- Chapter 113 -

The Big Brawl, Part 4

Down in the dungeons, Splinter was seated in his cell when the dungeon door suddenly opened. He opened his eyes, fixing the figure who entered with a cool glare.

"Big Mama," the rat remarked. "I should have known."

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," Big Mama mused. "Then again, the dungeon is the perfect home for a rat."

"Why have you done this?!"

"When you beat Drako and had him exiled, you cost me a meal ticket, and my primary means to remake the Battle Nexus Tournament the way it should be. Though I will admit, that whole debacle with your daughter is a shame. I was hoping to have the deaths of your children be the grand opening spectacle," Big Mama scoffed. "Drako would harvest my venom and go off half-cocked. He almost ruined my frame-up job, but you don't get as far as I have without being adaptable. While you rot in here, and the Daimyo is stuck in recovery... the power of the Battle Nexus is mine for the taking. No more B.S. about fighting for sport and by the rules. In my Battle Nexus Tournament, no rules, no referees, no holds barred. Just blood and sweat flying and fighting to the death."

Splinter clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. "Ue-Sama will never allow this!"

Hearing that, Big Mama laughed "Oh, little Ue? I'm afraid he doesn't have a say."

"What?" Splinter let out.

"He was so obsessed with power, becoming the 'Ultimate Ninja', that Drako played him like a harp from Hell. Add a little mind control spell of my design, and he's my puppet dancing on a string."

"No…" Splinter's heart sank. "Ue-Sama…"

"Now then, this has been fun, but I have a Nexus to claim," Big Mama adjusted her glasses. "Toodle-pip, Yoshi. Hope you enjoy your new digs."

She waved condescendingly, then walked out.

In the throne room, Ue paced around, trying to work out his options. His movements were jerky and his nose was bleeding again. The sigil on his forehead pulsed. Leo and Karai lurked out of sight, watching him. Karai raised an eyebrow.

"Is he having a stroke?" she asked.

"He's fighting the mind control," Leo deduced. "And I don't think he's winning."

Karai grimaced, then narrowed her eyes. Focusing as best she could, she summoned her ninpo. She saw a spider-web pattern spreading from the forehead sigil and across his entire body.

"I see it. It's like this... web sinking into his mind. It's... it's killing him…trying to fight it."

"Then we better move fast."

"What's the plan?"

"I pin him down, and you do what you did to Hisako."

He slid a smoke pellet out of his belt pouch, throwing it at Ue. As he coughed, Leo came charging in, tackling him to the ground. He got him by the shoulders, pinning him.

"NOW!" he screamed.

Karai, hands glowing, slapped her hand against Ue's forehead. Immediately, red lightning erupted, hurting all three of them. Karai gritted her teeth, planting her other hand on his chest and focusing her power. A red spider-web pattern manifested, spreading across Ue's body before beginning to spread up Karai's hands.

"Oh no... you... DON'T!"

Karai pulled back hard with her hand on his forehead, the sigil now burned on her palm. She then clapped her hands together, focusing on it and performing various hand seals, her ninpo body markings manifesting and her eyes glowing.

"Rin... Pyo... Toh... Sha... Kai... Jin... Retsu... Zai... Zen!"

On her palm, the sigil cracked like glass, then exploded into a shower of red sparks. Karai gasped harshly, then crumbled to the ground, pale, with a nosebleed of her own, and unconscious.

"Karai!" Leo ran over to her, checking her pulse and breathing before sighing in relief.

"I'm… I'm free… The pain… it's gone…" Leo turned to see Ue stand up, breathing heavily before laughing in relief. "Leonardo-kun- No... Leonardo-san… Thank you. Both of you."

He dropped to his hands and knees, head down. "And forgive me... if I hadn't been so foolish, Drako and Big Mama wouldn't have gotten this far."

"What happened?" Leo asked.

"I had been on a pilgrimage, training to become the Ultimate Ninja so that I could one day surpass my father. On my travels, I met Drako. He promised to teach me all I needed to help me surpass my father. I never knew... no, I chose to ignore the signs… but when he brought me to Big Mama, I knew he was evil. I tried to leave, but... her dark sorcery... it was too much. I lost myself. I never wanted any of this…"

Leo held out a hand. "Then let's fix this."

Ue looked at his hand, uncertain.

"It's not too late. We can still stop Big Mama and Drako. You can redeem yourself."

Ue's expression steeled, and he took Leo's hand. "Right."

"To start, you need to tell Gyoji what really happened to your father so that I can free mine. Then, we start Tier 3 of the fights to keep Big Mama from suspecting anything."

"What about your sister?"

"Karai saved her using the same power she used to break the curse."

Ue sighed in relief. "Good. I shall take care of this." He turned to Karai's fallen form. "Make sure she rests."

Leo nodded. "I'll get her to the healer's pavilion."

He scooped her up, the two going their separate ways.

In the Daimyo's box within the arena, Ue quickly filled Gyoji in.

"Wait, Big Mama?"

Ue nodded. "Yes. She's the one who is behind all of this. The attack on my father was her design. Hamato Yoshi was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"And I accused him without hearing him out…" Gyoji closed his eyes in shame. "I shall release him at once."

Ue shook his head. "No, not yet. But do inform him that we know the truth. One of his children will come and free him shortly. We cannot risk Big Mama finding out I am free and that their ploy is uncovered. Once you inform him, let everyone know Tier 3 will begin."

"At once, Ue-Sama." Gyoji folded in on himself, vanishing.

-X-

He reappeared in the dungeon before Splinter, bowing.

"My sincerest apologies, Hamato Yoshi. Ue-Sama has informed me of the truth."

"Ue-Sama?" Splinter blinked, confused. "He is being controlled-"

"Leonardo and Karai were able to get to him and free him."

"My children…" Splinter breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the heavens. But... Hisako, what of her?"

"Karai was able to cure her using the same healing technique used to free Ue-Sama. She will live."

"Healing… Shen…" A tear welled in his eye. "Our child, Shen."

"We cannot release you yet. Big Mama is unaware your children are onto her. One of your sons will be along to free you shortly."

"I can wait." Splinter leaned back against the wall, finally relaxing. "Now that I know they are well."

Sometime later, the remaining fighters assembled in the arena. As Tier 3 began, Ue-Sama stood in the Daimyo's box.

"Welcome back to the third tier of the Battle Nexus tournament. Now, due to a disqualification, the fights will be decided by random lottery, and the odd fighter will automatically advance to the semifinals."

The fights were soon decided and the arena was split into three while Gennosuke moved on. The rhino was quite pleased with himself, giving a haughty wave as he disappeared into light.

"Let Tier 3 commence!" Ue-Sama exclaimed.

-X-

Hikari and Karai found themselves facing one another.

"Karai, I say this with great love and admiration for what you've done…" Hikari winced. "But you look like crap."

Indeed, Karai was shaky, pale, and with bags under her eyes. "Yeah, curing someone of deadly poison and breaking a yokai curse with budding Ninpo powers... I don't recommend it."

"You shouldn't be out here. You're in no condition to fight."

"And if I ducked out, Big Mama would get suspicious. I'm supposed to fight, so I'm here to fight."

"Right…" Hikari walked over to Karai, watching the girl sway. "Go back to the pavilion."

She delivered a sharp chop to Karai's neck. The girl crumbled to the ground, disappearing in an instant.

-X-

Meanwhile, Raph and Mikey were facing off with one another.

"So it's agreed, then," Raph said. "Whoever loses goes to bust Dad out."

"Yeah, sounds good to me," Mikey agreed. "Still, we should make this look good."

"Agreed. Let's give 'em a show," Raph twirled his sai. "Your move."

Mikey smirked, then charged into the fray. The two clashed, Mikey dodging as Raph powered on. With every dodge, Raph was growing more and more annoyed. His fuse was already short enough and he was burning through it fast.

"Temper temper, bro," Mikey said. "How do you expect to win when you're so mad you can't even see straight?"

"Don't act like you're not pissed off too!" Raph shot back.

"Oh I am," Mikey dodged a strike. "But going berserk isn't gonna fix things." He managed to slide between Raph's legs. "Maybe you need to cool off."

He smacked his brother on the back of the head. Raph disappeared, reappearing in the losers' box.

"Welcome, Raphael," Traximus greeted from his position on the wall as Raph stood up. "Defeat is a harsh mistress, wouldn't you agree?"

Raph fumed, his ego stinging over Mikey making it to the Final Four, before he took a deep breath, getting his temper in check.

"I've got bigger fish to fry right now. I gotta break Dad out of the dungeons."

"A jailbreak?" Traximus smirked. "Mind if I tag along? I do owe you and yours for inspiring my own jailbreak."

Raph grinned himself. "Thanks for the help."

"Of course. You can tell me the story on the way."

-X-

As they went, Gyoji oversaw the final four, consisting of Mikey, Gennosuke, Hikari, and Kluh.

"Here we are, the final four." he went on. "One of you will emerge victorious, and become the Battle Nexus champion. Hikari of Dimension 3. Gennosuke of Dimension 2. Michelangelo of Dimension 3. And Kluh of Levram. All of you have proven your mettle in combat, and here, it will be truly put to the test. Begin!"

A swirling portal opened up for them to enter, and one by one, they walked inside. Mikey found himself facing Gennosuke.

"Oh good," he remarked, sighing in relief. "I did not want to fight the purple guy."

"I warn you, I do not fall easily," Gennosuke informed him.

"Sure ya don't. Ya know, you remind me of a bonehead from my dimension. Only uglier."

Gennosuke scowled, drawing a sword and charging him.

-X-

As this went on, Hikari faced off against Kluh.

"Say your prayers, little girl," Kluh told her, cracking his knuckles.

"Honestly, I'm surprised they let you back after the stunt you pulled last tournament. Though I imagine you're on probation." Hikari casually took a fighting stance. "Your move."

Kluh raised his trident, charging at Hikari.

Splinter sat in his cell when he suddenly heard the sounds of a scuffle down the hall. He stood up, approaching the bars.

"Who's there?" he questioned.

Raph soon ran in, followed by Traximus.

"Hey Dad," Raph greeted. "Sorry, we're late."

"Though this was surprisingly easy for a prison break," Traximus mused.

"It's only a prison break because we need a certain purple creepy-crawly to think we're not onto her."

"Ah, yes. The... 'Big Mama'?"

"Yeah, that's actually her name."

Traximus just nodded before grabbing the bars, wrenching them apart, and letting Splinter slip through.

"Thank you, Traximus," Splinter said gratefully. "Raphael, where are the others?"

"Erika is working with Akiko to help cure the Daimyo," Raph explained. "The others are guarding Hisako while she recovers. Except for Hikari and Mikey. They're in the Final Four."

"Good," Splinter nodded. "We should move the Daimyo to a safer location, along with your sister. I fear Big Mama may grow impatient and attempt to end things."

Back in the arena, Mikey and Gen were still going at it, neither warrior giving the other a chance to get the upper hand.

"Whoa, you're supposed to be a master sword fighter?" Mikey taunted. "My brother could run circles around you in his sleep. With a hand tied behind his back."

"Don't think you've won just yet," Gen told him. "The odds of my victory far exceed yours, turtle."

"I never pay attention to the odds," Mikey shot back. "Or Donnie's rambling, for that matter."

He then extended his nunchuck into a kusarigama and swung it, wrapping it around Gennosuke's sword and wrenching it from his grasp. Gen blinked in surprise, backing away.

"Now, now turtle. Let's talk about this. Tell you what, let me win, and I'll cut you in for my wins. We'll split 70-30."

Mikey swung at him, forcing the rhino to jump out of the way, and in the opposite direction of his fallen sword.

"Okay, 60-40." He narrowly avoided another attack from Mikey. "50-50!"

"Tell you what," Mikey replied. "Why don't you stop trying to buy me off and start trying to fight me!"

Mikey then wrapped his kusarigama around Gen, pulling him in. He prepared to kick him in the face, but Gen disappeared, the chain unraveling at Mikey's feet. He smirked, gathering up his weapon.

"Mess with green, it's gonna get mean. So, who's next? The least you guys can do is give me a challenge."

-X-

Meanwhile, Hikari was barely fighting off Kluh.

"Give it up, girl!" Kluh taunted. "You can't match my strength!"

"Even the strongest metal can be broken with enough persistence," Hikari retorted. "Strength isn't everything."

"So you say," Kluh scoffed.

He swung at her, but she leapt over the strike. She then brought her foot down hard on his face, delivering several rapid-fire kicks. To finish off, she grabbed him in a DDT hold, plowing his head into the ground. He disappeared into light, declaring her a finalist. Hikari herself then disappeared into light, reappearing in the now complete arena. She turned to face her opponent: Mikey.

"Hikari, you made it to the finals!" Mikey declared.

"Same to you," Hikari replied. "You good to keep going?"

"Absolutely. Raph's got Dad, the others have Hisako, and we need to put on a show for the audience to make sure they're none the wiser."

"Good luck then."

"Right back atcha, Hikari." Mikey readied his stance. "I'm not gonna hold back. May the best one win!"

The two charged at one another.

In the throne room, several guards were strewn across the floor. Big Mama and Drako stepped over them, making a move for the War Staff.

"Here we are." Drako grinned. "The War Staff."

"Yep," Big Mama agreed. "It's such a shame that your business with me is finished, Drako." She spun around, webbing him to the wall. "I'm afraid I have no more use for you!"

"You traitorous bug!" Draco roared. "After everything I did for you?!"

"Oh, you mean fail me at every turn? Go against my orders? Also, did you actually think I would divide the power of the multiverse with you? Sorry, hun, but Big Mama doesn't share," She adjusted her glasses. "And don't act like you weren't planning to do the same to me. I was just faster on the draw."

Drako snarled as Big Mama turned to her prize. "Now then…"

She reached for the staff, only for it to disintegrate into water. "WHAT?!"

"Looking for this?"

Before she could react, she was blasted across the room. Big Mama looked up as Ue emerged from behind a curtain, the War Staff in hand.

"Impossible! You shouldn't be able to-!"

"Disobey?" Ue offered. "Sorry, but I'm your puppet no longer."

He blasted at her again, but she managed to dodge this time. "This is what you were after, right? My father's staff? Well, here it is!"

.He fired again.

"Now, now, let's be reasonable here," Big Mama held her hands out. "We're all adults, aren't we?"

Ue scowled. "You used me! Tried to kill my father! Framed Hamato Yoshi and attacked his family!"

"Don't act like your hands are clean!"

"They're not. I won't deny it. I intend to surrender myself when this is over, but first, I'm correcting my mistakes!"

As he prepared to fire again, a tail slapped him aside. Drako, freed from the webbing, reached for the staff, grabbing it at the same time as Big Mama. The two villains both adjusted their grip, reaching higher up on the staff before Big Mama's hand reached the top.

"I win!" she cheered before yanking it away.

"Give it back!" Drako pounced on her, the two of them rolling across the floor while trying to get the staff. Big Mama eventually kicked him off, taking aim. She focused, powering it up and beginning to fire energy beams at Drako, forcing him on the run. However, after three blasts, the War Staff suddenly went out of control and began firing energy randomly.

"What the f-?!"

Drako cackled viciously at the sight. "Fool."

He charged forward and headbutted Big Mama, knocking her down and the War Staff out of her hand.

"All that time plotting to obtain the War Staff, and you never bothered to learn how to actually use it," Drako mocked, picking it up. "I, on the other hand, have spent years of my life studying its ways and its immense power."

"And you're not the only one," Ue charged at Drako, sword drawn. "I will not allow you to taint the War Staff!"

Meanwhile, Mikey and Hikari's fight had just wrapped up in the latter's favor. Hikari judo threw Mikey over her shoulder, and he landed heavily, defeated.

"Good try, Mikey," she said. "But looks like the championship is mine."

"Aw, man." Mikey groaned, sitting up. "I was really hoping to win. Still, good fight."

"Agreed."

Suddenly, a massive boom sounded, and Ue and Big Mama were blasted through a wall. Hikari and Mikey quickly flipped out of the way as the combatants landed in the center of the arena.

"Drako?!" Mikey shrieked.

The entire arena gasped in horror, rising to their feet as guards readied themselves and Gyoji warped in. "Drako!" he shouted. "You are not welcome here!"

Drako casually batted him aside with his tail.

"Stay out of it!" he snarled. "I have waited six years for this, and I will not be robbed of my vengeance again!"

"Looks like the show's over," Mikey mused.

"Looks like," Hikari remarked. "We need to get in there, now!"

-X-

Around this time, the rest of the Hamato Clan was escorting the now-conscious Daimyo to the arena, Usagi carrying the weakened Hisako on his back and Splinter and Kasumi supporting the Daimyo on either side.

"Hurry, Daimyo." Kasumi urged. "This matter requires your attention."

"We shouldn't be moving him," Akiko insisted.

"We don't have much choice," Erika replied. "Not with the shitshow about to hit."

"I believe your excrement show has already started," Usagi pointed. "Look."

They looked to see Drako in the arena before the others, the War Staff in hand.

"No…" the Daimyo let out in shock. "Drako has returned... and he has the War Staff? This is not good."

"Well, duh," Vee said flatly.

"I'm afraid it's far worse than you think," Usagi told her. "The War Staff focuses its power from the heart of the wielder."

Kagome got it first, eyes widening. "And in the hands of a black-hearted weasel like Drako, God knows what might happen!"

"I could try and intervene…" April offered. "Maybe I could get the staff away from them."

"Let's move!" Leo cried.

The group quickly dashed into the fray. Drako turned to them, smirking.

"Ah, Hamato Yoshi and Kasumi Lee," he sneered. "You're too late! I have the War Staff, and with the staff comes the power! Nothing can stop me now!"

"You disgusting lizard!" Big Mama hissed. "I'll turn you into a new pair of boots!"

She charged, grappling furiously with Drako for the staff.

"No, you fools!" Ue screamed.

But it was too late. At that very moment, the energy emitted by the staff shifted from blue to red. It shook violently in Drako and Big Mama's hands, lashing out and burning the two, forcing them to drop it. The power, however, kept manifesting, converging above the arena and forming a black hole.

"By Darwin's beard…" Donnie gasped. "What the hell is that?!"

"With his evil heart, Drako has torn open a rift between the worlds." the Daimyo realized. "A multi-dimensional wound that will destroy everything it touches!"

Big Mama looked up, taking a few steps back.

"Well..." she drew her Hidden City portal out of her pocket. "Now is a good time to make my exit."

Kasumi glared at her. "If you think we'll just let you walk..."

"What're your priorities, Kasumi?" Big Mama asked. "Catching me, or stopping that rift before it destroys the Battle Nexus and everyone in it?"

Kasumi looked torn, gaze flickering between the portal and Big Mama, before scowling. "This isn't over."

Big Mama smirked. "We'll meet again."

As she vanished, the hole began lifting everyone in the arena into the air. Mikey quickly jammed his nunchuck into the ground, using his kusarigama to grab Hikari.

"Hold on!" he shouted.

Everyone else was slowly getting sucked in as well.

Traximus slammed his axe into the ground to form his own hand-hold, grabbing Raph's arm. Kagome was soon sucked in screaming, but Raph managed to catch her wrist.

"Whatever happens, don't let go!" he screamed.

Drako and Ue began floating in. Ue grabbed Kagome's leg, and Drako grabbed his.

"You will not be rid of me so easily!" the evil dragon shouted, beginning to fight with Ue.

"You fool!" Ue yelled. "You'll kill us both!"

"Then at least I will take you with me!" Drako shot back.

As they grappled, Ue lost his grip on Kagome, the two floating into the rift and disappearing. The War Staff continued to rattle and shake, slowly lifting in the air. April gasped, closing her eyes and holding out a hand. The staff was surrounded by a yellow light as she reeled it in, pulling it towards her.

"Daimyo!" she cried out, tossing it to him.

"Daimyo, you must act now!" Splinter urged. "Close the rift!"

The Daimyo caught the staff, the power dying once he touched it. The hole closed, dropping everyone caught inside… except for Ue-Sama and Drako.

"No…" the Daimyo lamented. "My son…"

He fell to his knees, weeping. Kasumi and Splinter looked at him in sympathy.

"Ue-Sama made mistakes, but he did his best to repent for them," Kasumi remarked.

"You have our condolences, Daimyo," Splinter added, patting him on the shoulder.

The Daimyo managed a bittersweet smile. "Thank you."

Gyoji appeared at that.

"Now that that little bit of unpleasantness is over…" he cut in.

In the Daimyo's box, the Hamato Clan, Usagi, and Hikari's parents stood around as Hikari knelt before the Daimyo, who placed a golden laurel on her head.

"Hikari Tokimiya of Dimension 3, I crown you Battle Nexus champion!" he declared.

The crowd cheered as Gyoji handed Hikari an ornate glass trophy. The girl was smiling happily, tears of joy in her eyes.

"I won…" she let out, chuckling slightly. "I did it! I can't believe it!"

"You earned it, Hikari," Mikey told her with a grin. "Congratulations."

"At least it wasn't Mikey," Raph muttered, getting an elbow from Leo.

The Daimyo sighed. "I only wish this tournament had been the honorable one I strove for it to be."

"It was," Kasumi assured him. "We just hit a few snags here and there."

"Old friend... don't give up hope," Splinter said. "The multiverse holds many mysteries and secrets. Ue-Sama may return someday."

"One can only hope." the Daimyo allowed. "I just pray that if he does, he will have learned from his mistakes. For now, I must allow you all to go home."

Usagi turned to the others, bowing respectfully to them.

"It was an honor battling by your side. I hope our paths cross again," he told them before turning to Hisako. "And when that day comes, I'd like a rematch."

Hisako, now on Leo's back with Midnight beside her, gave him a smile.

"I'd like that, Usagi," she replied.

Hikari embraced the Hamato siblings and Kagome goodbye.

"See you next time."

"Take care, Hikari," Kagome answered.

"It was nice meeting you under better circumstances," Karai added.

"Indeed," Hikari agreed. "I'm glad to see you've truly changed. Being a Hamato suits you."

Karai smiled. "Agreed."

With that, Hikari went to stand by her parents while the Daimyo raised the War Staff.

"Farewell. And good battle to you all."

Everyone was engulfed in bubbles and disappeared.

The Hamato family reappeared in the lair.

"Well, kids," Kasumi sighed, "I'm sorry your first year competing in the tournament hit a few snags."

"Are you kidding, Kasumi?" Vee asked. "I had a blast!"

"Yeah," Hisako agreed. "Barring the poison dart, it was some of the most fun I've had in a while."

"Agreed." Mikey grinned. "Not only did I get to beat the stuffing out of Raph, I made it to the finals! Maybe next time, I'll become the Battle Nexus Champion!"

"Beat the stuffing outta me, eh?" Raph growled. "Well, time for me to return the favor!"

Mikey yelped and took off just as Raph tried to tackle him. Raph got up, chasing after him.

"Get back here, you little shit!" Raph shouted.

"Not a chance!" Mikey shot back.

Eventually, however, Raph cornered Mikey in the kitchen and jumped on him. The sound of pummeling reached everyone's ears.

Kasumi chuckled.

"No place like home, eh Yoshi?" she remarked.

"Indeed," Splinter agreed.

Author's Note:

And with that, the Battle Nexus arc is concluded.

Please R&R. Until next time!