Chapter 1 ENTER THE VERTIGO
In the darkness Rafael heard a strange hissing sound behind him. He turn towards the sound but it came from left to right until it was almost on top of him. He was prepared for anything if this entity was to strike him down." Alright bring it on I'm ready for ya." He screamed. The hissing drowned to the ambient sounds of the city. Raphael looked around searching each direction when something moved in the corner of his right eye. He turned and thrown his sie only to find an alley cat running for very its life."Damn cat" He snorted. Eyes still watched the twitchy turtle when he walked further into the darkness as he thought he heard another noise of long claws grinding against stone. "What the hell is going on around here." Raf swallowing his breath. He stood in defense when a haunting women's seductive voice echoed in the darkness. "What did that cat ever done to you? The poor thing must be starving." "Alright doll face come out where I can see's ya." He growled. "Come on what are you waiting for I can take ya to central park and back allover the pavement with ya." The entity narrowed her eyes and hissed. "Your quite the macho man... Do you always act this way to everybody you meet?" "Arrrggg…. Where are you? Come out here right now I want to tare ya a new one." The turtle snarled twitching vigorously. The dark entity sighed and dropped into the darkness behind him. "Okay... I'll be nice." She smirked. Raphael swiftly turned to see a femme turtle face barely seen in the darkness. Raf slightly stepped back flexing his muscles. The moonlight highlighted her face to her shoulders barley seeing the rest of her. But he really noticed the top of her chest plate in a different color. The color of black dark as the night itself. "What the shell... Your like me but you've got a black..." "Don't even try to compare yourself to me. I'm way far to different then I appear." The femme interrupted. Raph raised his brow. "Huh what are you talking about lady? But it's weird that all of a sudden a chick like you popped out of nowhere. Did the shredder put ya up to this?" "Hmmm... You mean the metal head?... Oh no I'm in no league with that jerk. I'm just new around these parts. "She shrugged. Raphael shook his head in disbelief. " "Some reason I'm not buying it sister... I think you where one of those genetic created doo hickies ." Vertigo narrowed her eyes once more and hissed angrily. "What are you implying you big idiot I'm not some spliced piece of meat. Well think again you worthless creature I'm more diverse than you realize." Ralph was about to express several four letter words when a sharp like black object pointed between his eyes. His eyes followed from the tip to the depths of the shadows, and returned his glance at Vertigo. "Um what's that thing that's pointed at my head." He winced. Vertigo calmed her nerves and pulled her tail behind her and growled. " Your a waste of my time. I'm letting you live I guess... But never test my patients ever... Besides we just met and you should really watch yourself when your facing something like me". Vertigo smirked and walked into the moon light revealing the rest of her tall and graceful alien like body. Where the shell would be sprang out four xenomorph spikes, hands and feet where deadly black claws that could tare flesh easily as paper. Eyes as red as a ruby and hair ran long pass her shoulders which was red as fire. And a long coiling tale that perfectly matched her claws. She was an enigma of all questions which could not be answered. Raphael stumbled back and was surprised by her looks. "Who and what are you?" "I guess you can say I'm half xenomorph and half turtle. An odd combination but I'm here in the flesh and I have given myself a name and it's Vertigo." She smiled wickedly. Raphael paused for a moment. "Okay then how in the shell did you..." "Came to be?" Vertigo added. Raf Nodded. "You really want to know don't you? Your so inquisitive...Hmmm my xenomorph half shares memories... Dark dreams and blood shed. My egg carrier escaped from a ship that hunted those pink things called humans. And my spiderling egg carrier found a turtle like your self. She was strapped to a table and I think was experimented on most of the time. But what I can remember she was the perfect host, and several hours and one day later I happened. Of course the scientists were not pleased of my existence. So I did the unthinkable to survive. "The alien turtle turned with regret and disgust. Raphael eyes widened. "You mean you killed them ?" " I had no choice... Every living being has the right to live don't they? She sneered. "All I wanted is just to live in peace in this world and the humans just don't see that. And I do regret what I have done...it's my other half's nature to survive at all costs."She frowned shaking her head. Raphael thought for a moment and glanced at Vertigo. "I maybe crazy for doing this... It seems like you need a lot of help...errrr..I mean I have some friends that can help you." He gritted with a unsure smile. Vertigo turn towards the moon and sighed. "Really?... I'm not sure anyone would want to be near someone such as me. Look at what I am... A monster." She grumbled. "Uh huh look your not a monster ok your a good um person ." He stuttered, shuffling his right foot. " ...come on I will take ya to my family my sensei can help your troubles... You know from right and wrong. Turtle to turtle that kinda unity." Vertigo turned towards Raf with concern. "hmmm... Okay but if there's trouble this very tail go's between those pretty brown eyes and into that small brain of yours alright big boy?" She smiled evilly. "Uh point taken just keep that thing behind ya I don't need any pointless new holes in my body that I really need." The turtle stressed rolling his eyes. Vertigo laughed and started to follow him. Later that evening, Raf and Vertigo reached the layer while the turtle brothers argued loudly wondering where Raf was. Raf glanced at his brothers and grunted in frustration. Vertigo sprinted into the shadows not knowing what they might do. Raphael raised his arms in the air in humorous gesture. "Hey, hey ,hey... Ya spooked the lady." The brothers paused and looked at each other. Leonardo narrowed his eyes in anger. "Where were you all night? Master Splinter was worried." You where worried to bro..." Michelangelo added. "shhhh... Quiet mike I don't think Leo's in a good mood right now." Whispered Donatello. "Can't a guy go sight seeing once in a while by him self ? I was just cooling my heals you know me." Raf grumbled. "Alright Raf who's with you?" " I was just getting to that when the three of ya's scared her."He sneered. "You brought a girl home?" The brothers shouted in unison. "whoo hooo wheres the babe ? Mikey smiled. "Oh for the love of Manhattan, shut up Mikey. You guys scared her I don't know if she's going to show her self now. Arg.. You guys are dumb." The red turtle shook his head. "I don't know Raf she cant be trustworthy, with all the murders been happening lately." Donnie quoted. Leo and Mikey agreed with Donatello's concern. "Guys think of this for one moment in your heads. If she hurt us wouldn't we be slaughtered by now?"He argued. "Your right...but still looks can be deceiving."The purple turtle pondered. "Hey maybe we can give the babe a chance we have to meet her." smiled Mikey. Leo sighed in anger. "Enough you guys...Alright Raf, we'll let this slide for now. If she does anything wrong..." "Yeah blah blah blah I KNOW." Raf added. He turned towards the shadows finding the familiar figure of the femme alien turtle. "Hey Vert come on down here... their not going to bite ya... Their all just a bunch of loud mouths causing me a head ache as usual." The red turtle joked. Vertigo wasn't sure at first. She shrugged her shoulders once more and convinced herself join the brothers. The alien turtle jumped out from the large sewer piping from up above. She landed in the shadows behind Raf and slowly bringing her face into the brothers view. She looked over Raf's shoulder and smiled shyly at him. "Are you sure it's okay ?" Raf smirked back at her. "Yeah your all right." Vertigo finally emerged from behind the red turtle and shyly waved her hand at the brothers. All three were taken by surprise at her, nearly dropping their jaws. Seeing something so questionably unique, beautiful, and bizarre in one whole setting. The brothers were moved by the alien turtle's presents. Vertigo stood their for a sec uncomfortably as she quietly turned to Raph. " Are they okay ?" She whispered. "Oh their fine they just never seen anything like ya's before. So don't be crossed with them their only numbskulls." He chuckled. "Hey guys enough with the gawking and meet the lil lady already." The brothers waved in unison as Donatello approached first greeting her with amazement. " I'm sorry but I'm finding you very intriguing…. How did you came to be ? it's like your turtle shell evolved into something else but except your hands and feet there amazing... Six fingers and toes. And one dangerous tail... Your like a predatory creature as same as a lion but more stealthy." Raf rolled his eyes and hit Donnie in the shoulder. "Ask questions later let's get inside I'm beat...Let's go vert ladies first. Vertigo didn't know what to think when she stepped into their domain. Clean and filth one room from the next. From high tech gizmos, to a teenagers paradise of sports equipment this was the turtles place called home. Vertigo hissed in disgust finding empty pizza boxes stacked as high as her, guessing how long they have been there. Raf noticed her discomfort and lightly tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey are you okay?" Vertigo tried not to resist to be quite forward with their living style. "I'm sorry it's just it kinda stinks in here." She gasped in horror.
Raf turned at the mess and laughed. "This is nothing... You should see the rest of this place". Vertigo cringed and smiled uncomfortably at him. "Great... I always wanted to stay in a dump" She whispered. "What's that? He turned. "Uh…. Nothing, nothing." She shook her head quickly looking around. Raf shrugged his shoulders leading her further into their domaine. He froze quickly kneeling on one knee bowing his head to a shadowy figure. Vertigo twitched her tail like a nervous cat releasing a low hiss baring her vampire like teeth. Raf looked over his shoulder widening his eyes, grabbing her by the hand pulling her down right beside him. "Quiet don't disrespect my Sensei." He whispered angrily. "Your Sensei?" She turned looking into Splinter's chestnut eyes cocking her head to one side coiling her tail around her like a cobra. Splinter studied over her briefly then turned to Raf. "Rafael who is this you brought to our home?" Raf gulped nervously tightening his grip on Vertigo's hand. "Master she's here to seek your guidance. She's all alone can we help her?" Splinter looked in her fiery ruby eyes. "I see potential in her, but is she willing?" Raf looked at her his brows raised in question. "Well?" Vertigo cocked her head again thinking as she set her sight on the rat giving him ensuring nod. "Yes." Rafael cheered patting Vertigo hard on the shoulder. "This is great we will all teach you a little something." Vertigo hissed rising to her feet shaking her hand away from Raf. "I'm as thrilled as you are, but never handle me like that again." She growled in her throat. "Excuse me sensei, pardon my behavior I am a lady not an object to be pulled around." Splinter chuckled quietly to himself. " I understand your patience is not taken lightly. Understand young one, rage brings chaos….. Never let your anger cloud your mind….. I will gladly teach you but you must follow the right path." Vertigo smiled bowing her head to her new teacher. "Thank you master…. I'm ready to learn." Splinter smiled placing his hand on her shoulder. "We shall start your teachings in the morning…. Rest is needed I can see that in your eyes." The alien turtle smiled again hiding her simple blush. " Its that obvious?…. Well I haven't been sleeping well." She sighed . "Sorry long story that I don't want to reflect on." Splinter and Rafael looked at each other worriedly as they watched her turning her back towards them while hugging herself coiling her tail. Raf placed his hand softly on her shoulder. "It's okay your safe…. We have plenty of room here." Vertigo nodded quietly turning her head towards him. "Thank you." She smiled chasing a yawn behind it. Splinter smiled again. "It's time we all should rest…. Bed calls us all." Vertigo looked around tiredly. "Mind if I sleep in here?" Raf looked at her funny like. "Uh there's a couch next to the wall." "I'll take that as a yes. Vertigo smirked leaping onto the wall climbing up its surface. Raf stared in disbelief, while she got cozy in corner on the ceiling. Splinter chuckled. " Come Rafael, she needs her rest." Raf nodded mouth slacked. "How does she?…. Never mind I'll find out in the morning." He shook his head leaving the room finding his brothers at the door as he opened it. Rafael jumped back furrowing his brow. "What?… He snapped. Donatello looked around his brother and faced the others shrugging his shoulders. "Oh if your looking for her she's up there." He pointed sarcastically. The others looked up not missing the dark mistress. "Wow…" Donnie whispered intellectually taking notes. Unexpectedly Donnie was pulled along by Raf by the slope of his shell. "Let's go brainiac will figure out this thing later…. Off to bed for all of us." That morning,Vertigo slowly uncoiled her alien form awakening to the smell of breakfast in the air. She yawned at first then crawled along the ceiling into the kitchen. The brothers didn't expect her as she quietly observed them. The boys totally forgot that she was there, she laughed quietly watching them eat. Splinter sat at the end at the table noticing the femme. He smiled quietly as she drew near. "Good mourning." The turtle brothers jumped looking around, finding Vertigo happily sprawled on the ceiling waving at them. "Element of surprise, an achievement you've already mastered…. Well done…. You should teach my sons your knowledge." He smiled drinking his tea. Vertigo laughed jumping down landing perfectly. "I don't know about that…. Besides its my instinct to draw near my enemies and…." She trailed off for the moment thinking how to describe her words, whipping her tail around. "Oh yes, take care of them…. I don't want to put it rashly…. Kill is my instinct." Splinter slowly shook his head placing his cup down. "Come we have much to discuss…. Please join us." Raf got out of his seat offering his chair to her. Vertigo sat up straight not able to lean back with the prongs running along her back. Donnie kept eyeing her scientifically, how she moved while she leaned against the table. "So Vertigo is this your answers to every opponent you face?" Vertigo sighed heavily looking towards the ceiling. "Yes…. I don't mean to it's just my…." "Instinct." Donnie added. " Your living in a constant defensiveness…. One who relies on survival and there must be a reason why." Tapping his fork on his lip then plunged it in his scrambled eggs. " I never thought of the answer really." She shrugged reaching for a cream cheese bagel, sniffing it. "What is this?…." Taking a large bite. " This is good…. Anyway I have no clue…. I've searched for the answers in my shared memories, and still nothing." She frowned taking another bite. The purple turtle pondered for a moment watching her eat before seeing her inner maw. He jumped cupping her face. "Im sorry Vertigo…. Can you open your mouth please?" Vertigo rolled her eyes furrowing her brow. "Okay?…." Swallowing what's left of her last bite. Opening her mouth showing her vampire teeth and a second row behind them. Donatello looked around the inside marveling her inner maw. "So what's this Vert? Vertigo closed her mouth pulling away shyly. "Uh…. That…. I always had that." "Okay so is it your tongue.?" He asked pulling out a piece of paper beginning to write some things down. Vertigo huffed reaching for an apple and tenderly holding it in her hand. She opened her mouth letting her inner maw impale the apple with quick accuracy. The turtles jumped again watching her closely as the inner maw slid slowly back in her mouth. "What the shell?" Mikey blurted dropping his jelly filled doughnut on the floor. Vertigo slightly giggled seeing her new friends expressions. "Don't worry guys…. I really don't use this unless I need to." "Err…. Point taken." Donnie smiled nervously. "Well that is a very unique gift you have….. I'm sure it has its…. Um good uses." Vertigo smile faded into a frown, and leaned her chin in her left hand tapping her claw on the table looking lazily at the others. "I see." She sighed drawing a figure 8 on the table lightly. "Like I said before…. I don't use it unless I needed to." "Okay, okay, we got that noted…. Sorry Vert we wanted to make sure your comfortable here." Leo smiled. Vertigo nodded again tapping her claw on the table once more. " I understand…. But I do see your point on my behavior…. You never know when I turn, which I cannot control." "That is why we are here to help you my daughter." Splinter smiled, sipping his tea. "You will know the ways of the warrior…. I know theres great strength within you…. You understand the spirit of the ninja." Vertigo smiled again relaxing her pastor. "Thank you master…. Question do I get some fancy weapons like you guys?" The group broke out laughing around the table. Vertigo shyly sank into her seat bitting into her bagel. "I think you already have your weapons of choice." Mikey smirked. "The claws and tale…. Just AWESOME." Raf glanced at his little brother darkly shaking his head. "Really bro?…. We already knew that." He sighed slapping his brother in the shoulder as he reached for his drink on the table. Mikey jolted back in a small laugh, playfully hitting him back. "You know she's got the edge right?…. I mean look at her. She's a war machine…. Ultra cool." Vertigo rolled her eyes chuckling to herself crossing her arms and leaned against the table calmly. "Are you finished?" She winked snaking her tail above her head, and lightly twitched it around playfully like a cats tail. Mikey shrugged his shoulders giving her a devious smile. " Babe I can go all day…. What I can tell you?" "MIKEY…. I don't think so." Leo snapped lightly. " I don't think you want our new guest to have the last word with you." "Well…. I wouldn't mind." The orange turtle smirked shyly. "Okay no more coffee for you." Donnie spat swiping his coffee cup from his hand. "DUDE…. I wasn't finished. Bad vibes bro, bad vibes." Vertigo laughed watching the two quarrel over the cup, until the contents spilled over their master. Vertigo gasped covering her claws over her mouth and bursted out laughing even harder. Splinter took one cold hard stare at his sons. Instantly Donatello and Michelangelo bowed to their Sensei and turn towards the middle of the room to begin their discipline exercise. Vertigo got up from her chair and grabbed a towel from the sink. "I'm sorry that I laughed. She playfully frowned while helping her master dry his face. "No my child it was funny." He smiled back patting her sweetly on her claw. "I am happy that it wasn't hot…. My sons would be in more punishment if that happened…. That my dear daughter is where you will learn such things." Vertigo nodded drying off the table around him. "More tea Sensei?" Leo asked holding the kettle. "NO." Splinter sharply answered. "I think I've had much to drink today." Vertigo quietly giggled in her throat. "Well said master." Splinter gave her a blank stare at first then bursted out laughing. "You have good spirit my child…. Good spirit." Vertigo grinned hugging her master. "Enough talking about drinks." She chuckled. "Good spirit nice one."
Chapter 2 DARK DESIGNS
2 months had flew by ever since Vertigo met her new family. Splinter always watched her how she would react to things around her as she progressed well in her training. Sometimes she fights herself to purge her animalistic desires to the side hitting the dummy which sat in the middle of the room. She hissed at times and swung her tail bluntly at it trying not to have the thrill of stabbing it with her deadly sharp end. Splinter was surprised how she was able to perform such tasks as he taught her daily. That evening changed when two familiar faces entered the turtles domain. April came home from a long pleasure cruise with Casey. They waltzed in unannounced so they can surprise their friends with special gifts from their long vacation. Vertigo was meditating with Leo when she snapped out of her trance, hearing unknown foot steps enter the hall. She hissed jumping towards the ceiling and slowly crawled towards the hall. Leo opened his eyes jumping to his feet and quickly followed behind her. "Vert was is it? Leo whispered pulling out his swords. "Intruders." She hissed coiling her tail. "They are approaching the master room." "Vertigo remember what our master said." He warned "Remember your training." Vertigo nodded and swiftly vanished into the darkness. Leonardo gulped and slowly closed in beside the master room entrance. "Please remember Vertigo…. Please remember." He thought loudly.
Vertigo crawled along the ceiling of the master room noticing two humans carrying something in their hands. She hissed loudly and pounced. "VERTIGO NO." Leo screamed and pushed Casey and April out of the way just in time before she could do any damage. Vertigo managed to land beside Leo only scratching his left arm. April screamed seeing the strange alien turtle hovering over Leo. "Casey do something….Its going to kill Leo." Casey pulled a bat from behind the couch and held it high over his shoulder. "Okay what ever you are lets dance." The commotion stirred the others from their rooms as they entered the master room. Raf ran and held himself between Vertigo and Casey. "Casey I don't think your going to win this one bro." Raf spat pushing Casey back. " Well she had to drop on us."Casey shouted wielding the bat at her. "Everyone calm down what's going on?" April shrieked. "And who or what is she?" Vertigo hissed again narrowing her ruby eyes and whipped her tail. "I should ask you the same thing HUMAN." "Vertigo…. These people here is our friends." Leo pulled her back softly. "They won't harm us." Vertigo turned to face him with death in her eyes. "You have humans as friends?" She rolled her eyes towards them baring her teeth. "Make sure they don't come near me." She sneered directly at Casey before jumping towards the ceiling and huddled in the dark corner where she can observe their every move. "Is everyone okay?" Donnie asked placing his staff down. "We are fine…. Just wanted to surprise you guys. Casey smiled lightly and kept his eye on vertigo. "But I think you guys surprised us…. Who landed a girlfriend and didn't tell us about it?" The turtles looked around each direction avoiding the question. In truth all of them were smitten with that dangerous alien femme. Vertigo hissed loudly baring her inner maw. She growled clawing at one of the support beams trying to hold her temper. Splinter took one look at her shaking his head. " VERTIGO." He scolded pointing her to center of the room. Vertigo went quiet leaping down to sit in front of her master. She coiled her tail around her bowing her head. "Vertigo you still need training." Splinter sighed. "Go now 50 backflips." Vertigo bowed to her Sensei then turned to leave the room whipping her tail around. April and Casey watched her leave holding her head high. "New student?" April shrugged placing the items she brought on a near by table. "Wow Splinter…. You surly have her on a tight leash don't ya?" Splinter narrowed his eyes taking the bat from Casey and poked the handle of the thing jabbing Him in the stomach. " Enough…. She is as scared as you two were…. Do not judge…. She is one like us, she is still exploring her new judgements." April and Casey glanced at each other unsure about her. "Is she safe to be around here?"…. That is the question." April sighed in frustration trying to wrap the equation around her brain. Casey rubbed her back gently. "Are you okay?" April lifted her head looking into splinters eyes. "Are you sure you want this…. This…. This girl in the lair?" Splinter smiled placing his hand on her shoulder. "My daughter, she can fly just the same as you and I can…. She is very special like the rest of us. She will follow the ways of the ninja. Casey nodded leaning the bat on his shoulder. "If she starts something I will handle her personally." Splinter furrowed his brow shaking his head. "She's beyond your reasons for trouble…. Make no mistakes." April grown a tiny bit curious and carefully snuck out while Casey and Splinter still argued.