I'm sorry! sorry this took so long, but as I said my flash drive broke and I lost everything I had for this chapter :( anyway, it's back, it's finished and no more school for me yay! :D okay, I do not own the turtles or any of the characters from the show, they belong to their rightful owners, I only own Caitlin and AVP5 owns Chris. Enjoy!
Thirty-Six: Serpent Hunt
A few days later, Kraang droids were still patrolling the streets of New York, looking for survivors from the invasion. While not to far away, Ivan Steranko watched from behind a corner before heading back to his headquarters where Zeck was waiting for him.
''Have been months since aliens invasions.''
''There must be a way out of the city! Why not use one of your fancy tanks to get us out, big S?''
''How many times must I tell you! Show models only! I get them big discount.'' Zeck groaned, ''I'm starving all our food is gone, and we're down to moldy ketchup and dead cockroaches!'' Steranko picked up a cockroach that was crawling across his foot. ''Secret headquarters mine, moldy ketchup cockroaches mine!'' and he popped it into his mouth.''
"How sad that the great and mighty Steranko has been reduce to eating cockroaches," said a cloaked figure sitting in the dark corner of the room.
Steranko choked on the bug and stood to attention while Zeck was surprised that they didn't see Talsein sitting there acting a little nervous around him since they have seen what he can do.
''Talsein, what are you doing here?''
Talsein removed his hood and steps out of the shadow. "I came to check on your progress on locating this lab of the Shredder. Have you found it?"
''Well, uh…'''
''We are, still…working on it yes?
''Yeah, yeah! what big S said.''
Talsein's expression never changed as he looked to be calm and cool. He approached one of the displays and kicked it causing it to crash through the wall destroying it. "I gave you two a simple job in exchange for protection from the Kraang and Foot. I gave you two six weeks to find it and you couldn't do that right?!"
''Well it's been difficult!'' Zeck shouted, ''Ya, ya It's been hard with all those Kraang droids out there searching for the humans to mutate.''
"Enough!" this caused both men to back away in fear as Talsein began to calm down. "I am going to give you two one last chance to get something right. How familiar are either of you with Shredder's daughter, Karai?"
''Ya, Shredder's daughter we know of her.'' ''She's the one that got turned into a freaky snake thing right?''
"Yes," Talsein pulls out a scale and hands it to Zeck. "Here is your new job. You are to find her, bring her to me, and in exchange I will get you both out of New York. Fail me, and I will make sure when they find your bodies it will be unrecognizable."
Both men grew even more frightened of him. ''We understand you.''
''Yeah loud and clear.''
*…*
Meanwhile on one of the abandoned streets of New York, the Kraang had found a mother and her children hiding, and tried to mutate them. The mother tried to protect her children, and they closed their eyes, when suddenly a low sound was heard that kept growing, then they heard a metal thud, and then the nosies stopped. They looked around to see the Kraang bots destroyed, and a note and directions to a safe place.
*…*
Meanwhile, In the abandoned pizzeria, Mikey, Caitlin, April, and Splinter were cleaning up the pizzeria while waiting for Leo, Raph and Casey to get back from their scavenging trip.
''Looking good guys'' April said with a smile as she continued to clean up. ''Pretty soon this place will feel like a real temporary home!'' Mikey replied hanging a few of his drawings of Raph on the wall. ''What do you think?''
Caitlin smiled and laughed a little. ''Nice job Mikey.'' Mikey grinned at her before they both turned to Splinter who was slowly sweeping the floor looking a bit dazed.
''You okay Sensei?'' Mikey asked concerned. ''Hm? forgive me. My thoughts are elsewhere. Michelangelo it is very dangerous out there. Casey and your brothers have been gone for a long time.''
Caitlin walked over and put a hand on his shoulder, ''I know I'm worried to.'' While Caitlin and Master Splinter talked April wandered into another room where Donnie was setting up a lab.
''How's the new lab set-up?''
''Ehh, kinda makeshift. I'm brewing a batch of retro-mutagen I started back at the farmhouse, takes forever.''
''And then we can mutate my dad back? hopefully for good this time?''
''Well, that's the plan.''
''And everyone else who got mutated, including Karai.'' Suddenly the room grew quiet as Mikey, Caitlin and Master Splinter walked in who had heard the conversation.
''…''
''…''
''Karai…''
''Oh yeah!'' the silence was broken as Casey, Leo and Raph climbed out of the tunnel they had made to go in and out of the pizzeria. ''I got one word for you,'' Raph said with a grin ''score!''
April was a little shocked, ''You managed to sneak back into the lair?''
Casey nodded, ''Yo, Don, check it out! got you some sweet chemicals!''
''Oh, wow, awesome!''
''And even though the Kraang were mad-dogging us the whole time, we didn't forget Mikey's big request.'' Casey handed Mikey a box which he quickly opened and let out a yell.
''Tee-veee! Now we can watch Krognard again! aw, yeah!''
Caitlin sighed, ''oh that's just great.'' Leo chuckles as he kissed her head. ''We got you something to Sensei.'' He handed Splinter the small family portrait and Splinter smiled. ''You are a good son Leonardo.''
''What an awesome home we have'' Mikey said happily putting the Tv on a table. ''It's even got the new home, old pizzeria smell.''
April sat on the couch, ''I don't know it's still a little cramped for my liking.'' She looked over at Casey who was sitting a little close to her and moved away.
''Home for me will never be complete without my daughter'' said Splinter.
Leo nodded, ''the longer she's out there alone, the more she risks loosing her humanity.'' ''We can help her,'' Mikey spoke up ''we just have to keep looking.''
''For all we know, the Shredder or the Kraang have her'' said Raph.
''No,'' Splinter spoke ''I saw her only a few days ago roaming the streets at night. I was not in my right mind. I could not help her.''
''Maybe we could use our powers April, to find Chris and Karai'' said Caitlin.
They closed their trying to use their powers together to find Karai and Chris, but had little success. ''Weird, I can't sense anything. Maybe my powers are acting up again.''
''Or maybe Shredder grabbed them'' Mikey said accidentally. ''Mikey!'' Raph slapped him in the back of the head while Leo hugged Caitlin comforting her.
''Caitlin, it's okay. Chris is way too fast for Shredder to catch him. And I'm sure he's protecting Karai.'' Caitlin nodded, ''yeah your right. I just hope we can find them soon.''
''Don't worry, we just have to keep looking.''
''I think I can help Karai,'' Donnie said speaking up ''I've been updating all of my survellience tech and I'm just a few more days off from finishing more mutagen.''
''Alright guys, let's do this'' April said standing up. ''Sorry April, you Casey and Caitlin have to stay here. Ninjas only.''
''What?! you need us!''
''That's no fair! I wanna trash alien scum to!''
Caitlin grabbed Leo's shoulder, ''you really think I'm gonna stay here? Leo you know me better than that. Plus it's my brother! I have to find him!''
Leo sighed, ''alright Caitlin you can come. But April and Casey stay here.''
''No fair! why you gotta pent up my rage Leo?!''
''Sorry guys…''
April sighed, ''fine…be careful guys.''
*…*
Meanwhile at Shredder's lair, Shredder was yelling at Fishface and Rahzar for not finding Karai. ''You continue to fail me in your search to find my daughter.''
''Uh, Master Shredder Karai is just to scaly, uh I-I mean stealthy and the city is so big.''
''She's as slippery as a serpent. Um, I mean we've looked everywhere Master.''
''You will find her or I will turn you both over to Tiger Claw. He is bored of having little sport.''
Tiger Claw smirked at them.
''Yes Master.''
''Uh, no problem back in a bit.'' They quickly left the throne room and Shredder glared at them. I will find you.
*…*
Meanwhile, Caitlin and the turtles pulled up into an alley to start their search for Karai. ''Alright team, this is the last place Master Splinter saw Karai'' said Leo as they got out of the party wagon.
''You getting any readings Donnie?'' asked Raph sitting on the top of the van. Donnie put on his ooze specs, ''Picking up trace amounts of mutagneized DNA. Scanning now…that's it! snake cell slash human hybrid DNA sequencing it's Karai!''
Mikey smiled and picked up a few snake scales off the ground. ''aw snap check it out, potato chips!''
Caitlin looked at him, ''Uh Mikey I wouldn't-''
But Caitlin didn't get to finish as Mikey popped a few in his mouth. ''Kinda stale, not bad. Do I detect sour cream and chives?''
''Actually those are snake scales,'' Donnie spoke up ''Karai must be shedding'' Mikey screamed and quickly spit it out ''ew!''
''Alright we follow the DNA trail. Lead the way Donnie.''
*…*
Meanwhile, Karai was slithering through the streets and alleyways and quietly as she could. I have to get back to Chris…
''Well, well, well look who we found.'' Karai thoughts were interrupted as she turned around and came face to face with Rahzar and Fishface.
''Looks like we finally found you Karai. And now, you're coming back with us to the Shredder.''
Karai glared at them and hissed.
''Aw don't be like that Karai,'' said Rahzar taking out a tranquilizer, ''this will only hurt for a minute.''
Suddenly, something raced by them catching them off guard. ''What the?''
*…*
The turtles and Caitlin were still looking for Karai, having lost her signal a while ago since they ran into Steranko and Zeck and had to fight them off. ''She couldn't have gotten far'' Caitlin whispered as she and turtles snuck past some Kraang droids.
Leo nodded, ''anything Donnie?''
Donnie put on his ooze specs again and looked around. ''Nothing yet, but we should check that alley over there.''
The others nodded and slowly snuck into the alley. ''Whoa guys…'' the turtles looked up shocked as they saw Fishface and Razhar knocked out. ''Dude…who would do this?'' Mikey said poking Rahzar's nose.
''I think I have an idea…'' said Caitlin picking something off the ground, ''check this out.'' The turtles walked over to her.
''It's an ad for an old arcade.''
''You think it's from Karai?'' Mikey asked.
''Who else could it be from?'' said Leo. ''This could be where she's hiding. Along with Chirs.''
''Well what are we waiting for?'' said Caitlin pulling up her mask, ''let's go find them.''
*…*
The turtles and Caitlin headed towards the arcade store after getting the clue from Chris and Karai of where to meet up with them.
''Guys are you sure there here?'' Caitlin asked nervously. ''Relax,'' said Raph ''they gotta be here why else would they leave that message?''
They snuck in but kept their guard up as they looked for Chris and Karai. ''Let's split up,'' said Leo ''me and Caitlin will go this way, you guys separate and see what you can find.''
Raph rolled his eyes, ''whatever you say fearless.'' They split up and Mikey backed away scared and backed into an old game that was still working as it suddenly turned on.
''MIKEY!''
Mikey tried turning it off, but it wasn't working until Raph marched over and stabbed it with his sai.
Raph glared at Mikey, ''I'm sorry dude, I'm sorry! I didn't know it was on!'' suddenly, something hit them knocking them back.
Everyone looked up as they saw Karai, who was still drowsy after waking up from being tranquilized by Fishface and Rahzar and she was starting to recover. She looked over at Raph and Mikey, thinking they were someone else, attacked the.
''Karai no!'' the others grabbed her and tried to calm her down. They tried to calm her down but she attacked them and they backed away. They tried again, until Caitlin heard a familiar voice.
''Stop!'' said a figure that appeared wearing a dark hoodie, with grey pants, black boots, and jacket with a grey top.
Caitlin quickly recognized him. ''Chris?'' Chris turned towards Karai who stood in attack mode.
''Chris?!''
Chris approached her despite his sister's warning. Before the others could make a move to stop him, he surprised them when he placed his hand slowly on Karai's face and they see she begins to calm down. He slowly brought up his other hand up to the side of her face too and bring it close to his. He began to calm her down and speak to her.
''Karai, it's okay. Your safe.''
Karai looked at him, ''C-Chris…''she struggled to say as she transformed back into her human self and the others watched surprised by this. ''Whoa…''
Chris removed his jacket and placed it around Karai. He then helped her to a nearby cot and moves her on it to rest. ''Chris what's going on?''
Chris turned towards his sister, with a small smile. ''A lot I'm afraid. It's good to see you all, including you sis.''
Caitlin didn't give her brother a hug at first, but quickly raced over and hugged him. She was about to ask what happened since she was so confused by what she saw, but Leo spoke up first. ''Mind telling us?''
Chris motioned for them to follow him as they walked towards a nearby room which is close to Karai, but also where they can talk in private.
''Alright what happened to you?'' Raph asked, ''and what happened to your clothes?''
Chris looked down at his clothes confused. ''Why? What's wrong with my clothes? I think the look cool.''
''Dude, they're awesome!'' said Mikey.
''See? Mikey likes them,'' Chris then turned towards Raph. ''As for what happened to me, well let's just say things didn't turn out well after I knocked Leo out,'' he then turns towards Leo. ''By the way, sorry about that. You were in bad shape and I needed to get you out.''
''It's okay, I understand why you did.''
''Good, anyway I got beaten up badly but Karai found me and saved me. After two weeks of recovery I got back to training, got this new cool outfit, and went out to help save as many people as I could from getting mutated.''
Caitlin was shocked, ''Chris that's amazing. How many people have you saved?''
Chris sighed. ''As many as I could Truth is while I was recovering a lot of people got mutated and disappeared. So an I could save were just a few people that went into hiding. Not to mention I had to keep my eyes open for the Foot who have been looking for Karai.''
''How did you calm her down?'' Donnie asked a little intrigued.
''Yeah,'' said Raph ''We were trying to calm her down earlier but it wasn't working.''
''It's a little complicated, at least when I try explaining it so just bare with it,'' so Chris began explaining everything.
He began telling them how he believes a part of Karai that loves him and cares about him still exists despite her mind becoming more snake-like. Whenever he is around with her she has more control over her form and is calm. If she is in danger though and feels threatened she will go primal, which does make it difficult for Chris to keep her calm and in control of her form. Once he finished explaining his theory, he waited to hear the reactions from the turtles and Caitlin.
''Wow, I can't believe it'' said Leo and Mikey and Raph nodded.
''And it's an interesting theory,'' said Donnie.
''Wait a minute,'' Caitlin looked at Chris, ''how come you didn't contact me? and how come I couldn't find you?''
Chris looked around nervously. ''Oh um well maybe because and please don't take this the wrong way, by the way love the new outfit sis. But the reason I didn't contact you and didn't see me is because…I didn't want you to find me?''
Caitlin glared at him a little shock and angry. ''And why didn't you want me to find you?''
Chris pointed outside where Karai was at. ''During the first few weeks she seemed more in control of her form and I've been able to help her. But as time passed her mind began to lose itself and she became more unpredictable. To the point I was worried she might even attack you guys if she saw you at all. Not to mention the Foot is still after her so for her safety and others I kept her away from everything until I found a way to help her.''
''Okay, I can understand that. But I still feel like you should have told me Chris. We won't hurt Karai, after all we did grow up together…and we were sisters. We always promised to be there for one another.''
''It's still too risky. You saw what she did and what she is capable of if she looses control.''
Caitlin didn't listen as she walked over to Karai. ''Karai…please talk to me.'' Karai stared at her and attacked her.
Caitlin screamed and hit her and the turtles raced to her aid, while Chris tried calming her down again.
He managed to calm her down and she saw what she did. ''Oh no…'' she hugged Chris as she started to cry.
Chris comforts her as he turns towards Caitlin. ''You believe me know?'' Suddenly, the Footbots arrived after tracking them and attacked.
''Ambush!'' Caitlin shouted, the turtles and Caitlin tried fighting them off while Chris tried to get Karai to leave.
''Karai, go. Head to the hideout!''
Karai hesitated to heave but does as Fishface and Rahzar walk towards Chris. ''Alright it's time to see who's been ruining our plans for the past months.''
''Yes let's…'' suddenly Fishface recognized Chris. ''You…''
''Hey losers, how have things been going since I last kicked your butts?''
''They've been worse, thanks to you'' Rahzar growled.
''Oh well maybe you should seek better employment before you get even uglier.''
The two charged for him, but he disappeared. They look around for him, and he appears behind them with two cables. ''Here, hold this.'' He handed them the cables and takes off before appearing near a cable box and activates it causing electricity to zap both mutants.
While Chris, Caitlin and the turtles continued to fight them off, Karai turned back into her snake form and fled outside. But she didn't get far.
''There she is!'' she turned around and saw Zeck and Steranko staring at her. ''Ya, is snake girl. Grab her!'' Karai hissed at them and tried to get away, but Steranko knocked her out.
''Ooh this was too easy!''
''Shh be quiet,'' Steranko took out his phone and called Shredder. But Zeck noticed a strange looking cockroach on his shoulder.
''You gotta cockroach on your dang-''
''Shush it's Shredder.'' He continued to talk to Shredder. ''We has you're snake daughter. Make deal. Da meet at docks one hour.'' He hanged up and looked at Zeck, ''All is according to plan.''
*…*
An hour later, the turtles, Caitlin and Chris arrived at the docks.
''Donnie, you sure there here?''
Donnie nodded, ''I planted a bunch of spy roaches on Steranko during the fight. I'm pretty sure he ate most of them, but there's still one little guy left.''
''Ugh, that is so gross'' said Caitlin with a shudder.
''Shh shh they're deifintley down there.''
Meanwhile Zeck was keeping look out. ''So, the thief who stop from me desires to make a deal?'' said Shredder as he stepped out of the shadows.
''Where is Karai?''
Zeck pointed over to Steranko who was coming out of a shed and had a collar around Karai's neck. Shredder tightly made a fist as Steranko walked over to them.
''You get us out of city safe, you get girl. That is deal.''
''I don't make deals.'' Suddenly, Rahzar and Fishface appeared glaring at them. ''But perhaps this is worth the exception. Give me Karai, and you will leave this city alive.''
''Let her go!'' Leo shouted, appearing atop one of the crates near the dock. ''And I'll let all of you walk away alive!''
Shredder ordered his men to attack the turtles, Caitlin, Zeck and Steranko, and suddenly Chris appeared kicking Shredder away from the fight. Shredder recovered and saw Chris who he thought was dead.
''You…you're alive?!''
''Don't look so surprised Shredder. You couldn't get rid of me so easily when I was little and failed to do it again a second time.''
Shredder was annoyed at how he hadn't been able to get rid of Chris. ''I have decided to finish the job for good this time.'' His blades extended to prove his point.
Chris charges at Shredder, who has learned to see the boy's speed. He blocks a kick and grabs it before slamming the boy to the ground. He goes to stab him, but Chris used his other leg to deliver a couple of fast kicks to the chest causing Shredder to lose his grip. Chris then brings both feet up and kicks him right in the face knocking the Shredder back.
He charges at him again, but Shredder blocks any attacks the boy tried to hit him with. He then began to go on the offense as he tries slashing at Chris and grab him. Chris keeps his distance and dodges the attacks, but couldn't make a counter attack. Shredder begins jumping up the crates and knocks some over causing them to fall on Chris.
Chris uses his speed to get out of the way and makes his way up the crates, where Shredder is waiting for him and almost gets hit. Chris dodged at the last second, but did get grazed by Shredder's blade cutting on the side of his right shoulder. Thankfully it was a small cut, but enough to make him bleed a little. Chris moved away from Shredder who noticed he managed to cut the boy.
''Now you will fall.''
*…*
While that was going on, the turtles and Caitlin were trying to fight off Fishface and Rahzar while Steranko and Zeck were trying to fight them all off.
''Guys! Karai!'' Caitlin shouted trying to fight off Zeck. ''Come on little girl, come and get me!''
''Seriously do you ever shut up?!''
Leo looked over and saw Steranko using her as a shield. After knocking Rahzar out of the way and knocking out Steranko, he cut off the collar helped Karai up.
''Karai you have to go, hurry, don't let them take you.''
Karai brought up one snake hand and pointed to the east. ''Comet…comet.''
''Comet?'' Karai nodded and disappeared into the water.
''What does that mean?''
*…*
Meanwhile, Chris used his speed, dodging Shredder's attacks and kept delivering blow after blow against him. Shredder tried causing some of the containers nearby to fall, but Chris quickly got out of the way. However, Shredder grabbed him by the neck.
''I grow tired of you boy and you're stupid games.''
He tried to stab Chris, but Caitlin jumped in saving her brother and together they knocked Shredder down into the water before they escape to meet up with the others.
''Chris, you okay?'' said Leo as she and Caitlin met up with them.
"Yeah, how did it go with Shredder's flunkies?"
''Well, let's just say Fishface and Rahzar still put up one hell of a fight, but Steranko and that other guy…not so much.''
''Damn guy wouldn't shut up…'' Caitlin muttered.
''But we managed to take care of them,'' said Raph ''piece of cake. What about Shredhead?''
''We managed to knock him into the water before he could do anything else'' said Caitlin.
''Then we should probably get out of here'' said Donnie.
Chris looked around noticing Karai wasn't with them. ''Where's Karai?''
Leo looked down at the ground. ''She…she jumped in the water and swam off…but before she left she told me something, she pointed east and said comet.''
Caitlin looked at Chris, ''Chris, what do you think this comet is?''
Chris tries to figure out what Karai said, but couldn't figure it out. "I don't know. The only place I know she would go is where we have been hiding out, but comet doesn't ring a bell."
''Then it looks like we'll have to find her.''
''You guys go ahead. I'll go find her myself,'' said Chris as he was about to take off, but Caitlin stopped him.
''Chris wait! Please let's just go find her together. Come back with us.''
"I want to Caitlin, I do. But I can't. Karai is out there somewhere and I need to go find her. Not just to keep her safe, but to make sure she doesn't hurt herself either."
''I know Chris…but I think it'll be better if we work together to find her. And…and I don't wanna loose you again.''
Chris let out a small sigh. He wanted to find Karai and keep her safe, but it had been some time since he last saw his sister. He could tell she missed him and in truth he missed her too. "All right, I'll go back with you guys. I assume you have a good hideout?"
Mikey grinned, ''dude it's the best hiding place ever!''
Chris began grinning himself. "Oh yeah?"
''Yeah, where's your hideout?''
Chris took his friends through an old tunnel that the turtles never came across and found no sign of the Kraang. He takes them to a corner where he opens a sewer lid. "Follow me."
The turtles and Caitlin followed Chris down the hole where it gets closed off. Looking around they see where they are is too dark for them to make out anything. Chris helps turn on the lights where they are able to see where they are. They find they are in an abandoned subway tunnel with two old subway cars, some beds, a kitchen, a living room, and Caitlin noticed some of her stuff along with her brother's stuff nearby.
"Before the Kraang invasion I found this place and began moving some stuff around to use as a second base. I was going to tell you guys, but after the attack began I couldn't find you so I stayed here with Karai, and a couple of people that I was able to save. I helped them get out of the city and continued helping others before the city was blocked off. So, what do you think?"
''Wow, this is cool!'' said Mikey.
''Not bad, not bad at all'' said Raph.
''Impressive'' said Leo and Donnie.
''Yeah Chris this is pretty cool'' said Caitlin.
The turtles split up and started finding different parts and other things.
''Wow this is great,'' said Donnie ''I can do a lot more work with the retro-mutagen down here.'' Suddenly Donnie noticed something. ''No way…Chris, you found mutagen?''
"Oh yeah I stole tons of them from the Kraang to keep them from mutating people. They still make more, but not as much as they used to and since most they make are send to the Shredder."
''Whoa. Do you know where their making these?''
Chris shook in response. "Where the Kraang are coming from perhaps, but been focusing on saving people, keeping the Kraang from advancing beyond the city, and keeping Karai safe to find out more."
Donnie nodded. ''Well with all this mutagen you have here I think I have enough to finish a retro mutagen for Karai.''
''And all of the people that's been mutated'' said Raph.
While the others talked and started coming up with a plan, Caitlin and Leo had wandered off together. ''I really hope Karai is okay'' said Leo.
''Don't worry, I know Karai. She'll be alright'' said Caitlin. Leo nodded and Caitlin hugged him, ''what do you think she meant when she said comet?''
''I don't know. But were gonna find out, I promise Caitlin. We'll find her no matter what.''