Shell Shocked

Disclaimer: I do not own TMNT

Chapter 6: An extension to my arm

Galizia's POV

Slowly red, blue, gold, and yellow threads worked deliberately to create an elaborate pattern on the white fabric. To do embroidery is complicated if not precise in cross-hatching, simple overlay, and weaving. I've been working on this costume for the past two months to go above ground to make some extra cash. Having Master Splinter's blessing to do so is rare; making the costume for the cause is time-consuming, let alone time. Only in the late afternoon and night do I have free time. But I also have to make time for the turtles.

When the boys heard about my plans, they helped me out. One night we snuck into a fabric store stealing clearance material. Donatello hacked into the security system so we won't be seen, Michelangelo and Leonardo helped me cut yards of fabrics that would be needed, and meanwhile, Raphael kept guard. Once we got everything, we quickly returned to the lair, proud of ourselves. I'm truly indebted to them for helping. And their request is a movie night.

A manikin was in the corner of the room by the driest area. The boys found the manikin in the junkyard. Not the full body type but the ones designers use. It was a metal rack frame of a female torso. It took a while to clean the wires, but I got the rust and mold out. Followed by adding a canvas to cover it. Otherwise, it has been useful. Especially a sewing machine, which Donatella fixed and upgraded. When not training, I watch videos about sewing and creating patterns.

I sighed, setting a needle in the fabric on the manikin, and sat down, staring at my room.

My room was practically empty. Not very decorative like the other's rooms. There was a makeshift futon made of wooden pallets, cardboard flattened boxes, and a mattress from one of those sofa beds. A small chess in a corner where all the clothes I found, the manikin, and some lamps and candles were everywhere. There was no technology like Donatello's room. No graffiti or posters like in Michelangelo's room. Nor a punching bag in Raphael's room with wood carvings. My room is simple. In time there will be more decorations, but now it's simple.

I set the costume down, chuckling at my grand adventures with the Turtles and Master Splinter. Practically every day of the week is spent with one of the turtles. Things became complicated when the boys wanted to spend time with me, except I couldn't be in four places at the same time after daily training. It got so complicated that it led the brothers to argue. Luckily Master Splinter arranged and scheduled who had Galizia time.

Mondays would be with Michelangelo, who wanted to play video games, explore the sewers, or, his favorite, watch YouTube videos. On Tuesdays is Donatello's turn as we hang out in his lab, either working on new gadgets or first aid training. Then Wednesday is with Leonardo as we do more combat training or learn new tricks to work together for future use. And Thursday is with Raphael. Usually, Raphael and I would hang out in the weight room as I spotted him, or he would do the same with me. And when we were not weightlifting, Raphael would show me his carving. His hobby is impressive in how he would carve wood into a lovely statue. Although I suck at carving, just watching him is fascinating. Yet there were times I found him knitting.

When Friday comes, Master Splinter will take that day, where we will double my training. Or at least work on new skills. My tail has more animation than it appears, and I could use it as a weapon. Master Splinter has shown me more ways to use my tail to grab things and use it as a whip. However, I had to be careful with the spikes. The spikes were retractable. Once, Michelangelo stepped on my tell, and spikes stabbed him.

I was still learning about my body. For example, my hand got stuck to a shell when I was dueling with Leonardo in hand-to-hand combat. I chuckled at the memory of us tossing around to remove my hand that was apparently glued to his shell. After a hilarious tug-a-war with the help of the others, Donatella analyzed my hands. Turns out I have the adhesion ability. Apparently, I can adhere to most surfaces without using artificial tools to climb walls. Mikey would be in awe, calling me Spider-Girl. Though the downside is that my hands can get stuck easily, I had to wear fingerless gloves until I managed to control this lizard trait.

It has been almost half a year, and I have come this far. I have wonderful friends and a guardian who took me in without a problem. Maybe I should come up with a way to thank them? Just need to find the right gifts. They have to be sentimental.

A knock on the door broke my train of thought. Blinking, I corrected myself before saying, "Come in."

The door opened as Master Splinter came in.

"Master Splinter," I greeted.

"Galizia," Splinter replied.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.

"I was wondering if I could ask you a favor." He answered, to which I nodded. "The boys and I are going on a short trip to work on a specific training. I was hoping you would be generous enough to clean the dojo while we're gone."

"Um…sure," I said, confused. "Is there something wrong?"

"No, no," Splinter assured. "Just wanted to inform you."

"Okay," I said.

Master Splinter nodded as he petted my hand before leaving. I left the room, followed him to the main den, and gawked. The lair was clean last night before I went to bed Friday. Now it's Saturday morning, and the place is a complete pigsty. Pizza boxes, magazines, video games, and whatnot were everywhere. Furniture flipped over; if not, moldy leftovers stuck to the ceiling.

How on earth did they get it on the ceiling? I thought, baffled.

"BOYS!" I exclaimed.

"Bye, Zia," Michelangelo called out, zooming to the only main entrance.

"Have fun cleaning," Raphael added.

"Oh, and can you clean the monitors?" Donatello asked,

"Sorry about the mess," Leonardo apologized as they ran off with Master Splinter behind them.

Before I could throw a shuriken, the gang vanished. Furious, I walked over to the sound station fiddling with the radio until finding a good pop/rock station. The boys are so dead once they return from their mission, whatever that is. So, taking a deep breath, I started picking up the large items grumbling ideas of torturing the boys that didn't involve killing them or turning them into turtle soup.

.o0o.

Once done cleaning the lair, I took the broom to sweep the dojo. A Katy Perry song blared in the background as I practically danced with the broom, sweeping up dust. When I reached the weapons wall, I stopped. Since being here, Master Splinter only allows me to use the shuriken and kunai. But I have always been curious about what it is like to use other weapons. Sure, the turtles have allowed me to hold and try their weapons, mainly hold. I was curious. And since the turtles and sensei are not here, there wouldn't be anyone here to catch me.

Thus, I set the broom down and went over to the first weapon. The nunchucks, as the two baton-chained weapons dangled in my hands. Slowly I spun the nunchucks around, trying to find a rhythm. Since living with the Turtles, I've noticed they have ambidexterity, able to use both of their hands with their weapons. No matter what, both hands hold a weapon. Even with Donatello using one bo-staff, he manages to manipulate it with both hands. Sadly, I'm right-handed, and just spinning the nunchucks with my left hand feels off.

I was tempted to do another trick Mikey showed me when the stick suddenly smacked me. Right in the face. I cried, dropping the weapons and holding my abused nose. Alright, nunchucks aren't my forte. Let's see, what about the katana? Leonardo let me use his kendo sword, and maybe it's the same with the twin katana. So, taking the katanas, I went to the center room, trying to remember the exact moves Leonardo and Master Splinter did in training. Once again, the katanas didn't feel right. With one sword, it's okay, like a samurai, but with two, it's just odd. I put the katanas away before grabbing the twin Sais.

If Raphael finds out I used his spare sais, he's gonna flip. I looked around the dojo, if not took a moment to listen in case any of the boys had returned. Hearing no one, I took the sais and went center of the room. Raphael taught me how to wield a sai. As I grip the handle in the offensive hold, two fingers wrap around the crown while the rest are on the handle. Raphael says this hold makes it easy to manipulate, let alone be secure. Then again, he only has three fingers. So, keeping the second eldest brother's tips in mind, I did the basic tricks. Doing so felt manageable, almost like a dance. Although the sharp part of the blade nicked my elbow time and again.

Once I finished testing out the sais, I tried the bo-staff. I don't know why, but I keep imagining this defensive weapon as a long baton. As I spin and twirl the wooden pole around my fingers. I couldn't stop fiddling with the bo-staff, practically dancing with it all day.

"You shouldn't be playing with things that aren't yours, Galizia." Master Splinter's voice murmured from behind.

I gasped, turning around to see the large rodent standing there with a stern expression. I dropped the bo-staff carefully and knelt to the ground in a slight bow, head down ashamed. "Forgive me, sensei. I was curious."

Master Splinter chuckled as he picked up the bo-staff, "Curiosity killed the cat, my dear."

I leaned up, rubbing my neck as I watched him put the staff away.

"Sensei, not that I don't enjoy learning Taijutsu, but when do I get a weapon?" I asked.

"Ah, but Galizia, you already possess the kunoichi's most powerful weapon –"Splinter answered. "The mind."

"When was the last time you saw someone hit a guy over the head with their mind?" I asked.

Master Splinter crossed his arms, deep in thought to answer that question. After several minutes he sighed, "True, let's find you a weapon."

"By the way," I started. "Where are the boys?"

"They are in their hangout, dancing to nonsense." He answered.

I chuckled, imagining the boys riding their makeshift skateboards and dented bikes to some rap band while doing tricks on a homemade halfpipe.

The first weapon Master Splinter brings is a staff attached to a ball and chain. He said it is called a chigiriki, as he demonstrated the weapon in spins like a bo-staff, then swung the ball, getting farther distant. Afterward, he handed me the weapon.

"Remember, Galizia, your weapon chooses you as much as you choose it." He explained.

I nodded as I made space between us before twirling the base to find the pivot point. Then I started working on moves, trying to collaborate with the weapon. Sadly, the moment the ball went into the air, it smacked me in the shoulder and then dropped on my knee. I yelped, rubbing my shoulder to ease the pain.

"Maybe not this one," I muttered.

Master Splinter nodded as he went to the weapons wall picking out the next contestant. The next weapon of choice was a mace. I stared at the hunk of iron and then at him as if he were crazy. He easily handed me the handle, except when it was in my possession, my arms gave in, and it fell to the ground, leaving a nice dent on the floor. Next was the kusarigama, a sickle with a ball and chain. I wrapped the chain around my forearm so it wouldn't get in the way as I maneuvered the sickle. The sickle portion feels easy to use, but when it came to the ball and chain…it just didn't work.

"Perhaps we should keep looking," Splinter suggested.

I nodded, putting the kusarigama back on the shelf. There were so many options for ninja weapons, but somehow, they just didn't connect with me. I can easily use the kunai, tanto, and shuriken, but everything else just fumbles. Maybe I'm just meant for stealth and combat. Nothing special or anything unique could define me. So, trying out other weapons that Master Splinter had, which either felt so close or a complete fail, there was only one left. A fan?

I picked up the fan, and with a flick of my wrist, it unraveled into a beautiful thing. It wasn't like any fan I had ever seen. It was black with a painted insignia of cherry blossom with smaller versions on the ends on the front side. While on the back, where the metal ribs are exposed, the tips were sharp like daggers. The fan is definitely beautiful and misleading.

"The tessen," Master Splinter explained "An iron fan. Samurais would use this when they are disarmed of their blade."

"It's beautiful," I said.

"Yes and…" Splinter agreed as he took the tessen and threw it across the room, penetrating the punching bag.

"I think we found my weapon." I chuckled.

So, the rest of the afternoon was spent learning the art of tessenjutsu. Master Splinter showed me the elegance, creativity, and distraction this magnificent weapon had compared to the others. The tessen is misleading, for the opponent would think of it as a girly cooling device. Still, once you unravel it to its full extent, it becomes a lethal weapon.

Hey Guys

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I needed help deciding where the story was going. I would like to go straight into the movie or do two or three more chapters before anything happens. I'm asking you guys to decide. Do you want to read Galizia? Go to Time Square to earn money as a Doctor Who character or straight on to the film adaptation.

Let me know in the reviews.

Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!

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