A/N: Please read and review?
At the Battle Nexus Tournament, Mikey and Kluh were in the arena, staring at each other. They were both surrounded by a blue circler forcefield in the middle, as the crowd cheered.
Raph: It may look like just another day in the Battle Nexus, with the crowds and the cheering, but trust me, this day was gonna be special.
The Daimyo, Splinter and the Turtles all watched from the Daimyo's stand.
I was looking forward to...
Mikey looked nervous as Kluh approached him.
..somebody finally shutting Mikey up about being Battle Nexus Champion.
Kluh spun his twin-bladed staff around in front of him, then over his head.
But it was starting to look like they were gonna shut Mikey up permanently.
He jumped up and dived towards Mikey to strike him.
"AHHH!" Mikey screamed, looking up.
In the city, Leo was running along a rooftop, then jumped towards another, landing on it in a three-point stance. He looked around, when Raph jumped up and landed in the shadows of the roof's edge in a crouched position. He took out one of his Sais and threw it at Leo, who took out one of his swords, and then knocked the Sai away with it.
Elisa soon popped up in the shadows nearby, then tossed both her Kamas at Leo, who turned and knocked them both down with his sword. Donnie jumped down from a higher rooftop, then tried to hit Leo with his Bo, but missed as Leo flipped backwards. He landed on his hands, then back flipped away, as his three siblings gathered together. Elisa picked up her Kamas as Raph held both his Sais, then Leo took out his other sword.
Cath then jumped down from a nearby water tower, then put her Tonfas in front of her to pounce on Leo. He turned to her as she got close, but he back flipped and kicked her in the chest, sending her flying towards the others.
"AHH!" she yelled.
She hit the roof on her shell, then rolled onto her chest, as the others stared at her.
"Okay, bad move!" she mumbled.
She pulled herself up and turned to Leo.
"You're asking for this, Leo." Raph warned.
"Big time." Donnie said.
"So don't say we didn't warn you, bro." Elisa smirked.
Leo nodded.
"Ah!" Raph growled, as he and his younger siblings charged at Leo.
He and Donnie both jumped up, then he dived over Leo, who ducked to avoid him, then he blocked Donnie's Bo with his swords by crossing them over. Donnie pulled his Bo back as the girls began to circle them both, then Leo tried to slash Donnie, but he knocked Leo's swords up with his Bo. Leo then flipped forward, putting his hands on the roof, then kicked Donnie in the chest, knocking him away.
"Ah!" Donnie moaned.
Leo looked up and caught his swords, as both sisters began charging at him from either side - Elisa on his left, Cath on his right. Both girls then tried to hit them with their right weapons, but he spun around and blocked them both with his swords. He gritted his teeth slightly, before he pulled his swords back, then he turned and kicked Cath in the chest, knocking her back.
"Oh!" she moaned.
Leo turned around as Elisa tried to slash him with her Kamas, but missed as he dodged, before he kneed her in the belly, and then he spun around and tackled her, tripping her up.
"AHH!" she moaned, hitting the roof on her shell.
Raph then came up behind Leo to hit him with his Sais, but Leo turned around and blocked them both with his swords, locking them together.
"Give it up, Leo!" Raph snarled. "You're going down!"
Leo saw Donnie coming at him through the reflection in his sword. He then and threw Raph away, who hit Donnie, knocking them both away.
"Ah!" they moaned.
They rolled along the roof slightly, before stopping, with Donnie ending up on top of Raph.
"Oh!" they moaned, touching their heads.
Both the girls soon came over clutching themselves, as Leo approached the four of them.
"Again!" he ordered.
"Already, Leo?!" Cath questioned, as Leo put his swords away.
"Leo, if I have to attack you one more time, I'm gonna really attack you!" Raph said angrily.
Donnie got up off of Raph, who he then helped up.
"I'm all for training, but I think you're going a little overboard." Donnie said.
"That makes two of us." Elisa agreed.
"Yeah, we haven't even had a chance to catch a breather, Leo." Cath added, panting.
"I said 'Again'!" Leo snapped.
"Leo, clam down?!" Cath asked, approaching him. "You're acting like a-"
Leo pushed her back towards the others, surprising them.
"I said 'Again'!" he snapped.
"Alright, that's it! You and me are having words about this attitude of yours lately, especially after pushing Cath like that!" Raph snapped, pointing at him.
"Raphael, Leonardo, enough!" a voice ordered.
The five Turtles turned, and saw Splinter sitting on his knees nearby on a large box near a door.
"Your siblings are not incorrect, Leonardo." Splinter said. "It is sufficient for today."
He jumped off the box and approached his children.
"We will discuss your training further, after we collect Michelangelo." Splinter explained.
Raph and Elisa looked amongst the family, seeing no sign of their youngest brother.
"Hey, where is bozo the Turtle?" Raph wondered.
"That blockhead!" Elisa hissed. "He betting not be skiving off."
To answer their questions, Mikey was sitting on a fire escape, watching the TV of an apartment through a window. Inside the apartment, were two boys, as the TV showed Sliver Sentry flying through the city.
"Justice Force, filmed on location with the men and woman..." the reporter explained.
"Yeah!" one of the boys whooped.
"..of the world's premier hero team."
Mikey smiled as he watched, holding a soda in one hand.
"Best show ever." he quoted.
He drank some soda from a straw, when he heard Raph clearing his throat. He looked around nervously, before he saw Splinter and his older siblings above him on the rooftop.
"Oh, hey." Mikey said, getting up. "Is the brake over already?"
He smiled nervously as his siblings gave him rude looks.
A few minutes later, the family was all on the rooftop, with everyone staring at Mikey.
"Mikey, you've been blowing off all our training sessions lately!" Leo scowled, pointing at him.
"What is the big deal?" Mikey asked. "So I missed one little sparring match."
"It's not just this one!" Elisa snarled. "This is the fourth one this month you've missed!"
"Oh..." Mikey said. "So?"
"If I have to deal with Mr. Intensity's little war games here, so do you." Raph said, pointing at Leo.
"You are not taking your studies seriously Michelangelo." Splinter said sternly.
"Come on, guys, I don't need to train." Mikey said. "I'm the..."
"Don't say it!" Raph snarled, getting in front of him. "Don't say it!"
"..Battle Nexus Champion." Mikey grinned.
"Oh, brother! Here we go again!" Elisa mumbled, facepalming herself.
"Ahh!" Raph growled, as he turned and walked away. "Uh."
"What?" Mikey asked.
"What is that you rub your big win in our faces every chance you get. Mikey, you keep the trophy on top of the TV." Donnie recalled.
"Where everyone can see it." Cath added, annoyed.
"It's a wonder you don't wear that thing around your neck." Raph said.
"I, uh, tried." Mikey admitted. "The chain kept breaking."
"Gee. I wonder why?" Cath mumbled.
"You won the Battle Nexus Championship by sheer dumb luck, emphasis on the dumb part." Raph said annoyed, pointing at Mikey.
"Well, if I remember correctly, I beat you fair and square." Mikey retorted.
"Only because you tormented Raph!" Cath argued. "I saw the whole thing, Mikey!"
"Ooh." Donnie shrugged, shaking his head. "I don't wanna see this."
He turned and walked off.
"And since when do you get involved like this?" Elisa asked, touching Cath's shoulder.
"I'm just telling the truth, sis." Cath assured.
"Michelangelo, you need to train and more importantly, you should approach your accomplishments with humility." Splinter explained.
"You mean, accomplishments like - being the greatest warrior in all the multiverse, right?" Mikey asked happily, holding his arms up.
"Ah!" Raph moaned, facepalming himself.
"Come on, training? I'm the Battle Nexus Champ-" Mikey began, before a bright light appeared in the sky. "Whoa?"
Everyone turned to it, as it glowed brightly.
"What the shell?!" Elisa gasped.
They kept staring at the portal, when Kluh came jumping out of it, growling angrily. He then landed and punched the rooftop, sending a shockwave which knocked Mikey away.
"Ah!" he moaned, hitting a wall nearby.
He rubbed the top of his head, shaking it, then looked up as Kluh stood over him.
"Huh? Kluh?" he said, shocked.
Four creatures in armour who were of the same species as Kluh came out of the portal and landed nearby, all holding twin-bladed staffs.
"Mikey! Mikey, hang on!" Raph called, bringing out his Sais.
He began charging at Kluh, when another warrior came from the portal, diving down, and then pinned him on the roof.
"Ah!" Raph moaned.
"RAPH!" Elisa called, bringing out her Kamas. "Let him go, you creep!"
She spun her Kamas around as she charged forward, when another warrior jumped onto her, pinning her on the roof on the chest.
"AHH!" she moaned.
Another creature came out of the portal, this one with a long beard, holding two staffs. He looked down, as Leo, Cath and Donnie all took out their weapons, as Splinter glared at the creatures.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "The laws of the Battle Nexus do not-"
"Take them all!" the creature commanded, who was called Ammag.
His warriors all dived down towards the family as the portal closed. One dived down to hit Donnie with his staff, but missed as Donnie back flipped away. Another then tried to slash Cath, but missed as she ducked, then she turned and rolled away to dodge another slash. Leo then jumped and tried to slash the third, but it blocked his swords with its staff. Donnie tried to whack his with his Bo, but the warrior grabbed it and pulled it out of his hands as he spun around, causing Donnie to fly forward slightly onto his chest.
"AH!" he yelped, rolling along the roof. "Uh!"
The warrior dropped the Bo and slowly approached him.
Cath dodged as her opponent tried to slash her with his staff, then she blocked it with both her Tonfas, getting then locked together.
"Ah!" she gritted.
The warrior grinned, before he pulled his staff back, then kicked Cath right in the chest as she pulled her Tonfas back, sending her flying across the rooftop.
"AHH!" she yelled, before she hit it on her shell. "OH!"
Splinter backed away as one approached him, then jumped to his left as the warrior tried to stab him, then ducked under a slash, then jumped away from another stab attack.
Leo blocked ones staff with his sword, then blocked it again with both his swords.
"Ah!" Leo grunted.
"Ah!" Mikey gasped, as Kluh picked him up.
He pinned Mikey to the wall, then held him close to his face.
"Now, where were we, Champion?" Kluh snarled, throwing Mikey away.
"AGHHH!" Mikey yelled.
He hit his shell on a brick chimney, before he fell onto the rooftop. Kluh then stomped towards him, and then picked him up again and pinned him against the chimney, ready to punch him.
"AHH!" Mikey groaned.
His family kept on fighting the warriors, then he began to pound Kluh's fist weakly, as Kluh growled, before moving to punch him.
"Ah!" Mikey gasped.
Kluh accidently let go of him before he could punch him, making hit the chimney as Mikey managed to dive down. He then somersaulted forward, pushing his hands against the ground before doing it again, then he jumped to his right as Kluh tried to punch him, making him punch the roof. He jumped as Kluh tried to punch him again, then ducked under another.
"Maybe we can talk about this, over coffee or something?" Mikey suggested hopefully.
He jumped to his left as Kluh tried to punch him, landing on a nearby skylight.
Nearby, Ammag was watching the fight.
"Kluh, tear him apart!" he commanded, tossing one of his staffs.
Kluh caught it, then tried to slice Mikey with it, but missed as he jumped up. He then grabbed Mikey's foot and slammed him into the roof, who then sat up with one of his Nunchucks.
"Ah!" Mikey gasped.
He blocked the staff with his Nunchuck.
"Ah!" he yelled.
He held back Kluh's staff as he kept his eyes.
A gong soon sounded, then another portal opened up in the sky, and then the Gyoji came out of it.
"In the name of the Ultimate Daimyo, you are ordered to cease all combat!" he commanded.
Kluh looked up at him, allowing Mikey to catch a breather and lower his arms. Everyone else turned to Gyoji, then Ammag took a few steps forward.
"On what grounds?!" he demanded. "My son and I were told this challenge was approved!"
"Son?" Cath questioned, looking between him and Kluh.
"I can see the resemblance." Elisa noted.
"Your son Kluh, will face the champion in a time and place stated by Battle Nexus ceremony and law, as it has been ordained and executed for all time. As you well know, Ammag." Gyoji said sternly.
"Master Splinter, what the shell is happening?!" Mikey asked frantically.
"Silence, Michelangelo!" Splinter ordered. "Am I to understand that Michelangelo has been challenged?"
"Based on the interferences during the final match of the Battle Nexus Championship, Ammag has appealed the decision on Kluh's behalf." Gyoji explained. "The Daimyo has granted Kluh an honored right to query to be answered only by ordained combat. In third-Earth vernacular: a rematch."
"Wait a minute, are you saying..?" Mikey asked nervously, as his family gathered around him. "Don, Cath, what's he saying?"
"Oh, I hope he's saying what I think he's saying." Raph grinned, pointing at his head.
"You're going back to the Battle Nexus, Mikey, to fight Kluh." Donnie smiled, touching his shoulders. "Man, it stinks to be you."
"Ah!" Mikey gasped worriedly.
"This is the best day of my life." Raph said.
Elisa however looked unsure, not liking the looks of Kluh's father and his men.
"In 3 days time, the champion will defend his honor at the Battle Nexus." Gyoji explained, as the warriors growled softly.
Ammag huffed and folded his arms.
"We are well aware of disdain for Battle Nexus rules, Ammag. There will be no combat outside the arena." Gyoji explained, making Ammag growl softly. "In 3 days, all will be decided."
He spun his paddle around, and then vanished.
Kluh growled and punched his fist into the roof, before he pulled part of it up.
"3 days, Earther, I will grind your bones to dust, and take my honor back!" he snarled, smashing the piece to pieces, letting them fall onto the roof.
He, his father, and their men all vanished in a flash of light, leaving only Splinter and the Turtles.
"So, uh, who's up for some training?" Mikey asked eagerly.
"I'll tell you what I'm up for." Raph said, as Mikey turned to him, Donnie and Cath. "Watching you get pounded into paste."
He punched his fist while smiling.
"Oh, I cannot wait." he said.
"But you don't need to train, right Mikey?" Donnie mocked. "After all, you're the champion."
"Cath, help me?" Mikey asked, beggingly.
"Oh, no. I think you need a good lesson about skipping training after all this time." Cath smirked. "But don't worry, I'll still patch you up afterwards."
Mikey looked worriedly, not believing his ears, before he turned to Splinter.
"Master Splinter, you'll help me right?" he asked hopefully. "You'll train me."
"Training, Michelangelo?" Splinter questioned sarcastically, his hand near his ear. "Surely there are comic books I could be reading, or perhaps I could go watch television instead. Ah, wait my son, I know. Perhaps instead of training, I will go eat Pizza."
He walked off past his youngest child, as Raph, Donnie and Cath ran towards the edge of the roof. He walked towards them as Mikey looked at them all worriedly, as his siblings began to laugh.
"Yes, Pizza sounds very appetising right now, with pepperoni and karma." Splinter smirked.
He walked towards the edge of the roof.
"Hey!" Mikey called desperately, not believing his family were gonna let him be humiliated like that. "Uh."
"I'll help you train." Leo said.
Mikey turned around to him, seeing Elisa beside him on the other side of the roof.
"Ah, Leo, really?" Mikey asked hopefully, running towards him before taking his hands. "You'll train me?"
He laughed happily and hugged him.
"Thanks, bro." he said.
He pulled back and turned to Elisa.
"You'll help me train too, Ellie?" Mikey asked hopefully. "Right?"
"Yeah, I'll help." Elisa sighed. "But you better not make me regret this, Mikey."
"Oh, you won't." Mikey assured. "I promise you won't ever regret this, sis."
He hugged her tight, catching her off guard.
"I wouldn't start rubbing my shell just yet, Mikey." Leo said. "We've got a lot of work to do."
The next night, the Turtles and Splinter were all in the same alleyway they'd used to get to the Battle Nexus last year. Splinter was writing the symbols for the Battle Nexus on the wall, as his children all stared at him, expect Leo who had his hands by his chest together with his eyes closed.
"I really appreciate you guys coming to support me." Mikey said.
"Support?" Raph scoffed. "Ha! I wouldn't miss you taking this beating for all the world."
Splinter finished drawing the symbols, then began to chant the incantation, making the symbols light up, opening up the portal. They all stepped inside, then arrived at the Battle Nexus dimension, but saw no sign of anyone as it closed.
"Well, looks like no one's home." Mikey said. "Might as well head back-"
Raph grunted and whacked the back of his head.
"Ow!" Mikey complained.
"Come. Battle Nexus rules dictate..." Splinter began.
Soon, the family was all walking down the hallway of past champions.
"..Michelangelo must present himself at the pavilion of past champions."
Mikey stood by his statue in the hallway, as his siblings all walked off.
"Knock it off, Mikey. You're gonna attract pigeons." Raph said.
Mikey turned and walked towards his family.
"I think somebody's jealous." he teased.
He waved at Raph, who stuck his tongue out while blowing a raspberry. Leo, Donnie and the girls all turned around as they heard a noise.
"Looks like the Ultimate Ninja's looking for a rematch, Leo." Donnie said.
They looked around, and saw Ue-Sama poking his head out from behind a bunch of shields.
"The Daimyo's son." Leo said.
"You know, he looks kinda cute now." Cath teased.
"Yeah. I'll admit, a little." Elisa sighed.
"Honored guests, welcome once again to the Battle Nexus." Daimyo said, getting everyone to turn to him and Gyoji.
"Old friend, it is good to see you well." Splinter said, bowing.
He and Mikey and approached them both.
"And you, old friend." Daimyo said, as he and Splinter bowed. "You must be proud to see your son, Michelangelo, honor you in battle once more."
"Couldn't I just honor you back home?" Mikey asked hopefully. "You know, breakfast in bed, a foot massage-"
"Ah, don't let him fool you, Daimyo. Mikey can't wait to get in there and prove he's the real champion." Raph joked, throwing punches forward at Mikey.
Mikey looked nervous, as Leo looked at Ue-Sama, who stood near him, being watched by Elisa.
"I can't remember some things, but I remember you." Ue-Sama said. "Did we play together?"
"Uh, yeah, we did." Leo answered, wanting to forget the stuff Ue-Sama had done in the past.
"You shall be my friend." Ue-Sama smiled.
"Sure." Leo said, patting his head.
"Well, I see he's changed for real this time." Elisa noted.
"Come, my friends, the Arena!" the Daimyo said, as his Warstaff lit up.
He transported himself, Gyoji, his son, Splinter and the Turtles to the top of the arena, arriving in his stand. A horn blew as the crowd cheered, then they all saw competitors fighting in the arena, including Ia, Zat, a Dieskard - one of Kirby's drawings - Lajatang, and Krall.
"Gyoji, I thought the tournament was only held every three years?" Donnie asked, confused.
"True, Donatello, but in honor of challenge, we are holding what you would call exhibition matches." Gyoji explained.
"I can see some familiar faces down there." Cath noted.
Zat and Dieskard slashed their swords together, then Zat turned and blocked Ia's staff with it. Zat then blocked Dieskard's sword with his own, then they ran past each other, then Zat blocked Ia's staff again.
Lajatang charged at Krall, then tried to stab him with his staff, but missed as he dodged to his right, then tried again, but Krall dodged again, and then wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him tight.
"AHHH!" Lajatang moaned.
He then vanished from Krall's arms, making him the winner as he cheered.
Lajatang reappeared in the infirmary, as a healer approached him while he panted, but then he shook his head. Behind them, another was tending to Albert.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that." Mikey said. "Worse comes to worse, I get zapped out before I take the big dirt nap."
"Yeah, but after you take a horrendous beating." Raph reminded him, throwing some punches, before facepalming himself. "Man, I should've had Don bring the video camera."
"This is something I'd rather only watch once actually." Cath admitted.
Mikey looked nervous, before Leo and Elisa touched his shoulders.
"Come on, we have work to do." Leo said, as they led Mikey away.
A little later, inside a dojo room, a bunch of Ammga's men were fighting against each other. One punched another down, as more sparred against each other, slashing their weapons together.
Kluh glared at a punching bag with a crooked drawing of Mikey on, then sliced it in half with his staff. He put his staff down, resting it on the top half, as Ammag came towards him.
"I could've destroyed him a thousand times over by now, father!" Kluh huffed. "Why must be bend to the Daimyo's laws?!"
"Because we must show them all what it means to cross us." Ammag explained. "Those who witnessed your humiliation by this turtle's hands, shall now witness your vengeance."
He turned to one of his men, who approached him, while wearing a cloak.
"All has been arranged." he explained.
At sunset, Leo, Elisa and Mikey were all climbing up a hill outside the arena area.
"I've gotta get outta here." Mikey whined. "Is that why we're climbing this thing, so I can find a cave to hide in it?"
He looked around nervously, as his siblings both held their hands out.
"I don't wanna get pummelled, guys." he said, as they helped him up. "What am I gonna do?"
He turned around and stared at the Battle Nexus arena.
"Wow." he said amazed, admiring the view.
"We brought you up here to clear your mind, Mikey." Leo explained.
"To help you focus on what's important." Elisa added, folding her arms.
"Like going home?" Mikey asked hopefully.
"No, like pushing yourself beyond your limits to a place where there are no limits. To be so focused, so ready, that nothing and no one will ever catch you off-guard again." Leo explained.
"Um, we still talking about me here?" Mikey asked confused.
"Yes, we are." Elisa answered, putting her hands on her hips.
"In this life, we only have each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down, so focus." Leo explained.
"Guys, maybe, just maybe - maybe I can still forfeit." Mikey hoped, holding his thumbs up.
"Mikey, we've faced worse than this." Elisa said, touching his shoulder. "Shredder, Zanramon, Bishop, even Leatherhead when he was crazy. To me, Kluh's nothing compared to them. Just remember, you have to believe in yourself, and you can do anything."
Mikey gulped nervously, before he turned away.
"Since when'd you get wise words?" Leo asked curiously.
"My time in that realm thanks to the Time Scepter." Elisa answered, remembering having to train those villagers, even though she wasn't ready.
On the day of the match, Raph, Donnie, Cath and Splinter all stood with the Daimyo on his stand. The Daimyo banged the gong with his Warstaff, then the crowd cheered, which included a few Triceratons.
"Showtime." Raph smirked, rubbing his hands. "Who brought the popcorn."
"Don't look at me?" Cath shrugged.
Inside the palace, Mikey banged his head against a wall repeatedly, as Leo and Elisa stared at him.
"..and then, he'll probably break my legs." he said worriedly, rubbing the back of his head. "I've had my legs broken before, it's not fun."
"Michelangelo, you can win this." Leo said, touching his shoulder. "I know you can."
"And so do I, bro." Elisa assured.
Ue-Sama came towards them all, as Elisa turned around.
"Champion..." he said, getting Leo and Mikey to turn around. "..if Leonardo and his sister believe you can win, then I do too."
A bright light appeared nearby, making them all turn, before Gyoji showed up, and moved towards Mikey.
"It is time, Champion." he said.
Mikey took a deep breath as both his siblings looked at him.
"Here goes nothing." he sighed.
Gyoji held up his paddle, then he and Mikey both disappeared in a flash of light.
"Let's get you back to your father." Leo said, approaching Ue-Sama.
"Yeah. He's probably worried about you, kid." Elisa said, approaching them.
Ue-Sama looked up, but then gasped, as he saw Ammag standing behind the two Turtles. They both turned around and brought out their weapons as Ammag laughed, seeing six of his warriors standing around him.
"You two and the boy will be going nowhere, Turtles, expect perhaps to join your weakling brother in the afterlife." Ammag snarled.
"Whatever dishonorbale plan you're hatching, the Daimyo will stop it!" Leo retorted.
"Ha, ha, I think not." Ammag smirked, as his men began to surround the Turtles and Ue-Sama. "The Daimyo sees us as barbarians, but we Levram are not without our own - magic."
"Your own magic? What are you talking about?!" Elisa demanded.
(Elsewhere)
The Levram wizard sat inside another room, chanting an ancient spell, as a glowing crystal hovers in front of him.
"Even as we speak, my wizard is mystically removing the safety spells around the Battle Nexus arena!" Ammag explained.
(The other room)
Leo and Elisa stand near Ue-Sama protectively, as the Levram warriors glare at them.
"The battle between my son and your brother will be a fight to the finish!" Ammag sneered.
"What?!" Elisa gasped, horrified. "Why would you do this?!"
"I will have Michelangelo's head on my wall. That is the Levram way." Ammag snarled.
"You fiend! Your just as heartless as someone I used to know!" Elisa scowled, as this reminded her of Shredder.
"Ha! Destroy them!" Ammag commanded.
Two of his warriors dived towards the Turtles and Ue-Sama.
"Look out!" Leo yelled.
He shoved Ue-Sama away, then he spun around and ducked, blocking three of Ammag's men's staffs at the same time. Elisa however dived to her left, then blocked the other three's staffs by crossing her Kamas over, locking their weapons together.
"AHHH!" she gritted.
"AHH!" Leo grunted.
Ue-Sama backed away, right into Ammag, making him turn around worriedly. Ammag chuckled sinisterly, before he picked the boy up.
In the arena, Mikey was standing in the ring area, as the Daimyo, Gyoji, Splinter, Raph, Donnie and Cath all watched from the Daimyo's stand.
"Now, we shall settle this right of queries by ordained combat." Daimyo explained, before raising his arms up.
The crowd cheered as a cylinder like forcefield came up in the arena, with Mikey and Kluh on the inside.
"Turtle! Turtle! Turtle!" the crowd chanted.
"Turtle soup more likely." Mikey gulped.
(Elsewhere)
The Levram wizard kept chanting his spell, as the crystal kept glowing, with black smoke lines around it.
(The arena)
The Daimyo touched his head, getting Splinter and Cath to turn to him.
"Are you okay?" Cath asked.
"No. Something is not right, Catharina." Daimyo said.
Mikey gulped as he turned around, as Kluh entered the ring. He twirled his staff around in front of him, then behind him, before digging one end into the ground. He growled as he twirled it around again, while charging at Mikey.
"Uh..." Mikey said nervously.
"Ah!" Kluh growled, twirling his staff around above him.
He jumped up and dived towards Mikey.
"AHH!" Mikey screamed.
He dived to his right before Kluh could slash him, sideways handspringing as he did, then he spread his legs apart while standing upside down to dodge another slash. He then jumped to avoid a third slash, then he dived down and skidded on his shell between Kluh's legs to avoid a fourth, before getting up behind him. He ducked to avoid a fifth slash as Kluh turned around, then he did a backwards handspring to avoid another, before Kluh jumped up and spun around. He tried to hit Mikey again, but Mikey wrapped his arms around his staff, before Kluh lifted it up, sending Mikey flying away.
"AHHH!" Mikey yelled.
He hit the edge of the forcefield, then fell down onto the ground hard, hitting his shell on it.
"Oh!" he moaned.
"Ouch." Cath said.
Mikey lifted his head up and rubbed it, as Kluh charged at him while twirling his staff around. Mikey then jumped as Kluh tried to hit him with it, landing on the edge of the staff, but Kluh pulled it back, then whacked Mikey's shell with one end of it, which snapped off.
"AH!" Mikey yelled, hitting the ground.
Kluh threw his staff down and picked Mikey up by the ankle, and held him up.
The audience all gasped, while Splinter, Raph, Donnie and Cath all looked horrified.
"That's not right!" Raph accused.
"Why didn't Mikey disappear?" Donnie wondered. "Kluh's weapon shouldn't have even touched him."
"I don't like the looks of this." Cath gulped, tears of worry in her eyes. "Daimyo, do you have any ideas?"
Daimyo touched his head, trying to find out what was wrong.
"Yes, Daimyo, what is happening here?" Splinter asked.
"Someone is magically altering the laws of the Battle Nexus." Daimyo explained.
"Yes!" came a voice.
Everyone turned around and saw Ammag pushing some of his men out of the way behind them.
"Now the combat is mortal." he announced, shocking the audience. "And my son's victory will only be complete when the Turtle lies crushed and lifeless."
"Ah!" Cath gasped, her hands over her mouth. "You mean, only when one of them is gone will this be over?"
"Exactly!" Ammag smirked.
"You did this?!" Raph yelled outraged, bringing his Sais out, before he walked forward. "That's it, whack bag, you and me and having words!"
"No!" Splinter said, getting in front of him.
"You presume too much, Ammag." Daimyo said. " The essence of the Battle Nexus flows through me."
He raised his Warstaff up, sending energy out of it.
"I can feel your wizard now. I will put an end to-" Daimyo began.
"You will do nothing, Daimyo, unless you would risk this!" Ammag snapped, pointing at him.
One of his men handed him a sack, which he then took, then he dropped Ue-Sama out of it, who he caught. Most of the crowd gasped as Splinter and the Turtles looked shocked.
"No! My son!" Daimyo gasped.
"No." Donnie said.
"You dirty scumbag!" Cath scowled. "Now this is just low and unhonorable!"
"Shut up, puny reptile!" Ammag snapped. "So, what's it gonna be, Daimyo?"
The Daimyo walked towards him slowly, then put his Warstaff down in front of Ammag.
In the arena, Kluh kept hold of Mikey, ready to deliver the final blow to finish him for good.
"Now, now you learn the meaning of pain." he snarled.
He punched Mikey in the chest, slamming him against the forcefield, before he slid to the ground.
"I should be porting out of here any second now." Mikey hoped, turning onto his side, touching his shell.
He looked up as Kluh stood over him, then picked him up by the wrist and held him up.
"No one to save you this time." Kluh sneered. "No interference."
He punched Mikey four times in the chest against the forcefield, shocking the audience as he fell unconscious.
"Do you hear that?" Kluh asked, turning around. "It is the sound of your own defeat. Soon it will be over, first for you, and then for your pathetic family."
Mikey began to remember Leo and Elisa's words as he kept his eyes closed.
(Flashback)
Leo and Elisa helped Mikey up the hill.
"In this life, we only have each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down, so focus." Leo said.
"Just remember, you have to believe in yourself, and you can do anything." Elisa said, touching Mikey's shoulder.
(Flashback ends)
Mikey opened his eyes and glared at Kluh.
"Huh?" Kluh gasped.
Mikey kicked Kluh with both feet, breaking free from his grip, before he back flipped away. He kicked his feet on the forcefield, then somersaulted forward, before he dived down and landed on the ground on all fours. He picked up one of his Nunchuck's and spun it around, then moved it under his arm and spun it around, before he held it in his other hand, with one end under his arm.
"All right, if this is what you want, come on then!" Mikey dared, as Kluh rolled onto his chest.
Kluh growled and charged at Mikey angrily, then tried to punch him, but missed as Mikey dodged and then whacked him in the leg.
"AH!" he yelped.
He turned around and fell onto his back, as Mikey back flipped away, landing with his knees bent, but then Kluh rolled over and got to a crouched position.
On the top stand, the Daimyo was on his knees before Ammag, as Splinter, Raph, Donnie and Cath all stared at them.
"I lost my son once; I cannot lose him again." Daimyo sighed.
Ammag grinned happily, not knowing Mikey was fighting more fierce now, as Ue-Sama began to cry, when Leo and Elisa came running up behind Ammag.
"And you won't!" Leo swore.
"That we can promise you!" Elisa vowed.
Leo grabbed Ue-Sama and dashed past Ammag, just as Elisa jumped over him, catching him by surpise.
"What?!" Ammag gasped.
Leo held Ue-Sama as Elisa landed near them, then Leo put the boy down, as Ammag turned to them both.
"No one can defeat six Levram Warriors, let alone two people together!" Ammag exclaimed. "Impossible!"
"Then you don't know us that well." Elisa smirked, grinning.
"Yes. Nothing is impossible, Ammag, especially when people fight with true honor." Daimyo assured, picking up his Warstaff.
Ammag turned and glared at him.
In the arena, Kluh picked up his broken staff.
"I will destroy you!" he promised, glaring at Mikey.
"HAAA!" Mikey yelled, charging in, spinning his Nunchucks around.
He jumped over Kluh, who tried to stab him with his staff, before he pulled on the back of Kluh's hair with his foot.
"AH!" Kluh gasped.
Mikey began whacking him between the legs with his Nunchuck, then hit him in the back, before tripping him up as he rolled away.
"AHH!" Kluh yelped, hitting the ground on his chest as he turned around.
He looked up as Mikey landed crouched down, then he dived to stab him with his staff, but missed as Mikey jumped backwards. Mikey then jumped forward and kicked him right in the chest, splitting his staff in half as he did.
"AH!" Kluh moaned, as he rolled backwards onto his chest.
He lay unconscious, as Mikey stood over him and spun his Nunchucks around, before Kluh looked up at him.
The eyes on the Daimyo's mask glowed green, then he used his Warstaff to lift up Ammag and his men.
"AH!" they gasped.
"Gaze upon what you have done, Ammag. Now your son's life hangs in the balance." the Daimyo said sternly. "I will let Michelangelo decide your fate, and the fate of your son."
"NOOOO!" Ammag exclaimed.
Kluh looked at Mikey, who kept spinning his Nunchucks.
"Do it. Finish me!" he said, getting to his knees, knowing he'd lost for real.
Mikey stopped spinning his Nunchucks around, then lowered them both.
"I don't think so. My father taught me better than that." he said. "Besides, you're already finished."
He put his finger on Kluh's forehead, making him fall onto his back out cold.
"Yeah! Yeah!" the crowd cheered.
Later, everyone was inside the Daimyo's palace for a ceremony, with the Turtles dressed up in special outfits that had colors on that matched their masks, which was armour with capes. They all Splinter all waved, with Donnie holding a staff, as they stood near D'Jinn and Tjaluk.
"Michelangelo, step forward?" the Daimyo asked, holding a medal.
Splinter motioned for Mikey to move towards him, then he walked towards the Daimyo.
"For your value and nobleness of character, I hereby award you the Battle Nexus medal for unparalleled honor." the Daimyo said.
He put the medal around Mikey's neck as everyone clapped for him, expect for his brothers.
"And I thought the trophy was bad." Donnie said.
"Ah, we're never gonna hear the end of this." Raph moaned, putting his hands on his head, before lowering them. "I'm gonna have to move out."
"At least this time he won fair and square." Elisa reasoned.
Raph glared at her, unamused.
"Hey, she has a point, bro." Cath reasoned.
Mikey bowed his head with his hands together.
"So wicked." he said, looking at the medal.
"Hurrah!" the crowd cheered. "Yeah!"
Later, in a quiet chamber, Leo and Elisa stood together near a wall, when Mikey came towards them both.
"Leo, Ellie, I wanted to say, thanks." he said, touching their shoulders.
His two older siblings turned to him.
"You did good, Mikey." Leo said, touching his shoulder. "You did good."
"Really good, little bro." Elisa assured, patting his shell. "But like I said-"
"You won't regret this, Elisa." Mikey swore. "I promise you."
Elisa smiled at him, while touching his other shoulder.