Chapter Forty-Two
Time's running out!
A few hours past, and the Ninjet had finally arrived in New York!
Jake and Kate were relieved to see the city that never slept, but their anxious thoughts would not be eased until they were sure everything was alright, or at least they knew what had befallen their loved ones.
Tyroth scanned the city and his eyes narrowed when he saw the tall skyscraper building of the Foot Headquarters.
Amber too saw the Headquarters and she felt a sick feeling in her stomach, not that it wasn't new to her, as she had seen the building before on more than one occasion.
Kate hissed and gripped her whip.
"What do we do now boss?" Jack asked.
Tyroth licked his lips.
"I do have one idea, but I'll need Jake and Devina to carry it out!" he said.
"What's that?" Devina and Jake asked in unison.
"You both need to go down to Second Time Around and alert April and Casey!" Tyroth replied "Both need to know, both so they can be aware and so they can be given sanctuary! And since both of you are human, you are the best choice to go down into the city amongst the humans!"
"He's got a point!" Devina mused.
Jake agreed.
"Very well T!" he said, "We follow your lead!"
"Where are we going to park this thing?" Percy asked as he looked out the window "The humans will no doubt see us when we take off the camouflage!"
"There's a large area about four blocks away, it's a large junkyard next to a basketball court!" Tyroth reported.
"You sure it'll be alright there?" Jack asked in a worried voice.
"We got no other choice Jack!" Sephie called back "And we need to be quick!"
"Alright!" Tyroth said "We'll land the Jet there, Devina, Jake! You run to Second Time Around and alert April and Casey!"
"Got it T!" the undead woman and human man replied.
"Then what?" the other Knights asked.
"We'll need to head towards the Foot Headquarters as stealthily as we can!" Tyroth said "And James and Dahlia need to be nearby but in a safe place to treat those injured."
"You forget Dragon." Dahlia spoke up "I can handle myself in a fight if needed, as Jun has taught me well."
"I know." Tyroth assured the white wolf "But your medical skills are of a high priority, You and James will need to be ready to treat the wounded."
"You can count on us Tyroth." James replied fervently.
The Dragon nodded and he slowly landed the Ninjet and as soon as he was sure the aircraft was securely on the ground, he opened the doors and at once everyone got ready to jump out.
As they did, they made sure no-one was watching and as soon as Sephie and Tyroth were out of the cockpit, they made sure the camouflage was on the ninjet and it disappeared.
"Alright everyone," Tyroth said "We know what we have to do, Jake, Devina, you go to Second Time around and warn April and Casey, the rest of us head to the Headquarters!"
"We'll catch you up boss!" Devina said, "Given my beast form Jake and I can fly there to find you!"
Tyroth nodded at them both.
"Be quick!" he said in a hurried voice "We may be short on time, if not too late!"
Jake and Devina nodded then Devina slowly began to change into her beast form as swirls of smoke surrounded her and she transformed into her large wolf/bat hybrid form.
She landed on all fours and at once, Jake jumped on her back.
At once Devina took off into the air and towards where April's shop was.
The Knights, Dahlia and James watched them go, then Tyroth beckoned them to follow him.
They left the junkyard and began to move stealthily through the alleyways, normally they would have taken the rooftops, but they were worried about being seen from the Headquarters.
Tyroth lead the way, and the Knights followed closely as well as made sure James and Dahlia were protected.
"We have to be so careful!" Sephie said "Knowing the Shredder, if he has our friends, he will be making sure nothing is left to chance!"
"I'm sure he's aware of us, and that we might be on our way if the turtles were able to alert us?" Sharky asked.
"Not impossible, if Tyroth hadn't had his vision." Sarah mused.
Everyone kept on walking until they got to a street, and they could see the Headquarters towering on the other side.
"There it is!" Tyroth hissed triumphantly.
"Great! Now what?" Percy asked.
"We go in there and kick every fucker's arse to shit!" Kate growled.
"Simmer down Kate!" Heather said "We can't just run in there! We need a plan!"
"We need to find out what's truly going on before we just run in there!" Tyroth said "And even though I trust what my vision told me, I have to be sure!"
"Boss?" everyone asked.
"From what I remember, the Shredder's quarters, or rather his throne room is right at the top!"
"That it is!" Sephie agreed.
"All the way up there?" Jack asked.
"That's all very well!" Sarah said, "Trouble is, how are we going to get up there?"
"Hold it Spots." Tyroth said "I haven't got there yet, first we need to find out information by spying! And I think I know the right person!"
He turned his head to Heather who looked surprised, but she realised what he was going to ask her.
"You want me to fly up there and see if I can find out anything?" she asked.
"Apart from me and Devina, you're the only one here who can fly! And since I'm easy to spot and Devina's with Jake warning April and Casey, you're the best one for the job!"
"Yeah! He's right!" Sharky said and the others agreed.
Heather bit her lip nervously, but she nodded.
"Sure thing!" she said, "I'll see what I can find out, if I can!"
"Good Luck Heather!" the Knights said together.
"Stay safe!" Dahlia warned and James said the same.
Heather winked and with a quick salute, she flew upwards towards the Headquarters.
"I hope this works!" Tyroth muttered as he watched her.
Inside the Headquarters, having no idea the Chicago Knights were just a couple of streets away, Shredder sipped his sake as he looked at the ninja before him training.
Arashi and Hanako were next to him also watching.
"So Kemeko has decided to join you hmm?" Hanako asked "I never thought that would happen."
"She says she will join me, but I have yet to see whether she truly means to join me, or she's manipulating me!" Shredder replied.
"You think she is manipulating you?" Arashi asked to which Shredder gave him a frown prompting Arashi to add quickly "Not that she wouldn't be of course, I can understand why you are untrustworthy of her."
Shredder nodded.
"My spies will be watching her every move, and I plan to test her loyalty very soon." He added with a smirk.
"How exactly?" Arashi and Hanako asked together but before Shredder could answer, there was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" Shredder barked and the guards at the doors opened them, and the three individuals saw two servant women walking in with Kemeko followed by several Elite Ninja.
Kemeko was walking with her head down as well as her hands together hidden by the large sleeves of the kimono she wore.
The Kimono was black with red edgings, as well as a red sash and decoration, all in the style of the Foot's colours.
Her hair was done up in a bun as well as a few strands of hair falling loose around her face, and she had two red hair pins in her bun.
As she entered, the Ninjas training stopped and they stood to the sides to let Kemeko, the women and the Elite Ninja go through.
As Kemeko approached, Arashi and Hanako couldn't deny that Kemeko looked beautiful and Hanako even showed a sign of envy as she looked upon the teenaged girl.
The Servant women lead Kemeko to the Shredder, both walked on either side of her, and they stood before the Shredder's throne.
"Your granddaughter is ready, master." The women reported as they bowed and stepped back.
Shredder smirked and stood up.
"And she is made up beautifully, worthy to be a Foot Ninja heiress."
He looked at Kemeko who still had her head down.
"Raise your head, look at me." He requested.
Slowly, Kemeko raised her head and looked up at Shredder.
She sniffed as more tears fell.
"Well, my child." Shredder smirked "You look beautiful, just like your mother." He placed his fingers under her chin and Kemeko almost flinched as he did.
She then felt his thumb on her cheek wiping away the tears that fell.
"Now you are dressed properly." He said, "I believe that in a couple of hours, it will be time to see how your loyalty lies with me."
Kemeko blinked and she went pale with fear.
"But…grandfather." She spluttered "Did I not tell you I would join you, you let me see my family, and let me tell them I loved them, what else must I do to show my loyalty."
Shredder smirked and there was a glint in his eyes that frightened Kemeko and she dreaded what he was to say.
But he didn't say anything rather he stood up straight then sat back down on his throne.
"You will see soon enough, but if you are to become my heir, you must show how committed you are!"
Kemeko was scared.
"Please." She said, "Tell me what I must do!"
Shredder looked at Kemeko and an evil smile crossed his features.
"I will show you when we are ready to begin, for now, you will return to your room until I send for you!"
Kemeko felt tears in her eyes, whatever the Shredder had planned, it couldn't be good, it had to mean that something would happen to her family!
But she had to obey the Shredder to keep him happy and under the illusion that she was willing to follow him.
She held back her tears and bowed to him before turning around to walk out of the room, the two women walking with her and the Elite Ninja following.
As soon as Kemeko had left the room, Arashi and Hanako turned to Shredder.
"So, what is this test, Master?" Arashi asked and Hanako smirked.
Shredder turned to them both and that wicked smile crossed his features.
"I will test her loyalty by having the turtles, the rat, the lizard and the crossbreed brought up here and I will have them executed!" he brandished his metal claws as he did so.
Arashi and Hanako looked surprised.
"You plan to kill her loved ones before her eyes Master?" Hanako questioned.
"I do yes." Shredder replied "Once those turtles, their rat sensei, the lizard whore, and that filthy crossbreed are no more, Kemeko will have no choice but to remain here! And she will have no choice!" he added in a dangerous tone.
Arashi and Hanako felt a little fearful at their master's tone, but they nodded.
"We get your logic, Master." Arashi said and he smirked "And to be honest, I have looked forward to the day we achieve victory over the Hamato Clan!"
"As have I, Arashi!" Shredder growled as he stood up "Now, let us prepare for our enemies' final hours!"
Arashi nodded then took Hanako's hand and helped her up.
"Right away, Master." He said then he smirked at Hanako who smiled back at him seductively.
"I have been looking forward to this!" she purred.
The Knights have arrived in New York! But are they cutting it close?
Shredder has decided to test Kemeko's loyalty by having the Hamato Clan executed before her eyes! Oh no!
Will The Knights be able to find out and break in? And How will April and Casey react to the news when Jake and Devina arrive at the shop?
Well keep checking back to find out!