Chapter Twenty Nine- The Battle of Former Friends
Splinter ran as fast as he could through the halls, making sharp turns around corners in a beeline for the throne room. His stony expression sent a clear message: this ends now.
He arrived at the throne room without any problems. Obviously, Shredder knew he was coming and wanted to end things himself. Splinter didn't open the doors just yet; He stared at the doors for a while, wondering if he could turn back now and return to his children. But he knew at once that turning back was not an option, no matter what the outcome of the battle may be. He took a few breaths to calm his racing heart before pulling open the doors. He walked in slowly, his rat ears swiveling around for any sounds. The doors closed behind him, and Splinter spun around to see a familiar, iron-clad face.
"Greetings, old friend." Shredder said as he stepped from the shadows and into the moonlight. "It has been a long time. I thought for sure you would be dead by now, grief-stricken over the loss of your family."
"I assumed the same." Splinter replied calmly. "Though I pictured you lying dead in a gutter."
Shredder's gaze hardly changed; if anything, he looked amused by Splinter's comment. "Well, look at it this way: we both became who we were meant to be. I am a great master and you are a rat, just as everything should be."
Splinter's stony expression remained unchanged. "I have only one order for you: leave this city and my family alone."
"Your family?" Shredder laughed. "You mean those pathetic reptiles, the weakling of a girl, and your—"
"Don't you dare say anything about my daughter." Splinter warned.
Shredder smirked under his mask. "You are weak, Splinter, and I tire of this." The twin blades attached to his wrists unsheathed with a sharp SHING! "How about we end this with your blood on my blades?"
Splinter drew his katana, twirling it and then shifting into a strong battle stance. "I have always tried to follow the ninjutsu code, as taught to us by our master. I have never taken a life so willingly before." His eyes narrowed. "But I think I can make an exception just this once."
Shredder's eyes narrowed and he lunged. Splinter met him head-on. Their blades clashed in a burst of sparks and a loud CLANG!
The turtles, April, Miwa, and Leatherhead didn't get very far into the fortress before they became forced to duck behind large crates. Leatherhead especially had a difficult time staying hidden.
"Come on!" Raph grunted in frustration. "How are we supposed to get to Splinter with those guys blocking the way?" Everyone peered from behind the crates at the dozens of Foot Ninjas and Dogpound (steaming mad and now conscious) patrolling the hallways and wandering about the rooms.
"All right, how about a couple of us go to Splinter and the rest of us will catch up when we finish beating these guys into dust?" Leo offered. "Miwa and Mikey, you guys go to Splinter."
"No." Mikey protested. Everyone stared at him. "Miwa, you go to Splinter. Leo, you go with her."
"Me?" Leo repeated.
"Leo, let's face it." Mikey sighed. "You and Splinter are the most similar. You can take on Shredder and you deserve to be by Splinter's side."
"Mikey." Leo sighed. "I don't think..."
"You work harder than any of us." Donnie interrupted. "You're traditional and strong and our leader. Go fight by Splinter's side...as his son."
"We're all his sons." Leo protested softly.
"Leo, just go." Raph jerked his head towards the door. "We'll take care of these jokers. You just make sure our father comes back alive, huh?"
Miwa and Leo shared a look before nodding. Raph, Donnie, Mikey, and April jumped out and shouted in effort as they started attacking the ninjas. Leatherhead followed close behind and tackled Dogpound to the ground. Miwa and Leo gave them a few seconds before darting through the scuffle and hurrying through the hallways.
"Where do you think Shredder would be?" Leo asked Miwa as they ran.
"Not sure." Miwa shook her head. "He's tricky. For all we know, he could be luring Splinter into a room only to shut off the lights and stab him from behind."
"Charming thought." Leo groaned. "Let's just find Splinter and—"
The two of them suddenly skidded to a halt when a Foot Ninja appeared, blocking their path. Not just any Foot Ninja: Karai herself, standing with her hands on her hips and staring at them with an almost emotionless gaze. Leo drew his katanas and Miwa unsheathed her gauntlet blades.
"Karai, we don't want to hurt you." Leo assured.
"We're only here to bring our family home." Miwa added. "All of our family."
Leo held up his katanas. "So if you don't get out of our way—"
Karai jerked her thumb down the hall. "Our fathers are fighting in the throne room. I'm assuming you still know where that is?" She looked to Miwa with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course I do." Miwa nodded slowly.
"Then I suggest the two of you go help your father before my father kills him." Karai calmly stepped past the pair and walked off down the hall.
"Karai." Miwa's voice made Karai stop. "You must know, my sister, that tonight's battle may end with Shredder dead."
Karai turned with a smile. "Somehow I highly doubt it." She looked to Leo. "You take very good care of my sister, Leonardo. Because if you don't I'll come after you and destroy you." She left before the turtle could respond, but Leo only smiled.
Miwa smirked. "Aw, you still like her."
Leo frowned. "No I don't. Now come on! Our father might need our help."
Miwa nodded and led Leo down the hall, both of them determined to find their rat sensei and help him.
Splinter ducked before Shredder's blades could slice his head off. He then thrust his blade forward, but Shredder sidestepped and avoided it. Their blades clashed, fists flew, and they kicked each other backwards every ten seconds. But if either opponent became tired, they didn't show it. Splinter's red-brown eyes burned with fury as Shredder continued his brutal attacks against him. Shredder thrust his blades towards the rat master, only for Splinter to leap into the air and have the blades penetrate Shredder's throne. Shredder jerked his weapon free and charged for Splinter again. But this time, Shredder's anger doubled and fueled his attacks. When Splinter lunged with his katana, Shredder caught the blade in his own and planted his foot in Splinter's stomach. He grunted as he flew backwards, his katana flying from his grasp and stabbing the wall. Shredder suddenly grabbed Splinter by the throat and threw him aside. Splinter hit the base of the steps hard and struggled to get up. Shredder put his blades to Splinter's throat, tilting the rat's chin up to stare into his furious eyes.
"You were always weak." Shredder scoffed. "You lost Teng Shen because you couldn't protect her. It is your love for your family that is your downfall."
Shredder grunted as a shuriken ricocheted off his helmet. He spun around to glare at Leo and Miwa, both in strong battle stances; Leo with his twin katanas and Miwa with her two gauntlets.
"His family could kick your butt in ten seconds." Miwa snapped.
Shredder scoffed. "You two are naïve."
"Just get away from him." Leo ordered. "Or we'll force you to."
Shredder turned to stab his blades into Splinter, but paused when he realized he was gone. He turned to see Splinter standing with his son and daughter, ready to fight once more.
"I see how this is." Shredder said. "Very well. Because you have dragged your precious little children into the fight, Splinter, you can watch them die before I kill you myself."
Splinter glared. "I would love to see you try."
Shredder lunged for them, but the trio scattered. Leo and Miwa held their respective weapons ready; Splinter, seeing how his katana was still firmly stuck in the wall, only adopted a strong stance to prepare to fight. Miwa came forward first, swiping her claws towards Shredder's face. Shredder blocked them skillfully and forced Miwa to back flip out of the way to avoid his kicks. Leo slashed his blades, but his attacks were also blocked and Shredder planted a foot into the turtle's plastron. Leo flipped and landed on his feet, charging again into battle. Shredder blocked his strikes before grabbing Leo by his plastron and throwing him to the ground. Splinter grabbed Shredder's wrist and twisted it to stop him from stabbing Leo. Shredder jumped up and broke free, swinging his blades for Splinter's throat. Splinter leaned back just in time and kicked Shredder sharply in the stomach. Shredder shouted in pain from the old wound Miwa gave him, but swiped his claws and left two shallow scratches across Splinter's arm.
"Shredder!" Leo shouted, swinging his swords back in preparation for a strike. Shredder grabbed Splinter by the front of his yukata and threw him into the turtle, sending the two of them tumbling to the ground. Miwa ran forward again, jumping up to stab her claws down onto Shredder's head.
"Leave them alone!" she shouted.
But Shredder performed a high, perfect back kick that connected with Miwa's stomach. Miwa cried out in pain as Shredder's blow sent her flying and crashing into the stone wall. She hit the ground hard, lying there limply like a rag doll. Shredder turned to Leo and Splinter, his only two opponents still standing. The turtle and rat were both covered in bruises, cuts, and looked steaming mad. But they refused to show their wounds affected them. Leo handed Splinter one of this katana blades, and the father and son stood strong and proud, ready to face their opponent. Shredder charged for them, and the ninja duo leaped into battle.
Shredder swiped his blades, only for his attack to be blocked by Leo's katana. Splinter swung his own sword towards Shredder's head, but Shredder blocked it with his other set of blades. Shredder kicked Leo away and thrust his free claws towards Splinter's face. Splinter narrowly dodged the sharp weapons and jumped back, brandishing his katana threateningly. Shredder lunged again, forcing Splinter to use his katana as a shield to protect himself from getting sliced to bits. Leo ran up behind Shredder and leaped into the air, aiming the point of his blade for Shredder's unprotected neck. Shredder managed to spin around, grab Leo by his shell, and throw him into Splinter. They hit the stairs hard, but jumped back on their feet two seconds later. Then, the glass on either side of the walkway started moving, opening up the pool of water beneath them. Fishface's head came from the surface, grinning menacingly.
"Prove yourself to me by taking care of that turtle." Shredder told the mutant fish. "But Splinter is mine."
Fishface chuckled evilly and dove down again, darting towards the reptile. "I'm coming for you, Turtle!"
"Can you handle him?" Splinter asked Leo, keeping his eyes on Shredder.
"I'll be fine." Leo assured, turning to the mutant fish. "Just take care of Shredder."
Splinter would've loved to simply turn the overgrown fish into sushi. But with Shredder in the same room, Splinter forced himself to keep his attention there. Besides, Leo could handle himself. So Splinter charged for Shredder just as Fishface leaped from the water towards Leonardo, snapping his jaws.
"Why do you bother with them?" Shredder demanded as he and Splinter fought. "They are pathetic little freaks. If the effects of their mutation were reversed, they would be nothing!"
Splinter growled and lunged again. His katana clashed with Shredder's claws and he was thrown aside. He landed on his feet with ease, brandishing his blade in front of him.
"They will just be four, tiny, defenseless turtles!" Shredder continued. "You, on other hand, would be different."
Splinter paused at this, allowing Shredder to continue talking.
"If you returned to your human form, you would still possess your ninjutsu abilities." Shredder explained. "You could fight, but you would not have to hide in the sewers like the rat you are."
Meanwhile, Leo was only having so much luck with Fishface. The mutant fish had the advantage of leaping out of the water, but the disadvantage of being forced to stay in it. Leo could easily swipe at the fish when he came by, but was forced to wait until he surfaced to do so. Going into the water after the fish would be suicidal. As Leo fought, he listened to Shredder's words and kept an eye on Splinter, just in case he needed help.
"I'm giving you the chance of a lifetime." Shredder said, keeping his hard gaze locked with Splinter's. "I understand that this mutagen is what transformed you. Perhaps there is a way to reverse it. You could find a better home for yourself. Live in peace with your daughter. Doesn't she deserve that? After all, she has been without her true father all these years."
"Because of you!" Leo shouted, blocking another attack from Fishface.
Shredder kept his eyes on Splinter, who hadn't moved since he started talking. That being said, he also didn't drop his stance. "Tell me this, then: if I had not taken Miwa, would you really have been a good father for her?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Splinter growled, stepping forward.
"Did you really think you could be there for her, even with your foolish emotional handicaps?" Shredder taunted.
Splinter lunged, swiping his blade towards Shredder's face. Shredder only laughed as he blocked the master's infuriated attacks. "Your emotions always got in the way. They prevented you from training for a month after our master died. They prevented you from stopping me in Japan. And they will stop you now. The blood of your disciples will stain these floors forever."
Splinter finally snapped. "Over my dead body!" He swiped his katana, and Shredder blocked it. But Splinter caught his opponent off guard when he planted a perfect uppercut into his chin. Shredder shouted in shock and pain as he stumbled backwards, holding his face.
Leo finally managed to jump into the air and knock Fishface back into the pool and close the glass. When he landed, something metal hit his feet. He looked down to see a familiar-looking mask and his eyes widened as he looked up at its owner. Shredder finally managed to look up to glare at Splinter, and even the humanoid rat was shocked silent.
Oroku Saki had a bald head instead of the thick bush of black hair Splinter remembered. He left side of his face still held the dark, soulless eye and ashen skin. But the right side of his face was covered in a terrible burn scar. Splotches of reddish-purple burned skin that made his face warped and terrifying. His blind eye only added to the horror of Shredder's true appearance.
"Terrifying, isn't it?" Shredder laughed, albeit insanely. "The effects of a little fire. A fire, I might add, that you left me to die in. But I escaped, at the price of this." He held up his claws, pointing them towards his former friend. "Let us see how you look with a scar." But before he could strike, Leo suddenly jumped onto his back and locked his arm around his neck. Shredder gave an animalistic snarl and swung his blades behind him, trying to throw Leo off him.
"Run, Splinter!" Leo half-shouted, half-grunted. "Get to the others and get out of here!"
Shredder's blade point suddenly punctured Leo's unprotected shoulder, and he cried out in pain. His grip loosened enough for Shredder to throw him off and slam him into a wall by his throat. He pulled back his claws and aimed them for the turtle's head, intent on running his blades through Leo's skull. Leo, for once, was petrified of fear from Shredder's soulless eyes.
"No!" Splinter suddenly grabbed Shredder's wrist, stopping the marauder from harming his son. Shredder, his eyes ablaze with fury, spun around and swiped his caws across Splinter's face. Splinter reared back, holding his eye. He continued his attacks, catching Splinter off-guard. He planted his foot in Splinter's stomach, slammed his fist in the rat's jaw, and finally shot his claws forward, plunging them into Splinter's abdomen. A shocked gasp escaped his mouth and his eyes squeezed shut. The katana in the rat's hand clattered to the ground. Leo stared in horror, his mouth hanging open in a silent scream. Miwa, having woken up just in time to see her father stabbed, held an identical reaction.
Shredder sneered triumphantly, lifting Splinter off the ground with the blades still in his stomach. Blood dripped down the blades and onto the floor, much to Shredder's delight. "Do you understand now, Hamato?" Splinter didn't respond; his teeth were clenched from the pain. Shredder turned and threw Splinter into the steps, where he lay there a limply. Leo finally managed to snap out of his trance and rushed to his father's side. His hands trembled a little as he pressed his hands against the open wounds in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding.
"You foolish little cretins." Shredder laughed as he approached them, Splinter's blood dripping from his blades. "You actually thought you had a chance to defeat me?" His insane chuckles continued, sending chills up Leo's spine. Shredder lifted his blades, ready to plunge them into Leo's head.
"Get away from them!"
Shredder shouted in surprise as Miwa suddenly grabbed him and threw him with all her strength. He flew through the air, slamming into the glass walls and shattering a large section of it. His shouts echoed as he fell, but Miwa paid no attention as she rushed to her father's side. He was covered in cuts, but none were as bad as the parallel stab wounds in his stomach, in the middle of his ribcage. Even the cut over his eye wasn't that bad. His breathing came out in short gasps and groans.
"We gotta get him out of here." Miwa urged, draping one of Splinter's arms around her shoulders. Leo, keeping one hand pressed against his master's wound, helped support him as they limped towards the door. Leo managed to scoop up his katana blades and sheath them. He also yanked Splinter's katana free and held onto it in his free hand. But they hardly made it to the other end of the platform before they heard the sound of metal scraping against metal. The three of them turned as Shredder suddenly climbed from the broken window, seething with rage.
"Get him out of here." Leo ordered in a low tone, drawing his swords and handing Splinter's katana to Miwa. "I'm ending this once and for all."
Before Miwa could reply, Leo rushed into battle, shouting in determination. Shredder's claws and Leo's blades clashed in a flurry of metal. Miwa hurriedly put the katana in the sheath at Splinter's waist and helped him continue moving.
"Why would you protect him?" Shredder demanded.
"Because he's my sensei." Leo growled. "My father!"
Splinter suddenly stopped, forcing Miwa to freeze as well. The rat turned his head towards the fight between his former friend and his son.
"I don't give a shell about your rivalry with him!" Leo shouted, swinging his katanas. "All I know is that you're trying to kill him! So I don't care if I get beat up or killed! I'm gonna protect him with my life!" He lunged again, but his anger and frustration blinded him. He didn't even care; he was sick and tired of Shredder threatening the only family he ever known. It was one thing to threaten his brothers or Miwa or April (his surrogate sisters), but no one harms his father and not get a beat down in response.
But his anger prevented him from being fully aware of the battle. Shredder managed to knock Leo's katanas from his hands and grab him by the throat. He slammed the turtle into the ground, knocking the wind out of him. Shredder stood, with Leo still in his chokehold, and carried him to the broken window, holding him out in the open air.
"You always get in the way." Shredder sighed. "When are you going to realize his was all pointless? Even if you had escaped, I would always return. I would haunt you forever! You will never be rid of me!" Shredder was on the verge of hysterics. "The last thing you see before you die will be my scarred face! I will murder your 'family' and their blood will—"
. . . . . . . .
Leo's eyes widened at the sight of his katana blade protruding from Shredder's chest. Shredder's eyes went wide in shock and disbelief. Leo looked past the marauder and Splinter appeared over Shredder's shoulder, looking both furious and regretful. He spoke in a low tone, emphasizing every word. "Put. Down. My. Son. Now."
Shredder's face went solemn. He turned and forcefully shoved Leo to the floor, swaying a little as Splinter removed the sword and dropped it to the ground.
"I am sorry, Oroku." Splinter sighed. He turned to Leo and held out a helping paw up. But, without warning, Shredder grabbed Splinter and locked an arm around the rat's neck.
"Splinter!" Leo called, but Shredder was already backing up with Splinter still in his grip.
"If I die, so will you." Shredder growled.
He leaned backwards, forcing him and the humanoid rat to fall out the broken window.
"Otōsan!" Miwa screamed.
"No!" Leo shouted.