Chapter 3 – The Return of the Big Bad
Bishop and nine of his crew, agents and scientists backed out of the lab. They are firing weapons with blue lasers at the Kraang.
One of the agents appears to run out of ammo. He kneels to the side and pulls a vial of glowing blue substance out of his belt pouch. He accidentally pulls out two, and a third tube drops on the floor. It rolls off to the opposite side, but the agent must let it go because of the situation. He recharges his weapon with the vial and puts the extra one back in his pocket.
Cackling echoes through the hall as the female Kraang enjoys every second of overpowering her adversaries. She avoids every blast of the lasers and can take down at least one or two of the agents close to her reach.
Kraang Two has been feeling better since she was freed from her cylinder prison. Nothing makes her happier than toying with her pray.
They pass the prison cells, which attract the attention of the mutants and yokai. Even the prisoners are shocked and nervous when they spot the female Kraang chasing the agents out.
Kraang Two stretches one of her limbs and successfully stabs the young indigenous agent in the shoulder. The woman clutches her wound, and Bishop quickly picks her up. He, along with the other survivors, did not waste another moment. They reached a door on one side of the hall and slipped through before the female Kraang could catch up.
With a chuckle, Kraang Two narrows her eye at the thick door. She turns and disappears around the corner and returns to the lab.
This threatening display has all the prisoners paranoid and concerned for their safety. But, sadly, they cannot do anything about it unless someone unlocks their cell.
"It's good to be free once more, brother." The Kraang lady celebrates once she rejoins her brothers.
She stretches out her tentacles one by one and adds, "I've waited months to do that."
"I know what you mean, sister," the Kraang Leader smirked. "But don't get cocky just yet. We have much work ahead of us, so let's not lose sight of our goal."
The largest Kraang turns to face his other companion.
"Brother, start searching for the items we need to rebuild our Technodrome." He adds to the smallest Kraang.
Silently, Kraang Three nods, crawl to the side and begins hooking himself up to the computers.
Kraang One raises his clawed-mech hand and telepathically commands his new army to rise. Once, secret agents and scientists, now, were covered in pink slimy, gooey eyes and tentacles. One by one, they stagger to their feet, awaiting their commands.
"We are behind schedule in our takeover of this world. I want to make a fresh start." He announces with a sigh.
The light from the big monitor at the side of the room catches the Kraang's attention. With a glance, he surveys the images of several photos of mutants and yokai on the screen.
He stops at four familiar mutant turtles shown near the middle. One of the four turtles he recognizes the most. That cheeky smirk and the blue mask have him boiling up with rage.
The Kraang's eye twitches at the sight of the young turtle teen. He brings his claw up, and with one quick strike, he stabs through the image of Leonardo. The screen flickers on and off, sparks shooting out of the fresh hole. This briefly satisfies the Kraang, but he still thirsts for actual blood.
"But first, we must dispose of these creatures that sabotaged our original takeover and bring down everyone associated with them."
Kraang One turns to the tiny Kraang and adds, "Brother, hold off on your research. Let's send an invite to our would-be guests instead."
With a mischievous grin, Kraang Three focuses his search on a different target, and after a short time, Donatello's name and email address pop up on one of the computer screens.
The female Kraang laughs out loud in the enjoyment of this idea. One human, in particular, she wouldn't mind seeking vengeance on.
OoOoOoOoOo
"All right, my students," Splinter says, addressing his four sons, Casey and April.
The stubby rat man is standing in the middle of the skateboard platform of the atrium. Each of the turtles, Casey and April, sit on their knees in a respectful bow to Splinter. In the background, Baron watches as they train.
"I shall now pick your partner for sparring practice. And nooo, mystic powers this time." The rat warns – giving a stern look, especially at his turtle sons.
"Hai Sensei," the teenagers sing in unison.
"No mystic powers," Draxum scoffs. "That's lame."
"Quiet from the peanut gallery," Splinter spat.
He focuses more on his students and points at them with his long, slender finger.
"You and You," Splinter barks at Michelangelo and Casey.
"You and You," he adds, pointing to Raphael and April.
"Aaaand, you and you," the sensei rat says, finishing off with Leonardo and Donatello.
The teenagers rise and face each of their opponents.
"Don't worry, April. I'll go easy on ya." Raph says – figuring his size and strength could unintentionally harm April.
"Awe, that's sweet, big guy. I was about to say the same to you." April responds in a playful, sarcastic manner.
The two pull out their weapons, April with her green bat and Raph with his sai. They stand ready and prepared to begin the sparring match.
"All right, Casey. Ready to bring you're A-game to the podium? You're up with the big dogs now." Mikey quips.
"Don't forget, Michelangelo. The best ninjas trained me from my timeline, including a future version of you." The teen boy smirked.
They grin cheekily as they twirl their weapons around, showing off their skills before the sparring match begins.
"So here we are again, brother." Donnie starts, raising his bow in preparation.
"It's the Lair Games all over again, brother," Leo adds in a taunting tone.
With a relaxed and confident look, the red-eared slider casually leans one sword over his shoulder and the other poised at a semi-ready angle.
"And if this is like the last one, I shall be victorious while you lie face down in the mud," Don adds self-assuredly.
"We'll see," Leo smirks as he prepares his swords adequately to spar.
A small smile creeps across Splinter's furry cheek at the bantering, but his students need to focus on their skills as fighters.
"Begin!" The rat sensei barks out.
Almost instantly, the room is filled with weapons clashing and battle cries from each teenager.
The only two that haven't started fighting yet are Leonardo and Donatello. Instead, they pace each other in a small circle waiting for the other to make the first move.
Finally, Leonardo decides he should be the first to start. So, with a warrior's yelp, he raises both swords and charges at Donatello.
Donatello prepares to defend against the attack when his tech-gauntlet bleeps.
"Oh wait, hold that thought. I just got an email." He says, quickly resting his bow against him and tapping on the blue touchscreen.
The abrupt change causes Leo to lose his balance. He quickly shifts his feet and pulls his swords back so as not to hit his brother accidentally. This blunder makes everyone else giggle as they stop to watch the scene.
"Donnie, what is happening?" Leo asks irritably.
"My son," Splinter speaks up, equally unimpressed. "In a real fight, you will not have time to stop and check your email."
"Interesting," Don hummed – not really paying attention to anyone talking.
"What is it?" Raphael perked up.
"It's a message from the E.P.F. They request a meeting with us at their secret headquarters across town. Even sent us the address." Donatello explains based on what he is reading.
"Uh, Donnie, that wouldn't be the same E.P.F. that has been hunting mutants and yokai the past year, would it?" Leo leans in, skeptical of this information.
"You think it may be a trap?" Raph asks, practically reading between Leo's words.
Leonardo lets out a big sigh as he slides his swords into their sheaths behind his shell. It is becoming evident that practice is over for the day.
"The thought has crossed my mind. However, perhaps it could be worth it to check out. Who knows, maybe they just want to talk." He says, pondering the opportunity.
"So, what's the plan?" Casey asks, eager to be a part of this mission.
"Yeah, and do we get to come?" April steps in, addressing both her and Casey.
Leo smiles at his human friends and nods to them, affirming they are welcome to join.
"Shall I get the Turtle Tank warmed up?" Donatello says, assuming that would be the next course of action.
"No," Leo instantly puts his hand up. "If we need to make a hasty escape, it would be easier to do that without worrying about the Tank."
"Are you saying what I think you are saying?" Mikey asks.
"Yup, I will portal us there and back," Leo responds confidently.
"Leonardo, are you sure this will be safe?" Splinter asks cautiously.
After thinking it over for a moment, Leo nods, affirming his decision.
"Dad, we work as a team. We'll have each other's backs going in, but if things go south, and for whatever reason, I cannot make a portal, we'll have Donnie's Pods on standby. One way or the other, we will all make out together."
"That's right," Raph agrees.
"Yeah, we got this." April cheers.
"We are the A team, baby," Mikey cries with a whoop.
"Pods are set, just in case," Donatello announces after punching in a code on his gauntlet's screen.
"All right," Splinter nods, trusting his sons. "Draxum and I will stay here. Message us if you need backup."
"Sure thing, pops," Raphael says, giving the rat a thumbs-up.
"Okay, let's do this. Don, give me the address." Leo orders.
Donatello follows the command, pulls up the email, and selects the address on a 3D city map. A blinking light shows where the location is. Leonardo takes a moment to study the area. Then, he unsheathes his swords before pointing a block from the blinking light.
"I'll portal us here so we can investigate the area and be sure we aren't walking into a trap," Leo says.
"Good luck," Baron says, not even hiding the concern on his face.
With that, the red-eared slider swings his swords, creating a blue oval portal with flashing blue sparks. The size is large enough for his brothers, April and Casey, to fit through.
Splinter and Baron watch their family as they embark on another mission. They try their best to hide their fear, but being parents, it is difficult not to worry.
