Alrighty team! Sunday is here again! Hope you all love this chapter and please continue to tell me how much you love this story! Updates might be a little slower from now on, but fear not they will still come!
Leo braced himself as he jumped down the hole and made his way to the Dojo. He was once again alone at his other home. After his, he supposed it was kind of like a date, with Karai he had returned to an empty home. His parents had left him a note saying they would return in three months and they would 'discuss what had happened at a later date'. Leo had just rolled his eyes not caring in the least. That was yesterday and he had gone straight here to the lair after school. It was already starting to get dark out. Winter was coming fast.
Upon entering the lair he saw Donnie chasing Mikey around holding a spoon as a weapon and a cat was sitting on the couch simply watching as a red head he had never seen before stroked it's orange fur. Leo walked over to said red head and held out his hand, "I'm assuming you're April?" He asked politely.
She looked up at him and smiled as well shaking his hand, "Yes I am. You must be Leo. You don't seem like you're about to punch something."
Leo laughed and sat down next to her, "Yeah that's not really my MO." Looking at the other two who had yet to notice his presence he asked, "What's going on with them? And is that your cat?" He added pointing to the orange cat coming up to him and snuggling on his lap purring softly.
April shook her head and Leo started to pet it, "No, it's not mine. Mikey said it was your guys'. He's calling him Ice-Cream-Kitty. I have no idea why though. And as far as those two go. I have no clue. Mikey started whispering in Donnie's ear a few minutes after I got here and he started chasing him. You then literally showed up."
"Ah." Was all he said. He then looked at April as the cat went back to her and said, "Not that it's not nice to finally meet you, but what are you doing here?"
"I came here to see Donnie." She answered and Leo couldn't help, but smirk. She quickly amended her statement a little color coming to her cheeks, "I mean I came here to see him and tell him about some of the things I've been reading and hearing about."
"Like what?" Leo asked now curious.
"Well I wanted to help you guys fight off the Kraang. I mean this is my world too." Leo nodded and April continued, "I started looking up online different things, like alien sightings in New York. The first thing I saw was at the gym. I'm assuming that was you guys?" She asked with a smirk.
Leo had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed. "Yeah, a huge Kraang tried to kill us so you know, we used a power box to blow it up."
April's eyes widened a bit, but she nodded, "Yeah Donnie said something along those lines happened. Anyway I followed that line and found out people have been seeing lots of sightings at the docks. Apparently they've been unloading things all the time."
Leo nodded, "If that's the case, maybe we need to go and check it out." He said thoughtfully.
April nodded, "I was thinking the same thing." She then scowled. "I'd love to help, but I'd pretty much be dead weight. I don't know how to fight." She said dejectedly.
"Then perhaps it is time you learned." Another voice said drawing everyone's attention and causing Donnie and Mikey to finally stop chasing one another. Master Splinter stood in the door of the Dojo before he walked over to them and smiled down at April. "If the Kraang are after you, Miss O'Neil, then it would be wise to learn how to defend yourself."
April stared at Master in shock, clearly she had yet to meet him yet, before she came to her senses and stood, holding out her hand. "I would like that." She answered, "You must be Master Splinter. It's nice to meet you and please just call me April." She added with a smile.
Master Splinter shook her hand and nodded, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you as well."
"Are you going to start training April now too, sensei?" Donnie asked coming to stand next to her.
"I believe that would be wise." He answered. "Would you like to learn the art of Ninjitsu April?"
April smiled, "When can we start?" She asked excitedly.
"Now if you wish." Master Splinter answered smiling at her eagerness. He then turned to Leo, "I believe it would be prudent to go to the docks and scope out the situation as you said, Leonardo. However avoid battle if you can. Looking for a fight is never a good decision."
Leo nodded then turned to the other two, "You guys ready?" He asked.
Mikey nodded as Donnie spoke, "Sure. Should we call Raph?" He asked pulling out his T-Phone.
Leo nodded, "Yeah, I'm not planning on anything of than recon, but if we do get into trouble we could use his help." Donnie nodded and dialed the number. It rang and rang, but Raph never answered. They tried again, but there was still no answer.
Donnie pulled the phone away from his ear in confusion, "I wonder what he's doing?" He asked almost to himself.
Leo shrugged, "It doesn't matter. He can meet us there later if he calls back. For now, let's get going." The other two nodded and they all focused on their cores allowing them to change into their turtle forms. When they were done they looked like the Ninja turtles they were. Leo turned to a very impressed looking April and a proud looking Master Splinter. "We'll be back later." Master Splinter nodded and they headed out.
Leo, Mikey, and Donnie all ran along the roof tops of New York towards the dock each in their own thoughts before Mikey spoke up, "So… what are we gonna do when we get there?" He asked as he jumped a ventilation shaft.
Leo thought for a moment, "We're going to see if April was right and see who is at the docks."
"How will we know it's the Kraang?" Mikey asked voice one of Leo's own worries.
"I'm not sure." Leo answered.
"When I fought them against April they looked exactly the same. This guy with short black hair, a vacant expression, and a business suit on." Donnie added helpfully.
Leo looked at them, "When I first saw the Kraang in the alleyway that's what the two looked like too."
"Dudes with business suits. Got it." Mikey said with a smile before picking up his pace. They arrived fairly quickly at the East Docks and remained in the shadows. At first they didn't see or hear anything, but then as they came closer to the large cargo containers they saw just what they were looking for. At least 20 men who all looked exactly the same were unloading and loading boxes onto trucks. Some were hold weird silver/glowing purpleish-pink gun looking things. "I think we found what we were lookin' for." Mikey said quietly. Donnie and Leo nodded. They then noticed several ninjas helping them.
"Who are they?" Leo asked pointing to the ninjas.
"I don't know." Donnie whispered. "I thought we'd be the only ninjas in New York."
Leo nodded then led them around the large containers and towards where a group of them Kraang and ninja were standing, "The shipment known as shipment 9 is almost completed." One Kraang said.
"Yes Kraang. Kraang however still is in requirement of the one known as April O'Neil. She is still required to further the plan known as Master Shredder's rule." Leo felt Donnie tense beside him and he saw the normally gentle turtle narrow his eyes dangerously at the Kraang droid.
Leo gently placed a hand on his shoulder to reassure him, bringing the purple banded turtle back. He was still glaring, but he was more focused now as he nodded at Leo's support before they looked back at the Kraang.
"Kraang had the one known as April O'Neil yet Kraang allowed her to escape. Explain."
"I will explain Kraang. Kraang and Kraang had the one known as April O'Neil, but then a creature Kraang has never encountered before stopped Kraang form having the one known as April O'Neil."
"Then Kraang must destroy the one known as the creature."
Mikey then nudged Donnie, "Way to go bro, you made some new friends!" He whispered happily.
"Mikey!" Donnie snapped in a hushed whisper nudging him back. Mikey nudged him back and Donnie nudged him pushing him back into a large box. They accidently knocked over one of the boxes the Kraang were unloading and noise alerted everything.
Leo glared at them, "Smooth move you guys." He hissed. Donnie and Mikey had the grace to look sheepish.
"Look." Donnie said pointing inside the box. It was full of the same weapons the Kraang were carrying. "We can't let these things have all of these!" Just as he said that purple laser fire shot right passed them startling them apart.
"Then we need to stop the Kraang and these ninjas and destroy all the cargo!" Leo cried pulling out his Katana. Donnie and Mikey pulled out theirs as well.
"And don't get killed!" Mikey added before they jumped into battle.
Leo jumped into battle knocking down two ninja at once with a well place double kick. He then quickly moved on to slashing the Kraang to bits. When he robots were destroyed the little brain things crawled out of them squealing before they evaporated into red smoke. Leo stared in shock for a second before moving on. He could ask about that later. Looking around he saw the ninjas were retreating as the Kraang were being depleted rather quickly. Donnie and Mikey took out the last one together and all three of them watched as the pink went up in red smoke.
"What happened to it?" Mikey asked still watching the red smoke disperse.
"I don't know. Maybe we could asked Master Splinter. He might know." Leo answered.
"When I fought them the first time, they did that too." Donnie offered looking confused as well. They then turned their attention on the tons of boxes still filled with weapons. "Now what do we do?"
Leo sheathed his Katana and grabbed a spare gun, "We destroy them." He answered before firing on as many boxes and crates that he could see. Donnie and Mikey nodded before grabbing guns of their own and destroying even more boxes. Finally they were done and used Leo's gun to destroy the last two.
Leo was about to throw the other gun into the harbor, but Donnie stopped him, "Wait Leo!" He cried halting his movements, "I could use that."
"What do you mean?" Leo asked handing the gun over anyway.
"If I could reverse engineer some of this technology, it could help us fight off the Kraang." Donnie answered somewhat excitedly.
Leo nodded as they suddenly heard sirens in the back ground. "Let's get out of here." They all nodded but before Leo followed them he ripped one of the emblems off of the ninja. Master Splinter he knew would want to see it.
Arriving back at the lair they saw April had headed home, much to Donnie's chagrin, but instead of doing the same, they headed right to Master Splinter and told him everything that had happened after changing back to their human selves.
Master Splinter thoughtfully stroked his chin hair before saying, "You all did well. It is disconcerting that the Kraang have already so ingrained themselves into our world and that they require April. I wonder why." He added to himself.
"Sensei, why is it that when we defeated the Kraang they just disappear in red smoke?" Leo asked his curiosity driving him.
"That is because they are minions of the Shredder. They are not of this world and when you defeat they are sent back." He answered with a smile.
Leo nodded, "That makes sense."
"If you will excuse me, my sons. I wish to meditate on this new information." They all nodded and bowed to him before Master Splinter stepped out.
"Well at least that helps get rid of them." Donnie said. Leo nodded still thinking and hoping Donnie was right and they were just wasting their time.
"Dude!" Mikey cried drawing everyone's attention as Raph walked in looking down. "What happened to you?!" Mikey then ran up to him worriedly.
Raph had a black eye, a fat lip and a few cuts on his face. Mikey reached up to help him, but the hot head shoved his hand away angrily, "I'm fine!" He snapped. "I don't need ya help! Go away and leave me de heck alone ya baby!" Startled, Mikey took a step back at Raph's unexplained aggression towards him.
Leo shoved Raph away from Mikey, "Back off Raph!" Leo demanded, "Mikey's just worried about you! You didn't answer your phone and now you show up like this!"
"Back off! He don't need ta be! I can take care of myself!" Raph snapped again, shoving Leo back.
"I wasn't saying that! We're just worried!" Leo cried shoving Raph roughly again.
"I told ya, I don't need ya ta be!" Raph roared before lunging at Leo, his anger changing him to his turtle form. He threw a punch towards Leo's face, but Leo was able to take a step back and avoid it. He grabbed Raph's hand and yanked it behind his back holding him there. "Let me go!" Raph roared struggling.
"Not until you calm down!" Leo yelled.
"Guys stop!" Mikey begged as he and Donnie stood by watching them fight.
"I said get offa me, Fearless!" Raph yelled before he was able to twist out of the hold and slam a kick into Leo's side sending him flying into the wall. Raph then started glowing his Chi activating as he went to attack Leo again. "I don't need ya help!" He yelled as he went to punch Leo. Leo rolled out of the way quickly activating his own Chi as Raph's fist collided with the wall turning the concrete to dust and making a whole. "Not everyone wants ta talk! Not everyone has dis perfect little life!"
"I never said that!" Leo said blocking another punch from him before jumping up and over him to avoid his kick only Raph caught him as he turned it into a round-house.
"Ya think ya can jus' wave ya magic fingers an' everythin' will go away! But I got news for ya Leo, not everythin' is perfect!" Raph went on ranting as Donnie and Mikey continued to watch helplessly. "Sometimes people jus want ta be left alone!"
Leo grabbed Raph again and held him up against the wall, "We're supposed to be a team! We're supposed to support each other and help each other! But we can't do that if you shut us out!"
"I don't need ya!" Raph screamed before slamming his head back and colliding with Leo's making the blue glowing turtle stubble back and let him go. But Raph didn't stop there. He turned around and slammed his fist into Leo sending him flying once more. Leo lay there dazed for a bit his Chi no longer activated before Raph went to charge after him his fist raised when something or rather someone, stopped him.
"Raphael! Stop it now!" Mikey demanded holding him back, "What is wrong with you!? You're hurting Leo!"
Looking at Mikey's worried, pleading eyes, Raph looked over to where Donnie was helping Leo stand. All the anger left Raph as he saw Leo struggling somewhat to his feet. Mikey, sensing Raph's anger leave as he let his Chi go, dropped his arm. "Leo I… I…"
"We're your friends Raphael. We don't think your weak if you ask for help, or if you need it." Leo told him with a stern expression before he softened and walked up to Mikey and Raph, Donnie trailing behind, "We just want you to be okay and we want to help. Not because we think you can't do it on your own, but because we care."
"We're a team." Donnie added with a firm nod.
"We're brothers, bro." Mikey agreed looking pleadingly at him.
Raph looked away and glared at the ground. For a long moment he was silent then he spoke. "It's my so called step-dad." He answered reluctantly. "He didn't like it dat we ran outta beer." Then suddenly everything made sense and Leo felt his own anger rise. How dare he! How dare he hurt Raphael!
"Raph," Donnie said gently, "You have to go to the police."
For a second Raph looked like he was absolutely terrified of that idea then his regular mask of anger found its way back. "I can't." He growled.
"Why not?" Mikey asked softly.
"Because my mom still thinks she loves 'im." Raph answered bitterly. "And," He went on a little deflated, "Jason wouldn't like dat."
Raph was afraid.
Leo felt his anger rising once more. Raph was one of the toughest people he knew and he was afraid of someone who was supposed to protect him and care for him. Instead he hurt him.
"You must face this, Raphael." Master Splinter said making himself known for the first time. Leo suspected that he had been there since the beginning of the fight. "You must end this injustice and make the truth known. Only then will you triumph." Looking at Master Splinter, Leo saw the anger in the rat's eyes. If he had it his way, Master Splinter would rip 'Jason' to pieces.
However Raph didn't see this. He looked at Master Splinter like a lost puppy, "But how? He's… stronger den me." Raph added so quietly while looking away Leo almost missed it.
"He is only as strong and as powerful as you allow him to be." Master Splinter answered. "Once you take that power away, he cannot defeat you." Raph still looked unsure. Master Splinter put his hand on Raph's shoulder, "I know you are afraid." Raph's head snapped up about ready to deny it, but he never did. "But you must have courage. Having courage does not mean you are not afraid, but that you do not let it control you. Doing the right thing is rarely easy, but it is what must be done. Otherwise you will forever be afraid and unable to change anything. And this problem will only grow until it consumes you."
Leo placed his hand on Raph's shoulder as they all stepped up to him. "You won't be alone, Raph. You have us."
"We'll be with you every step of the way." Donnie went on smiling.
"Because you're the bravest person I know, bro" Mikey added quietly looking at Raph in admiration.
It was a few minutes before Raph looked at them then smiled with a nod, "Let's go."