- Chapter 15 -

In the Family

Down in the Technodrome, Krang paced back and forth impatiently, awaiting information. Ch'rell was standing off to the side as well, equally eager. At that moment, the door to Krang's chamber slid open, and a Krangdroid entered. Krang turned to him.

"Have you found it?" he demanded.

"N-no, sir," the Krangdroid said nervously. "We've combed the entire city, but we haven't found the Turtles or the power cell."

Krang punched the wall in a rage, denting the metal.

"You incompetent moron!" he cursed.

"What did you expect?" Ch'rell said flatly. "These grunts have done more harm than good to our operation."

"Those blasted Turtles have my power cell!" Krang screamed. "And I want them found NOW!"

"Sir, with all due respect, we've been trying our best!" the Krangdroid objected.

"Then we'll have to do better than our best!" Krang snapped, looming over the hapless minion. "As for you... this will be the last time you bring me bad news."

A blaster formed from the arm of Krang's exosuit, and he promptly vaporized the Krangdroid on the spot before he could even scream or beg for mercy.

"General Krang," Ch'rell piped up. "May I make a suggestion?"

Krang turned to his second-in-command. "What is it?"

"We spoke not long ago about luring our enemies to us, and we do know where to find the perfect bait. The girl is still needed for our plans. So, why not kill two birds with one stone?"

"You make an excellent point," Krang conceded. "But we'll need better men. Are our new soldiers ready?"

Ch'rell grinned viciously. "As a matter of fact, they will be very soon. If my calculations are correct, they should be combat ready by dawn."

"See that they are," Krang said with an evil grin of his own. "By this time tomorrow, April O'Neil will be ours."

Down in the sewers, the Turtles, sans Donnie, and Kagome were seated by the subway tracks, waiting impatiently. Hisako joined them shortly after, plopping down next to them.

"Made it," she said as she let out a sigh of relief.

"How's he doing?" Leo asked, referring to Leatherhead.

"He's doing alright," Hisako replied. "His wounds are coming along nicely, I brought him an entire stack of meat lovers' pizzas, and I even convinced him that having at least a mattress wouldn't hurt."

"Nice," Raph said, the two fist bumping.

"So," Kagome began, "any idea what Donnie wanted to show us?"

"Nope," Vee answered. "All he said was it had something to do with the big project he's been working on for the past week."

"The one Dad has had to physically drag him away from every night so he'll eat and sleep," Leo added.

"Ugh, what's taking him so long?" Mikey moaned. "He knows I have a short attention- ooh, gum!"

He picked up a piece of ABC gum off the ground, and was just about to put it in his mouth when Raph smacked it out of his hand.

"Don't put that in your mouth, dumbass!" he snapped.

"Donnie!" Hisako shouted impatiently. "You ready yet?!"

As if on cue, they heard an engine running. Down the tracks came the subway car they had used to escape the Krangdroids, now refurbished with headlights, truck tires, and armored bumpers on the front and back. Everyone's jaws dropped, their eyes sparkling in amazement.

"Ho..." Leo began.

"Ly..." Raph added.

"Chalupa," Vee included.

"That's..." Hisako interjected.

"Super cool!" Mikey concluded.

The doors slid open, and Donnie stepped out, smirking.

"So?" he asked. "Whaddaya think?"

"This is what you've been working on all week?" Kagome asked. "Turning Leatherhead's old subway car into some kinda... Turtle Mobile?"

"Laaaame!" Mikey interjected. "I'd call it something awesome. Like the Shell Mobile."

He shook his head, and thought it over.

"The Battle Shell?" he wondered, before snapping his fingers. "No, wait! The Shellraiser! Yeah, that's it!"

"Mikey, that's..." Leo cut himself off as he thought it over. "Actually the perfect name."

Mikey grinned proudly.

"Huh, he actually came up with a name that didn't sound dorky or stupid for once," Vee said, before feigning a shiver. "Brrr, do you feel that? I think hell just froze over."

"I didn't think Leatherhead's name was dorky or stupid," Hisako pointed out.

"Okay, I'll give you that," Vee conceded.

With that, Donnie led them all into the Shellraiser. Multiple seats and objects were set up, like a computer, a map of the city, and weapons systems. Donnie pressed a button, and everything lit up.

"Now, I've assigned everyone to a station based on your individual skill sets," Donnie explained. "Unfortunately, I could only create four stations, so Vee and Hisako will alternate with Mikey and Raph. Leo drives."

"Sweet!" Leo declared, grinning.

"And why does he get to drive?" Kagome asked.

"For starters, Kagome, you don't have a license," Donnie answered. "That, and Leo's the least likely to hit something just for fun."

"He's got us there," Mikey admitted.

"But once you actually have a license, you and Leo will alternate from time to time," Donnie added.

"That'll work," Kagome conceded, smiling. "Now I just gotta convince Mom to take me to the DMV."

Donnie nodded, turning to the others.

"Raph, you man the weapons systems. Vee's your alternate," he told them. "Mikey's on navigation, alternating with Hisako."

"I'm surprised I'm not your first pic for navigator," Hisako remarked.

"He gets to help and not make a mess," Donnie said matter-of-factly.

"Touché," Hisako replied.

"And what are you gonna do, Don?" Kagome asked.

"I manage the vital functions from back here," Donnie explained, taking a seat at the station in the very back.

"So …" Hisako began, "now what?"

Leo smirked, cracking his knuckles.

"I think it's time we take this baby for a test drive," he told her.

With that, Leo, Raph, Mikey, and Donnie all took their seats at their designated stations. Vee, Hisako, and Kagome grabbed onto three hooks dangling from the ceiling.

"Just ease the throttle forward, Leo," Donnie instructed. "Slowly, now."

Hisako clutched her hook with both hands, bracing herself as Vee and Kagome did the same. Leo punched the throttle, and they all took off.

"What's powering this thing, by the way?" Vee asked.

"The power cell we got from Leatherhead," Donnie replied.

"Didn't you say it was dangerous?" Kagome remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"Which is why it's encased in a lead glass shield," Donnie gestured to a case in the floor containing the power cell, marked with the words 'Do not touch. That means you, Mikey!' "With this, I can regulate the power output, and we won't have to worry about Krang's cronies tracking its energy signature."

"Donnie, you are awesome," Raph said with a smile.

"Uh, guys?" Mikey interrupted. "I hate to interrupt, but DEAD END!"

They all looked at the screens, seeing they were rapidly approaching a wall.

"Donnie, how do I stop this thing?!" Leo demanded.

"Don't!" Donnie replied. "Trust me!"

"Listen to him!" Hisako added.

With a smirk, Donnie pressed a button and the wall suddenly opened up. It sprouted a ramp and opened a path outside, allowing them to drive into the streets.

"A week of backbreaking labor on this thing, plus that easy exit path and ramp..." Donnie mused, before smiling. "Totally worth it."

"Donnie, you are the turtle," Leo complimented.

As they went along, Mikey whistled to himself.

"This thing have a stereo?" he asked.

"Of course," Donnie replied. "I made sure to install some tunes."

He pressed a button on a radio system next to his station and Beethoven's 5th started playing over it. This earned the purple turtle many weird looks from his siblings and Kagome.

"Dude," Vee said, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Check out the second movement," he insisted.

Donnie pressed another button and heavy metal music began playing.

"Aw, yeah!" Mikey cheered, doing air guitar. "That's my jam!"

Everyone cheered and whooped as the Shellraiser continued on its path, Leo pulling off 360s as they did. Grinning, Kagome popped her head out of the hatch on top, whooping in joy.

"I LOVE THIS TOWN!" she cheered.

"Wait till April gets a load of this!" Mikey exclaimed.

"Let's go show her!" Hisako added.

-X-

They drove up to the 2nd Time Around, and pulled over at the sight of a yellow car in front.

"Hold up, guys," Kagome warned. "That's Robyn's car."

"Her sister Robyn?" Mikey asked. "The reporter?"

"Huh," Donnie mused, observing the car. "A 1973 Delta 88 Oldsmobile. Must be a Sam Raimi fan (1)."

"Kagome, maybe you should go in," Hisako suggested. "See if you can steal April for a second."

"I'll see what I can do," Kagome answered.

"We'll be here," said Leo.

Kagome slipped out of the Shellraiser and went over to the 2nd Time Around, knocking on the door. After a minute or two, the door opened, revealing Robyn O'Neil.

"Hey, Kagome!" she said, smiling. "Long time no see."

"Hey, Robyn," Kagome replied. "Is April available? My friends and I wanted to hang out with her."

"Hold on a second," Robyn told her.

She went back inside, and after a few seconds, April came out.

"Hi, April," Kagome said with a wave. "Sorry to interrupt your time with your sister."

"Don't worry about it," April assured her. "So, what's up?"

"Donnie wanted to show off his latest creation," Kagome explained. "Trust me, you're gonna love it."

She led her over to the Shellraiser, which was still idling off to the side.

"April, I give you our new ride," Kagome declared. "The Shellraiser."

April's eyes widened.

"No way!" she gasped. "Donnie made this?!"

"Converted from an old subway car," Kagome replied.

April went over to the door, and it slid open, revealing Donnie, wearing a flirtatious grin on his face.

"Welcome aboard," he said, offering her a hand.

Just as April was about to take it, Hisako clutched her head, sensing something.

"What the hell?" she remarked. "This is new."

"What's wrong?" Vee asked.

"I honestly don't know, but two things are closing in on us. They're big, angry, and..." she looked at April. "They're after you."

From the rooftops jumped two massive beings, one gray, one brown. They were both eight feet tall and composed entirely of rock. The entire group gaped at the sight.

"Uh..." Raph began, "you guys seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Two big, scary looking rock monsters?" Mikey asked, getting a nod.

Hisako's eyes widened as she realized what they were.

"No way..." she murmured. "How'd he finish them so quickly?"

"Hisako, you know what these things are?" Leo asked.

Hisako nodded.

"Ch'rell's pet projects," she explained quickly. "Indestructible soldiers. Mindlessly obedient... and fucking dangerous."

She turned to the others as she went on.

"They're called Rock Soldiers," she added. "Basically mutated rocks. But he couldn't find the right formula to work with them. How did he...?"

"Doesn't matter how," Leo insisted. "We can't let them get their hands on April!"

"And how exactly do you propose we stop them, Leo?!" Kagome demanded.

"We outrun them," Leo replied.

"But what about April's dad and sister?" Hisako pointed out.

After a minute, Leo facepalmed.

"Shit!" he cursed.

"If we stay, we'll be exposed!" Raph pointed out.

"And if we take April, the rock men will kill Robyn and Mr. O'Neil!" Donnie argued.

Leo looked at April, then gritted his teeth.

"Sensei's gonna kill us for this..." he remarked, before exiting the Shellraiser.

Dodging past the Rock Soldiers, Leo ran over to the 2nd Time Around and kicked the door in, getting Robyn and Kirby's attention.

"What the hell?!" Robyn exclaimed.

"It's you!" Kirby shouted, recognizing Leo as one of the mutant turtles who saved him.

"No time to explain!" Leo yelled. "We need to get out of here right now!"

"Right." Kirby grabbed Robyn's arm, and they hurried down the stairs.

"Dad, you know this thing?" Robyn asked.

Kirby nodded, still running.

"Remember when I told you I was kidnapped a few months ago?" he asked her. "I... left out a few details."

"Wait..." Robyn remarked, realization setting in. "April's friends that saved you? This thing is one of them?"

"For the record, my name is Leonardo, not 'thing'," Leo said, slightly offended.

They made it outside just in time to see one of the Rock Soldiers step on Robyn's car, crushing it.

"No!" Robyn screamed. "Not my Delta!"

The other Turtles, Hisako, and Kagome came running out at that moment.

"Forget the car!" Raph declared. "Ours is faster, anyhow!"

"Hi, Robyn," Kagome said, waving.

Robyn looked at the entire group, thoroughly confused.

"Okay..." she let out. "What the fuck is going on here?!"

"We'll explain later!" Raph snapped. "You wanna live? Then get your ass in the damn car!"

Robyn took one look over her shoulder at the approaching Rock Soldiers, and promptly scrambled into the Shellraiser.

"Everyone into positions!" Leo ordered as the others got inside. "Donnie, I need this thing on full blast!"

"Roger!" Donnie pressed several buttons from his station.

Two more hooks dropped from the ceiling. Vee, Kagome, Robyn, April, and Kirby all grabbed hold, Hisako clinging to Mikey's seat.

"Floor it, Leo!" Mikey shouted.

Leo slammed the thruster to max and the Shellraiser took off with the Rock Soldiers in hot pursuit.

"It's working," Hisako told them, sensing them. "They're following us."

"How is that a good thing?!" April demanded.

"We can lead them out of the city," Leo explained, "And hopefully keep innocent people out of the line of fire."

"Which brings me to my next question," Raph said. "Donnie, do we have anything in this car that's strong enough to stop these monsters?"

"The weapons system is still in the testing phase," Donnie replied.

Raph rubbed his eyes in annoyance.

"I'll take that as a no," he snarled.

Hisako cursed under her breath before climbing up to the hatch.

"I can slow them down enough for you to get something working," she informed them, "but don't expect much out of me after that."

"Wait, what is she doing?" Robyn demanded. "How can she possibly stop two giant rock monsters?"

"Just watch," was April's reply.

Hisako popped the hatch and peered out. Placing two fingers on her temple, she concentrated all of her power on the Rock Soldiers. They were surrounded in green energy, their movements becoming sluggish.

"Donnie..." Hisako wheezed, a small trickle of blood escaping her nose. "Hurry up..."

Donnie rapidly pressed several buttons, and Raph's station lit up.

"Okay, cleared hot!" he shouted.

"Oh, yeah!" Raph declared, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what this puppy can do!"

He aimed at the Rock Soldiers and pulled the trigger, only to gape when a gun protruded from the top of the Shellraiser and rapidly fired manhole covers at the Rock Soldiers. The metal disks did very little, if any, noticeable damage.

"Sewer lids?" he demanded. "It shoots sewer lids?!"

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," Donnie said sarcastically, "But the dump was fresh out of rocket launchers and machine guns!"

At that moment, Hisako began shaking, the green field around the Rock Soldiers flickering in and out.

"C'mon, there's gotta be something else in here!" Raph yelled, pressing buttons at random.

He hit one in particular, and a large ball of garbage shot out, hitting the Rock Soldiers directly. Amazingly enough, they doubled over, gagging and choking.

"I'll take it!" Raph declared.

Suddenly, Hisako dropped to the ground, unconscious with blood pouring from her nose. Kagome gathered her up in her arms, before looking up at Leo.

"Leo, I think it's time for a tactical retreat!" she shouted.

"Good idea!" Leo replied.

He floored it, but while the tires spun and revved, they went nowhere.

"What the shell?!" Leo demanded.

"Oh, no!" Donnie screamed.

He brought up an image on one of his screens, showing everyone what was going on outside. One of the Rock Soldiers had grabbed hold of the back end of the Shellraiser, lifting it off the ground. Kirby looked at the screens, then at the back doors, reaching a decision.

"Kagome..." he said, "Take care of April and Robyn. Keep them safe."

Everyone gasped at that, realizing what Kirby was about to do.

"Dad, no!" Robyn pleaded. "You can't!"

"It's the only way, Robyn," Kirby said before he hugged his daughters tightly.

He held them for a good minute before releasing them, turning to Leo.

"The minute they let go, you drive off and don't look back," he demanded.

Leo slowly nodded.

"Mr. O'Neil... Kirby..." he began. "We'll come back for you. I promise."

Kirby nodded back, then opened the back doors.

"Hey!" he shouted at the Rock Soldiers. "Come and get me, you sons of bitches!"

He took off running, the Rock Soldiers releasing the Shellraiser and pursuing him.

Leo looked at April and Robyn, tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said before punching the throttle on the Shellraiser, driving away.

Later, the O'Neil sisters sat in the lair, crying in each other's embrace. Hisako was on the couch, a cold compress on her forehead with tissues held to her bloody nose, and the Turtles and Kagome were just looking down, feeling horrible about the whole ordeal. Splinter approached Leo, looking down at him.

"Dad, I'm sorry," Leo sighed. "We couldn't just leave April's family to die."

"But it was all for nothing," Mikey lamented. "They got April's dad. We failed."

Kagome replaced Hisako's compress before sighing.

"What good are we?" she asked. "How can we save the world from Krang if we can't even protect one family?"

"Nana korobi ya oki," Splinter said aloud, getting their attention. "Do you know what that means?"

"Fall down seven times, get up eight," Vee replied. "So?"

"No matter how many times you get knocked down, you get up and try again," Splinter explained. "You cannot let this one failure weigh you down."

He turned to Robyn and April, draping a blanket over the two.

"I am sorry for what has befallen you," he said, getting a grateful nod from the sisters.

Leo looked down at his hand. His face took on a look of determination before he clenched his fist.

"You're right," he said. "I promised Mr. O'Neil we'd save him, and that's what we're gonna do. I don't know when or how... but we're getting him back."

At the Technodrome, Krang and Ch'rell stood at attention as the Rock Soldiers brought in Kirby.

"You stupid mounds of stone!" Ch'rell shouted. "We told you to bring in April O'Neil, not her father!"

"Hold on, Ch'rell," Krang cut in. "We can still use this to our advantage."

Kirby glared at them defiantly. "I will never help you."

"Oh, but you are," Krang declared, smirking. "The Turtles will undoubtedly come for you sooner or later. And when they do... we'll be ready for them."

Author's Note:

(1): As am I. One of Sam Raimi's trademarks is including a 1973 Delta 88 Oldsmobile in his movies. The Evil Dead films, the first three Spider-Man movies, etc.

Ow. Right in the feels. I hate writing angst... but it's necessary for story progression.

Next chapter, the Foot Clan strikes back.

Please R&R. Until next time!