I went home. I switched my arms to Gauntlet Beta. My second pair of legs haven't gone through testing. I must handle my standards. It should be fine if I don't overheat the thrusters. Both pellet bullets and knives are armed. My metal arms reach above the elbows. See, Gauntlet Beta is an impressive prosthetic armor created by my aunt. Gauntlet Beta is a combination of shotgun fists and talon knives. With the right combinations, I can shoot and slash my opponent. I changed my leather jacket with a simple black jersey jacket and pulled my hair back it a hairband into a short ponytail. I know I'm stepping into battle; a big battle judging the shit I've seen. It's not going to be a walk in the park, especially with the group I'm affiliated. I might as well not damage my favorite clothing. I sigh. This isn't about me. This is about saving the Furball from whatever peril it's in. Oh, yeah, and April, too.
I suck my cigarette's life as I look at the brick wall, patiently, as I lean against my motorcycle. My bike appears simple to any person who looks at it. This baby is an anti-gravity motorbike with thrusters packed with juicy surprises. Also, courtesy of my aunt with yours truly giving her a hand. Maybe I should've mentioned I painted my bike navy blue with a shimmering lighting bolt on the sides. My bike is a darker hue than Leo's bandana. Fuck, not again! He didn't make a good impression! The one thing I gave credit for is his Spanish! Nothing more, nothing less. I focus on my sucking the nicotine. I should've brought weed.
"Are my eyes playing tricks on me?" Greeeeaaaaaat. Speak of the Devil and he shall come. I look behind me and lo and behold the turtle gang. Leo was the caller. "I thought you weren't getting involved." His face morphs into a shit-eating grin. Cocky, little fucker.
I shrug, passively. "Got bored. Had nothing better to do than wait for you dipshits to show up."
"Hey", Raph points his huge finger at my face, "no swearing. Mikey's thirteen."
"And?" I say with a raised eyebrow, "I started cursing at age 11. I'm sure he cursed just as much only when you're not in the same room."
"Well, not always. Oh! I did say shit once after losing a game with Leo. Does that count?" Mikey says with a childlike grin like he accomplished a good deed." His tooth gap smile makes his tone innocent.
Raph gasps. "Mikey! How could you? You're too young!"
"I'm going to swear sooner or later. I'm not a little kid, Raph!"
"Don't worry. Take things slow and you'll be swearing like a pirate in no time", I advise the box turtle. Raph glares. It didn't bother me. What bothers me is Mr. Purple Tech having a panic attack over my bike.
"So beautiful. The machinery. The fine-tuning. The body. Yes, this is the work of a mastermind genius!" Donnie gawks. His goggles are over his eyes. I see drool streaming is jaw. "Oh, I bet she purrs when she's turned on." Giggity. "Please, let me ride her!"
That's it. With a flick of my wrist, a knife is placed between my fingers. "Drool on my bike and I'll cut your tongue off." My threat made the sot shell retreat and stand beside his broad brother. Raph hunches his form fiddling with what looks like a foreign coin. Mikey joins them, too. It was just me and Leo. Lovely. The turtle I'm trying not to think about is standing close, staring. "Take a picture. It'll last longer." His blinks. He looks away. His cheeks got darker. Huh? In this lighting, his cheeks have a red tint. Really? Did he get embarrassed? I didn't pull off my gay charm.
"You pull your hair back", the slider mumbles.
"So what?"
"Um... you look nice... seeing your full face... Hey, Raph how's the portal coming?" Leo walks to his brothers. I watch Leo conversing with his brothers. His blush was cute. I snuff my cig to join them.
"Stop talking about my fear stink!" the snapping turtle says. I don't know what I walk into, but I couldn't help myself from being a dick.
"That's what I've been smelling? I thought it was your gulo." I witness Leo covering his mouth. I made him laugh. I shake my head. The sooner we finish the rescue missing, the sooner I get to go home and forget these idiotas.
Raph jiggles his arm around with the little trinket facing the brick wall. Then, he starts punching it. After, he gets frustrated and throws the object at the wall causing it to ricochet and hitting him square in the forehead. He falls. The key – I'm guessing – lands on Mikey's palm.
"How about we let the artist of the crew take a shot at it?"
"I say give him a shot. I mean, he can't do any worse, respectfully", Leo says. Donnie and I nod.
"Hey", Raph raises a finger in protest before dropping it. Mikey walks up to the wall in determination. He places the piece onto the surface. My scanners pick up the object in full screen. It appears to be a small clock with strange symbols. A dial dead center starts to spin. The clock glows along with the wall. Mikey draws an M-like symbol, and a monster face appears; in its mouth is a gateway.
"Holy shit", I breathe, astounded by the vast wonder before me.
"You beautiful fools! It worked!" Donnie hollers.
Raph pulls a speedy recovery, looming over me and his brothers. "All I had to was believe in myself." Right. Let's go with that.
"Okay, uh, what do we do now?" Leo asks the million-dollar question.
"I know what I'm doing", I say as I jump headfirst through the portal, "see you on the other side!" A chorus of cannonballs was heard. We skydive through the tunnel. The ride wasn't long since a bright light was seen below us. We get through and I prepare my landing. I twist my body certain my feet impact the ground. I land with a heavy thud. Three turtles dogpile behind me. I look up seeing number four freefalling. I reposition myself to catch him, unfortunately, I caught the blue turtle.
Leo blinks. "What's with you and personal space? If I didn't know better, I'd say you have a thing for lil ol' me." His smirk is pissing me off! For the second time today, I dropped the snarky slider. He quickly stands up. "We need to work on your attitude, dude. How are you going to make friends with a sour mood like yours?"
"Not planning on making friends", I tell him, "Once we rescue your friend and Furball, I'm bouncing. We'll never see each other again. Hopefully, it'll stay like that."
A flash of hurt crosses his eyes, yet it fades in a second. "Yeah. Okay. You'll probably ruin our style. Dark and sadness don't mix in our crew."
"Whatever."
Raph chooses the perfect timing to come between us. "Hey, hey, hey. Quit the bantering and focus on why we're here."
"Check out the view, dudes", Mikey yells. We stare at wonder at a huge city beyond us. A city filled with monsters I've never seen. Some bigger than a blimp flies above. A city like this can only exist in movies and books. This is surreal.
"Psst!" I hear a whisper. We turn to see April hiding behind a big rock. She seems well and good.
Mikey runs over to her and hugs her. Raph – for some reason – becomes sentimental and hugs everyone. I manage to get away in time.
"Donnie, where are we?"
"According to my calculations, we are in a tertiary meta-verse."
"It doesn't feel like a meta-verse", I disagree.
"I'm sorry, who has a wrist computer on hand? Oh, yes, that would be me, Donatello."
"Just saying. It feels more underground than a different dimension."
"Actually, I've been exploring, and we're in a mystic hidden city deep under New York", the girl explains. I was shocked to say she didn't get caught.
"That was my second guess."
"Sure you were", I say with an eye roll.
"So, where's the dog thingy?" Leo asks.
"They're in there", we look at her pointing to a creepy, building overlooking the city.
"Cue villain theme song", I say as I calmly walk to the building. The gang follows. Inside is a laboratory with devices more advanced than my aunt ever created. The atmosphere reminds me of a sci-fi moviesque. We wonder the lab a bit more until Red spot Furball.
We hide low looking over a large machine. Two cages were present. One is where Furball is held which is trying its best to teleport out of there. The other has a human delivery guy I've seen selling crabcakes.
"I'm gonna take a closer look. BRB," I say. Raph wanted to say something, but Leo intervenes.
"Be careful, okay? We don't know what we're getting into."
I snort. "Heh. I was practically born to do this shit unlike you." I ignore the quiet "Hey!" and activate stealth. I was out of sight and out of mind. I make my way to the machine. I was about to tap Furball's cage to get its attention until a figure enters the room. The buff monster man reminds me of a purple sheep man on steroids. His shoulder pads have gargoyles. Weirdo. He walks to Furball. I inch back into the shadows.
"Thank you for returning my vial", he says going through the defenses and yanking the vial off its neck. It belongs to Big Man, huh? Furball was taking that liquid away, but why?
"If you're the guy who keeps calling about the calamari, fine, it's pig butt. But the crab cakes are real", the delivery guy pleads the fifth. Ew. Thank God I don't eat shellfish.
"I assure you; I have no interest in your... petty cakes of crab."
One of the gargoyles speaks, "But we would love to hear more about those pig butts." His twin laughs.
"You are about to be part of an experiment that will change the very nature of humanity." Experiment? Change the nature of humanity? Is he planning to take over humankind?
"Alright!" the mad man activates his machine injecting the vial. The machine glows an eerie green color. What I didn't notice was a hive of mosquitoes lodged inside. They drink the liquid like nectar until it swells their bodies. Big Man takes an insect, walking toward his trapped guinea pig. "So is this gonna hurt?"
"It will... if I'm doing this right", Big Man releases the bug, and the mosquito stings the delivery boy.
"Hey, that wasn't so –" his eyes bug out. His body contorts into a different shape. "Ow. Okay, this part hurts. Ah, that hurts!" my eyes widen. Holy fucking shit pies! That's a mutagen. Sheepman created a mutagen for humans! That's why Furball tries to escape with the vial; it was trying to prevent him from turning humans into mutants and with the number of mosquitoes he has New York City is his starting point. The delivery boy's mutations turn him into a mutant fish. The mutant fish flails his body before running away. This is bad. This is really, REALLY bad.
"The mutation worked", Sheep Man says with glee, "just like it did all those years ago." Interesting. This wasn't his first attempt. Alright. Time to focus. Step one, free Furball. Step Two, become Bug Exterminator. Step Three, destroy the machine. Easier said than done. I look above. The turtle crew isn't there. I can handle this. No biggie.
I gently tap Furball's cage. It sees me and starts wagging its tail. I smile. "Miss me, Furball. Don't worry I'll get you out in no time." I touch the prison cell. It's made of glass. I might be able to crack a dent with an elbow jab. I sneak a peek around the corner. Sheep Man isn't around. Where did he go? My scanners show a big exclamation point. I jump away barely dodging a burgundy appendage. I backflip a few feet to keep my distance. Golden eyes leer my uninvited form like I was an insult.
"A human in my laboratory? No human ever set foot in the Hidden City let alone my domain", he speaks in disbelief.
"Decided to take a detour down the rabbit hole", I tell the scientist while I withdraw a knife within my sleeve discreetly, "Your décor could use some work. I recommend Martha Stewart. She knows her shit."
Sheep Man leers at me with such skepticism. "How were you able to detect my presence? Not many mortals have such insight. And your flexibility. Flawless, yet lacks precision. Who trains you?"
"Your mother." I dodge his arm, which mutated into a large vine-like appendage, while I throw my knife at him; he blocks my projectile by backhanding it. I backstep. "Oh, I'm sorry. I meant your grandmother."
"Your discipline could use work. Perhaps injecting you with my mutagen could develop your attitude", he insists as he retracts his arm.
"It's a hard pass. I already have strict parents. I don't need a sugar daddy telling me what to do." I pull two knives and run to my opponent with quick speed. I slash repeatedly at his face. He manages to keep pace. I niche his chest armor, unfortunately, he grasps my wrist. I notice his inspecting my hand. I use his distraction and spin and kick his face. He releases my hand, but his tentacle grabs me pinning my arms to my sides, and my knives drop. He lifts me with ease pulling me close to his ugly mug. My feet dangling above the floor.
"A human with metal appendages", he says with interest, "fascinating. Are all humans have this feature or is it merely keeping you alive?"
"What's the matter? You scared?"
"Baron Draxum fears nothing!"
I smirk. A joke is dancing the samba on my tastebuds. "I'm sorry what's your name, again?"
"I said I, Baron Draxum, fear nothing!"
"One more time with more gusto. I was born partially deaf."
"Baron Draxum fears nothing!!!"
"Baron Draxum... these nuts across your face! Hah, classic!"
Draxum lifts an eyebrow. "What nonsense do you speak of? Are you carrying nuts? I must say they are small."
"Shows what you know, but I would rather not show them until after our fifth date."
"Your tendencies are wearing thin, boy. What are you trying to accomplish? My patience?" For a monster, he loves to hear himself talk.
"Just being your friendly, neighborhood douchebag. If I were you, I would let me go before your tentacle becomes sashimi."
"Hmm. I could or..." Draxum squeezes my body, "I can dissect you. Experiment you. You have two choices: be my next specimen or join me. I could use a new disciple." His grip getting too tight. I can hear my metal arms groaning. He gave me enough room to speak.
"Again, hard to the pass. I would rather eat glue with glitter", I snap with gritted teeth.
"Such a shame to lose a promising warrior." He adds more strength to his grip. I try my best to hold in my scream. His grip tightens. I scream louder. Please, God, if you have telepathic powers, save me. I'm not ready to die. I want to live. I haven't done anything exciting! Yeah, people think I have it all because I'm rich, but no one knows what it's like in my shoes. I have until my eighteenth birthday to enjoy my freedom until it's gone for good! Living la Vida loca! I haven't lost my V-card, I didn't make any friends, and I didn't find my significant other. Perhaps after doing everything my parents tell me, they can allow me to live a secluded life; settle down in a quiet town, drinking a nice, cold lemonade, and my significant other resting their head on my shoulder enjoying sundown on the porch.
For a moment, an image of Leo – cocking grin and all – pops up in my scanners. Great, thank you brain for being an ass to my last dying breath. My gravestone should say "Asshole from Birth to Death".
A noise relinquishes the tight squeeze. Then, a crash. I desperately gasp for air. I can imagine my arms dented. Dented, but not damaged. I can escape. I open an eye and look up seeing a familiar pile of bodies with a teenage girl casually sitting on top. They rearrange themselves. I notice they got new weapons. They probably stole it nearby.
"Goth Boy!" Leo yells with a sudden gasp, seeing me in Barry's grasp. My eye twitches.
"I have a name, dipshit!" I yell back.
"You never told me – I mean us! You never told us!"
"Alright", Raph hollers from above, "you incredibly unusually buff bookworm, give us the dog thingy and Goth Boy, and you'll walk out of here with horns attached." Fuck. The nickname became a gag.
"Shouldn't we also stop him from creating crab-men?" Leo points out.
"Good note. Okay, give us the little guy and Goth Boy, stop creating crab-men-"
"Imitation crab-men", Donnie corrects. I can't believe they're doing this. In front of the villain, no less. Speaking of villains, Barry Drax is enthused. I bet he didn't bother listening to what the conversation was about.
"You're beautiful." I was certain I saw hearts in Barry's eyes.
"Hey, Barry Larry. Enough with the gawk fest. You're defining yourself as a creep." I shift my fist a smidge, cocking my fist at his face.
"Silence. Otherwise, you will lose your tongue you hold dear", Barry threatens. It wasn't effective.
"Bitch say what."
"Wha-" I shoot a pellet getting a direct hit in his eye. He releases me. I backflip, kicking him at his chin. He growls. "You are a nuisance." He pulls out marble and slams it on the floor. Vines shoot out heading toward the gang. They ride the vines, except for Leo who hugs the vines while sliding. He drops a marble, and a giant golem sprouts up.
"Capture those specimens!" Barry orders his golem.
"Initiate Battle Protocol: Wolverine!" Sharp, metal claws extend from my fingers. "Activate quick speed." I slash his arm piece off. I smirk. "Ready for round 2?" He scoffs at my overconfidence. I slash and cut at Barry. He dodges and parries my attacks. Honestly, it's pissing me off. He scowls at me like my mother after she sees my poor posture. He prepares a punch, but a demon fireball shoots past us pulling Mikey with it. "Mike, watch it with that thing! You almost burn me alive, estupido!"
"Sorry", Mikey apologizes, "I can't control it!" the fireball continues to yank Mikey like a hyperactive Pomeranian. Their new weapons are magical?
"Oh, that's sick", Leo gapes and charges at Draxum his new sword in hand, "I wonder what mine does!" his sword vibrates with mystic symbols appearing on the blade.
"Wait! What if something happens?" I call trying to stop him from making a mistake. Too late. Draxum shields himself. Leo swings his sword releasing a powerful swing... ...nothing happens. Leo heavily sweats at the outcome. Something appears underneath the slider. Whoa, a portal. Leo falls through. Another portal opens above. Leo falls through and he's freefalling repeatedly.
"Someone. Get. Me. Off. This. Ride." I couldn't stop looking at the display. Instead of helping, I pull out my phone and record. I shall call the video "Turtle in Motion."
"Aside from the human, you all fight like simpletons!" My focus remains on Leo riding the Infinity Portal Train. Should I intervene? I can stop the ride. I just chose not to join in. Suddenly, Barry shoots something at Leo catching me in his grasp. We get encased in a cocoon. Soon after the gang ends up getting tied up like us. I land on top of Leo; my nose touching his cheek.
"You're lying on top of me!" Leo struggles to get me off.
"Like I intended to!" I try moving my arms, hoping I could get a grip on the knife.
"Can you guys lay off the arguing for like five seconds!" April yells at us to stop.
A loud explosion cut us off. The centerpiece was going to blow, and we were smacked deep in the center. What do you think we did? We panic. Pieces fall from the ceiling. A heavy pillar crash on Furball's cage breaking it entirely. It escapes and reaches April's head by teleporting.
"Dog thingy! Can you get us out of here?" April asks, politely.
Furball teleports us out of the exploding lab out of the restraints. I blink to see us outside the building. Mikey draws the M symbol before we all jump in. We land on the ground outside the portal. The key breaks after impact. I see my bike where I left it. I was tempted to kiss my baby, but not in front of these guys.
Whelp, that happens. "I'm out. See you never." Making my way to my unoccupied vehicle.
"Wait!" I turn to see Leo catching up. "The least you can do is say your name!"
"It's Merrill. Don't wear it out."
"Merrill", Leo repeats. Hearing him say my name, I feel uneasy. I quickly walk to my bike helmet already in hand. "We make a good team", he says with a smile.
I leap onto my bike. "Candid I did most of the fighting while you guys were busy playing with your new toys." I put my helmet on.
"You know what? I take that back. You're a dick."
I ignite my bike to life. "So I've been told." I ride away leaving the turtle gang in my dust. I look through my rearview mirror spotting the red-eared slider watching me leave.
I smirk. That was a crazy experience, however, all good things come to an end. I'm never going to see them again.
I'm never going to see Leo again.
My stomach feels empty. I should've brought a snack.