without a leader, they will be powerless."

"And if you miss?"

Katarou shot the kunoichi an annoyed glare, and she hastily looked away. Turning back to his target, Katarou said, "If I do miss, there will still be panic. They know I am following them, hunting them. Might as well let them know the end is near."

And at last, his quarry stopped, turning and waiting for the changeling. He grinned, notched an arrow, aimed, and fired.