(OK now I'll be mixing up the POV's…lol)
I Don't Own TMNT
Chapter: 2
(Yoshi:)
Yoshi meandered up the stairs, before stopping at the door to a storage room at the top. Using a key, he carefully made his way into the room. The occupant flinched and held his arms up protectively.
"You are in no danger Mr. Perry." Yoshi stated, sitting on the other end of the man's cot. "I have brought you some food." He explained handing over a bowl of soup.
"Is it poisoned?" The man seemed to ask on auto-pilot.
"Mr. Perry. You are a smart man. I'm sure you have deduced by now that we are not going to kill you." Yoshi stated truthfully. Scott calmed when he seemed to realize this himself and took the bowl. Offering a small 'thank you' in return.
Yoshi allowed him a little time to eat. However it seemed that Perry had other intentions. "What are you going to do with me?" Scott asked after only one spoonful.
Yoshi sighed calmly. "I will not lie. A part of me does not want to trust you." He stated and the man looked at him nervously. "But we need your help Mr. Perry."
"But I –" Scott started, but Yoshi seemed to read his mind and quickly reassured him.
"I have gone to the liberty of faking your death." He stated and the scientist looked at him in shock. "However, I'm afraid that your lab coat and name tag did not survive." Yoshi explained, as if this were the most important subject of interest. "The Shredder will find them deep in the tunnels where we met. Along with a great deal of blood. Courtesy of Miss. O'Neil's medical supplies."
"The Shredder will know." Scott said, but once again Yoshi interrupted him, before he could get too far into his rant.
"I assure you Mr. Perry. You are safe. I have been avoiding The Shredder for years. And yours is not the first death I have faked." Yoshi declared, but when the man still looked skeptical he elaborated.
"I don't think you fully understand how dangerous those tunnels can be Mr. Perry. Some of the residents do not react well to the presence of outsiders. You will not be the first or last to be dragged off into darkness." Yoshi explained, raising an eyebrow to hopefully emphasize his double-meaning.
Scott looked at him in shock for a minute, before smiling and ducking his head as he absorbed this. "I – I'm free?" He asked quietly.
"Yes." Yoshi answered simply. "The Shredder will have no reason to look for you and he will have no reason to kill your family. You are free Mr. Perry."
The man actually started crying into his soup and Yoshi couldn't help feeling sorry for him. "I never wanted to do this. Any of this." The man started. "I admit ever since –" he paused, to gain the courage to continue. "I don't deny that I've had a particular grudge with Mutants in the past. But – but that doesn't mean – that I wanted –" He was unable to finish, as he started to cry again.
"I understand." Yoshi assured him. "But I hope that you understand as well." He said and Scott looked up at him. "You have caused a lot of damage here. I don't believe that you did it by choice. But you can not deny that you are responsible."
The scientist looked back down at his soup in shame. "Yes. I know." He answered.
"But!" Yoshi started again. "You have been given the opportunity to right some of the wrongs you have committed." Scott looked back up in a hurry. "And I will not lie. We could use your help."
Mr. Perry looked at the wall across from them as he considered this. And Yoshi continued. "If you wish to leave now and return to your family. I will not stop you." He admitted. "I understand that they must come first."
Scott seemed genuinely shocked by this offer. But then became sad again. "I actually have no way of reaching them." Yoshi closed his eyes as he realized the extent of this man's burden. His family was alive, but out of his reach. A fate worse than separation by death.
Yoshi breathed calmly before he continued. "Mr. Perry." He said getting the man's attention again. "If you would agree to help us. I will see to it personally that you are reunited with your family." For a second Yoshi caught a very small, but noticeable glimmer of hope in the man's eyes.
But then it seemed to fade slightly as he remembered something. "I have taken just such an offer in the past. Something that was too good to be true." Yoshi waited patently as the man gathered himself. "And it was."
Yoshi realized that he would need reassurance of their deal and sighed. "There is nothing I could say or do that would prove that I am honest and true, Mr. Perry." Yoshi explained. "I do not know the depths of your pain and cannot hope to understand it. If you feel that I cannot be trusted, I will understand. But all I can give is my word of honor."
Scott absorbed this for a moment, before sighing dejectedly. "I guess it's not like I have anything left to lose." Yoshi didn't argue with that. "What will I need to do?"
"It is my duty to protect the young Turtles. But the forces aligned against me are many. Your wisdom may prove to be the counterbalance that tips that scale in our favor." Yoshi explained, letting that sink in before admitting. "I can not do it alone Mr. Perry."
There wasn't a seconds hesitation from the scientist, before he said. "I'll do whatever I can." Yoshi couldn't help but smile in relief. Though he knew that Perry was mostly doing this for himself. He could see hope for him in the coming future.
"Thank you." Yoshi stated sincerely. "Please eat." He said nodded at the full bowl of soup in the man's lap. "We will be leaving soon. You may need all the strength you can get."
…
(August:)
Augustus hulled the last of the supplies out the front door, followed closely by Casey. Quickly placing his load in the back of the large truck parked on the street, he turned to the teenage and asked. "How, pray-tell, did you come upon an armored truck again?"
Casey carelessly tossed the bag he was carrying into said vehicle and turned to the older man with a grin. "I borrowed it."
"Are you even old enough to drive?" August asked, giving the teen a disbelieving look.
"Oh come on pops. That was so 30 years ago. No one cares about that any more." Casey stated truthfully. August couldn't argue with that. It had been a long time since the age of 'Sweet Sixteen.' Now a days, an officer-of-the-law was just happy that these young people could drive. Never mind if they were half the legal age limit.
August laughed at the kids comment and started back toward the store. But thought of something as his hand fell on the door knob and turned back to address his comrade. "Tell me Mr. Jones." He started, leaning up against the door casually. "How serious are you getting with my niece?"
The result was instantaneous. "Wh- what?" Casey babbled, putting a hand on the back of his head while he fidgeted. "We're not – I wasn't – she hasn't –"
August decided to give him a break, before he gave himself a hernia. "Relax kid." He said standing up to put his hand on the teens shoulder. "I'm not that kind of Uncle. I just want April to be happy. And I think she likes you."
"You – you really think so?" Casey asked hope radiating from his person, like light from the sun.
"Sure." August declared. "You can tell be the way she's always insulting you." Casey seemed to deflate a little at this and August smiled. "Oh yeah you two 'll make a great couple. Just as soon as she finds a place to hide your body." He declared as if talking of the weather, before turning around to open the door.
Casey just stood rooted to the spot for half a minute, before August turned around to inform him that he was only kidding. But he never got the chance. As he had clearly spotted a shadow descending down the building across the street.
Hiding his shock well, he grabbed Casey around the shoulders and ushered him inside. Before closing and locking the door. Casey was completely clueless, but quickly picked up on the older man's urgency and looked back toward the window.
"What?" He asked turning back to address August, but the man was already headed up the stairs. Taking them two or three at a time.
At the top he flung open the door to Mr. Perry's room, finding Yoshi already on his feet. "We got a problem." August declared.
"I am aware." Yoshi stated before hurrying past him to jump the staircase in a single bound. "See to him." He called up to August before disappearing.
"What's going on?" Scott asked. Standing up to walk toward the other man.
"I take it he talked to you?" August asked, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gray pillow case.
"Yes." Perry answered nervously, eyeballing the sheet.
"Then you should know. The Shredder's Ninja are right outside." August explained and the man paled.
"Mr. Perry." August got his attention again before he could pass out. "We're going to get you out of here. But I need you to work with me." He held out the pillowcase to man and he took it in trembling hands. "We can't have The Foot recognizing you. That would cause all kinds of unwanted attention. Just stay close to me and I'll get you to the truck."
Scott nodded nervously as he bunched the fabric in his hands. "Trust me Mr. Perry." August assured him casually. Grabbing the man's shoulders and leading him to the stairs. "This'll be a cake walk." Of course, he neglected to mention that he didn't actually know how to make a cake.
…
(9's: POV)
I could tell something was wrong by the way everyone suddenly started running about. Me and April had been working on removing my brother's cuffs and bandaging their wrists. Thankfully 2's and 5's weren't that bad. But 8's wrists were so mangled I had to worry if it had reached the bone.
Apparently the growth of his muscles had ensured quit a bit of damage. and he was ordered by April to not hit anything for at least a week. By the way he reacted, you'd have thought she'd just told him they were going to amputate his legs.
April shot to her feet, when Casey started freaking out in the next room and they heard August running up the stairs in a hurry. She hadn't even made it to the door of the cooler, when Yoshi threw it open from the other side.
"What's going on?" April immediately asked.
"They're here." Yoshi stated calmly as he looked over her shoulder to check that we were still safe. We all got to our feet in a hurry. Looking around, as if expecting The Shredder to appear out of thin air. "We need to get them out to the truck." He declared. April nodded her understanding and rushed into the main room to get a better perspective on the situation. Yoshi quickly walked into the cooler and kneeled before us, holding out his arms. "Come." He said and we all rushed into his hold. "It will be aright little ones. I will protect you. But you must stay close to me." He ordered kindly and we all nodded.
…
(Casey:)
"No one said anything about Ninjas." Casey complained with his face plastered to a window. As he pulled a hockey stick from the bag on his shoulder.
"Scared?" April joked as she helped herself to one of his baseball bats.
"Me?" Casey asked looking at her in offense. "Please. I'm not scared of anything babe."
"Don't call me babe!" She ordered absent-mindedly. Before turning around to find her Uncle descending the staircase with Scott Perry in tow.
"Casey." He called and the teen looked back at him. "Defend the street while I get Mr. Perry here out to the Truck. April; You and Yoshi follow us with the Turtles as soon as I'm in position."
"Got it." April declared without pause and rushed into the cooler again.
"Just how many of these guys are there?" Casey asked as he got ready to open the door for them.
"Hard to say. Depends on how mad Shredder is I suppose." August guessed, helping Perry put the pillow case over his head. Before turning back to the teenager. "I'm counting on you kid."
Casey just grinned and lowered his hockey mask. "Lets do this." August nodded his approval and the door was flung open. As they rushed into the street.
…
(9's: POV)
I held tightly to 5's hand as Yoshi and April wrapped us in blankets. In preparation for the short trip to the truck. I doubted they would help hide our presence. But I suppose anything was better than nothing. Maybe we'd get lucky and the Ninja would all be complete idiots.
Yoshi left to ensure the main room was clear, before April ushered us out of the cooler and we crowded around the doorway, waiting anxiously. April stayed near us protectively, as Yoshi watched the street through a hole in the boarded window. A minute later he nodded to April and she told us to hold hands.
Yoshi took 2 and 8, while me and 5 remained with her. He looked back out the window one last time and nodded to someone on the outside, before pulling the door open and we all rushed out.
Casey and August were on the street looking around for any sign of a threat as we passed behind them. Not even a minute later we were at the side door of the truck and Yoshi and April started to lift us into the back. Then it came.
"Get down." August called suddenly. And April threw herself over us. As Yoshi turned around to asses the threat. I heard the sound of fighting and looked between her arms to see the black clad men descending on us.
But they were no match for Yoshi's speed or August's skill or Casey's – head. As the teen fought off one Ninja, he carelessly threw his forehead into another's and the guy dropped like the stock market crash.
April got up and quickly lifted 5 into the back of the truck, then 8 and me and finally 2. When she turned around a bat had materialized her hands and she swung out at a Ninja who had; had the bright idea of rushing her. She hit him so hard I thought I heard his skull crack.
August ordered Casey to the diver's seat and he took off to the front of the truck without question. Yoshi's body count was quickly adding up, as one Ninja after another fell to his amazing fighting tricks.
August backed up to the truck and April got in as well. He was about to follow when Yoshi suddenly stared off into the distance with a look of pure terror on his face.
"Yo –" August was about to say, but he didn't get to finish, as a shadow suddenly landed on the street five feet away. My brothers and I bunched together unconsciously. We knew that presence.
Then the shadow walked forward to reveal The Shredder.
…
(Yoshi:)
Yoshi took a defensive stance when Oroku Saki emerged from the shadows. This was the first that he had seen his once-friend since the night the man had murdered his wife and daughter.
And he couldn't help the anger that flared at the memory of that night. But he quickly controlled it again, with help from Tang Shen. Now was not the time. He had lives to protect, he couldn't afford to lose his composure.
"Hand them over." The Shredder ordered. Yoshi was somewhat taken aback. After all the years Shredder had hunted him down, he had expected a very different reaction when they finally met face to face.
But then it accrued to him. They weren't face to face. Shredder had never seen Yoshi in his mutated form. He had no idea who he was actually talking to.
Yoshi clenched his fists. As much as his honor wished to reveal the truth and he could fight like a warrior. He knew that if The Shredder discovered who he truly was, he would never let them escape. He would use every advantage he had to get to him. And that included using his friends and loved ones.
He had to remain anonymous. "No." Yoshi answered simply. "You have already caused them enough pain."
He watched Shredder's eyes narrow. He never did take rejection well. "That was not a request." He declared.
"I am not one of your pawns." Yoshi declared angrily. "Your orders have no value here."
The Shredder actually growled at this. As he brought up his right fist. "Anyone who stands against me will fall." At this the blades of his gauntlet revealed themselves and he charged.
…
(9's: POV)
Yoshi dodged and stuck at The Shredder as they fought. Gradually drawing him further away from the truck. I could tell that he was trying to give us the opportunity to get away. And it seemed that I wasn't the only one who knew that.
"Master Y –" April started, but August quickly held his hand to her mouth, silencing her.
"No, don't say his name." He ordered. "The Shredder doesn't know who he is. We need to keep it that way." He then looked in through the back doors and yelled toward the driver's seat. "Casey. Start the truck."
"But Uncle Augie." April argued. "We can't leave him."
"We're not." August proclaimed as he slammed the sliding side door closed. "This is just going to be a little more difficult than we planed." My brothers and I jumped when the truck started with a rumble.
And a second later more Ninja descended on us from the rooftops. Trying to stop our escape. But April and August quickly dispatched them, though not as gracefully as Yoshi had.
August rounded the truck and got into the passenger seat, giving Casey directions on what they were going to do. As April got into the back and slammed one of the double doors against a Ninja that had tried to follow her.
She didn't close the doors all the way. Instead she just held them so they could be easily opened. As Casey swung the truck around and headed toward the fight scene.
…
(Yoshi:)
Yoshi dodged another strike, using his superior speed and flexibility to out maneuver Shredder. But his adversary was also a trained Master. He would not go down easily.
Yoshi cried out when the blades of his gantlet cut into his right shoulder. But before Shredder could land the finishing blow. Yoshi twisted and sent both feet into the man's chest.
It likely caused no physical damage through the thick chest plate he wore. But the force of the blow sent Shredder flying backwards into the boarded window of an abandoned bank.
Both parties were immediately back on their feet, ready to continue. But Shredder, it seemed, had another concern. "Who are you?" He asked looking at Yoshi skeptically.
Yoshi calmed his breathing, not wanting to give anything away. He had been careful to avoid any moves that Shredder was likely to recognize. He only hopped it was enough to throw him off.
"You will harm these children no more!" Yoshi ordered, before rushing forward to meet his adversary in battle once again. Shredder dodged, barely. If he had; had one more layer of polish on his armor, Yoshi's punch would have landed.
But instead his fist flew through the wooden boards of the window where Shredder had been standing. Causing them to break apart into three or four lifetimes supply of toothpicks. He quickly swung out with his left foot deflecting The Shredders next attack and freeing himself from the window at the same time. Before they continued into the street.
Yoshi's sensitive ears picked up the sound of the truck and he dodged out-of-the-way. As Casey's armored behemoth barreled down the road toward Shredder. The man threw himself to the other side of the street. But wasn't able to completely avoid the vehicle. As it clipped his right leg, sending him flailing onto the asphalt.
The truck came to a screeching halt in front of Yoshi and the back doors flew open to allow him inside. He wasted no time and jumped into the back, before Casey floored it again. Sending them down the street in a blaze of road warrior skills.
"Are you okay?" April asked him. Moving to touch the injury on his shoulder.
"Yes." He answered simply, a little out of breath. "Are they safe?" He asked looking around to answer his own question.
"Everyone present and accounted for." August stated from the front. Before gripping his seat and the dash-board for dear life, as the truck rounded a corner on two wheels. "Now let's get out here!" He finished sourly.
"He will not rest." Yoshi declared, trying to catch his breath. "He will come for them."
"Oh, please." Casey stated mockingly, as he looked at the speedometer. "We're already at 75 MPH. There's no way he can – HOLY CRAP." Casey cursed and the truck swerved like a driverless bumper car. When the Shredder landed on the hood of the truck and dug his blades into the window.
The teen was only lucky it had long since been removed in exchange for the armor-plated variety. "Never mind." Casey declared as he righted the truck again and stared at the blades that were just inches from gutting him.
August pulled a gun from his shoulder holster, aimed through the sight-holes of the armor and opened fire, before anyone could even blink. But it still wasn't enough. As Shredder quickly jumped onto the top of the truck to avoid being shot.
"I'm getting too old for this shit." August swore under his breath, as he rolled down his window and used the mirror to shot over the roof, trying to peg their attacker.
April screamed when The Shredder suddenly landed on the back bumper and threw his fist through the little wire mesh window on the right door. She collected herself quickly and swung her bat at his arm. Forcing him to retreat again.
However he must have decided that using the door like a normal person wasn't as outlandish as he'd first thought. As the sliding side door suddenly flew open and he reached in to grab one of the Turtles.
Yoshi panicked when the leader disappeared out the door and he threw himself outside. Grabbing the side of the truck, he pulled himself quickly to the top. But was too late. As he watched Shredder jump back down to the street.
Yoshi was right on his heals, as he heard the sound of the truck coming to a screeching stop. Managing to recover from the jump much quicker than The Shredder. Yoshi raced toward his adversary and threw his right fist into the man's helmet.
He heard more than felt the bones in his hand break with the impact. But his adrenaline was running so high he didn't even flinch. A swift kick sent the man to the ground, but not before Yoshi pulled the little Turtle from his grasp and held him protectively in his arms.
He backed away from his enemy cautiously. While softly soothing the child's terrified shivering. He heard August and Casey get out of the truck. While April stayed behind to keep the other Turtles from attempting to rescue their brother.
…
(9's: POV)
My brothers and I fought against April, trying to get to 2. Though we could clearly see that Yoshi had retrieved him. We couldn't help but want to go to him ourselves.
August and Casey materialized on both sides of the truck as we watched Shredder rise from the ground. Then we heard something that seemed to make the world stop spinning momentarily.
The Shredder was laughing. And it was not a happy sound. It sent shivers down my spine and made me want to crawl into my shell and never come out again.
"You fools." He declared after a minute of his evil cackling. Then he looked at me, 8 and 5. And my heart stopped when I realized that he was smiling as well. Then he looked back at Yoshi and 2.
And standing a little straighter, he started shouting out a strange line of numbers. "SS4 – Code 7005 – Attack." Suddenly I lost the ability to think, to move, to act. For briefly a second, I registered a burning pain in the back of my neck. Then everything went black.
…
(Yoshi:)
"SS4 – Code 7005 – Attack."
Yoshi couldn't help tensing when he heard this. Then he felt the little Mutant in his arms freeze. He looked down in worry wondering what had happened. But he never got the chance to find out. Before he was suddenly hit in the face by a little fist.
He back-peddled as the Turtle jumped from his arms to land gracefully on the ground. Yoshi looked back up and couldn't help but flinch, when he saw the child's eyes. They were completely white. The little leader that he had grown so quickly to love was gone.
Yoshi took a breath and tried to talk to the Child. But he either did not hear or could not respond. Instead he just attacked. Yoshi backed up again as the little Turtle threw one punch after another. Trying to hit him. He tried to get in close. But Yoshi found that this little Mutant was a master of replication.
The Turtle easily copied every move he made against him and countered even more effectively. Yoshi knew he couldn't even hope to win this fight. Not without hurting the him. Instead he just dodged, trying to find out what had happened.
When he heard a commotion, he spared a look toward the truck. And found that the other Turtles had started attacking as well. He looked back, when Shredder's laugh suddenly pierced his thoughts.
"What have you done?" Yoshi demanded of his old friend. Who now stood with his arms crossed. Obviously enjoying the sight before him.
"You forget." Shredder answered after a second. "These creatures were created to serve me. They are not children. They are weapons. My weapons."
Dang… I really don't like writing The Shredder. He's too hard to keep in character.
R&R