- Chapter 35 -
Something Fishy Goes Down
Karai slouched casually in Shredder's throne, resting her chin on her fist and folding her right leg over her left knee (1). After a minute, Stockman entered the throne room, tugging at the mutagen collar around his neck.
"Karai," he greeted. "You summoned me?"
"Yes," Karai replied. "I have a job for you. Tell me, have you heard of the Burroughs Aquarium in New Jersey?"
"Y-yes?" Stockman looked around uncertainly. "Why do you ask?"
"I need you to pick something up for me," Karai told him as she tossed him a vial of mutagen. "You'll need this."
He scrambled to catch the vial, gripping it tightly before turning back to Karai. "And what am I picking up there?"
"A new recruit," Karai answered with a smirk. "See, Krang approached us for a deal to help take down the Turtles. For that, we'll need something with teeth. A lot of teeth."
Stockman nodded. "I understand."
"Then what are you just standing around there for?! Get your ass moving!" Stockman quickly hurried out, leaving Karai grinning evilly to herself. "This is gonna be one Fourth of July that New York will never forget."
On the evening of July 3rd, the Hamato Clan decided to meet up and visit that very aquarium, as part of a field trip and bonding exercise. Though most of the group was excited, one member of the team was less than thrilled.
"I know this is a bonding exercise and all that, but why of all places are we going to the aquarium?" Mikey moaned.
"We flipped a coin fair and square, Mikey," Kagome replied. "Besides, not everyone wanted to go to Coney Island."
"Why not?" Mikey questioned. "Roller coasters, corn dogs, popcorn, anything a teenager would want!"
"Also very noisy and a lot of people," Hisako countered. "A lot of people."
"Besides, Airi wanted to see the fish," Tai added, his youngest sister giggling in his arms.
"Fair enough," Mikey conceded.
Vee adjusted her beanie before turning to her family. "We ready?"
"Ready," Raph replied before pulling on the collar of his hoodie. "But remind me why we had to wear these stupid outfits again. People already know we exist."
"Force of habit," Leo answered. "Besides, Dad said we should still keep a low profile."
"Fair enough, I guess."
They entered, all of them looking excitedly at the various displays. Airi's attention was caught by the puffer fish display and she tugged at Tai's collar, pointing at them.
"Tai! Tai, look!" she said excitedly.
Tai nodded and brought her over to the display. As one of the fish puffed up, Airi imitated it, puffing her cheeks out. Makoto immediately lifted up the camera from around his neck, snapping a picture of the scene.
"Another one for the scrapbook," he said with a smile.
As this was going on, Mikey walked along the tanks, stopping short at one containing a sea turtle.
"Dudes, check it," he remarked, getting their attention. "It's our cousin."
The other Turtles crowded around, looking it over.
"Why don't we have weirdo flippers like that?" Mikey questioned.
"That's a sea turtle, and we're freshwater turtles," Donnie answered. "I believe we're descended from the diamondback turtle, but we're more like common box-"
Raph cut him off with a smack to the head.
"What was that for?" Donnie snapped, rubbing his noggin.
"There's enough education here as is," Raph said matter-of-factly. "We don't need more."
"Besides, you know any science stuff you spout off is just gonna go in one ear and out the other with Mikey," Kagome added.
"Eh, fair enough," Donnie admitted.
"Hey, guys!" came Hana's voice.
They turned to her, seeing Hana and Jade standing before the manta ray display.
"Nifty," Leo remarked as they approached it. They all looked over the creature within.
"Hard to believe these things are native to our planet," Hisako mused. "They look almost like aliens."
"That's one totally rad fish!" Mikey exclaimed.
"Um, if I may interject-" a voice interjected.
They turned to see the speaker, a somewhat nerdy looking adult man wearing glasses.
"And you are?" Mizuki asked.
"Jack Finney," the man replied. "I work here as a marine biologist. And that's not exactly a fish. That's a ray."
"What's the difference?" Jade asked.
"Their skeletons are made of cartilage, like sharks," Jack replied, gesturing to the ray. "Because of its head fins, that particular ray is called the lesser devil ray. Better known as the manta."
"Fascinating," Raph deadpanned.
"And I thought Donnie was a total nerd," Mikey whispered to the person standing next to him, who just happened to be Donnie.
Donnie glared at him.
"Remind me to kill you later," he hissed.
"I'll make a note of it," Mikey replied nervously.
Seemingly oblivious to Raph's sarcasm, Jack continued his speech. "Yes, they are fascinating. They're found in Atlantic waters from Brazil to North Carolina, occasionally even here off New Jersey. They live near the water's surface, and are known to leap excitedly to the point that they're clear out of the water." He smiled. "Pure, joyous, graceful innocence."
"That actually is pretty cool," Erika confessed.
"The coolest!" Jack admitted. "As long as coastal pollution doesn't do 'em in."
"Great," Jade muttered under her breath. "A nerdy environmentalist type."
That got her an elbow in the ribs from Hana.
"You're very passionate about your work," Hisako observed.
"I've always loved animals," Jack answered. "Especially sea creatures."
"We're all animal lovers," Hisako said with a sideways glance at her siblings. "Especially reptiles."
"I'm more of a dog person myself," Tai included.
Jack smiled, adjusting his glasses. "Well, it was nice chatting with you kids, but I gotta get back to work. Enjoy your visit!"
"We will," Makoto assured him as he walked away.
"Kids?!" Raph exclaimed, annoyed. "Are you blind? We're teenagers?"
Jade raised an eyebrow.
"Does that really warrant blowing your stack?" she questioned.
"Um, have you met Raph?" Mikey asked. "When it comes to this stuff, he's somewhere between volcanic and nuclear."
"I heard that!" Raph shot back over his shoulder.
Mikey just grinned. "I rest my case."
-X-
It was evening by the time the gang exited the aquarium, which was closing.
"Well, that was fine," Tai remarked, holding up a sleepy Airi. "Whaddaya say we follow the shore back to New York?"
"Sure, why not?" Leo agreed. "We could use the exercise."
"First, let's hit up a pizzeria before I keel over from starvation," Mikey insisted. "Seeing all those fish made me hungry!"
"What are you talking about, Mikey?" Hisako piped up. "You hate fish."
"So?" Mikey defended. "Either way, they're food."
"This coming from the guy who went ape on the pizza delivery boy because there were anchovies on our order," Hisako reminded him, rolling her eyes
"The guy who experiments with all kinds of weird pizza toppings throws a hissy fit over anchovies," Kagome remarked. "Strange, really."
"What kind of weird toppings?" Hana questioned.
"We… weren't exactly picky about the stuff we put on our pizzas when we were younger," Leo confessed.
"Yeah," Kagome shuddered in disgust. "Clams, tuna, sauerkraut, chocolate, ice cream, bananas, jelly beans, peanut butter... God knows what else (2)."
"Yuck!" Erika gagged. "Your stomachs must be made of scrap iron!"
"We live in a sewer, and spent our baby years eating worms and algae," Donnie replied. "What'd you expect?"
"Thankfully, I missed those years," Hisako said.
"Why do you think Mom started buying human food for the lair?" Kagome asked. "I don't exactly survive on worms and algae myself."
Back at the Foot HQ, Karai was speaking with Stockman over his latest mission, as well as a minor screw-up he had made during said mission.
"You spilled half of the mutagen into the sewer?!" Karai shouted. "Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to get it?!"
"It was an accident!" Stockman blubbered. "I'm sorry!"
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't activate your little jewelry right now," Karai hissed, holding up the detonator for the mutagen collar threateningly.
"Because I finished making your recruit!" Stockman said quickly. "His mutation is complete!"
Karai hesitated, then grinned at that.
"Well then, show him to me," she ordered.
Stockman nodded, and led her down to his lab. Standing there, an apparatus similar to Fishface's connected to his gills, was a massive, muscle-bound mutant hammerhead shark. Karai looked the mutant up and down, grinning.
"Lots of teeth, just like I requested. Good job, Stockman." With that, she slowly approached the mutant shark. "I have a job for you, mutant."
The shark looked up at that.
"What do you want from me?" it asked, its voice deep and gravelly.
"There are a group of mutant turtles, who have been a royal pain in my ass. I want you to find them, and destroy them, as well as their little human friends."
Back at the aquarium, Jack Finney was looking over the very manta ray he'd discussed with the Turtles and co. earlier.
"Sorry, buddy. It's time for me to go," he said to the creature.
The ray surfaced, allowing Jack to pat its head with a smile. "Good night. See you tomorrow."
He then shut the lights down and exited the aquarium, a smile creeping across his face.
"Now for some real work."
With that, he made his way down a nearby manhole cover, armed with a flashlight. As he walked, he pulled a tape recorder out of his pocket.
"Seven PM," he began. "I'm down in the sewers, investigating the pipe that leads out into Bayview Beach. I suspect this very pipe is being used for illegal dumping by a multitude of violators... but I lack proof. Tonight, I'm going to search the 7th Street tunnel. Hopefully, I'll find the evidence I require."
He kept going for several minutes, and eventually noticed a glowing ooze on the ground, mixed with the sewer water; unbeknownst to him, it was the mutagen Stockman had spilled the previous night. Jack knelt down and picked some of it up, examining the strange substance in his hands.
"Seven-fifteen," he continued into his recorder. "I've discovered a strange glowing gel in the sewers. I must check the pipes for more samples of this emission."
He shuddered at the feel of the ooze in his hand. "I get the feeling I should've worn gloves."
At that moment, he heard a rumbling, and looked to see a massive wave of water approaching him; that day's runoff.
"Oh, cra-" was all Jack managed to say before he was swept up in the runoff and washed down the pipe, dumping him out into the sea.
Bubbles rose to the surface in rapid succession before slowly dwindling away to nothing, leaving only a shadow beneath the water which quickly disappeared…
The next day, the Turtles and Hamato Clan had come down to that very same beach, the humans of the group wearing swimsuits.
"It's strange being here in the daytime," Hisako mused, adjusting her wetsuit before turning to her siblings. "Still, I wish you guys could come swimming with us."
"Eh, we can always use Kagome's pool," Leo replied. "Avoid prying eyes."
"Besides, saltwater ocean and freshwater turtles are a bad combo," Donnie pointed out.
"Just outta curiosity, what would happen if a freshwater turtle went into the ocean?" Mikey questioned.
"We'd dehydrate in a matter of minutes," Donnie answered. "Unlike our 'cousin' from the aquarium, we're not meant for the ocean."
Mikey raised an eyebrow. "But Leo splashed down in the bay around Liberty Island when the Technodrome went down, and he was just fine."
"He wasn't in it for long, and got out as fast as he could," Donnie countered.
"It didn't feel too great," Leo added.
"Eh, whatever," Vee remarked. "I'll just soak up some sun like a proper turtle. Let the humans of the group enjoy the surf."
"Well, what're we waiting for, then?" Makoto declared, clapping his hands together. "Last one in's a rotten egg!"
"And the first one in has to eat it!" Erika added, the humans scrambling for the water.
The Turtles casually reclined on the beach as their friends and sister splashed around, laughing happily.
"Hey guys, check it out!" Mikey remarked, pointing to Hisako having a ball. "I think that smile reached her eyes this time."
The others smiled at their sister's happiness. Airi paddled over to Hisako, holding out her arms. Hisako lifted her up.
"Okay, ready?" Hisako asked, getting a nod. "One, two, three!"
She playfully tossed Airi into the water. The little girl surfaced, shrieking happily.
"Again! Again!" she cheered.
With a smile, Hisako reached down to oblige, but stiffened, sensing something approaching. She looked around, and gaped to see a shark fin in the water, headed their way.
"Oh, shit!" she shouted, snatching Airi up. "Shark!"
"Everyone stay calm," Tai ordered. "Splashing and churning water will just attract its attention. Just slowly make your way to dry land."
Everyone followed him as he slowly and calmly made his way out of the water, Hisako holding Airi above the water. However, even when they made it out of the water and onto the beach, the shark fin continued approaching.
"What the hell?!" Jade let out.
"Guys," Hana began, "I don't think that's a normal shark."
Hisako's eyes widened in realization. Because it's not!"
On cue, the shark made its way out of the water, revealing it to be the mutant hammerhead Stockman had created. The minute they saw it, most of the beachgoers immediately turned tail and ran for their cars, leaving only the Hamato Clan behind.
"One of Krang's?!" Kagome demanded.
"I don't know!" Hisako replied. "I've never seen him before!"
Mikey looked the shark up and down as it glared at them.
"Hmmm… It's a hammerhead… looks super-strong…" He snapped his fingers. "Got it! Bludgeon!"
"Oh, yeah," Jade said flatly. "'Cause naming the thing that's about to tear us apart and eat our guts is such a good idea!"
"Whatever," Leo cut in. "Let's just take Bludgeon down before anyone gets hurt."
Bludgeon stomped toward them.
"For the record, it's nothing personal," he told them. "I'm just following orders."
Donnie raised an eyebrow. "Whose orders?"
"My master," Bludgeon informed them. "The one who orchestrated my creation. Oroku Karai."
"Karai?!" everyone shouted in surprise.
"Of course it's Leo's girlfriend again," Raph said sarcastically.
"She wants you Turtles dead," Bludgeon told them. "I am here to fulfill that."
Raph glared at Leo. "She's 'not all bad', huh? Oh yeah. Anyone who would mutate a fucking shark and sic it on us couldn't possibly be all bad!"
"Are we really getting into this now?!" Leo demanded.
"We'll get into this as many times as we have to until you get it through your thick head that Karai's just plain bad!" Raph snapped.
Leo looked to see Bludgeon charging at them, and promptly shoved Raph out of the way of his charge.
"Maybe after we stop this thing?!" Leo pointed out.
"Fine," Raph gave in. "We beat the shark, then I kick your ass."
Makoto looked over Bludgeon's muscular body, his claws, his rows and rows of flesh-ripping teeth, and gulped.
"And… how are we going to do that, exactly?" he asked nervously.
"Like any other villain!" Kagome replied.
"Booyakasha!" Mikey shouted as he ran towards the shark. Bludgeon held out a hand, catching Mikey by the face and holding him out at arm's length. Mikey punched and kicked him in the gut ineffectually.
"Is that the best you've got, kid?" he asked simply.
"How about this?!" came the voice of Erika.
Bludgeon turned toward the young Hamato medic just in time for her to kick a flurry of sand right into his face. Bludgeon howled in anger, letting go of Mikey before turning to her and snarling in rage.
"Okay…" Erika gulped nervously, taking a step back. "I did not think that one through."
Seeing Bludgeon advancing on Erika, Makoto acted on instinct, snatching one of Raph's sais out of his belt and charging for the mutated shark.
"Hey!" Raph shouted as Makoto kept running.
When Bludgeon was within arm's length of Erika, Makoto jumped forward, stabbing the sai clean through his tail fin. Bludgeon roared in pain and whirled on Makoto, who backed up and put on a brave face.
"I'm not afraid of you, Jaws," he said. "I'm not afraid of dying."
"Your scent suggests otherwise, boy," Bludgeon replied. "You reek of fear."
Raph charged in, drop-kicking Bludgeon in the back of the head.
"Back off!" he yelled. "Karai sent you after us, not him!"
"Technically, you and your friends," Bludgeon corrected, turning toward him. "But what the heck?"
He snapped at Raph, trying to bite his arm off, but Raph recoiled and jumped back. Before he could do anything else, a tessen hit him in the head. He turned to see Hisako, one arm around Airi, as she recalled her tessen.
"Get away from my brothers!" Hisako shouted.
"Yeah!" Airi added, sticking out her tongue. "Get away!"
Bludgeon turned toward them with a growl as Hisako held Airi, blocking her view of the shark mutant. He was just about to attack, when-
"STOP!"
Bludgeon immediately froze up as Karai jumped down from a nearby rock formation.
"Fall back for now," she ordered the shark.
"But-" Bludgeon began.
"I said fall back!" Karai ordered firmly.
"So, you must be Karai," Tai remarked. "What? No confidence in your man-eating pet?"
"I'm just not letting him run loose without a chaperone. I'm after the Turtles. Not civilians…" She pointed to Airi as she went on. "Or little kids. Now, fall back… Bludgeon."
Bludgeon hesitated, then obliged, making his way back to the ocean.
"I'm calling him off because that little girl is here," Karai informed them. "She doesn't need to see any bloodshed."
"Aww, ain't that sweet," Raph said sarcastically. "You're crazy with a heart of gold."
Karai scoffed before throwing a kunai at him. Raph caught it, noticing there was a note attached.
"Come to this address tonight," she informed them. "We'll finish this then."
Bludgeon entered the ocean, and suddenly, a blue figure emerged from the waves and attacked him, catching everyone's attention. They looked at the churning waters to see Bludgeon struggling with the figure.
"What the-" Hana let out in surprise. "Who or what is that?!"
"Maybe we have a guardian angelfish?" Mikey quipped, getting a slap from Raph.
Bludgeon went in for a bite, but the figure landed a solid punch to his nose. With a howl of pain, Bludgeon backed off, retreating into the water. Karai scowled in anger, but managed to compose herself.
"Eh, it won't matter in the end," she said with a smirk. "Happy Fourth of July, guys. It may be your last."
And with that, she walked away. After a minute, Vee broke the silence.
"Well... so much for a relaxing day on the beach," she said flatly.
"C'mon," Leo said. "Let's split before the Coast Guard shows up."
As they hurried along the surf, something shiny caught Mizuki's eye. She knelt down, noticing a tape recorder drifting up to the beach.
"Hey, guys!" she said, getting their attention. "Check this out!"
She held up the tape recorder, showing it to the others.
"A tape recorder?" Donnie remarked. "I didn't know anyone still used those."
"Think it still works?" Mikey asked.
Mizuki pressed a button on the side, and they listened to the recording, recognizing the voice.
"Wait…" Jade let out. "That's that manta-obsessed goof we talked to at the aquarium. What's-his-face.. Jack Finney?"
"Yes…"
They all jumped, and turned to see a blue figure approaching them. It was a large, mutant manta ray with blue skin, as well as yellow eyes and a yellow underbelly. The Turtles and Hisako instinctively drew their weapons, but the manta raised his hands.
"Please…" he managed. "I'm not your enemy."
Hisako's eyes widened, recognizing the voice. "Guys… that's… that's Jack Finney."
"It is?!" Kagome let out in shock.
"Yes…" he let out. "I was investigating the sewers last night. The pipes I expected to be used for illegal dumping. There was some kind of green ooze down there. I touched it, and then the runoff dumped me out into the ocean."
"Mutagen…" Donnie realized.
"But how'd it get down there, and where the hell did Bludgeon come from?" Vee questioned.
"That shark went missing from the aquarium a few nights ago," Jack explained. "We don't know how, though."
"Karai must've had her men steal the shark and turn him into Bludgeon," Kagome realized.
"And spilled some mutagen in the sewers." Hisako added.
"From what you told us about how you were changed, the last living thing Jack touched must've been a manta ray." Erika deduced.
"Making him into a Man Ray!" Mikey declared.
"Again with the naming stuff?" Raph demanded.
"Hey, you have random outbursts of anger, I have naming mutants," Mikey retorted. "We all have our things Raph. Our job is to live with them. Besides, it's better than the other name I had in mind. Ray Filet? Like a filet of fish?"
Hisako pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance at that.
"Why not just name him Sushi Platter?" she muttered.
"Exactly," Mikey said. "Even I think that was a stupid name."
"Man Ray…" Jack, now Man Ray, mused. "That will do."
With that, he snapped back to attention and went on to his story. "Anyway, when I woke up, I was like this. I saw that shark attack you from the surf, so I attacked him as soon as he went back in the water."
"What took you so long?" Raph deadpanned.
"I'm still getting used to this body," Man Ray explained. "And its limitations."
"So, I'm guessing you're water bound," Donnie mused. "I think I can rig up a breathing apparatus for you."
"By the way, Raph," Leo said, turning to him, "what's that note say?"
Raph unfolded the note, looking at the address written there.
"New York Harbor," he said aloud. "She wants to take us on there."
"And she'll have Bludgeon backing her up," Hana remarked. "We're no match for that thing. Especially not when he's in his natural element."
"Agreed," Donnie remarked. "This smells too much like a trap."
"Help me with that apparatus, and I'll help you with that shark," Man Ray promised. "That thing is a threat to the natural life in the harbor. As a marine biologist, I can't just let it run rampant."
"He does have a point," Donnie agreed. "Something that big will kill the ecosystem."
"Great," said Raph. "Well, let's go tree hugging after we kick his tail fin."
"I think there's more to it," Hisako cut in. "I didn't get a good look at Karai's mind, but I've got a feeling that the harbor is one big trap."
"For what, exactly?" Tai asked.
"If I knew, I'd tell you," Hisako replied. "I was more worried about Airi."
Airi was staring at Man Ray intently before smiling. "You look weird. I like weird!"
Man Ray gave a small smile at that.
"Okay, first things first," Leo cut in. "We take Airi home where she'll be safe, then get ready. There's no telling what Karai's up to, so let's be prepared."
"Agreed," said Tai. "Let's move."
That night, as the rest of New York prepared for the 4th of July celebration, the Hamato Clan made their way to the harbor. On cue, Karai emerged from the shadows.
"Okay, what are you up to, Karai?" Erika demanded. "Why go to all this trouble?"
Karai smirked, and on cue, multiple Krangdroids emerged from the shadows.
"You're working with Krang?!" Leo exclaimed.
"We made a deal," Karai replied.
"You stupid bitch!" Jade shouted. "You know Krang's gonna destroy the world, and you're helping him?!"
"What can I say?" Karai shrugged. "He's offered me revenge against the monsters who took everything from me. I'd say it's worth the price."
"Splinter and Kasumi…" Tai realized.
Karai scowled angrily at the mere mention of those names.
"They killed my mother, and scarred my father!" she ranted. "Then they tried to kill him the day of the invasion! So I'm going to make them suffer. Both of them. In ways they can't possibly imagine. And nothing's gonna stop me."
"Shredder's the one who killed your mother!" Leo shouted. "He's lied to you your whole life!"
"You think I'll believe the words of a freak over my own father?" Karai shot back. "I can't believe I ever considered you a possible ally."
"That makes two of us," Raph said flatly, glaring at Leo out of the corner of his eye."
"Great," Leo grumbled. "Anyone else wanna gang up on me over it? How about you, over by the trash can?"
He gestured to a Krangdroid who just happened to be standing by a trash can.
"No thanks," said the Krangdroid in question. "I'd much rather just kill you."
"Well, thanks for that at least," Leo remarked, before charging over to him and slicing him in half.
"Why the harbor, though?" Hana demanded. "Why here, specifically?"
"To cut New York City off from the waterways to the outside world," another Krangdroid declared.
"Isolating New York and preventing water support," Hisako mused, before her eyes widened. "Oh, fuck… that's why they created Bludgeon."
Vee glared at Karai. "Well, when Krang kills both you and Shredder as a thank you for his help, I certainly hope you're happy."
"We'll see about that," Karai retorted before snapping her fingers. On cue, Bludgeon burst out of the water.
"And here comes ugly," Raph said flatly.
"The Krangdroids may be no problem," Karai boasted, "but can you handle him?!"
"You're not the only one with aquatic allies!" Mikey retorted.
A blue hand emerged from the water, grabbing Bludgeon by the tail.
"Back in the water where you belong!" Man Ray declared, violently pulling Bludgeon back into the water.
"What?!" Karai shouted in surprise.
"Oroku Karai, meet Jack Finney," Mizuki said. "He was a marine biologist at the aquarium you stole Bludgeon from."
"Aka Man Ray, protector of the deep!" Mikey added.
The water churned violently as the two aquatic mutants clashed.
"We oughta thank you for spilling that mutagen in the sewers," Jade remarked. "That's how Man Ray was changed."
"Stockman…" Karai growled. "That clumsy, good-for-nothing idiot!"
"We'll be sure to send him a thank you card!" Donnie gloated.
"Why send Stockman of all people?" Hisako asked. "The guy's an idiot."
"None of your fucking business why!" Karai snapped. "I'm in charge of the Foot Clan right now! I can do whatever I please with it!"
"You?" Leo questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Where's Shredder?"
"In Japan on business," Karai replied. "What's it to ya?"
"So while Daddy's away, the bitch comes out to play," Raph deadpanned. "Lucky us."
-X-
Meanwhile, in the water, Man Ray and Bludgeon continued to clash, neither able to get an edge over the other.
"I'm sorry for what happened to you," Man Ray said, "but I can't let you hurt anyone."
"You think I wanted this?" Bludgeon demanded, grappling with him. "Life was cushy in the aquarium, and then I find myself like this! And being a giant, talking shark doesn't leave much for employment options!"
"You can come back to the aquarium," Man Ray offered. "You don't have to listen to that Karai character." He stopped fighting, holding Bludgeon at arm's length. "Listen to your old pal Jack. You remember me, right?"
Bludgeon looked him over, and his eyes widened.
"Jack Finney," he realized. "So they got you with the ooze as well."
"Yeah," Man Ray admitted. "C'mon, Bludgeon. Let me help you."
After a minute, Bludgeon's face hardened.
-X-
Back on the surface, everyone jumped as Bludgeon burst out of the water with a loud roar. However, they were all taken by surprise when he charged at Karai.
"What are you doing?!" Karai demanded. "I am your master!"
"You kidnapped me from a peaceful existence!" Bludgeon retorted. "Turned me into a monster!"
Karai narrowly managed to dodge his furious attack.
"I made you!" she shouted.
"You destroyed me!" Bludgeon shot back. "And now I get to return the favor!"
Karai backed up in fear as Bludgeon loomed over her. At the sight, Raph grinned, folding his arms.
"Karma's a bitch, Karai!" he boasted. "Just like you!"
Karai looked between Bludgeon and the Turtles, and finally punched Bludgeon in the nose before vaulting over him.
"This isn't over!" she shouted as she fled.
"Is it really that easy?" Makoto questioned. "Just bop a shark in the nose?"
Bludgeon rubbed his nose in anger.
"That fucking hurts…" he cursed.
"It's alright, Bludgeon," Man Ray assured, poking his head out of the water.
"He talked him down," Erika realized. "Didn't see that coming."
"He's not a bad shark," Man Ray told them. "Never once had problems with him, even before his mutation. Never tried to bite me once."
"The fish you brought tasted better," Bludgeon replied.
"As long as you don't develop a taste for turtle, we're good," Mikey replied.
"But I don't think we can go back to the aquarium," Bludgeon lamented. "Shame. I liked that place."
"Well, until Donatello gets me that apparatus, I'm stuck in the bay," Man Ray remarked.
"I'll stick with ya, then," Bludgeon decided. "Been curious what it's like to live in open water."
"We'll figure out what to do later," Leo decided as the fireworks began to go off. "For now, let's just enjoy the 4th."
The entire group reclined on the harbor, looking up at the sky as the fireworks went off.
Author's Note:
(1): A staple villain trope. The Slouch of Villainy.
(2): A reference to the Turtles' bizarre taste in pizza toppings in the 1987 series.
Bludgeon is from the IDW series, and Man Ray is from both Archie Comics' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures and the IDW series; I'm using his Archie Comics origin here. As for Bludgeon, Author of the Insane gave me the idea to have him turn on the Foot Clan.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Bludgeon- Kyle Hebert (adult Gohan from Dragon Ball Z, Omega-Xis from Mega Man Star Force, Ryu from Street Fighter, Sōsuke Aizen from Bleach, Kiba Inuzuka from Naruto)
* Man Ray- Dave Wittenberg (Kakashi Hatake from Naruto, Upchuck from Ben 10, Teddie from the original Persona 4, Michael Lee in Witch Hunter Robin, Buddy Alexander in Resident Evil: Damnation)
Please R&R. Until next time!