- Chapter 32 -

Notes from the Underground, Part 3

The group was surrounded by the monsters on all sides, torn between defending themselves and looking for Donnie.

"W-what just happened to Donnie?!" Mikey asked.

"Does it look like we have a clue?!" Vee snapped.

"At the risk of sounding like a bitch, we've got a bigger problem at the moment!" Jade cut in.

"Of all the times for Hisako to not be here!" Raph cursed.

"We'll just have to power on without her," Leo insisted.

Mikey let out a sigh. "We're doomed."

Vee stepped back before perking, hearing something flying through the air behind them. "Everyone LOOK OUT!"

They all hit the deck just as more crystal bolas flew in from out of nowhere, capturing Stonebiter, Razorfist, and two of the insane monsters.

"Razorfist! Stonebiter!" Mikey screamed.

"We're sitting ducks out here!" Leo yelled. "We need cover!"

Tai looked between the monsters and the door, making a decision. "C'mon! Whatever's behind that door can't be any worse than this!"

"Are you sure about that?" Kagome questioned.

"Agreed!" Leo declared, ignoring Kagome's protests. "Everybody, get in there!"

"Leo!" Kagome objected.

"Just go!" Erika snapped. "It's better than being eaten by monsters!"

Kagome gave in at that and they all hurried through the door. Leo was the last one in, making sure to grab the crystal from its indentation as he went, the door sealing shut behind them.

"That was a little too close for comfort," Leo sighed in relief.

"Yeah," Kagome remarked, shuddering. "We got away from the monsters… and now we're trapped in here with the ghost."

"Just deal with it," Raph insisted. "We've got missing people to find."

The group nodded, slowly making their way down into the tunnels.

"Guys, what if it is a ghost down there?" Mikey questioned. "We're not exactly equipped to deal with something like that."

"What're we gonna do, call the Ghostbusters?" Vee retorted. "They've been out of business for years, Mikey (1)."

"Well, excuse me for wanting some backup," Mikey shot back. "And a proton pack."

Tai rolled his eyes. "You watch way too many movies."

"Maybe," Mikey replied. "Or maybe you don't watch enough."

"Guys, focus!" Leo snapped.

Eventually, they emerged from the tunnel, and gaped at the sight of an ancient city before them. There was a large tower in the middle of the city and a cluster of glowing crystals covering the cavern roof.

"Whoa…" all the Hamato Clan let out in awe.

Quarry backed up nervously, panicking.

"We… we shouldn't be here!" he insisted. "This is a necropolis! A city of the dead!"

"City of the dead?!" Kagome repeated, looking freaked out.

"Well, it's either here, or back with those other freaks," Mizuki pointed out. "Take your pick."

""We're not leaving," Leo said adamantly. "Whatever's haunting this place has made the mistake of snatching one of ours."

"And we'll level this whole city just to get him back," Raph added.

Mikey gulped nervously. "W-w-well, no fear, no fun, right?"

"How are we gonna find Don in this place?" Vee questioned. "It's freakin' huge!"

"We'll search this whole city top to bottom if we have to," Erika replied. "Like Dad always told us, in the Hamato Clan, nobody gets left behind."

"Just please tell me we're not gonna split up," Mikey begged.

"He's right," said Makoto. "We should stick together. I don't wanna risk getting nabbed by whatever's out there."

"Fine," Leo answered. "But stick close and stay sharp. We don't know what kind of forces we're dealing with."

"Hey, guys!" came the voice of Hana.

They turned to see her peeking out from behind a rock.

"Check out what I found!" she went on.

She led them to an old, hi-tech looking tram, leading directly into the city.

"Nifty," said Leo. "Think you can get it running?"

The others looked at the old vehicle nervously.

"Hana, that thing looks ancient," Jade pointed out. "I don't think it's safe."

"What are you talking about?" Hana questioned. "It's fine."

To drive her point home, she gave the stairs leading into the tram a solid kick… and was instantly proven wrong when the stairs gave in slightly.

"Okay…" Hana admitted, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Maybe not so fine."

"I think I'd rather swim across," Raph said flatly.

"There's no other way into the city," Mizuki pointed out.

"And there's no way in hell I'm getting on that rust bucket!" Jade shot back.

Suddenly, they heard a loud roar, and turned back to see the other two monsters approaching. Somehow, they had gotten through the door. Almost immediately, Jade dashed onto the tram.

"What are you waiting for?!" she shouted to the others. "Get the hell in here!"

The others quickly got on board as Hana tried to get the tram started.

"Damn it…" she muttered before noticing a crystal-shaped indentation and putting two and two together. "Leo, the crystal! Quick!"

Leo quickly tossed Hana the crystal, and she slammed it into the control panel.

The tram powered up and began moving. Unfortunately, it didn't make it far before the monsters leapt on top of it and began pounding away.

"Not good!" Mikey shouted. "Definitely not good!"

"What are we gonna do now?!" Makoto demanded.

"We gotta lose these guys!" said Leo.

Out of the corner of her eye, Hana saw something on the cliffs they had just come from. She turned, seeing a figure in a tattered blue cloak standing there.

"Guys, look!" she said, calling their attention to the figure.

"It's him!" Kagome exclaimed. "It's gotta be the ghost!"

The figure threw two more bolas, capturing the creatures attacking the tram.

"Okay…" Raph let out. "Maybe he's a friendly ghost."

Before they could say anything more, they heard an ominous creak, and turned to see the tram's cable snap in two.

"Crap! They put too much stress on the cable!" Hana screamed. "HANG ON TO SOMETHING!"

They all braced themselves as the tram fell directly on a massive stalagmite, which went right through the metal.

"Everybody jump!" Leo ordered.

They did so, landing safely on solid ground..

"Man…" Jade breathed. "Could today get any more insane?"

"I'm pretty sure it will," Raph deadpanned.

"We're us," Mikey added. "It always does."

"On the positive side, look," Hana interjected, pointing ahead, "we're on a path leading directly into the city."

"Well, that's convenient," Tai remarked.

"C'mon," Leo insisted. "We've still got a job to do."

"Just keep your eyes peeled for any more monsters," Vee added. "Or Kagome's ghost."

As they made their way up the path, Mikey's eyes widened in realization.

"Guys, this place…" he said, "it's gotta be that underground city the Krangdroids were talking about in their vlog!"

"I wonder who lived here?" Erika questioned.

"Who knows?" Raph answered. "But from the looks of things, this place has been down here a very long time."

"Hey guys!" Tai's voice came.

They turned to see him standing before a group of hover scooters. "Check it out. I found us some transportation."

"Sweet!" Mikey said. "Now we can search in style."

"Except you don't have any style," Raph quipped.

Leo plugged the crystal into each of the scooters and they all powered up, the group jumping on board and flying into the city.

"This is incredible," Erika said in awe, looking around. "The craftsmanship, the technology… wow."

"We can go sightseeing later," Raph said firmly. "Finding Donnie and Quarry's pals is the priority."

As they went, Leo looked up at that and caught a glimpse of the hooded figure atop a roof. He looked at them for a minute before slinking away.

"Guys, up there," he said. "I saw the ghost."

"Let's get 'im!" Raph declared. "He took our bro and Quarry's pals!"

Leo was the first one into the building, and after a second, a bright light flashed. The others quickly hurried in, and much to their horror, Leo had vanished, leaving only his scooter behind.

"NO!" Raph screamed.

"Oh, God…" Kagome breathed. "It got Leo too!"

"Leo!" Vee shouted.

"You bastard!" Tai yelled, drawing his swords in a rage. "Show yourself! C'mon, you fucking coward!"

"Is shouting out like that really the best idea right now?" Mikey questioned.

As if to prove him right, more bolas emerged from the darkness, snagging Tai, Vee, and Erika. Mikey let out a scream in response.

"No! Tai!" Mizuki screamed.

"Erika!" Makoto called out.

"Alright, now I'm mad!" Raph shouted.

"Guys, we need to stay calm," Hana insisted. "We'll find them."

They went back out to their scooters, only to notice something, or rather someone, was missing.

"Quarry's gone!" Jade exclaimed.

"Oh man, we're dropping like flies!" Mikey said. "Who's next?!"

"Please don't ask," Raph replied.

Suddenly, a pair of yellow eyes began glowing in the darkness, and everyone screamed in fear.

"GHOST!" Kagome shrieked, jumping into Raph's arms.

The figure emerged from the darkness, revealing it to be Quarry.

"Wait!" he said frantically. "It's just me!"

Kagome looked at her current position before laughing nervously.

"Um…" she began, "have I ever told you how strong your arms are?"

Raph quickly set her back down on the ground, both teens blushing.

"What the hell are you doing lurking around, Quarry?" Jade demanded. "You almost gave us a fucking heart attack!"

"I was hiding," Quarry admitted. "You… left me alone."

"Man, why don't you mutate some backbone?" Mikey quipped.

"There it is!" Quarry said suddenly, pointing off in the distance.

Mikey let out a girlish shriek as they all turned to see the figure in the distance. He stared at them for a few moments before turning and walking away.

"You're not getting away, you son of a bitch!" Jade shouted, hurrying after the ghost with an equally angry Raph in tow.

"No, you idiots!" Hana yelled, hurrying after them alongside Mizuki and Makoto. Almost as soon as they were out of sight, a light flashed, and the remaining ninjas realized what that meant.

"No…" Kagome looked around, noticing that she, Mikey, and Quarry were the only ones left. "The ghost has gotten everyone else! We're next, Mikey!"

"N-no… we're not!" Mikey insisted. "We're gonna find them! We gotta!"

Quarry grabbed them by the shoulders, shaking them frantically.

"I warned you! I warned you all!" he shouted. "Evil dwells in this dead city! We'll never get out alive!"

"Okay," Kagome said, slipping out of Quarry's grip. "We have to remain calm."

Being calm was the farthest thing from Quarry's mind. He started hyperventilating, and Kagome grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him back.

"I said CALM, Quarry!" she shouted. "YOU'RE NOT ACTING CALM!"

Mikey promptly slapped her across the face.

"Thank you," she said, rubbing her cheek. "I needed that."

"That's what I'm here for, to bring sanity to the crazy," Mikey replied. "Besides, if there's gonna be any hysterics around here, I'll have 'em."

He looked up at that and gulped. "Like… right now." He continued, pointing. "There he is!"

They all looked up, seeing the figure standing atop a nearby wall.

"Okay…" Kagome said slowly. "Let's just stay calm, turn around… AND RUN FOR IT!"

They leapt atop the scooter and took off. Quarry soon gave into his fear as well.

"No… NO!" he shouted. "I can't do this!"

He jumped off the scooter. Mikey and Kagome looked back just in time to slam into a rock in the road, sending them flying off and landing in a heap.

"I… don't recommend that," Mikey remarked as they got up.

"Agreed," Kagome said, rubbing her head.

"No!" came the terrified voice of Quarry. "Stay back!"

They looked up just in time to see Quarry run away from the ghost in fear as it twirled another set of crystal bolas. Sadly, he didn't get very far before he was ensnared and warped away. With that, the figure walked away, disappearing into the shadows.

"Now what do we do?!" Mikey demanded.

Composing herself, Kagome looked to the tower in the distance. "That tower. It's gotta be where he's keeping them."

"Then that's where we're headed," Mikey remarked. "Creepy black tower, here we come."

Kagome nodded. "I just hope everyone's still alive."

-X-

They hurried to the tower, getting inside with little difficulty… only to stop short when they were faced with the spider monster from before.

"Yikes!" Mikey shouted.

They flinched, but soon realized something. The monster wasn't moving or attacking.

"What the-?" Mikey muttered.

They got a good look at the monster, seeing it was encased in some kind of crystal.

"It…" Kagome managed. "It's frozen."

"Freaky," Mikey let out.

"Yeah," Kagome agreed. "At least we know we're on the right track."

The two ventured further into the tower, becoming increasingly unnerved as they passed all the underground monsters, including Razorfist and Stonebiter, frozen in crystal, and stopping short at the sight of the frozen Quarry.

"Oh, God…" Kagome gasped, before looking down and seeing a small crystalline button before the pedestal Quarry's frozen body was standing on.

"This must be what'll thaw them out," she said, reaching for it.

"No!" They jumped, seeing the hooded figure slowly descending the stairs. "Please, do not touch that. I am not finished with him."

"Finished with him?!" Mikey shouted, charging at the figure and knocking him down with a flying karate kick.

Kagome ran over to him, yanking off his hood and revealing a pale-skinned being with red eyes, slit pupils, and balding blonde hair.

"Okay, pal," she hissed. "Where are our friends? Our family?!"

"Over here," came Leo's voice.

They turned to see him emerge from another door, the other Hamato ninjas close behind.

"About time you got here," Leo remarked.

"Guys!" Mikey cheered happily. "You're okay!"

Kagome ran over, hugging Raph in relief before pulling away. "Now, you mind explaining what the hell is going on?"

"We had this guy all figured wrong," Donnie explained. "He saw what Krang did to Quarry and his friends, and he just wants to change them back."

"I apologize for the confusion I caused," the Entity told them. "The cavern's Crystal Moon produces regenerative energy, which your mutated friends are currently bathing in. Once they are released, they will be restored to their original human forms."

"Awesome!" Mikey cheered.

"So these crystals aren't all bad," Raph noted. "Hisako just drew the really short straw with them."

"So… what's your story?" Kagome asked.

The Entity sighed. "This city was built by an ancient, peace-loving race, of which I am the sole survivor. We have lived within the Earth for many millennia, spiritually bonded with it. It was a symbiosis that had always sustained us... but we were unable to endure the harshness of the outside world."

"We can relate to that," Raph remarked.

"Then, one day, we detected life stirring on the surface," the Entity went on. "These new life forms fascinated us, so we set up an outpost here to study them. As the years passed, however, it soon became evident that our own time was ending. The Earth had cast its vote, and our entire race faced extinction. They're all gone now."

"Damn…" Jade said sympathetically.

"You've been down here this whole time?" Tai asked. "How long?"

"Long enough to make this a very lonely existence," the Entity replied, gesturing to the crystals containing the monsters. "Which is why I want to return those people back to normal."

"I… don't follow," Leo let out.

"Isn't it obvious, Leo?" Vee said flatly. "He wants company, and he's gonna make Quarry and his friends stay down here."

"Yes," the Entity confirmed. "Once they are restored to normal, they can help me repopulate the city.

"I… wouldn't count on that," Leo replied. "They all have lives waiting for them on the surface. Friends, families-"

"NO!" the Entity shouted, dropping his affable demeanor. "They will stay! They must!"

"What?!" Mizuki demanded. "You can't just keep them down here against their will!"

"I refuse to let this city die!" the Entity snapped. "They will stay down here with me… and so will you."

They all gaped at him for a moment, before Donnie broke the silence.

"Okay," he said nervously. "I think being down here alone for so long has driven this guy slightly around the bend."

"Only slightly?" Mikey said flatly.

"Look," Leo began, "we appreciate the invitation to let us stay in this wondrous community of yours, but-"

"Yes, it i s wondrous," the Entity interrupted. "A world where even mutant turtles can freely walk the streets. No more lurking in sewers, no more hiding your faces. An entire city where you can finally be yourselves."

"We have another sister," Donnie shot back. "And she can't stand your crystals."

"And we're kind of a package deal," Vee added.

"Let me put it this way," Raph included. "There's no way we're relocating to this creepoid community, understand? Now drop it."

"And on that note, we'll be going now," Erika finished.

With that, they turned to the door. Before they could reach it, the Entity raised the crystal amulet around his neck and the doors slammed shut in front of him. They whirled around, glaring at him.

"What are you doing?!" Makoto demanded.

"None may leave!" the Entity snapped.

"Trust me," Leo warned. "You do not want to do this."

"No," the Entity replied. "Heed my offer, for my bond with the Earth is strong."

"You don't scare us, creepazoid," Vee shot back. "Now let us go, or-"

The ground began shaking, and a massive column of rock shot out towards them.

"...Oh shit," Vee managed.

"Move!" Leo shouted, and they all scrambled to dodge.

Mizuki quickly nocked an arrow and fired at the Entity, only for a massive rocky tentacle to emerge from the ground, block it, and wrap around her, lifting her off the ground.

"Mizuki!" Tai yelled.

He ran for her but didn't get far before two rock hands burst out of the ground and grabbed his ankles, face planting him. Makoto and Erika ran for him, only for more rocky arms to burst out of the walls and grab them, pinning them to the walls. Leo was soon tied to the wall by more rocky tentacles, as was Donnie, and Raph was sunk into the floor elbow and knee deep. Kagome was snatched up by a massive fist of rock emerging from the floor, as was Jade, while Hana and Vee were ensnared by rock tentacles like what had grabbed Mizuki, leaving only Mikey standing.

"Oh, boy…" Mikey gulped.

"Mikey, the amulet!" Donnie called out. "That's how he's controlling the earth! You gotta get the amulet!"

Seeing the amulet, Mikey shifted his nunchucks to their kusarigama configuration and lashed out with the chain, knocking it away from the Entity's grip. Both dived for the amulet at the same time, leading to a struggle in which the Entity managed to snatch it back, while Mikey grabbed something else: a set of his crystal bolas. He immediately began spinning them around, preparing to throw.

"Time to put you on ice!" he shouted before tossing them at the Entity. "BOOYAKASHA!"

"No!" The Entity screamed as he was ensnared by the bolas and transported to one of his pedestals, where he was promptly frozen in ice.

With that, Mikey went back and freed the others.

"Nice moves, Mikey," Donnie remarked.

"Now we just have to free Quarry and the others," said Kagome.

As they got up, Erika looked back at the frozen Entity.

"He wasn't evil, just lonely," she said sympathetically. "Is it wrong that I feel kinda sorry for him? 'Cause if it is... I don't wanna be right."

"No, it's not wrong," Leo told her. "But he still went about it the wrong way."

"On that, we can agree," Erika replied.

-X-

They went out to the monsters, standing before Quarry's crystal.

"So…" Raph began, "anyone got a hammer and chisel?"

"Easy, Raph," Donnie said. "Look at the base. I bet that crystal's the power source."

Donnie grabbed the crystal and pulled it out. The form of Quarry cracked before crumbling to pieces, revealing a beautiful young woman with blue eyes and hair. They all gaped, the boys of the group covering their eyes.

"Quarry's a girl?!" Mikey exclaimed.

Kagome tapped Tai's shoulder, gesturing to the woman lying on the ground before them. Getting the hint, Tai pulled off his jacket, Kagome covering Quarry's naked body with it as she slowly opened her eyes.

"I…" she managed. "I'm human again?"

"Yeah," said Mikey. "And I'll bet the others are, too."

"Think they'll be naked as well?" Erika questioned.

"Most likely," Donnie said flatly as they turned to go.

As they prepared to walk off, Quarry suddenly spoke up.

"Sydney." They turned back to Quarry, who had finished covering her modesty with Tai's jacket. "My real name. It's Sydney. I finally remember."

Donnie smiled at that. "Welcome back, Sydney."

-X-

They quickly freed the others from their cocoons, thankfully finding some old robes that once belonged to the Entity. After everyone was unfrozen and dressed, Sydney wearing Tai's jacket over the robe, they made their way out of the city.

"Well," Leo began, "all's well that ends well."

However, just as they were about to exit the cavern, Sydney screamed in horror.

"No!" she cried out, holding up her hand.

Much to everyone's shock, her hand had reverted to mutant form. She stumbled back, her hand changing back.

"How did that happen?!" Raph demanded. "I thought they were cured!"

Sydney tentatively reached forward, her hand leaving the light of the Crystal Moon and turning blue again, before pulling her hand back, watching it shift back.

"The Crystal Moon the Entity mentioned…" Donnie realized. "He said it provides regenerative energy."

"Then that means…" Raph realized.

"The effects reverse themselves if they get too far away!" Erika exclaimed.

"Then the Entity got what he wanted after all…" Sydney said sadly. "We're trapped down here."

"It won't be forever," Donnie promised, turning to her and the others. "I swear by Darwin's beard that I'll find a permanent cure, no matter what it takes."

Sydney nodded. "We'll look around the city. If there's a solution, we'll find it."

"We'll come back for you," Leo told her. "I promise."

With that, the Hamato Clan took their leave, making their way back to the surface.

"Those poor people…" Tai remarked, shaking his head.

The teens returned to the Turtle Lair in low spirits. When they entered, they saw Splinter and Kasumi seated around the kitchen table with tea at the ready. Hisako was laying on the couch, half-dozing with Miko laying on top of her.

"Hisako!" Leo cried.

"Ah, my children, you've finally returned," Splinter greeted.

"Mortu informed us of your ventures for Hisako's sake," Kasumi explained. "Though you were gone much longer than anticipated."

Erika made her way over to Hisako, Miko moving slightly so she could look the girl over.

"Amazing…" she mused. "Absolutely no signs that she was so close to death…"

Splinter looked over the Turtles and Kagome, noticing their downtrodden expressions.

"What happened?"

"We failed," Raph spat. "That's what happened."

"Not once, but twice!" Donnie flopped onto the second couch, groaning.

Leo sighed, explaining what had happened in the underground tunnels and what they found out about Krang's latest atrocities.

"Those people are trapped miles underground," he concluded. "And the crystals that almost killed Hisako are the only things keeping their humanity intact, so we can't smash them."

"So yeah, it's a real lose-lose situation," Jade added.

"For now," Donnie insisted. "But I will figure out how to cure them. And when I do, we will destroy those crystals once and for all."

Tai looked at Miko, continuing to make himself comfortable on Hisako's lap. The sight only worsened his current mood, and he turned to go, only to feel something grab his leg. He perked, looking down to see Miko, tail wagging and holding his pant leg in his teeth.

"Miko?" he let out.

"I believe he doesn't want you to leave without him," Splinter noted.

Kasumi rose and handed Hisako her stuffed turtle doll, the young ninja curling around it peacefully. "After all, his job is done now."

Tai managed a smile, kneeling and hugging the dog around his neck. "I knew you'd never abandon me, buddy."

Miko licked Tai's face, yipping lightly before his master pulled back.

"But don't ever ignore me again," he said sternly, Miko whining and tucking his tail between his legs. "Being emotional support is one thing, but remember who's boss. Okay, boy?"

Miko nodded. With that, Tai smiled, scratching him behind his ears.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going home," Makoto sighed. "This was... yeah, I'm going home."

"I need a shower and food, and at least twelve hours of sleep," said Hana, getting murmurs of agreement.

"Yeah, let's go," Tai agreed.

One by one, they filed out of the lair, Tai bringing up the rear. He turned to the depressed Hamato family.

"Hey, don't get so down about all this," he assured. "You'll cure those people, then we can destroy every last one of those crystals. There's still hope. You know what they say: it's always darkest just before the dawn."

And with that, he left.

"He's right," Kagome said, perking slightly. "It always seems bad at first, but we'll find a way."

Leo nodded. "In the meantime, Dad, Miko gave me an idea. I think it might be a good idea to get Hisako a therapy dog."

The two adults pondered the idea.

"I will admit, we were contemplating the same," Kasumi remarked.

"Indeed," Splinter agreed. "Miko was quite a positive influence on Hisako. Perhaps the idea has some merit…"

"For now, I think we all need to unwind," Mikey snatched up the remote. "Anyone for Super Robo Mecha Force Five ?"

The teens nodded, settling in around the TV and getting a much-needed reprieve.

Author's Note:

(1): A reference to IDW Publishing's TMNT/Ghostbusters crossover.

So, in lieu of Kirby-bat as in the 2012 show, the Underground Monsters' dilemma begins the ongoing quest for Donnie to create retro-mutagen. Will he succeed?

You'll have to stay tuned to find out.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Quarry- Troy Baker (Sam Drake from Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Abel Nightroad from Trinity Blood, Batman in Batman: The Telltale Series, Delsin Rowe from Infamous: Second Son, Joel from The Last of Us, the second Greed in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

* Sydney- Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott from Scream, Kiara from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, Julia Salinger from Party of Five)

* The Entity - Liam O'Brien (Gaara from Naruto, Infinite from Sonic Forces, Asura from Asura's Wrath, Akihiko Sanada from Persona 3, War from Darksiders, Gill in Street Fighter V)

Please R&R. Until next time!