- Chapter 64 -

Resurgence

It had been three weeks since the Krang occupation had finally come to a close. Slowly but surely, the citizens of New York were beginning to return to their normal lives. Construction and repairs were all over, medical tents and food drives were stationed everywhere, and the ninjas of the Hamato Clan worked to keep looting to a minimum.

At the same time, Channel Six news was working to get communications back up and running. They had already managed to get the news network back on the air, but Burne had a special project in mind, one that Robyn had somehow roped the Hamato family into helping with. She led them all through the under repair building, where several workers and staff were hard at work. To the siblings' surprise, this included Oyuki of all people.

"You work here now?" Mikey asked.

"Yep," Oyuki nodded. "Robyn and I got to know each other during Krang's occupation. Once it was over, she offered me a job as her personal assistant."

"One of the best choices I ever made," Robyn added. "She's a hard worker, knows her way around a camera, and-"

"Hey!"

They turned to see an older man with blonde hair styled in a pompadour and green eyes, wearing a blue suit with a pink undershirt and matching tie. Robyn sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Warren Stone…" she said, her tone somewhere between exhausted and bored. "What an unpleasant surprise."

"Robyn, what are these... freaks doing here?" Warren demanded. "In case you forgot, they torched our building!"

"These 'freaks' saved the city, Warren," Robyn shot back. "And they're friends of my family."

"They're a menace! Monsters who cause nothing but destruction! Why are they even here?!"

"Because I called them here," Burne declared, stepping into the fray with his arms crossed

"Why would you do that after what they did?" Stone exclaimed, waving his arms around wildly.

"Excuse me?" Raph snapped, glaring at the man. "Who the hell do you think you are, pal?"

"You haven't heard of me?" Stone slicked back his obnoxious hair, giving the group a grin that was akin to that of a used car salesman. "I'm Warren Stone! Channel 6's finest! Or I would be, if the public didn't favor Robyn. You could say I'm her arch-rival."

"Oh yes, Warren," Robyn deadpanned. "You're my sworn nemesis."

Burne pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated by Stone's attitude. "Stone, enough. Have you finished that dissertation on the sanitation crisis yet?"

"Yes," Stone spat, as if the project was beneath him. "Now answer my question, Burne! You invited these Turtles here after they set the building on fire?! My office is completely ruined!

"Hold up…" Leo cut in. "That's why you're upset?"

"Uh-huh," Hisako confirmed. "He's been given a temporary cubicle. He feels it's beneath him."

"Get out of my head you little freaky bi-!" Stone cut himself off after receiving a serious eye glare from all of the Turtles.

"You lost your office?" Mikey deadpanned, his serious eyes never fading. "Boo-hoo. Let me play a sad song for you on the world's smallest violin."

He rubbed his fingers together, music playing

"I'm being serious, you brat!" Warren snapped.

"So am I. This really is the world's smallest violin. See?" Sure enough, Mikey was holding a tiny violin.

Raph turned to him, blinking in surprise as his serious eyes faded. "Where did you get that?"

"From one of my minis."

"And you just... carry it in your belt?"

Mikey shrugged. "I was gonna use it on Shredder, but this works too."

Stone was sputtering and gaping like a fish out of water, his face turning completely red. Burne just took him by the shoulder and turned him back towards a cubicle that was covered in pictures of Stone.

"Just go back to your desk, Warren. I want you to triple check that dissertation, and then I want a follow up interview with Ellac Smith. We still need to know when trash collection will be back up and running."

"But-!" Warren cut himself off when Burne gave him a look. The intent was clear: do it, or he was fired. "Right. I'll get on it."

He walked off and Burne sighed, rubbing his face. "Robyn, if I ever become as narcissistic or bigoted as him, slap me. Hard."

Robyn gave him a thumbs up. "Sure thing, Chief."

"Now then, follow me," Burne instructed. "We need to get to the broadcast room."

Leo nodded. "Lead the way."

-X-

Burne opened the door to a large broadcasting area, one that looked like a cleaner, more modern version of Mikey's radio station back in Northampton. There was a long table set up with various microphones, comfortable chairs, and several stacks of music CDs.

"Welcome to the new home of Cowabunga Carl's Sewer Hour." Burne declared.

Mikey's eyes lit up. "You… you want me to continue my show here?"

Burne nodded. "Yep. You've got some serious talent, kid. And your show helped keep a lot of people going during Krang's occupation. You won't believe how many people held out just to listen to it."

Burne looked out the window of the studio. "Even with the invasion over, the city's far from normal, and having that ray of hope would do everyone a lot of good."

"That, and with Channel Six's backing, you can do more with the station," Robyn added. "Reach more people, and have guests to help address some serious issues. Like that one girl you talked out of doing drugs."

"That. Sounds. Awesome," Mikey remarked.

"For now, it's gonna take some time before everyone is in a place with a TV," Burne went on. "Perhaps you'd be willing to work with Robyn to keep the city up to date on everything?"

Mikey grinned. "I'd be more than happy to, Burne. I can start right now."

Burne smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that."

"Good morning, New York City! This is Cowabunga Carl and I am back on the air as promised, coming live from the now-free city! Boy let me tell you, it was a hard fight to get here, but it was worth it."

"You said it, Carl," Robyn agreed. "Hello, everyone. I'm Robyn O'Neil, a temporary co-star of our favorite radio voice of hope."

"It's great to have you on here with us, Robyn."

"Thanks for having me."

"So, we're gonna kick things off today with some news about the city's slow but steady recovery, starting off with the snot-ball himself, Krang."

"The former invader found himself stripped of his power, his army, and any form of weaponry, leaving him destitute in a city out for his blood."

"My big, red bro has a poll going about how the guy will meet his end here. So far, it's a tie between wild dogs and Area 51 vengeance."

" Regardless, General Krang remains at large within the city. Citizens are encouraged to report any sightings immediately. "

"Indeed." Mikey put on a sagely voice. "As my dad likes to say: 'You never know what a cornered beast will do'."

"As others like to say, 'the cornered rat may bite the cat,'" Robyn mused. "On a lighter note, thanks to their role in the reclaiming of the city, New York's own Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have seen a rise in popularity. In fact, various charity drives have already begun producing turtle merch to raise money for relief efforts. And boy, are they selling like hotcakes!"

"Wait, merch?!" Mikey exclaimed. "I didn't hear anything about that! Did we- er, they approve of it?"

"Actually, yes. They were approved of by the leader of the group, Leonardo, and the turtles themselves receive royalties for their likeness. However, apparently they've given most of it right back to the charity drives."

"They don't tell me anything anymore," Mikey muttered under his breath, making sure not to say it into the mike.

Robyn leaned back, whispering as well. "I'm pretty sure you were told. Leo said he was only going to keep enough for food and necessities until the city was back in order."

"Ah, that explains it. Anyway…" Mikey turned back to the mike. "Sorry about that, folks. Where were we?"

"We were about to talk about some of the main contributors to the relief efforts," Robyn said. "Philanthropists who have gone above and beyond to rebuild the city."

"Right. Over to you, Robyn."

"Well, at the top of the list, unsurprisingly, is none other than Lee Kasumi, Founder and CEO of Kohaku Enterprises. She's provided countless hours of manpower and relief with her company, opening her doors for refugees and beginning work on affordable housing for all the displaced citizens."

"That's Kasumi for ya."

"Then there's a... second great influence on the city. One that came out of the woodwork to try and make a difference. Tohoru Masamune of Masamune Industries."

Mikey's eye twitched, knowing who it really was, but he managed to hide his displeasure. "Is that so? And what, pray tell, has he contributed?"

"He's organized soup kitchens, and his teams have even begun to clear away a good portion of all of the Krang tech that didn't get teleported away."

"Well, hopefully he has someone to help him dispose of that stuff quickly. We can't let even a piece of that stuff end up in the wrong hands."

At the lair, the Hamato/Lee siblings, April, and Casey were looking over copies of the aforementioned merchandise. Off to the side, Karai was pacing around, ranting and raving.

" I can't believe this! Shredder is stealing all of that Krang tech to do Kami knows what with... and the city is THANKING him for it!"

"Heh," Mikey chuckled. "I like how your doll has a permanent scowl. It fits you perfectly, Raph."

Raph looked, seeing his plushy was indeed scowling. He picked it up, mirroring the scowl on the doll. "Hey, I can smile!"

"Yeah, but you don't," Vee remarked as she turned her own doll over in her hand. "I like how my doll's not obviously shaped like a girl. I'm turtle-shaped like the rest of you."

"Is that really such a big deal?" Casey asked.

"Let me put it to you this way," Kagome began. "We once watched Shark Tale, and the minute the red fish voiced by Angelina Jolie showed up on-screen, Vee put her kama through the TV."

Vee shook her head in disdain. "People are always sexualizing animals, giving them big boobs or other things just to appeal to stinking furries. It's insulting."

"Are you guys even LISTENING?!" Karai demanded.

"Hey, check it," Hisako said. "My doll has eyes and hair that glows in the dark!" She clicked off the light, and indeed, her doll's eyes and hair glowed bright green. "Kagome, we get to keep these, right?"

"Yep," Kagome nodded. "We get to keep the prototypes."

"I want one of each," Hisako declared.

"I knew you would, so I already ordered you some." Kagome smiled as Hisako lit up at the news. "It's for a good cause anyhow."

Hisako grabbed her sister, hugging her tightly "You are the best!"

A snake head then slammed down in front of them all, making everyone jump. Their eyes turned to Karai, who was in partial snake mode with her scales visible, her eyes snake-like, and and her fangs poking out.

"This is not the time to be fawning over freaking plushies! Shredder's being lionized by New York! The city's worshiping him! Have you EVER been this pissed off in your life?! Because I sure as hell haven't!"

A gentle paw came to rest on her shoulder. She turned around to see Splinter standing over her, an understanding but concerned expression on his face.

"Chillax, Kiba," Mikey said. "Not much we can-"

Karai lunged forward, getting in his face and hissing, her forked tongue darting out. Leo rubbed his forehead.

"Mikey... remember that little talk we had about giving Karai a mutant name?"

"It's just in her snake form, not all the time."

"Not the point. I said not to give her one, period."

"What Michelangelo was trying to say is that there is little we can do to sway the thoughts of the public just yet," Splinter explained. "All we can do is be patient and wait for Shredder to reveal his true colors."

"Yep," Mikey held up a finger. "Villains who twirl their mustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well-camouflaged."

That got him strange looks. "What? Captain Picard said it."

Donnie nodded. "Okay, that makes more sense."

At that moment, April's phone buzzed. She pulled it out to check it. "My Teenspy app. Guess that bug I planted survived."

"When I build things, I build them to last," Donnie boasted.

April opened the app, and they all listened in on a conversation between Hun and Dragon Face.

" I gotta say, the Turtles taking care of Krang is the best thing that could've happened to us! " Dragon Face boasted. " Profits are up, and Shredder's basically got control of every mob in New York. We're on top of the world! "

" Not quite," said Hun. " He's meeting with Don Vizioso tonight for negotiations. "

" If he's anything like Turtelli, it should be a snap," Dragon Face mused.

"Well, the peace was fun while it lasted," Leo remarked.

"Matches up with what I've been hearing on the grape vine," Casey said. "With Krang and his goons outta the picture, Shredder's been working double time to expand his power base."

"Sheesh, do you ever rest?" Vee asked.

"You kidding? There's no rest for Casey Jones. Crime never takes a break, so why should I?"

"I'll admit, getting some action could be fun," Raph said.

"Vizioso…" Kagome mused before snapping her fingers. "I've heard of him. He's the head of the Italian mafia."

"Yep. But he spends most of his time stuffing his face," Casey added. "Ten to one Shredder's meeting him at his restaurant."

"Genuine Italian food," Hisako remarked. "Sounds good to me. So what's the plan?"

"I could get in pretty easily. Dress up like a waiter or somethin'," Casey offered. "Shredhead will recognize Hisako or Kagome on sight, but he hasn't seen my face. I'll find out what they're up to, then be out like that." He snapped his fingers for emphasis.

Leo thought it over, then nodded. "Seems like our best option, honestly."

"Just be careful, okay?" April warned. "You'll be literally walking into the lion's den."

"Relax, Red. I'll be fine."

"Besides, we'll be right outside in case things go south," Leo said. "At the signal, we'll be there."

"What's the signal?" Mikey questioned.

"My guess?" said Donnie. "The sound of Casey screaming."

Casey shrugged. "Pretty much, yeah."

"I'm coming too," Karai declared. "I'm dying to get out of these sewers."

Leo hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Just don't do anything stupid."

"Leo, the last time I did something stupid, I got held hostage and mutated. I learn from my mistakes. I'll wait for the signal, and I won't go for revenge."

"Good," Leo replied. "'Cause if you don't…" He gestured to Hisako, who raised a green hand for emphasis.

"Yeah yeah, Hisako's scary as hell," Karai said flippantly. "Can we go now?"

At the restaurant, the group staked out the building. Soon enough, Shredder arrived, flanked by Tiger Claw and Tatsu.

"He's going in full armor?" Mikey questioned.

"Of course," said Kagome. "It'd look plenty suspicious if the 'good and saintly' Tohoru Masamune walked into a restaurant owned by the Vizioso crime family."

Raph picked up his T-Phone. "Casey, Shredder just showed up. You ready?"

" Just about," Casey replied. " Had to find some gel for my hair. Couldn't let my wild mane give me away. Not when I'm gonna be in the same room as two of the deadliest men in New York. "

"Okay," Raph said. "Good luck, man."

Casey hung up, finishing adjusting his "borrowed" waiter uniform before slipping in through the kitchen door. He peeked into the restaurant itself, seeing Don Vizioso himself gorging on spaghetti and meatballs while flanked by two other men. After a few minutes, Shredder entered, Tiger Claw and Tatsu behind him, sitting down.

"Crazy thing, that alien invasion," Vizioso said, still eating and slurping as he did. "But such moments in history can prove fortuitous for businessmen like us, huh?"

"Us?" Shredder repeated. "You are just a gangster, Don Vizioso. You seem unaware that the power in this city has shifted... to me."

Vizioso scoffed. "Listen, Shredder. You may have been a big shot back in Japan, but my family had owned this town for generations. Sure, Turtelli probably said the same, but I know the truth."

"As I said, the power in this city has shifted to me and the Foot Clan. I already control the Russian mob through Ivan Steranko, the Purple Dragons through Hun, and the South Americans through Xever Montes. And now, the Turtelli crime family is under my control."

"Is that supposed to scare me? I was running things while you were still in diapers."

Vizioso went to take a bite of a meatball… but the sound of something slicing reached his ears. Vizioso went wide-eyed as the meatball slid in half, as did the candles on his side of the table. Shredder retracted his arm-blade, having sliced through them so fast no one had even seen him move.

"Either declare your allegiance to me, or the Vizioso bloodline ends here. Tonight."

Vizioso composed himself, patting his mouth with a napkin. "So how may I be of service?"

"Smart man," Shredder mused. "I see why your family lasted this long. Now then, I am working on a certain... project, and without Krang's technology, I need access to certain materials to complete it."

"I'll put in a call with Darius Dun," Vizioso told him. "His inventor pal will have whatever you need."

"Excellent," said Shredder. "See that it is delivered as soon as possible."

From the kitchen, Casey turned away, working over what he heard. "Darius Dun? Better remember who that is, and ask the others."

Out of the blue, something grabbed him and yanked him out into the open, pinning him to the table. Casey found himself staring into the furious eyes of Shredder.

"Who sent you, spy?!" he demanded.

"Hey, hey!" Casey objected, more than a little terrified. "I'm just a busboy."

A few tense minutes passed before Shredder let him go. "Very well. But do not let me see your face ever again."

"You got it." Casey jumped to his feet. "I'm outta here!"

Casey bolted out the door, meeting with the others.

"How'd it go?" Raph asked.

"Well, I pissed myself," Casey admitted, "but I got some info. Does the name Darius Dun ring any bells?"

"Darius Dun…" Kagome mused before it hit her. "He runs a tech company called Dunn Industries. Basically, he's like Stockman."

"Another shady businessman your mom didn't trust?" April offered.

"What can I say?" Kagome shrugged. "My mom can smell a bad egg a mile away."

"Her air-of-wrongness detector is pretty high," Hisako confessed.

"Wow, Tai was right," Raph remarked. "Seems like every business in New York is a front for shady people."

"Dun's been accused more than once of having criminal dealings, and people say a gang called the Street Phantoms work for him as enforcers," Kagome went on. "But there's never been any proof."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Street Phantoms?"

"Super hi-tech gang," Kagome explained. "Dun himself runs them. His company supplies their weapons, and any other tools of the trade. The stuff he churns out makes StockGen look like a toy factory. At least, that's what the rumors and accusations say. There's never been anything solid against him."

"And with Krang out of the picture, Shredder needs a new source of cutting-edge gadgets and technology," Donnie realized.

"Question is, what's he working on?" Mikey questioned. "Better Footbots? A Foot Mech? Maybe some kinda Cyber Foot?"

"Knowing Shredder, all of the above," Karai mused.

"Kagome, we don't wanna go in blind," said Leo. "You know anything about the Street Phantoms' tech for sure?"

"Just stories," Kagome replied. "Supposedly, they use special 'phasing cloaks.' Some kinda light refraction technology that turns them intangible."

"Light refraction technology?" Donnie repeated. "That was one of Dr. Lillja's inventions!"

"Then we talk to him about it," Vee declared. "So we know what we're working with."

At Harold's warehouse, the group quickly explained everything to him.

"Light refraction technology?" he repeated, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. "Damn it, Libby..."

"Who?" Mikey asked.

"Libby Meitner," Harold explained. "My former partner... and ex."

"Wait," Leo began. "Your ex-girlfriend is working for Dun and the Phantoms?"

"Ex-wife, but yeah," Harold replied. "The light refraction tech was one of our projects. When she left me, she took all the plans and schematics. I never thought she'd take them to Dun to spite me."

"So if we go up against them, they'll have the upper hand," Kagome mused. "It'd be like trying to punch out wind."

"Worse," said Harold. "Wind that can punch back."

"Then we better work on something that can counter it," Donnie declared.

Harold nodded in agreement, and they immediately got to work.

-X-

"When I first made the light refractors, they had the same power source as the Anti-Gravity Gauntlet," Harold mused as they finished up their work.

"They were powered by the user's bioelectricity?" Donnie offered.

"Yep," said Harold. "But knowing Libby, she's probably corrected that."

"Question is how?" Donnie asked.

"I don't know," Harold replied as he held up a small clamp-like device. "But I already have an idea what we can do."

"A clamp?" Hisako raised an eyebrow. "We're gonna beat these guys… with a clamp?"

"Not just any clamp," Harold told her. "Put these on your weapons, and it will neutralize the intangibility effect."

"So, we stick these on our gear, and even when they use the phasing tech, we can hit them?" Mikey asked.

"That's the idea," Harold replied.

All the while, April was listening to the Teenspy app on her phone.

"Okay, got something," she reported. "Vizioso's arranged for Dun to meet Shredder at the docks tonight for a tech shipment."

"Sounds like a good stakeout opportunity," Karai mused.

"And he'll probably have the Street Phantoms backing him up in case things go south," Kagome mused. "Shredder may be super-badass, but he doesn't know about their light refractors. He's got nothing to bypass them."

"Well…" Raph began, smirking, "now that I've heard that, anyone else kinda tempted to set things off and let 'em have at it?"

Only Karai raised her hand. The others just glared at the two.

"We can't go stirring up a bee's nest now," Leo said reproachfully. "Not while the city's still recovering. This is a reconnaissance mission only."

"Right," Raph said sheepishly.

"Got it…" Karai remarked, visibly disappointed.

"We go in, stop Shredder from getting his grubby paws on Dun's technology, and go out." Kagome declared.

"Agreed," Leo said.

"Good luck, kids," Harold told them.

That night, the group staked out the docks. Shredder and the Foot soon appeared, and it wasn't long before a limousine pulled up. From it emerged an overweight older man wearing a monocle, backed by three figures wearing blue hooded cloaks and red-visored masks.

"That old fatass is Darius Dun?" Raph asked.

Kagome nodded. "That's him alright."

"And the freaks that make Bebop look normal?" Hisako asked.

"Those have gotta be the Street Phantoms," Leo realized.

Vee's eyes fell on the Street Phantom in front, a crazed-looking man with spiky red hair, a matching goatee, and a somewhat manic grin.

"I'm betting that guy's their leader," she mused.

They kept quiet as Dun approached Shredder.

"Darius Dun, I presume?" Shredder asked.

"Yes," said Dun. "And you must be the Shredder."

"I am," Shredder replied. "I assume Vizioso has told you what I want?"

"Specific materials and technology for some kind of robotics project, correct?" Dun questioned, getting a nod. "Though I must say, if you miss your daughter so much, then you'd do better to try and talk to her, rather than build robotic versions of her."

The others blinked in surprise, while Karai looked suitably freaked out.

"He's making robot clones of me?" she let out. "How fucking obscene is that?!"

Leo slapped a hand over her mouth to quiet her rage, but Karai nonetheless trembled with revulsion.

"Man, Mom's right," Kagome mused. "Shredder is pathetic."

"Leo, if he's making robotic Karais, this could end badly," Donnie warned.

"Yeah," said Raph. "These we can't mental whammy onto our side."

"Yeah, we're shutting this down right now," Karai insisted, shuddering. "Just thinking about it... I feel gross. Dirty."

"Couldn't agree more, Karai," Hisako said, looking equally disgusted. "This is beyond wrong."

"What I do is none of your business, Dun," Shredder snarled. "Just give me the technology I requested."

"Yes, of course," Dun said. He snapped his fingers, and the Street Phantoms moved to do so.

"What's the plan, Leo?" Mikey asked.

Before Leo could answer, they heard an ominous hissing noise. Everyone went pale, turning to Karai, her skin going scaly and her mouth elongating.

"No time for a plan!" she hissed. "We act now!"

She launched herself off of the roof, transforming fully into a snake as she charged at the Phantoms. Vee shook her head in annoyance.

"Karai…" she let out, "you stupid bitch."

"Well, snake's out of the bag now," Hisako said, launching after her.

The others followed as fast as they could move. Karai furiously lashed the Phantoms aside before glaring at Shredder with pure hatred.

"You ssssick FUCK !" she shouted.

"Karai…" Shredder let out. "My daughter."

The others made it at that, all glaring at Shredder.

"Get it through your thick head, Shredder," Kagome snapped. "Open your eyes and see the real world for once. Karai is not. Your. Daughter !"

The Street Phantoms turned to the Turtles and co., their leader grinning.

"Well, well, the famous Turtles," he said.

"And you are?" Leo questioned.

"Call me Jammer," the leader replied.

"Pleased to kick your ass," Raph said conversationally.

Jammer laughed. "I don't think you know who or what you're dealing with here."

"Some Tron rejects in need of a dentist?" Vee offered.

"No, you idiot," Jammer replied. "Check me out!"

He activated his cloak, his body turning see-through as he walked through a shipping container.

"Yeah," Donnie began. "About that…"

He raised his staff, with Harold's clamp device attacked, and bonked Jammer on the head. All the Street Phantoms went wide-eyed at that.

"The fuck?!" he let out.

"Surprise!" Hisako declared, throwing her tessen at him.

A fight broke out. As it went on, Shredder went for the box containing Dun's materials, but Leo intercepted him.

"We're not letting you make your Karaibots, Shredder!" he declared. "Taking her as a baby is one thing, but this?! You're sick! "

"You are the one who turned her against me!" Shredder snapped. "And if I can't have my daughter back... I'll have the next best thing."

"So," Leo began, totally deadpan, "you've deluded yourself into thinking Splinter's the bad guy who screwed up your life, think Karai's actually your daughter, and are now trying to make robot copies of her to try to get back what you've lost. Shredder… you are in serious need of psychological help."

"Be silent, you miserable mutant!" Shredder shouted before charging at him.

The two clashed weapons, and Leo managed to hold his own pretty well.

"Well, you seem to have improved quite a bit," Shredder remarked.

"I have too much at stake to lose to the likes of you!" Leo retorted.

The fight went on for a bit, but Shredder was suddenly blindsided by Karai, who wrapped her coils around him and began violently constricting him.

"You sick, twisted, depraved… bastard !" she shouted as she did. "I'm gonna squeeze you till your head fucking EXPLODES!"

Shredder glared at her as she went on.

"After everything I've done for you," he managed, his voice strained, " this is how you repay me?!"

"You took everything from me!" Karai screamed. "My home! My mother! My LIFE!"

She squeezed him tighter. "I'm gonna rid this planet of you, you psychotic piece of trash!"

"Karai, don't!" Leo shouted.

Karai whipped her head to him. "You're ssssstopping me?!"

"If you kill him, then you'll be no better than he is!" Leo pointed out. "Do you really want that?!"

"He doesn't deserve to live!" Karai hissed.

"I know!" Leo told her. "Yes, he's a monster, but this isn't the way! Think what our father would say if you killed him in cold blood!"

That got through to Karai. She unfurled herself from Shredder, shifting back to human form as he slumped, barely conscious after that big squeeze.

"You're right," she said. "Our father would never approve of such an action."

She turned to glare at Shredder. "This doesn't change anything, Shredder. I don't know when. I don't know how. But I swear to God you're gonna crash and burn."

Hisako grabbed the cargo, mentally crushing it in her grip.

"Supplies… dealt with…" she breathed. "Let's go…"

"You brats!" Dun cursed. "That cost me a fortune!"

"Bring it up with my mother, Dun," Kagome replied. "I'm sure she'll spot you."

With that, she threw down a smoke bomb, and they were gone. Dun scowled, turning to Shredder.

"I've remained off their radar for a while now, and thanks to you, that streak is ruined," he growled. "Consider our partnership terminated. Good day."

He snapped his fingers, and he and the Phantoms turned to go. When all but one had made it out, he suddenly stiffened, looking down to see Shredder's blades protruding from his chest.

Shredder yanked the phasing cloak off of the doomed Phantom before sliding his blades out and letting the body fall.

"I couldn't agree more, Dun," Shredder mused, looking down at the cloak in his hand. "At least tonight was not a total loss."

Author's Note:

In case it wasn't obvious, the Karai-bots Shredder plans to make are the Amazonian Blade Bots from the 2003 series. Here, they're Shredder's sad, pathetic attempt at replacing Karai after she switches sides. As for what he plans to do with the phasing cloak, those who watched 2003 in general should have a pretty good idea.

Darius Dun and the Street Phantoms are from Fast Forward and IDW; using the IDW incarnation. And, of course, Warren Stone is from Rise of the TMNT; he fills Burne's old Will Harangue-esque role from the original fic.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Dun: Vincent D'Onofrio (Kingpin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's shows, Gomer Pyle from Full Metal Jacket, Robert Gowen from Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Vic Hoskins from Jurassic World)

* Jammerhead: Richard Epcar (Joker in the Injustice games, Raiden from Mortal Kombat, Daisuke Jigen from Lupin III, Akuma in Street Fighter V, Joseph Joestar from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Bobobo from Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo, Xehanort's Heartless and Terra-Xehanort from Kingdom Hearts)

Please R&R. Until next time!