"I told you they were no good!" April scolded Donnie while pedaling her bike up the street. Donnie sat in the basket as he focused on his phone. I brought my skateboard and rolled next to them. Don and I wore our disguises. "Did I tell you? I know I told you so!"
"You said they were no good", Donnie objected. "You never said they were thieves. So, this is technically your fault."
"Don't you dare point this on me!"
"I have a question", I said before April decided to bitch slap Donnie, "Why am I here? Because knowing you Dee you would keep this on the down low to save yourself the embarrassment and humiliation."
Donnie glanced my way before he refocused on the glowing screen. "You were the first to warn me."
"Excuse me!" April yelled.
"Fine! You were the one to warn me. You tried and I didn't listen. Now I want to bring these little thieves down and get my stuff back." The fact that Donnie admitted stunned me. "Also, you didn't explicitly tell me why I should be wary of the Purple Dragons so in technicality, it's your fault as well."
I felt the vein over my eye pump. "I could just turn around and skate home", I threatened, "Let you clean up "April's mess" which in reality it's your fault." I made to retreat, but I stopped hearing my twin's plea.
"Don't! I need you!" First, Dee needed my help. Now, he's begging? What's going on here?
"Leo, I'm as confused as you are, but if Dee here needs our help, then he's desperate", April reasoned.
"I don't see what I bring to the table, but I'll play along."
"Good", Donnie stated. "We need to find the Purple Dragons before their next heist."
"They got your high-tech gear and they're using it to rob electronic stores? That sounds like a waste", April said. I mentally agreed. Donnie is smarter than the average human brain (or so how he brags). His equipment is powerful even in the wrong hands.
"What if they're testing it?" I asked, aloud.
"Get the feel of my equipment..." Donnie trailed off.
We both looked at each other with wide eyes. "For a bigger heist!" we completed our sentences in realization.
"Anyone wanna fill me in the deets?" April cut in.
"Of course! How did I oversee this? They're planning on cracking the biggest safe they can hack!"
"Like the Nakamura simulator?" Why did that sound familiar?
"Not just a simulator! They were practicing cracking into the internet safe from the Nakamura Enterprise! If they manage to break through, they'll have the World Wide Web right at their fingertips."
"Which means we gotta hustle!" I said putting enough force in my kick.
"Yes! Onward, April. Post haste!"
"Do I look like an Uber driver to you?!"
We rode as fast as our legs could carry us. The Nakamura building was within the horizon. A blast exploded at the top of the building. The Purple Dragons were already inside. We parked at the front.
"They're already started", April stated, "We need to get up there. Any ideas?"
I saw Donnie nod in thought. "We'll go ol' school. Jazz hands!" My brother showed us his palms where he wore sharp claws. He jumped to the building, but he faceplanted on the glass.
"Plan B", April said, pulling Donnie's leg. They head inside. I pulled back. We need to get to the top. I took out my sword. I could summon a portal, but would it take us to them? I had a few successes before if it involves getting to Merrill's place and to April's school (surprisingly). Would I risk it?
'You could fly.'
I blinked. Light?
'Who do you think? The Tooth Fairy?'
Dead ass. Hold the sass. Are you telling me I could fly?
'With my guidance, yes.'
What? Do I need to believe I could fly, and I'll fly to the top?
'Preposterous. Let your body relax. Let it be weightless.' What a great description. 'Do you want to fly or not?!' Fine. 'Good. Close your eyes and relax.' I obeyed. I released the tension in my muscles. What am I supposed to do? I'm just standing there with my eyes closed.
My back – my shell – grew hot, and warm. My body grew warmer, too. I opened my eyes to see April and Donnie looking at me in bewilderment. I glanced behind me. I spotted a pair of golden wings spreading out. I flexed my new limbs. Whoa. That's cool.
"Leo? Are you there?" April asked.
I smiled. "Don't worry, guys. I'm still me." I hopped up while flapping my wings. "Let's get to the top!" I grabbed hold of them and flew avoiding the long staircase. This is awesome! I can fly! I am so going to enjoy this!
...well, as much as I can grasp.
We reached the top. We spotted the Purple Jerks hovering over the center control (if I'm guessing). "Alright, you Purple Jerks! I want my stuff back!" Donnie demanded.
"I got it!" The boy in glasses hollered. With that, the group ran to their exit. We chased them down. Donnie managed to knock over the two boys and one of them dropped a laptop. Kendra grabbed the laptop leaving her partners behind. I chased after her. I need to get that laptop.
Kendra jumped out through the broken window activating Don's hover shell. I jumped onto her back. The collision made her lose perspective. I reached for the laptop, but she punched me in the face causing me to detach my grip. We separated. I felt more air over my head. My head was exposed. A flash of blue light whizzed past us.
"You pass them, April!" Donnie yelled.
"I don't know how to use a jetpack!" April yelled back. I barely dodged them as April tried to maneuver the jetpack.
"Well, well, well. I knew you were a freak of nature, but you're the definition of a freak!" Kendra studied us; studied me. "I knew something was off about you the moment I saw you. Even with the gaudy clothes, your green skin was visible."
"Hand over the laptop, Kendra!" Dee demanded, "You're surrounded!"
I rolled my eyes. I'd rather not point out the open sky with two of us against one of her. "It's over. Hand over the laptop and yourself."
The purple-haired girl rolled her eyes, too. "Puh-lease. Like I'm gonna listen to a chicken-winged tortoise and his lackeys."
"Bitch! Say that to my face!" Our female friend cried to the cyber thief.
"I don't think so. In fact, I think I want to blast you off the sky." Kendra activated Donnie's tech bo's laser mechanism charging it up. "Starting with you, Man Stealer!" She fired, but we separated. She followed me. She called me a Man Stealer. She blamed me for stealing Merrill.
She still wants him.
A laser hit my legs. I cried in pain. Another shot hit one of my wings. I lost balance and I fell. I landed in an alleyway on a pile of trash. Why does your gear have such heavy heat, Dee?
She floated down like an archangel with the laptop in her hand. "...I was there..." Kendra's body shook as she gritted her teeth. "Prom night... I was there and saw you. I wanted to surprise Merrill and convince him to take me back, both of you were dancing outside. You had Merrill wrapped around your chubby fingers." I pushed out the filth pile watching her get angrier. "I never saw him happy... even when we grew up together. He even kissed you on that slimy cheek of yours! So, what's so special about you? What, you put some kind of spell on him?"
I wish I had an answer for her. I don't know how I made Merrill happy or why he kissed my cheek. I don't know if he even likes me more than a friend. I do know one thing. "We make each other happy", I explained, "When we get upset, we find a way to put a smile on our faces. I care about him. And I know he does the same. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. But you must let it go and move on. I don't care if you want to hurt me, but getting my brother involved crosses the line! That's something I'm not going to forgive and forget."
The girl smirked. "Ah, Von Ryan. Yeah, I did use him. The moment I saw that green skin I knew you were somewhat related. I thought why not just get him to be a new member of the Purple Dragons but get to be my boyfriend? It didn't really last long since we so wanted to play with his toys. 'Thought we could get away with it after our grand heist. I guess even geniuses do have a few flaws."
"A few flaws or a few screws loose."
She narrowed her eyes. "What did you say?"
"You heard me, pendeja. Not your brightest plan. Think about it. You posted an article about your new member-slash-boyfriend. Then, you get Don to join your little brigade. After that, you steal his stuff to go on a heist. I'm just trying to find the logic here. Did you do it to get Merrill to notice you? Or was it out of boredom?"
The girl gritted her teeth. "You think you're above me?! Did I ask Merrill to be the Sexy Lucifer? How was I supposed to know spreading that rumor would make him popular? He was supposed to be unpopular not the opposite!"
I had the sudden urge to laugh. Without any restraint, I laughed my guts out. "You spread that rumor?! You made Merrill popular?! Man, talk about karma!"
"Stop laughing! You think this is funny!?"
"No. No. Not funny. It's just hilarious that an intelligent teenage girl such as yourself had a high IQ and yet didn't use many brain cells to even think too far ahead. Now that is what I call pathetic." Kendra powered up the bo staff.
"I'm going to enjoy wiping that smug grin off your face!"
April got in front of Donnie. "Not another move, Kendra! Or else I'll resort to Plan M." What's Plan M?
"Plan M, you say? Oh no. I'm quaking in my new jetpack."
"Last chance. Return my belongings and the computer or suffer my wrath."
"As if I'll listen to you, Von Ryan! It was fun while it lasted. Oh well. No hard feelings."
Donnie pulled his phone out and dialed. I heard the ringing from my end until...
"Am I good?" Merrill?
"Affirmative, Merrill", Donnie replied.
"Why are you calling Merrill?" Kendra asked. Then, her eyes grew wide. "Wait! You don't know his protocol!"
"Your ex gave me permission. He had a feeling that you would pull something this heinous, so he provided me with access to one of his protocols." Protocols? Merrill mentioned he was trained to be an obedient soldier.
Kendra glared at my brother. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Go ahead, Dee", Merrill said, "If I do go overboard, you know the end phrase."
"Yes... Initiate Protocol: Black Dagger."
Kendra gasped. Even though I have no idea how bad it was, I knew she was fuck. "What have you done?!"
"I believe this would be called karma, my dear." A figure jumped from the building and landed in front of Donnie. It was Merrill with purple eyes. My emo friend kneeled in front of my brother.
"What are your orders?" he automatically asked, monotoned.
"Merrill. I want you to grab Kendra's laptop. As a bonus, destroy the hover shell", Donnie ordered.
"Affirmative." Merrill stood. Metal claws spouted out of his fingers like Freddy Krueger.
The PD leader's face grew pale. "Merrill... sweetie... you don't want to hurt me... right, babe? We have history." Merrill jumped a big leap. His claws missed their target. He tried again. She dodged them again. Their little air dance went on repeat. "Override Protocol: Sheath Blade! I said Override Protocol: Sheath Blade! Why are you not listening?!"
"Did you forget? The person who announces his protocol is the same person who stops the order. And here I thought you know Merrill by heart."
Merrill leaped again, but he slashed the jetpack causing her to lose control. The girl crashed. Her laptop flew out of her fingers.
"Von Ryan..." the girl weakly pushed up. Her laptop was far from reach. "...you wouldn't be this cruel, right? You wouldn't want to hurt your friend, right?"
Dee crossed his arms. "Not to my friends, no. But those who have the gall to use me; who have the audacity to rob me blind. I see them as insignificant maggots. They should be eliminated." Merrill landed with a loud thud. "You used me and my prized possessions. For what? To win your ex back? Pathetic!"
I laid a hand on my angry brother. "Dee. I think she gets it."
"Not yet. I want her to see what happens if she decides to pull the same stunt again." Donnie pushed my hand aside. Kendra saw Merrill advancing toward her. She crawled on her back like a frantic crab.
"Donnie, stop! She gets it!"
"Dee, this is too much!" April agreed.
"No!" Donnie yelled. "I want her to know – remember – what her actions will lead!" I get how upset he was, but he shouldn't go this far!
Merrill continued to come closer. Kendra, in her last resort, begged. "I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY, OTHELLO VON RYAN OR DONNIE OR YOUR MAJESTY! I PROMISED I'LL NEVER CROSS YOU AGAIN! PLEASE, CALL OFF MERRILL! PLEASE!"
"Donatello! She had enough!" I yelled, trying to convince Don to stop for both his and my friend's sake.
Don just stared at the frightened girl. Her eyes were in tears with her mascara running. Her nose was dripping with snot. "Not yet", he said, emotionless, "She hasn't learned her lesson."
Damn it, Dee. I immediately stood between Kendra and Merrill. "Merrill, stop it!" I said, "This wasn't the first time you were controlled! Remember the Gumbus incident? You fought against Stockboii's control. If you did it once, you can do it again!" Merrill didn't stop walking. "Merrill... I really don't want to hurt you. Say something... please." He didn't say a word. I tried reaching him through our mind link. It was hollow. No. He couldn't be gone. Could he? Did the protocol control his mind?
Merrill stopped and... picked up the laptop. I blinked as he broke it with ease. Then, he kneeled again. "My task is complete."
"Excellent", Donnie said, pleased, "You've done a fantastic job."
"Hold up. You weren't going to kill Kendra?" April voiced my confusion.
"Certainly not. Merrill's protocols were rather specific. A straightforward order and he delivers. As much as I want to end her life, I will let the human authorities deal with her punishment." Donnie leered at the cowering girl as he shrugged his jacket. "Consider this my resignation and our quote-unquote breakup. It's not me, it's you. I hope you can find your happiness." Donnie approached the obedient emo. "Rise." Merrill stood, mechanically. "Override Protocol: Sheath Blade." After hearing the order, Merrill staggered gasping for air.
I helped him hold his ground. "I'm good. I'm good", Merrill said. He noticed Kendra. "Kendra. It's over. It's been over for years. You're going to spend a lot of time thinking about your actions. I want you to think long and hard during a timeout." I carried him away as Dee and April grabbed the broken battle shells. Sirens were coming our way.
I quickly opened a portal. We went through it and made it to Merrill's room. We were greeted by the emo's #1 fangirl.
"Master! I've missed you!" Cuddles leaped up to Merrill's face, but I smacked her aside.
"Back off, Face Hugger. Merrill needs to sleep", I told her.
"Hmph. Go away, interloper!"
"You little rabbit!"
"Guys. I have a fucking headache. Either shut the fuck up or leave my house", Merrill groaned. No kidding, I felt a splitting headache pumping in my head, too.
"Then, April and I will take our leave Dee said, leaving the bedroom, "I'll cover you if Papa gets suspicious." April left as well while carrying the demon rabbit by her long ears.
"How about I make you a quick nighttime snack? Anything you want", I offered.
"I'm craving strawberries." My face grew hot. "What? Why are you flustered?"
"Nothing! If you want strawberries then my man will get strawberries! I mean – my boyfriend! Wait, no! I mean!"
"I got it, Lee. As my boyfriend, you want to fatten me up. I can respect that."
I shoved him to his bed. "Forget it! I'm leaving! I hope you're swamped with nightmares!"
"Lee, wait! I want to cuddle!"
"Cuddle your fucking body pillow, perv!" I opened a portal and bolted. My face was heating up like a pizza oven. Why do I have to like a guy like him?
Well, it would be boring if he changed.