I really like getting these out on Monday's. I have them done ahead of time and I don't have to stress so much about them. Anywho, Hope you like it and please review. It would make me happy! :)
Thanks go out to the following for reviewing:
TMNTluckygirl: Happy belated birthday. Do you feel old? I could have been on facebook to talk to you, but facebook isnt working on my computer. Hasn't since Saturday. But I hope your party went well. Anywho, You're right, he does know her well. He knows things about her and her family that even she doesn't...that is proven in this chapter. I'd love him to be my dad. Can I switch them out? Please! and TOLD YOU IT WAS SHORT!
16: That they did...and guess what! Princess is explained in this chapter!
pkemonjkl: (By your username, it makes me wonder if you like pokemon...If so, did you get the new game?) Oh, you'll see. There is so much for her to still do and leave...There are several more seasons, after all. I have big plans for Alex...Big plans...MWAHAHAHAHAH. *Clears throat* Sorry about that. Please continue on reading.

Oh! And if you didn't know. The last chapter, when I first put it out, didn't fully get loaded, so only part of it had been put out. If you didn't go back and read it, you should. It should all be there. Sorry for the inconvieniance ( did not spell that right and right now, I don't care!).

Chapter 17
"The Big Brawl"
Part 1

It was late at night. The air was cool, but the city was always a little warmer due to all of the people, the concrete, buildings and the cars. However, it still felt rather cool to Alex as she stood outside in an alleyway that Master Splinter had told her to go to. She was standing there in her "new" uniform.

The uniform consisted of a sleeveless grayish-blue top with a darker scarf. The pants ended up getting smaller at the bottom, were the same color as the top. The shoes were the same as the ones she had worn before. They were light, thin and fitted, but strong enough to protect her feet. There was a mask that covered the bottom half of her face. Her deep red hair was pulled back. The amulet was worn much like a choker around her neck.

At the waist at the tie, was another amulet. That was where her tanto was kept, along with her steel fan. Her sword was kept on her back, while the manriki chain was kept in the fingerless gloves. She could conceal it there easily. It wasn't in the way and it was easy to take out to use if needed.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Alex turned and bowed at the rat coming up to her. "Master Splinter," Alex greeted. "It's nice to see you."

"Good evening, Alexandra," he smiled back. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course," she answered. "It would have helped a little to know why I'm here and what we're doing so I could tell April." It had been hard to convince the woman to let her go. "But I'm here. Confused, but here."
"You shall see soon enough," he said mysteriously.

Alex watched as he took out a piece of chalk and started to draw several symbols on the brick wall of the dead end alleyway they were standing in. He placed his walking stick – which had a bag tied to the end – on the ground and then placed his hands together. Mumbling, or chanting rather, could be heard coming from his mouth. Alex watched intensely. She was very interested and curious to know what was going on.

The water from the small puddle on the ground lifted off the ground and formed into what looked like a doorway. Now that really hadn't been something Alex had expected. She had thought nothing would surprise her anymore, but she had been wrong. She wouldn't have admitted that to anybody though. Especially not Raphael.

Once Sensei was done chanting, he picked up his walking stick and held his hand to the gateway for the younger ninja to enter. Hesitantly, but trusting in the rat, Alex walked through it. She assumed he was following right behind her.

There was a large drop. Alex landed on her feet, crouching down on the ground. A moment later, Splinter landed next to her, crouched down in the same position she was in. They both stood up.

"Master Splinter?" Alex asked, turning to the rat. "Where are we? What is this place?"

"This, Alexandra, is the Battle Nexus Tournament," Splinter answered. "Warriors from different worlds fight against one another to prove themselves great martial artists. My Sensei was once a Battle Nexus Champion."

"That's amazing, Master Splinter," Alex said. Splinter started forward, Alex following behind. "But why did you bring me here? And why not have the guys come along? They would love this."

"My Master wasn't the only one to have been awarded that title," Splinter said.

"What do you mean?" Alex asked curiously.

"You're parents had entered into the competition multiple times," he replied. "Your mother once won the competition."

Mom? "My, my mother? But how? She always said that magic and mystical stuff didn't exist. Why would she lie to us like that when she came here and did all of this?"

"Perhaps those are questions you will get answers to upon speaking with the Daimio," Splinter said. "I must attend my first battle. Why don't you go into the village and go see the Daimio?"

"All right," Alex answered. She bowed to the rat and watched him go before turning and heading down the hill to go to the small village. She didn't get very far though.

A portal opened in front of her and the Daimio stepped out with the Gyoji. The Daimio bowed, so Alex thought it best to do so as well. Once he was back upright, he spoke, "Princess, it is an honor to be in your presence."

Why do people keep calling me Princess? That was really starting to bother her. The Ultimate Ninja had called her Princess, the Daimio was calling her it. She knew Raph was just calling her it because he knew it bothered her, but there had to be some reason behind the Daimio calling her Princess right?

"The honor is all mine," Alex answered.

"Are you here to participate in the tournament, Princess? It would be a spectacular showcasing of your parents training if you did," Daimio said.

" I don't believe so," Alex said. "Master Splinter brought me along, hoping to help me find some answers about my parents."

"Ah, yes," he said. "Why don't you come with me? You shall get the royal treatment and I shall then explain to you anything you wish to know, Princess."

"Thank you so much," she said, a smile on her face. She knew he could see it despite the mask.

I knew there was a reason I never wanted to be a Princess when I was little, Alex thought gloomily as she looked in the large mirror before her. She had been placed in a dark green kimono and a black Haneri. The Obiage, Obi, Obijime and were black as well. The Obidome was the same green color as the green kimono, along with the flower in her pinned back hair – it was in a bun; the kansashi. The shoes – zori – and the shocks – the tabi – were also black.

When the "servants" had come in to try and put traditional Japanese makeup on her, she refused. Instead, she had to setting with a little bit of eye shadow and red lipstick. She hated makeup, but at least it her face wasn't painted white.

Underneath it all, she still had part of her Guardian uniform on. Her necklace was still around her neck, and the spandex that she always wore under her fighting clothes was present. Her weapons were hidden in her outfit as well. The fan was in her hands, cooling herself as she stood in that thick cloth. The manriki chain was in her left sleeve while the tanto was in the right. Her sword was too long and big for her to have hidden. She was forced to keep that with the rest of her clothing.

After she was done with the "royal treatment" she was brought to the Daimio, where she was sat down on a comfortable cushion overlooking a large arena. "You didn't have to do this, Daimio," Alex said. "It was very nice of you, and I'll admit, it was fun pretending that I was a princess for a little while –" though she left the part out that she didn't want to do it ever again "- it's unnecessary. I'm not a real princess."
"Oh, but you are," he corrected. "Have you not been told the tail?"

"No, Sir, I haven't. I don't have a clue what you're talking about," Alex said.

"You're mother, Amanda, and father, Adam, both competed in this here tournament many times while they were alive," the Daimio explained. "Your mother even won once."

"Master Splinter informed me of that, right after we arrived," Alex said.

"I see," he said. "Did he tell you that this was where your parents met?"

"No," she answered, shaking her head. "I never knew. They didn't tell us." Why did they keep all of this from us? Did they not thing we were ready? Were they ashamed? Did they not trust us?

"I shall assume you do not know the great dead your father once performed for me," Daimio said. "You father was defeated by your mother in battle. He did not wish to hurt the woman he was in love with; he forfeited.

"That night, while people were celebrating the end of the tournament, he came across some men trying to kidnap a young boy. He intervened, however, the boy had been poisoned by the kidnappers. Your father had herbs to create the antidote. Right there, before anybody else could even get a doctor, he mixed the herbs and gave them to the boy. He saved that boys life and then brought him home, as if he had just stopped a bully trying to pick on a small child.

"That boy was my son," Daimio continued. "I granted your father riches beyond belief and the title of royalty, making you a Princess. He refused the money, but I did not take no for an answer. I told him to save it and use it for his own children one day."

"So that's why everybody keeps calling me Princess," Alex muttered. Wow, imagine what that would look like on a college or job application.

"You and your brothers, you children and their children, and their children's children and so on and so forth, will always be welcomed here," he said. "There is no way I could have ever thanked your father enough for what he did for me. This is the least I could do for him."

"My father never told me any of this," Alex said. "My mother didn't say anything either." Why did they keep this from us?

"Perhaps they wanted to raise you and your brothers their own way, without the distractions of the titles and material goods," Daimio stated. "And it seems to me that it was a wise decision. The Royal O'Neil family is of great honor. You have some of the most honorable and caring warriors I have ever seen."

"Thank you," Alex said. "That means a lot."

The Daimio straightened his back even more and looked off into the distance. "It seems that Himato Splinter has won his challenge, along with his sons."

"The guys? What are they doing here? We didn't bring them along!" Alex said.

"Would you wish to go greet them?" Daimio asked.

"I don't want to be any trouble," she replied.

"Not at all," he said with a laugh. "I wish to greet an old friend."

They stood up and he opened a portal with his staff. He walked through first, Alex behind him along with a Gyoji and several other people behind him. They came out back in the wooded area outside of the small village. Before them stood Master Splinter, the guys and another person Alex didn't know. She assumed he had been the person Splinter had gone up against.

The Daimio stepped forward, towards Splinter as he said, "We are honored by your return, Sensei." He bowed to the rat.

"It is I who is honored," Splinter replied, bowing back.

"I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to see my good friend in the ranks of gallant warriors. And now your sons are here to compete. This is truly a great day," Daimio said.

Splinter huffed. "They were supposed to stay at home."

Alex giggle. That they were. Leo cleared his throat uncomfortably. Of course they'd end up following Splinter. Leo probably wanted to stay home, but he had to watch the other. He was "dragged" along because they wanted to go. That's how it always is.

"Noble Daimio, the four Earthers were not registered properly. However, they did win a match in the qualifying round," the Gyoji said.

"Excellent," Daimio said. "Then by my decree they shall be entered into the contest. If you deem it expectable, my friend."

The turtles were looked at their Master hopeful. They really wanted to be a part of it all, just like their father. And, as their attention was on their father, Alex's presence had gone completely unnoticed. She was thankful, for the time being. She didn't really want to face them looking the way she did. She'd be embarrassed.

"Hm, I thought perhaps they were not ready to compete, but perhaps fate is showing an overprotective father that his sons are growing up," Splinter said. "They may enter."

They cheered and Alex smiled happily for them. She was glad they were getting the chance to compete. She'd be able to watch the whole thing too. That was exciting to her. Sure, she would have liked to compete herself, but perhaps she could in the next tournament.

"Now that that is happily settled, I have an important point of honor that must be addressed by my son," he said.

His son appeared next to him, on the opposite side. Alex had been on the other. Once she saw him, she quickly backed up, making her way to Master Splinter. She knew that with the Daimio there, he could cause her no harm, but he still made her feel very uncomfortable. He had tried to make her a prize, she crying out loud! She didn't like the way that made her feel. And seeing Leo fight for her, his family and his honor, was spectacular, but at the expense of them all? She didn't like it that he had put them all in that situation.

And it seemed that the turtles didn't like his presence either. "What is this?" Raph demanded. "Some kind of trick?"

"No trick, I swear it," he said. He bowed to Splinter and said, "Honored Sensei, I know that when last we met I challenged Leonardo to a mortal duel. It was a rash act and I humbly apologize for my unwarranted actions upon your family. I beg your forgiveness."

"Your apology is most gracious," Splinter said. "We except. However, it is not just my family you need to ask forgiveness from. Alexandra is another whom you must plea too."

"Alex?" Raph asked.

"Yeah, he did try to win her as a prize, after all," Leo said.

"Does this mean we have to go get Alex now?" Mikey asked.

"You are right, Sensei," the Ultimate Ninja said. He turned to the girl and knelt down. That made him almost eye level with the girl. She was rather short and he was rather tall. "Princess," he began. "I beg for y our forgiveness. My actions were unjust and unfair to you and your friends. I wished to provide heirs for our family, and wished for them to be as honorable as your family; as caring and selfless as your father had been when he saved me so many years ago."

I'm not buying this, Alex thought. His words seemed too rehearses. But perhaps people do change. Maybe he does mean what he's proclaiming.

"Did he just call that girl Princess?" Raph asked.

"Guys, I think that is Alex," Don said.

"Oh my shell," Leo gasped.

Well, it's about time they figured out it was me, Alex thought. However, her attention was brought back to the Ultimate Ninja, as he waited for her response. "You cannot force a person into marriage," Alex said. "Marriage should be between two people whom truly love one another; unconditionally."

"I truly sorry, Princess," he said.

My butt you are. "As long as you realize that woman are not a prize you can win or are entitled to. We are our own beings. We have control over what we say, feel and do. You cannot force us into anything we do not wish to do. Love us for who we are, not what you want us to be. Only when you come to this realization and except it, will I come to forgive your actions. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Princess," he said. He took her hand and kissed it through him mask. "I understand."

You may have heard my word, but you didn't retain them, did you? She nodded her head and took her hand back, stepping back next to Splinter.

"That's deep," Mikey said.

"I'm sorry, Sensei," Leo said, stepping forward. In his hands were his katana, though they were broken. "But I don't think I can compete. My swords, they were broken."

"Father, we must help him," UN said.

Perhaps I am wrong, Alex thought. Maybe he has changed. However, her gut was telling her otherwise. Her heart wanted it to be true, but her gut almost was never wrong. In that instant though, she chose to go with her heart though. She really hoped he changed.

"Of course," Daimio said. "We have an exemplary palace swords smith. Fear not." He used his staff to take the swords. "The Gyoji will see to it that your swords are repaired and brought to you."

"As you wish, my Lord," the Gyoji said. He then disappeared in a blue light, along with the swords.

"Come, the next stage of the tournament is about to begin," Daimio said.

He transported them to the spot where Alex had been sitting with him before, talking about her parents past. Below in the once empty arena were many warriors, cheering up at that Daimio. He stepped towards the edge to get closer to the people and so they could see him better.

"Warriors, you have traveled from the multitude of diverse universes and I bid you welcome to the Battle Nexus Tournament!" Daimio said. "To those who have fallen in battle, I salute your bravery and courage. And to those who have passed the preliminary round, I say congratulations. Embrace yourselves for the combat to come, for now is the time for the next round of the Battle Nexus Tournament." He raised his staff and yelled, "Begin!"

There were fireworks of streamers flying through the air. Alex giggled like a little school girl. She loved fireworks. "This is going to be so much fun!"

Leo stepped forward, looking as if he wanted to say something to Alex, but got distracted by something below. "Traximus?" he asked.

Alex looked down and searched the crowd for the Triceraton. It took her but a moment to find him. "Well, would you look at that. It is him."

"Please, my friends," UN said. "Allow me to escort you to your next arena."

"I'll come too," Alex said. She hadn't gotten a chance to wish the guys luck or to really speak to them at all anyways. She wanted to do that before they proceeded.

As they walked, they circled around her, asking question after question over each other. Alex couldn't understand a single thing any of them were saying. So, for the first couple of minutes, she left them do that. Then she got tired of it and asked, "Are you quite finished? I can't understand a single thing being said as you all shout over each other If you have something to say, you may do it one at a time."

"You do sound very diplomatic, Princess," Raph said.

"Oh shut up!" Alex said.

"And there's our Alex!" Mikey said.

"What are you doing here, Alex?" Don asked. "Not that it's not good to see you, I'm just curious."

"I'm here because the Daimio knew my parents. He was telling me some things about them that I didn't know," Alex answered.

"Her father once saved my life, when I was a small child," UN said.

"Wow," Leo said.

"Queen Amanda once won the Tournament," he added.

"Really?" Leo asked. "Your mom won?"

"I suppose so," Alex mumbled.

"There is no supposing about it," UN said. "As you see around you, this is the pavilion of past champions. Something of the hall of fame. Here are three statues that may interest you."

They turned to look at the statues he was talking about. There, before them was Master Splinter, Himato Yoshi and Amanda O'Neil.

UN lead Mikey, Don and Raph out of the pavilion, leaving Alex staring up at her mother's statue while Leo looked up at Yoshi's statue.

This is unbelievable, Alex thought. They kept telling her that her mother had won. That registered in her brain, but actually seeing the statue, the proof that she had won was unbelievable. She could have stayed there all day just thinking and imagining seeing her mother and her father fighting in the Battle Nexus, but she couldn't.

Especially when her stomach dropped.

We're not along.

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