- Chapter 22 -
The Sword of Tengu
Four years ago...
The Hamato siblings and Kagome gathered in the living room of the lair, where sleeping bags were strewn out. Hisako laid down on her own, picking up the stuffed turtle Kagome gave her.
Splinter entered at that moment, and Mikey looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
"Dad, could you tell us that story?" he asked.
Splinter raised an eyebrow.
"Again?" He asked, a playful smile on his face.
"Well, yeah," Leo pointed out. "Hisako's never heard it."
"Story?" Hisako questioned.
"Our favorite bedtime story," Kagome explained. "Mom and Master Splinter used to tell it to us all the time."
Hisako turned to Splinter. "I wanna hear it."
"Very well," Splinter said with a smile, sitting down before them.
The seven children gathered around him as he began the tale.
"One thousand years ago, there lived a ninja master named Koga Takuza. He was the leader of the Foot Clan, the oldest of all ninja clans in Japan. He was once an honorable warrior, fighting for peace. But that all changed when he came into contact with two mysterious beings: the Tetsu-Oni."
Hisako raised an eyebrow.
"Test tube oni?" she tried, completely garbling it.
"No, Tetsu-Oni," Donnie corrected. "It's Japanese for 'iron demon'."
"Ohhh..." Hisako said, nodding slowly as Splinter continued the story.
"These beings possessed powerful magic, using it to prolong Takuza's lifespan, and slowly corrupted him, twisting his nature and instilling in him a lust for power and conquest. This came back to haunt the Tetsu-Oni when Takuza betrayed them, stealing a powerful weapon: the Sword of Tengu."
"Why the sword?" Hisako asked. "Was it special?"
"Very much so," Splinter answered. "The Sword of Tengu fell from the Heavens and was forged by goblins. It wielded the power to lay villages to waste, bring castles to ground, vanquish armies."
Hisako hugged her legs to her chest, shaking. Vee put a comforting arm around her.
"Don't be scared," she whispered reassuringly.
"Using the blade, Takuza brought the Tokugawa clan to power, and went on a campaign of conquest," Splinter went on.
"But someone stopped him, right?" Vee asked, her tone confident with her knowledge of the story.
"Indeed," Splinter replied. "The daimyō, Lord Norinaga, realized the danger, and called upon the finest warrior in the land. He was the only one who could stand a chance against Takuza and the Sword of Tengu: My ancestor, Hamato Koji."
"Whoa..." all the kids said in awe.
"What happened next?" Hisako inquired in fascination.
"Norinaga and his son Kenshin fought alongside Koji in a bloody battle that ultimately cost Norinaga his life. In the end, Koji took the Sword of Tengu from Takuza, and used it to rend his head from his shoulders."
Hisako winced, rubbing her neck.
"What happened to the sword after that, Dad?" Raph questioned.
"Koji and Kenshin agreed the sword was too dangerous, and cast it into the sea," Splinter answered.
"And it's still there to this day," Leo added.
Hisako smiled, applauding at the story.
"Thanks for the story, Dad," she said before covering her mouth. "I... I mean, Sensei."
Splinter smiled, patting her head. "You're quite welcome, my child."
Hisako blushed, then smiled.
Present day...
The students of Roosevelt High were visiting the Japan Society in Manhattan (1), on a field trip. Kagome, April, and Casey stood together, Casey visibly bored.
"A museum..." he groaned. "Why couldn't it be a hockey rink?"
"Because there's more to school than hockey, Casey," Kagome replied. "Besides, I think it's cool we're here. Learning more about my culture and all that."
"That's right," April recalled. "You were born in Japan."
"Really?" came another voice. "So was I."
The three turned to see Harmony approaching.
"Sorry," she said. "Didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's cool, Harmony," Kagome replied, waving a hand in dismissal.
"So you're the famous Harmony," Casey remarked, holding out a hand. "Nice to finally meet you."
"And you must be Casey," Harmony replied, shaking his hand.
"I see you've heard of me," Casey said, looking at April with a playful smile. "Been bragging about me?"
"Kinda," Harmony answered. "She described you as a sports-obsessed muscle-head."
Casey glared at April, who just smirked at him playfully. "I speak the truth."
Casey shrugged, and the group began looking around. Eventually, Harmony's eye caught on one object in particular. It was a fancy-looking sword in a glass case.
The sword in question was a beautiful katana with a white hilt trimmed with gold, three prong-like points extending upward from the guard.
"Hey, sweet blade," Casey remarked, unaware of the look of recognition on Harmony's features.
"No way..." Harmony whispered in awe.
Kagome walked over, noticing it as well.
"Holy Chalupa..." she said aloud. "It's..."
"It's what?" April asked.
Kagome turned to her. "The Sword of Tengu."
"The what?" Casey asked.
"An ancient blade," Kagome replied. "Mom used to tell me the story behind it to get me to sleep. I never imagined it was real though."
"My dad used to tell me that story too," Harmony added. "Holy shit, this is amazing."
"Dude, just imagine what the guys will think of this," Casey remarked.
"Kagome, we gotta tell them," April added. "They'll flip."
Kagome nodded at that.
"I'll be right back," Harmony said suddenly. "I gotta use the bathroom."
She walked off, a smirk forming on her lips as soon as her back was turned. The Sword of Tengu, and a chance at the Turtles, she thought. Father's gonna love this.
Off to the side, unseen by Kagome and April, a Ms. Campbell robot emerged from an adjacent room, staring at the sword. She zeroed in on it, her eyes glowing red...
Later that day, Kagome and April were down in the lair, telling the Turtles and Hisako what they saw in the museum.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Raph said. "It's real?!"
"Yeah!" Kagome declared. "We all saw it at the Japan Society! Exactly like Mom and Splinter described it."
"I always thought it was just a bedtime story," Hisako mused.
"Guess not," Leo remarked. "We gotta go see it!"
"Our favorite bedtime story's real!" Mikey exclaimed. "This is totally wicked!"
"I'm already looking into the security system of the museum," Donnie cut in, typing on his laptop. "It should be a piece of cake to get in to see it."
"Midnight museum trip," Vee remarked. "Sounds awesome."
-X-
Uptown in the Foot's HQ, Karai knelt before Shredder, who was very interested in what she described.
"Are you truly certain of this?" he demanded.
"It was the sword, I swear," Karai insisted. "And more than that, the Turtles will be there. Two birds, one stone."
Shredder contemplated the information. "Koga Takuza's grand blade... the Sword of Tengu. It will not be left to rust in a lowly museum."
He stood up, looking at Karai. "Gather our men. Tonight, we reclaim my birthright."
Karai bowed her head. "As you command, Father."
-X-
Down in the Technodrome, Krang and Ch'rell had just been informed of the situation by the Ms. Campbell robot.
"They found it," Ch'rell remarked. "After all these centuries."
"The Sword of Tengu..." Krang whispered, looking at his suit's hands before they clenched into fists. "The ultimate weapon that was stolen from me by that damned Koga Takuza..."
"We must get it back, General!" Ch'rell declared. "It's just what we need to finally get the Technodrome off the ground."
Krang nodded. "Ready our forces. We move immediately."
That night, the Hamato septet slipped into the Japan Society.
"You set the cameras for a loop, right, Don?" Leo asked.
"Yep," Donnie nodded. "Nobody will ever know we were here.
"It's this way," Kagome whispered. "Follow me."
She led them to the case containing the Sword of Tengu, where the Hamato siblings gaped over it in awe.
"Whoa..." Leo muttered. "It's in perfect condition."
"Holy shit..." Vee whispered. "I can't believe it."
"It's so-" Hisako began, only to clutch her head and fall to the ground.
"Sis, what's wrong?!" Raph demanded.
"One night..." Hisako muttered, slamming a palm on the ground. "Can't they give us one fucking night?!"
As if on cue, Foot ninja emerge from the shadows, led by Karai.
"Lovely night for a museum trip, isn't it?" Karai quipped.
"Karai," Kagome hissed. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you think?" Karai asked, pointing behind them.
The group looked back at the sword's display case and quickly put two and two together.
"You're here for the sword!" Leo exclaimed.
"Well, duh. The Sword of Tengu belongs to the Shredder. As the current leader of the Foot Clan, it's his birthright."
"Well, he ain't getting it. Too bad, so sad," Mikey retorted. "Now, how 'bout you let the revolving door hit you in the ass on the way out?"
Hisako was still clutching her head, pulling herself up.
"Oh no..." she whispered. "They're coming."
"You mean..." Vee began, but was cut off when a wall was blown out, revealing a legion of Krangdroids.
"Are you KIDDING ME?! " Raph shouted.
"Relinquish the sword, mutants!" the lead Krangdroid shouted, pointing his blaster at them. "It belongs to General Krang!"
"Uh... what?" Donnie asked.
"You will not be told again," the Krangdroid threatened.
"Sorry, robonoid," Karai retorted. "That belongs to the Shredder."
"The sword was crafted by General Krang!" the Krangdroid declared. "Koga Takuza stole it!"
"Say WHAT?!" Kagome shouted, her surprise echoed on the Hamato siblings' faces.
"I don't care or wanna know what you're talking about," Karai snapped. "I'm taking the sword for my father, so piss off!"
"Shredder's your father?!" Leo exclaimed.
"Uh, yeah," Karai remarked, looking back at him with a shrug. "Thought it was obvious."
Leo took a step back, reeling from the information.
"Well, it's obvious what we gotta do," Vee declared. "If the sword is as dangerous as the legend says, we can't let Shredder or Krang get their mitts on it."
"Agreed," Leo snapped, drawing his swords as he got his head in the game.
The three parties clashed furiously, Karai crossing blades with a Krangdroid, who blocked it with its blaster.
"The sword is ours!" Karai shouted.
"Takuza stole it from the General!" the Krangdroid snapped. "That doesn't make it yours!"
"Booyakasha!" Mikey declared, bouncing around some oncoming blaster fire before using his nunchucks to take out the Krangdroids.
Eventually, Leo clashed with Karai, crossing blades with her.
"Karai, listen to me!" Leo begged. "If you know about the sword, you know how dangerous it is!"
"I know exactly what the Sword of Tengu is capable of!" Karai shot back.
"Then you know what kind of damage Shredder will cause if he gets his hands on it!" Leo continued. "Can you live with yourself, knowing you helped him slaughter innocents?!"
"Better Shredder than Krang," Karai pointed out. "You want him to get it? Seriously?"
"Honestly, I'd rather the sword be destroyed completely," Leo replied. "I've seen how far Shredder's willing to go for his stupid vendetta. And I'm not letting that wacko get his hands on a weapon like that!"
"Hey!" Karai snapped, scowling. "That 'wacko' is my father!"
"Doesn't change the fact that he's a wacko," Leo shot back. "And if I were you, I'd be ashamed to be related to him!"
Karai let out a furious growl and swiped her sword at Leo. He ducked, then landed a solid kick to her stomach, sending her stumbling back.
"Leo, why?" Karai managed, holding her stomach. "I thought we were friends."
"Were we really, Karai?" Leo asked.
As this was going on, a few Krangdroids snuck up behind the display, going for the sword. One smashed the case with their gun, but before they could grab it, Raph's sai pierced the case mere inches from their hands.
"Just leave the sword be," he warned, "and we'll call it a draw."
"Never!" the Krangdroid screamed.
Raph grinned, twirling his remaining sai. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Before the fight could continue, they heard sirens going off outside.
"Damn it all!" Karai shouted. "The police are coming!"
"Time to bail!" Leo declared as the Hamato Clan fled as well.
Karai looked between the sword and the approaching sirens. After a moment, she let out an annoyed and angry groan.
"Ninja, vanish!" she exclaimed.
They all dropped smoke pellets, vanishing into thin air, leaving the Krangdroids to grab the sword.
"I got it!" one Krangdroid shouted. "Let's get out of here!"
The Hamato septet looked down, seeing the Krangdroids escape with the sword.
"Shit!" Raph shouted. "They grabbed it!"
"Who?" Mikey asked.
"Who do you think?" Vee snapped, pointing at the broken glass.
"Krang got the sword?!" Mikey exclaimed. "Oh, no!"
"Run now, panic later!" Hisako shouted as the sirens got louder.
The group bolted and took to the streets, unaware of the shadowy figure watching them from a distance. They pressed a button on a communicator, raising it to his mouth.
"Our worst fears have been realized," they lamented in a clearly male voice. "Krang has retrieved the Sword of Tengu."
-X-
The Hamato Clan came to rest on a rooftop, catching their breath as they cursed their luck.
"I can't believe we let them take the sword!" Raph shouted.
"We'll get it away from them... somehow…" Leo panted.
"I doubt that," Hisako said.
"Way to raise our morale," Donnie deadpanned.
"I'm just being realistic, D. You remember the stories about the Sword and its power. And if Krang's been looking for it like those droids said, then odds are…" she hugged her legs where she sat. "It's being taken straight to the Technodrome."
The others all gasped.
"That flying doomsday machine Leatherhead broke you out of?" Vee demanded. "The one who's power cell is powering our van? That Technodrome?"
Hisako nodded.
"Well…" Mikey began, "we're boned."
"I don't like it…" Leo sighed, "but if we're gonna get that sword back... we have to go down there."
"Leo, are you nuts?!" Hisako leapt to her feet. "This isn't some topside base, this is the heart of Krang's territory!"
"And even if we were crazy enough to go down there, we don't even know where it is!" Kagome added.
"Yes, we do," Leo pointed at Hisako. "She escaped from there, remember? And we all know how good her memory is."
Hisako shook her head frantically. "I am not sending my family into that- that-"
Leo grasped her arms. "Hisako, breathe. We need to get that sword back. Do you really wanna leave it in Krang's hands?"
Hisako looked up at him, unsure.
"Yes, I'm aware of how dangerous it is," Leo went on. "But if Krang gets that sword, everyone's gonna die anyway. Rock and a hard place."
"Please…" Hisako begged. "Don't make me go back there…"
"I'm not going to. Just tell me where it is."
Hisako looked up at him, still shaken and scared. She opened her mouth to answer, but flinched, a hand going to her head.
"Guys... someone's watching us…"
The others instantly drew their weapons.
"Who is it?" Raph demanded. "The Foot?"
"I... no…" Hisako shook her head. "It's someone new. They were shielding themselves but-... but something made them drop it for a second."
-X-
Indeed, the clan were being watched. It was the shadowy figure from before, who was now remaining out of sight as they cursed their luck. He activated his com, whispering into it.
"Sir, I'm sorry... I lost my grip on my senses and was discovered," he informed them. "The Turtles know I'm here. What should I do?"
There was silence on the other end, followed by a sigh.
" It seems this confrontation is all but inevitable. Reveal yourself, but do not engage. We must proceed with caution. "
"As you command, sir."
He switched off the com, then stood up from his hiding space. Unsurprisingly, he was immediately spotted.
"Up there!" Donnie shouted.
Mikey immediately shot out his kusarigama, hoping to capture the figure. The figure leapt over the chain, landing in front of the group.
"Buddy, you picked the wrong night to mess with-" Raph blinked as the figure dropped to one knee in surrender. "Us?"
They took in his appearance, seeing it was an older man with long black hair in a ponytail, dressed in a trench coat and wearing hi-tech looking sunglasses. The Hamato ninjas stared at him unsure of what to make of the mysterious newcomer.
"Well, this is different," Leo mused. "You're definitely a ninja, but… you're not one of them."
"That is correct," the man confirmed. "I'm not of the Foot Clan. I am simply… a Guardian."
"Guardian…" Kagome repeated.
"Why were you spying on us?" Raph demanded. "Who are you?"
"My name is Samson. We share a common enemy in General Krang."
"A common enemy…" Leo mused. "You've been fighting him?"
"Hold up," Vee cut in. "If that were true, why are we just now learning about this guy? We've been fighting Krang for months, and we never ran into anyone like this."
"Good question," Leo conceded.
"I understand your trepidation, but I give you my word that my masters seek only to protect this world from Krang's machinations," Samson assured, raising gracefully. "If you're still concerned, then allow me to introduce you to them."
Donnie held up a finger. "Excuse us for a minute."
The septet huddled together.
"We sure we can trust this guy?" Mikey asked.
"He said he's Krang's enemy," Leo said. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"And he just decided now to show himself?" Raph asked. "Can anyone else say trap?"
"Agreed," said Vee. "If he's really Krang's enemy, then why didn't he step in when they took the sword?"
"He's got his shields up again, so I can't read anything on him," Hisako informed them. "We'll be going in blind."
Kagome sighed. "I hate to say it, but... it looks like the only way we're getting answers is by following him."
"Agreed," Leo nodded. "But the second things get hairy, no mercy."
They turned back to Samson, Leo approaching him.
"Alright. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but... take us to your leader."
-X-
The teens didn't know what to expect when they followed Samson deeper into the city, but they were most certainly thrown off by their final destination.
"TCRI?" Kagome remarked.
"The company your dad used to work for back in Japan?" Raph asked, getting a nod.
"What beef does the Techno Cosmic Research Institute have with Krang?" Donnie wondered.
"See for yourself," said Samson.
He approached the door, holding out an ID card for a scanner. It scanned the card, then he lowered his glasses for an eye scan. There was a beep, and the doors slid open. They stepped into the massive lobby, walking past the reception desk and into a large elevator. Samson hit a button to the top floor and they rode it all the way up. The doors opened into a massive office that seemed to take up the entire floor, with a familiar man with light purple hair looking out the window with his back to them all. Kagome perked, recognizing him.
"Mr. Mortu?"
The figure turned around to reveal it was indeed Mortu, who gave them all a kind, yet tired smile.
"It's good to see you, Miss Lee," he greeted.
He turned to the turtles, giving them a small bow in greeting.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Hamato Clan. My people have been watching you from afar for some time."
"Your people?" Raph asked. "Just... what the hell is going on here? How long have you been butting heads with Krang?"
"For longer than you could ever imagine."
"Oh, really?" Hisako asked. "Just try us."
Mortu turned to her, and his expression became pained.
"Very well... I just ask that you... keep an open mind."
"Uh, dude, we're turtles," Mikey pointed out. "How open minded do we have to-"
He cut himself off as Mortu undid his tie before unbuttoning his shirt and spreading it open. The teens all gaped to see that beneath his suit was the familiar metal of a Krangdroid, complete with an Utrom pilot in the abdomen. Everything moved almost impossibly fast. The Turtles each put on their serious eyes (2), color draining from them as their weapons were drawn. Mikey immediately lashed out with his kusarigama, grabbing Mortu and pinning his arms to his sides. Raph and Leo immediately turned on Samson, weapons aimed right at his throat. Donnie, Vee, and Kagome all surrounded Hisako, who was pale and shaking where she stood.
"An Utrom…" Raph hissed. "You work for the fucking Utroms!"
"I knew this was a trap!" Leo let out.
"Wait, you don't understand!" Mortu insisted. "Just let me explain-"
"There's nothing to explain!" Kagome cut off. "You're an Utrom! One of Krang's cronies!"
"While he is an Utrom, he is not associated with Krang, or his men," Samson insisted, keeping his hands in plain sight as he spoke. "Everything I said before is the truth."
"Why should we believe you?" Leo snarled.
"Kohaku Lee," Mortu answered in a rush. "Kasumi's late husband. He was a Guardian, just like Samson. Do you truly believe someone as righteous as him would remain with us for years if we were associated with such evil?"
Kagome blinked, utterly stunned.
"What...?!" she managed. "No, that can't be true... My dad was just the accountant for the Tokyo branch."
"That was the cover story," Mortu replied. "In truth, he was one of the most loyal and benevolent guardians of the branch."
Kagome shook her head in disbelief. "This is crazy! You helped Mom and Master Splinter get to America fifteen years ago! If Daddy really worked for you guys as a Guardian, why didn't she ever tell me?!"
"Guardians are sworn into secrecy upon their induction," Samson explained. "Your mother didn't tell you because she didn't know."
"Why should you believe anything you say?" Leo demanded. "Every Utrom we've met so far has been allied with Krang."
"Because you've only met Krang's faction," Mortu answered. "We Utroms are actually benevolent and peace-loving. General Krang and Colonel Ch'rell are among the minority that aren't."
"That's nothing but a load of-" Vee began.
"They're telling the truth," Hisako cut in.
Everyone turned to her. She still looked physically ill, but her shaking had died down a bit.
"Are you sure?" Leo asked.
Hisako nodded. "Mortu's mind isn't shielded like Samson's. Everything he's said since we walked in has been the truth. He's not with Krang…"
They exchanged looks at that.
"How do we know he's not thinking what he wants Hisako to hear?" Mikey questioned, getting strange looks. "What? It could happen."
"Mikey, let's face it," Leo began. "We've been standing here holding them both at bladepoint for a good five minutes. In that time, neither of them have tried to escape or call security. If something were to happen, it would've happened by now."
"Okay, yeah," Mikey conceded. "Good point."
Slowly, everyone stowed their weapons and regrouped. Mortu adjusted his shirt, buttoning it up once more as Samson straightened his jacket.
"So... what's going on?" Donnie asked. "Why bring us here?"
"Aside from our connections to the Lee family, as well as Krang, Samson has had a... personal interest in your family for some time. Specifically…" Mortu's gaze turned to Hisako, "with you."
Hisako blinked, confused.
"With Hisako?" Mikey repeated.
On instinct, the siblings and Kagome crowded around her again.
"What the hell do you want with her?" Raph demanded.
"I knew her parents personally," Samson explained. "I was... I am her godfather."
Everyone was stunned by this. Hisako in particular looked like she had just been slapped as she absorbed that information.
"What…?!" she managed. "That... that's not possible. I- I was made in Krang's lab. I'm an artificial human. A test tube baby. How can I have a godfather?"
"That's what Krang and his minions told you," Mortu corrected. "No doubt to break your spirit."
"But this is the truth," Samson chimed in. "Your birth name is Rita Elizabeth Kaimera. You're the daughter of Richard and Renee Kaimera. Two of the finest Guardians of the New York branch... and my best friends."
"I… this…" Hisako's legs gave out from underneath her. Leo promptly caught her, helping her steady herself. "I had parents… I'm not an experiment… I-I'm a person…"
Leo turned to Mortu, his question unspoken.
"It's best to start at the beginning," Mortu replied, taking a seat. "As I said, Krang and Ch'rell are among the few Utroms who aren't peaceful or pacifistic. They went from planet to planet, unleashing war and destruction everywhere they went in pursuit of power. It took me and my crew three hundred years, but we finally managed to capture them."
"I'm guessing it didn't stick," Raph remarked.
"Sadly, no," Mortu sighed. "As we were returning to our home world of Utrominon, they managed to escape and sabotaged our ship's engines. We crash-landed on Earth. More specifically, in feudal Japan."
"So you've been on Earth for the past thousand years?" Leo asked, getting a nod.
"In the ensuing confusion, Krang and Ch'rell escaped into the wilds," Mortu went on. "We salvaged what we could of the shipwreck to create the exo suits you see today, allowing us to walk amongst humans without drawing suspicion. However, the technology at the time was too primitive to be of any help to us, so we resolved to simply wait it out until Earth's technology advanced far enough to get us home."
"Whoa," Mikey said in awe. "How old are you guys, anyway?"
"We have been around since the birth of your planet, when the first creatures first emerged from your oceans. Our species is long lived, and that is what has granted us our infinite patience and desire for peace."
"Well, uh… lookin' good," Mikey remarked.
"Clearly, Krang and his men need to get the message," Vee deadpanned.
"Krang was the son of our warlord, the late Commander Quanin," Mortu explained. "Quanin was always power-hungry and sought to conquer, but the High Council always shot him down. Krang was... much bolder than his father."
"And the rotten apple doesn't fall far from the evil tree," Kagome remarked.
"Hold up," Raph cut in. "Krang's been running loose on Earth for over a thousand years, and you haven't been able to recapture him? Do you have any idea what kinda damage he's caused?"
"We were able to run interference when their human plaything, Koga Takuza, rebelled and stole their sword."
"Of course…" Leo realized. "No wonder Krang was after it. He's the Tetsu-Oni from Dad's story!"
"It makes way too much sense…" Vee mused.
"So…" Donnie tried to understand, "all those tales. Forged by goblins, metal fallen from the Heavens... it was just a cover?"
"Not entirely," Mortu clarified. "The metal did indeed come from the Heavens, so to speak. He had the best swordsmiths in Japan forge the blade from Utromidium, a metal from our homeworld. As an added ingredient, Krang even had the metal enchanted by mages. A potent mix of science and sorcery."
"So... what exactly can the sword do?" Donnie asked. "The stories always depicted it as... well, terrifying."
"That is no exaggeration. The Sword of Tengu is precisely as dangerous and destructive as the legends claim. Though I doubt that's what Krang intends to do with it. He has something else in mind."
"Like the Technodrome?"
Samson and Mortu turned to him in surprise.
"How do you know of Krang's ultimate weapon?" Samson demanded.
"Because it's what Hisako escaped from before Splinter and I found her half-dead on the streets five years ago." Kagome answered.
Samson's face went absolutely pale. If Mortu's human face were capable of such feats, no doubt his would be too.
"You... you were there?" Mortu asked. "You were on his ship?"
Hisako just nodded quietly. "For ten years… Until someone saved me…"
"Ten years…" Samson fell to his knees, removing his glasses. "Ten years, Mortu.
"Miss Hamato…" Mortu looked away in sorrow. "I am so sorry…"
Vee heard that, and something in the back of her head started nagging at her.
"Hold up. I've got a quick question. If Hisako's parents worked for you, then where are they now? And why did you leave her to suffer at Krang's hands?"
Mortu sighed, adjusting his glasses.
"Richard and Renee... are dead. Killed in the line of duty. Not long after Hamato Yoshi 'disappeared', we were raided. Many of our guardians were killed, along with the Kaimeras. Rita... Hisako… she was just an infant at the time."
"There were so many dead... and Rita was written off as one of them," Samson added, his voice watery.
All of a sudden, the lights above them exploded, sending sparks flying and showering the room with light for a split second. The office was plunged into darkness, until Hisako began to give off a green glow. In the eerie light, Samson and Mortu could see that all the turtles had their serious eyes on, and Kagome looked beyond pissed.
"You... You wrote me off…" she half-growled, half-sobbed.
"I… we…" Mortu managed.
" You wrote me off... and left me with HIM! " Hisako shrieked. Mist swirled around her ominously. The windows began to crack. "FOR TEN! YEARS!"
"Rita-" Mortu began.
"SHUT UP!" Hisako threw her arm out and he hit the wall hard, embedding in the drywall. Samson moved to try and help him, but found himself once more at the business end of Leo's swords. "You left me... to rot... to languish in his prison… To- To be used as an experiment…" She began to crush him in her grip. "To be tortured! Torn apart and- and dissected and-... I wanted to DIE! I BEGGED for death! Did you even care?! Did any of you even bother to look?! "
"I did…" Samson said quietly.
All eyes turned to him.
"Sam-" Mortu grunted as his Utrom body was being badly squeezed by his exo-frame... "Samson…"
"I swore on their graves that I would find you," Samson went on. "I've been hunting for you ever since."
"Well, clearly you didn't look hard enough," Raph spat.
Samson looked away in shame.
"I know…" he bowed before them. "And words cannot express how sorry I am."
He knelt until his forehead touched the floor, crying silently. Hisako's breath was coming out in ragged gasps, and for a moment, it looked as if she was really going to crush Mortu. However, at the last moment, she just collapsed, sobbing heavily into her family's arms. The mist died around her as she just cried, everyone holding her softly. Leo turned to Mortu, who was struggling to control his damaged exo-frame.
"Stay away from us," he hissed, his voice deadly calm. "Just... just stay away."
"Come on, let's get out of here," Raph said.
Leo and Raph helped Hisako up, supporting her as the septet filed out of the office. Mortu struggled over to Samson before his exo-frame completely gave out. He then grunted before pulling free of it entirely, crawling over to the still bowing Guardian.
"Get up, Samson…" he insisted.
Samson did so, wiping his eyes.
"We failed... " he lamented. "They'll never trust us."
"All we can do is give them time." Mortu turned back to the window. "And pray they are strong enough for the enemy they face."
-X-
Outside of TCRI, Leo and Raph got Hisako onto a bench.
"We need to get that sword, but after that shit show, no way Hisako's in the right mindset," Raph said.
Kagome paced around, visibly agitated. "I can't believe it. To think my father worked for these negligent, selfish, lazy sons of-!"
"Kagome, cool it," Vee cut in. "Now's not the time."
Leo pulled out his T-Phone, dialing a number.
"Who are you calling?" Donnie asked.
"Leatherhead. His lair's closer. He can watch over Hisako while we get the sword back."
"Oh yeah?" Raph asked. "And how will we do that? We don't even know where it went!"
"Underground…" Hisako piped up, getting their attention as she wiped her eyes. "It's deep underground... like miles deep… When Leatherhead and I... when we came out… I could smell water and… and there were... boat horns."
"Near water…" Donnie perked. "There are several deep caves under the Hudson."
"Then that's where we're headed," Leo decided, hanging up his phone. "Leatherhead's on his way to pick you up, Hisako. We'll stay here with you until he does."
Hisako shook his head.
"Go…" she insisted. "He can't- He can't keep that sword. You have to stop him. If it's as powerful as the legends suggest, then..." her breath hitched. "Then he might use it to... to power the Technodrome…"
The others exchanged looks.
"Leatherhead said it himself," said Raph. "If Krang manages to get the Technodrome up and running again, it'll be the end."
"Then let's make sure that doesn't happen," Leo decided.
They all turned to go, but were still reluctant. Kagome removed her scarf, wrapping it around Hisako comfortingly.
"We'll come home," she said gently. "So hold onto this until we do, okay?"
Hisako gently gripped the scarf, nodding slightly as her siblings took their leave.
After a few minutes of searching, the Turtles and Kagome found a tunnel leading underground on the left side of the Hudson River. Heading downward, they eventually emerged into an open cavern. They stopped short, jaws dropped as they found themselves standing on a cliff overlooking what was undoubtedly the Technodrome. It was a massive, round ship covered in silver paneling, with a large red eye in the dead center of it. The ship itself seemed to be carved in half around the eye, with spiked protrusions emanating dangerous looking red light visible on all sides (3). Krangdroids marched along the floor of the cave surrounding it, numbering well in the hundreds,
"That's the Technodrome?" Raph asked.
"Meep…" Mikey let out in a high-pitched, nervous voice.
"I can see why Hisako was always so terrified of it," Vee remarked. "It's huge …"
"And if Krang manages to get this thing airborne…" Donnie said.
"Which is why we need to get in, find the sword, and get out," Kagome declared.
"How do we get in there?" Leo asked.
"Well, this thing looks like the Death Star," Mikey offered. "Maybe it has a garbage hatch?"
Raph sighed. "Mikey, that was a movie. This is a real planet-busting space station."
"Well, at least I'm trying to come up with something," Mikey shot back. "If you have a better idea, Raph, I'm all ears."
"I do," Raph balled up his fist. "It's called hitting you."
"Both of you knock it off," Leo cut in. "We need to take this seriously."
"Hold on…" Vee squinted. "I think I see soldiers moving along some of those upper ridges. Maybe there's a maintenance hatch somewhere along the hull."
"Well, it's worth a shot," Kagome decided.
As soon as the coast was clear, the group swung down with their Turtle Lines, landing on the upper ridges. As Vee had predicted, there was a maintenance hatch nearby. Donnie quickly hacked it open, allowing them inside.
"Guys." Donnie spoke up suddenly. "Let's not forget April's dad. He might still be here."
"We'll cover more ground if we split up." Leo remarked. "Raph, Kagome, you two are with me. We'll find the sword. Donnie, you take Mikey and Vee and try to track down Mr. O'Neil."
"On it." said Mikey.
"The dungeons would most likely be in the bowels of this place," Vee remarked. "So let's head down and see what we find."
The sextet split up, Leo's team moving north, and Donnie's going south.
Leatherhead carefully emerged from the manhole near where Hisako was curled up on the bench. He moved slowly and deliberately, replacing the lid before approaching her. Her eyes were glassy and she seemed completely disassociated, unable to register anything around her. Seeing this made the croc's heart ache, remembering how she had been like that in the beginning, before her adoption.
"Oracle?" he called out in concern, carefully reaching out and picking her up. "Are you alright?"
Hisako just collapsed in his arms, leaning into him limply as the tears returned in full force.
"Leatherhead..." she managed. "I-I had a family. Parents. A name. And they took them from me..." She broke down again and Leatherhead held her close as she sobbed. "They killed them… And nobody even tried to look for me... nobody cared..."
Leatherhead soothingly petted her head, adjusting his grip on her before turning back to the sewers.
"Come..." he said softly, "Let us take you home. It is clear you need your parents."
Donnie's team rode an elevator down as deep as it would go. More accurately, they rode in the shaft, just in case anyone was there waiting for it on the floor. As it reached its destination, they carefully peeked out, then dropped into the elevator..
"Whoa, deja-vu," Mikey mused.
Vee peeked around the corner, looking every which way. "Yep. This is the dungeon, all right."
"As far as dungeons go... I give it a three," Mikey mused.
"Mr. O'Neil?" Donnie cried. "Kirby? Are you here?"
"Donatello?" came the voice of Kirby.
They ran in the direction of the voice, seeing Kirby seated in a cell. He stood up upon seeing them, looking relieved.
"Sorry we're late." Mikey remarked, smiling.
"April. Robin." Kirby began. "Are they-?"
"They're fine," Vee assured. "We've kept them safe." Kirby sighed in relief.
"Do your thing, D," Mikey said."
"On it. And this time, we do it my way."
With that, Donnie knelt down, beginning to pick the lock.
-X-
On the other side of the ship, Leo, Raph, and Kagome ran through the halls, searching for the sword.
"Okay," Kagome said. "If I were a super-powerful Utrom blade, where would I be hiding?"
"Somewhere fortified and well-guarded," Leo replied.
"Like that?" Raph questioned, pointing with his sai.
They looked, seeing a large door heavily guarded with multiple Krangdroids.
"I think it's a safe bet that's where it is," Kagome remarked. "But how are we gonna get past all those bots?"
"Like this," Leo answered.
He threw a smoke bomb around the corner and into the middle of the group. In the smoke, the three ninjas tore the robots apart, skewering the Utroms inside.
"Still feels good," Raph declared.
"Booyakasha!" Kagome cheered, getting a look from Leo and Raph. "Just figured I'd give it a try, since Mikey's not here."
"C'mon," Leo said. "Let's grab the sword and split."
Splinter and Kasumi were both surprised when Leatherhead came walking into the lair, cradling Hisako like a broken doll. Seeing his daughter looking so lifeless, his heart lept into his throat and he rushed over to check on her. Kasumi was not far behind, speaking before he even had the chance.
"What happened?" she all but demanded.
"Oracle is very upset," Leatherhead explained. "I have only gotten bits and pieces."
"Come, bring her to the couch," Splinter instructed.
Leatherhead did as he was told, setting her down on the couch as Splinter sat down next to her. Going almost completely limp, Hisako all but collapsed in her father's arms, curling up as he wrapped his arms around her. Even his tail curled around her, as if reassuring her of his presence. Kasumi sat down on the other side, gently running her fingers through Hisako's hair.
"Sweetheart," Kasumi cooed softly. "What happened?"
Slowly, Hisako told Splinter everything she had learned at TCRI.
"Mortu..." Splinter said in shock. "He was an Utrom all the time?"
"Kohaku…" Kasumi let out, barely able to believe what she was hearing. "Just how many secrets did you keep from me?"
"My parents..." Hisako went on. "They worked for them... They died for him... And they..." she hiccuped. "They didn't even bother to look for me."
Splinter was still in shock over what he had heard, holding Hisako closer.
"Oh, my child..." he whispered.
"Why..." Hisako continued. "Why didn't they look for me? Was I not worth the effort?"
"I... I do not know," Splinter admitted before his face darkened. "But I intend to find out."
Donnie managed to pick the lock, opening the cell door.
"Sorry it took so long, Mr. O'Neil," he said apologetically.
"Better late than never," Kirby replied, making his way out of the cell.
"April's gonna be so happy to see you again," Vee remarked.
Mikey quickly texted Leo their status and got an answer back.
"They're just about to snatch the sword," he reported.
"Then let's haul shell," Donnie declared.
-X-
Leo and Raph pulled open the door. The room within was rather simplistic, bare except for the Sword of Tengu, which was housed within a glass case.
"Found it," Raph announced. "Let's grab it and go."
Kagome smashed the glass using the hilt of her Shiranui blade and reached for the handle of the sword. As soon as she touched it, she was hit with an electrical feedback and recoiled, hissing in pain.
"Damn!" she cursed. "That hurt!"
She blew on her burned fingers, shaking them out.
"Are you okay?" Raph asked in concern.
"Just minor burns…" Kagome looked at the blade. "How did Takuza even manage to wield this thing?"
"Dad and Kasumi always said it was because he was a true master of ninjutsu." Leo recalled.
"Yeah…" Kagome sighed. "We'll either need that, or thick metal Shredder armor to even touch it."
Raph crossed his arms in thought before perking. He held up a finger.
"I'll be right back." he declared before heading out.
Leo and Kagome looked at each other in confusion. All of a sudden, they heard blows landing and metal tearing. A moment of silence passed before Raph came in, holding a freshly severed and sparking Krangdroid arm.
"Not Shredder armor, but this'll do."
Leo and Kagome stared.
"You take way too much joy in doing that," Leo said.
Raph shrugged. "Eh, I needed stress relief."
He tugged on the wires, the fingers flexing in response. With a nod, Raph maneuvered the arm over to the sword's hilt, managing to get the hand to grip it. With a tug, he pulled it loose. It was a bit awkward to hold it, but he managed somehow… only to nearly drop it when his T-Phone went off. Leo took the arm as Raph answered the phone.
"Any luck?" he asked.
"We've got Kirby," Donnie informed them. "How about the sword?"
"We've got it. Though it's majorly hot to hold."
"Well then, let's make like a tree and get out of here."
At that moment, the door slid open, revealing a small army of Krangdroids.
"Uh…" Leo let out, "we're gonna be a bit late…"
"Aw, sewer apples," Raph cursed.
The Krangdroids began charging their weapons. On instinct, Leo swung the Sword of Tengu, and it unleashed a powerful energy wave that sent them all flying back.
"Whoa..." Kagome said in awe.
Raph whistled. "I'd buy that for a dollar."
"Okay..." Leo remarked. "That happened."
They took off down the halls, meeting up with Donnie's team just as they ascended in the elevator.
"What kept ya?" Donnie asked.
"We, uh, ran into some old friends," Leo replied.
With that, they all made for the door as fast as their legs could carry them.
The next morning, a car pulled up in front of TCRI. From the car emerged two figures. One was Kasumi, and the other was Splinter, who was wearing his hood up to hide his rat features. They entered the building, glaring at the secretary on duty.
"We're here to speak to Mr. Mortu, and we're not leaving until we do," Kasumi said, her voice calm but cold. "Tell him Hamato Yoshi and Kasumi Lee are here."
The secretary gulped and nodded. "Um... p-please wait a moment."
The now flustered secretary quickly picked up the phone and dialed the office, speaking in a hushed tone. About a minute later, the elevator dinged and opened up, allowing Mortu to step out.
"Miss Lee, Mr. Hamato," he greeted. "I must say, I was not expecting this visit."
"We're here to speak to you…" Splinter dropped his hood, revealing his rat face, "about Hisako."
Mortu blinked and the secretary barely suppressed a scream.
"I knew about your mutation, but…" he cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should take this to my office."
He led them into the elevator at that, just as the secretary fainted in shock. The office was still in disarray, with techs replacing the windows and the lightbulbs.
"Please pardon the mess…" Mortu said quietly, sitting behind his desk.
"As you can see, much has changed since you helped Yoshi and I come to America fifteen years ago," Kasumi said. "And that favor is why we come to you in a peaceful manner."
"No doubt your children have told you about... everything," Mortu sighed, turning to Kasumi. "Let me preface this by saying that Kohaku had no choice but to keep his life as a Guardian from you. Do not let this reveal taint your memory of him."
"Nothing could ever change my opinion of my husband," Kasumi replied. "Our primary concern is your negligence regarding Hisako."
"When I found her, she was a shell," Splinter added. "A broken girl who believed herself nothing more than a failed experiment of Krang's. Why did you allow this to occur?"
Mortu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It was negligence, plain and simple… Something that Rita... Hisako... did not deserve. We found the bodies of her parents out in the street, and her nursery completely burned down. We assumed that she had perished in the blaze. We…" He grimaced. "We wrote her off as deceased."
"Did you ever look for a body? Confirm her death?" Splinter questioned. "Or did you simply assume she was dead and move on?"
"I'm sorry…" Mortu sighed. "We should have looked harder. Perhaps then... she would not have suffered the way she did. Samson was the only one who never gave up hope. He kept trying all these years."
"I see," said Kasumi. "And when he found her with us, why not come forward then?"
"I forbade it," Mortu confessed. "It was too risky… Krang's forces are everywhere, and the less attention brought to your family and to her, the better."
"Perhaps," said Splinter. "Or perhaps you simply did not wish to acknowledge that you left her behind. Perhaps you were not ready to accept the role you played in her torture."
"No…" Mortu shook his head. "I… I'm…"
Splinter ignored his objections. As a courtesy to your aid in coming to this city, I will give you a single warning. Stay away from my family, especially Hisako. You had no trouble forgetting her before, so do it again."
"The same applies to me," Kasumi added. "Don't come near Kagome again... or else." They gave small bows. "Good day, Mortu."
And with that, Kasumi and Splinter departed. Mortu just sighed, looking down in disgust with himself.
Author's Note:
(1): A non-profit organization formed in 1907 to promote friendly relations between the US and Japan. Its headquarters, the youngest landmark building in New York, was designed by Junzo Yoshimura and opened in 1971 at 333 East 47th Street near the United Nations. With a focus on promoting "arts and culture, public policy, business, language, and education," the organization has regularly held events in its many facilities, including a library, art gallery, and theater, since its opening.
(2) This is the nictitating membranes found on aquatic animals like turtles and crocodiles. They're essentially a set of eyelids that they have to protect their eyes from water and the like while letting them see. A common theory is that in the 2012 series, when the Turtles and Leatherhead's eyes go white, it's because they've closed those membranes. That is what is happening here.
(3): The Turtles Forever design.
Wow, that was an emotional roller coaster. Major edit here; Hisako doesn't see her parents there, since she has no idea who they are and it wouldn't convince her to trust them. Kagome's father being a TCRI Guardian was Insane's idea to accomplish the same.
BTW, Samson is property of Author of the Insane.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Samson - Vic Mignogna (Broly from Dragon Ball Z, Qrow Branwen from RWBY, Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist, Fai D. Flowright from Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Tamaki Suoh from Ouran High School Host Club)
And before anyone drops anything in the reviews and the like regarding it, I'm well aware of the allegations regarding Vic, but I've long since chosen to remain a neutral party and not to get into any flame wars. And even if I didn't, I've learned to separate the works and characters from the people who create and play them.
Please R&R. Until next time!