Chapter 3
Master Splinter frowned worryingly as he brought his consciousness back to the present. He opened his eyes to find his sons Leonardo and Donatello sparing with their weapons. Splinter sighed heavily and the pair both stopped and locked their eyes on their sensei.
"What is it Master Splinter?" Leonardo asked moving towards the old rat. His father had been meditating for a while, and he could see the trouble in his eyes.
"Ahh, my son, I am not too sure myself. A great evil has just been committed, and I know not how to act upon it."
"What happened?"
Master Splinter looked at his son thoughtfully before answering. He must still keep Chung I's promise but knew he would need help in solving the mystery around his daughter.
"An old friend of mine has just been brutally murdered." Both the turtles gasped before their master held up his hand to silence them. "I have known him for many years, although you do not know of him. His death held no honour, and the one who committed it is surely a coward. But in his passing, he leaves something extremely precious, something I promised to keep safe should the worset happen."
"What is it?" Donatello asked, curiosity etched in his face.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you my son, for I also promised to keep it secret until the time is right."
"Alright," Leonardo began. "Then where is it?"
"That I do not know. I had expected it to still be in my friend's home, but I could not sense it when he showed the destruction that littered through it."
"When he 'showed' you? But Sensei, you haven't left the dojo all morning."
"I didn't have to, Donatello. I met my friend through dream walking, an art I have repeatedly tried to teach you." Donatello lowered his head slightly in shame as his father continued. "Through this, we are able to link mentally, and see the other's surroundings. But as I said, when he did open a link, I could not sense any presence of this precious object. Yet one thing remains clear," the rat continued, standing now. "This object must be found before it can be harmed or used in any way. It is powerful, and there are many who would seek to exploit it."
"Then what shall we do sensei?" Leonardo asked, confusion tinting his features. He knew his father was deeply troubled by this event, and felt responsible for the 'object' in question. He wished he could know what it was, but respected his father's promise. 'He will tell us when he believes it is time to do so.' Leonardo assured himself. Master Splinter looked at his son, appreciating the worry he felt for him.
"For now, I must meditate further to discover what exactly has happened and go over any details I may have missed. The pair of you can bring your brothers up to speed on these events. Then we shall all be ready for whatever we may have to face in the near future."
With that, the rat made his way to his room, but not before Leonardo asked the burning question:
"Sensei, your friend, who was he?" Splinter sighed sadly before turning to face his sons. They both saw the grief in his face, and Leo almost wished he hadn't asked.
"He was a great Chinese shaman of the noble Shinobi clan, once in the service of the Daimyo himself. I have known him for many years; his passing is a great loss. I can only hope to honour his memory by finding this object and keeping it safe." He bowed to his sons, who returned their respect, and entered his room, a single tear running down his cheek.
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Me Pieh Chi sat uncomfortably crossed legged on the tiled floor of her holding chamber, her stomach rumbling painfully. She had woken up a few days ago to a throbbing headache and a parched throat, finding herself in a cold room, with nothing but a thin mattress and pillow, along with a small jug of water and glass. She immediately grabbed the latter two, and quenched her painful thirst, only leaving half a glass left in the bottom. She then inspected her surroundings: the room she was in was small, with pale green walls and floor. The door was of misted glass, thick and solid. For a prison, it was quite beautiful. But it was a prison, nonetheless. The door suddenly clicked and what she recognised as a Foot Ninja stepped in. She immediately went into a defensive stance, although she was too weak to fight, and she had promised Chung I she wouldn't use her powers in front of these people. 'Chung I'. The thought of him was painful, and she remembered that these people had killed him. Anger arose in her heart, but the Foot caught her by surprise.
"Master Shredder requests that you dine with him this evening. A bath has been prepared for you. Refusal is not an option." The ninja held the door open for Pieh Chi, who decided to comply; she was too weak to fight anyone off, and a bath would hopefully wash the fatigue from her limbs.
The ninja led her to a beautifully ornate room, decorated with jade walls and statues. The ninja bowed his head, before leaving her to her privacy. The scent of jasmine was strong in the air, and she panged for home. She considered trying to escape, but found the large misted window firmly locked. She also has no idea where she was, and the steaming bath was incredibly inviting. She carefully removed her light blue mask, her elbow pads and leather belt which held the symbol of yin and yang, for the Shinobi clan, but in the centre was a deep blue crescent moon, representing the ancient sapphire which had provided her with her powers so many years ago. The crest was unique to her, and Chung I had crafted the piece for her birthday. Submerging herself in the hot water, Pieh Chi found the tension dissolve from her limbs, and she found herself rejuvenated with strength. The scents of jasmine and ginger cleared her mind, and she thought about her situation; these people didn't seem afraid of her, like Chung I warned, so perhaps she was safe. They had provided her with this comfort, and she was about to dine...with the man who killed her father. The realisation slammed into her head, and was shamed to have even considered this place as safe. This 'Shredder' had destroyed her life, and no amount of courtesy could make up for that.
A knock suddenly came at the door. "Master Shredder is expecting you."
'Well that was polite' Pieh Chi thought sarcastically, clambering out of the bath and wrapping one of the fluffy towels sat on a stand around herself. She dried her skin and put her gear back on, tying the mask with a tight bow at the back of her head. She then carefully pushed the door open, finding a member of the Foot patiently waiting for her. He bid her to follow him before leading her down a long, jade corridor. The walls were covered in prints and pictures of Japan, many of which Pieh Chi recognised, such as a battle between a pair of samurai. Chung I had educated her in all aspects of Asian history, not just that of China. But there were also more peaceful images of geisha's and landscapes, and even a few haiku and renga. Suddenly they came to a black door emblazoned with the same symbol that was on the Foot Ninja's uniform: a three toed dragon foot. The ninja knocked on the door, and a deep voice answered.
"Enter."
Pieh Chi and the ninja went inside, and they were greeted with a spacious airy room. It seemed to be crafted of white marble, with matching statues of dragons and pieces of samurai armour. There was also a huge window that over looked a sparkling city in the dark evening sky. In the centre of the room was a large table, covered in dishes from all over Asia, and at its head sat a man, with black hair and black eyes. He smiled.
"Ahh, my honoured guest, please sit," he requested. Mei Pieh Chi went to the opposite end of the table where the Foot ninja pulled the chair out ready for her. He then bowed to his master and left.
Pieh Chi sat, wary, never taking her eyes off the man facing her. He may have seemed fairly ordinary, but he commanded a powerful presence that was silencing.
"Now my child, we must begin the formalities. I find myself not knowing your name." It was a command, albeit subtle.
"Mei Pieh Chi."
"A beautiful name. I am Oroku Saki, a trained master in ninjutsu."
"I guessed that when you destroyed my home and killed my father." Pieh Chi's voice was cold with anger, a sudden courage taking over her.
"Ahh, yes. That little...technicality."
"Technicality?! You invaded my home and murdered my father!"
"And now I am hoping to repay you."
That surprised her. She looked at Saki's cold eyes and found she couldn't read them for truth or lies.
"You cannot hope to bring him back."
"Did I say I wanted to?" His harsh words cut through her, but her gaze never wavered.
"Then what on earth can you offer me?"
"Protection." Pieh Chi frowned. "From the harsh people that wouldn't understand you in this world."
"You do not seem perturbed by my appearance."
"Let's just say I am used to the...unnatural." Pieh Chi raised her brow before looking down towards her lap. What exactly was she caught up in?
"Please, eat. You must be starving; you have been asleep ever since we left China."
"And where are we now exactly?"
"The grand city of New York. Full of thousands of people, and just as many types of cuisine." He smiled, before helping himself to some sushi.
Mei Pieh Chi suddenly realised how hungry she was and filled her plate with an array of dishes; sushi, pad Thai, beef stir-fried in ginger, and a noodle broth she had never seen before.
"Raman," Saki explained. "A humble dish often eaten in poor villages." He seemed to turn his nose up at it slightly, but Pieh Chi found it delicious. She ate and ate until she was stuffed and leaned back comfortably against the solid wood chair. Oroku Saki then put down his chopsticks and looked at the turtle intently.
"Now, let us discuss my offer. I can give you protection, and ensure no harm unto you."
"How exactly?"
"By training you of course! I shall personally teach you the art of ninjutsu, and you shall learn the way of the Foot, partaking in various missions to keep...order in the city."
"What do you mean by order?"
"You shall discover that soon enough."
Mei Pieh Chi looked upon Saki in amazement. Was he really that arrogant to think that she would even consider joining him? Helping him? The sorrow and anger she felt for her master's death mingled together to create pride within her. She stood strong, keeping her voice even.
"Well, Shredder," she spat, emphasising his true name. "I'm afraid I cannot accept your offer. I am bound by honour to respect my master's teachings to defend the world against evil. Against creatures like you."
"Your master was a fool who refused my offer, and looked what happened to him. I do not think he would wish the same fate upon his beloved daughter. Especially since he died for you."
"He died refusing your demands to help you wreak your immorality, and fought bravely against your cowardly attacks-"
"COWARDLY?! You go too far, creature. You will suffer for your ignorance, until you see sense and join me."
He clapped his hands and a group of Foot Ninja suddenly grabbed Pieh Chi, dragging her back to her holding cell. She was thrown inside, he heart pounding with adrenaline. She finally understood what Chung I meant by 'controlling her zeal'. His death had inflamed it, and now she must manage it, as she promised her father. She sat down upon then thin mattress and began to meditate. She soon realized, with a smirk, that her punishment would probably involve her being starved. She tapped her full stomach. 'I should be ok for a couple of days at least' she thought. Pieh Chi may have been stricken with grief, but she wasn't stupid.
