Don't own Ninja Turtles
Chapter: 9
(Splinter:)
"You son of a –" Casey left the rest of his statement to one's imagination. Before barreling into the tree line, right on Tezz's heels. August started after him, only pausing long enough to tell April to stay behind, who had clearly had every intention of following.
Splinter started as well, but looked back when he remembered the Turtles.
Leonardo met his eyes for half a second, before nodding in understanding and herded his two youngest brothers closer to April and Leatherhead. Knowing that no harm would befall his sons while they remained in the Alligators' presence. Splinter quickly rushed after the other two men.
It didn't take him long to catch up to August. Casey; however was a force that he dare not trifle with, as the teenager crashed through the trees, proclaiming certain death to his target. Should he catch him.
Splinter ignored the rest of Casey's swearing and quickly scooped a rock from the ground as he ran. Then, only stopping a second to take aim, he let the stone fly.
One half of a second later, Tezz suddenly face planted into the dirt; like he'd been flattened by an invisible piano. And had only just started to right himself, when Casey descended on him with intention to kill.
Splinter and August were quick to his side and had to actually pry the teen's hands away from the other man's throat.
"Get off me!" Casey ordered trying to get back at his enemy, as August man-handled him away from the scene. Splinter quickly twisted Tezz's arms awkwardly behind his back, before he could attempt another escape. And bent him forward, so he'd have no leverage to fight.
"That is enough Casey." Splinter ordered calmly.
"Like hell it is." The teen disagreed, still struggling to get away from August. "He betrayed us. He nearly killed me. My friends. My team. My SISTER." He screamed, thrashing so violently that he and August both were pulled to the ground.
"And what would you do to avenge them; Casey?" Splinter asked seriously. "Would you kill him? Would you become your enemy?"
Casey stopped moving so suddenly, he could have been mistaken for painted stone. For almost three whole minutes, all he could do was stare at Tezz. Obviously no longer seeing the ex-rebel. But himself. He then deflated slightly and lowered his head in defeat.
"Keep the anger kid." August told him as he pulled the teen back onto his feet. "But redirect it. We got other things to worry about."
Casey looked at him in confusion, then his eyes went wide as he realized the meaning behind those words. "He's been leading the Purple Dragons right to us." He said in a panic, looking back toward the trucks.
"There is no other reason why he would have remained with us." Splinter agreed. "We must get back to the others. We must leave this area."
"What about him?" Casey asked in a growl. Looking back at Tezz with a stare that should have caused the man to implode. "We can't just leave him here. He'll call his friends for backup."
"Good point." August agreed, looking thoughtfully at the traitor. Before turning to Splinter, then finally back to Casey. "I have an idea." He said with a wicked smirk.
…
Several minutes later, the three of them emerged from the forest, at top speed. "Get everyone back in the truck. We gotta get outta here." Casey ordered and Joe immediately started herding those who had gotten out to stretch their legs, back into the cargo bay of his giant semi.
"What happened?" April asked, as Splinter quickly picked up the three mobile Turtles and loaded them back into the smaller truck.
"Tell you in a minute." August declared pushing her through the back doors and closed them after Splinter had jumped in as well. Then darted to the passenger door.
"Casey –" Angel tried to say. But was interrupted when he picked her up and gently man-handed her over the driver's seat, got in and floored it. He swerved onto the road in a scary display of driving, that had them all clutching at things for dear life. And a second later was joined by the semi.
"Casey." Angel said again, a little more forcefully. And was about to say something else when her brother threw a bundle of cloth into her face. She scrunched her nose up at the smell and quickly pulled them away again.
"Check those for anything that looks like a transmitter and start thinking of creative ways to get rid of it." Casey ordered, as his sister looked at the cloth questionably.
"Casey?" She asked again, slowly. "Aren't these – Tezz's clothes?"
August and Casey plastered identical evil grins on their faces and answered simply. "Yep."
…
Several minutes later, April and Angel had roughly stuffed everything the ex-rebel had owned into an old cooler. Then secured the lid with several layers of duct-tape. "Okay we're ready." Angel said maneuvering to stand between the passenger and driver's seats.
"Almost there." Casey declared. Looking purposely through the sight-holes. As he picked up the CB mike again and spoke into it. "Get ready Joe. The bridge is coming up." He ordered.
"Roger that." Came the reply.
"Roger that?" Angel asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow at the radio. "What is this 1960?"
"Tell him how you really feel Angel." Casey told her sarcastically. Handing over the mike, so he could focus on driving. A minute later they arrived at a bridge and he swerved suddenly to the side of the road.
April immediately threw open the side door and Leatherhead effortlessly tossed the cooler over the railing and into the river below. At the exact moment Joe drove by in the larger truck. Successfully blocking the view of anyone that might be watching from that angle.
They completed their drop, in less than 30 seconds. And were quickly back on the road. Heading for the city. "How long do you think that'll keep them occupied?" Angel asked.
"They'll be chasing that thing all over kingdom-come for a good day or so." August answered. The idea was, that the cooler would float down the river and draw the enemies' attention to the transmitter. Long enough for them to get a decent head-start.
Several minutes later the two trucks had taken an off-ramp. Then swiftly pulled onto a rarely used lane of old, broken asphalt. Complete with mounds of dirt and debris. Before losing themselves in a maze of back-streets and long forgotten ghost towns.
"Just out of curiosity." August asked a minute later. "Where is it we're going?"
"New York." Casey answered simply.
"Via where? Arkansas?" April stated, trying to read a faded street-sign that they flew by at a good 60 m.p.h.
"Our drivers use these old roads to make sure no one's following them." Angel explained, then pointed at a cloud of, quickly dissipating, dust. Clear off in the distance. That they themselves had likely created, not all that long ago. "All the dirt on the roads makes it virtually impossible for anyone to sneak up on us."
"And the Purple Dragons don't know these old roads like we do." Casey continued with a smirk. "It might take a while to get to point-B. But we'll lose any tails long before we get to the city."
"And what about the ones waiting for us in the city?" April asked. "They my be short some brain cells. But Manhattan is Purple Dragon territory. They're not just going let us waltz in, like we own the place."
"I agree." Splinter added. "New York doesn't seem like the best place for us right now."
"Which is why they wont be expecting us to go there." Casey said with a grin.
"True, but that wont help us in the long run." August stated. "So I hope there's more to your plan, then just going to New York?"
"North Cove Harbor." Angel corrected suddenly, causing everyone to look at her. "We called in a friend. He's going to get us to Panama."
"Panama?" April repeated in shock.
"I've never even been to Mexico." Scott admitted absent-mindedly.
"It's the only place where we can hide this many people, on such short notice." Casey explained.
"But what about the Hospital? My patients?" April declared. "I've been away too long as it is. I can't just leave them."
"The Purple Dragons might attack the Hospital if they find out you're working there." Splinter explained kindly. But he understood how she felt. She had a responsibility to protect and help people. It was hard for her to be so far away from them, for so long.
"April." Casey said suddenly serious. "I promise. I'll find a way to get you back." He vowed, then sighed dejected. "I'm sorry. I never meant for this to happen. You trusted me to protect you. And I let everyone down."
"This isn't your fault Casey." Angel said putting a hand on her brother's shoulder.
"She's right kid." August agreed. "A lot of lives were saved today because of you."
"Yeah, but –" Casey started, determined to take the blame for something he couldn't control.
"Only if you give-up have you truly failed Mr. Jones." Splinter added and the teen looked at him in the rear-view mirror.
He was about to say something when Mikey suddenly asked. "Is there pizza in Panama?" Everyone couldn't help looking at him in surprise. As this was the first time any of the Turtles had spoke, since the attack.
It took a minute for them to recover from the randomness of the remark. But when they realized that the little Mutant actually expected an answer. No one could help exploding into laughter.
…
(Donnie's: POV)
We laughed for a good 5 minutes straight. There was much swerving of the truck and clutching at pains in our sides. But it was a welcome and much-needed relief from the seriousness of the last 24 hours.
After everyone had more-or-less collected themselves again. We returned to what we'd been doing before. April, Leatherhead and Splinter finished treating Raph's wounds. To which Mikey had immediately challenged him to a rousing game of Go-Fish. But it didn't take long for him to buffalo me, Leo and even Leatherhead into the game as well.
After a while, we had effectively distracted ourselves. And during our attempt to convince our youngest brother, that the Joker could not be used in substitution for any card. We realized that there was a fifth voice in our conversation.
Leatherhead, who had been making his card requests via the English language. Was now speaking in our language. To say we were shocked was an understatement.
For course, he wasn't very good. But he had the general meanings down enough that we could usually figure him out. Of course for a while, all we could do was stare at him in shock.
Which seemed to bring him to the conclusion that he had somehow, accidentally insulted us. And stated in a bad translation of our clicks and noises. That he was out-of-practice and – something about a fish.
"Leatherhead?" Splinter asked suddenly making us all jump. "Can you speak their language?"
"More or less." The Alligator admitted. Then continued to explain when everyone looked at him like he had just been painted purple. "Reptile languages are all quite similar." He explained. "Admittedly I am a little out-of-practice. But I can still understand the basics."
"That would have been nice to have earlier." April stated, slightly annoyed. After all she had spent a few months trying to understand us and still couldn't tell a click from a chirp.
"Leatherhead." August started, as he and Scott sat down on the edge of our little group. "We should probably see what can be done about the transmitters. The last thing we want is to lead Shredder straight to the rebel army."
"Transmitters?" April asked, before her brain put the pieces together again. "Right. The GPS chips." She stated.
"That was a couple crisis's ago." Casey admitted with a snort.
"It's been a long month." Splinter sighed. I think everyone was ready for this calamity to finally be over. I know I was.
"Isn't that the truth." August stated, rubbing Leo's head childishly. "Trouble seems to follow you four like the plague. Can't imagine what manner of mischief you'll get into when your teens."
My brothers and I couldn't help but cringe sheepishly. After all of the danger we had put these guys in. They still fought so hard to protect and guide us. It was flattering to know we had such good friends.
I looked down when Scott suddenly lifted my left arm and gently rolled up my sleeve. "Here." He said pointing to a place on my forearm, right below my elbow. "That's where the transmitter is." He explained. Curious, I turned my arm and studied it as they talked.
"That doesn't look so hard." Angel stated with mild enthusiasm.
"It's worse than you think." April corrected her. Pointing to the general area that Scott had. "The radial nerve is here. If we accidentally damage that, he could lose the use of his hand."
My fingers seemed to twitch of their own accord and I looked at Splinter worriedly. However he quickly smiled and gave me a reassuring nod. To inform me that I would be alright.
I looked back at my hand. As April, Scott and Leatherhead discussed ways to remove the chip. We'd been told about the little GPS chips. That's why they'd taken us to the farm in the first place.
But now that the farm was gone, the only option we had, was to either find a way to remove them. Or live the rest of a miserable existence, imprisoned within a suitable shelter that could hide us from Shredders' trackers.
Personally I didn't like either of those options and I knew my brothers didn't either. But we had always leaned more toward ridding ourselves of the blasted devises altogether. Surgery and needles be damned. But knowing that I was risking the use of my hand-made me understandably nervous.
"I agree." Leatherhead suddenly said and I looked at him as he gently took my hand from Scott's and rubbed his large finger across my skin. As if searching for something.
"I have done this kind of thing before." He revealed. "I'm positive that I can removed all four of them, without causing any damage." I heard a 'but' coming on.
"However." He added and I deflated slightly. "I believe I have a better solution." He explained. My brothers and I were all taken aback by this. 'Someone just made a non-negative comment about our fates. Go figure!'
"August told me much about the situation on the way here." He continued, as he opened a little cloth sack that he'd been carrying around. "Of course, I was afraid that they would be too small to perform this kind of operation. And I was correct." He admitted.
"Wait, you just said you could do it?" Angel berated.
"And I can." Leatherhead answered immediately and confidently. "But it would be safer to do it when they are older. At this early age, their nerves are still growing. This makes them extremely fragile." He explained as he pulled something that looked like a simple black wrist band, from his bag.
"Do you mind?" He asked me, holding out his hand. Understanding what he meant, I held out my arm again. "But of course I realized that time was of the essence and we could not afford to wait." He continued, as he gently lifted my arm and laid the band over the area where the transmitter was. "So I bought us some time." He explained. Carefully securing the band, so it couldn't slip.
"Is that too tight." He asked me kindly and I shook my head.
"And that is?" April asked studying the device skeptically.
"A frequency jammer." He stated. "A small one. It will block and confuse the outgoing signals of the transmitter. However it's only powerful enough to do so, at a distance of a few feet or less. But it's small enough that it wont disrupt their daily lives." He continued as I studied the little band with interest. I had to admit I was impressed.
"But what's its battery life?" Angel asked unconvinced. "2 seconds?"
"No battery." Leatherhead stated, earning cynical looks from all corners of the truck. "August told me they were Turtles. So I assume they bask regularly?" He asked.
"They're solar powered?" Splinter asked, putting the pieces together.
"Yes." Leatherhead answered. "As long as they charge them a few minutes a day. The jammers will function perfectly." He explained, as he gently strapped another onto Mikey's arm.
"Can we still swim?" Mikey asked, as Leatherhead carefully secured Leo's band as well.
"Yes. They are water-proof." He answered, before moving over to Raph and had Splinter help him place the last band. Being extremely careful not to move him around too much.
"Where on earth did you get a such a thing?" April asked.
"I made it." Leatherhead stated simply, as if speaking of the weather.
"You what?" Scott, Angel, April and Casey all said at once.
August laughed for a second, before he answered for the Mutant. "That's nothing. He actually made then during the trip here. And with nothing more than what he brought with him and things he found lying around the truck."
Casey scoffed impressively. "Resourceful much?"
"Necessity can teach many valuable lessons." Splinter declared wisely. No one could argue with that. Even my brothers and I had witnessed how the harsh environment had played a huge part in Human advancement. You'd be surprised what people could come up with in the act of survival.
"The point is." Leatherhead continued, getting everyone back on track. "They're not ready for any kind of surgery. Not this soon after their escape." He stated. "We run the risk of causing more harm than good. And not just physical, but mental."
My brothers and I looked at each other for a second. There was something in his voice we recognized. He knew what we had gone through in the lab. He'd experienced it too.
"You say that like you know?" Scott asked. Obviously having picked up on the same thing we had. Leatherhead just smiled sadly and nodded.
"You remember when I said that I had seen the nano-bots before?" August asked.
"Yes." Scott answered.
"Well. That was Leatherhead." August explained. Everyone, once again, looked toward the larger Mutant.
"Wait, so you know how to deactivate the nano-bots?" April asked excitedly. I couldn't help looking at her in confusion. From what Splinter had said, those things were good. Why would we want to have them deactivated?
Leatherhead took a deep breath, before answering with a simple. "No." He then looked toward us, with a curious look. "However, I do believe that I can train them to control the programming."
"Control?" Scott asked confused.
"They are much younger than I was." Leatherhead explained as he moved to sit near Raph. "I believe this gives them a better change to make things happen, that we would see as impossible." He stated and turned to look at Raph, but paused momentarily in his speech. "I'm sorry, tell me your name again." He requested of my brother.
"Raphael." He answered.
"Raphael." Leatherhead repeated with a nod. Like he'd had the word on the tip of his tongue the whole time. "Will you help me with something?" He asked.
"I guess." Raph answered. Maneuvering a little, so he was more comfortable.
"I need you to focus your mind for me." Leatherhead explained and my brother immediately groaned.
"Can't Donnie do it? He's better at mind-stuff." He stated, causing Splinter to laugh a little.
Leatherhead smiled, then nodded. "Very well." He agreed and looked at the rest of us. "I apologize. Which one of you is Donnie?" I raised my hand. "Will you help me demonstrate this for your brother?" He asked me kindly. I just shrugged and moved to sit next to him.
"You are aware that the nano-bots can help you heal? Correct?" Leatherhead asked me. I looked to Splinter for a second, before turning back to him and nodded. "Well, I believe that if you think about it hard enough." He started, pointing at his head, to indicate his brain. "You could make them do it faster."
Leo sat down next to me as I absorbed this. After a second, I turned to him and asked something in our old language. To which he translated for me. "So he could heal his neck?" He asked.
"Yes." Leatherhead answered, looking between us slightly confused.
"Donatello?" Splinter asked and I looked at him. "Why will you not speak, my son?"
"He doesn't want to." Leo answered for me, like it should have been so obvious.
"Does it hurt?" April asked me worriedly. But I just shook my head. Admittedly after nearly having my neck sliced open, for saying two little words. I was hesitant to talk for a while.
Splinter nodded understandably, before saying. "It is alright. He will speak again when he is ready. There is no reason to rush him." He then looked to Leatherhead, who seemed a little worried as well. "Please continue, Leatherhead." He requested. "Leonardo will translate."
"Very well." The other Mutant said and turned back to me. "You've been meditating with Splinter, correct?" He asked and I nodded. "This will be similar." He explained. "What you're going to do is focus entirely on your injury."
I nodded again, before closing my eyes and did as I was told. I ended up having to use the flame-technique Splinter showed me before. To clear my mind. But after a minute, I had completed my objective.
Leo told him that I was ready and Leatherhead continued. "Now imagine that your injury is healing. You must have no doubts in your mind. It must be as though it should happen."
I smiled a little at that. He made it sound like that should be hard. But I'd never wavered in the faith of my mind. I knew I could accomplish anything as long as I believed I could.
So I set my mind to this. It only took a minute, but when I heard April gasp. I knew I had achieved my goal.
I opened my eyes again, to find that she had carefully removed the bandages from around my neck. Without me even noticing. And was gently rubbing her finger over the place where the cut had been.
I didn't feel any pain or discomfort. Or even the slightest pull of split skin. It was whole once again.
"That's incredible." Scott said impressed. "Where did you learn to do this?" He asked.
"I didn't." Leatherhead answered simply. "I have never been able to do this myself. I am too old. My mind is too set on the ways of the world. And too knowledgeable to think otherwise." He stated, then explained further when everyone looked at him in confusion.
"You see, the brain controls every function of the body through electrical signals. The nano-bots are literally powered by that electricity. Which is why they are able to control the signals. The reason some people can fight this control, is because their brain has adapted to the presence of the nano-bots."
"Once this happens, the body no longer sees them as intruders. They become apart of the body and therefore can be controlled by the brain. So if that person can control their brain. They can control the nano-bots." He paused briefly to make sure that everyone was still on the same page.
"Of course that isn't as easy as it sounds." He continued. "It's actually nothing more than a myth that most people use only 10% of their brains. However we can't just tell our bodies, 'Yeah, I know that area is injured. You can stop making it hurt now!' It doesn't work like that. We don't have that much control."
He then turned to me as I rubbed my neck experimentally and smiled. "However, I believe that children are able to control a larger part of their brains, then adults." He stated. "Because they still have the capacity to believe that they can."
"I get it." Angel stated suddenly. "Like the old proverb. How the minds of children are still pure enough to believe in magic."
"Exactly." Leatherhead answered. "The mind is capable of so many things. But as we get older. We're told just how the world works. We being to think such things are impossible. And in doing so, we lose so much. We're not able to look past what we think we know. To see the potential that's just out of our reach."
"I agree." Scott said suddenly. "I once met a man in London, who told me just such a story about his wife." He explained. "One year, she got really sick. So he called a doctor, who came to their home and gave her a little white pill."
"Less than an hour later, she was on her feet." Scott continued. "But what the doctor didn't tell her, was that; the 'little white pill,' was actually nothing but sugar." He said with a small laugh. "She believed so thoroughly that the medicine would help her. That her mind actually cured her instead."
Leatherhead nodded in agreement. "As I said. The mind is capable of amazing things."
"Well I'm impressed." April stated with a smile. And Leatherhead bowed modestly in return. Then he turned back to Raph.
"Are you ready to try now?" He asked him.
He looked uncertain, so I quickly moved to my brother's side and nodded encouragingly. After a minute he finally agreed and Leatherhead started to walk him through the process as well.
Of course, Splinter had to eventually help him clear his mind. As he wasn't too practiced in the ways of meditation. So it took almost an hour, but Splinter and I were eventually able to help him find where his faiths lay.
He may not have believed too thoroughly in his mind. But confidence in his body was something he'd always had.
Leo, Mikey and I watched excitedly as the holes in his shell started to slowly close over again. No longer exposing the metal plate underneath. And healing entirely, with shiny new bone.
"My son." Splinter said kindly, putting a hand on Raph's shoulder. To being him out of his trance. He opened one eye then the other and looked around in confusion at all the people smiling at him.
It took him another minute to realize that he could actually move normally again. Though he was still a little sore. He was soon on his feet, moving his arms and twisting his back experimentally.
A minute later a malicious grin appeared on his face and he suddenly smacked Mikey upside the head. "Ow." Our brother whined, as Leo and I held back our laughter. "What was that for?"
"For five hours of driving me nuts." Raph growled and Mikey quickly took a sheepish stance. Then before we knew it, they were both rampaging around the tiny space. As Raph attempted to take revenge for our little brother's constant harassment.
…
It seemed we were now taking the scenic route, to avoid any unwanted attention. I had nothing against that. But, personally, I think we could have walked to New York faster.
And having to deal with an increasing frustrated Raphael, only made that option look more and more tempting. It wasn't that we didn't love our brother, we did. But when he started to get stir-crazy, he drove the rest of us plan crazy and that just made us want to kill him.
So when the trucks finally pulled over for a break, about an hour outside of New York. I pitied the fool that tried to stop any of us from going outside.
…
(Splinter:)
Splinter watched with the eyes of a hawk. As the four Turtles played near the little lake they had stopped by. Basked in the sun. And otherwise took the time to stretch their legs and play.
Everyone seemed thankful for the short vacation from craziness. As Mutants and Humans from all walks of life, meandered about, enjoying their freedom. Casey was able to get a-hold of his contact and synchronize watches. While Joe, Angel and the remaining rebels divided some measly provisions amongst the 60+ people.
"You are very blessed Splinter-san." Splinter looked around in slight surprise when he heard these words spoken in Japanese. And found Leatherhead standing before him, watching the Turtles with a certain level of pride.
Splinter smiled and bowed to him. "Thank you Leatherhead-san." He returned in his native language, then reverted back to English. "I was not aware you spoke Japanese."
"I was fortune enough to come upon a book in my youth." Leatherhead explain as he took a seat next to Splinter. "Though I am still not that good. I thought you might enjoy hearing something familiar."
"I appreciate that my friend. Thank you." Splinter stated. As August walked around to the back of the truck.
"I feel like I've missed something." His old friend stated, then laughed as he watched the Turtles try to catch a fish. "How did you come up with those names anyway?" He asked turning to look at Splinter.
"They chose them." He answered simply.
"And – Splinter?" August asked with a slight grin.
"It would seem that my ability to shatter wood left quite the impression on them."
"I can certainly see why." August stated looking back at the Turtles. "I know it left an impression on me." He agreed absent-mindedly as he watched the four play in the water.
"May I ask?" Splinter started several minutes later and the two other men turned to look at him. "How is it you two met?" He finished, making sure to leave plenty of room for them to refuse. He was sure the story had some bad moments that they would rather forget.
"I was somewhere in Canada, when I heard rumors about people being snatched right off the streets in Toronto." August relayed after a brief hesitation. "I checked it out and found a lab."
"Lab?" Scott suddenly asked from inside the truck, where he had been writing in his notebook.
August nodded. "I assume it was one like where you worked." He stated. "Leatherhead was one of its guards. But he was starting to fight the nano-bots programming."
"I was smart enough to realize, that I had to keep my free-will a secret. Or they would have destroyed me." Leatherhead explained. "But one day, there was an intruder and I was sent to apprehend him."
August laughed a little at that. "One second I was trying to find a way to free all the Mutants. And the next I was 12 feet off the ground, about to be eaten by a giant croc." He stated, then added with a sheepish grin. "Not one of my braver moments."
"You were still more than prepared." Leatherhead commented. Then turned back to Scott and Splinter. "He was armed and ready to defend himself. He had a clear shot. But didn't take it."
"I could tell he didn't really want to hurt me." August finished. "And besides I was there to help him. Not shoot him."
"It was the first act of real kindness that I had ever experienced from a Human." Leatherhead admitted. "Needless to say. It spoke volumes. But when I learned that he also wished to help the others. I was convinced that I had met a 'Solder of God.'"
August couldn't help blushing a little. Before he continued. "Together we were able to come up with enough info on the lab, to take it down. And we were even able to destroy the nano-bot transceiver. Freeing everyone under their control." He stated. "I was able to rehabilitate the Mutants into communities. And Leatherhead eventually ended up in the Everglades."
"Later I went back and tried to find more information pertaining to other such labs. But everything on their computers had been erased." August explained. "However I did learn a bit about the nano-bots and just who was running the operation."
"Shredder." Splinter stated more than guessed and August nodded.
"Damn it, that guy is everywhere." Casey suddenly grumbled and they all looked up to find the teen perched on top of the truck.
"Not everywhere." Splinter corrected. "His high connections just make it seem like he is. It's an old Ninja tactic that was learned from insects. You make yourself appear bigger then your enemy, they often wont notice that you are actually small and weak at the center." Casey just scoffed, before moving off to finish the repairs on his truck.
"I had no idea there were other labs." Scott stated, bending over his knees miserably. "But at least there's one less in the world." He said mostly to himself.
Leatherhead watched the scientist for several minutes. Before saying. "August told me about you, Mr. Perry. I admit, at first I was skeptical. But I can see now, you are a good man. You have just been forced to do some bad things."
"Yes." Perry admitted. Not even trying to deny his place in their current mess.
"You were trying to protect your family. Your actions in their steed cannot be held against you." Leatherhead said in a kind, non-condemning voice. Scott didn't say anything. Instead he just buried his face in his hands and wallowed in his misery.
Splinter, August and Leatherhead, looked toward each other. A silent agreement passing between them. Before they got up to leave, giving the man some privacy.
August jokingly started in on Casey about nosing in on other's conversations and not to stand on top of things. While Leatherhead took it upon himself to insure that the Turtle's frequency jammers were working properly.
…
"What's that?" Leonardo asked several minutes later. As Splinter gently picked the leaves off a plant and washed them in the water.
"Tea." Splinter explained giving him one of the leaves to try. The Turtle cautiously nibbled on the end, then made a face.
"It's bitter." He whined.
"It's good for you." Splinter challenge and couldn't help but laugh as the Turtle looked at the leaf in disbelief and pouted slightly. "But I agree. It does tastes much better once it's been brewed." He explained, as he continued to pick the leaves. Being careful not to harm the rest of the plant, so it could continue to grow.
"What about this plant?" Leo asked pointing at a batch of purple flowers.
Splinter smiled. "Have you ever had a radish?" He asked. The child looked at him quizzically, before shaking his head. Gently Splinter picked one of the little flowers and handed it to him.
The Turtle watched as Splinter picked another and put it in his mouth. Then copied him. "It's hot." Leo stated in shock.
"Spicy." Splinter corrected him.
"What about this one?" Mikey suddenly entered the conversation, as he pointed at the base of a tree.
Splinter carefully got up and went to investigate. "That is a mushroom." He educated. "You'll want to be careful with those. Some can be poisonous." Mikey quickly pulled away from the plant, like he feared it would bite him.
Splinter smiled as he looked around for the other two. He spotted Raphael testing his muscles, trying to see how far out into the water he could throw certain things. But Donatello however avoided his sight.
"Leonardo." He asked, looking in another direction, but still no Donnie. "Where is your brother?"
Leo quickly pointed in a direction and said. "Over there by the rock."
"Thank you." Splinter stated as he went to check. He breathed a sigh of relief, when he finally found the child perched on a large rock. "Donatello." He said in a firm voice.
Donnie jumped and turned around in a panic to face him. Then took on a stance that indicated he thought he was in trouble. Splinter took a deep breath, before saying in a kinder voice. "What are you doing over here, my son?"
He quickly held up a large book and Splinter kneeled down to study it. Discovering that it was the Atlas from the truck, he put the pieces together and asked. "You want to know where we are?" Donnie nodded shyly.
Splinter gently took the book from his hands and laid it out on the rock. His sharp eyes were quick to read all the names and was soon able to locate the one he wanted. "Here." He said pointing at the little area of blue in New Hampshire. "It's called Lake Winnipesaukee."
Donnie's face lit up and he started looking around excitedly. Trying to identify landmarks. However he was quickly brought back to reality when a large rock landed in the water near them and he and Splinter suddenly found themselves dripping wet.
Donatello's attention quickly went back to the book, as he tried to shake it dry. Then turned to give his offending brother a scowl.
"Oops." Raph stated and smiled sheepishly at his sibling.
"Raphael." Splinter said in a disapproving voice. The little one immediately caught on and attempted to right his wrong. "Sorry Donnie." He said trying to help him clean the book.
"Sensei." Mikey whined suddenly and Splinter looked up to find the little one pouting on the shore. "He scared the fish."
"I said I was sorry." Raph argued. Splinter rubbed a hand down his face and moved to break up the war.
"It is alright my sons. We will find something else to do." He remedied. Quickly he thought up something and leaned down to pick a rock from the shore, before expertly flicking his wrist and sending the little stone skipping across the water.
Four pairs of eyes were immediately the size of silver dollars. And their earlier play was all but forgotten. As they quickly bombarded him with questions. Wanting to know how he'd done that.
Splinter spent close to half an hour, showing them how to hold and flip the rock the correct way. Leo of course, got it on the first try, and managed a grand total of 3 skips. Which irritated Raphael to no end. Who had only managed to make his splash.
Donatello had quickly gotten the hang of it as well. And soon he and his brother were enthralled in a contest to see how many times they could skip it. It didn't take much longer for Mikey and Raph were in the game as well.
Michelangelo never managed more than 2 hops. But he was having too much fun to care. Raphael on the other hand, was left in the dust by the two calmer Turtles. Who had raked up 6 to 7 skips each. While their brother could only guarantee 5 or less.
Splinter smiled, as he watched them with the of pride of a father who had just giving his children a little taste of freedom.
"Splinter-san." Leatherhead said suddenly as he walked up behind them.
"Yes my friend?" He asked, acknowledging the Gator.
"We're ready to go." He answered with a smile of his own, as he watched the four play.
"Thank you." Splinter stated, giving the larger Mutant another polite bow. "Come my sons. It's time to go." He called and all four children groaned. He honestly couldn't blame them. But started herding the group toward the truck anyway.
…
(Donnie's: POV)
We were back on the road, not two minutes before Mikey had to show us the rock he had kept from the lake. The way he gushed over it, you'd have thought he'd discovered gold. April quickly took a pen and drew a smile face on it. Declaring that it was now a 'Pet Rock.' To which Mikey became unlivable. As he was the only one to have one.
"If I may be so bold Mr. Perry." I heard Leatherhead say suddenly and turned to watch. "Who are they?" The Alligator finished, pointing at a little card Scott held in his hands.
I realized immediately that it was the picture of his family. Scott himself seemed a little surprised that he was suddenly back in reality. Then answered the given question.
"My wife and children." He stated simply.
Leatherhead appeared to consider that for a minute, before he held out his hand. "May I?" He asked and Scott seemed to reluctantly surrender the picture.
Leatherhead held the little card like it was made of the thinnest glass and respectfully kept it close to Perry, so he wasn't so uncomfortable. As he studied the people in the photo, his eyes seemed to become clouded. Like he was remembering something.
Carefully he handed the card back to its owner. "You have a beautiful family, Mr. Perry." He commented then seemed to sulk slightly.
"Thank you." Scott answered absent-mindedly. As he retrieved the picture, but kept his studying eyes on Leatherhead. After a minute he finally asked. "You've seen them before?"
"Yes." Leatherhead admitted after a minute's hesitation. "I have."
The tension was so thick, it could have been cut with a knife. As Scott recovered from this and asked. "Where?"
Leatherhead seemed unable to answer for several minutes. But finally decided that Perry had the right to know. "The two children. The twins." He referred to the card again. "They were – at the – lab. Where I lived." I feared Scott might have a heart-attack as he absorbed this.
"No." He stated, shaking his head in disbelief. "Shredder promised – he said – I worked for him. I did everything he asked. He swore he wouldn't hurt them."
"Mr. Perry." Splinter tried to calm him, but the man refused to be comforted. And I could hardly blame him.
"Where are they now?" Scott requested, the desperation in his voice was actually painful to hear.
Leatherhead closed his eyes before answering. "I only saw them when they were very small. If they survived. They would have escaped with everyone else. I couldn't begin to guess where they are now."
Scott just shook his head again, before attempting to stand up.
"Easy there." August said trying to steady him.
"It was all for nothing." Perry cried. "Everything I did. The sins I committed." He said turning toward my brothers and I momentarily, before squeezing his eyes closed. Unable to look at us any longer. "There was no point. It was all for nothing." He screamed the last word, like he was trying to make himself sick. Then suddenly fell to his knees.
"Perry." August grunted as he caught the man, before he could hit the ground. April and Splinter were at his side quickly. Trying to comfort him. However I noticed that he was far beyond their reach. As he had actually passed out on his feet.
As they maneuvered him onto one of the benches, I noticed something fall from the chaos. Knowing exactly what it was, I immediately got up to retrieve it. Before it could be damaged or stepped on.
Returning to my brothers a second later. I held out the little picture and looked at the people in it. Who had, once-upon-a-time, been so happy and full of life. Now there was nothing left of them, but pain and suffering.
…
(Splinter:)
The buildings got taller and taller, as they gradually made their way into New York City. The streets were deserted and not a single light lit the darkness.
Splinter looked over, as Scott sat up again. "How are you feeling?" April asked him kindly. But he just shock his head. "Yeah I thought so." She stated, before turning around to give him some space.
"Mr. Perry." Splinter said a minute later and the man looked up. "I made you a promise. If you helped me I would reunite you with your family." He stated. "My offer still stands, if you wish to continue."
Splinter understood how painful knowledge could be sometimes. If Scott would rather forgo the search and hold on to the hope that his children might still be alive. Instead of risking the discovery for learning that they weren't. He could never hold that against him.
"I –" The scientist started, but seemed to almost collapse in on himself in his grief. "I don't know." He admitted.
"I understand." Splinter stated. "Just know that I am here for you, my friend. Whatever you decide."
Scott looked up at him with tears in his eyes. "Thank you." He forced out, before burying his face in his hands again.
A minute later, Splinter looked up as Donatello walked over to the scientist, holding the man's family portrait in his hands, like it was the most precious thing in the world. Then he reached out to tap Scott gently on the shoulder.
Perry looked up slowly and met the child's eyes. Donnie looked down at the picture once more, before holding it out to him. Scott looked down at the card as well and started to lift his hand to take it back. However he seemed to hesitate halfway and lowered it again.
"Will you –" He started, then cleared his throat. "Will you hang on to it for me? Keep it safe?" He asked. Donnie seemed taken aback, but held the little photo closer. Watching Scott closely for an explanation. After a minute, he seemed to come to his conclusion and nodded, that he would. "Thank you." Scott said again and took a deep breath to steady himself.
"You gonna be alright?" August asked him.
"No." Scott admitted. "But I haven't been alright for many years."
No one had anything to say to that.
Several minutes later, Casey broke the silence, as he picked up the CB mike and spoke into it. "Alright Joe, home stretch." He stated.
"I'll see yeah on the flip side." Joe's voice proclaimed, then all communications were cut.
"Keep your eyes open." Casey said as he returned the mike to the dashboard. "Make no mistake, they're out there."
"Nice pep-talk bro." Angel said sarcastically from the passenger seat. "Who are you Gandalf?"
"Just get in the back." Casey ordered, never taking his eyes off the road. She was about to say something, when August stood up and turned her swivel chair around.
"Trade me." He stated simply. She just scoffed and maneuvered into the place he had just vacated. While he took up position in the front.
They had just sat down, when Casey suddenly slammed on the brakes. Splinter recovered before anyone else and bolted for the front. "What is it?" He asked, looking through the windshields' sight holes, to discover the problem.
Blocking the street were at least a dozen or more military-style trucks. Panted with various styles of graffiti. Most of which featured a dragon of some kind. Splinter couldn't help a slight growl that rolled in his throat. Upon seeing the people who had nearly taken his new family from him. Less than 24 hours ago.
"How did they find us?" April asked.
"Who cares?" Casey declared before putting the truck in reverse and backed it into an ally they had passed half a block back. They saw the truck's lights blare threateningly, before the chase was on.
Unfortunately for them. Casey had a secrete weapon. As the second he was safely in the ally way. The 30,000 lb weapon of mass destruction behind him, floored it straight into the oncoming threat.
The little military trucks stopped like deer caught in a headlight. And were promptly bulldozed by Joe and his beast of a semi. Casey put the armored truck back into gear and pulled out onto the street once again. Just in time to watch Joe plow through another couple of vehicles that had blocked his path.
"Who here's played Chicken." Casey asked excitedly, as he revved the truck.
"Casey if you even think –" April started, just before he floored it again and they shot like a rocket toward what remained of the Purple Dragon mobile army.
"Sorry babe. Driving." Casey stated, as he turned the truck down a street, just before the wreckage. Gaining the attention of some of the trucks that hadn't become collateral damage.
"Don't call me babe." April insisted, as another truck pulled out in front of them, trying to block their path. But Casey expertly avoid it, by bringing the truck up onto two wheels and maneuvered around. Causing the vehicles pursuing them to collide with it instead.
"We need to distract them long enough, so Joe can get to the harbor." Angel ordered.
"I know that Ang." Casey muttered distractedly, as he swerved again to miss another truck. "Will you just let me drive?"
Angel didn't respond. Instead she just reached up to pull a handle down on the ceiling, to revel several interesting means of losing a persistent tail-gater.
"I like this truck." Raphael stated, rubbing his hands together in glee. Splinter sighed toward the heavens and promptly picked the Turtle up and moved him away from the weapons.
Angel quickly collected an arm full of small grenades and started tossing them out the side door. Where they exploded on contact with the pavement and immediately turned the area into a smoke-filled jamboree worthy of a made-for-TV-Movie.
"We're clear." She called to her brother and Splinter immediately gathered the Turtles into his arms. And wrapped his tail around a pipe for leverage, as the truck took another sudden turn.
He looked up when April cried out in shock, having been unable to obtain a proper footing. But was relieved to find that Leatherhead had secured the two girls in his arms. Protecting them from harm with his own body.
"Hang on." Casey declared belatedly, earning a couple glares from the back. Before he turned the truck again and stomped on the brakes bringing the vehicle to a jarring stop.
"Everyone quiet." August ordered, as the engine was killed, along with all the lights.
They all immediately calmed and waited silently for any activity. It didn't take long for several Purple Dragon mini-tanks to rumble by in search of them. But the armored truck had been expertly cloaked in the shadows of the alley. Even if their pursuers had been looking right at them, they weren't likely to be seen.
Casey absent-minded turned on some kind of homemade scanner, which started displaying several red dots zipping across the screen in all directions. Before lowering the volume on the CB and picked up the mike. Waiting patently for any action from the other side.
They had only to wait a few minutes before the radio activated and a voice that was not Joe's, sounded over the speaker. "Casey!" Declared a deep male, with a slightly Indian accent.
"Yeah." Casey whispered into the mike. As another military truck slowly motored by their location. Persistently searching for its' prey.
"Joe made it through." The voice proclaimed, earning several sighs of relief. "We're ready to weigh anchor. Where are you?"
Casey looked around for a second, like he would be able to spot a street sign. But quickly decided it was pointless. "I don't know." He admitted, "But we'll –" suddenly interrupted by a tap on his elbow. He looked down to find Donnie placing the Atlas from earlier in his lap and pointing to a seemingly random street.
Casey lowered the mike in consideration. "You sure?" He asked the little Turtle. Who nodded purposefully. Taking only a second to appear mildly impressed, he reported into the mike. "Collister and Beach."
There was a slight pause on the other end; before the voice returned. This time sounding somewhat amused. "Your uncanny ability to get into trouble, never ceases to amaze me; Jones."
"I'm glade I could make your day Kale." Casey reported dryly. "Why?" He asked skeptically.
"The Dragons have been road-blocking the whole area. And your smack in the middle of it." Kale declared.
"That is amazing." August stated as if talking of the weather. Earning a glare from the drivers' seat.
"If you can get to the docks, I can take care of the rest." Kale suddenly reported. Causing several pairs of eyes to zero in on the CB. As if trying to see this person who promised nothing short of a miracle.
Casey snapped out of the zone first. To inquire about his end of that particular bargain. "And how, pray tell, am I supposed to do that?" He proclaimed, as yet another small convoy of Purple Dragon goons zipped by in their modified death traps.
"Use your head." Kale declared.
"It's certainly hard enough." April muttered from the back. Causing Angel, Raph and Mikey to snicker under their breath.
Ignoring them, Casey was about to tell Kale where to shove it, when Donnie once again brought his attention to the map. Where he quickly ran his finger along several white lines amongst New York's west side.
August quickly leaned over for a better view and soon his eyes were widening in amazement. Not only had the Turtle just mapped out a route to the North Cove Harbor that would take them less than 6 minutes to navigate. But he'd also chosen roads that would give them plenty of cover from the neighboring buildings.
Not bad considering that the child had never seen that area of the city in his life.
Casey seemed to be equally as flabbergasted and only snapped out of his shock, when Splinter placed a hand on his shoulder. He quickly reported a 'never mind' into the mike and informed Kale that they would be there in 10 minutes. Before hanging up and preparing to start the vehicle again.
Donnie quickly took up position in front of the scanner and started comparing the red dots to the map in his lap. Determining the best time to make their escape. When he was finally pleased with his math. He spoke to Leonardo in their native language, who then translated to Casey to start the truck.
Only 30 seconds later Donnie/Leo informed the teen to drive forward and take a right. Which he did flawlessly and was able to pull the truck back into the safety of the shadows on another street. Mere seconds before they would have been spotted by their pursuers.
Casey continued to follow the Turtle's lead, until they could see the docks. Which was a precarious home-stretch of barren road, unprotected parking lots and short warehouses. "This kid's better than a GPS." Casey declared. Before picking up the mike again and informing Kale of their position.
"Give me two minutes." Came the reply.
Casey made a face and turned to look out the back window, as another truck barreled by their location. "That's easy for him to say."
"Shhh." August suddenly ordered and everyone watched the road in front of them. Where another Purple Dragon mobile dork patrol had just stopped right in the middle of the street, to let out one of its occupants. Who was now walking toward them with some kind of large gun pointed in their direction.
They all held their breath as the man continued to meander toward their hiding spot. After a minute the he stopped, but continued to study them. Obviously unsure whether he had located his quarry, or just another abandoned truck on the side of the road.
It was then that several more tricked-out trucks, with an insane amount of graffiti splattered over their hoods and sides, pulled up. Soon the road was swarmed with goons and guns. As well as several flood lights, that were all quickly converging on their location.
"About this point in the movie, there's always someone who suddenly needs to sneeze. So whoever you are. Hold it in!" Casey ordered in a whisper, as he continued to watch the small army gather outside.
It was at that moment that all-Hell broke loose. Though not quite in the manner they were expecting.
The sudden explosion was so massive and so loud, that it literally plowed over the gang members like they were bowling pins. And caused everyone in the armored truck to duck out of reflex.
They quickly recovered and located the source for their rescue, as a large fire that had suddenly materialized where a small warehouse had been only seconds before.
"What are you waiting for? Monsoon season?" Kale suddenly proclaimed over the com. "Move it!" He ordered. Casey didn't need to be told twice and instantly flooded it. Sending the truck straight at one of the enemy vehicles, blocking his path.
The former military truck crumpled like aluminum in the wake of Casey's homemade battering-ram. It was obvious that the Dragons had removed most of its armor in favor of a faster ride. An action they were likely regretting right about now.
Angel looked out the side window as they passed the fire and whistled approvingly. "Kale always did have a special way of finessing-it." She declared.
"I do hope your friend has more in store." Leatherhead inquired, as he peered out the back window. "Because the Purple Dragons are right behind us."
"The Dragons are many things. But you can't deny that they are persistent." August proclaimed from the front, as one of the trucks pulled up alongside them. And the barrel of a gun quickly appeared in one of the side windows.
"Are right." Casey hooted, as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Who's ready to swap paint?" With that he quickly jerked the truck into the tinfoil toy to his side, sending it careening away from the scene with more-than-a-little dent.
It didn't take long before bullets started pinging off the walls. As more Purple Dragon transports started pulling up on both sides.
"Everyone down." August ordered, ducking as far down into his seat as he could. Angel however did the opposite and made her way to the front, where she quickly flicked several switches. A second later the sound of gears turning into place could be heard, then a loud *snick* alerted them to the fact that a layer of armor now covered the windows.
"That works too." August quoted impressed.
"We're here to please." Angel declared, just before an enemy truck decided it would try its' luck and rammed into the side of their armored behemoth.
"So that's how it's gonna be, huh?" Casey proclaimed with an evil grin as he prepared to take revenge.
"Casey?" April suddenly asked looking out a hole in the front armor.
"What?" The teen answered distractedly. As he rammed his truck into the other so hard that it flipped onto its side and skidded down the road for several clicks.
"What's that?" She asked pointing directly in front of them where a line of semi's had completely cordoned off their get away.
Casey looked at the road block nervously. But didn't get a chance to answer. "Right down the middle; Case!" Kale suddenly ordered over the com. And they watched as one of the trucks in the middle stepped on its brakes just longer enough to make a sizable gap in their ranks.
Casey smiled in triumph and forced the armored truck to top speed. The bullets stopped, as the Dragons realized they had a problem and tried to pulled their vehicles off the road. A second later Casey maneuvered into the gap, passing safely between one semi and another, before quickly pulling over to the side to miss the one coming up on them to fill in the gap again.
They were all reworded with a loud crunch, as the semi plowed into an unfortunate Dragon car that had; had the nerve to try and make it through behind them. Casey quickly pulled over, turning the truck so they could watch the carnage.
Everyone whooped encouragingly as the line of Semi's literally plowed their way through the army of Dragons. Forcing them all the way back into the city.
"I'm glad everyone enjoyed the show. But I'd like to get this ship out to sea sometime this year." Kale suddenly proclaimed over the CB.
"Kale; you are my hero." Angel declared into the mike, over her brother's shoulder. As he pulled the truck back onto the road and headed for their getaway.
"Who is this guy?" April inquired.
"Just someone who has lots of friends." Casey explained.
"This is the docks." August stated as if that should explain everything. "The People here are of a different bread. Living on ships for months on end, have taught them to look out for their own."
"They don't put up with gangs coming into their territory either." Angel finished.
…
It took them only a couple of minutes to navigate the docks and eventually pulled up alongside a huge shipping ship. Under the name 'Peripeteia.'
They were quickly herded by a crowd of people leading them to a large packing ramp near the stern. Where they quickly drove up onto the ship and followed a guy running along in front of them. While the rest stayed behind to pull up the ramp.
A minute later they were directed into a space between two large shipping crates. Right next to Joe's renegade semi. Which looked to be in relatively decent shape considering that it had plowed its' way through half the city.
"And disembark." Casey declared, as he put the battered old truck into park. Which gave an ominous cough, before giving up the ghost. As everyone piled out of the back, the ground gave a lurch as the ship got underway.
"Well that was easy." Casey proclaimed, leaning against his truck with a proud smirk on his face. Earning several glares from his passengers.
"Well look who decided to bless us with his presence." A voice boomed and they looked around to find Joe meandering through the crowd from his semi. "Take a little longer next time, why dontcha?" He criticized.
"Well that's a fine way of thanking the person who covered your ungrateful ass." Casey grumbled.
Joe was about to object when a voice that was even louder than his, (if that was even possible,) bellowed out over the crowd. "Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Peripeteia. Where we hope to accommodate all of your freedom seeking needs. We have excellent ocean views, Gatling guns, missile launchers and three score meals a day." The man advertised as the crowd around him parted like the red sea. Before he declared cheerfully.
"I hope everyone here likes pickles."
(Note: Peripeteia: is pronounced– pair·i·pe·t·a)
Hey everyone. I'm so sorry about the wait. But I have been fighting tooth and nail against the Devil's Advocate known simply as 'Writers Block.' For months everything I tried to write turned out to be garbage, I wouldn't even read to my cat. And I just couldn't bring myself to expose my readers to such atrocities. Even re-reading it from the start; only made me focus on my grammar errors and obsess over things I could have put in.
But (at the risk of jinxing it) I may have found my rhythm again. (*Knock on wood*)
So cross your fingers for me. I'm going to need all the help I can get.
R&R