Chapter twelve:
Casey peeks open an eye upon hearing a gurgling sound. He breathes once more, his lungs thanking him for the air, as he no longer sees the red mist. He glances to Shredder who he sees he managed to get the side of the others neck. He also glances around seeing that the fighting is slowing to a stop; as more and more notice that something is happening between the two leaders. He turns his gaze back to Shredder noticing the other's eyes look to him. "This is for those that you made us lose." He tells the other then swings managing to finish slashing his throat. He leaps away with a bloody blade as Shredder collapses to the ground.
Shredder doesn't look to be breathing anymore.
Karai roars in anger and shoves Donnie away before trying to charge Casey.
Donnie chases her and knocks her off her feet with a swing of his Bo staff.
Casey feels some shock that he has actually killed someone. He takes a brief moment telling himself that it was for the best.
Shredder wouldn't have stopped until someone killed him.
Casey finds a peace settles over him. He looks around at all those staring at him now. His gaze finally settles onto Karai who glares at him. "Take Shredders followers and leave. Never return." He warns her and she gets up.
Donnie lets out a small huff to warn her to not try anything.
"Fine. But we're not staying away. That's a promise." Karai informs Casey who moves closer.
"Come back to the city and we'll stop you too." Casey promises making Karai growl a little. He can see that Karai has no idea how she can avenge Shredder. So he doubts she'll be back anytime soon if at all.
Karai takes off away from the city.
Casey can't help noticing that only half of the Footclan follow Karai. He glances to those remaining who shed off what they can of the uniforms without exposing themselves.
One of those that stay behind looks to Casey. "We only joined thinking there was nothing that could be done to stop him." He admits before bowing his head to Casey. "However with him gone we'd like to ask for forgiveness for fighting against you."
Casey smiles at this. "We can forgive you. It probably seemed hopeless to go against him at times." He gets grateful smiles from those that stayed. He suddenly is tackled in a hug. He looks to see a relieved Mikey and Donnie who are glad that he didn't fall under Shredders control. He hugs them back glad that this whole reign of terror is over. "Let's go share the good news." He gets approving nods and leads the way back to the city.
People mummer and look on with shocked hope as the rebellion returns.
Casey spots a stage set up possibly for a play or something. He hurries onto it with Mikey and Donnie going up to back him up. He faces the crowd that has gathered. He raises his voice to try to be heard by everyone. "Shredder is dead! The rebellion has won!"
There is whispers as if making sure that the news spreads.
Casey waits a moment and smiles as the whispers turn into cheers. He gives a grateful look over those that followed and helped stop all of this.
"What is your name?" Someone in the crowd calls and everyone looks to Casey as though he is their next leader.
"My name is Casey Jones!" Casey announces deciding that he'll have to take leadership for now. He'll find someone worthy to replace him in time.
The crowd cheers his name.
Casey just hopes that he can do good for them while he has to be leader. He also hopes that he won't be leader for long. He glances as Mikey puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry. We'll help you out." Mikey tells Casey who smiles at least glad that he really isn't alone in leading the city.
Casey turns back to the crowd as they settle down. "Today we can rest and celebrate Shredder being gone. Tomorrow things will start to repair this city from his rule." He hears approval across the crowd. He hops down heading to the government building. He hopes that he can find something from the old mayor to help him rebuild this city.
No one stops them as they head into the mayors office.
Casey can tell that it has been decorated to be more of a place Shredder would hang out. He feels like he stepped into a Footclan base. He turns to Donnie. "Donnie? Could you hack the computer?" He nods to the one on the desk. "See if maybe there's some stuff from the old mayor? Me and Mikey will look around for any potential things from the old mayor that might be left in the room."
Donnie nods heading to the computer.
Mikey and Casey begin their search of the room. They split up to start on separate ends of the room.
Casey even makes sure to move paintings to try to search for a possible hidden safe. He doesn't find anything at first though he doesn't give up.
"Casey! Come take a look at this!" Mikey suddenly calls so Casey heads over to him.
There on the wall looks like a painting of a safe, but Mikey clicks the small arrow changing one of the digital numbers.
Casey also notices scratches and parts of the wall busted up. He's guessing that Shredder must have tried to get in but couldn't. "Great! Now all we need is a code to get inside." He takes another look around from where he stands. He has a feeling that if there was a clue to the number code Shredder would have found it. He turns back to the safe wondering if it was information any mayor had to just remember.
Mikey starts just trying number combos one by one. He is stopped as after five attempts the safe shows red zeros.
Casey lets out a breath wondering if the lock is on a timer. He hopes so, otherwise they'll have to figure out how to get it out of this locked state then the number combo. He does take notice of Mikey worrying about having messed it up for good. He places an assuring hand on the youngest turtle's shoulder. His one eye meets Mikey's gaze as best as he can. "Don't worry Mikey. We will figure this out. There's more than likely a way to get this mode turned off and put in the right code. Let's try giving it some time to see if it is on a timer. For now we can look for clues on what the code might be. People usually have a way to turn it off even if they have to wait. Companies know we humans can mess up the code enough times to cause it. So there is usually a way to fix it if this does happen."
Mikey does look better about it. He nods and so they two check around for any sort of clue to the code.
Casey is just glad he helped Mikey calm down. He hopes that there is a way to fix the safe so they can get into it. He shakes that thought off for now to try to focus on looking for any clues.
"I got something!" Donnie suddenly calls making both Casey and Mikey jump.
The two go over to Donnie at the computer.
"It took some work but there is something left from the previous mayor. It's some emergency files for if things go to shit." Donnie scrolls through the files. "There is a lot of plans and even some advice for future mayors after his reign ends."
"Great! This can help us so much!" Miley kisses Donnie's cheek making his mate blush a little.
"Does it say anything about the safe." Casey nods to it causing the other two to glance to it. He spots Mikey looking a little guilty only to turn to the human who gives him an assuring look. He is relieved to see the guilt go away from Mikey's eyes.
"Hold on." Donnie starts going through the files to try to find anything about the safe. "No actually. There's nothing."
Casey turns to the safe wondering if it's important enough to open.
Donnie follows his gaze and notices the safe going over to it. He inspects it for a moment. "Well. I did have a safe cracker device. However... It's back in the old lair in my old lab..." He glances down and Casey doesn't blame him for not wanting to go back.
Splinters body hasn't even been retrieved because it was so dangerous to go back.
Not to mention all the memories of those they lost that could come back if Donnie goes there.
"That's okay. We can figure something else out." Casey tells Donnie letting Mikey hug him to give him comfort. He doesn't have it in him to force Donnie to go back there. He also knows that anyone else won't know what to look for or even where. He wonders if perhaps Donnie could just make another one.
With the city now on their side and knowing the turtles exist then getting materials will be easier.
Casey decides to bring that up later with Donnie. "Why don't you two go rest? I'll look through the files and see what I can learn."
"You sure you don't want help with the files?" Donnie turns to Casey who offers him a smile.
"I'll be okay. I may not be a tech genius but I know my way around going through computer files. As long as they don't have a password or anything. Plus I'll make it as brief as I can before joining you in resting for tomorrow." Casey's words do seem to calm Donnie down. He watches as Mikey leads Donnie away. He goes to the computer getting comfy in the office chair. "Okay. Let's see what you've got for me." He begins his search through the files. He will do his best to keep his promise to the two turtles.
Time to help the city regrow from Shredders reign.
Casey can't help a glance to the door.
And time to fully help the three of them heal from the losses that they have suffered.