Merry Christmas, everybody!
Glossary:
tartaruga estúpido- stupid turtle
網の魚 – A Fish in a Net
A clang of metal and a spark of friction passed between Tiger Claw and Leo as their swords and glares clashed in furious sucession. From behind them, Raph was exchanging blows with Rahzar while eliminating the Foot ninjas that were stupid enough to get in his way while Donnie took care of Fishface.
"What do you want from us now, Tiger Claw?" Leo grunted against the force exerted by the bigger mutant on their swords.
"We have come to settle a score." Tiger Claw responded in between sword swipes. "You turtles have made these last few days difficult on us for making us nearly fail our mission."
"Well, Shredder should have gotten some more competent muscle then. Not really our problem that most of you guys get your asses handed to you so easily." Leo taunted, earning a near deadly strike from the irritated tiger mutant.
"You talk big, Leonardo, but you know that you are no match for me! None of you are!" Tiger Claw roared at the oldest turtle's face when their blades connected once more. "And if your brothers are foolish enough to try, they shall have their spines ripped off their bodies by my hands!"
"You're not touching any of them, Tiger Claw!" He snarled, pushing back against Tiger Claw's force against their blades as much as he could. With a grunt, Leo managed to get Tiger Claw off of his crossed swords before swinging a katana to the bigger mutant's face.
Tiger Claw smirked after getting out of the way. "Always with your useless bravado. If only you had the strength to back your words."
"Shut up!" Leo lunged at the tiger mutant again, their swords singing loudly in the middle of their fierce clashes before Tiger Claw twisted and their swords locked together once more.
"Face it, turtle, you are too weak. You will never be able to protect anyone—not Karai, not your coward of a master, not your pathetic brothers!"
Tiger Claw threw Leo off before adding, almost gloatingly. "Tell me, how many more from your family must fall before you are finally able to face the truth? Was the last time you failed your kin so horribly not enough for you, Leonardo?"
The memory made Leo's lung seize: sweet, little baby Mikey, bruised and broken, the sickening crimson blossoming in nearly every inch of his too still body as Rahzar's claw marks stood out stark against paling skin…
The turtle's eyes then turned enraged white under his blue mask. "I said shut up!"
"Do you think I'm useless, sensei?"
Of all the things Splinter thought his youngest child's problem was, that question definitely did not cross the rat's mind. And judging by the looks of equal shock and horror in April's and Casey's faces as the four sat in a small circle on the living room floor, it did not occur to them either.
"Of course not, Michelangelo!" Splinter exclaimed with much emphasis. "What would have made you consider such a thing?"
Michelangelo quailed a bit before going on. "It's—it's always been in the back of my mind, y'know? Because it makes perfect sense. I'm not the strongest in the team, nor am I the smartest or leader material. I cause a lot of trouble for my bros because I can't pay attention to plans or to keep quiet. I attract the bad guys to us a lot, I get in real bad messes real easy, and I always get hurt first, like that one time with Snakeweed or that time with Tiger Claw back when he brought Karai back to the Shredder but we got her out once then she went back again and—"
"Mikey." April reminded gently.
"What I'm trying to say is that if you guys think I'm not really doing any good for the team or if you think it's better if I sit out on patrol, I'd totally understand but really wish you'd just say it." Michelangelo said, choking a broken laugh. "Not talking about it doesn't make it any less true, does it?"
Splinter always thought that, given his surprisingly incredible insight and instinct, Michelangelo could actually become the wisest among his brothers. However, Splinter also felt that this wisdom came at a price far too painful than what was necessary.
Like right now, the poor freckled turtle looked like he was close to another breakdown. But before Splinter could speak, Casey Jones' indignant voice came through.
"Because the hell it's not!" The young vigilante snapped, beating his hands to the floor with a deep frown. "I've seen you dudes in action loads of time, and I'm telling you, you're just as good as Raph and the others are! Sure you make mistakes, but none of them can say they haven't!"
"Please tell me you really don't believe that," April added, her voice quivering. "Because I never thought you were useless. You've fought just as hard and Donnie and the others, and you're an important part of the team. You're the—"
"The weakest link, the chink in their armor." Michelangelo said flatly, each word sending a stab of cold into Splinter's heart. "Guys, I really appreciate you trying to lift my spirits up, but this sort of thing, I guess you'll only be able to get it if you've seen every fighting moment in our lives.
"You guys say I've fought just as hard and as well as them? Well, most of the shit we had to go through was usually my fault, because I screwed something up. I didn't want to face it at first, but, after what happened a few days ago, it really got me thinking."
The small turtle then turned his imploring gaze at Splinter. "Maybe, maybe it's better if I'm not in the team anymore, sensei, as in for good. I—I don't want to be not with my bros, but if one day, they could get into real bad trouble because of me, it, it will probably be for the best if I'm not."
From Tiger Claw's left, Fishface and Donnie were having their own battle. The red, slimy mutant gritted his teeth as he lunged his blade towards Donnie. "Argh, stand still, you annoying terrapin! You're making it hard to hit you!"
"In case you didn't get the memo, Fishface, that was the whole point!" Donnie taunted after giving Fishface two good whacks with his bo. "It's not my fault you're too slow!"
A twirl and three more whacks later, Fishface was on the ground, panting at the end of Donnie's staff. "And that's why you shouldn't really pick on someone better than you."
The aquatic mutant smirked. "If by that you mean the youngest and stupidest among you turtles, I'm afraid he's not around for me to make that choice. I wonder who's fault that is?"
Donnie's entire body froze, the aura around him thawed to freezing temperature coldness.
"But that is the smart thing to do, yes? And you're the smart one, so you'd know." Fishface taunted on, coming back up to his feet with a swing of his butterfly blade. "The little brat is foolish, clumsy and useless. You know you three would be better off without him. Though I must admit, I did not think you would have it in you to do it, leave your brother behind."
"Y-you're wrong!" Donnie growled, desperately trying to hide how badly Fishface's words shook him to the core. It's not for good. He's our little brother. My onlylittle brother! "We'd never do anything like that!"
Fishface let out a watery snort. "Ooh, did I hear a stutter? What's wrong in admitting that you at least thought it? Why be ashamed at the need to cut the chaff off the wheat? The only thing trash is good for is to be thrown away!"
"That's it, you slimy piece of perciform vermin!" Donnie snarled, his body jerking with barely contained fury. "I'm going to tear your gills off with my own bare hands if I have to!"
Fishface laughed coldly. "I'd like to see you try, tartaruga estúpido!"
"Mikey, you can't…" Splinter held out a hand and April's statement faded. The Lair was quiet save for the musical drops of water before the wizened rat spoke. "I'm afraid I cannot grant you that request, my son."
"W—what? But sensei, you understand—"
"I understand that you are fraught by insecurities unfounded but are results of mistakes, both your own and ours." Splinter said, ignoring his son's splutter of protest. "This does not change the fact that you are a worthy shinobi of the Hamato family name and are an integral part of your team."
"Sensei, I…"
"It is also true that you have your weaknesses, Michelangelo. However, your weakness is something you should face head on, not to hide away from." Splinter went on. "I will admit that I wish your focus could be better, because I know that you have what it takes to become far greater than you are now. But that alone is not a reason enough to forbid you from fighting with your brothers. If it were, then I don't think we'll even be having a ninja team at all."
A look of baffled puzzlement flitted across Michelangelo's face, making Splinter smile in amusement. "You may have your faults, my son, but so do your brothers. It is as a team that you are able to make up for each other's weaknesses and overcome them together. What would your brothers think if they heard such thoughts from you?"
"That's right, Mikey!" April said, placing a hand on the youngest turtle's shoulder. "I know they don't show it as much, but I'm sure Leo, Raph and Donnie think you're an important part of the team too!"
"Besides, it'll be totally weird to see just three ninja turtles in action!" Casey agreed enthusiastically. "And I know they miss having you around too!"
Splinter's eyes did not miss how his youngest son flinched at his last statement, his baby blue eyes dimming in a way that made the ninja master's gaze narrow. There was something more to this story than Michelangelo was telling, and Splinter had a feeling he won't like what it is.
"So where's the brat? Still licking his wounds after the last beating I gave him?"
Raph snarled at Rahzar's taunt before aiming a punch to the werewolf's snout. "Trust me, you'll be worse off by the time I'm through with you, Rahzar!"
"Oooh, I'm terrified." Rahzar grated with a smirk. "Think you got what it takes to last longer than that pathetic brother of yours, all air, no bite?"
The red masked turtle lunged at the larger mutant with a roar, swiping one sai at Rahzar's face when the wolf dodged. Rahzar batted the hand away and attempted to thrust a clawed hand at Raph's plastron but the turtle ducked to perform a quick sweep, causing Rahzar to slip halfway.
Quickly, Rahzar caught himself by a hand and—something Raph anticipated— did a backflip, but was immediately sent flying with a dual slash to the chest courtesy of Raph's sais having enough force to make the mutant bleed.
The crimson liquid dripped from behind the wolf mutant's fur but Rahzar's smirk only widened as he was able to send Raph rolling to the left with a well timed kick to the turtle's side.
"Not bad, turtle. I was disappointed at first that Michelangelo was not with you tonight. I truly wanted to finish what I started back at the warehouse, you see. " Rahzar said after both he and Raph got up and resumed their battle stances. "But no matter, you proved to be…entertaining. Not as much as hearing your weakling of a brother scream in torment, but enough for now."
Raph ground his teeth so hard it made his jaw ache. "If you go anywhere within the six feet of my brother, I swear I will rip your arms off and strangle you with them!"
"Interesting. Almost had me thinking you'll make good of that threat."
"Believe it, you sick, motherfucker!" Raph twirled his sais menacingly in front of him. "You're not getting those claws anywhere near Mikey again!"
"I…I guess they won't like it. Haha, sorry guys, it's pretty stupid of me to think that way, huh? Even worse that I actually bawled like a big baby." Michelangelo let out a laugh while stifling a yawn, not that Splinter didn't catch it.
The rat shook his head. Perhaps this matter will be better off continued once his other sons are present. It was the best way for the family to prove to Michelangelo that the youngest turtle's fears were unfounded. And if all will go well, it may even be the catalyst to drive Michelangelo to become more focused during training and missions.
Furthermore, the young turtle looked exhausted, most likely due to the emotional stress and the fact that he was still healing.
"I can see that you are tired, my son. We shall continue this tomorrow, once your brothers have returned." Splinter stood up, nodding to April and Casey. "I trust you can help Michelangelo to his room?"
"No sweat, Master Splinter! We'll take good care of him." Casey's tone was mild and teasing, but the underlying firmness there did not go unnoticed. It brought such relief to Splinter's heart that Michelangelo and his brothers found such wonderful extended family in these two humans.
"Come on, Mikey, let's get you to bed." April gently helped Michelangelo up, taking the place of his crutch as support. Michelangelo pouted, muttering something about wanting to stay up and watch some cartoons. Splinter's lips curled upward as he watched his three children head to Michelangelo's room, waiting for them to disappear behind the door before letting his smile fall slightly.
Leonardo, Raphael and Donatello may not be able to tell it unless it was blaringly obvious, Splinter knew that Michelangelo would often put up that fake smile and laugh far many more times than Splinter was comfortable with. It scared the father in him that one day Michelangelo will be able to pull it off well enough to fool even the wise rat himself.
Oh, Michelangelo, you shield this family with your sunlight and laughter that would never have touched these walls if not for your presence, yet in doing so, you also hide your deepest pains from us. Splinter sighed as his feet carried him back to his own room. I had hoped that you would be able to find your self-worth on your own, but it appears that we will have to do it together. Perhaps this is what I should have done from the very beginning.
I can only pray that it is not too late.
How long had they been fighting?
Dozens of Foot bots lay in broken heaps around them, mere nuisances to the real fights each brother wholeheartedly engaged themselves in. Their bodies ached with tiredness, their limbs all cut up and bruised but adrenaline steadied their weapons and sharpened their minds with each swing, punch and kick at their opponents.
They had laid their relentless fury on Rahzar, Fishface and Tiger Claw, and by the looks of it, they were actually gaining the upper hand.
Leo actually managed to cut Tiger Claw several times on the arms, torso and cheek, leaving spots of fur matted with blood. Fishface barely managed to keep his robotic limbs safe, though his body was not spared from nicks and bruises courtesy of Donnie's staff. Rahzar, on the other hand, had it the worst among the three: despite the limitations of Raph's weapon, the dog mutant's body had several deep slashes running across his front and back torso, puncture wounds and a swollen right eye.
Despite their exhaustion, Leo managed to smirk coolly at their opponents, now backed near a dead end together in front of them.
"Give it up, Tiger Claw. I don't know what you were thinking, believing you could beat us easily when we're missing one ninja."
Fishface snorted. "Hah, the fool thinks he's gotten the best of us. If we weren't under orders, we would have made quick work with you."
"We beat you, fair and square, Fishface," was Donnie's cold retort to the snakehead mutant. "Excuses just make you look even more pathetic than you already are."
"Heheh, as if that fish can get any more miserable," Rahzar said back. "But he makes a good point. You fools are so focused on defeating us, you really thought this was all just about fighting you."
A chill spread through Raph's being at those worse. "The hell are you talking about, you bastard?"
"You've fought well, I will give you that, turtles." Tiger Claw said, raising his gun at the three terrapins. "But we have delayed our mission long enough, for Master Shredder is an impatient man."
The three turtles took defensive stances while Leo growled at Tiger Claw. "Mission?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet? Did you really think we just happened to run into each other?" Fishface's mechanical legs whirred as a pair of rockets emerged from either side.
"Finishing you off wasn't the goal this time." Rahzar said. "You're what we were after from the start."
Donnie let out a cry. "Wh—what?!"
"Though having a bit of fun while we were at it was too much to resist." The wolf mutant finished with a bark like cackle.
"And while indeed we are a turtle short, it will not be a problem," Tiger Claw said. "With you three out of the way, the smallest turtle will fall easily, even if we will have to drag him half dead back to our Master."
At that, Raph saw red. "WHY YOU—!"
"RAPH, WAIT!"
Tiger Claw pointed his gun to the sky. "NOW!"
In synchronized speed, Tiger Claw, Fishface and Rahzar leapt out of the way of the lunging turtle, and a split second later, the fly mutant Baxter Stockman showed up carrying a large bazooka like armament.
"Ssssay good night, turtleszzz." The scientist would have laughed if he could as he pulled the trigger. Before the turtles could react, a wired net weighed down on all three of them, knocking them flat and immobile.
"Aw, shell—!" And to make things worse, an incredibly strong current ripped through Leo, Raph and Donnie, making them scream in pain.
"Hehehe." Rahzar said as he and the rest of Shredder's lieutenants circled the three struggling ninjas. "Don't bother resisting. We made sure you would be too weak to be able to. So be good little turtles and fall asleep quietly."
"D—Damn you, cowardly—" Leo could barely speak as another jolt of electricity hummed through the net. "NGHH! AAAAGH!"
Rahzar chuckled. "Or you could scream and grovel until the end. Even better, if you ask me."
How long had he been asleep?
Last thing Mikey remembered was April and Casey helping him to bed and keeping him company. He could still feel April's gentle hand on his forehead and hear Casey's laughter at one of the smallest turtle's poor attempts at jokes. He still wasn't 100 percent better, but having his friends around really helped him feel lighter.
April and Casey weren't around anymore, though, so it was probably already morning. Which also meant that his brothers must be home and he would have to face the music of them telling him what he knew was true all along.
Sensei's wrong. Mikey thought glumly. Him and my bros, they think if I trained a little more, I can be good enough to come back with them, but I'm just the goof ball. They'll be miles ahead of me by the time I get any better, and I'll just end dragging them down all over again. The team will be way better off if I'm not with them. But…
Mikey's eyes shut automatically to push back the tears. God, what's wrong with you, Mikey? Why do you have to be so selfish? This isn't about you!
But I don't want to be off the team! A bigger part of him cried out. I know I'm weak and useless but I don't wanna leave! I want to be a ninja and stay with Leo, Raphie and Donnie forever! But how?
"Michelangelo!"
"GAH!" Mikey nearly jumped off the bed when he heard the loud knock on his door. "Sensei?"
"Forgive me, Michelangelo, but I must intrude." Without even waiting for a response, Splinter burst into the room, looking flustered, upset and like he hadn't slept all night.
Mikey felt the beginnings of overwhelming panic clawing at his sinking heart. "S—Sensei, what's wrong?"
Splinter's voice was a cracked, hoarse whisper. "Your brothers, my son. They have not yet returned since last night."
Chuchi's Cultural Corner!
網の魚- A Japanese quote, Ami no Uo, literally means that something or someone fell right into (or is about to fall into) a trap.
Other Extras!
According to my research, Xever/Fishface was Brazilian, right? So I thought of adding a bit of that here. :) I tend to put foreign words at the top of the story so you won't have to scroll all the way down to find the interpretation just in case you forgot what I wrote above. There are also times when the translation for said foreign words can be found within the same sentence or paragraph, as the next chapters will demonstrate.
Again, happy holidays and thanks for reading! :)