- Chapter 87 -
The Rise of Koya
A lone Foot ninja raced down the hallway of the headquarters, panting and gasping for breath. He had to hurry, the others were getting impatient. But he also needed to remember that he was addressing the Master himself. Any show of disrespect would be a death sentence, especially regarding what was to happen tonight. The grunt made his way to an ornate door. Gathering his courage, he knocked.
"Enter," echoed the voice of the Shredder.
The grunt obeyed and was greeted by the imposing form of the Shredder. The ninja grandmaster was sitting seiza style on a cushion, his pet falcon, Koya sitting on a small, yet ornate nest on a miniature table next to him. Shredder held a dead rat before the raptor, dangling it in front of her and moving it around. First up, then down. Left, then right. Forward, backward. Each time, she followed his movement perfectly.
"Good girl," he said, and held the rodent still, allowing Koya to eagerly eat it. Once she finished, he stroked the bird, who nuzzled his hand affectionately.
"Master Shredder," the grunt cut in, making sure to bow as low as he could, "I apologize for disturbing you at this hour, sir. But–"
"Spare me your excuses," Shredder snapped, not even looking at his subordinate, "Just state your business and begone."
The grunt swallowed nervously. "Y-Yes sir, I was sent to inform you that the preparations are complete."
Shredder perked, stopping what he was doing, prompting Koya to look at the grunt in annoyance.
"I see," Shredder said, "Tell the others I am on my way, you are dismissed."
"Yes, Master!" the grunt bowed one last time and ran off.
"So, it is finally time," Shredder mused, before extending his arm, "Come, Koya."
Koya hopped onto Shredder's arm. She watched her master as he rose from his seat and walked off. She wasn't sure what was going on, but from the look in his eyes, it must be important.
-X-
In another part of the base, there was a special room; one the clan seldom used in recent years. The room was sparsely furnished, its only notable features being a long, purple carpet leading to a large stone altar in the very back, and a large banner emblazoned with the clan's symbol on the wall. Several ninjas had gathered in the room. Most were mere Foot Soldiers, but two others stood out.
"What the Hell is taking so long?" Rahzar griped, "We've been standing here for hours!"
"It's only been thirty minutes, Chris," Tokka replied.
"Thirty minutes of doing absolutely nothing!" The skull-wolf threw his arms in the air. "What are we even doing here?"
"Does it matter? Master Shredder ordered us to stand here, and we're already on thin enough ice as is."
"It matters because we have better things to do than sit around this dusty, old…" he looked around. "What even is this room for anyway?"
"It is the clan's ceremonial hall."
Rahzar and Tokka turned around to see Shredder approaching. "And to answer your question, Bradford, we are holding an important ceremony."
"Master Shredder!" Rahzar and Tokka hastily bowed, along with the attending grunts.
Shredder gave the two a flat glare, ordering them to rise before turning to another one of the grunts.
"You there, bring me the box," Shredder ordered, prompting a ninja carrying a small, ornate chest to approach him.
"Master Shredder," Tokka interjected, keeping her head down, "forgive my impertinence, but what exactly is the purpose of this ceremony?"
"An initiation. I have gathered you all here tonight, to witness the induction of a new warrior into our ranks."
"Seriously!?" Rahzar shouted, "You did all this just to meet and greet some new meat?"
"Watch your tongue, Bradford!" Shredder snapped, "This new meat as you describe her, will be your new commanding officer. Yours and Gina's."
"Wait, what!?"
"Master Shredder!"
"How many times have you faced down Hamato Yoshi and those loathsome turtles and lost?" Shredder asked. "Five? Ten? A hundred? I've honestly lost count."
"That wasn't our fault! They–!"
"Chris, hush!"
"The point is, despite having numerous opportunities to do so and all your enhancements, neither you nor any of my other followers have even come close to defeating the turtles or their allies. What's more, they have learned all your tricks, tactics, and weaknesses. You've become predictable. So, we're bringing in someone new." Though he couldn't see it behind his mask, Rahzar could tell that Shredder was grinning at him. "You should be honored, Bradford. After all, it was you who suggested her in the first place."
Rahzar was confused. "I…I did?"
"Before Krang's invasion, not long after your second transformation."
Shredder opened the box, revealing a small, cylindrical container filled with a green glow. A glow Rahzar and Tokka, and all of New York, were all too familiar with.
"Mutagen?" Tokka asked.
"Wait a minute, my second…" Rahzar mulled over what Shredder had just told him, then perked in realization as it finally clicked. "No…"
"Yes." Shredder grabbed the canister and began making his way toward the pedestal.
"Master," Tokka cut in," Are you sure you want to do this? Once she's changed–"
"She will be my finest, most loyal warrior."
"How do you know? How do you know she won't rampage? Or turn on you? How do you know her mutant form will even be useful to you?"
"I know because I raised Koya from an egg," Shredder said as he set his beloved falcon down on the pedestal and began opening the canister. "No matter what form she takes, her loyalty has been and will always be with the Foot. With her true Master."
Shredder popped open the canister, faint, green fumes wafting from the contents. Koya let out an anxious screech, slowly pulling her head back.
"Shhhhh…don't be scared my dear, this will only hurt for a moment." Shredder gently stroked Koya's head, calming her down, "You should be happy, for tonight… you are born anew! "
Koya watched as her master poured the mutagen onto her, coating her in the glowing, green liquid. She coughed and sputtered for a moment as she flapped her wings irritably, trying to get the foul-smelling muck off of her. She never understood what Master Saki saw in this stuff. It was slimy, gross, and smelled terrible. She didn't have long to think about it though, as her entire body was almost immediately overwhelmed with an intense, burning sensation.
Koya let out a pained screech as she began to writhe and contort, her body rapidly growing larger and more human-like. Her wings shifted to resemble human arms, with scaly, yellow hands, but still retaining her long, elegant flight feathers. Her legs grew longer, thicker, and more powerful, the yellow scaly parts going up to just over her knees. Her screeches of pain slowly deepened and became clearer, until they became the screams of a human woman. Within minutes, Shredder's pet was gone, and in her place lay a slender, humanoid falcon.
"Amazing…" he said.
"Damn…" Rahzar uttered, dumbstruck at what he was witnessing.
"Even after all this time, watching the process happen never seems to get old," Tokka added.
Shredder leaned closer to get a better look at his former pet. He looked over Koya's new form in awe. Most of the mutants he had created were repulsive, ugly, and deformed in one way or another, but Koya was different. She wasn't some hideous, malformed freak of nature. She was beautiful. Koya stirred, panting and gasping for breath as she pushed herself up. "Where…Where am I?" she uttered, disoriented. "Wh-What's…going on?"
"Koya? Can you hear me, Koya?"
Koya perked, turning towards the origin was the voice that called her name. Her blurry vision was rapidly coming into focus.
"M-Master? Master Saki…Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me."
"What's happening?" She rubbed her head groggily. "I feel…strange. Everything aches…my head…" She froze. "Wait, my voice…my body…"
Slowly, Koya's gaze turned downward, giving her her first look at her changed form. Her beak hung open dumbly at the sight, revealing a set of sharp teeth. She let out an ear-piercing screech as she recoiled in horror, causing her to fall off the altar. Shredder watched as Koya frantically crawled about a bit, before finally leaning against a wall and sliding down it until she was sitting. The falcon's breathing hastened as she looked down at her new hands.
"Calm yourself, Koya," he said as he approached her, "There is nothing to fear."
"My body…what…what happened to my body!?" She paused, noticing a faint green film coating her wings, "Green?" She smelled it, and immediately recoiled, "The ooze…"
"Yes Koya, you have been mutated."
Koya's eyes widened. Mutated. She had been changed by the ooze, like Bradford and his partner. Like that twit Zeck and that fat Russian. Like the scientist. Like Master Saki's other followers.
Koya looked up at Shredder, her fear in her golden eyes, "Is…Is this punishment?" she asked, "Have I…displeased you, Master? Am I…no longer…your pet?"
Shredder stood there, lost in thought. He closed his eyes, took a breath, and looked right at Koya.
"Yes. You are my pet, no longer."
Koya's widened even more. "No…" she whispered, her voice wracked with heartbreak.
"You are now much more than that," Shredder continued, snapping her out of it.
"More?"
"This body is my gift to you. With it, you will become my mightiest warrior, and we shall crush Hamato Yoshi and his accursed turtles under our heels. Do you remember them, Koya?"
"Yoshi…Turtles…" Koya stopped to think, her thoughts beginning to settle as the rush of the change started to wear off. Once it had, her eyes widened in recognition, then narrowed in cold contempt. "Yes, Master. I do."
Shredder grinned beneath his helmet. "Good."
"I remember Hamato Yoshi and his disciples. The turtles…the dancer…the psychic…" she perked as one face, in particular, stood out, "Master, your daughter…"
Shredder's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched and trembling, "Yes, my stolen daughter, brainwashed by that rat to turn her back on her true father!" He took a breath, calming himself. "We must retrieve her. Can I count on you to do this, Koya?"
Koya watched as Shredder extended a hand. At that moment, she understood why she had been changed. Her master was not punishing her, but rewarding her. He needed her. And she would not deny him.
"Yes, Master," she replied as she took his hand, "You have…my…"
Suddenly, Koya collapsed. Thinking quickly, Shredder caught her.
"Easy, Koya," Shredder soothed, "Your loyalty is appreciated, but you're still weak from your metamorphosis." He turned to his followers, "You there! Prepare a bath and meal for my newest warrior, and get her something to wear."
"Yes, Master!"
Shredder watched as a pair of grunts ran over to Koya, taking her by the arms and escorting her away. "I hope you have got everything you wanted out of this life, Hamato Yoshi. Because it will soon be coming to an end."
-X-
Tai and Erika descended into the lair to see everyone but Leo and Raph sitting in around the living room. Mikey was watching Crognard, Vee was reading a book, Donnie and Karai were in the midst of a card game, and Hisako was playing fetch with Midnight.
"Wow, you guys look bored out of your minds," Erika remarked.
"Pretty much, yeah," Vee answered. "If you're looking for Leo or Raph, they're sparring in the dojo. They tried to re-spark that whole caveman vs astronauts thing and Dad gave them extra training."
Tai whistled at that. "Again?"
"Yeah…" Hisako lamented, rolling her before lobbing the tennis ball she was holding across the lair. "Again."
Nodding at that, the two ninjas poked their heads into the dojo, seeing the two amid a spar. Splinter was keeping an eye on them, but his ear twitched when he heard Tai and Erika.
"Welcome," he greeted, waiting as the two bowed in greeting back. "Can I help you?"
"Honestly, we kinda wanted to talk to all of you," Tai said, getting to business. "There's something that's come to our attention that we all feel has gone unaddressed for far too long"
"Shredder," Erika clarified. "Ever since you guys screwed up his partnership with Darius Dun, we haven't heard a peep out of him."
The two teens playing cards looked up from their card game.
"Erika's right," Karai remarked. "Haven't heard so much as a peep. From Shredder, or Tohoru."
"He's gotta be up to something," Tai insisted.
"Maybe a stealth mission to check on him wouldn't be a bad idea," Hisako agreed, scooping up Midnight.
"I happen to have been working on a new vehicle," Donnie declared, rising from his seat. "It could come in handy."
Splinter stroked his chin. "Hmm, very well. Raphael, Leonardo, you may stop."
Both turtles almost immediately collapsed, panting hard.
"I never… want to hear… the words caveman… or astronaut… again," Leo gasped.
"You… said it…" Raph panted back.
Splinter let out a small snort, rising gracefully before turning away. "Kids."
-X-
After Leo and Raph had the chance to rest and recuperate, Donnie led everyone to his lab. "Allow me to introduce... the Mark X1 Experimental Alternative Urban Stealth Vehicle!"
Everyone stared, blinking at the sight of what appeared to be an ordinary dumpster.
"D…" Raph deadpanned, "that's a dumpster."
"Like how the Turtle Blimp was just a water tower?" Erika recalled.
"Point taken." Raph eyed the dumpster up and down. "But I don't think this is hiding a blimp."
"Weren't you supposed to be repairing the Turtle Mech?" Vee asked.
Donnie pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, if you wanna break into Shredder's lair, this baby's the thing to use, not a giant lumbering robot they can see coming from a mile away."
"Bro, how does this move?" Hisako questioned.
Donnie opened the dumpster, showing eight exercise bikes. Everyone just stared.
"It's the Shell Sub all over again," Raph moaned before sighing. "I'll call Kagome, and we'll begin this little mission."
-X-
Back at the Foot Clan's headquarters, Koya was in Heaven. She had finally finished washing the mutagen out of her feathers and was taking a moment to relax in her Master's personal onsen.
… Her master's personal onsen, she couldn't believe she was actually here. It made her usual birdbath seem like a puddle. The boiling, bubbling water soothed her muscles, still tense and aching from their rapid growth. The steam cleared her sinuses, ridding her head of the lingering stench of mutagen and the aroma of soap. The ooze may have changed her body and kindled the spark of reason in her brain, but here and now, she felt truly reborn.
"Lady Koya?"
Koya suddenly turned around with a hissing screech and found one of her master's henchmen standing in the doorway, a towel in his hands.
"M-My apologies, my lady!" the grunt said, bowing quickly, "I-I merely came to inform you that your dinner is ready!"
Koya paused. She was thankful the guard's head was lowered, preventing him from seeing her blushing with embarrassment. Freshly transformed or not, she should not have let her guard down like that. She was her Master's falcon. His eyes in the sky. His loyal…pet?
"You are my pet, no longer."
Her master's words echoed in her mind. That's right. She was no longer a pet. No longer a mere hunting animal. No longer what she once was.
A strange feeling bloomed in her chest. She didn't understand what it was, though. Or why she felt it. Her master had made her something more than that. Something better. A better hunter. A better companion. A better…
A better…a better…
"Lady Koya?" the servant asked, pulling her back to reality, "Are…you alright?"
"Y-Yes, I will be right there," the falcon said, shaking her head. She could worry about these thoughts later. For now, food.
She rose to her feet, a quiet yelp escaped from her beak as a chill came over her. She stepped out of the hot spring, her feathers dripping with water. It weighed her down considerably. Annoyed her as well. She shook herself off like she used to, shedding the excess moisture and weight.
"Ahhhh…much better," she said. She then turned to the guard, who had his hand over his eyes.
"What are you doing?" Koya asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"I-I am averting my eyes, My Lady."
Koya raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"W-Well…" the grunt stammered, "It's just you're…not wearing anything."
"And?"
"Well…" The grunt thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain this, "Now that you've…ascended to the same level as the Master. There are certain…rules you must abide by. One of them being that you must…conceal…your…" The grunt motioned to Koya's lower half. The falcon let out a sigh and rolled her eyes.
"Very well," she said as she took her towel, "I will keep that in mind." With that, she walked off, leaving the grunt to sad and sigh in relief.
As she finished drying off, Koya made her way to the onsen's gathering chamber, where the Master and any guests he had could sit and eat…amongst other things, where she found another servant waiting.
"Greetings, Lady Koya," they said, "Did you enjoy your bath?"
"Very much so," the falcon replied, "Now then, I understand you have brought me something to eat?"
"Yes, my lady." The grunt stepped aside, revealing a platter of gourmet sushi, earning a raised eyebrow from Koya. "We weren't sure what you would like, so the chef prepared a sampler." They began motioning toward the different pieces, "You can have anything you like, the tuna, the salmon, or perhaps…?"
"I want a rat."
"B-Beg pardon?"
"A rat," Koya repeated, "You said I could have anything I want, and I want a rat."
The grunt fidgeted nervously, their gaze drifting between Koya and the food, "B-But Lady Koya, you're uh… sentient now! Why would you…?"
Suddenly, Koya leaned right in the servant's face, causing them to flinch.
"I said, I want a rat," she said, testily, "Now go and bring me one before I peck and claw your eyes out!"
"Y-Yes, Lady Koya!"
Koya watched as the grunt bowed and ran off.
"Idiots." She shook her head. "No wonder Master Saki is always in such a foul mood." The smell of fish greeted her nostrils. Her gaze returned to the sushi platter. It wasn't part of her normal diet, but her master had it prepared just for her. It would be most disrespectful to turn it down. "Maybe just a taste."
Koya approached the platter and slowly reached for a piece of salmon nigiri. Taking a moment to examine the piece of fish on rice, she recalled a moment from before her transformation. It was back in Japan, about five years ago. Her master, in his civilian guise of Tohoru Masamune, was having a lunch meeting with a potential business partner… an American woman with long, dark red hair and a fiery personality. She could not recall the woman's name or face, only that she was proud, ambitious, and possessed great force of will. Her master was drawn to those traits, as he bore them himself. But while he admired the woman's ambition and drive, her personality was utterly repellant.
She was arrogant and had little regard for tradition or decorum, and believed that her power and wealth allowed her to do as she pleased. In particular, she saw herself and her master as equals (the very idea made Koya's skin crawl). She was especially infuriating when the food arrived. The woman removed the fish from the rice (1) and smothered it in soy sauce. She rubbed her chopsticks together (2) whenever she was thinking and would point and gesture with them as she spoke (3). And most of all, she had the audacity to order around the master's servants as if they were her own, even slapping them in the face for the smallest offenses and mistakes. Suffice it to say, the master was furious and the deal was immediately called off.
Koya never knew what happened to the woman, nor did she care. So with that, she shoved the intrusive thought out of her mind and returned her attention to her food.
"Itadakimasu." As she opened her beak to partake in her meal, she detected movement in the corner of her eye. Immediately, she turned and found herself face to face with a second mutant falcon!
With a screech, Koya immediately assumed a combat stance, talons primed and ready to tear the intruder's throat out.
"Who are you!?" she shouted, "Do you serve Master Saki, or are you an enemy? Answer me!"
"What's going on in here!?"
Koya looked over her shoulder to see Shredder storm into the room.
"Master Saki, get back! An assassin has infiltrated the compound, I will–!" Koya turned to face her opponent and froze. "Another one! Infidel! You dare trespass in the lair of the great Oroku Saki!? And wearing his armor no less!" Koya prepared to strike. "You will die for your insolence!"
"Koya! Stand down!"
Koya stopped, "What? But…Master Saki! This impostor and his falcon–!"
"Those are our reflections, Koya," Shredder explained, testily. "You are looking at a mirror."
"A…mirror?" Koya turned toward the intruders, and after taking a moment to look, noticed the wooden frame of a full-length mirror surrounding them. She watched as the falcon mimicked her every move. First up, then down. Left, then right. Forward, backward. Instinctively, she looked up, only to remember this was not training time and her master was not feeding her a rat. She felt embarrassed at her mistakes, but her shame was quickly being overwritten by curiosity the longer she looked into the mirror. She needed a closer look.
"Koya?" Shredder watched as his newest warrior walked over to the mirror.
Koya looked at herself, tilting and rotating her head at every angle. Afterward, her gaze turned to the rest of her body. Her thin legs were now long and thick. The lean, yet muscular arms that were once her wings. But what really grabbed her attention was her size. She was big. Big enough to reach her master's chest. Big enough to grab a grown man's head and crush it in her talons like a grape. Big enough to go toe to toe with Hamato Yoshi and his loathsome disciples on her own.
…Big enough that she could no longer ride upon her master's arm or perch upon his shoulder.
"Koya."
She snapped to attention.
"M-My apologies, Master Saki. I…" she shook her head. This was neither the time nor place for that. Her master was present, "No, it's nothing. Was there something you needed?"
"I have received word that the Turtles are on their way to our base as we speak."
Koya's eyes widened at that. "What? Are you certain?"
"My men reported that one of the patrols spotted a dumpster moving on its own. Considering those detestable mutants seem to favor such disgusting things, I have reason to believe it is them." Shredder turned to his falcon, "I have already dispatched Bebop and Rocksteady to deal with them, but in light of recent events, I think they could use some…assistance. Wouldn't you agree?"
Though she could not see it, Koya could feel her master grinning. Her beak contorting in one of her own. "Yes, Master. It would."
"Good girl." Shredder snapped his fingers, prompting a grunt to enter with some clothing. "Put these on, and be quick about it."
Koya took the clothing from the grunt and began to examine it. It was a ninja uniform similar to the ones Shredder's elite warriors wear, but slightly adjusted to suit her frame. She looked over it, holding it against her to see how it looked, feeling the fabric against her bare feathers. As she did, she remembered what the grunt from the hot spring told her. That there were certain rules she would need to observe following her ascension. That she would need to "cover herself". Why? This was not armor. What could it possibly protect her from? If anything, it would only drag her down and get in the way of her movements while flying. Get in the way of her mission! What rules could possibly be more important than completing her mission?
Koya scowled. She respected her master. She would do anything for him. But she failed to see the need for these rags, which she immediately began to shred apart with her talons.
"What the…!?"
"Koya! What are you–!?"
"Forgive me, Master. I mean no disrespect, but your enemies will be at our front gate in minutes, and I do not have time to deal with your confusing, human customs!" Once the garments had been shredded, Koya got to work wrapping the remains around her waist and between her legs, tying them up into a loincloth. It was all the coverage she needed. "There, perfect."
Koya turned to Shredder and the grunt, who gaped at her in shock and an… unknown emotion.
"I will be back shortly, Master," Koya said with a bow, "With the Turtles' heads as trophies." With that, she raced outside in the onsen and took flight, leaving Shredder to process what just happened.
"Koya…"
"M-Master Shredder," the grunt cut in, "Are you seriously going to just let her fight the Turtles looking like…that!?"
Shredder shook his head, getting his thoughts together. "So long as she brings me their heads, she could be stark naked for all I care. Now, return to your post!"
"Yes sir!"
On the streets, the Hamato family and Kagome pedaled the dumpster to Shredder's lair.
"Ugh, and I thought this thing smelled bad on the outside ," Vee groaned.
"I know you were going for authenticity, but this thing reeks," Mikey muttered, seeing Midnight covering her snout while whining at Hisako's feet.
"Any slower, and this thing would be going in reverse!" Karai complained.
"I'm gonna have to burn my clothes after this…" Hisako moaned. "And I really liked this jacket."
"We live in a sewer," Donnie reminded them. "Where all the... waste and sewage goes. How is this any worse?"
"Well, for one, we don't actually live in the sewer," Leo answered. "We live in the storm drain."
"And two, storm drain smell washes out," Hisako added. "Dumpster smell doesn't."
Eventually, they reached Shredder's lair. Two Footbots guarding glanced in the dumpster's direction, before shrugging and looking away.
"See?" Donnie boasted. "The perfect city stealth vehicle."
"So how do we see inside?" Karai asked.
"We actually go inside and look around," Leo replied.
"What's the point of a stealth vehicle that won't let us see inside without getting out?" Raph demanded.
"I'm still working out the bugs," Donnie explained, holding up a small device. "Speaking of bugs, I wanted to bug the place while we're here."
"An idea I can totally get behind," Vee agreed. "April's Teenspy app has worked wonders for the Purple Dragons. Imagine what having one in Foot central will do."
"Agreed." Karai turned to Leo. "I'll take the lead, Leo. I know this place better than you guys."
"Go for it," Leo told her. "Just be careful."
They snuck out, and Karai let them to a back entrance.
"Okay," Donnie whispered. "I'd say the best place to plant this is the Shredder's throne room."
"Just hope old Buckethead isn't there," Mikey added.
They crept up to the room in question, and it did indeed seem totally abandoned. Donnie looked left and right, seeing nothing, and planted the bug under Shredder's chair.
"Well, what do we have here?" a new voice piped up.
Everyone jumped, seeing a mutant falcon perched atop the window ledge above them.
"What the hell?" Mikey exclaimed.
"You're a new one," Hisako said.
Karai looked the bird up and down, recognition dawning. "Koya?!"
"Oh, you remember me," Koya replied. "I haven't forgotten you, traitor. "
"You know this bird?" Raph asked.
"Koya," Karai answered. "Shredder's pet falcon."
"Yes, the Master uplifted me, so that I may serve him better," Koya explained.
"He mutated you," Kagome corrected. "Because he was desperate."
Koya scowled, then let out a loud screech. Almost immediately, the Shredder Elite barged in.
"Not these freaks again!" Leo yelled.
Hisako perked up, sensing something else. "Look-!" she began, only for something unseen to club her unconscious.
"Hisa-!" Vee began before she was knocked out as well.
The rest of the group was taken out similarly, no one able to react or see who was attacking. Eventually, all eight of them were on the ground unconscious, and a group of Foot ninjas wearing hi-tech gear shimmered into view.
"Take them all," Koya ordered them. "Master Saki will be pleased."
The Shredder Elite picked all of them up, carrying them off.
-X-
When the group woke up, they were in a cage overlooking a tank of mutagen, Bebop, Rocksteady, and Koya standing before them.
"Ugh…" Leo groaned. "What hit us?"
"Our new Foot Tech Ninjas, son!" Bebop taunted. "Shredder got one of those cloak things off Darius Dun, and Stockman reverse-engineered it."
"Aw no, invisible ninjas?" Mikey groaned. "That's cheating, man."
"Well, ninjutsu is the way of invisibility," Kagome admitted.
"What're you gonna do to us, clowns?" Raph demanded.
"A little experiment," Bebop replied with a grin. "Since Rock's gear fused with him when we mutated, we wanna know: what happens when more than one person ends up in mutagen at the same time?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Hisako said, shaking her hands. "Bad idea! BAD IDEA!"
"Uh, what does it do?" Vee asked nervously.
"Remember Justin? That, only worse. Much worse!"
"What, you just wanna make a turtle mutant?" Leo piped up. "That's boring. Why not throw more stuff in the mutagen? Create a super mutant."
Bebop and Rocksteady paused at that, prompting Koya to give them an odd look.
"Leo, what did I just say?!" Hisako hissed.
"I'm trying to stall for time," Leo whispered.
"For what?" Hisako demanded. "We're stuck."
"Just trust me!" Leo turned to their captors, "Come on, let's be real, guys. This is the Shredder we're talking about. You really think he's going to be satisfied with his greatest enemies just being tossed in a vat of glow juice? No, the death of the Ninja Turtles needs to be a masterpiece. Something you guys can record so he can fall asleep to it every night."
"Hmmm…" Rocksteady mused. "He has point, Comrade Bebop."
"He'd probably give us a bonus, if we did," Bebop concurred.
"What are you…? We have Hamato Yoshi's disciples right where we want them!" Koya snapped, "Do your jobs and drop them already!"
"Rock! Get the wormsacks, I'll turn on the camera!"
"Da!" Rocksteady guided the Shredder Elite over, shoving all three in.
"And now you just made everything much worse!" Raph shouted.
Hisako cried out, clutching her head. "You don't know the half of it…"
"Enjoy last few moments of life, cherepakhi ," Rocksteady chuckled, "I will."
Hisako quickly waved a hand, blasting the cage open so they could escape, shoving them all safely away from the mutagen vat. Much to everyone's horror, the contents were beginning to rapidly bubble.
"Everyone run! RUN! " Hisako screamed. "Bacon! Bonehead! Birdbrain! You too!"
"Birdbrain!? You dare mock–!?" Before Koya could finish, a low, garbled rumbling echoed through the building.
"Koya, we gotta leave, now!" Bebop said.
Koya scowled at the warthog, but conceded and turned to the Turtles, "This isn't over Hamato scum." With that, she took off and flew out the window.
"Wait, Comrade Koya! Don't leave us here!"
"Am-scray! Am-scray!"
They all hurried out, looking back to see a massive creature with four arms, two of which end with pincers, emerge from the ooze.
"You two just had to throw those Shredder clones into the vat," Donnie hissed at Bebop and Rocksteady.
"It's some kind of Mega-Shredder!" Mikey exclaimed.
"We're screwed, aren't we?" Kagome asked.
"Majorly," Karai agreed.
"Not yet," Donnie piped up. "We need to get back to the lab."
"For what?!" Kagome demanded.
"Think," Donnie replied. "A giant monster, rampaging around the city. What's the best thing we have to fight a giant monster?"
They got it at that.
"Good thinking!" Leo declared. "But can it stand up to this thing?"
"I'd be more worried about it working at all," Raph said flatly.
-X-
Meanwhile, Koya began flying back to Foot HQ.
"Those imbeciles ! My first mission for the clan, and they ruined it! I had them in my talons! Why didn't I just rip out their throats when I had the chance!? I swear, If I ever see those two buffoons again, I'll slice them both open with their own tusks and horn, and hang what's left of them in Master Saki's trophy–" she paused, her eyes wide with fear, but more so with despair, "Master Saki…he's going to be furious…"
The Mega Shredder stomped through downtown, roaring as civilians ran screaming left and right. Suddenly, an explosive barrel hit it in the face as the Turtle Mech stomped forward, piloted by the Turtles and Hisako. Karai and Kagome followed them from the rooftops, unable to fit in the mech.
"Hey, ugly!" Donnie yelled. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"
The Mega Shredder turned toward them, plowing through a church as it went.
"Okay, that does it!" Leo exclaimed. "Nobody smashes a church in my town!"
"Let's show Mega-Shredder what happens when you mess with our town!" Mikey declared.
The Turtle Mech ran forward, clashing with the Mega Shredder. They grappled, before Donnie activated the flamethrower, burning its face and knocking it back.
"How do we stop this thing?!" Raph demanded.
"How am I supposed to know?!" Donnie shot back. "Mikey's the kaiju fan here!"
The Mega Shredder grabbed the mech, opening its mouth. Within, they saw a bizarre figure: its tongue ended with the likeness of Oroku Saki before he became the Shredder. Raph threw a switch, firing a missile into its mouth. It reeled back, roaring in pain. At that, Hisako heard thoughts coming from inside the creature's mouth and gasped in realization.
"Its tongue…" she said. "Guys, its brain is in its tongue!"
"So we gotta kill the brain!" Raph realized.
"And I know just how to do it!" Donnie said.
He turned to the roof where Karai and Kagome were standing.
"You two up for a fastball special?" he asked.
"About time we got some participation here!" Karai exclaimed.
Donnie lowered a hand for them to hop on. "You need to stab the Shredder in Mega-Shredder's mouth. That's where its brain is."
"Wait. You're gonna throw us into his mouth?!" Kagome yelled.
"Good luck!" Donnie said before reeling back and throwing the two at the Mega Shredder's face.
Kagome screamed, Karai yelled, and they both aimed their weapons right at the Shredder tongue. Its mouth slammed shut around them, and the Mega Shredder started screaming in agony before collapsing. The tongue lolled out, Karai and Kagome having stabbed it repeatedly, both covered in goop.
"Okay..." Kagome said, shuddering in revulsion. "I really need a shower now.
The Turtle Mech picked them both up again, lifting them to eye level of the six drivers.
"You two okay?" Leo asked.
"Fine," Karai assured him. "But that was nuts."
"You know, when we stranded Krang here, I thought we were done with more mutants," Hisako admitted.
"Guess not," said Raph. "Well, one thing left to do."
The Turtle Mech dragged the Mega Shredder's corpse to the harbor, where they threw it into the sea.
"Goodbye and good riddance!" Mikey declared.
"That's that," Leo said. "Let's go home."
The mech stomped off, unaware of what was happening beneath the waves. While the Mega Shredder was dead, the Paramecia Coloniex worms that were used in its components' creation were not, and squirmed out of the corpse. A great white shark passed by them, swallowing several of them before swimming away…
-X-
Back at the headquarters of the Foot Clan, Koya had finished her trip. She landed in the main courtyard, causing several grunts to scatter. Slowly, she stood up, an agitated scowl on her face.
"Welcome back, Lady Koya," one of the grunts nervously greeted, "How was–?"
"Not now." she snapped, shutting him up. With that nuisance taken care of, Koya headed inside. Once she was alone, her scowl melted away, replaced with a look of anxiety and shame. She had failed. The Turtles were within her grasp and she failed to destroy them. Her master would be furious with her.
Eventually, she arrived at the entrance to her master's quarters. Koya stared at the ornate, wooden door. She nervously swallowed. She could hear her heart pounding away in her ears. Feel it throbbing in her chest, trying to burst out and flee. She did not understand why she felt this way. She never did, before her ascension. Was it because she failed her mission after her master put so much trust in her? After he had given her this wonderful gift? Or was it something else entirely? This must be how the servants felt whenever they approached it. She hated it. Hated feeling this way about her beloved master. Wishing with every fiber of her being that she could go back and…
Koya shook her head. No! None of these thoughts and feelings mattered. She was no sniveling footsoldier. She was a Foot elite. She would face her master's wrath with dignity and grace.
She knocked on the door.
"Enter." echoed the voice of her master. And Koya did.
Her master was sitting on a cushion, his back turned to the entrance. She had seen this before. Whenever the master meditated, he would often keep his back toward the entrance, lulling potential assassins and enemies into thinking he was vulnerable so they would reveal themselves and strike. His way of keeping himself sharp.
"Master Saki."
"Greetings, Koya," Shredder said, not even turning to face her. Koya winced but shook it off. She stepped inside and kneeled before him.
"I have returned from my mission, Master."
"And the Turtles?" Again, her master did not turn to face her.
"They…" she swallowed, doing her best to keep her composure, "They escaped."
Her master tensed, the silence in the room somehow becoming more silent. And more oppressive.
"What?"
"I'm sorry, sir!" Koya said, doing everything she could to keep her fear in check, "The Foot Tech Ninja and I ambushed the Turtles and took them to the lab to execute them. But that stupid warthog and incompetent rhino fell for one of their ploys and threw the worms into the mutagen vat we prepared! After that, they turned into a giant monster and–"
"It rampaged across the city before they destroyed it."
Koya perked, her head slowly rising to look upon her master. "You…You know?"
"I could hear the carnage from the lair, Koya. I doubt there's a soul in the city who didn't."
Koya sagged. "Yes, of course you would."
"And I'm guessing the Turtles have gathered what was left and are already in the process of destroying it?"
"Yes…that is most likely the case."
"You had my enemies at your mercy, and you allowed them to escape?" her master growled.
"I am sorry, Master," Koya explained, "I should have slaughtered them right then and there after they'd been incapacitated. I've failed you, and am prepared to accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."
Shredder rose. "Very well. Rise, Koya."
Koya obeyed, her eyes never once leaving her master as he rose from his seat. Her gaze never deviated as he turned to face her. As he walked - no, marched toward her. His steps were slow, quiet, and methodical, but it still felt as if the ground shook with everyone he took. Koya kept a straight face, but she could feel the chills running down her spine and the sweat trickling down her face. She was sweating . Another new sensation brought by her master's gift.
After what seemed like an eternity, her master stopped. Though she did not show it outwardly, she looked upon him with fear and reverence. He looked upon her as well. She could see the look in his eyes with her peak, falcon vision. He was angry. Furious. Disappointed. Disappointed that his hated foes still lived. That some of his strongest assets had been lost. And in her , for allowing this to happen. Koya had been with her master since the day she was born. And in those years, she had never been afraid of him. Until now.
Suddenly, her master raised his hand. Was he reaching for a weapon? No. He was…raising it over his head? Ahh, he was going to strike her down with his bare hands. She was not worthy of his claws or blade. She watched as her master brought his hand down upon her, waiting for the end…and he thwacked her on the head with his index and middle fingers.
Koya let out a pained yelp, then rubbed her face with one of her talons.
"There, your punishment is concluded."
Koya stiffened, before turning to her master. Though he still stood with the same commanding presence as always, his gaze had softened. Only a little, but enough to be noticeable.
"That…That's it?" Koya asked, confused.
"Yes." Her master nodded. "That is all."
"But…Master, why? I failed my mission! Brought dishonor to the Foot Clan! To you !"
"Your failure was the result of those bumbling, small-minded idiots. Had they followed the plan, you would have succeeded. Besides, you haven't even been mutated for a full day. And despite that, you came closer than any of my followers to destroying my enemies so far. You still have room for improvement, Koya. But you have made me proud."
Koya was stunned. Her master praised her! He was proud of her! She knew in her head that she still failed and that she would need to work hard to ensure it would not happen again. But right now, she was so happy! She couldn't contain herself any longer. She let out an ecstatic screech and leaped onto her master's shoulder as best as she could, nuzzling him like she used to.
"Thank you, Master Saki! Thank you! I swear, I will not let you down!"
"Koya…" her master uttered testily, snapping the falcon out of it. Realizing what she was doing, Koya removed herself from her master's body and regained her composure.
"Forgive me, Master." She bowed deeply, "I was merely–"
"It's alright, Koya," he cut in, his voice firm, but not angry, "You cannot help it." He brushed the feathers off his armor. "I will overlook your lapse in decorum, this time. But, I expect you to refrain from such behavior in the future."
Now that you've…ascended to the same level as the Master. There are certain…rules you must abide by.
"Of course, Master." Koya bowed.
Her master snapped his fingers, and a pair of grunts practically manifested at his feet. The ninja's way of invisibility was truly remarkable.
"My servants will escort you to your quarters."
Koya paused. "My…quarters?"
"Of course," her master said, "You are my most trusted elite warrior. Did you think I would let you sleep in the barracks with the rest of my forces?"
You will become my mightiest warrior.
"N-No, o-of course not!" Koya stammered. She rubbed her arm awkwardly, "It's just…I normally sleep in my nest…with you."
Her master raised an eyebrow at her but retained his composure. "Yes, well, I'm afraid that will no longer be possible."
Koya froze. "B-But Master, I must! It is my duty to watch over and protect you! If I am not here–!"
"I am more than capable of protecting myself, Koya." her master explained, "You are only a few doors down. If you hear or see anything suspicious, or I summon you, you know where to go."
You are my pet, no longer.
Once again, the words echoed in Koya's mind. And with them, the ache in her chest returned.
"Now, go get some rest. We have much to do tomorrow."
Koya pulled herself together, nodding. "Yes, of course, Master Saki."
Koya followed the servants out of her master's chamber. As she did she reached the door, she took one last look at him.
"Goodnight, Master Saki," she said.
"Goodnight, Koya," he replied.
With that, Koya followed the servants out, letting them take her to her new home. Little did she realize, she was being watched.
"Unbelievable…" Tokka uttered in contempt.
"You can say that again," Rahzar fumed, "She gets bumped straight to the top, blows her first mission like a newbie, and all she gets is a slap on the wrist!?" He slashed at the wall, leaving a sizable gash in the concrete. "This is bullshit ! We can't let her get away with this, Gina!"
"No, we cannot," the mini-kaiju concurred, "We didn't lose our humanity and endure constant humiliation from a bunch of children just to be outranked by a pet ." Her eyes narrowed. "She needs to be taken down."
"Any ideas?"
"A few. But that's something for another day. For now, we rest."
"Yeeeeeeah…"
-X-
Koya followed her master's servants as they led her to her room.
"Right this way, Lady Koya," one of them said, "It's not much farther."
"We have been walking for what seems like forever," the falcon groused, "How am I supposed to protect the master this far away?"
"I do not claim to understand the Master's thoughts," the grunt replied, "Perhaps he wants to lure his enemies into a false sense of security? Either way, this is where he decided to put you."
"I see…"
Eventually, they arrived at another wooden door. It wasn't as ornate as her master's, but it was certainly well-made.
"Here we are, my lady," the grunt said as he opened the door for her, "Your quarters await. We hope it is to your liking. If you require anything else, do not hesitate to call."
"Thank you," Koya said as she entered. "You are dismissed." And with that, the grunts shut the door behind her.
Now alone, Koya took a moment to look over her new room. It was done in a traditional Japanese style. Tatami mats. Ukiyo-e wall art. A small incense burner on a stand to the side of a futon. All in all, it was spartan but nice.
"My own room…" she said to herself, "My own place to be."
Another wonderful gift from Master Saki.
"At this point, I will need to make a…" she was cut off by a yawn, "...a list." Koya turned to the nightstand and saw a clock, seeing that it was past midnight. "My word, it's late. I'd better turn in for the night."
Koya got to work untying her loincloth, smiling as she felt the fabric run down her legs.
"Ahhhh, much better," she said as stepped out of the pile of cloth at her feet, kicking it to the wall. "Honestly, I don't think I'll ever understand what humans see in these rags. I–" She detected movement in the corner of her eye, someone was in here.
"Who's there!?" he said, only to find herself staring at her own reflection. "Oh, it's only a mirror." Just a mirror, a piece of glass. A piece of glass in a wooden frame that showed you what you looked like.
What she looked like…
Koya approached the mirror, taking another moment to look at herself. She turned around, examining herself from every angle. Examining every inch of her new body.
Her new body. The body her master had given to her.
This body is my gift to you.
And it was a lovely gift. She was strong and beautiful. She could serve Master Saki in ways she never could as a…as an animal.
Koya beamed with pride at the sight of herself. Lean, yet muscular arms that were once wings. Long, thick legs. Talons that could crush a man's skull like a grape. And she was so big! Big enough to fight against the turtles! She would no longer need to merely observe and report to her master, she could fight for him!
She would lead his forces into battle!
She could no longer ride on Master Saki's arm or perch on his shoulder.
She would strike down his enemies!
She could no longer sleep in his room by his side.
She would be his champion. His guardian. His warrior!
She could no longer be his pet.
His beloved pet.
His beloved companion.
Koya's pride began to evaporate as she looked at herself. At what she had become. At what her master had made her.
"It's getting late," she said, "I need rest."
Koya turned away from the mirror and made her way to the futon. She crawled under the covers, feeling the warm fabric against her feathers. The firm, yet soft pillow against her head.
"Master Saki," she said to herself, "You have done so much for me. You cared for me. Fed me. Raised me. Taught me to hunt." She smiled wistfully, "And now, you've given me so much more. A new, stronger body. A voice. A mind. Clothes. My own room." A single tear trailed down her eye, "I owe you everything and more. And I swear, I will repay you for all of it." She frowned, curling up into a ball, more tears streaming down her face, "So why…why do I feel so…sad?"
You are my pet, no longer.
"I…I am your pet…" she sniffled, "I am your pet, no longer." She repeated her master's words, and the ache in her chest returned, stronger than ever.
Author's Note:
(1) Highly taboo in Japan, apparently
(2) Also taboo
(3) Bad manners. Possibly also taboo
Poor Koya...
Those who read the Mirage storyline "The Worms of Madness" will have a pretty good idea what'll happen with the worms eventually.
Word From WindstarOsprey: To any IDW TMNT or Koya fans out there, I apologize if I got her character wrong. This franchise is not one I am normally into and I only got involved in Out of the Shadows because my co-writers asked me to. However, I became interested in the idea of one's pet being uplifted into sentience and the emotional ramifications that would result, especially the pet of a villain like Shredder.
While Koya is still a prideful, savage, and fairly hot-headed warrior, she is still Shredder's pet. She's not like the Turtles, who've been mutated practically their whole lives. She was a pet, and her entire relationship with her master has been irrevocably changed, creating emotional barriers between them.
Hopefully, I did a good job and did the character justice. If not, let me know, so that I can avoid such mistakes in the future.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Koya - Amber Lee Connors (Gwess from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, Android 18 from Dragon Ball Z Abridged, Vernal from RWBY, Nozomi Kaminashi from Keijo!, Miki Kawai from A Silent Voice, Takami Karibuchi from Brave Witches, Juri Yukawa from Kokkoku: Moment by Moment, Esther Rosenthal from A Certain Scientific Accelerator, Yuri Shiraki from Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King, Mai Kawakami from Myriad Colors Phantom World, Akagi from Azur Lane, Ooi from Kancolle, Ayano Hanasaki from Hanebado!, Pieck from Attack on Titan, Megakaryocyte from Cells at Work!, Mei Aihara from Citrus, Arte from Restaurant to Another World)
Please R&R. Until next time!