In the lair, Splinter was training hard, while the brothers, Yuuki, Mona, and Venus watched. Splinter jumps high into the air and splits a high stack of bricks in half, he bows, then grabs his walking stick and walks back into his room.
"So, what's up with Master Splinter?" Mikey asked.
In his room, Splinter packs up a small bag, holding a piece of chalk, a scroll, an apple, and a kunai.
"I don't get it, why was Master Splinter working out so hard?" Donnie questions.
"He's been acting kind of wacko for a month now," Raph adds.
The door to Splinter's room slides open and Splinter steps out, carrying the small bag on his staff.
"My children, I will be leaving you for a few days," Splinter informs. "While I am gone, I want you to be extra cautious, so do not leave the lair until I return. Leonardo, you are in charge, you keep an eye on the others."
"But where are you going, sensei?" Leo asked as Splinter makes his way towards the exit.
"Do not worry, I will return soon," Splinter replied.
He leaves and the automated door entrance closes behind, leaving everyone confused.
"Again, I pose the question, what's up with Master Splinter?" Mikey questioned.
"I don't know, but don't you guys remember, he went away like this three years ago," Leo said.
"Yeah, but where?" Donnie asked.
"Maybe he's got a girlfriend," Mikey jokes. Raph smacks him on the side of his head. "Ow! Hey!"
"There's one way to find out what Master Splinter's up to," Raph said. "We follow him."
"He said we're not supposed to leave the lair," Leo informed.
"He also said you need to keep an eye on us, so you keep an eye on us, while we keep an eye on him." Raph said.
Late at night, everyone follows Splinter, silently, wondering where he was going until they see the rat master stop at an dead end alley. Splinter pulls out the chalk. But he stops when he senses something, pausing, he looks back only to see nothing was there. Splinter turns back to the wall and begins to draw strange symbols on it with the piece of chalk.
When he finishes, he places his staff down and places his hands together and started to chant a strange language. Everyone watches in shock as a puddle of water moves and hovers over the wall, with the symbols, creating a portal. Splinter stops chanting and bends down to pick up his staff and walks through the portal. The portal disappears as the water falls to the ground. Everyone came out from their hiding spot and walks over to the wall.
"Okay," Mikey speaks. "That was freaky."
Mikey beings to feel around the wall where the portal was. "It's rock solid,"
"Yeah, like your head," Raph said as he begins to touch the wall as well.
"Maybe there's a door here or something," Donnie suggests as he touches it as well, scanning the wall.
"You know, the chanting was familiar," Leo said. "But, those symbols, I've never seen those before."
"Then, it looks like sensei's given us the slip," Mikey replied.
"Maybe, maybe not," Donnie said as he sets the duffle bag down and looks through it. "Sensei also taught us where there's a will, and some UV lighting, there's always a way." Donnie pulls out a light and shines it at the wall, revealing the symbols.
"Nice going, Donnie," Leo praised. "You got any chalk in your magic bag of tricks?"
Raph traced over the symbols with the chalk. "That ought to do it. Alright Leo, give it a shot."
"Here goes nothing," Leo said as he places his hands together. He begins chanting the strange language that Splinter did and a portal opens up. "Did it work?" Leo opens his eyes to see the portal in front of them. "No way!"
"You know, maybe this isn't such a good idea after all," Mikey said nervously as he steps back. But, Raph pushes him inside of the portal.
"Coming guys?" Raph asked, gesturing to the portal before walking in. Mona walks in as well, following him. Donnie, Leo, Yuuki and Venus looks at each other then they walked in into the portal. Everyone slid down a waterfall until they came to the other end of the portal, landing in a puddle of water.
"Now where are we?" Leo questioned.
"Definitely not Earth," Donnie said as he looks around, surveying the strange land. They see a strange temple off in the distance with a stone face carved on a mountain of a waterfall. "But, if I had to guess, I'd say its sort of world between worlds, between dimensions even, a Nexus."
"Yeah, you mean like some point of overlapping subspace commonality," Mikey replied. Everyone gave him questionable looks, surprised to see him say something smart. "What? Donnie's not the only turtle that watches Star Trek, you know."
Suddenly, another portal begins to open up close to them.
"Heads up, guys," Raph said as he draws his sais. "Another one of those doors is opening."
Everyone turned to see a portal starting to appear behind them. Something shoots out of it and flies and lands near them, looking like sticks. The thin sticks begin to move to reveal seven stick-like creatures, now standing before them.
"Hold on," Leo calls out. "Maybe they mean us no harm."
The stick creatures pull out their sharp sickles. Very sharp.
"You were saying, Fearless Leader?" Raph questioned. Leo draws his swords. The stick creatures charges towards everyone.
"We don't have time for this!" Leo shouted.
"I don't think we have a choice," Donnie replied, nervously.
One of the stick creatures charges toward Raph and he quickly moves out of the way. Their sickle slices a giant tree behind him and it falls down.
"Hey, those things are just a little sharp," Raph said. The creature swings their weapon at Raph again. He dodges the attack but Raph gets knocked back as the creature kicks him.
Yuuki, Mona, and Venus dodges attacks from their stick creatures as well as they charge at them.
Another stick creature wildly swings their sickle at Donnie and he jumps back while blocking a few swings with his staff.
Leo blocks an attack with his swords. Then he charges towards the creature. They swing their weapon and it easily slices Leo's swords in half.
"My katanas!" Leo exclaimed, upset. He charges and slides under the creature's legs, kicking at it from behind.
"Leo's got the right idea," Raph said. "Get in close on these bozos!"
Raph runs and slides under a creature's legs just as it slashes at him. He grabs it's leg and flips it to the ground. Mikey disarms a creature, and uses his nunchucks to grab the creature's hand. He slides under it's legs and flips it on it's back. Donnie jumps into the air spinning his staff and lands a hard hit on a creature, knocking it down.
Yuuki jumps out of the way as a creature swings at her then she slides under it and sweeps her leg from under the creature, knocking it off of its feet and it falls down. Mona jumps onto a creature shoulders as it swings at her and jumps off of them landing from behind then she grabs their leg and slams them to the ground. Venus was dodging attacks as a creature wildly swings their weapon at her. She jumps out of the way as the creature charges at her then she grabs it's arm and flips the creature onto it's back.
All of the stick creatures laid on the ground, defeated.
Leo walks over to his broken katanas and falls to his knees, disappointed.
Yuuki walks over to him and places a hand on his shoulder.
"Preliminary match group completed in 4.3 kuargons," A voice speaks out.
Everyone looks up to see a familiar man in a mask floating down to them. He places a flag on the ground. "The Gom-tai are eliminated from the competition."
The stick creatures, known as the Gom-tai stand up and bow to the seven. They look in confusion.
The floating man turns to the group. "Now, if you Slongtags will-"
"Slongtags?" Donnie questioned.
"You...you talking to us?" Raph asked, confused.
Another portal opens up behind the group, and seven green creatures jump out standing in front of them.
"Wait," The floating man said, confused. He looks at the two group. "Wait a minute, this is not correct, there's been a mistake. The Gom-tai were to fight the Slongtags, not you earthers. In fact, the only earther registered is Hamato Splinter."
Everyone looked at the floating man in shock.
"Hamato Splinter?!" Raph questioned.
"Master Splinter?" Mikey asked, confused.
"Where is he?!" Leo demanded, angrily.
"This is not as it should be," The floating man said as he flies away with the two group. "Now I must reschedule the match between the Gom-tai and the Slongtags." A water barrier surrounds them and they float in the air, disappearing.
"What the shell was that all about?" Mikey questioned.
"I don't know and I don't care," Raph said, irritably. "The sooner we find Master Splinter, the sooner we can blow this popsicle stand!"
"Well, at least the Gyoji is familiar," Donnie replied as they begin to walk down a trail.
"All I remember about the Gyoji is he works for that creep, the Ultimate Ninja." Raph growled in annoyance.
"I bet Master Splinter has the 411 on all of this," Mikey said. "He seemed to know an whole lot more about what was going on with that Ultimate Ninja business than he's telling."
They jumped over some rocks crossing a river. Venus slips on one and nearly loses her balance, but Donnie grabs her in time before she fell in the river. They both jumped off the rocks following after the others.
"Man, if I see that Ultimate Ninja, I'm gonna-" Raph is interrupted when they hear giant foot steps. "What the shell?!"
Everyone sees Splinter fighting against a giant four armed monster.
"Sensei!"
"Master Splinter!"
"Hang on, Sensei!" Leo exclaimed as they jumped down the cliff. "We're coming!"
They rushed towards the fight, only to be stopped, trapped in a water barrier. The Gyoji appears next to them. "Battle Nexus rules clearly state that there can be no external interference between contestants," He tells them.
They watch as Splinter fights against the giant, who rips a tree out of the ground with his bare hands. He swings it at Splinter. Splinter jumps out of the way but tumbles to the ground, he struggles as he tries to get up.
"Sensei!" Raph exclaimed.
The giant begins to advance towards Splinter with the tree and raises above his head, ready to deliver the final blow. When he brings it down, Splinter jumps out of the way and lands on the tree. He runs up it and kicks the giant in the chest, causing him to drop the tree. Splinter grabs onto the giant's beard, swinging on it, before jumping off and lands in front of the giant.
The giant charges at Splinter and tries to slam his fists down on the rat, but Splinter dodges out of the way. He jumps off of a tree and kicks the giant repeatedly. The giant falls to the ground. He tries to get back up, but falls, defeated.
The barrier disappears. Everyone rushes towards Splinter praising and throwing lots of questions as they approached him. But they soon stopped when they saw Splinter looking at them, angrily.
"You were supposed to stay at home, not follow me here!" Splinter scolds, harshly. He looks at Leo "Leonardo, I am very disappointed."
"I'm sorry, sensei, but I just-" Leo stammers.
"Don't blame Leo, Master Splinter," Raph interrupts. "I...kind of talked him into it."
A bright light, shines brightly as the Gyoji appears and he places the flag down.
"Victory for Hamato Splinter of dimension third Earth," He said, disappearing.
Everyone hears a groaning noise and look to see the giant was now standing up. The brothers and Yuuki draw their weapons, while Mona and Venus got into a fighting stance.
"Protect Master Splinter!" Leo shouted as they places themselves between the giant and rat master.
"No, no, no!" Splinter calls out as he pushes through them. "D'Jinn is not an enemy."
D'Jinn laughs and kneels down to Splinter. "Well fought comrade, I had such high hopes of beating you."
"And you almost did, old friend," Splinter smiles looking at the giant. "It was a most valiant contest, domo arigato."
"You seven should be honored to have one such as Splinter as your sensei," D'Jinn said as he looks at the turtles, Yuuki, Mona, and Venus. "He is something of a legend here."
"He is?" Donnie asked, confused.
"By War Eye's Hammer, do you mean he hasn't told you?" D'Jinn asked, surprised.
The group look at him, confused.
"Told us what?" Mikey asked.
The giant laughs. "This is rich, too rich. Please allow me to tell you a story about your sensei."
They all smile and look towards the giant.
"I really rather you would not bother, old friend," Splinter protests.
"It's no bother, comrade," D'Jinn assured.
"Listen up, young ones, down through the centuries and across the multiverse, the greatest warriors have always searched for great challenges. And so it came to pass, that this place was born, a nexus where begins from a multitude of different worlds could pit themselves against worthy challengers. The Battle Nexus Tournament, where a warrior can prove themselves to be one of the mightiest and most skilled martial artists of all creation. Your sensei's sensei was once a Battle Nexus champion, and, not to long after that, your master entered the competition as well. He surprised and impressed many with his courage, skill, and, honor but his success has lead him to a final battle with one of fiercest of all fighters: Drako."
"Poor Splinter, his leg was broken in the battle and it looked hopeless. The match was halted and Splinter was given the chance to forfeit, but he would not. He was allowed to splint his leg and continued the contest. I swear, not even I believe it when Splinter managed to triumph over Drako, broken leg and all. Truly, he was the best of the best that day. Splinter was the new champion of the big brawl,"
Everyone gasped in amazement.
"Our sensei, the greatest warrior of all the multiverse," Leo gasps.
"It was nothing," Splinter said.
"This is huge!" Mikey exclaimed.
"I won the competition, that is all."
"It's like finding out that your dad is...Superman!" Mikey shouted, excited.
"Ah, but wait, there is more," D'Jinn speaks. "Dark deeds were afoot that day."
"Splinter was ambushed by Drako and his assassins were dishonorable. They attacked Splinter after the match, but a young rabbit had crossed their paths, trying to help, but was overpowered. Splinter and the young rabbit samurai would have been destroyed had the Daimyo not intervened, using his mystical war staff until Drako fled like the coward he is. He has not been heard of since."
"Wow, it's all...so cool!" Donnie said, excited.
Suddenly, a portal opens up behind them. They look to see the Daimyo with some of his bodyguards and the Gyoji.
"We are honored by your return sensei," The Daimyo said as he bows at Splinter.
"It is I who am honored," Splinter replied as he bows back.
"I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to see my good friend in the ranks of gallant warriors, and now your sons and students are here to compete. This is truly a great day."
Splinter glances over at the group with a skeptical look. "They were supposed to stay at home." Leo coughs, awkwardly.
"Noble Daimyo," The Gyoji speaks. "These seven earthers were not registered properly. However, they did win a match in the qualifying round."
"Excellent," The Daimyo said, proudly. "Then by my decree, they shall be entered into the contest, if you deem it acceptable, my friend."
The brothers turn to Splinter.
Splinter closes his eyes to speak before looking at them. "I thought perhaps that they were not ready to compete," The brothers cringe. "But perhaps fate is showing an overprotective father that his sons are growing up. They may enter." The turtles cheer. Splinter looks over toward the girls "Although, I'm not too sure that you three are ready for this yet."
"Sensei, please." Yuuki said. "I know we are."
Splinter turns to her to see his own master's eyes staring back into his. He was hesitant.
"Yeah, they may not look like it. But they girls can handle their own pretty well." Mikey chimed.
"Most of the time." Raph adds.
Mona shoots him a look. Raph smiles sheepishly.
"Very well, you may enter as well." Splinter smiles.
"Now that is happily settled, I have an important matter of honor that must be addressed," Purple smoke begins to appear, revealing the Ultimate Ninja. "By my son."
Yuuki freezes and Leo pulls her behind him. He glares at the Ultimate Ninja.
"What is this?!" Raph questioned, drawing sais. "Some kind of trick?"
"No trick, I swear it," The Ultimate Ninja reassures then quickly bows to Splinter. "Honored sensei, I know that when we last met, I challenged Leonardo to a mortal duel, it was a rash act and I humbly apologize for my unwarranted actions upon your family. I beg your forgiveness,"
"Look who's turned over a new leaf," Raph mocks.
"Your apology is most gracious," Splinter said, returning the bow. "We accept."
"He can you trust him so easily! Don't tell you've forgotten what he done to us! To Leo! And what about Yuuki?! He tried to make her his bride by force! I'm not buying this!" Venus shouted.
"Hush," Splinter scolds Venus.
The Ultimate Ninja looks over towards Yuuki and Leo, more focused on Yuuki, and begins to walk over to them. Leo still stood in between the Ultimate Ninja and Yuuki as he got closer. The Ultimate Ninja stops in front of them but then drops down to the ground and bows.
"Please, accept my apology," The Ultimate Ninja pleaded "I am deeply and truly sorry for what I've did."
Leo still narrowed his eyes, doubtful. But, a hand was placed on his shoulder and he sees Yuuki step out from behind him. Cautiously, she walks over to the man standing in front of him.
"I forgive you." Yuuki said.
Leo, Raph, Mikey, Donnie, Mona, and Venus look at her in shock.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Raph exclaimed.
"Everyone deserves a second chance, Raph." Yuuki answered as she turns to him.
Raph looks away and grumbles. The Ultimate Ninja stands up and he takes Yuuki hand and gently kisses it. Leo glares at him as he did. Yuuki makes a small smile, shyishly. Venus and Mona gave each other questionable looks.
"Thank you," The Ultimate Ninja said. Then he slips a sliver bracelet onto Yuuki's wrist "Please accept this gift as an humble apology as well." He smiles. Unknowingly to everyone, the bracelet started to glow.
Yuuki smiles nervously and laughs a little, starting to get a little uncomfortable. "Thank you?" She replied.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Leo growls as he steps in between the two, pushing Yuuki behind him.
"What the heck, Leo?!" Yuuki shouted. "You're being rude!"
Leo ignores and continues, holding up his swords. "But I don't think I can compete. My swords, they were broken."
"Father, we must help him," The Ultimate Ninja said.
"Of course," The Daimyo answered. "We have an exemplary sword smith, fear not," The Daimyo uses the staff and Leo's swords began to glow and lift out of his hands. "The Gyoji will see to it that your swords are repaired and brought to you."
"As you wish, my lord," The Gyoji said as the swords float towards him. He uses a paddle, disappearing.
"Come, the next stage of the tournament is about to begin," The Daimyo tells them as he lifts his staff and it glows brightly. It transports them to a podium, overlooking the fighting arena. Contestants down below them were cheering.
"Warriors!" The Daimyo calls out to the crowd. "You have traveled from the multitude of diverse universes and I bid you welcome to the Battle Nexus Tournament! To those who have fallen in battle, I salute your bravery and courage, and to those who have passed the preliminary round, I say congratulations and brace yourselves for the combat to come, for now it is time. Let the next round of the Battle Nexus tournament begin!" He raises the staff into the air and confetti fireworks shoot up into the air, exploding in the sky.
Leo walks over to the edge and gasps when he sees someone familiar. "Traximus?!" He shouts in surprise and everyone looks down to see him.
"Let me see!" Raph calls out.
"Oh, wow!" Donnie exclaimed.
"Cool," Mikey said. As he looks at all of the competition, something catches his eye. A fox with fur white as snow and a long poofy tail. Mikey was awestruck by how beautiful she was. She had long dark red blackish hair, wearing a dark blue shirt and black pants. She was also wearing purple paint, like a mask, which resembled a butterfly, across her face. Their eyes meet and he saw that they were an unusual color. Her eyes were an tannish orange color, which reminded of him like the moon. He saw her walk away from the contestants, leaving the arena.
A voice breaks Mikey out of his thoughts. "Please, my friends," The Ultimate Ninja said. "Allow me to escort you to the next arena," He leads everyone through a hall full of statues. "As you see around you, this is the pavilion of past champions, something of a Hall of Fame," The Ultimate Ninja explained. He stops between two statues. "Here are two statues that may interest you."
Everyone looks up to see a statue of Hamato Yoshi and Splinter next to each other.
"Whoa," Leo gasps.
"Awesome!" Donnie said.
"Imagine, our sensei and his sensei have statues in the Hall of Fame," Mikey comments.
"Come, we must go," The Ultimate Ninja speaks and begins to walk off, the others following.
"Guys," Leo calls out. "If it would be alright, I'd like to stay here a minute, I'll catch up later."
"Remember, Leo, don't touch anything," Mikey said.
"You break it, you bought it, bro," Raph adds.
"Go on, I'll be right behind you," Leo tells them. As Raph and Mikey left to follow after the others, Yuuki staid behind.
"I'll come later as well." She calls out. "I want to check out the statues."
Then she walks over to Leo who was standing in front of the Hamato Yoshi and Splinter statues.
"I can't believe dad was a Battle Nexus champion," Yuuki said in awe.
"I'm with you on that one." Leo agreed.
"So what do you think of the Ultimate Ninja?" Yuuki asked as she smiles. The bracelet begins to glow again. Yuuki groans holding her head.
"I still don't trust him," Leo answered.
She shakes her head. "Come on, Leo. He said that he was sorry," Yuuki said. "I'm willing to forgive him. Besides his eyes are kind of dreamy, so green." She smiles and sighs.
Leo do gives her a strange look. What... the... shell?
"What is the matter with you?! How can you be so quick to defend him?!" He shouted.
The bracelet begins to glow more violently.
Yuuki looked at him angrily. "I'm not defending him! And I don't like your tone right now!" She argued back. "You're just jealous!"
Leo scoffs. "Jealous of what? A psychopath that nearly killed me?!" He shouted at her.
During Leo and Yuuki's argument, they didn't notice that they weren't the only ones in the room.
A group of shadow ninjas phase out from the statues behind them.
One of them raises and aims his crossbow at Leo.