- Chapter 41 -
Wormquake!
Within the Technodrome, Krang stood in the communication room. He tapped his foot impatiently, checking a digital display watch in Utrom letters on the right arm of his exo-frame.
"It's time," he hissed. "Montuoro and Kleve should have reported in with my order hours ago."
A green Utrom in an exoframe approached. "Now now, General. Let's be patient-"
"Do not tell me to be patient, Sulfurch!" Krang snapped. "Those blasted Turtles destroyed all our research at Mirage Industries! Our mutagen supply is contaminated! And if I don't hear from Montuoro about the replacements within the hour…"
"A-apologies, General," Sulfurch gulped.
"Blast it, where are they?!"
Just then, Krang's communicator dinged. He promptly pressed a button, revealing Montuoro's face in the holo-projector.
"General, sir," Montuoro began. "There's, uh… There's been a situation."
"Don't tell me you didn't manage to get the Kraathatrogon through," Krang hissed.
"They... came through, sir. But… well…"
"Well, what?! Spit it out!"
"They got out, sir," Montuoro winced. "They escaped into the tunnels beneath the city."
Krang was silent for several seconds, fuming as his eye twitched.
"Corporal Montuoro," he began calmly, "have I told you today how magnificently and totally WORTHLESS YOU ARE?!"
In his rage, he smashed the table right next to him.
"I'm sorry, sir!" Montuoro pleaded. "We're already working on setting up a recovery team to retrieve them! I swear to you, we will find them!"
"See that you do," Krang snarled. "And if you fail, Corporal, if the Turtles get to either of the Kraathatrogons before you and your men do... I suggest you do as the ancient samurai did and kill yourself before Ch'rell comes knocking."
Montuoro swallowed hard. "U-Understood, General. I will not fail you."
Krang ended the communication, rubbing the space between his eyes with a tentacle.
"How can I conquer this planet when I'm surrounded by nitwits…"
Meanwhile, a taxi cab rolled up to 10048 Canal Street. Yukio and Oyuki stepped out, the former paying the driver.
"So…" Oyuki began, "this is the place?"
"It's no Hamato Compound, but it's home." Yukio replied.
Oyuki looked at the door nervously.
"Seiko must hate me for abandoning the clan. They all must miss me," she cringed, turning away. "I shouldn't have come."
"Now stop that," Yukio took his sister's shoulders. "Look at me."
When she did so, he continued. "They all missed you as much as I did. When I called, they were nothing but happy to find out you were coming home."
"You…" Oyuki tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Are you sure?"
Yukio smiled. "Would I lie?"
Oyuki shook her head. "I don't think you even know how."
"Exactly. So…" Yukio took the doorknob. "Shall we?"
Oyuki took a deep breath, still nervous but willing to try. "Let's do this…"
Yukio opened the door, leading Oyuki into the living room. The Hamato Clan, alongside Splinter and Kasumi's family, were gathered, chatting amongst themselves when they entered. Behind them was a banner written in green fingerpaint, reading "Welcome home, Oyuki!" The first to notice their arrival was Seiko, who turned and stood to greet them.
"Oyuki…" she let out.
Silence fell as everyone turned to the pair. Oyuki felt her nerves get the better of her, but before she could back out, something small darted out of the crowd.
"YUKI!" Airi squealed, leaping at her. On instinct, Oyuki held out her arms to catch her, the girl nearly knocking her off her feet.
"Hey there little breeze," she greeted, smiling. "You're getting big."
"Welcome home!" Airi cheered before hugging her tightly around the neck. After a minute, Oyuki gently pried Airi loose, setting her down before turning to Seiko. Taking a deep breath, she knelt and bowed until her forehead touched the ground. They just watched as Oyuki slowly raised her head, her expression stricken with remorse.
"Seiko... I can imagine you have mixed feelings about seeing me again. But before you go off, I just wanna say, from the bottom of my heart... I'm sorry," she began to tear up. "Leaving the clan was the biggest mistake I ever made. I don't know how I can make it up to you, but-"
She was cut off when Seiko grabbed her and yanked her into a hug.
"There's nothing to make up for," she soothed. "You're home. That's all that matters."
"How... why...?" Oyuki shook her head in confusion. "The clan is everything to you, Seiko! I ditched everybody! I thought you'd be furious with me!"
"I was never mad at you, Oyuki," Seiko assured. "You were confused. You lost your way... but you found it again. You found us again."
When the two finally released, Kasumi and Splinter approached. The latter had his hood up just for a bit, clearly not wanting to overwhelm the emotional woman.
"Master Yoshi…" Oyuki greeted. "Miss Kasumi…"
Kasumi looked over Oyuki, seeing the pain in her eyes. She slowly reached out, resting a gentle hand on her head. Oyuki tensed briefly before relaxing into the touch.
"Mashimi Oyuki…" Kasumi said, her voice full of compassion and sympathy. "What has the world done to you?"
Oyuki looked at her, and her tears returned. "Everything…"
She just collapsed into Kasumi's arms, burying her face in the older woman's chest. Kasumi lowered to the ground, gently petting Oyuki's head.
"It's alright, child…" Kasumi soothed. "You're home now."
Off to the side, the Turtles watched Oyuki, all of them getting a sense of deja vu.
"I see why Yukio-san said to keep the welcome party subdued," Mikey mused.
"Her eyes…" Vee mused. "She reminds me of... well…"
"Me." Hisako said aloud, getting their attention.
"Yeah…" Kagome agreed solemnly.
"How bad is-" Leo began.
"No," Hisako cut in. "I'm not doing that to her. She'll talk when she's ready."
-X-
Some time passed and everyone was beginning to eat some of the food that had been provided. Oyuki was eating like she hadn't eaten in a week. She gagged briefly, choking. Mikey handed her a bottle of orange Crush, which she took a swig from, panting.
"Yeah, that's what happens when you eat too fast," he noted.
"Thanks," Oyuki told him.
"I know it's good, but don't gorge yourself," Hisako cautioned. "All you'll do is end up losing all that precious food."
"Right…" Oyuki nodded. "Sorry. It's been a while since I've had a decent meal."
"I can imagine," Hisako noted.
"So what happened after you left?" Tai asked.
"To put it bluntly, Tai, everything went to shit. I lost my job, got kicked outta my apartment... yeah." Oyuki sighed, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of her jacket pocket and a lighter. She shook one out before popping it in her mouth and lighting up (1).
"You smoke?" Donnie asked.
"Yeah, so what?" Oyuki asked defensively.
"Don't you know that cigarettes contain benzopyrene, a chemical that leads to lung cancer? We now know that when benzopyrene enters the body, it changes to benzopyrene diolepoxide and attaches to the receptors on the P53 gene, the gene which causes lung cancer. The BPDE attaches to the P53 gene in three specific locations and causes precancerous changes to the lung tissue-"
"Yeah, yeah…" Oyuki took a puff from the cigarette. "You may know a lot about science, but you don't know how good a cigarette tastes in the morning."
Before she could take another puff, the cigarette exploded with a small pop of green smoke. The remnants then floated away in green mist, being deposited in a trash can.
"Hey!" Oyuki exclaimed, watching it happen with wide eyes. "What the-?!"
"I understand that smoking is a habit that is incredibly difficult to break, and you clearly have your reasons to have taken up said habit," Hisako told her. "However, Airi is here and in danger of secondhand smoke, not to mention the smell of tobacco smoke grosses me out more than Mikey's toxic jungle of a room."
"Hey!" Mikey objected.
"So if you're going to smoke, please do it outside." Hisako gave her a soft smile. "Just as a common courtesy."
Oyuki blinked, looking from the garbage can and Hisako. "You did that?"
"I did, yes. And if you try to light another one, I can make it so your lighter won't work."
Hisako raised her hand with a flourish, green mist dancing between her fingers. As she did that, everything began to shake. Hisako immediately dropped her hand, going wide-eyed.
"Okay, I'm almost 90% sure it wasn't me!"
Even after she dropped her hand and the glow faded, the tremors continued. Everyone quickly ducked under the table or anything big enough to fit under, covering their heads.
"Are earthquakes common here?" Oyuki asked.
"Only when the cause is unnatural," Splinter replied calmly.
As the aftershocks went on, Mikey, unlike the others, was standing in the middle of a doorway.
"Mikey, get over here!" Donnie shouted.
"What?" Mikey asked. "Aren't you supposed to stand in the door frame when a quake hits?"
"That's a myth, you ding-dong!" Raph snapped.
Hisako threw out a hand, surrounding the orange turtle in her mist. She then twisted her wrist and pulled her hand close to her chest, yanking him to safety. The Turtles all ducked into their shells. A moment or two passed before the tremors slowed, then faded.
"Jeez…" Oyuki remarked. "I thought I left earthquakes behind after I left Fukushima."
Leo peeked out of his shell. "Is everybody okay?"
A chorus of affirmations sounded. Makoto and Erika looked at one another, seeing they had unthinkingly latched onto each other during the quake. They yelped, pulling away. Despite the situation, Oyuki chuckled.
"I see Mako still hasn't manned up and asked you out yet, Erika."
Erika turned beet-red, as did Makoto.
"W-who said I'm gonna ask out Erika?!" he babbled. "I mean, I gotta become a master ninja, then I can ask out Erika! I mean, I'm not asking out Erika!" He shook his head rapidly. "I-I mean... shut up, Oyuki!"
"Hisako, are you sure that-?" Kasumi began.
"I was literally just summoning my mist, Kasumi," Hisako replied. "I swear on my honor as a Hamato ninja that wasn't me."
"But if it wasn't you, then who?" Raph questioned.
"Or what?" Mikey offered.
"Whatever it is, we better look into it," Leo decided.
"Guess Oyuki's getting thrust head first into the deep end of New York Weirdness," Tai mused.
Oyuki shrugged. "Eh, it was gonna happen eventually."
As they all went to suit up, Leo turned to Oyuki. "We can grab a weapon for you. We've got plenty."
"No need. I've got one." For emphasis, Oyuki pulled a switchblade out of her pocket, clicking the blade open. They just looked at the tiny knife.
"You're gonna need a bigger knife," Raph deadpanned.
Oyuki rolled her eyes. "Oh, c'mon. It's not the size that matters."
Mikey opened his mouth but Raph slapped a hand over it.
"Don't. Even," he hissed.
Mikey just nodded.
The group made their way out into the city to find the source of the quakes. As they went, Mikey hung back, trying to make small talk with Oyuki.
"Hey, Oyuki," he greeted. "Since we're gonna be working together from now on, maybe we should get to know each other."
"Is now really the time for all that?" Oyuki questioned.
"Why not? Not everything has to be doom and gloom. So what was Japan like? Did you do anything fun while you were there?"
"Not really."
"What was it like living on your own?"
"Fine, I guess."
"What did you do after leaving the clan?"
Oyuki fidgeted uncomfortably. "I just... worked part-time jobs here and there to make ends meet."
"Why does your smile not reach your eyes?"
Oyuki stopped, turning to him. "Say what?"
"Your smile. It doesn't reach your eyes. You're faking it. Why?"
Oyuki scoffed, turning away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"We're not idiots, Oyuki," Mikey informed her. "What happened when Yukio-san found you?"
"I don't wanna talk about it," Oyuki replied firmly.
"But why-?"
"Because I don't. Leave me alone."
"I just wanna help you," Mikey persisted. "But I can only do that if you let me-"
A loud thunk sounded. Everyone spun around to see Oyuki lowering her arm, her switchblade embedded in the wall mere inches from a wide-eyed Mikey's head.
"I said leave me alone," Oyuki hissed through clenched teeth.
"Jeez…" Mikey glared at her. "Has anyone ever told you that you have a serious impulse control problem?!"
Hisako rubbed her eyes in annoyance, going over and pulling Mikey to the side.
"Mike, this is why I said she'll talk when she's ready," she said sternly.
"Thank you," Oyuki nodded at HIsako before glaring at Mikey. "And as for you, don't think for a second that you could understand. You don't know the meaning of suffering. You've never been poor, or homeless, or starving. You don't know what it's like to live on the streets without hope, to fight and steal just to survive." She grabbed her knife and yanked it out of the wall. "So don't act like you do, or pander me with sympathy. It's not needed or wanted."
She turned, storming off. Mikey tried to reach a hand out, but Hisako stopped him.
"Don't…" she said softly.
"I was just trying to help…" Mikey let out.
"I know," Hisako gave his hand a squeeze. "I know."
-X-
Oyuki stormed off down an alley, kicking a stray can aside.
"Stupid turtle trying to baby me…" she grumbled to herself. "'Oh, look at poor Mashimi Oyuki, she had a harsh life. How dare the world hurt her like that.'" She scoffed. "I don't need his sympathy. I don't need his pity. And I sure as shit don't want it."
She clambered up to the rooftops, trying to clear her head.
"Damn turtle… Yukio said the orange one was a bit much, but come on. Why get up in my business like that?" She leaned against a wall, looking out at the city before lighting up another cigarette and taking a long puff. "Coming here was a mistake…"
She took another puff, slowly calming down before looking back where she came from. "No... I overreacted. He was just trying to help me, and I almost knifed him in the face." She sighed. "Maybe he was right about the impulse control thing…"
Oyuki ground out her cigarette, tossing it aside. Just as she descended the fire escape, the ground began to shake again.
"Uh-oh…" she let out. "I think I found it."
-X-
On the ground, the Hamato teens were feeling the tremors themselves.
"This way!" Leo pointed. "That manhole!"
The manhole cover in question began shaking rapidly, something underneath about to burst out.
"Get ready!" Hana yelled. "Whatever it is, here it comes!"
The ground cracked as something began to rise up. A moment passed before the cover came flying off. What emerged from the opening was not what they were expecting: a bizarre blue simian-like face with a single antenna on its head. Everyone blinked in response.
"What in the name of...?" Mizuki let out.
"Ohhhh, fuck," Hisako cursed, going pale.
"Eh, it's just some freaky mutant worm. Nothing we can't handle." Mikey walked over, grabbing the creature's antenna and trying to pull it out. "C'mon, Wormy. Out you go."
"Mikey, don't!" Hisako screamed.
"What? It's just a little one. We can take it easily."
"That's not the worm!" Hisako shouted.
Mikey raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"That's not the worm. That's its-" Hisako was cut off when the rest of the creature burst out of the ground with a screech, revealing the other end was a massive worm with a three-way jaw. "...butt."
"Ohhh…" Mikey let out awkwardly. "This is the butt…" He pointed at the body. "And the rest of it is…"
"The entire worm," Hisako nodded.
"I see. Well then…" Mikey took a deep breath, "RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIFE!"
They turned and took off as the worm roared, slithering after them.
"What is that thing?!" Leo demanded.
"It's a Dimension X monster!" Hisako replied. "A Kraathatrogon!"
"Krang must've brought it here through the portal!" Donnie realized. "But why?!"
"After we escape!" Hisako snapped.
The Kraathatrogon continued to chase them, plowing through cars and streetlamps like they weren't there. Eventually, they saw a way out: a nearby fire escape.
"Quick!" Kagome screamed. "This way!"
She scurried up the ladder, the others not far behind. On the roof, all of them were gasping for air.
"Okay…" Vee began. "Hisako, you're the expert. Why in God's name would Krang bring a freaking sandworm here? Is it another digger monster trying to find the lair?"
"I don't think so," said Donnie. "This seems like overkill even for him."
"They're not digger monsters…" Hisako replied. "They're... well, they're predators that secrete a special acid that breaks down its prey to the molecular level. And that acid... It's a key ingredient in mutagen. They're basically glorified cows."
They took that in.
"So... you're saying that mutagen is their milk?" Erika tried to understand. "And Krang basically pasteurizes it?"
A moment of silence passed before everyone shuddered in disgust, letting out collective "Ewww"s.
"Trust me, I'm well aware…" Hisako replied. "But what worries me is why one is loose on the streets."
Donnie started pacing. "She's right. Judging by what she just said, Krang must've brought the worm over to restock his mutagen supply. So why let it run wild in the subway?"
"Maybe wait to figure that out after we stop it?" Makoto suggested.
"Makoto's right," Leo agreed. "We gotta stop this thing before it levels the city.
"Hisako, you wouldn't happen to know how to stop it... would you?" Jade asked hopefully.
Hisako shook her head. "These things were their cash cows. Ch'rell never experimented with them. So no, I don't."
"...Well, shit," Jade said simply.
"Kurtzman!" Hana piped up suddenly, getting their attention. "He said he's been studying Krang's operation for years. If anyone knows that thing's weakness, it's gotta be him."
"Perfect!" Tai exclaimed.
"Agreed," said Leo. "But we can't just let the worm roam the city. Innocent people could get hurt."
"We'll split up," Tai decided. "Half to talk to Kurtzman, half to find the worm."
"How about a third option?"
They spun around to find a Krangdroid squadron approach, blasters at the ready.
"You brats stay out of our way and allow us to collect our wayward property." the leader offered.
Everyone was immediately tense. Leo and Raph instinctively put their arms in front of Hisako.
"What, so you can milk those things and make more mutagen?" Leo asked. "Not a chance."
"Yeah, and you suck at that too!" Mikey declared. "Letting it run loose in the city instead of hooking it up to a milker."
"Blame Lieutenant Kleve for that!" the leader shot back. "He messed up the portal's coordinates!"
"Well, good," Raph remarked. "That means we can destroy the thing and make sure you can't mutate anyone else!"
"The Kraathatrogon is ours! Do you have any idea what General Krang will do to us if we don't retrieve it?"
"Hmmm, let me guess," Vee tapped her chin in thought. "Say something along the lines of 'You've failed me for the last time!' and blow you to kingdom come? Yeah... I'll let you know when we start caring."
"It's not even close to what you deserve," Kagome snapped.
Hisako said nothing, remaining behind her brothers.
"Well... then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree."
They began to power up their blasters, but one of them suddenly stiffened, sparking around the back of its neck before falling over. All eyes turned to see Oyuki, twirling her switchblade in her hand.
"I take it these guys are part of that New York insanity you mentioned?" she asked.
"Pretty much, yeah," Mizuki confirmed.
At that, a fight broke out. As one came at Oyuki, she snatched up an old lead pipe, swinging it like a bat. In almost record time, the Krangdroids were defeated.
"So, we've got another Casey on the team," Vee mused. "One with some actual brain power. Sweet."
At Oyuki's look, Makoto shrugged. "One of the Turtles' friends. We'll introduce you some other time."
Oyuki nodded. "So... anyone else see a giant worm tunneling through the pavement?"
"Yeah, we saw it," Leo replied. "It's a Kra…"
"Kraathatrogon," Hisako cut in. "Man-eating alien worm that doubles as a milk cow for mutagenic acid."
"Just go with it, Yuki," Jade sighed.
"Yeah…" Oyuki nodded. "Good call."
"Alright, those who aren't going to Kurtzman's will hit the streets," Leo decided. "Oyuki, which way did the worm go?"
Oyuki pointed in a random direction. "I think it was headed toward Canal Street."
Everyone stiffened at that.
"Oh crap…" Hana gasped. "That's where the apartments are!"
"Alright," Leo began, "Vee, Donnie, you're with me. We'll talk to Kurtzman. The rest of you, do whatever you can to stop that worm!"
As Leo's team headed off, Oyuki grabbed Mikey's arm, getting his attention.
"Hey… Mikey, right?" She got a nod. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for lashing out at you. You were just trying to help me and I freaked out."
"It's okay," Mikey assured. "I mean, I did kinda needle a fresh wound. I shoulda known better. So we both kinda screwed up here."
"Still, I could've reacted so much better than throwing a knife."
Mikey shrugged. "I've had worse. You don't know true terror until an entire room explodes."
Oyuki rubbed the back of her neck. "I'll take your word for it."
They ran down the street just in time to see the adults of the clan laid out flat by the worm, all trying to pull themselves up. Much to their shock, the door opened and Airi came running out, staring down the room with nothing but two kunai in her tiny fists.
"Airi, what are you doing?!" Erika shrieked. "Get back in the house!"
"No! I'm a Hamato!" Airi screamed. "I won't hide or run! If this thing wants to hurt my clan, it's gonna go through me first!"
Despite everything, Raph smirked slightly in approval. "Brave little squirt you got there."
The worm then roared, several small nubs on its body beginning to swell. Hisako went wide eyed and dashed forward.
"AIRI!" she screamed.
The nubs spewed out a glowing green liquid, one that splattered all across Hisako's back as she shielded Airi from it. Her scream shattered every piece of glass in the vicinity, several cars collapsing in on themselves as a fire hydrant exploded. Breathing heavily, Hisako scrambled away from Airi as a sizzling/smoldering sound reached everyone's ears.
"Shit!" she exclaimed. "ShitshitshitshitSHIT!"
She yanked off her hoodie, throwing it to the ground as it melted into a green-and-black puddle. Her back was an utter mess, with the remnants of the acid still eating at her skin.
"Erika, help her!" Tai shouted. "The rest of us will deal with the worm!"
"Hisako, over here!" Erika quickly led her to the gushing remnants of the hydrant. Hisako stumbled over, gritting her teeth as she pushed her back into the spray. Seeing this, Airi scowled, clenching her fists.
"You hurt my friend…" she snatched up a kunai. "You're gonna pay for that, you slime!"
Before anyone could react, she ran forward with a scream, stabbing the Kraathatrogon right in the second face on its tail. It immediately started screaming as well, then it bent down and swallowed her whole.
"Oh God, no!" Erika screamed. "AIRI!"
Tai just fainted on the spot. Raph pulsed with rage, breathing heavily as he saw red.
"You... you motherfucking SLIME BUCKET!"
He charged forward, jumping on the worm's neck. He dug his sais into its jaws, prying them open before jumping into its mouth himself.
"Raph, what are you doing?!" Mikey screamed.
"Whatever it is, he better be quick!" Kagome shouted.
Suddenly, the Kraathatrogon stiffened before shrieking in pain. They heard the sounds of something cutting through flesh and blows landing.
"No way…" Jade realized. "Is he…?"
Suddenly, the worm writhed violently before keeling over, sagging. Its throat then distended as Raph's sai sliced through. Purple blood squirted out as Raph pulled himself out of the cut, an unconscious Airi in his free hand. Tai pulled himself up, gasping.
"Airi!"
"Move!" Raph snapped. "She's not breathing!"
Erika looked between Hisako and Airi, visibly conflicted on who to help.
"You focus on Hisako," Raph quickly assured. "I got this."
He gently lay Airi down on the ground, performing chest compressions.
"You know CPR?" Mizuki questioned.
"Mom insisted we all take lessons," Kagome explained.
After five compressions, Raph pinched Airi's nose shut, breathing into her mouth before beginning the cycle again. "C'mon, kid…"
A few tense moments passed before Airi let out a gasp, choking and coughing before turning on her side. Raph gently patted her back, sighing in relief.
"Easy, kid," he soothed. "You're gonna be fine."
Tai immediately went over as Airi opened her eyes, sitting up.
"Are you okay?" he asked quickly.
"Yeah…" Airi cleared her throat, taking slow, deep breaths.
"Good." Tai promptly flicked her in the forehead.
"Owie!" Airi yelped.
"You crazy little…" Tai hugged her tightly in relief. "Don't you ever do that again!"
"Sorry…" Airi let out.
Tai turned to Raph. "And you! Letting that thing eat you... You're the craziest ninja I've ever met!" He took a deep breath, smiling slightly. "And you saved my little sister. I can't thank you enough."
"Anytime," Raph replied.
"Speaking of sisters..." Mikey began.
At Hisako's nod, Erika pulled her out of the spray. They all winced at the red, blistering flesh of Hisako's back, her ponytail singed as well.
"I think the worst has passed," Erika reported. "C'mon, let's get her inside."
Meanwhile, at Kurtzman's place, Leo, Vee, and Donnie had sat Kurtzman down and explained the situation to the reporter.
"I was afraid of this," he sighed. "I've been keeping my ear to Krang's chatter, and there was a report about a transmat malfunction."
"Yeah," Vee noted. "We ran into the Kraathagar... Kraathor…"
"Kraathatrogon," Kurtzman offered. "Incredibly dangerous slug-like beasts. And to have two of them loose in the city-"
"Excuse me?" Donnie cut in. "Did you just say there's two of them?"
"I did, yes. A grub, and a broodmare."
Leo rubbed his eyes.
"And let me guess. The second one is the big one?" Kurtzman nodded. "Just how big are we talking?"
"According to my research, the Kraathatrogon can grow to be about a hundred feet."
There was a collective gasp.
"Please, "Vee pleaded, "For the love of all things good, tell us you know its weakness."
"No…" Kurtzman shook his head. "I'm sorry."
Vee cringed, sucking in air through her teeth. "Well... that's just great."
"Come on," Leo stood up. "Let's get back to the others."
Back at the apartments, Mika had immediately put Airi in the bath. As she did so, Erika had gotten supplies to treat Hisako's back. She sat behind the young psychic, taking her burned ponytail in one hand and a kunai in the other.
"Hope you're not too attached to this hairdo."
Hisako shook her head. "It's just hair. It'll grow back."
Erika nodded before slicing off the ponytail where the hair tie met the back of Hisako's head. As the hair fell away, her neck was fully exposed without the hood and hair to cover it, revealing the barcode on the back. She gasped at the sight.
"Did it get to my neck too?" Hisako asked.
"No," Erika replied. "It's just…"
"What's all the fuss ab-?" Oyuki cut herself off at the sight of the barcode. Hisako caught on and covered her neck with her hand.
"Right... I'd almost forgotten about that."
Erika winced. "Sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"No, it's... it's fine," Hisako assured her. "You didn't know. Just keep working on my back, please. I wanna cover up soon…"
"Right," Erika snapped to attention, picking up a bottle of disinfectant and some cotton swabs. "Hold still. This might sting a bit."
As she worked, Hisako didn't even flinch. Oyuki couldn't help but stare. Her eyes then drifted across Hisako's exposed arms and torso, as well as her stomach. The number of scars and wounds made her feel sick. Sensing this, Hisako self-consciously covered her arms as Erika finished her work, strapping gauze over the burn. Once Erika pulled away, Oyuki stepped in, removing her jacket and draping it around her shoulders. Hisako perked, looking up.
"I think you need it more than I do right now," Oyuki said simply.
"...Thanks." Hisako nodded.
"C-can I ask?" Oyuki asked nervously.
Hisako took a deep breath. "...Let's just say that you're not the only one here who's known true despair."
Oyuki turned away, closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead.
"Oh yeah, gripe about how shitty my life is in front of the girl who makes what I've been through look like goddamn Heaven on Earth," she grumbled. "Smooth move, Oyuki…"
"Hey," A green halo surrounded Oyuki, making her come closer. When she was close enough, Hisako flicked her forehead. "Don't do that to yourself. My shitty past doesn't invalidate your own. Pain is relative. We've both suffered in our own ways. So don't belittle your own experiences just because you feel I've had worse."
Oyuki nodded at that, just as they heard the door open.
"Guys," Leo's voice came.
"Hey, Leo," Raph greeted. "No need for Kurtzman's advice. We took down the worm, as you can see outside."
"Yeah," Vee interjected. "About that…"
They sat down as Leo explained what happened.
"So, let me get this straight," Jade began. "We fought like Hell to take down the worm outside, and it was just a baby? And the mama is also here in Manhattan?"
"I knew this was too easy…" Hisako sighed.
"Damn it!" Raph slammed his fist on the table, knocking the salt and pepper shakers to the ground. "And even Kurtzman doesn't know how to kill this thing?!"
"No, he does-" Donnie stopped, looking down at the fallen salt shaker. "Hold on... Kurtzman said these things are basically giant slugs, right?"
"Yeah," Vee replied. "What about it?"
Donnie picked up the salt shaker. "Well, what happens when you hit a slug with salt?"
Erika got it. "It shrivels up like a prune."
"We need to gather as much salt as we can," Donnie said. "Then we can take down this slug before anyone else gets hurt."
"Where are we gonna get enough salt to kill a hundred-foot worm?" Mizuki asked.
"The ocean!" Mikey declared. "It's got plenty of salt, right?"
"That could work," Leo decided. "We can lead it out to the pier."
"All we need to do now is figure out where it is." Hana said.
At that moment, they felt more tremors.
"Found it," Hisako deadpanned.
They hurried outside, just in time to see the Kraathatrogon's tail slithering down a massive hole.
"It's in the subway!" Kagome exclaimed.
Hisako perked. "Wait, the 10:40! It's running in that tunnel!"
"Not good!" Mikey exclaimed.
"We have to save that train!" Tai shouted.
"I could-" Hisako began.
"Oh no," Erika cut in. "You're sitting this one out. Your back is a wreck. You're gonna go back inside and relax. Doctor's orders."
"We got this, Hisako," Leo promised.
"Just… be careful," Hisako requested.
"Oyuki, you're with me," Kagome cut in. "We'll stop that train, get the people out."
"You do that."
They turned to see Raph at the hole where the worm had burrowed down, tremors starting up again.
"Raphael, don't even think about it!" Leo warned.
'Never do." Before they could stop him, he jumped down the hole.
"RAPH!" Leo shouted.
"Is he fucking crazy?!" Jade demanded.
"Honestly... he might be," Donnie noted.
"What's really crazy is we're gonna jump after him," Mikey said.
"Seriously?!" Tai exclaimed.
"Yeah…" Leo sighed, "Sadly, we can't let him ride that thing through the tunnels on his own."
One by one, the Turtles jumped into the tunnel.
"My family is nuts," Vee remarked. Nonetheless, she jumped down as well.
"While they do that, we need to get on the 10:40." Kagome said.
"Where's the nearest station entrance?" Oyuki asked.
"Follow me!" Kagome took off running with Oyuki behind her.
-X-
Underground, the Turtles were clutching onto the Kraathatrogon, which was speeding down the subway at full speed.
"Okay, this was not my best plan!" Raph admitted.
"Ya think?!" Donnie snapped.
"What do we do?!" Mikey yelled.
Vee looked ahead, gasping. "DUCK!"
They pulled their heads into their shells... except for Mikey.
"Duck?" the orange turtle asked stupidly. "Where?"
He was immediately smacked hard in the face by a sign.
"We're down in a low ceiling subway tunnel, and you thought she meant an actual duck?!" Raph demanded.
"No training today, Dad," Mikey let out in a dazed voice. "It's Arbor Day…"
Raph whacked him back to his senses.
"We need to control this thing somehow!" Leo yelled.
"I'm working on it!" Donnie shouted.
"Work faster!" Raph yelled, pointing ahead. They were catching up to the 10:40…
-X-
At the station, Kagome and Oyuki were running to get to the train. Just as it stopped, they plowed through the crowd, getting inside as the door closed and it got moving again.
"Stop the train!" Oyuki shouted. "We need to get outta here!"
Everyone looked at them like they were crazy.
"Young lady, keep it down," one man said. "It's late."
"Isn't it a school night?" another asked.
"You don't understand!" Kagome yelled. "We gotta get outta here, or we're all dead!"
-X-
Back on the worm, the Turtles were struggling to hold onto the worm. Raph had gotten to its head, jabbing his sai into the top of it. It bellowed before bucking him clean off, sending him flying off and clean through the window of the train's final car. Kagome and Oyuki jumped as he smashed through the glass, hopping to his feet.
"You seriously haven't gotten them to pull over yet?!" he demanded.
"They wouldn't listen!" Kagome cried.
"Oh for the love of-" Raph turned to them. "HEY! Morons! There is a massive worm currently trying to eat the train! So move your asses and get going!"
Nobody seemed to be listening. Raph was about to try again, but was spared the effort when the Kraathatrogon bit off the rear end of the car. The pedestrians screamed, running forward.
"Oh, now you're moving," Oyuki said sarcastically. "No-no-no-no, sit down! Sit down! It's only a hundred-foot space worm!"
"Yeah, welcome to New York!" Raph yelled.
They hurried to the front of the train as the Kraathatrogon took more bites out of the car. The people crowded at the head of the train in panic. The conductor came out, looking at them all in annoyance.
"Everybody out before I start knocking heads here," he ordered.
Raph approached him. "Get back in there, and put the hammer down on this thing."
The conductor turned to him, scoffing. "Look, buddy. I'm the conductor here, and I decide what happens on this train."
"Oh, you decide? Okay, c'mere." Raph steered him to the rear of the crowd, pointing. "Our buddy begs to differ."
The Kraathatrogon took another huge bite out of the train. The conductor blinked.
"...Right, putting down the hammer."
As the Kraathatrogon went in for another bite, Oyuki jabbed it with her switchblade. It bellowed, recoiling.
"Faster! Faster!" she screamed. "FASTER WOULD BE BETTER!"
-X-
Meanwhile, the Turtles were doing everything they could to try to slow the worm down.
"Nothing's working!" Vee yelled. "We're not even bothering this thing!"
A sharp jolt sent Leo tumbling across the worm. He fell back to the head on its tail, instinctively grabbing the antennae to gain a foothold. Immediately, the worm roared.
"Wait…" Donnie perked. "Leo, do that again!"
Leo got back on the worm, tugging the antennae. It roared, stopping like a horse on reins. As it did, another jolt sent Mikey into the ceiling, cracking his head again. He groaned, rubbing his skull.
"Ugh…" he let out. "This is worse than that time I was helping Bugs Bunny, the Chipmunks, Pooh, and Garfield teach a kid to say no to drugs. The Smurfs, ALF, Ducktales, and the Muppets were there too, and we sang a song about how to say no, and…" Realizing what he was saying, he shook his head to clear it. "Wow, I hit my head harder than I thought. (2)"
"Forget that!" Vee said. "Those antennae are as good as reins!"
"It must be how Krang's men control them…" Leo realized. "This is perfect! We can lead it to the ocean the easy way!"
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Mikey asked. "Pull!"
"I got a better idea," Leo cracked the antennae like reins. "Mush!"
The worm roared before taking off in the opposite direction of the train. Raph, Kagome, and Oyuki watched from the ruined train car.
"What just happened?" Raph asked.
"No idea, but it worked." Kagome replied.
The Kraathatrogon emerged near the pier, Leo steering it toward the sea at full speed. When it was mere moments from charging in, he let go.
"JUMP!" he yelled.
All of them quickly jumped free. The Kraathatrogon was unable to stop in time and plunged into the ocean. A moment passed before its head broke the surface, screeching and thrashing before its skin visibly dehydrated and shriveled up, the beast falling back into the depths. Mikey just cringed.
"...Not the end I'd wish for."
"Agreed," Leo said. "Still, better than letting the thing provide Krang with a key mutagen ingredient."
Later, the group met back up at the apartments.
"Did you stop it?" Hisako asked.
"Yep," Mikey confirmed. "The worm's dead at the bottom of the bay."
"That's great," Hisako sagged onto the futon she was laying on, Erika applying ointment to her back. "Dare I ask what happened to Mikey's face?"
"He bashed his head in the subway a couple times," Leo replied.
Mikey looked in the mirror, finding his face was black-and-blue.
"Oh, no!" he gasped. "My beautiful face!"
"You'll live," Raph deadpanned.
"Black and blue turtle," Oyuki recited. "Lamenting his misfortune. But, he will heal soon."
They all turned to her at that.
"Was that a haiku?" Vee asked.
Oyuki shrugged. "I dabble."
"Hey, so do I!" At their looks, Mikey shrugged himself. "What? I can't have layers?"
"He's come up with some interesting haikus himself," Leo mused.
Mikey blinked. "Wait, you knew?"
"You left your notebook in the living room one day. I saw a couple lines before realizing it was yours."
"And there's no real keeping secrets from me." Hisako tapped the side of her head.
"Right…" Mikey nodded.
"Maybe we can compare notes sometime," Oyuki offered. "I'd love to see whatcha got."
Mikey smiled. "That'd be cool."
Oyuki smiled back, happy to have made up for her earlier snipe at the orange turtle.
Meanwhile, a legion of Krangdroids had come across the body of the first Kraathatrogon. The leader looked it over.
"The body's largely intact," he reported. "We have just enough stabilized mutagen to heal it."
"You heard him!" one soldier yelled. "Let's get this thing back to base!"
As they began moving it, the leader contacted Krang. "We retrieved one of the Kraathatrogon, sir. It needs resuscitation, but it should be in condition to be of use soon enough."
"Well, at least this isn't a total loss," Krang conceded. "Ensure that this does not happen again."
"Yes sir. We'll have it regenerated and on the milking like by dawn."
"See that you do." The alien leader seemed to be smirking. "Finally, we have at least a minor victory against those meddlesome mutations. And this is only the beginning. Soon, this entire city, nay, this entire world will bow to the Utroms!"
He let out a mad cackle as his underlings towed the Kraathatrogon away.
Author's Note:
(1): We the authors do not promote smoking or the use of cigarettes.
(2): A dual reference to both the old Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue special and Dragon Ball Z Abridged.
Another new chapter down, and Oyuki's settling into New York.
Please R&R. Until next time!