Oh Rats!
It was another normal morning in the Hamato residence. Shen had gotten up and made pancakes for the family and everyone gathered at the table to eat together. As they were eating, Yoshi noticed one person missing from the table.
"Where is Raphael?" he asked.
"Probably still in bed," said Leo while taking a bite. "This is the fourth time this week I've tried waking him and he was unresponsive."
"Hope he gets up soon. He's gonna miss the Bugle again," said Mikey.
"The Bugle?" Yoshi asked in surprise. "I thought you all hated that news station. I distinctly remember Raphael calling the CEO a pretty foul term on numerous occasions."
"We're mostly tuning for that funny commentator," said Miwa, laughing a little.
Yoshi looked very confused. "Do you mind explaining?"
"Well, for the past few weeks, someone's been calling the Daily Bugle news," Donnie explained. "He starts out with a complement, maybe two, and then he starts hurling insults at Jameson!"
Once Donnie said the last statement, everyone laughed. Mikey laughed so hard the milk he was drinking came out of his nose. Thankfully, Shen had given him an extra napkin for just that reason.
"Someone puts effort into calling a TV station just to say mean things to a news reporter?" Yoshi asked, trying to understand.
Leo shrugged and said, "It's funny."
"Yeah. He gets angrier than Raph at that caller!" Mikey said, laughing again.
"Who is this person?" Yoshi asked.
"Not sure," said Miwa while turning on the TV. "He never says his name, he's always starting out with a different voice, and they can't seem to block him."
"Ah. So Jameson has an enemy," said Yoshi.
"Some people thought it was Spider-Man himself at first," said Miwa. "But the theory was debunked when a crowd saw Spider-Man in broad daylight not using any kind of phone. And considering the comments on the Spider-site, it feels like it could be anyone."
"What's the Spider-site?" Shen asked.
"A blog April made up to show the actual facts about how Spider-Man's fights went down," said Donnie.
"Guys, it's starting!" Mikey excitedly said.
The teens eagerly listened as Mikey turned up the TV so they could hear the best. Yoshi and Shen watched with curiosity as an angry looking middle-aged brunette man with a mustache and silver in parts of his hair appeared on screen and started talking.
"Everything's pretty normal today in this beautiful city," he said. "That is if you don't count that crazy activity going on with reports of monsters and ninjas. What's the cause? Nobody really knows. I, myself, wouldn't be surprised if this was caused by that wall crawling menace, Spider-Man! The instigator has a nasty habit of attracting all kinds of trouble! That menace, Spider-Man, must be stopped!"
Yoshi rolled his eyes at the man and then turned to his wife and said, "And this man is on the air, why?"
"His viewing rates are high," said Shen.
The man was about to say more when he seemed to have gotten signaled off camera. "It looks like we're getting a call. Hello, caller. This is Jay Jonah Jameson and you're on the Daily Bugle."
"Hi, Jameson. I'm Tommy. Big fan," said a nasally male voice on the other end. "You know, I'm curious where you get your facts. Mind telling me? I know we're on the air, but-"
"No real secret," said Jameson. "I have top notch investigative reporters gathering all the facts about everything I report. So you can always trust the Bugle for the truth."
"Really?" the nasally voice asked on the other end. "Then how come the Bugle frequently gets their facts wrong?"
"Oh my gosh! I think that's the guy!" Mikey said.
"Considering his history, those are pretty good odds," said Donnie.
"What do you mean by getting the facts wrong?" asked a puzzled Jameson. "When has this station ever done that?"
"Only every time you report on Spider-Man's fights!" said the nasally voice. "Like, last week when you said Spider-Man caused that destruction along with a group of heroes. The Frightful Four caused the destruction. Spider-Man and the team he was with were protecting people. I should know, I was there."
"Now hang on just a minute! They still caused just as much damage and put lives at risk! Are you denying that?!" Jameson angrily shouted.
"You're the only one in denial, Jay Jonah Jerk Face," said the voice. And then it changed to a scruffy one. "For the fourth time in a week."
"It's him! The mystery caller!" Mikey cheered.
"Pretty sneaky," said Yoshi, smirking.
Jameson now looked angry. "Wait a minute! It's you again! That annoying troll!" He shouted.
"That's right, Jerk Face!" the scruffy voice said. "And you fell for it again! You suck right now! Like always!"
Jameson growled in anger. "Now look here, pal, my people work hard to get the facts!"
"And yet you only tell people what YOU want them to hear," the caller retorted, making Jameson even angrier. "You know, you've got a vein there on your head."
"I don't have a vein! Somebody trace that call!" Jameson shouted. "I demand you identify yourself! Who are you?!"
"You'll never know," said the caller before hanging up.
Jameson balled his fists and growled once again. And then he remembered he was live on the air. Knowing that people were watching, Jameson calmed down, cleared his throat, and straightened himself out.
"Sorry, folks. Just some punk playing a prank," said Jameson, laughing a little. "So, why don't we move on to the weather?"
The Hamato family was laughing at the reporters' embarrassment. As if on cue, Raph finally showed up and grabbed some breakfast.
"What's so funny?" Raph asked.
"It was that troll caller again!" Mikey said in between laughs.
Raph laughed a little while putting butter on his pancakes. "What? That guy again?"
"And you missed it!" Mikey emphasized.
"What did he say this time?" Raph asked while putting syrup on his pancakes.
"Mostly pointing out how flawed Jameson's reports are, knowing full well he would get defensive," said Donnie. "He also pointed out the vein on his head."
"And he still hasn't figured out who that guy is," said Leo.
"Not surprised," said Raph while sitting down and eating his pancakes. "They have apps for everything, including spying."
"Not that I'm encouraging that behavior, but I see why he does that," said Yoshi before sipping his milk. "That man airs more lies than the supermarket tabloids."
"I agree," said Shen. "Jameson just spouts out whatever he wants without caring whose reputation he harms."
"Maybe that caller thinks the same," said Raph, taking another bite. "Rotten jerk deserves what he gets."
"Well, enough on that," said Shen. "Raphael, you have hockey practice."
"Don't worry, mom, I didn't forget," said Raph. He finished his breakfast quickly and drank his milk before putting his dishes in the sink.
"I'm gonna hang with Jason," said Mikey.
"Be back in time for dinner, you two," said Shen.
"We will," said Mikey.
"I'm going to train in the lair today," said Yoshi. "I don't want to get rusty."
"I hope you're not planning on overdoing it," said Shen, like it was a warning.
Yoshi laughed and said, "I won't, I promise."
"Good!" Shen said with a smile. "Miwa, do you mind washing the dishes? I need to open up the store."
"No problem, mom," said Miwa.
"I'll help," said Leo.
"I'm going to work in the lab," said Donnie as he headed out.
-on the street-
Raph and Mikey decided to take the bus together since their destinations were in the same direction. Mikey was playing 'I Spy' with Raph, who was annoyed, while the bus was moving. It suddenly stopped short and made them both fall off their seats.
"What the heck, man?!" Raph shouted.
"Sorry! Got a pest problem on the street," said the driver.
"Pest problem?" Raph asked as he and Mikey got up. "You're stopping for a couple rats?"
"Kid, there's more than a couple rats there," said the driver.
Raph and Mikey looked outside the window. Their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets from how shocked they were. The streets were covered in rats!
"Aw rats!" Mikey said. Raph looked annoyed at Mikey. "It was right there!"
"Nevermind! We gotta get back home, quick!" Raph said.
"Right! Mom and dad! Leo and Miwa! Donnie!" Mikey said in alarm as they rushed to the front. "Let us off!"
"Are you kidding?! With those rodents?!" The driver argued.
"Come on, man! Our family needs us!" Raph shouted.
"No way, man!" said the driver. "If I open these doors, those monsters will flood the bus!"
"Great. How are we supposed to help our family when we're stuck here?" Raph complained.
"Maybe we should call them first and make sure they're okay," Mikey suggested while holding his phone. He quickly dialed Donnie and waited. "Hey, D, you're not gonna believe it, but there's a bunch of rats on the street blocking our bus."
"Actually, I believe it," said Donnie on the other end. And then a whack sound followed.
"What was that?" Mikey asked.
"Rats are in the store!" Donnie shrieked. "Everyone's fine, but it's getting kinda hard to fight them off!"
"Hang on, bro. We're coming as soon as we get off this bus!" Mikey said before hanging up. "Raph, we gotta go now!"
"Easier said than done," said Raph. "That driver won't let us off!"
"There are other ways, you know," said a new voice.
Raph and Mikey turned around and saw a boy around Raph's age with brown hair. He opened a window in the back and climbed out.
"That's for emergencies," said Mikey.
"This counts," said the boy.
"Good point," said Mikey as he and Raph climbed out.
"Thanks for the help," said Raph. "I'm Raphael Kurama, but everyone calls me Raph. And that's my brother Mikey, short for Michelangelo."
"Those names are Italian," said the boy.
"So?" Raph asked.
"You're Japanese," said the boy.
"Our dad's an art buff," Raph casually said. "He named us after his favorite artists. Except our sister, she has a Japanese name."
"Okay," said the boy. "Well, I'm Peter Parker."
"Nice ta meetcha, Pete," said Mikey
"You too, Mikey," said Peter.
On that note, the boys took off in opposite directions. Raph and Mikey made a beeline for home while Peter ducked into an alley. The two brothers were confused. However, they had to get to their family, so they chose not to question what Peter was doing.
Raph quickly pulled out his phone and called Leo. "Leo, we're on our way. Just try to hang on."
"Okay, Raph. We'll do our best," said Leo before ending the call.
"We gotta hurry!" Raph said as they ran.
"Where are the superheroes when you need them?" Mikey asked.
-antique store-
The family was fighting off several rats that got inside the store. Leo and Miwa used brooms to smack the rats, Yoshi got his hands on a mop, Shen used an umbrella, and Donnie used his bo staff. They all seemed to be holding their own and driving the rats outside, but it was hard. Donnie suddenly got a headache.
"Donnie, what's wrong?" Miwa asked in concern. "Donnie?"
Donnie closed his eyes and clutched his head. He remembered his psychic powers and let the visions flow. He could see inside the rats minds. He saw red in their vision. He also heard a voice.
"This city belongs to our kind. We are greater than them," a familiar voice said.
"Falco?" Donnie asked.
"What?" Leo asked while smacking another rat away.
"I can hear Falco's voice," said Donnie. "I hear him in the minds of the rats. Like he's talking to them. I-I think he gained some kind of psychic connection to them. He wants to use them to take control of the city."
"How do you know this?!" Leo asked as he continued defending himself.
"Did you forget that I'm psychic?" Donnie asked, breaking from the trance in time to see something. "The extinguisher!"
"Donatello, this isn't a fire!" Yoshi said in between swings.
"But it does have a use for a situation like this," said Donnie as he grabbed it.
The family watched as Donnie aimed the extinguisher at a swarm of rats and sprayed them. The spray from the extinguisher scared the rats so much they ran back. Miwa then spotted a flash from a camera and grabbed it. She used the flash and scared the rats as well. Between the two of them, they managed to drive back the rats. Once they were out, the two closed the doors.
The two siblings sighed in exhaustion and relief as they slumped down. They breathed heavily and gave each other thumbs up.
"Nice work," said Miwa.
"You too, sis," said Donnie.
The window and everyone jumped at first. They calmed down once they saw that it was Raph and Mikey.
"Is anyone hurt?!" Raph urgently asked.
"Everyone is fine," said Yoshi. "However, your real problem is not the rats but the one controlling them, Dr. Falco."
"Falco's back? And controlling rats?" Mikey asked.
"Yeah. Donnie figured it out during the fight," said Leo.
"He tried recreating the psychic serum, but I guess he didn't get the results he planned for," said Donnie. "The mutagen gave him the power to control rats and seems to have messed up his mind."
"I think you mean, messed up his mind more," said Miwa.
Donnie shrugged and said, "Point still stands, he's crazy. And, being psychic myself, I have a connection to him."
"You can read thoughts?" Shen asked. "Can he hear yours?"
"I don't know for sure," said Donnie. "But, this did give me an advantage. I know where he is."
"You do?" Leo asked. "Great! Where?"
"He's underground at Harold Square," said Donnie.
"Then we need to go there," said Leo.
"What about the other rats?" Mikey asked.
"The Avengers and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. seem to be on top of things," said Miwa while showing the news on her phone.
"Then you will all take care of Falco," said Yoshi.
"Will you be okay without us?" Raph asked.
"We will be fine," said Shen. "Go take care of him and come back to us."
"We will," said Leo. "Let's go, ninjas!"
The team nodded and went to prepare for battle. They changed into their costumes, and Leo could have sworn he saw something in Raph's drawer. Unfortunately, they had a mission, so Leo chose to ignore it for the time being.
The teens snuck through the sewers, in full ninja gear. They had to be careful not to be spotted by the rats and have them attack them. They let Donnie lead the way as he actually knew the way. At one point, Mikey looked at his phone and watched the Bugle news feed.
"Looks like Spider-Man is on the scene!" Mikey excitedly said. "Too bad Jerk-face doesn't like it."
"Don't worry. He'll get his just desserts," said Raph as he started writing something in a notebook.
"What are you writing?" Leo asked.
"Nothing. Just a daily planner," Raph quickly said.
"You have a daily planner?" Leo asked.
"I have to tell you every move I make?!" Raph asked in defense. And then he put the book away and started walking. "We gotta go."
"Just when you thought Mikey was the weird one," said Miwa
"We'll get to that later. Let's move," said Leo.
The siblings kept going until they stopped upon hearing a scurrying sound. They turned around and freaked out when they saw the sea of rats coming their way. They ran as fast as they could and jumped up to the bars to avoid them. Mikey freaked and shook his leg when he saw some rats clinging to him. One actually bit his head.
"Oh no! They have a taste for ninja now!" Mikey screamed.
"Rats are omnivorous, they'll eat anything," said Donnie as they climbed. "The Rat King should be this way."
"You think he knows we're coming?" Mikey asked.
"I don't know. But we don't have much of a choice," said Leo. "If we do nothing, the city suffers."
"Aw rats!" Mikey said as they found a wall covered in rats.
"How are we supposed to get through that?" Raph asked.
Leo tried thinking of a plan. His eyes landed on some tanks near the wall and he got an idea. If they could release the chemicals inside and get a spark going, they could blast right through the wall.
"Hey, Raph, ventilate those tanks," said Leo.
"On it," said Raph as he threw shuriken at the tanks and made chemicals leak out.
"You realize those chemicals are highly combustible, right?" Donnie asked.
"You don't say," said Leo, smirking.
Leo took out his sword and swung across the wall. This created sparks, which landed on the chemicals. The teens all hid and the chemicals exploded, creating a hole in the wall.
The teens went inside and found a man dressed in a long dark coat and a hat that looked part of a Halloween costume.
"Well, this is interesting. I wasn't sure anyone could find me here," said Falco.
"And, yet, we did," said Leo. "But, wow, you look like crap." Everyone started laughing.
"It's not like it matters what I look like, seeing as this city will belong to the rats," said Falco. "And I shall reign supreme, for I am the Rat King!"
"Rat King? Yuck. Worst name ever," said Mikey.
"You think whatever you want. Minions, attack!" The newly dubbed Rat King declared.
Rats charged at the teens. They all started fighting them off as best they could. Donnie glared at the laughing Rat King.
"Why don't you fight us yourself, you cowardly rodent wannabe?!" He shouted.
"You think I'm a coward, huh?" The Rat King asked.
"The biggest. You're hiding behind an army of rats because you know you can't beat any of us," Donnie taunted him.
"I prefer to think of myself as ingenious for being able to control these creatures," said The Rat King.
"If you're really so great, prove it!" Donnie shouted. "Just me and you! One on one! Unless you're too weak!"
That remark really ticked off the Rat King. He waved his hands and called off his minions. Donnie then stepped forward. His siblings tried to join him but Donnie stopped them.
"This is between him and me," said Donnie.
"Dude, he might be dangerous," Mikey whispered.
"Trust me, I'm a ninja," said Donnie.
Donnie and the Rat King stared each other down. Donnie twirled his staff and the Rat King cracked his knuckles. They then charged at each other. Donnie swung his staff and the Rat King moved to dodge his blows. Finally, the Rat King had an opening and punched Donnie.
"As you can see, it's hard to defeat someone who knows your every move," said the Rat King, smirking. "And, honestly, do you actually think you have a chance with April?"
On that note, Mikey and Raph jumped and punched the Rat King. Leo and Miwa helped up their brother.
"I know you wanted to fight alone, but we're in this together," said Miwa.
"Yeah! And nobody mocks our brother but me!" Raph shouted.
"Actually, we'd prefer you not do that," said Leo. "But we'll take it."
"Just gotta get him without thinking. He'll never see it coming," Mikey whispered to his siblings.
Donnie was mostly unsure about the plan, but he nodded. His siblings were right, they were a team and they stood a better chance together. The Rat King laughed at him.
"Now who's the coward?" he asked.
"Still you," said Donnie. "You were making the rats fight FOR you, my team is fighting WITH me. There's a difference."
The Rat King ran at the ninjas and they were ready to defend themselves. Miwa swiftly punched and kicked him along with Mikey and then Raph and Leo both punched him. Donnie ran at him and then quickly smacked him into the wall with his staff. Once he was down, the rats took the Rat King and left.
"Guess that's the end of…. Count Rat-cula!" Mikey said in a creepy voice. The others shook their heads and he looked annoyed. "Fine, the Rat King. But I'm naming the next villain."
"Now let's get home before something else happens," said Raph.
On that note, the ninja siblings all left the sewers. Donnie could still somewhat feel the Rat King's presence, but it was faint. He knew the Rat King still lived, but he was moving further away from where they were; they would surely see him again one day, perhaps.
-next day at home-
The entire city was still recovering from the rat attack, but it seemed like life was starting to get back to as normal as it could for them. The Hamato family were once again getting ready for breakfast in their home when the Bugle was going to start any minute.
"Raph's not missing it this time. I'm gonna get him," said Leo as he left the table. "Save me some waffles."
"We always save enough for whoever isn't here," said Miwa.
Leo made his way to Raph's room and heard laughing on the other end. He slowly opened the door and was surprised to find Raph sitting on his bed with an open notebook beside him and a burner phone in his hand. Raph also had his computer on and the channel that usually showed the Bugle playing. Raph cleared his throat and then spoke in an Australian accent.
"Hey there, Jameson-uck! No that one's too bland," he said. And then he repeated the line in a Brooklyn accent. "Okay, that's better. Okay, I'll do that one today. This is gonna be a riot."
Leo then realized what was going on and burst into the room. "It's you!" he shouted. "You're the troll that messes with Jameson!"
Raph jumped in his seat and hid his stuff. He then glared at Leo and said, "You could knock!"
"Raph, why didn't you tell us it was you? You're funny!" Leo said, laughing a little.
Raph looked away and said, "Maybe I was a little embarrassed."
"Don't be," said Leo as he sat next to his brother. "Raph, you make our days every time. You don't have to reveal your identity to anyone else, but you can always be open with your family. And I think Mikey would like to see your act live."
Raph seemed to be in thought. And then he smirked and said, "Then let's give our family a show."
Raph and Leo left the room and joined their family. Raph then confessed to everyone that he was the one who was always trolling Jameson. Everyone was surprised and Raph half-expected his parents to ground him for his stunt, however, Shen merely told him that he was talented and Yoshi praised his ability to keep his identity hidden. Donnie even offered to help him out with better spy apps and gear. Once the show started, Raph smirked and signaled for everyone to stay quiet.
"It's nice to see that the rat problem is over with, no thanks to that menace, Spider-Man. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a hand in this. Maybe this was just a set up to look like a hero while he's actually a villain!" Jameson said, and then Raph called the station.
"Hi, I'd like to speak with Mr. Jameson. I wanna tell him my thoughts," said Raph in his Brooklyn accent. "Thanks."
"It looks like we're getting a call," said Jameson. "Caller, you're on the Bugle. What are your thoughts on the show today?"
"Hi, Jameson, I'm a big fan. Name's Joey," Raph said in his fake accent. "Just wanted to say that I love your work. Your creativity knows no bounds."
Jameson looked confused and said, "What do you mean by that?"
"Just that your report doesn't make sense since Spider-Man's thing is spiders not rats," said Raph. "And he saved a lot of people. Why do you gotta give a guy a hard time? Do you have an inferiority complex?"
Now Jameson was angry. "Is this that troll again?!" he asked.
"You got it! And you'll never know who I really am, Jerk Face!" Raph said and laughed before hanging up. "So what do you guys think?"
"Dude, you fooled him again!" Mikey said.
"You are so awful," said Miwa with a smile.
"Thanks," said Raph, proudly.
"As much as I should be against such behavior, I confess that I am proud of you, Raphael," said Yoshi. "You stood up for Spider-Man while many seem to prefer to be sheep and go along with a man spouting hate for no reason. You are showing others through your actions the importance of thinking for yourself."
"Thanks, dad," said Raph with a smile.
Leo noticed Donnie's mood and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I don't think we're really done with Falco," said Donnie. "I could feel his mind as he was leaving. I think he may come back."
"And if he does, we'll be ready to fight him again," said Leo. "Because that's what we do."
Donnie smiled and said, "Yeah. You're right."
