At the Church,
"Whoa..." All four teens said together as they stared at the burned down building. "It's nothing but ashes!" Usagi exclaimed and Saki groaned. "I knew this was stupid. Let us go, if there was any proof it is gone now."
"We will not know unless we look!" Shen said while running in. "Tang Shen!" Saki shouted but she ignored him. Yoshi laughed a little and followed her. "You two stay and keep a lookout!"
Usagi and Saki obeyed, standing in awkward silence for a while before Usagi decided to break it. "So...since we are alone...mind if I ask you something?" Saki stayed quiet for a moment and then said without facing him, "Yes." Usagi did not expect that. "Ok." He said, trying to stay quiet but couldn't. "Are you trying to prove yourself to Master Yuuta so he will make you his heir instead of Yoshi?" Saki tensed then looked at Usagi from the corner of his eye. "I see the way you look at Yoshi every time he beats you in combat. You are jealous of him, aren't you?"
"I am not jealous!" Saki snapped. "You must know by now that Yoshi is unqualified. You see the kind of trouble he gets in. Look where we are now!"
Usagi frowned but didn't say anything. Honestly, he thought that Yoshi was right about the whole thing. We can't know if one is truly an enemy without getting to know your enemy first. Usagi shook his head at people's arrogance and at Saki for always underestimating Yoshi, but he didn't voice any of that out loud for now was not the time or place. The two went quiet again until Saki said, in a threatening tone. "Never speak of this again."
"I won't. I'm not a rat."
"We shall see..."
Inside the Church, like the outside everything was black with ashes and beams have fallen from the ceiling to the ground. "It looks worse from the inside." Yoshi noted as he and Shen walked deeper inside. "Make sure to watch your step, Tang Shen." He said while grabbing her hand to make sure he can help her in case she fell through the floor.
Shen blushed at the contact but turned away so Yoshi wouldn't notice. "So, what exactly are we looking for?" Yoshi shrugged. "I don't know. Footprints? Basically, anything that can tell us where this guy is or give us an idea on who he is."
Shen hummed while looking around until her eye caught a glint of something. "What is that?" Yoshi looked at her. "What is, what?" Shen didn't answer, instead she let go of Yoshi's hand and went over to what she saw. She crouched down and after moving a few pieces of wood out of the way she spotted a round shaped mirror. Yoshi went by her side to check it out. "Weird, it's not melted or anything." He muttered.
"This looks ancient." Shen whispered, admiring the beautiful mirror.
"DO NOT TOUCH THAT!" A voice shouted, making both the teens flinched and they quickly turned to see a boy wearing black clothing and a red dragon mask. "You're the rogue!" Yoshi said while going in front of Tang Shen to protect her in case the worst was to happen.
"And you must be Hamato Yoshi?" The boy noted and Yoshi narrowed his eyes. "How do you know my name?!"
"You are quite famous around here and most of the villagers believe it was you who started the fire." He explained and Yoshi gave a flat look. 'Why does everyone think it was me?'
Tang Shen stared at the boy, feeling like she knows him, but she is certain she has never met him before. She shook that off and showed the mirror to the boy. "Who are you and what is it about this mirror?" The boy stood silent for a moment before removing his mask, showing a boy with buzzed brownish hair and ember eyes. He also had a strange symbol on his forehead. "My name is Chung and that mirror is a magical artifact that you should not touch. It is the only thing that separates their world from ours."
"Who's world?" Shen asked. "I can not say. It is a secret but trust me when I say, it is dangerous and should not be touched by just anyone." Yoshi scoffed. " Now that has to be the biggest dumbest lie, I have ever heard!"
"It is no lie, Hamato Yoshi. You see I am also trained in ninjutsu but not like you are. While you are trained in physical fighting, I am trained spiritually, and I possess mythical arts." To prove his point, Chung I held out his hands and fire started to spark between them.
Shen and Yoshi both gasped as they stared in amazement before the fire vanished. "Is that what burned down the Church?" Yoshi asked and Chung I nodded. "Yes, I am sorry, I did not mean to burn down the Church. A little girl startled me and I just... reacted."
"What kind of ninjutsu even is that?! Where did you learn it from?" Yoshi asked. "Allow me to explain." Chung I started. "See, I was not always a "rogue" I had a clan same as you, a family but then the Foot attacked. My father was killed, and my clan perished...I, as well as the man who saved me were the only survivors..."
"I am so sorry." Shen said as she looked at him sadly. Chung I shook his head to get rid of those thoughts before continuing, "I was so young when it happened, I do not even remember but luckily, my sensei was there to raise me and teach me everything I needed to know about my clan as well as my family. Sadly, he too died of old age but before he died, he told me to go to Japan and find the Hamato Clan, saying that they would take care of me, but it seems...I have already made a bad first impression." He said while looking around the Church. Yoshi smiled. "Hey, it's ok, we'll go to my father and help get this straightened out."
"You would do that for me?" Chung I asked in awes. "Why would we not?" Shen asked with a smile. "Clearly this is all a big misunderstanding." Chung I smiled and bowed his head. "Thank you Hamato Yoshi and...umm" Chung I lifted his head to look at Shen who chuckled. "My name name is Tang Shen."
At that, Chung I frowned and looked at the girl with wide eyes. "Tang Shen? Your name is Tang Shen?" Shen looked at him confused. "Yes. Why?"
Before Chung I could say anything-
Crush!*
"What was that?!" Shen said while looking around. "Probably just a stupid mouse or some-"
Grrr!*
Yoshi was interrupted by the sound of a dark growl, and he quickly moved Shen behind him. "Ok, what was that?" Chung I gasped. "Oh no!" Both Yoshi and Shen looked around. "What's "Oh no"?" Yoshi asked. "The mirror, You must have woken one of its prisoners somehow!"
"I do not see anything." Shen said. "Probably because there isn't anything. Look, no offense but I am still having a hard time believing there is such a thing as mag- Oof!"
Yoshi was again interrupted when he felt someone kick him in the stomach but when he looked up, he saw no one. "Yoshi!" Shen called worried and ran to his side. "The reason you can not see anything is because he is not in physical form yet. They are like demons!" Chung I said as he stood in front of Yoshi and Shen.
"Then how are we supposed to defend ourselves?!" Yoshi said a bit annoyed and worried for Shen's safety. Chung I then did something with his hands before putting them over both Shen's and Yoshi's eyes.
When he removed them both Shen and Yoshi let out a startled yelp when they saw the thing from across the room. A humanoid dragon with green scales, red eyes, and white horns glared at them. He wore a red kimono and black belt. He gave them a sinister grin. "Ah, can the little brat and pretty girl see me now?"
Yoshi growled and stood at full height. "You better watch it, pal!"
"What are you going to do if I don't-Agh!" Dragon Lord was interrupted when Yoshi punched him in the nose. Once the Dragon Lord recovered, he turned and glared at Yoshi who grinned. "How do you like it?!"
ROAR!*
...
Outside,
Usagi was pacing back and forth while Saki stood in place. "What is taking them so long? I got a bad feeling. I don't like this." Usagi muttered as he continued pacing. Saki sighed. "Calm down, Usagi, they are fine-"
ROAR!*
Both Usagi and Saki froze. "What the hell was that?!" Usagi yelled. "Come on!" Saki said while running in with Usagi behind. Once they got in the Church, they were totally unprepared when they saw Yoshi and some boy fighting...air?
Saki raised a brow. "What are you doing?" Yoshi glanced at his brother and friend before looking at Chung I. "Chung I! Do to them what you did to us!" Chung I nodded and ran over to Saki and Usagi, performing the same spell he cast on Shen and Yoshi.
Once done the two boys screamed at the sight of the dragon Yoshi was fighting. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" Usagi shouted in terror while hugging Saki for protection. Saki scowled and tried to push him off.
"Long story which we will explain later but first come help me!" Yoshi shouted and Usagi quickly got over his fear to help his friend. "Where is Tang Shen?!" Saki demanded. "I made her go hide! Saki, go and protect her while we take care of this creep!" Yoshi ordered.
Saki nodded and quickly left to find Shen. Dragon Lord chuckled darkly. "You care deeply for that pretty girl, don't you?" He said to Yoshi who growled while trying to punch him again. "You leave Shen alone!"
Dragon Lord blocked his punch before punching him on the head and knocking him out. Usagi tried to kick Dragon Lord from behind, but Dragon Lord quickly turned around while grabbing his leg and throwing him across the room.
Usagi's back hit the wall before he fell flat on the ground. He groaned while slowly getting up and his eyes caught Chung I who was on his knees, holding the mirror. "Hey! Aren't you going to help us?!" Usagi called. "Just give me a moment!" Chung I yelled back.
Usagi then looked back at Dragon Lord to see him gone. "Oh no! He left! He must have gone after Shen and Saki! Yoshi, what do we do?!" Yoshi slowly sat up before looking around the room, trying to think when an idea struck him. "Ok, I got a plan!"
...
"Shen! Shen where are you?!" Saki called when he was suddenly pulled into a room by Shen, who was holding a piece of glass in her hands. "Are the others ok?" She asked and Saki nodded. "Good. Come on."
Shen then began to leave but Saki pulled her back. "Wait! What are you doing?!" Shen scowled and ripped her arm away from him. "Saki, I can not stand by and let that monster hurt our friends!"
"Shen, you have no train-!"
"That does not mean I am not capable of helping in some way!" Before Saki could further protest, he got knocked out by the Dragon Lord. Shen gasped and jumped back in surprise. "Hello, pretty girl. You are coming with me; you are my only ticket out of here."
Shen glared at him fiercely before stabbing him in the arm with the glass, making him recoil and giving her enough time to make a break for it, trusting that he will come after her and not harm Saki. The Dragon Lord chuckled in slight amusement before pulling the piece of glass off his shoulder. "So, the pretty girl has some claws on her. Pity it will not be enough to save you or your friends."
Dragon Lord then began to look for Tang Shen, but Shen did not run away, instead she was hiding in a room behind a door, holding another shard of glass, waiting for him to come in. "Oh, pretty girl~" His voice taunted, and Shen tensed slightly.
The Dragon Lord was just about to make it to the room when a rock got thrown at his head. He growled and turned around to see Usagi holding another rock in his hand before he threw it at his snout. Dragon Lord roared and chased after Usagi who let out a scream as he ran.
Shen came out soon after, wanting to go after them but remembering that Saki got knocked out, she quickly went back to him and prayed that her other friends would be ok.
...
Meanwhile,
"He's coming, he's coming, he's coming!" Usagi shouted as he ran back into the main room with Dragon Lord still chasing him while Yoshi was standing on a beam and holding onto a rope. Yoshi waited for the perfect moment, before he swung down and jumped on Dragon Lord, pinning him down on the ground. "Chung I, NOW!" Chung I then jumped down and held the mirror up. "TRAP!" He shouted before the mirror glowed and Dragon Lord was immediately sucked in. "NOOOO!!!!"
Once Dragon Lord was finally defeated, all three boys sighed in relief before Yoshi raised a brow at Chung I. "Trap? Really? That's all you had to say to stop him?" Chung I just shrugged before all three boys looked to see Shen with Saki leaning on her. "Saki!" Yoshi called worried, going over to his brother and putting his arm over his shoulder, taking him away from Shen. "Are you ok?"
"Ugh, I feel dizzy..." Saki moaned and Shen frowned. "I think he might have a concussion."
"Don't worry, brother, we'll get you home and-"
Yoshi was interrupted when the Hamato soldiers burst through the doors, only to pause in their actions when they saw the five teens. One of the ninjas went up to them. "Young Master Yoshi, Young Master Saki, what are you doing here?"
All the teens looked at each other before looking back at him. Usagi sighed and voiced out what everyone was thinking. "We are so grounded."
...
At the dojo,
The teens were all summoned before their parents. Yuuta, Atsuko, Ue, Ame, Fu and Amaya all looked at them with disappointment, Yuuta most of all. "Not only did you deliberately disobey me and help a rogue but now you are making up stories!!"
"I'm not making up anything!" Yoshi argued. "He's telling the truth, Master! There really was a dragon creator!" Usagi insisted. "Silence Usagi!" Ue snapped. "I know that you were only trying to help your friends but what you did was reckless and completely irresponsible!"
"Your father is right!" Ame shouted. "You have only been in training for a few months! You could have been easily killed!"
"And you Tang Shen!" Fu scolds. "I am highly disappointed in you! What were you thinking?!"
Shen lowered her head in shame. "I am sorry, Grandfather but you have to believe Yoshi! He is telling the truth! I would not lie to you!" Fu looked at Shen's eyes before looking at Yuuta. "Shen is a horrible liar, Master Yuuta. If she was lying, we would all know but she is not."
"You honestly expect me to believe a 'dragon creator' attacked our children?" Yuuta questioned and Yoshi glared at him. "Let him prove it!"
"Who?" Atsuko asked. "The rogue! Who you locked up for no reason!"
"He burned down a Church!" Yuuta shouted, starting to get really fed up with his son. "No! He! Didn't! Just listen to me for once! His clan got slaughtered by the Foot and he came to Japan to ask for our help! You have to believe me!"
"ENOUGH!" Yuuta roared, making them all flinch. They all looked at Yuuta and shuddered at the sight of him. Yuuta, the usually calm and patient man, looked like he would slit anyone's neck with just the wrong word. Atsuko was the only one unfazed. "Yuuta! I know Yoshi was reckless, but it sounds to me that this boy is innocent! I know you do not believe in such things but we must not be too dismissive! This world is full of possibilities!"
Seeing her speak up to her husband, gave Fu the courage to voice out his thoughts. "Do not forget, Master Yuuta, I was in a clan that believed in such things. It might be possible."
"Besides, he is just a child. Are you really going to have him locked up?" Ame said and Atsuko glared at her husband. "Just let the child go, Yuuta. Even if there wasn't a dragon creator, he doesn't seem like the type to burn down a Church for no reason."
Yuuta stayed silent in his anger for a few moments before sighing. He left the room without a word and came back with Chung I. "Young man, my son tells me that your clan was attacked by the Foot. Is this true?" Yuuta asked and the young boy nodded. ""Yes, sir."
"What is the name of your clan?" Yuuta asked while narrowing his eyes on the young boy. "The Lotus Clan, sir." Everyone's eyes widened at this, and Fu stepped forward, looking at the boy's features and he gasped. His face turned into disbelief and his eye were as wide as plates. "Chung I?!"
Chung I turned to him. "Y-Yes, how do you know my name?"
Fu moved closer to him. "I-I can not believe this. I thought you were dead." Chung I turned fully towards him. "Who are you?" Fu took a moment then cleared his throat. "My name is Fu Sheng I...your father was my brother." Chung I's eyes widened as Shen stood up at this information. "Grandfather?" Fu looked at his granddaughter then at Chung I. "Shen this is Chung I, the rightful heir to the Lotus Clan and...your cousin."
Shen stared at Chung I with wide eyes as he smiled and stepped towards it. "I knew it could not have been a coincidence that your name was Tang Shen. My master told me everything about my family before he died."
"So...your my cousin?" Shen breathed out from shock, and Chung I nodded. "Yes." Shen broke into smiled. "I have a cousin." She then chuckled. "I can not believe it!" Shen hugged Chung I, taking him off guard but he gladly hugged her back. Fu then hugged him, letting a few tears fall. "I can not believe you were alive all this time. I am so happy." He let go and chuckled at the boy's face. "You look so much like your father." Chung I smiled at that, and Amaya went to hug him as well.
Everyone stared in awes at the scene before them until Yuuta cleared his throat, ending their moment. "As happy as I am to see the heir of the Lotus Clan alive, I am afraid you still have explaining to do."
Chung I nodded and began to explain everything. The incident with the church and his intentions in seeking the clan. "My sensei told me that you would be able to help further my training until I am old enough to move back to China and rebuild the Lotus Clan."
"I am very sorry for your loss, Chung I but I am not a shinobi." Yuuta said calmly. "I do not know anything about the Lotus Clan way. You will just have to strip off your ninja title." Chung I looked devastated at that and was about to leave when Yoshi spoke up. "You can't do that!"
He then went over to Chung I's side. "He is the only survivor of his clan! By making him give up ninjutsu, you'll take any chance of the clan rebuilding! He already knows everything from his sensei, maybe he just needs to learn more outside of the shinobi way and who knows, maybe he could teach us some things, help us improve the clan's skills!"
Saki went to Yuuta's side. "Father, if I may, Yoshi does have a point. His abilities could be useful to us in the future. Not only to the townspeople but for the clan as well."
"Besides, Fu could train him in the shinobi way! He was once a shinobi himself!" Yoshi pointed out and Fu smiled proudly at his nephew. "It would be my honor." Yuuta hummed in thought as he stared at Chung I. "Very well but only if you join my clan. You will train as my student just like everyone else but of course, I expect you to keep training in the ways of your clan."
Chung I smiled in relief before bowing his head. "Thank you, Master Yuuta." He then turned to the teens. "And thank all of you, I could not have done this without you." The teens all smiled at him. "You all are still grounded!" Atsuko yelled, ruining their moment and they all frowned.
...
Few weeks later,
Everyone agreed that Chung I would stay in the Hamato clan during the school year but on the summers, Fu would train him in the shinobi way. Shen could not be happier to have a cousin. For so long it has only been her and her grandparents and it makes her happy to know she had another living relative. They couldn't do much bonding though since her grandparents grounded Shen for three weeks. Usagi was grounded in his room for two weeks and could only go out for his training lessons. Yoshi was sent to hours of training and hours of chores for four weeks, but Saki was only sent to his room for 3 weeks while doing extra studies since his father believes that Yoshi was the one who talked Saki into it.
But after everyone was finally unpunished and their parents finally forgave them all the teens met up in the woods to have some fun. "Ahh! It feels so good to be outside again!" Usagi said in full relief as he fell on the soft grass, loving how the sun was shining on his face.
Yoshi chuckled. "You have never been grounded before, have you?"
"Well, yeah, I'm not an idiot like you are!" Usagi teased before closing his eyes to relax. "Even Shen and Saki have been grounded before." Yoshi added.
"You four are really close friends, aren't you?" Chung I asked, though it wasn't really a question. Yoshi shrugged. "I guess."
Shen chuckled. "Yoshi, Saki, and I have known each other since we were babies. Usagi used to be a bully, but he turned around and became our friend just a weeks ago after Yoshi saved his mother from a terrible illness." Chung I stared at Yoshi in amazement. "Really? Do tell."
Yoshi smiled and began telling Chung I about how Yoshi, Saki, and Usagi saved Mrs. Miyamoto. As they all gathered around for the story, Chung I stared at all of them and read their spirits. Yoshi was by far the most interesting, such a strong fiery-warrior-spirit who loved to cause mischief but beneath that lived a kind-hearted boy. Then there was Tang Shen, who was very curious and caring but beneath that lived a fierce spirit that would do anything for the people that she cares about. Then Usagi who was beyond loyal and anxious but beneath that lived a strong, brave, warrior. Finally, Saki, who was filled with so much determination but beneath that, Chung I could sense a darkness in his heart.
He didn't think too much of it though, everyone has a darkness in them, even the kindness of people, but Chung I couldn't help but notice that darkness seemed to grow bigger as Saki stared at Yoshi and Tang Shen who was looking at Yoshi with loving eyes.
Once Yoshi was done telling the story, the boys began to play ninja tag while Shen hung back to ask Chung I something. "Did your sensei, by chance, tell you any stories about my mother and father?" Chung I smiled warmly. "All the time after training."
"Do you think you can tell them to me?"
Chung I chuckled. "I would love to." Tang Shen grinned brightly and hugged Chung I. "I am so happy that you found us!" Chung I hugged her back. "So am I..."
(Ok to answer ninetails zilla loud's questions, I am mostly writing the TMNT 2012 version but I am adding and taking characters from other versions as well. 2003, 2018, comic, basically anything that I think will help me make these stories more interesting. I'm trying not to add too many OC characters because I know not a lot of people like OCs but I want Splinter to have other friends other than Shredder and Shen. Let me know if you have other questions!)