Chapter 11: Only in a New York Minute
It was a disaster for those inside the Technodrome. Krang, Shredder, Team Rocket, Rocksteady and Bebop were moments away from taking over Earth before Jessie's and Shredder's greed overwhelm them to a trap that sent the Technodrome to Dimension X. On top of that, when the Technodrome crossed over to Dimension X, Traag's army attacked the fortress in a moment of friendly fire. The Technodrome floated for a long period of time before crashing on an island while Traag's Starfighters continued to shoot at whatever came through the portal, unknowingly attacking the fortress Krang was in. "Those blockheads!" he scowled. "They couldn't tell that it was me and the Technodrome!" The pile of bodies soon came undone as James looked out of the heavily damaged Technodrome to the red space.
"Where did we end up?" he asked.
"Where else?" snapped Krang. "Dimension X!" The others seemed rather astounded.
"Dis is Dimension X?" wondered Rocksteady.
"Yes, and what's worse," Krang offered to add. "We've landed on the Volcanic Asteroid!" Jessie looked out to the asteroid and found a lake, trees and a volcano.
"It's actually not a bad place to rest and relax," she surveyed.
"Maybe, but we need to get the Technodrome working again!" demanded Krang. "Rocksteady, Bebop, go and check out the damage!" Rocksteady and Bebop obeyed and reached the tubes. Bebop pressed the button, or tried to when the controller broke from the tube's wall.
"Gee, da transporter don't seem ta be working," Bebop stated the obvious. Krang grumbled in defeat.
"Just great," he mulled. "We'll need to contact the nearest Rock Soldier Base for assistance." Meowth removed a part of the communication devices.
"Easier said dan done with all of dis damage around," he revealed. Krang became infuriated.
"Those stupid Earthlings!" he whined. "This is all their fault! Why!?" Rather than panic, he remembered Shredder was from Earth. "You're an Earthling… ALL EARTHLINGS MUST SUFFER!" He tried to choke Shredder, but Team Rocket tried to keep them apart.
"Save your energy, Braniac!" warned Jessie. Krang flung Jessie across the floor., remembering how she sabotaged the mission going after Pikachu.
"It's mostly your fault!" he nagged. "Your obsession with that rodent…" That's when Shredder had an idea.
"We may not be out of options," he voiced. "Don't we still have the Trans Warp Thrusters?" Krang awed the memory.
"Yes!" he acknowledged. "And with them, I can get the communications working again!"
"Tell us where they are," James agreed. "We can help restore communications!" Meanwhile, April had reached the Lair where Splinter had awakened to observe a peaceful sight before the reporter.
"April…" he greeted quietly. "Did you come to see my sons and their friends?"
"But of course," April smiled. "Are they up yet?" All Splinter did was look over to the Turtles, no masks over them.
"See for yourself." When April looked, she was bemused.
"Are you kidding?" She turned to find Ash, Brock and Pikachu also sleeping in a separate chamber. "They're all still asleep. It's almost noon."
"Well, you certainly can't blame them after all that has happened recently." From the Trilithium crystal, to the Technodrome's resurfacing to Earth nearly drawn into Dimension X, April sighed to the notion.
"I guess you've got a point there." She came over to Rocksteady and Bebop with the Mouse Pokémon sleeping on Ash's chest. "Poor guys… It really has been a long day for all of us yesterday." Hearing April, Pikachu woke up. "Morning… I thought I'd stop by before I go to the station." Pikachu squeaked before getting a petting from April.
"My sons have also accepted Ash and Brock as Turtles. It may mean that I would offer the tools and training of the Foot to them, the true purpose of it."
"Right, not Shredder's way." Turning to Pikachu, she gave him a large apple. "Something to get you on your feet. I can't take you along, knowing how scared Vernon was about you." Pikachu accepted after what occurred in Channel 6 last night. She left and soon arrived at the Station.
"April, you made it," Pete greeted.
"Hey, Pete," she returned. "Aren't you supposed to be setting up for the news program at Noon?"
"It's all ready. I was worried that you might not show up. Besides, Chief and Vernon have been pretty steamed at what happened yesterday." To April, the Turtles were being blamed for the Technodrome and the damages.
"Are you serious?"
"Come on, April… Why would I lie to you?" A sigh from April lisped. "I know we've been working together after I graduated from UW-Madison a few years ago."
"It's not that, Badger Boy. I'm wondering why those two would be upset. Ash, Brock and the Turtles saved-" She stopped herself before palming her head. "Of course, they'll get mad at the Turtles for just about anything!" The two entered a new room where Burne and Vernon had argued upon each other.
"April, it's about time that you arrived!" scorned Burne. April and Pete gathered at the table.
"Pete, we do appreciate that you two covered the giant fortress and the outcome," Vernon brought up. "We didn't need to see the Turtles hijack one of the Army's tanks. It might make other people think they can take anything related to the military."
"Keep in mind, the Turtles and their young friends did everything they could to stop the threat," April pointed out. Burne growled at the mentioning of the heroes.
"Those blasted Turtles!" he snapped. "If those wretched Turtles weren't bad enough on the streets and making police be a little relaxed, they had to acquire those two kids!? It's beyond embarrassing!"
"Technically, the Turtles are kids themselves," Pete corrected.
"Pete, that's not the point!" replied Vernon.
"Honestly, why are you guys bending yourselves out of shape?" questioned April. "After all, the Technodrome's gone, Shredder's no longer a threat… Why not enjoy a little peace?" Burne wasn't thrilled about peace within New York.
"April, please!" he denied. "Our viewers don't want peace! They want more action! There's still crime infesting our streets!" Pete sighed and shook his head.
"Eh, better than doing segments at animal shelters," Vernon sighed. Back in the Lair. Ash and Brock were facing Splinter as Pikachu watched from behind the Turtles.
"My sons have proposed to consider you two trained in the art of ninjitsu," Splinter acknowledged. "After what happened inside the Technodrome, I am willing to grant the request. Ash, I want you to repeat what I say." Ash nodded. "As I learn the ways of the Foot…"
"As I learn the ways of the Foot…" repeated Ash.
"I promise to use all training for peace and focus…"
"I promise… to use all of the training for peace and focus…"
"To use all weapons with care and consideration…"
"To use all weapons… with care and consideration…"
"And establish the ground I traverse the path of tranquility…"
"And establish the ground I traverse the path of tranquility…" Satisfied, Splinter rose a hand.
"Ash Ketchum, you are now granted the tool of the ninja. This will come in handy down the path to ending villainy." Presented to Ash was a pair of sticks with handles protruding from each rod.
"What are these?" wondered Brock.
"Tonfas," Donatello answered. "It's a great speed and defensive weapon." Now, Brock faced Splinter.
"Brock, I want you to repeat what I say," Splinter started. "As I learn the ways of the Foot…"
"As I learn the ways of the Foot…" repeated Brock.
"I promise to use all training for peace and focus…"
"I promise… to use all of the training for peace and focus…"
"To use all weapons with care and consideration…"
"To use all weapons… with care and consideration…"
"And establish the ground I traverse the path of tranquility…"
"And establish the ground I traverse the path of tranquility…" Satisfied, Splinter rose a hand.
"Brock Harrison, you are now granted the tool of the ninja. This will come in handy down the path to ending villainy." Presented to Brock were triangular knives with serrated teeth.
"Are these Kunais?" he guessed.
"Even you've been a cut above the rest," Raphael joked. Splinter had more.
"While I am aware of your world's strict 'no weapons' laws," he started. "Keep in mind that training with your new weapons will benefit in better reaction and judgment. Learn along my sons, embrace the moniker that they have given you." Ash and Brock nodded. In the training room, Brock eyed the targets hung on the wall with Raphael while Ash faced Leonardo as Michelangelo and Donatello stood by. Armed with the bamboo swords, Leonardo swung. Ash blocked with the tonfas. One block had Ash cross both sticks to make an X before impact.
"Nice block, Ash!" praised Leonardo. "Don't forget to parry and deflect to make counterattacks." He swung his bamboo sword, but Ash strafed to the right before getting the forearm and tonfa to Leonardo's chest.
"Now that's a mondo counterattack," Michelangelo awed. "Though, I have to ask, dude… Why are you holding the tonfas with the short end sticking out?" Ash blinked to Michelangelo's point before seeing the method of him holding the tonfas with the stick overlapping the forearms. From the handles, the short end of the tonfas were aimed at Leonardo. He smiled.
"I have a better feel this way," he replied. Leonardo chose to test the claim.
"Why don't you prove it?" he challenged. He attacked before Ash used the long part of the tonfa to catch the swinging arm. He proceeded to jab Leonardo in the chest, but stopped short. Leonardo was a bit surprised. "Okay, that's proof." Michelangelo brought his nunchuku out.
"That was awesome, dude…" he started. "But let's see you deal with me." They started to exchange swings and blocks as Brock threw the kunai at the targets. Each hit the center and stuck.
"Not bad, Brock," Raphael awed. "Just imagine if the targets were moving."
"Right?" imagined Brock. The Pokémon watched and saw some of the moves. Michelangelo mixed his nunchuku with some kicks. Ash remained steadfast with the tonfas, even catching Michelangelo's feet before throwing him down.
"That's being quick to learn," Donatello gulped. The Pokémon felt ignored and wanted to get involved. They soon began to train with the Turtles and Trainers. Grovyle used Leaf Blade with Leonardo and Ash while Corphish and Lombre trained on the targets. Pikachu worked with Ash with Iron Tail. As the exercises continued, a new plot has begun with the Technodrome.
TO BE CONTINUED...