On a dark and stormy night, Karai was standing in Shredder's throne looking out the window as thunder rain came crashing down before she looked up at the torn piece of her mother's picture while taking out the picture that Vee gave her. She looked between the two, noticing her mother matched the woman with the man and her as a baby while having flashbacks when Leo,and Vee tried to tell her during their last encounter.
"Karai, don't do this! Splinter! He's your father! Your true father! Hamato Yoshi!" The words echoed in her mind before Shredder came from behind her.
"What is it that troubles you, Karai?" Shredder asked as Karai quickly put the picture Vee gave her away to keep him from seeing it.
"I want to know the truth. The truth about my mother." Karai said to him firmly. "...And Splinter." She finished.
Shredder narrowed his eyes, clearly sensing that during their last confrontation with the turtles, something had stirred within Karai, "You know the truth my daughter, Hamato Yoshi took your mother away-" Whatever else Shredder was about to say never came as the door slammed open as the two turned.
At the entrance, they saw a familiar tiger mutant, holding both doors while panting slightly, like he just crossed the entire world and back again, as the thunder and lightning flashed they saw his left eye had an eyepatch and his right ear was broken off. "I have returned." He finally said with seriousness.
"Tigerclaw." Shredder said, barely fazed that his assassin had returned while Karai was shocked.
"How? You were eaten by a giant alien worm!" Karai said in shock since they saw Tigerclaw get swallowed by the Kraathatrogon.
Tigerclaw then walked forward with a steely expression, "And you believe such a beast could contain my pride? My pride is what had kept me going," He stated as he recalled the hardships he endured to return to here, "As I tore my way out of the belly of the Kraathatragon, as I battled through the armies of the Kraang. Across aliens worlds that could drive lesser men mad. Until finally, back here, back to my enemies," He said before turning to the doors, "Of course, I did encounter some assistant on my long journey," He said.
There was a falcon-like screech coming from the door before zooming in was a streak of silver and black before it flew up, revealing to be a mutant bird woman, with dark stripes running over her eyes and forehead, a grey sharp beak, pale yellow, scaly taloned feet and hands, her legs wrapped in bandages with iron knee pads, a black sleeveless coat over her body with tattered shorts underneath and on her arms two grayish brown wings with the ending feathers looking to be made of steel.
The falcon then landed beside Tigerclaw and faced Shredder, "The Shredder, I take it?" She asked in an Australian accent.
"Indeed. Tigerclaw, might you introduce us to your, new comrade?" Shredder suggested with an intrigue look.
"This is Koya. I met her in one of the dimensions while trying to get return to this world." Tigerclaw introduced as Koya crossed her arms, "In her land, she is a feared huntress, will to kill anyone she deems a challenge, of course when I arrived she had little to know quarry,"
"When Tigerclaw told me about those humans and turtles that kicked his keister, I decide to lend a helping claw," Koya said before kneeling down, "If you'd allow me Lord Shredder, I'll have those Drongos ripped right out from their shells and dropped right in front of ya,"
Tigerclaw then kneels next. "And I would have my revenge against Splinter, against his hideous reptiles, and against those who trapped me in that wretched worm's belly." He said with a revengeful look.
Shredder looked at both mutants before answering, "I will grant you this wish, Tigerclaw, and if it prey you seek Koya, I will provide you with the greatest hunt of your life," He said, surprising Karai.
"What? It's because of Tigerclaw that Splinter and the turtles are still alive!" Karai pointed out. "And now we're letting some bird into the Foot?!"
"Karai, you will go with Tigerclaw and Koya." Shredder instructed. "Destroy Splinter and the turtles at any cost." He ordered firmly as Karai gave a straight look before giving Shredder a bow.
At Murakami San's, the three turtles brothers, Mikey, Donnie and Raph, glared at each other, "I put up with you guys for a long time, but this is about to get real!" Mikey said with seriousness.
"You don't want thai kind of pain, Mikey." Raph said while stretching.
"Big talk for someone with such a limited vocabulary, Raph." Donnie mocked before Raph pushed him aside. Sitting on the bar table are the six Islander Turtles and Leo watching the scene.
"Why are we letting them do this again?" Olly asked in confusion.
"Heh, they just wanted to have some fun." Ames said with a shrug.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Leo asked his brother.
"Are you kidding me? I was born ready." Raph said with determination.
"Okay, Mr. Murakami." Leo said to the blind chief behind them.
"One Pizza Gyoza coming up!" Murakami called as he held a pizza popsticker from his chopsticks, which caused the three brothers, sans Leo, to look at it with swirly eyes their tongues out.
"Pizza Gyoza?" Naomi asked as she and her islander family looked confused by it.
"What's that?" Vee asked.
"A little something Mr. Murakami whipped up after we saved him," Leo said as Murakami threw the Gyoza up into the air. Raph, Mikey, and Donnie tried to catch it, but they kept pushing each other away from it before they fell to the floor while Donnie and Raph held Mikey's limbs from the bottom as the Gyoza was heading straight towards Mikey as he opened his mouth. But before it could enter, Leo drew his sword and caught the Gyoza as his brothers looked at him in surprise and Leo gave a chuckle. "I thought I'd play after all." He said as he tossed the Gyoza into his mouth and started eating it.
"You little sneak." Tal chuckled as Donnie, Raph, and Mikey stood up as they look at Leo.
"What happen to Mr. 'I'm too Broody for this game'?" Raph questioned as Leo kept chewing while humming enjoyably.
"These things are really good!" Leo said as he stepped aside.
"I'm more surprise that even with Murakami blind, he can still cook." Olly said with a smile. "How does he even know we're mutant turtles?" He asked.
"I do have other senses, touch, smell," Murakami commented.
"Mikey?" Ames questioned with a smirk.
"Hey, we lived in a sewer. It's tough to shower in a place that smells." Mikey said in defense as Ames chuckled.
"And you aren't afraid of us, Murakami-san?" Naomi asked.
"Leonardo and his brothers saved my life and my restaurant. Why would I be?" Murakami said with a smile. "And any friends of the turtles is a friend of mine. I've always believed people should be judged for their actions not by their appearance or where they are from."
"Very wise words, Murakami-san." Naomi said with a smile and a nod.
"Well, I for one am really loving the fact that there's one place in this city where we can sit down and eat a meal like we're normal." Jenny said with a smile.
"Speaking of which, I check online and Murakami-san's restaurant is one of the popular place in New York." Tal said while checking her T-Phone. "You must make the best foods here."
"Thank you, Talena. But my restaurant was never that popular until I invented these for Leonardo and his brothers." Murakami said as he brought out a stack of Pizza Gyozas, which made the three turtles smiled with hearts shape eyes.
The three turtles then snatched the Goyzas from Murakami while leaving some for Olly and the girls as the three bothers started stuffing their faces while the Islander Turtles looked in surprise. "Boy, they must really love those." Olly commented.
"What's so great about these Gyozas anyway?" Jenny asked in wonder as Murakami gave some portions to them.
"Try them and you will see for yourselves." Murakami said with a smile. "You'll find them quiet, tasteful."
Olly and the girls looked at the potstickers for a bit before they each picked one up and took bites out of them, but once they taste them, their eyes turned white disks and their eyeballs popped out before they smiled widely and looked down at their meal while complimenting on how good they are.
"Wow. These things are amazing!" Vee said with a wide smile.
"I wish my mouth was bigger," Jenny said as she popped another Gyoza in her mouth.
"Yeah, it's even better than mom's cooking!" Ames said before realizing what she said turned to the others, "But, don't ever tell her I said that," She whispered as they laughed a bit and nodded.
"You guys sure did pick a great place, even created a new food." Tal said to the four turtle brothers. "We never have anything like this back on our island or even mainland Japan."
"That's because Murakami-san invited it." Donnie said with a smile as he ate another Gyoza. "These are one of a kind here in New York."
"Well, good to know." Olly said with a smile before he noticed Leo sitting by the window, "Hey, still thinking about Karai?" He asked the Blue-clad turtle.
"Yeah." Leo answered. "Master Splinter is her father. How could she still want to be with the Shredder?" He wondered.
Mikey then stood up on the table with his mouth stuffed with potstickers. "You have to have faith, Leo. Her entire life was shown to be a lie. This is a challenge to everything she knows. The truth will set her free! Just give her the time she needs to accept who she is!" He declared while the others looked at him.
"Mikey, even though we got what you're trying to say, don't talk or make speeches with your mouth full." Ames advises.
Mikey gulped down his gyoza, "Sorry," He said.
"Still, Michelangelo is correct," Naomi said, "We must keep faith that Karai will see the truth eventually,"
"Yeah, Leo." Vee said as she walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Give her some time. She'll come around."
"Yeah, well, personally, I hope she doesn't." Raph said as he was about to eat his gyoza but Mikey took it. "I don't trust her. Not for one second."
"You're right, Raph. You shouldn't trust anyone." Donnie said sarcastically as Raph was about to eat his gyoza, but bit his fingers as he realizes it's gone as he turned to Mikey, who ate it as Raph tackled Mikey and they started wrestling.
"Can't they ever just enjoy a meal with trying to bash their shells out?" Olly questioned Leo.
"I ask myself the same sometimes." Leo said as he kept looking out the window, wondering where Karai was and was doing right now.
Out on the rooftops, Karai and Tigerclaw jumped from building to building while Koya flew overhead. The falcon looked down at Karai, lagging behind Tigerclaw, "Oi, ya having trouble keeping up, sheila?" She asked tauntingly.
"I was just making it easy for the new girl and considering Tigerclaw's working with only got one eye and no tail," Karai taunted back.
Tigerclaw came to a stop and turned to Karai, "You think you're clever? You're a fool!" He stated.
"I'm the fool?" Karai questioned. "You've faced the turtles in battle before and lost." She pointed out to Tigerclaw. "What exactly is your grand plan for revenge?"
Koya landed next to Tigerclaw, "To take down prey as tough as these turtles, you can't strike at their hides. You gotta aim for their hearts." Koya said firmly while raising a talon and placed it over her chest.
"And what does an overgrown cat and a giant killer sparrow know of the heart?" Karai questioned.
Tigerclaw narrowed his eye at Karai, "Why do you think the Shredder sent you with us?" He questioned her.
Karai's eyes widened in horrified realization. "Because I know them. I know the places they go, I know their weakness: Their friends. April and Robyn O'Neils and Casey Jones." She said seriously.
"The riders of the worm." Tigerclaw said hatefully. "They will all pay for what they did to me."
"But first, we're gonna need to find out where these ankle biters are," Koya said, "You sure there ain't anyone else who knows the Turtles."
Karai thought for a moment before nodding, "There is one," She said.
At Murakami's, the turtles had already left but Mikey had left his bag. As Murakami was sweeping he heard a woosh behind him, "Hello? Is someone there?" He called, "Leonardo? Olivier?" He asked.
Then a growl can be heard as he turned where Tigerclaw, Koya, and Karai are. "Not quite." Karai said as Koya grabbed Murakami's broom with her taloned feet and threw it aside while Karai pinned the blind chef against a wall, "The Turtles?" She questioned while pointing her blade at his head.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Murakami told her.
"Lying will only make this worse." Karai warned. "Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello, Olivier, Venus De Milo, Amoly, Talena, Jennika and Maolier. Where do they live?" She questioned as Murakami whimpered in fear.
"I don't know!" Murakami said honestly, "Please. Please!" He begged as Karai's expression softened, seeing no pride in threatening a defenseless blind man.
Karai then moved back as she stood up. "There's no honor in this." She muttered shamefully, as she walked off while Koya and Tigerclaw looked at Murakami-san.
"We didn't come here for honor." Tigerclaw said as he drew his claws.
Koya then kneeled down to Murakami with a cold look. "You might not know where those turtles are caching out, but I'm betting ya know something we can." She said as she scraped her wingblade close to Murakami as he gave a frightened look.
The turtles were heading back to the lair as they made it to the manhole cover before Mikey stopped. "Guys, stop!" He called as they turned to him.
"What is it, Mikey?" Leo asked.
"I feel like we're forgetting something. Something important. Something…" Mikey started while scratching his head. "Something the fate of the world could depend on! It's right on the tip of my tongue." He said.
"The Kraang?" Donnie asked.
"No," Mikey answered.
"The Foot Clan?" Leo guessed.
"No," Mikey repeated while holding his head.
"The Rat King?" Raph questioned.
"No," Mikey said again.
"The Shredder?" Olly tried.
"No." Mikey said before his eyes widened. "Wait! I remember! My doggie bag! The leftover gyozas are back at Mr. Murakami's! We have to go back!" He called as he rushed back to where they came from as the others groaned. "Fate of the world!" He yelled as he skated down the corner.
The turtles returned to the restaurant only to find the place totally trashed, with slashes all over the walls, "Whoa!" Vee gasped at the sight.
"What happened here?" Donnie wondered.
Naomi looked to the side and saw Murakami hiding behind the bar table, "Murakami-san," She said before kneeling down and grabbing his arm, alarming the man, "Do not worry my friend, it's Maolier, are you alright?" She asked as Donnie and Mikey helped the man up.
"They came looking for you, they wanted to know where you lived but I didn't know," Murakami explained, "They asked about you're friends, to my shame, I told them everything I knew," He said while gripping his arms in guilt.
"There was nothing you could've done to fight back, Mr. Murakami. Don't blame yourself," Tal assured while putting a hand on his back.
"Who did this to you?" Raph questioned.
"A young girl, a woman dressed in feathers, and a growling man," Murakami said.
The turtles looked at each other, "A woman dressed in feathers?" Ames repeated, "Do we know someone like that?" She asked.
"No, but the girl's gotta be Karai," Jenny said with a frown, "She's the only one other than April who knows about us and this place," She stated.
"Okay, but what about the growling man?" Donnie asked while rubbing his chin, "If the girl was Karai, maybe the man was Rahzar," He suggested.
"I don't think so," Vee said as she and Olly looked at the slashes, which were more like claw marks, "Rahzar's claws could do a lot more damage than this," She said while Olly inspected the marks,
"Yeah but, it looks like the place was attacked by a giant…" Mikey started before Olly finished for him.
"Tiger," Olly said with a grim expression.
This brought everyone's attention as their eyes widened in realization. "Tigerclaw is back! And he's going after Robyn, April, Keno, and Casey!" Leo said.
"We have to get to Robyn and April!" Donnie shouted before he stopped for a bit. "And Casey. You know, time permitting." He said with a smile.
"And April if we could, if they're together that is." Tal said with a small smile.
"I told you, Leo that Karai is-" Raph tried to say before Leo glared at him.
"Not now, Raph!" Leo yelled straight to his face.
"April's not answering her T-Phone, she always answers." Donnie said after trying to call April.
"Same with Robyn." Tal said as her T-Phone is ringing as well.
"Okay, we'll split up to find them." Olly spoke up. "Me, Vee, Donnie, Tal, and Leo will go to the O'Neil's place, the rest of you go to the ice rink and warn Casey." He instructed as the other half of the turtles rushed off.
"Well, their signals are still up. But why wouldn't they answer their phone?" Tal questioned in wonder.
At the movie theater, the O'Neil sisters, Casey, Keno, and Irma exited. "Best movie ever!" April cheered excitedly. "The part where the captain is cornered by the monster, and it's all slobber and fangs and good, and then boom! That explosion knocked them out of orbit, and they're falling into the star, and…" She kept going none of them noticing they were being watched.
"Okay, okay, we get it, sis." Robyn said in amusement. "We were there. And it was a great movie."
"I just don't get why our date had a third, fourth or fifth wheel attached to it." Casey complained.
"Hello! We're right here!" Irma pointed out while Robyn gave Casey a look and Keno just shrugged as Casey narrowed his eyes.
"That's the problem!" Casey exclaimed.
"Relax Case, there's always next time," Keno told him.
"Besides, Who said anything about this being a-" April trailed off as she felt something off as she touched her head and looked around.
"What is it, sis?" Robyn asked in concern.
"We're being followed." April said seriously while looking up.
"What?" Irma asked in confusion.
"Oh, this is bad." Keno said, having been told about April's physic powers, "I don't suppose it's the 'You-know-whos' or the 'You-know-whats'?" He asked while doing air-quotes.
"The 'you-know-whos' and the 'You-know-whats'?" Irma asked again.
"Alright, whatever it is, we split up and lead it away from the third wheel here." Casey instructed while gesturing to Irma. "Plan?"
"Plan," The three nodded as they spread out in pairs, Keno and April to the left, Casey and Robyn to the right, leaving Irma behind.
"Guys, am I missing something?" Irma questioned in confusion as she just stood there alone. "Well, that's jus great." She muttered with her arms crossed as she was once again left in the dust.
Casey and Robyn, heading into any alley where Casey had his vigilante gear on a fire escape, "Suit up fast Jones. Or we're gonna have some Foot on our heels," Robyn said as she looked around the alley.
"Yeah, no kidding." Casey said as he started climbing the fire escape and grabbed his gear.
Meanwhile Keno and April were running down the streets, keeping their eyes peeled for their pursuers, "So just we're clear, who's chasing us: Evil Ninjas or Alien Robots?" Keno asked April, already filled in on the Kraang and the Foot Clan.
"The Foot. Because Kraang is much easier to sense than Footbots." April answered.
"Right." Keno said as above the rooftop, Karai chasing after them.
Casey put on his gear as he and Robyn rushed to another alleyway and hid in a dumpster while Robyn looked around. "I think we've lost them." Robyn said in relief.
"Yes!" Casey cheered as he stood up. "Casey Jones and his sidekick Robyn can't be caught."
"Can we drop the sidekick thing?" Robyn said in annoyance before she heard a growl, "Wait, do you hear that?" She asked.
"Yeah." Casey said as the two looked up. "Aw, nuts." He muttered as Tigerclaw jumped down to them and knocked them to the ground as he shadowed over them before Casey tasered him as they stood up and got behind him.
"Tigerclaw?!" Robyn asked in shock. "You're alive?!"
"More than I can say for you, very soon." Tigerclaw growled as he recovered from the shock he received.
"Come on, tiger, dude. Let's see what you…" Casey called as he drew his stick, but then Tigerclaw towered over them as he growled hatefully. ",,,got?" He finished nervously.
"I think you ticked him off, Case." Robyn said nervously, "But hey, it's still two against one."
She and Casey then yelped when something landed behind her, "Oh, I might wanna get a recount on that, sheila," The two turned and saw Koya smirking down it them, "Heh, like mice in a hole." She said while drawing her talons.
"A mutant Falcon?" Robyn asked in shock. "You have got to be kidding me." She stuttered as Koya and Tigerclaw approached them, the latter cracking his knuckles.
"Uh, you know what, we don't need to see what you two got." Casey said nervously as they found themselves sandwiched.
"Yeah, so, uh, we'll just…" Robyn said before she took out an egg bomb and slammed it down to create a flash, which blinded the two assassins. "Run!" She called as she and Casey ran off with the two assassins behind them in rage and eagerness.
"I love it when they play hard to get." Koya said with a smirk.
At the O'Neil's place, Kirby tried to call his daughters, but no response. "They're not answering. They always answers." He said to the turtles.
"That's what we said!" Donnie exclaimed.
"Kirby, you said they went to the movies." Olly said as Kirby nodded when he told them where his daughters went. "Then that's where we start." He said as they nodded.
Back with April and Keno, they were running through an alley towards the Dragongate, "I think we lost them." April panted.
Karai then jumped off a construction stairway and landed infront of the two as they skidded to a halt, "Whoa! Who's she?" Keno asked in surprise.
"That's Karai." April said seriously as Karai stood up.
"O'Neil." Karai said as April drew her fan while Keno raised his fists.
"You want to do this, Karai? Fine." April said seriously. "But I'm warning you, I've been training with Master Splinter big time, and I'm ready to kick your butt!"
"I didn't come here to fight." Karai said with complete honesty. "I came for answers." She said, Which surprised the two.
"Seriously?" Keno asked before glancing at April, "What do you think?" He asked.
April eased her stance when she sensed Karai telling the truth. "She's telling the truth. And I've been trained in that, too." She said in slight embarrassment.
"You haven't, have you?" Keno asked with a brow, which made April turn to him with a glare as Karai gave a small laugh.
"I like him already." Karai said in amusement.
With Robyn and Casey, they are still fighting Koya and Tigerclaw as they avoid their attacks. "You know, part of me always wanted to fight a man-eating tiger!" Casey called.
"And I've always been interested in the hunting style of Birds of Prey," Robyn commented as Koya threw feather-style daggers from her wings at them as they dodged, "Whoa! You wouldn't happen to know any real ones?!" She asked as Koya snatched back her daggers.
"Do you think this is a game?!" Tigerclaw questioned.
"This is do or die for you blokes!" Koya yelled as they were pushed back.
"Well, yeah! And this game is called Keep Away from One-Eyed and Feathered Freaks!" Casey called as they rushed off to the lift.
"How about a game of Crush the Mutants!" Robyn called as she pressed a button as the lift lowered as the two started climbing up as Tigerclaw and Koya flew up until they reached the top as Tigerclaw drew his machete while Koya brought out her wing blades.
"If it wasn't for the fact we're gonna die, this would be so cool!" Casey exclaimed as he and Robyn drew their weapons, with Robyn having the same fans as April.
"It wouldn't be, Casey! It definitely wouldn't be!" Robyn yelled as they prepared themselves for a fight.
Meanwhile, on another rooftop, April and Keno were listening to Karai, "All my life I was raised to believe that Shredder was my father, that Splinter was the enemy," Karai said as she sat on a crate, "So when Leo and Venus said that Splinter was my true father I couldn't accept it. But then, I began to have doubts about Shredder's honor," She said while looking away in conflict.
"Doubts about the evil leader of the ninja clan?" April questioned rhetorically. "Really?"
"I'm still new to this whole thing, so I'll just agree with April on this," Keno said with a shrug. "But from what the guys told me, honor seems to be one of many things the Shredder seems to lack."
"Yes," Karai said as she turned away again. "Even now, the Shredder has sent both Tigerclaw and Koya to destroy the turtles." She said.
"Wait, Tigerclaw? That Tiger Guy Shredder hired," Keno asked in surprise before turning to April, "But didn't you say he was eaten by a giant space worm?"
"Oh, trust me. He's very alive, and more angry and bloodthirsty than ever." Karai told them grimly.
"Okay, but who's Koya?" April asked.
"She's a mutant Falcon that Tigerclaw recruited on his way back, who's got a love for the hunt," Karai explained. "They're trying to use me to set a trap for the turtles, but… I can't." She said sadly. "Even if it means betraying Shredder…I need to know who I am," She finished, which surprised the two with her words.
Back with Robyn and Casey they are running on the rooftops with screamed as Koya and Tigerclaw chased after them. "Taste exploding pucks!" Casey called as he threw some pucks at the two assassins, who were unfazed as they ran towards a greenhouse.
"Come on! Indoors that bird won't have any room to fly!" Robyn said as she kept running.
"Good call!" Casey called as they entered the greenhouse as they turned and faced Tigerclaw and Koya. "Okay, Catman-Dude and Birdlady-Dudette, you both wanna do this?" He challenged as he drew his bat. "Let's do this!"
"Show us what you got!" Robyn called as she drew her fan, which the two assassins dodged each attack before they slapped the weapons away and they grabbed them by the legs and held them upside down. "Should've thought this through." She muttered.
"Heh, feisty bit of prey ain't ya?" Koya asked with a grin.
Tigerclaw gave a snarl, "You both will pay for what you did to me," He said, "The suffering you caused, the pain I endured!" He continued.
Casey and Robyn had a good idea what he was talking about, "You're not still mad about the whole 'feeding you to a giant Kraang Worm' thing, are you?" Casey asked nervously.
Tigerclaw gave a growl at him before turning to Koya, "Perhaps, you should demonstrate a hunting technique of your Golden Eagle cousins," He suggested.
"Gladly, mate." Koya said with a smirk as she reached out to the two.
A few moments later, Casey and Robyn were tossed off the roof and yelled as Casey grabbed Robyn and broke her fall as they landed on dumpster before hitting the pavement, "I'm gonna take that as a yes," Robyn groaned as she got off of Casey and looked at him, "Casey, you okay?" She asked in concern.
Casey gave a weak thumbs up as Robyn reached for her T-Phone and made a call. Up above Tigerclaw and Koya watched.
"The bait's out," Koya started with a grin, "Now for the hook," She said.
"Are you absolutely certain she would betray us?" Tigerclaw questioned.
"I've known my prey when they tried to hide something." Koya said with a smirk. "A good hunter always plans ahead for any outcome." She said with a chuckle, which Tigerclaw gave a smirk.
"Very impressive, Koya." Tigerclaw complimented as he held her shoulder. "I believe this could be the start of beautiful friendship,"
At the ice rank, Ames and Mikey are skiing across the area, Jenny and Raph gave bored looks and leaning against the skiing spot while Naomi sat in meditation. "Should've continued searching." Jenny muttered.
"You said it sister." Raph moaned while Ames and Mikey kept skiing together in perfect sync before Naomi's T-Phone started ringing.
Naomi took out her phone and saw it was Robyn calling. "It's Robyn." She said as she quickly answered it. "Robyn?"
"Naomi, we need help!" Robyn said in worry, "Tigerclaw's back, he's got a new mutant falcon partner, and Casey's down!"
"Don't worry Robyn, we're on our way! Send us coordinates!" Naomi said in worry as she turned to the others. "My friends, Robyn said that Tigerclaw and a falcon mutant attacked her and Casey, and Casey's injured ! We must go, now!" She stated.
"Well, what are we waiting for! Let's roll!" Ames called as she and Mikey jumped over the wall and rushed to the exit while Naomi, Jenny and Raph followed them as they rushed out of the rink.
Near the movie theather, Olly and his team were searching the area for April or the others as Donnie then saw April and Keno with Karai as he gasped. "There're April and Keno!" He said.
"With Karai!" Vee added.
"Come on!" Olly called as they rushed to them.
"Karai, get away from those two or we'll turn you into the whole first human pin-cushion!" Tal yelled as they came up behind April and Keno.
"Whoa, guys! Wait!" Keno yelled out. "It's cool! We're all good here!"
"You need to listen to what she has to say," April said as they turned to Karai.
"Well Karai?" Olly started, crossing his arms, "Do you believe that Splinter is your father or not?" He asked.
Karai opened her mouth to answer but I look of conflict came to her, "I-I…I don't know. I, I feel like I should believe you but…I need to see it for myself." She said before giving them a pleading, "I want to believe that Splinter is my real father."
The turtles looked genuinely surprised, "Well, I trust that she really does want to believe it," Keno said.
"And I trust that she wants to believe too," April added.
"I trust April," Donnie said.
"And I trust Donnie," Tal added.
"I trust my sister." Vee said next.
"As do I," Olly nodded before turning to the Blue-clad leader, "Well, Leo. What's your call?" He asked as Leo thought for a moment.
"This…" Leo started before he smiled widely. "This is great!" He cheered as he walked up to Karai. "I knew you'd realize! We'll take you to the lair to see Master Splinter. He'll give your answers." He said as he took Karai's hand and dragged her off while the others watched in surprise.
"He has been waiting for this day for a while." Vee said with a chuckle. "At least he's not brooding anymore." She commented.
"I just hope we aren't making a shell of a mistake," Tal said in concern.
"Same here. Though Raph and Jenny aren't gonna believe this." Donnie said as they all walked off.
"No they won't." Olly said in agreement.
"We don't believe this!" Both Raph and Jenny yelled when they saw the others were back, with Karai in the lair.
"What have you guys done?!" Jenny questioned as Naomi was patching up Robyn after finishing up with Casey while Ames and Mikey rushed in with some soup.
"Sis! Casey!" April cried as she and Keno rushed up to them.
"Yikes! They'll feel that in the morning." Keno said as the two teens checked on their friends.
"What world do you live in that is okay to bring the princess of the Foot Clan to our secret lair?!" Raph questioned in shock.
"What happened to Casey and Robyn?" Olly asked after seeing the two teens beat up.
"Tigerclaw and some mutant Falcon named Koya threw them off a building!" Jenny explained before turning to Karai, "And you just brought their partner in crime home for dinner!"
"I want to know the truth!" Karai yelled out desperately. "I…I need to know,"
Raph then pulled out his sais and approached her, "What you need to know is that I'm about to stick this sai right up your-" he started before he yelped in fright when Olly's axe swung right in front of him.
"Raph, enough!" Olly yelled firmly as Raph stood up. "Stand down! She's just conflicted right now! All she wants is to know is who she really is."
"She has a right to know the truth." Vee said with a serious tone. "Everything's gonna be fine." She said as she turned to Karai. "You still have that photo I gave you?"
Karai pulled out the photo, showing it to them and then brought out the torn photo of her mother, "This was the only photo that my fat-" Karai choked for a moment before continuing, "That the Shredder had of my mother, it's the only thing I have her."
The turtles looked at the pictures closely and saw the women matched each other. "Wow, she's beautiful." Vee said in wonder.
"Shredder told me that I take after her. I feel like that's the only thing I can trust," Karai explained with a sad smile, not noticing a beeping circular device on her back.
On the surface, Koya held up a tracking radar that showed Karai's coordinates, "Gotcha," She said with a smirk, "They took the bait," She told Tigerclaw.
Tigerclaw smirked, "Excellent, and now we shall our revenge and Karai will face punishment for betraying Master Shredder," He said while licking his fangs. "Tonight, I dine on Turtle soup,"
"Let the hunt begin," Koya said as the two took off.
"Will you two just listen?" Leo questioned Jenny and Raph.
"You really expect us to believe she'd flip sides over a couple of baby photos?" Jenny asked sarcastically.
"I bet she's leading the Shredder here now!" Raph yelled as Olly and Leo held them back.
"Enough!" Splinter's voice called out as they turned and saw Splinter as Raph and Jenny dropped their weapons in fright as they stood there in silence.
"Master Splinter," Tal started before gesturing to Karai, "We, brought back a guest," She said awkwardly.
"Miwa," Splinter breathed out in shock.
Karai turned to the rat master before bowing in respect, "Master Yoshi," She said, "I, came here for answers, answers only you can give me," She explained.
Splinter sighed and nodded, "And I shall. Come with me," He said before walking to the Dojo. Raph and Jenny were about to hit Leo and Olly, but Olly caught their arms and twisted them as they cringed in pain.
"Seriously, you'd think you two know by now nothing gets past me." Olly said dully as he let go of their arms as the two turtles rubbed them.
"One of these days, I'll get you, big brother." Jenny muttered.
Once inside the dojo, Karai the large tree that had grown inside, she saw Splinter near a family photo and walked up to him. "I retain very little from my old life, but this i will never let go, my daughter.." Splinter said as he handed her a photo, the photo showed a copy of the picture of her mother, only it was whole and had Splinter when he was human, wrapping his arm around her.
Karai's eyes widened looked over and saw a family photo, and upon seeing how both men were same it finally clicked. "So it's true. All of it. I really am your daughter." She said as she looked down. "Ever since that Kraang Worm thing, Vee gave me a copy of our family's picture and I've been… I've kept telling myself if this is real then everything… everything I did…" Her face turned to disgust and regret before Splinter held her shoulder.
"It is in the past, Miwa," Splinter told her, giving his daughter a warm smile, "What is most important is that you finally know the truth,"
Karai gave a tearful look before desperately hugging her true father, burying her face in his robes as he hugged her back. The turtles watched the scene from the entrance with warm smiles, the girls had tear-filled eyes, as Leo turned to Raph with a smirk.
"You were saying?" Leo taunted as Raph grumbled before Naomi's eyes narrowed as she walked up to Karai.
"I don't want to intrude upon this touching family reunion, but I believe we may have a problem." Naomi said as she walked up behind Karai.
"What do you mean?" Karai asked.
Naomi then plucked at Karai's back and took out the tracker that is beeping. "You were being used, Karai. Someone placed a tracker on you." She said seriously.
"What?!" Karai asked in shock as she looked at the tracker. "But who would…" She stopped as her eyes widened in horror. "Oh no." She mumbled.
On the surface, Tigerclaw and Koya were rushing across the rooftops with Koya holding her GPS as it beeps faster, "They're close." Koya said while looking at the beeping. "If we keep going, the stronger the signal becomes." She added as they landed in alley.
"And I smell reptiles." Tigerclaw said as he sniffed the air and look around. "Where are you?"
Koya looked at her radar and frown in confusion, "They should be right on top of us," She said while looking around.
Tigerclaw then have a thought as he looked down the manhole and sniffed it. "Or perhaps we are on top of them. Underground, in the sewers!" He said.
"Wait, the bliders actually live in down there?" Koya asked in shock while feeling disgust. "Dang, Couldn't they at least live in a pond or something?"
"The sewers allow them to travel throughout the city unnoticed. Cleave," Tigerclaw said to her.
"Still, it's gonna be a tight squeeze for us, and I can't fly where's there's no sky. Not to mention my tracker's practically useless underground." Koya pointed out.
"Karai is to clever to stay fooled forever," Tigerclaw told her, "Once she realizes that she has led us to the turtles, she will surely bring them back to the surface to face us,"
Koya smirked, seeing his plan, "And then we'll be feasting on them?" She asked.
"And then we shall feast," Tigerclaw confirmed with an evil smirk.
In the lair, Karai was shocked that she was used by Tigerclaw and Koya to lead them to the Lair, "I told you she'd lead the Shredder here!" Raph told the others.
"Raph!" The other turtles shouted in ire.
Karai frantically looked at the turtles, "Y-You have believe me! I-I didn't have anything to do with this!" She said desperately.
"I know, my daughter." Splinter assured her. "You were being used by the Shredder's forces. None of this is your own fault."
Tal then took the tracker from Naomi as she inspected it. "Well, I got some good news. This thing is only coming at its general position so it didn't send the lair's exact coordinates," She said with a smile.
"That's great!" Mikey cheered.
"But the bad news is…" Tal started with a frown.
Raph facepalmed, "There's always bad news," He complained.
"The longer it stays in the lair, the easier it will be to find its exact location." Tal finished grimly.
"So for us to keep them from discovering the lair is to…" Vee started nervously.
"We have to lead Tigerclaw and Koya away by carrying the tracker someplace far from the lair." Tal stated.
"Go. Take the tracker and watch over Miwa." Splinter instructed. "I will stay with April and Keno and attend to Casey and Robyn." He said as they all were about to walk out before Splinter got his daughter by the shoulder and turned her to him. "You are who you choose to be. Not what others make you." He said as Karai kept her head down and walked off.
"Some of us choose to be right all the time." Raph said before Olly came up to him.
"Just shut it and move it, Raph! Let it go already!" Olly ordered as he pushed Raph forward and they walked out while Splinter watched them with a small smile.
Casey was still unconscious as Keno and the O'Neil sisters looked over him, "He's still out like a light," Robyn said as Splinter came up to them.
"Do you think he's gonna be okay, sensei?" April asked in concern.
Casey groaned and slowly opened his eyes, "Ugh, April…why did you have to bring Irma again? She so nasty," He said groggily.
"He's fine," Keno said with casual smile.
"Rest up Casey," Olly said as the Turtles and Karai were about to leave, "We'll handle Tom and Tweety," He said as the Turtles rushed out.
But before Karai could join them, "Karai," April called as Karai turned to her, "I know we have a checkered past but, be careful." She said in concern.
Karai was surprised but nodded, "Thank you, but please, call me Miwa." She said with an unsure smile.
"It suits you," April complimented before Karai, or now Miwa, rushed after the Turtles.
While the turtles and Miwa rushed through the tunnels, on the surface Koya saw the signal change, "Looks like the Sheila finally clued in," She commented.
"Quickly, we must not lose them." Tigerclaw said as they followed the signal.
The turtles and Miwa rushed across the sewers until they are in a big chamber. "Well, Princess, you got us into this. Where to?" Jenny questioned as Miwa looked around the tunnels.
"I…I don't know! I don't know anything anymore," Miwa said anxiously as the revelation and the fact she was being used left her mind scattered and running wild.
"Miwa! Keep yourself together!" Vee said while shaking Miwa to snap her out of it. "We just need to find a place where we can fight Koya and Tigerclaw on even grounds."
"Somewhere where Koya can't fly and where Tigerclaw can't smell us," Donnie pointed out.
Raph looked at him dully, "And where is that exactly?" He asked.
"Everyone I got!" Mikey called, "I know the perfect place to bust some baddies," He said with a smile.
"I feel scared." Tal said nervously, not liking whenever Mikey has an idea.
A bit later, Tigerclaw and Koya burst a door open as they entered what appear to be a meat locker with some cow meat hooked from the ceiling. Koya checked the tracker, "This be the place alright," She said as they cautiously walked, moving passed the frozen carcasses, "Clever little drongos, leading me to a place where I can't fly," She complimented.
Tigerclaw sniffed the area, but the smell of raw cold meat blocked out the turtles' scent, "They may have lure us to where I am unable to smell them, but I can still hear them." Tigerclaw said as he looked around as they heard whooshing sounds. "Show yourselves!"
There was another woosh behind them as they stood back to back, "They're stalking us. Sizing us up," Koya realized as she brought her wingblades, "But they'll find they can't turn the tables on me that easily,"
Tigerclaw brought out his machete and turned when he sensed something only to be kicked in the face, and he sliced through a chuck of meat, "Are you afraid to face us?" Tigerclaw called out to the turtles before Koya was kicked from behind.
"You shellbacks afraid to fight us?!" Koya demanded before she sensed something coming and grabbed Raph's foot and tossed him away as Tigerclaw caught one of the Red-clad turtle's sais.
The two then saw the turtles among the swaying carcasses, almost moving with the shadows, "You kiddie-winks wanna play, huh?" Koya asked as she and Tigerclaw back away.
"Then let us finish this," Tigerclaw stated as they entered the meat preparation room.
The turtles followed the two mutants as they stood on opposite sides of the cutting table, waiting for the other to make a move. The lights flickered off, but when it came back on, the turtles were gone as the sawblade powered on. Tigerclaw and Koya looked around before they clashed weapons with Leo, Raph, Olly and Naomi respectively as they blocked each turtle and tossed them aside.
Donnie swung his staff at Tigerclaw but he caught it in his mouth before throwing the smart turtle against the counter. Tal fired around at Tigerclaw but Koya blocked them with her wings as the tiger mutant was ready to stab Donnie through the heart until Mikey's Kusarigama wrapped around his arm, pulling him away as both Koya's wrists were caught by Ame's ribbons.
Raph and Jenny jumped at the two, but Tigerclaw deflected Raph with his machete sword while Koya used her feet talons to counter Jenny's claws. Leo and Vee then took this chance to jump and attack but the two assassins just used their attacks to break free of their binds while Ames and Mikey fell back into the meat locker.
Tigerclaw and Koya then proceeded to knock away the other turtles one by one, just as Mikey and Ames came back in Tigerclaw grabbed Mikey by the shell, slammed him down before throwing away. Koya rushed at Ames to do the same but Tal intercepted her, and blocked with her bow before, Koya grabbed her head with her talons, tossed her up, slashed and then kicked her away.
Olly jumped at Tigerclaw but was knocked back against the table with the mutant's sword to his chest, "I will be sure to let Orimura know there's been a death in the family," Tigerclaw said coldly.
Olly glared hatefully at him as Miwa came up from behind them. "Not if I can stop this." She said as she kicked Tigerclaw back, which caused him to stumble as Miwa drew her blade, as did Tigerclaw as he a saw her about to stab him, but Koya caught her blade and slammed her on a table, "You knew I was never on your side, didn't you?" She spat at the falcon mutant.
"I see you finally caught on." Koya said with a smirk. "I can see treachery and conflict from a mile away. And you're practically painted in it." She said before Miwa did a spin kick to kick her away as she deliver more strikes, but then both Tigerclaw and Koya deliver powerful strikes that send Miwa flying as she crashed into the wall, unconscious.
Tigerclaw picked Miwa up as the turtles got up and he turned to them. "If you cubs value her life, do not take another step." He warned as he pressed a button and a the meat grinder behind them powered up as some meat was grinded.
The turtles sneered at the two while gripping their weapons, "You win," Olly said through his teeth.
"Just as we thought." Koya said with a smirk as Tigerclaw put Miwa on his shoulder before Koya flew up and grabbed him by his shoulders with her talons. "Hooroo, Turtles." She said before she flew them out the window.
"No! Come on! We have to-" Leo tried to call but was cut off when Vee held his shoulder.
"Leo, you know I'm always the first to back you up but we have equally pressing issues," Vee said as she turned Leo to Tal and Mikey, both were badly injured and held by Donnie and Ames respectively, "Mikey and Tal are in no shape for a chase," She said.
"I think their shells were knocked loose." Donnie said in worry.
"We have to get them back to Master Splinter to heal up." Ames said in complete concern.
"Miwa." Leo muttered, looking back out the window.
"We'll get her back, Leo. Just not today." Olly assured him, holding Leo's shoulder.
"I still don't trust her." Raph said as Jenny nodded in agreement, albeit reluctantly.
Vee turned to them with a glare, "She risked her life to save us! She's accepted that we're her true family! How can you still be so distrustful!?" She exclaimed.
"Still, the Shredder raised her, Vee." Jenny reminded but looked like she didn't believe that.
"Daddy's probably welcoming Karai home by now." Raph added before he was hit hard to the head by Olly. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"
"Can you ever try and give people chances?!" Olly questioned in rage. "And stop calling her Karai, her name is Miwa, she's one of us!"
"She was still Shredder's dau-" Raph tried to retort before Leo cut him off.
"That doesn't matter," Leo said firmly. "Remember what Mr. Murakami said: People shouldn't be judged by how they look or where they come from, only by how they act. And right now, Miwa acted as a daughter of Hamato Yoshi."
"So let me ask you, Raph, if Miwa shouldn't be given a second chance because she tried to kill, does that also apply to Slash, who tried to kill us before, but you still trust him?" Vee asked with a firm look, which made Raph flinch as he looked down, seeing their point since he trusted Slash even after what he did to them.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Olly said with a firm look. "Come on guys. Let's go home and get Mikey and Tal fixed up. We'll save Miwa one day, and when we do, Shredder's gonna pay big time." He said with determination as they all nodded.
At Shredder's lair, Tigerclaw and Koya dropped Miwa as Shredder had his back turned to them with Kitsune beside him, "Shredder, we didn't get those Turtles, but we found out you're little girl here pulled a dirty move on us," Koya said while crossing his arms.
"She has betrayed us Master Shredder," Tigerclaw explained, "She fought alongside the turtles."
Shredder perked his head up a bit, showing signs of surprised while Kitsune's was much more visible, "What?" She said before looking down at Miwa, "Karai, how could you-"
"Don't call me that! That's not my name! It's never been my name!" Miwa yelled in rage and anguish as Shredder slightly turned his head to her. "Tell them the truth! Splinter is my real father!" She demanded.
Shredder closed his eyes for a moment before he walked down to Miwa as he stood silence for a moment. "...Yes. Hamato Yoshi is your true father, Hamato Miwa." he confessed as Miwa glared at him hatefully while Kistune was shocked by this. "Koya, you've earned your place among us, and as my first order, take her away!" He ordered the Falcon mutant.
"Yes, Master Shredder." Koya said with a bow as she grabbed Miwa and drag her into a cell in a dungeon and locked the gate
Miwa rushed to the door as she watched Shredder, Tigerclaw and Koya walked out of the dungeon, "No. No. What are you doing!?" Miwa called as she looked to Kitsune, who was still reeling from this, "Kitsune, you raised me alongside Shredder, you cared about me, please," She pleaded to the woman who was the closest thing she had to a mother.
Kitsune had a conflicted look before sighing, "I am loyal to the Foot, Karai. As you should've been," She said before turning away, "I'm sorry," She said earnestly while walking away.
"No! No Kitsune, please! I want to go home!" Miwa begged but Kitsune didn't turn back, "NNNOOO!" she yelled before falling to her knees and crying. She finally knew who she truly was, but it cost her dearly.
Koya comes from the TMNT IDW Comics series, she's brown falcon from Australia so she has an Australian accent and slang, (Apologies to any actually people from Australia who may find some future words offensive). Also going forward, Karai will be known as Miwa by the heroes, as I have no problem with the name she was given, but seeing how she wanted to cut all ties to the Shredder, she'll want to be called by her old name.