A/N: As a big fan of the 2003 series I couldn't resist a nod to one of my favorite episodes, therefore this chapter includes scenes from the 2003 episode, The Big Brawl Part Two. If you are not familiar with the episode don't worry, you don't need to know it to understand this chapter. And a big thank you to those writing reviews. The reviews keep my plot bunny working hard and make me oh so happy!

Please note: Character thoughts are in italics.

Disclaimer: I still don't own any of the turtles, a shame really.

Chapter 5-Red and Orange

Michelangelo stood beside Master Splinter as he used some chalk to write a glyph on the wall in front of them. He then began to chant. Suddenly a portal appeared before them. "Come my son, the Battle Nexus awaits."

"Umm, you know Sensei maybe I should…" Michelangelo's protests were interrupted by Splinter grabbing his son's shoulder and pulling him through the portal.

Michelangelo's eyes could not get any bigger as he followed behind his sensei. The Battle Nexus was unlike anything he could have imagined. There were so many life forms he had never seen before. Walking through the Pavilion of Past Champions, his eyes wandered over the statues until two made him stop in his tracks. Master Yoshi and Master Splinter, both former champions of the Battle Nexus. Splinter had told the starstruck turtle about his participation in the Battle Nexus Tournament, but he never mentioned being a champion.

"Wow, this is so cool!"

A smile spread across Splinter's face as he placed a furry hand on the turtle's shoulder. Once again pulling him forward. "Come my son, the games will begin soon."

Raphael followed Traximus as they walked to the line up of contestants in front of the pit arena. Looking around Raphael couldn't help but be impressed. He knew he would see a lot of unusual lifeforms, yet the red masked turtle was still in awe at just how many different lifeforms participated in the tournament.

Traximus looked over at his young charge. He knew that Raphael's boredom was approaching a tipping point now that Zanramon's rule was at an end. With the war over, the red banded turtle no longer had an outlet for his pent up aggression. Sparring against Traximus or pounding on a punching bag does not provide the same thrill as being in actual combat. He was hoping that the young warrior would find enjoyment from the games while also blowing off some much needed steam. And maybe, if they were really lucky, they could find someone who would know where Raphael really came from. Raphael was a natural protector, except with the Triceriton Republic now at peace, he no longer had anyone to protect.

The Ultimate Daimyo began the tournament by using his scepter to split the contestants into pairs. The Daimyo announced to the group. "Warriors, first tier, begin!"

Michelangelo found himself facing Tjaluk of Setia Hati Terate. Tjaluk wasted no time charging at the orange turtle. Mikey couldn't help but let out a cry as he dodged the charge.

"Aaahhhh!"

Mikey did a back flip to get out of the way, then quickly pulled out his nunchaku and started spinning them in his expert hands. Looks like it's game time!

Michelangelo started taunting his opponent as they sparred. "Let's say we call this a draw, and I'll spring for the other half of that haircut."

Tjaluk responded with another charge at the turtle. Except this time Mikey was ready and as he flipped over his opponent's head, he twisted the nunchaku to land a killing blow. Right before Mikey's weapon could hit Tjaluk in the head, he vanished. Michelangelo began waving to the roaring crowd. Sweet I'm on to round two!

Raphael found himself fighting against Rings, a warrior wielding disk weapons. The warrior lunged forward, immediately putting Raphael on defense as he blocked the rings with his knives. Then Raphael saw an opening and struck out at Rings. His opponent jumped back out of reach, and then two more rings appeared in his hands. Now Raphael was fighting with two knives against an opponent with four rings.

Rings and Raphael sparred for a few moments until Raphael leapt backwards. Rings threw two of his weapons at the red masked turtle. Raphael easily blocked the discs. He let out a smile as he charged. One should never throw their weapons. Raphael easily blocked one of the rings, flipped over the opponent's head and knocked him off balance with a roundhouse kick. Twirling his knives he prepared to deliver a winning blow. "Say goodnight ring boy." Rings vanished to the healing pavilion before Raphael's blow could hit it's mark. With a smirk Raphael says "Round Two!"

After a short break the winning contestants were once again paired off to begin round two. Red and Orange stared at each other in shock. Neither one moving least they break the spell and find out it was all a dream. Detecting there was a problem, Gyoji appears before the two turtles, startling them both out of their thoughts.

"Is there something wrong contestants? You are supposed to be fighting."

Michelangelo was the first to recover. This red dude must be one of my brothers! This dude looks like he could really kick my shell. "You wouldn't consider forfeiting so we can talk this out would you dude?"

At first, Raphael was frozen to the spot. Who is this orange guy? He's looks just like me! But then he asked Raphael to forfeit. Back away from a fight? Is this turtle crazy? Deciding to figure out what's going on later, Raphael let out a roar and charged at the orange turtle.

Michelangelo dodged the attack. Raphael's knives stuck into the ground in the exact spot he had previously been standing in. "I'll take that as a no."

Raphael pulled his knives out of the ground and let out a growl as he charged the energetic turtle again.

Michelangelo kept talking to the hotheaded turtle as he flipped over his head and delivered a roundhouse kick to the shell. "Dude, maybe we can just talk this out?"

Raphael was starting to see red. The annoying turtle just kept on talking and dodging his attacks. This guy is really getting under my shell.

"Just shut up and fight already!"

Michelangelo was aware that his opponent was losing his temper, which could work to his advantage.

The crowd started to cheer. "Hear that crowd bro, that's me they are cheering for." He continued to taunt the red masked turtle. "Not you…me. Not you…me. Not you…me."

Raphael charged again, but the orange masked turtle merely bent at the waist, and he flew over the turtle's head.

"Ok now you're just getting sloppy."

Raphael kept lunging for the turtle, who kept dodging his every strike. "Will you shut your trap?"

"Why does my talking bother you? Am I distracting you somehow? Making you loose focus? Finally getting under your shell? Or maybe you are just a teensy bit worried that I might actually beat you."

The short leash left on Raphael's self control snapped. With a roar he lunged for the talkative turtle, who easily dodged his charge, and found himself running headfirst into the wall. As with the other contestants, Raphael vanished before his body impacted the wall.

He was sent to the healer's pavilion. Raphael began to panic. "I can't believe it, that orange turtle actually beat me? I didn't even know who he was!"

Traximus saw his young charge pitching a hissy fit in the healer's pavilion and ran over to calm him down. "Raphael, defeat is a harsh mistress. Come let us drown our sorrows in a protein supplement."

After Raphael had calmed down, he told Traximus about the orange masked turtle. "What do you think Traximus?"

The Triceriton was facing the doorway and saw the orange turtle enter the café with a giant rat. "I think we are about to get some answers Raphael."

A/N: Ok so that was a short chapter and was heavy on the action and light on the narrative. In the next chapter Raph is going to have to make a tough decision. Soon the chapters get longer, the action picks up, and don't worry Donatello fans, our favorite brainy turtle will show up soon. Virtual peppermint mocha's (or iced mocha's if your area is warm) to those who write a review! And as always thanks for reading!