Round 2! Let's go!
"Oh. My. Goodness-what did you do to her? It's only been a week what have you been up to?" Leafe grabbed at her head upon seeing Kara's bruised back, "Did you throw her around like a bat or something? Thank goodness her stitching is still in place or she could of reopened her wounds and possibly killed herself!" She turned to the turtles who had their heads lowered in shame, except Donnie who was scrolling through his phone.
"It wasn't 'entirely' their faults, Leafe. We ran into some hunters..who happened to be Dentists...also a very traumatic encounter with a mutant fish-it's a long story." Kara looked down at Sheldon while petting his head, having grown to like the little guy, glancing at Leafe in an apology feeling bad that not only her and Donnie's hard work was ruined but the guys were taking the blame.
Leafe sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging to calm herself then looked to Kara with a worried expression, tapping the side of her head, "You need a calm, relaxing environment for your wounds to heal properly. It's not just your physical body that helps heal but your mental state as well. How often do you guys get into shenanigans like these?" She asked, turning to them.
"About every episode." Donnie muttered not looking up from his phone.
Leafe blinked at him but shook her head thinking he was speaking more about his phone than the situation, "Well, then, I'll just have to hang around you guys to keep Kara out of harm's way." She placed her hands on her shoulders and gently guided her to the restroom. "I'll start by helping you bathe. We wouldn't want your stitching to get infected."
Kara blushed and sniffed herself realizing she hasn't had a decent shower due to feeling embarrassed about the others helping, "Agreed." She mumbled glancing over at the guys then down to the ground.
When they were out of earshot Raph pulled his brothers into a huddle, "Ok, guys, we got to prove to Leafe we are responsible in taking care of Kara. We're not doing so good with first impressions.."
"She probably thinks we're a bunch of immature goofballs." Mikey added with a pout.
"What's the big deal? That's how we are; we get into some weird situation that helps us grow as ninjas and learn a life lesson. The injuries are part of the charm." Leo shrugged his shoulders with his classic smirk on his face.
"Yeah, but this time it's not just us that's getting hurt." Donnie added.
"It's Kara too and with what she's been through Leafe might take her away from us." Raph finished, this thought making the others look down.
"Hey guys." April popped out of nowhere startling all of them.
"Oh, hey, April. What're you doing here?" Raph asked.
"If I recall it was you guys who wanted me to film this year's Lair Games." She explained while pulling her heavy bag of camera equipment.
"Wait, that's it! The Lair Games! We can use that to ease her mind and she have fun without getting hurt!" Mikey exclaimed in excitement.
"Yeah, she can help you with the recording, April. As well as see this five-time champ become six-time champ." Leo responded smugly while pointing at himself, this getting the other brothers to groan.
"Uh, sure. Where is she, anyways?" April asked, looking around in time for Kara and Leafe to walk out of Splinter's room in a change of clothes and looking refreshed though their expressions serious.
"If anything happens, please call me and I'll-why is everyone huddled together?" Leafe looked over to see not only the guys in a circle but their human friend April as well, she smiling and waving to her, "Oh, hello again, April."
"Hey, Leafe." April smiled with a wink while giving her a two fingered wave before looking over at Kara her expression softening, "Hi, Kara."
"H-Hey, April. Long time no see." She rubbed her arms shyly knowing the last few times they interacted weren't that great. "How's it going?"
"Oh, you know, same ol'. I'm here to film this year's Lair Games. Wanna help?" April held up a camera and grinned at her.
"Lair Games?" Both Leafe and Kara asked in unison, looking at each other in confusion.
This making April smile, gesturing with her head and arm for them to follow her and set things up. Once that was taken care of and Kara helped placed the mics on the turtles they began recording.
"Ok, we're rolling. So tell us, what ARE the Lair Games?" April asked Raph who was idly twiddling his thumbs while Kara held the camera.
Leader of Team, 5 time 2nd Place:
"Ah, well, it started six years ago when we got swept up in the water bottle challenge." Raph leaned against his chair; arms draped over it as he explained.
"Wait, the one where you flipped the water bottle so it landed upright?" Kara asked curiously.
"Exactly that. It was the biggest trend and we were all in." Raph nodded, this making her smile.
Black screen with title card, "O'Neil Productions Presents"
Youngest Brother, Ballet Master:
"The Lair Games are the single greatest day of the year! It better than Halloween, Thanksgiving, my Birthday-" Mikey listed on til it cut back to Raph. "It's a one day, sixteen event, brother versus brother competition."
Black screen with title card, "An April O'Neil Production"
"-Me finding a quarter day, me finding a quarter anniversary day." Mikey continued listing things now using his feet to help.
"It challenges you, both physically and mentally." Raph said as he tossed a water bottle behind him and it landed upright, this getting a gasp of amazement out of Kara but before she could congratulate him, he leaned forward with a very serious expression on his face, "And this year was the craziest year. Ever."
Title card, "The Lair Games. A film by April O'Neil and Co." with the turtle shell logo in each of their colors before pixeled explosions went off.
April, Kara, and Leafe were in the back filming in different areas to get some good shots while Splinter, in a referee outfit, began the announcements, the others sitting in front of a makeshift stage with the Lair Games banner above it, "As is tradition at the annual Lair Games the winner of last year-"
"-As five time champ I would like all of you to stand while I speak." Leo said looking down at them while wearing five gold medals with a 1 on them, Kara panning in on his face as his mouth slid to a smirk.
"Ugh, losing to Leo is the worst. You know how they say, 'Act like you've been there before'? Leo never read that book." Raph explained with an annoyed look, slashing his arms for emphasis.
"When I say 'King' you say 'Leo'. King." Leo holds out the mic to them.
Camera pans over to the others who don't speak as well as look as if they would rather be somewhere else. Camera pans back to Leo and Splinter.
"Leo! That was great. Ok, but enough about my numerous victories, there are many, this year in an effort to inspire you to be as great as I am I'm offering up the biggest prize yet: My room. A.K.A the best room."
While Leo was talking Kara moved the camera to the others slowly moving to get each of their expressions, with April trying to stay out of camera shot, each turtle had a look that said they either heard this any times before or they weren't paying attention but Donnie was clearly getting irritated til Leo revealed the prize for the year which had them all equally surprised and interested.
Leafe followed Leo, who was dressed in a robe and wearing sharp sunglasses, as he pulled back his curtain to reveal his room and getting some close ups on the inside showing all of his action figures and metals, which he proudly showed off.
"It wasn't about the room. It was about taking something away from him. Something he loved.." Raph's voice got low with a crazed look in his eyes.
Loves His Brother Leo, But..:
"Man. We were just tired of losing and no one lost worse than Donnie." Mikey explained before the film brought up a flashback to Year 5. Donnie grunts and slams his hand on a watermelon, yelling out in pain as he held his hand while jumping. Leo laughing to the side. Year 3: Donnie throws a pizza at one of the targets like a frisbee, only for it to fall on his head. Back to Year 5, Donnie tried slamming his foot on the watermelon except it bounced off and hit him in the head causing him to fall backwards on the ground. Leo laughing harder. Year 1: A younger Donnie curls into a ball, rocking side to side, while beach balls bounce around him. Meanwhile a younger Mikey was having a good time. Back to Year 5, Donnie turned on his tech-bo and formed a rocket hammer and slammed it only for it to break and hit him in the stomach, sending him into the wall behind them and slide him off screen before zooming past the camera leaving behind a trail of purple. Leo laughing even harder and falls to the ground.
"No one wanted to let Leo chump them again this year. We were ready for war."
Kara tensed up at Raph's sentence and expression, feeling goosebumps run down her arms, wondering what events were going to be done this year. Honestly, she was excited to be a part of it.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, reporting to you live on the scene of the first event: The Handstand Hill-Bomb!"
The name of the event zooms onto the screen, Kara behind them and off to the side to get the shot.
The top of the hill the guys stood with their skateboards, Leafe in her yokai form getting an excellent shot of them from back, while Sheldon gets a closeup in front of them. They get into handstand position on their skateboards as they each line up before the edge. The signal light above them shone Red. Yellow. And once the light turned green, they were immediately into action.
"And they're off!" Splinter commentated, looking to April as they rode down before going back up, Sheldon and Leafe following after them. "Oh, looks like someone has separated themselves from the pack."
Leo gaining speed, blew a kiss to his brothers leaving them behind.
"Down the stretch they come annnd iiiit's..bluuuue.." Leo rides in first place, a smug smirk on his face as always. Splinter not looking too please before ripping up a ticket, going, "I knew I shouldn't have bet on Red."
Leo walked up to April's camera and grabbed it so it was only on him, "I may be bald, but call me the hare cause I smoke tortoises!"
In the background Kara giggled at his comment having him look over at her to see her still filming but gave him a thumbs up with her lower arms and whispered, "Congrats, Leonardo." He stared at her as she smiled at him and smirked while moving to put on the charm when Splinter's voice reached his ears, "In second," Donnie races by next, leaving Splinter in shock, "Purple? I can't believe it! This is unpre-" Leo did a double take before immediately snatching the mic and walked over to Donnie, "Second place, huh? What's that feel like?"
"Nardo, please don't.." Donnie groaned, moving the skateboard in front of him, while Leo poked him with the mic.
"Because I only get first." Leo drops the mic on his head, leaving behind an annoyed Donnie but stopped when Kara clapped for Donnie with a cheer, "Nice job, Donatello." Her smile brightened making him smile in return before she went back to filming the other two not noticing the grimace on Leo's face as he turned away Donnie watching him, his smile turning into a smirk.
AKA Othello Von Ryan, Bootyshaker 9000:
"Second, baby!" Donnie shouted, leaning out his chair in happiness.
Was Not Dreaming:
"Donnie got second and was like, "Am I Dreaming?"" Raph had his hands to his head in disbelief.
Has Drawn On Eyebrows For 9 Years:
"I just got second! I just got second!" Donnie sang while doing a dance before picking up his platinum bust and using it as a trumpet.
Bless His Heart, He Always Gives It His All:
"...It wasn't a great start for me." Mikey said with a sad smile the film going back to when Mikey fell off his board and planted face first into the ground right before the finish line, his skateboard rolling past him and becoming last.
"Awww..." Leafe touched her heart at Mikey being adorable from behind the camera.
The scoreboard was up with Leo ahead, then Donnie, Raph, and Mikey being last.
To the next event they were further in the sewers where the contestants were under a singular pipe on a floating platform with April to the side of them and Leafe on the ceiling again but Kara was off to the side with Splinter, who was wearing a hazmat suit, so she wouldn't have to see Leafe's spider self though her focus was on Splinter wondering if she should be wearing a hazmat suit as well.
"And it's a clear indoor day. Conditions are ideal as we begin event number two: Pipe Goop Chicken." Splinter commentated while the turtles got ready.
"My signature event. The goop that separates the turtles from the tadpoles." Leo monologued while adding gestures with his words, Raph and Mikey already laying down beneath the pipe.
Donnie raised a brow at him, "Uh. That's not exactly-"
"The mice from the rats." Leo continued, laying down next, the ends of his mask falling over Raph's eyes who blew them off him.
Donnie laying down last, "Yeah, again, you're wrong."
"Who's gonna flinch first? Ah, well, my money is on Donnie." Leo said while putting his arms behind his head in a casual manner.
"Three. Two. One." Splinter counted down before turning the valve, opening the pipe. It begins to rattle which causes Leo to get serious, Raph to mutter to himself about a pizza supreme in the sky, and Donnie and Mikey are quiet but focused.
First comes out a poof of air then seconds later the area lit up green as a slow forming glob of glowing waste flows out of the pipe and towards the brothers.
"AHH. TOO GROSS I CAN'T TAKE IT!"
"My face is too pretty to be slimed!"
Raph and Mikey were immediately out, Raph pressing himself against the wall while Mikey clung on to his dad. Kara had a look of horror on her face at the monstrosity above Leo and Donnie; she could swear she saw a chicken bone in there.
"Final two." Splinter muttered.
"Time to tap out, brother. Time to remember who you are." Leo taunted, sweat trickling down his head forcing himself to stay where he was despite the disgusted panic in his eyes.
"You first, brother." Donnie retorted through gritted teeth, holding his ground.
The goop soon turned into a sack right above their heads, the sweat gathering around both of them as Leo made one final attempt, "This is your last chance!" Leo looked to Donnie who had his eyes squeezed shut while continuously breathing heavy to calm his nerves. "Deh. Ugh. NO!" Leo bails next, jumping into the water.
"Blue's out! Purple wins?" Splinter shouts in confused awe.
Donnie looked over at Leo to see he really was gone then turned his head forward, smiling wide, "Yes! I wo-ooh!" The goop immediately drops on him and his open mouth.
"Ohhh!" Leo and Raph shouted, though Leo looked more happy than shocked.
"Oh me gosh!" Mikey screamed, grabbing his head.
April zooms to Kara who ran off hearing her barf off to the side before coming back acting like nothing happened. Noticing there were no towels around Kara hopped to the platform, making sure not to step in any of the goop, and bent down using the blanket she carries with her to wipe the goop off him trying to be extra careful to not spread it, smiling when she was able to find his face.
Mikey, Raph, and April share an adorable smile while Leo looks away with a jealous look in his eyes.
Leader Of Team, 5 Time 2nd Place:
"The guy who wears gloves to read his comic books got gooped!" Raph was in disbelief, but the irony was too good.
Suffered His First Victory:
"Literally, the taste of victory was horrible. But figuratively, nom-nom-nom-nom-nom." Donnie said while savoring his victory.
"It was a good thing Kara was there with her blanket too, huh?" Leafe asked from behind the camera.
"Yeah, well, despite not believing in that sort of thing..she seems to be a good luck charm." Donnie leaned back into his chair, hands in front of his mouth before looking away remembering her face being the first thing he saw after the goopening, hiding a smile behind his hands.
Moonlights As DJ Dr. Delicate Touch, CPA:
"You should of seen the look on his face." Mikey pulled up a stereo playing a hiphop song, "It was then I knew we were witnessing history." He turned the dials to raise the volume, his smile widening in a wicked grin.
Event 3: Pizza Darts.
Each brother threw a slice of pizza at a color coordinated target; Raph's slice bouncing off and missing completely, Mikey's barely hitting the corner of his target, Donnie's hitting bullseye, and Leo's hitting near the bullseye but not quite while barely hanging on.
Raph and Leo showed their defeat with Raph on his hands and knees, head lowered in despair, and Leo dropping to his knees and throwing his arms up then down to the ground.
Mikey, being the good sport he was, clapped happily for his older brother.
Donnie, standing still in awe at him winning before he couldn't contain it anymore, his legs bouncing in place before letting out an excited, girly noise. Kara had to look away to keep her laughter in but was happy for him, getting into the games herself.
"Donnie won three in a row. He was next level." Raph said over the next event, which was Dizzy race, the guys spinning rapidly in an office chair before running a straight line to the finish line; Raph immediately dropping before his chair could finish spinning then Mikey. It seemed it was going to be a tie til Donnie fell over, Leo race stumbling towards the big button til he pressed it, a poof of confetti exploding at him and sending him onto his shell though that didn't discourage him.
"But Leo? Heh. He wasn't going down without a fight." Mikey said over the footage.
Leo was once again ahead with Donnie close behind and Raph and Mikey last.
At Event Nine: Mallow Mouth, Leo, Donnie, and Mikey were on the ground mouths stuffed with marshmallows struggling to add anymore, Mikey spitting his out. Raph, on the other hand, was standing proud adding a fistful of mallows into his mouth. Kara was laughing at how silly they looked and cheered Raph on. Once he was claimed the winner, she ran over with a water bottle in each hand for them all, patting their shells to make sure they don't choke after spitting out the marshmallows. When she got to Raph he managed to swallow it all in one gulp, shocking her in amazement before letting out another laugh, holding her sides, "Raph, that was incredible! I knew you were a big guy but..I've never seen anything like that." She rubbed at her cheeks feeling them starting to hurt from laughing so long that she didn't notice the guys look at one another, smiling to each other.
That win for Raph caught him up with Leo and Donnie, his turtle moving on the scoreboard.
Five Time 'Mallow Mouth Champion:
"I can fit a whole fist in my mouth. Wanna see?" Raph smiled excitedly while bringing up his fist and opening his mouth wide.
"Ah, don't do that!" Leafe shouted, dropping the camera from standing up too fast to stop him.
"I mean, nothing ever phases Leo, but that day, Donnie was getting to him."
The little turtles move along the scoreboard, Leo and Donnie exchanging the lead while showing the two mid-challenge with Leo's frustrated face being the last thing to show.
Chief Suspect In...The Incident:
"Soo we agreed no questions about the incident?" Leo asks, adjusting his mic on his strap, lounging on the recliner with his feet hanging over the arm.
"Of course. Psh, please. Leo, tell us about the incident." April asked behind the camera which irritated Leo, he getting up and leaving while tossing aside his mic. Kara turned the camera to April, both looking at each other, and snickered just before it cut to the next event; Event 15: Fridge Balance. Proudly Sponsored by BRO's PIZZA.
It was down to just Leo and Donnie once more each with a massive pile of objects balancing on their faces. Kara and Leafe's mouths were agape at how much stuff their faces could hold but they continued filming.
AKA Slayer Of Leo's, The Underdog Champ:
"Going into the penultimate event, Fridge Balance, I knew I had it. It was my day and when it's your day you gotta ride it. As the great Bard once said; "To thine own self, beat Leo!""
I Was Like, Right There, Man:
"And that's when Leo fell..or did he?" Mikey's voice trailed off in suspicion.
"So you think he did it on purpose." April said in a low voice. The camera zooms in on Mikey, whose eyes shift around before nodding his head.
"Is Leo known to do something like that?" Kara asks with the same volume of tone, both April and Mikey immediately nodding their heads making her raise her brow curiously.
Splinter, now upgraded to sitting behind a desk spectating, wearing a suit with his hair slicked to the side, "If Purple wins this event it will be almost impossible for Blue to catch up." As he said that Leo began to waver, starting to lose his balance, "Oh no. Blue is starting to wobble."
Kara was leaning forward in suspense wondering if he would be able to regain his composure only for him to lean too far to the side and stumble into Donnie. The crash was loud as everything they were holding up came down on them, creating a dust cloud. When it cleared everyone gathered around them to see who the victor was, Splinter moving around them to measure, "Purple hit to ground first. Blue wins." He shouted not too enthusiastically.
While Leo cheered in victory Donnie let out a cry of pain, Leafe lowering the camera to see a pineapple on top of Donnie's red, swollen ankle. "Oh my goodness-that is really swollen.." Leafe looked away in disgust but Kara couldn't, her face frozen in horror, "It's pulsing.." She uttered at a whisper.
Victim of Leo's Cruel Assault:
"It was Leo! He did it on purpose!" Donnie shouted, pointing sharply at the camera.
Outrage: Sincere or Staged? You Decide!:
"I'm only talking to you to set the record straight: I didn't do it on purpose, I mean, how could I?! I had half a fridge on my chin! This is JUST like the Salsbury witch trials!" Leo shouted, pushing the camera away, it becoming static til it went back to Donnie.
Skeptic That 'The Incident' Was Accidental:
"The Salisbury Witch Trials.."
It cuts back to the scene. Leo next to Donnie with his hand on his shoulder, looking worried. "Donnie. Donnie, you ok?" He asks over Donnie's yelling.
"You did this! You'll do anything to win! My ankle! My moment!"
"Kara, close your eyes, and keep them closed til I leave the room, ok?" Leafe gave her a small smile while touching her shoulder and when she did close her eyes she removed her hand and changed to her yokai form, "Ok, Donnie, let's get that taken care of before it gets worse." She bent down at his side, pointing at her abdomen, "Hop on." With the help of April, since Donnie didn't want Leo touching him, she carefully walked to their med bay to take care of his ankle. Kara slowly opened her eyes only to immediately shut them watching them leave, turning her head away.
Recalls The Traumatic Attack By Brother:
"I heard it pop. I thought it was all over. Everything I worked for. Everything I dreamed about. I-" Donnie chokes up, "I'm sorry, can I have a moment?" Donnie covers his face, letting out a shrill sob before it cuts to Donnie laying on a gurney with his ankle in a cast, posing dramatically for the camera just before the doors closed.
Deeply Concerned About 3rd Favorite Bro:
"At that point, it looked like it was over for Donnie.." Raph grabs his knee, letting out a laugh, "HA! DID you see his ankle?!"
Deeply Concerned For 2nd Favorite Bro:
"It was huge! I thought we should amputate!" Mikey shouted, holding out his leg.
Is a Vegetarian:
"His ankle is fine. Nothing serious or to be concerned about he just needs to keep off his ankle to lower the swelling down." Leafe said with a reassuring smile now back to her human self.
"How did his ankle get so swollen?" April asked, Kara zooming in on Leafe who stared at the ground in utter confusion then to the camera, "I have no clue."
Final Event: Shell Bowling:
"It was over. Leo had it again." Mikey said over the footage of Leo skip jumping to the edge of the ramp, blowing the camera Kara was controlling a kiss before jumping the halfpipe in an elegant dive and tucked himself into his shell, zipping down the curve and crashing into the arrangement of mannequins, knocking them all down.
"New Year, same result.." Raph added in.
Everyone clapped, though Mikey and Raph not so enthusiastically while Splinter made the announcement floating on a rubber duckie floatee and Leo dancing in victory in the background, "Another perfect ten for Blue and with Purple unable to bowl-"
"-Not so fast, my friend!" Donnie's voice shouted from above them, a sudden smoke cloud appearing out of nowhere. Kara immediately brought her camera up and tried to focus through the smoke til Donnie revealed himself by literally separating the cloud with his hands having an IV pole dragged behind him with his foot in a cast. "I'm here, brother. Let's bowl."
Behind the camera Kara's eyes sparkled in awe, cheeks flushed, before snapping out of it and moving towards him.
Witnessed the Underdog's Return:
"When Donnie showed up I was like, "Whaaaaaaa-"
WHAAAAAAA:
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-"
AAAAAAAAAAAA:
"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-"
AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaat:
"AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaat"
"Donnie, are you sure you can do this? What if your ankle becomes worse?" Kara asked worriedly, placing her hand on his shoulder and wondering why he'd go to this length for a silly game.
"I'll be fine. I have to do this." He said in low dramatics while grasping her hand and turning to her, "This is between me..and him." He let go of her hand and limped towards the edge.
Kara watched with her hand clenched to her chest but got back into position to film him just as Leafe ran into the room human again, "Leafe, shouldn't you try to stop him?" She whispered while glancing at her but keeping the camera focused.
"I tried but this is something he's set on..I kinda get it."
"How so?" She asked with a raised brow.
"Well, growing up with hundreds of brothers and sisters..things get a little competitive. Sometimes it's to prove you're the best..other times its to show that you can take care of yourself, that you don't need to be babied, and that you've grown." Leafe crossed her arms, relaxing her shoulders while recalling a memory, smiling softly, "But I'm not sure if that's the case here..but I get it."
Kara lowered her gaze while registering what was told to her before looking up at Donnie, he and Leo having a stare off.
"I bet you were scared, huh?" April asked.
"Scared? Me? I'm never scared. Is Lou Jitsu scared of, uh, cold soup? No, no, scared?" Leo tried to play it off but the look he gave towards the end, there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes.
"Donnie needs a ten to win." Splinter announced as Donnie took a deep breath and dove over the edge, somersaulting twice, and spread eagle before he pulled his limbs into his shell.
Believes In His Purple Brother:
"I knew he could do it!"
Donnie managed to get all but his casted foot inside his shell, he struggling to fit it through.
Nevermind..:
"Is something I would say if I was crazy.."
Kara kept the camera steady though her lower hands were clenched in suspense watching Donnie struggle midair to pull his casted foot inside, Sheldon filming the close up.
Not a Doctor:
"I knew he didn't need a cast but he wouldn't listen.." Leafe sighed while pinching the bridge of her nose.
Also Doubts His Purple Brother:
"With that ankle rolling east to west? No way." Raph crossed his arms while shaking his head.
When Donnie finally managed to get his foot in it caused him to stray off course and zigzag all over the place, Kara dropping the camera to cover her mouth in shock, letting out a gasp, thinking it was over only for Donnie to crash right into the placed mannequins, their bodies flying in the air. Mikey, Raph, Splinter, Leafe, and Kara began to cheer while Leo dropped to his knees in shock, screaming, "Noo!"
Everyone was on edge, Donnie pulling himself out of the he-shaped hole, watching the mannequins, whole and limbed, fall to the ground only for one to land upright.
"It's a nine!" Splinter announced while holding a large card with the number 9 on it.
"What?!" Everyone shouted, Leo and Donnie's turtles both at the finish line.
"Wait a second..that means.."
"We tied!" Donnie shouted.
"Tied?" Leo questioned.
Overwhelmed By Unprecedented Situation:
"No one knew what to do! I mean, what do we do? Do we consult the by laws? Do we call the President?" Raph counted each suggestion this being a new situation for them all.
Donnie and Leo were flipping through their handbook to see what the rules were on tying.
"Section four-article seven..in the instance of a tie the next event will be..a.." Donnie and Leo look at each other before their faces twist in horror, screaming.
Oh No..What Have You Done, Splints?
Splinter was laughing hysterically, "I have waited by whooole life for this."
Kara and April stared at each other not liking the look he was giving.
"Splinter's choice? Are you crazy? Who came up with that?" Leo shouted in disbelief.
Everyone but Splinter, April, and Leafe was standing outside the garage with a painted, "DO NOT ENTER" sign on the shutters. While Raph and Mikey helped set up the cameras Kara was helping Leo and Donnie put on their helmets with first person cameras attached to them.
"So, what do you think he's got planned?" Kara asked aloud while adjusting Leo's camera, glancing at everyone.
"I don't know, but it's got to be huge to take this long to set up!" Mikey said.
"If I know pops it probably has to do with training or a teaching moment for the two. I'm sure it's not THAT bad." Raph assured her, smiling his usual smile.
She smiled back letting out a soft huff before going back to Leo, pushing the button to turn the camera on and let out a, "ah-ha" when the red light came on, "Goodluck." She said to him making sure the helmet was secure still smiling, this making him smile in return and nod, before she got up to help Donnie.
She had his helmet in her hands when she looked down to see his ankle wrapped instead of in a cast and chuckled softly while holding the helmet out to him, "I see you decided to go with the less conspicuous look now. I think that would of helped you in the last event instead of that big cast."
"Har-Har, yes, well, it was just a safety precaution, but you are correct it was unnecessary." He rolled his eyes while leaning over so she could reach his head and also to hide his smile. She blinked at him before taking his goggles off and setting the helmet in its place, securing it and turning on the camera, "There we go. Goodluck." It felt weird to wish them both good luck for they are her friends, but she didn't know what else to say.
Just as she finished the shutter opened Leo and Donnie stepped forward, to see a rink in the center of the room, and Splinter's voice echoing throughout the room, "Dundundundadun out of retirement-dundadundadundun-for one night only-dundadundadundadun-It's Splinter!" Donnie and Leo looked at each other til Splinter came sliding into view, literally, and rolled to his feet while derobing and stood proud, bareskinned wearing a leotard, swim cap, and his sunglasses, "It's time for Slippery Whippery Woo!" He shouted while squeezing oil on himself.
"Ah, no, why?!" Donnie shouted in horror while all Leo could do was stare.
Mikey flinches, his eyes wide in fear and mouth agape while Raph wretches, covering his mouth to keep himself from vomiting.
"What...am I...looking at.." Kara whispered, face void of emotion.
World's Worst Father:
"Pretty great name, right?" Splinter was leaned against his shelving of Lou Jitsu merch having just shaven off his fur, still holding the electric razor.
The Things She's Seen:
Leafe was sitting, her hands clasped together, staring down at them with a look of pure trauma. "...I'm never getting that image out of my head. The amount of hair I saw in places I never thought would have hair..I-I mean, look at me! I'm covered in hair!" She changed to her spider form to show hair on her arms, legs, and abdomen before going back to human. "I-I need a moment.."
Back to the garage, Raph, Mikey, and April were on the cameras leaving Kara to be a bystander, Leafe on the ceiling above April. "Sudden Death tiebreaker. Purple vs. Blue. Whoever catches me wins The Lair Games. Noow, let's go." Once he emptied the contents of the bottles on his body he tossed them down and waited.
It took a few seconds for the brothers to act, both butting heads before charging forward and diving for their dad.
"Got you old man!" Leo shouted grabbing ahold of his arm.
"No, it is I who has him!" Donnie retorted, clinging to his leg.
Splinter wasn't the least bit worried for he easily slipped out of their grasp, the brothers now squeezing each side of Splinter instead only for him to shoot up in the air the boys immediately following after him. Despite what tactics they used to try and keep the slippery, greased up rat in their grasp failed miserably. The last attempt sent both Donnie and Leo in opposite ends of the room, Leo through the open entrance and Donnie into the ropes of the rink so he used the bounce to ricochet himself at Splinter while Leo pushed himself at their dad, both wrapped around each side of him, the force sending them all in the air.
Leafe sprayed her web on April's back and lifted her up to follow their movements when the speed of Splinter spinning in their grasps created a whirlwind with oil spraying everywhere, Kara hiding behind Raph with a yelp to shield her from the oily rain.
Kara peeked from behind Raph to see Leo manage to knock Donnie off their dad and take the victory, her eyes slowly widening when Leo began to fall holding Splinter's leotard and get entangled in it as he dropped to the ground, she looking up to see Donnie still holding onto Splinter and went to let out a cheer til she noticed the way he was holding on, the end of her mouth twitching.
"You know what rhymes with second place? Leo's face!" Donnie shouted as he and Splinter descended down on Leo, Splinter bare butt first.
At the end of the Lair Games Leo had packed all of his belongings and walked out of his room with what little dignity he had left while Donnie was soaking in the victory. "Thanks for the room, bro. You know a champion really needs his space. Champ burn! Burn! Champ burn!"
April and Kara followed after Leo to question him about him losing for the first time.
"So, Leo, how does this loss feel?"
"A better question would be...did I really lose?" Leo tilted his head to them with a wink, being surprisingly calm with what he went through, this causing both girls to look at him then to each other confused.
Later that night, Leo and the girls snuck to into Splinter's room where he was passed out, snoring loudly. Leo placed his finger to his lips to keep them quiet and pointed to the ceiling where the vent was above Splinter, they now at Leo's old room where they filmed a wide awake Donnie gripping the sides of his head, able to hear the snoring loud and clear due to it being right above his bed.
Leo gave the camera one last smirk before it cut off.
"Wow, April, you did a fantastic job of editing this. Do you plan on working in the film industry after High School?" Kara was sat beside April having watched the completed movie.
April rubbed the back of her head shyly, smiling with a blush, "It's just one of my many hobbies I enjoy. I'm sure you have some that are just as good. Welp, I'm heading out for the night." She stood up to leave while reaching to take the disk out but Kara placed her hand over hers, "Do you mind if I watch it again? It's really well done."
"Sure, I don't see a problem with that. Just give it back when you can I wanna show Sunita later."
"Of course. Goodnight." She waved bye while watching her leave before turning back to the computer and replaying the whole movie again. She brought her left leg up, hugging it to her chest, smile plastered on her face as she watched the incredible things they could do. Her smile slowly started to fade when she began to compare herself to them. She wasn't even in their league.
"Someone special is waiting for you; someone who I feel can help you."
Leafe's words echoed in her mind. She blinked in surprise when her phone was in her hands without noticing it. She turned the chair to make sure she was alone before setting her leg down and pressing call on Leafe's contacts.
"Hello?"
Kara opened her mouth.
It was dead silent in the Lair. Small lights here and there were the only signs of life til Kara came upon the first room: Splinters.
Somehow, his snoring was even more loud than that night of the Lair Games. She winced slightly from the loudness but smiled at how goofy he looked. She walked up to the side of his bed and leaned down giving his head a soft peck only to flinch when he turned over and mumbled a, "Bug-a-boo~" while hugging his pillow. She shook her head, ignoring that, and went to the next room.
One by one she visited the turtle's rooms giving each a goodbye kiss on the forehead.
She stared down at Donnie in sadness, he now back in his old room after begging Leo to take his back, not able to handle the snoring anymore. She bent down to give him a kiss but was startled when she heard Sheldon start to wake up.
"Huh? Wha?"
"Shh. It's nothing. Go back to sleep." Kara whispered and gave him a kiss on top of his head and giving it a rub. He closed his eyes and laid his head down going back to slumber mode. She let out a sigh of relief before going back to Donnie and kissing him on the cheek. "Goodbye." She whispered and left not noticing him stir and slowly open his eyes.
She checked the time on her phone as she made her way to Leo's room when-
"Going somewhere?" A soft voice asked in the darkness.
She froze, shoulders tensed, and looked up to see Leo leaning against his doorframe looking right at her. "W-What are you doing up so late?"
"I could be asking you the same thing. From the looks of it you're leaving." He casually stood to his feet and walked over to her, now face to face, the fluorescent light outlining their figures, "Why?"
She lowered her head, turning her gaze to the side, "You can balance large, heavy items on your head, skate down a ramp while doing a handstand, use your bodies as bowling balls, and catch a greasy rat." A small chuckle escaped her lips before it fell, "You can fight against Draxum and his suit of armor and somehow win. You can do amazing things that..I can't do..not right now..and not while staying here being looked after like a glass doll. I need to find my own path to become a better per-mutant..and a better friend." She looked up at him her eyes getting glossy from the tears she was fighting to keep in.
Leo said nothing, looking her over knowing nothing would change her mind. "I'll pretend I didn't see you leave."
Kara relaxed, sighing in relief, and gave him thanks as he leaned his cheek in, his eyes closed. She blushed softly and leaned up to kiss his cheek but instead felt his hands on her cheeks and their lips making contact. The noise of their lips parting was all she could register as Leo turned and left for his room, dropping the curtain behind him.
The feel of her phone vibrating in her hand snapped her out of her trance and she looked down to see it was Leafe outside the Lair waiting for her and closed her phone. She stared at Leo's room, cheeks burning hot, gently placing her fingertips to her lips before turning around and quickly walking out the Lair.
Donnie stood frozen in place, eyes wide and boring into the spot they were at last; the image of them kissing stuck in his mind.
I had a lot of fun writing this. Wasn't sure if I should write it like the episode, in documentary form, but it made sense in the end. Reviews are nice but so are hugs and I will take both. Til next time.