I bite my lip to keep myself from giggle as I hear another disgruntled snort from Raph in the backseat. The smug look on Leo's face nearly sends me back over the edge, but Raph already threatened to dismantle my bed if I laugh again.
But I can't help it! Leo beat Raph to the driver's seat not only after we left to get pizza but AGAIN after eating at April's! Raph, our tank of a brother, couldn't beat our second smallest brother. I mean, if Raph REALLY wanted to drive, he could have just pick Leo up and PUT him in the back, but I don't think Raph's willing to go so far to boost his pride. He at least knows that he will forever have bragging rights on being the 'Arm Wrestling Champ' of the family. Not even Casey can take that from him. And it's not from lack of trying.
Shifting back in my seat, I glance out the window as the docks come into view. April appears in between Leo and I and points toward a more secluded area of the docks.
"That's where he wants to meet me," April states, a concerned frown on her face but her green eyes are shining with excitement. "If you guys will just hide off some place, I'd feel so much better about this meeting."
"Of course," Leo states. I offer the redhead a grin.
"Besides, if he tries anything, we all know that you'd kick his shell from here to London and back again."
April chuckles as she rubs my head.
"Of course, but having my little brothers here helps keep my nerves at bay."
I wiggle happily as I unbuckle as Leo parks the BattleShell in the shadow of a warehouse. April sucks in a deep breath and releases it slowly as she heads into the back. Donnie reaches up and pats her on the shoulder as he hands her an earpiece.
"Don't worry, April, everything will be just fine."
"And we'll be right dere ta help ya kick some ass if he tries anythin' weird," Raph adds, punching his fist into his palm, smirking. April laughs, tucking the earpiece in and allowing her hair to flow down her shoulders.
"You guys are just too much, nosy little brothers you."
I wink at her as she unlocks the door.
"Like a turtle do."
April snorts and climbs out before the four of us also slide out after her. Cautiously, April glances around before moving toward the docks as my brothers and I swiftly and silently climb up onto the warehouse's roof. The smell of salt and fish fills the air, a definite change from the smog and sewer air that we're used to.
Although, I can't tell if it's better, I think as I squat in between Leo and Raph as Donnie pulls out a pair of binoculars.
"Okay, Ap, we've got you in our sights," Donnie says, pausing as April responds. "No, I don't see…Wait…Hang on…There's a set of headlights heading our way."
My eyes follow where Donnie is staring. He's right. There is a set of yellow headlights heading toward April's location. Leo and Raph shift next to me, ready to spring at a moment's notice. My hands land on my knees as I lean forward.
A large black Chevy truck rumbles up and I huff as I lean over to Raph.
"If he was really worried about being stealthy, I think he should at least gotten his muffler looked at."
Raph snorts quietly but one look from Leo keeps me from making any further comments.
SLAM!
I jump as a tall figure climbs out of the truck and slams the driver's door shut. I lift an eye ridge. Really? And here my brothers think that I'M loud. This is the guy who is going out of his way to meet April at MIDNIGHT because he's afraid of his pendant not reaching her, and yet here he is, in a loud truck and slamming his doors.
April greets the newcomer, but only Donnie can hear what she's saying to him. I wish I could get Donnie's attention, but his eyes are glued to the meeting. Drumming my fingers, I return my gaze back to April as the newcomer approaches her, shaking her hand. Then he reaches into his black trench jacket and I stop breathing, hand hovering over where my throwing knives are as my brothers tense.
I nearly collapse when he pulls out a small package, my heart pounding. Shell. I don't know what's worse. The fact that all of us were waiting for something to go wrong or the fact that we've had too many meetings like this go south that we just expect ALL meetings to end badly.
Although, our last meeting didn't exactly end nicely either, I think, mentally wincing as I push images of glowing gold eyes out of my head.
The sketchy man pauses as he pulls his truck's door open, glancing from left to right then back over his shoulder. I squint my eyes, a small part of me worried that he can see our eyes, even though I know that's physically impossible for a mere human.
But, then again, the Foot are mostly made up of humans, except for maybe the elite and those scary Mystics. But, then again, Shred-head was actually an Utrom, so who's to say that the rest of the Foot aren't….
SLAM!
I jump and refocus on the meeting just as the truck's engine roars back to life. April remains where she is as the truck backs up and somehow manages to do a U-turn to head back the way he came.
As the four of us wait a beat, I keep a close eye on April, just waiting for something, ANYTHING, to go wrong. After a tense few seconds, Donnie turns toward Leo, who nods and offers us the signal to move. Tension leaves my shoulders as I wait my turn to jump down. Donnie goes first, then Leo. I turn toward Raph, but he merely stares directly ahead at where the guy vanished, still in his crouched position.
"Uh, Raph?"
"Head on down, knucklehead. I'll be right behind ya."
My eye ridges furrow as I stare at my second eldest brother. When he doesn't move, I glance down at Leo and Donnie. Leo is staring up at us, but Donnie is watching April as she slowly makes her way over to us.
"If ya don' jump down, I'm gonna make ya jump down."
My head snaps over to my brother and I eye him warily. My 'Turtle Sense' tingles horribly and I KNOW that Raphie isn't joking. Deciding that it isn't worth worrying my pretty head over, I shrug and leap down. Leo watches me as I land before glancing back up.
"C'mon, Raph. We need to get April home."
A dull THUD and a deep grunt sounds from behind me as I stretch my arms. Peeking over my shoulder, I watch as Raph stands, his face passive as he walks toward us. I tear my eyes away when footsteps get closer and April appears next to us.
"Phew," April says, sagging as she sighs. "I don't remember the last time I went to a drop-off that stressful."
I peer down at the small package in April's hands, the brown paper hastily wrapped and rough twine used to keep the packaging together. I peek up at April.
"Is this that pendant that you won on eBay?" I ask, squatting so that I can get a closer look at the package. My eyes narrow as an uneasy feeling settles in my gut. My snout wrinkles as a soft hum emits from the package. Are pendants supposed to make noise? Maybe it's a musical pendant? Like a music locket?
April grins and hugs the pendant closer to her chest.
"Yes! I've been following this posting for AGES! And finally, FINALLY, the price dropped to a more reasonable price and, OF COURSE, that's when all the crazies decide to come swooping in!" April scowls as she glares around the empty docks as if someone is listening in on us. "Like, I've been the only person following this listing for MONTHS, and then the moment the price drops and a new bidding day opens, they all came crawling out of the woodwork!" April stares down at the package, before glancing up at us. "Could…Could we possibly start heading back to my store? I want to check this to make sure nothing is wrong with it, but I don't want to do so out in the open." April chuckles, shaking her head. "Wow, I think that guy's made me just as paranoid as him!"
My lips purse as April turns toward the BattleShell with Donnie and Leo close behind her. Raph nudges me forward.
"C'mon, cheeseball. Maybe we'll get lucky and Leo will wanna patrol afta dis."
I stick my tongue out.
"You mean that you THREE will get to patrol while I have to go back to the lair or stay at April's till you guys come back for me."
Raph catches my neck, tugging me close until he can rub his knuckles on my head. I whine as my ribs ache a little but I hardly struggle as a small smile forms on my face.
"Damn right ya ain't comin' along, knucklehead. Ya ain't healed enough for patrol and I think we deserve a break from all yer shenanigans fer one night."
"Raaaaaaaaaaph! Stooooooop!" I pout as I smack at his hands. "And I don't cause shenanigans! Shenanigans finds me! It's 'cause I'm the pretty one that everyone wants a piece of this little turtle."
Raph snorts, refusing to release me but stops giving me a knuckle sandwich. I hear the BattleShell unlock but with the angle Raph has me, I can't quite see anything.
"Raph!" Donnie shouts from ahead of us. "Let him go! His ribs and back are still healing!"
Raph snorts but releases me anyways just as we reach the passenger side door.
"Yeah, yeah. Keep yer shell on, Don, I wasn't hurtin' him."
Donnie raises an eye ridge at us, shooting me a quick look to which I merely respond with a smile. My immediate older brother rolls his eyes fondly at me, his lips twitching into an almost smile.
"Well, Leo wants to go on patrol soon, so hop into the back with April and we'll head back to her apartment."
"Awwwwwe, I wanted shotgun."
Donnie smirks at me.
"Snooze you lose, little brother. Now into the back with you."
Sticking my tongue out, I follow Raph into the back and hop in. April is already sitting where Donnie usually sits, staring down at her package with a giddy look on her face. Smiling, I bounce over to the seat across from her and sit down.
"Why don't ya open it?" I ask, pulling my legs up to my chest, swiveling the chair.
April opens her mouth but Raph holds out a kunai for her and she beams.
"Took the words outta my mouth."
April hums as she presses the kunai to the twine and tugs just as Leo backs the BattleShell up. The twine gives easily and she gently drags the tip against the thin pieces of tape. I tilt my head as the music grows louder, but no one else makes a comment on it so I shrug it off. April whistles as she hands the kunai back to Raph.
"That's one sharp knife," April compliments, making Raph preen a little as he twirls it before returning it to his belt.
April wiggles her fingers then gently starts pulling the paper back. A grapefruit-size, purplish-black velvet box is revealed. Excitement and unease flutter in my chest as April gently lifts the box. I hold my breath as April peels back the lid and her eyes widen.
"Whoa," April breathes out, lifting the box closer to her face. "It's so beautiful. And looks to be in excellent condition!" April reaches out with her pointer finger and strokes the contents inside. "Wow, just wow. No wonder that guy was so paranoid. If this is real jade, then I don't blame him." April leans in again, squinting. "There's something carved into its surface but it's so faint I can't quite see." Her green eyes narrow a little more and she strokes the surface. I bite my lip as she hums. "I think it's different kanjis. But with how faint they are, I can't make them out."
"Maybe Leo could take a peek when we-" I start only to be cut off as a loud THUD echoes inside the BattleShell. As if something very HEAVY landed on the roof.
Leo curses as he swerves, knocking Raph off his feet and nearly throwing me and April from our seats. I cringe as my entire body protests but I somehow manage to keep myself and April from falling. April offers me a tight smile in thanks as she holds her new pendant to her chest.
"What da shell was dat?!" Raph shouts as he finally sits up, rubbing his head as the BattleShell picks up speed. Leo growls.
"Those rogue Foot ninjas are back and they tried jumping onto the BattleShell."
Raph smirks.
"I take it they didn't make it?"
"Of course they didn't with Leo swerving like that!" Donnie shouts from the front seat.
Leo shrugs and I giggle.
"It worked, didn't it?"
"If you blow one of these tires, YOU'RE the one pushing her back to the garage," Donnie snaps, pointing a finger at Leo as he holds onto the 'Oh Shell' handle. There's a reason Donnie doesn't usually sit up front when Leo or Raph are driving.
I swivel my chair and press a button to drop the telescope down. Pressing my face to it, I peer out around us.
"The roof is definitely clear," I state aloud as I swivel the telescope to peek behind us. My stomach hits my feet. A very large and very familiar black car is following behind us. "Uh, guys? We got some friends behind us."
"I see 'em, Mikey," Leo states, yanking on the wheel, turning us down a street to our left. "Do you see who's driving? Is it just some Purple Dragon goons? Or more ex-Foot?"
Wetting my lips, I zoom the telescope in on the windshield, going to full zoom due to the windows being tinted. The familiar, hulking outline of a certain blond mountain and a certain tiger-shaped assassin comes into view and I yank my head away from the visor.
"LEO! We've got a humongo problem!" I call toward the front. "It's Hun AND Tiger Claw!"
"Leo, I don't like this," Donnie adds, unbuckling and climbing into the back. "April take my seat up front."
April nods and swaps places with Donnie, staggering as Leo speeds down another side road.
"Whadda dose creeps want anyways?" Raph asks, growling as he nearly topples over making his way over to his usual battle station at the weapons controls. I bite my lip as I steady myself.
"You don't think THEY'RE who that dude was afraid of, do you?" I ask, knots forming in my stomach as we lurch again, tires squealing.
April frowns, glancing back at me.
"I mean, that'd make sense. Who WOULDN'T be intimidated by Hun? But why would they be interested in this pendant? Besides the fact that it's from a period even earlier than the 11 century and made of pure jade, there isn't much about this pendant that would be worth chasing us for."
The four of us fall silent as April speaks. If that's true, then there must be something else that they're after.
Or someone….
A sick pit falls into my gut but I remain silent as I press my face against the visor once more. I bite the inside of my cheek as I realize that Hun and Tiger Claw are gaining speed.
"April," Leo says, suddenly. "You said that there's something written on the pendant, right? Possibly in kanji?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you have an idea, Leo?" Donnie asks as his fingers fly over his computer. "Take the next right."
I yelp and topple out of my seat as Leo turns sharply.
"Yeah." Leo looks at me in the rearview mirror. "Mikey, get up here. You're the only one who is decently fluent in reading kanji besides myself."
Crawling, I work my way up front.
"Do you think they're after whatever's written on that pendant?" I ask, wobbling as I try to stand back up with Leo's crazy driving. The pendant's music is still playing, the only difference being that it's much louder than it was earlier.
Maybe the music is based off of our emotions? I think as April holds up the pendant for me to see. Leaning down, I squint at the surface. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Leo shrug.
"Take the next right, Leo!"
"Why else would they be here?" Leo asks, eyes narrowed, following Donnie's instructions. "It's far too much of a coincidence. If they were after Mikey due to his connection with the Ultimate Protector, they would have jumped us much earlier."
My heart skips a beat at the mention of the U.P. but hold my tongue as I lean closer to examine the pendant. The pendant itself is just plain beautiful. Even in the dim light given off by the BattleShell's dashboard, I can see the deep green that this particular jade is. The surface is smooth and, outside of the carvings, there isn't a single scratch or mark marring the surface. If April hadn't told us that it was centuries old, I would have thought she just purchased it from a jeweler. My head cocks to the side as I stare at the center of the pendant. A single, large circular piece of orange jade rests snuggly within the green jade. The seam around the orange jade so small that it almost appears to be a part of the green jade itself. The kanji that April spotted makes a neat little triangle with the orange jade perfectly in the center. It really is beautiful and something that I'm sure Master Splinter would love to see before April sells it. Intrigued, I start to lift my hand, finger hovering over the orange part of the pendant when April presses it closer.
"Why don't you take it, Mikey? It'd make it easier for you to read."
A nervous chuckle escapes me as I shake my head, clearing my thoughts. Breathing in deeply, I lower my hand until I cling to April's wrist, holding it steady gently.
"Uh, I better not, Ap. The last time I touched something that those weird rogue Foot guys were after, I absorbed it. I don't really wanna run that risk again, ya know?" I flash her a 'Mikey-grin'. "I mean, you worked so hard on getting this and probably spent a lot of money on it. Don't wanna have to be the one put on display instead of this pretty thing. I'm gorgeous, I know, but I just don't think the music will sound the same from inside me, ya know?"
The BattleShell falls silent as I continue to study the pendant.
"Uh, Mikey?" April asks quietly and I hum in response. "What music?"
My shoulders tense as Leo jarringly takes another right turn. Lifting my eyes, I stare at April. Her green eyes lighting up with the multiple little gadgets we have in the BattleShell and dread fills my chest at her concerned and wide-eyed gaze.
"Ya know, the music that the pendant is playing? It's all serene and pretty and stuff. Kinda like some of those records that Sensei likes to play when he and I meditate together." I hum along for a bit. "Like that. I mean, it was much softer when you first opened the package, Ap, but it's so much louder now." Please hear it. I don't wanna think that I'm slowly going mad. Donnie's already done that once for us, thank you very much. No need for part 2.
"Mikey…" April starts, pausing for a breath, and releases it slowly before continuing. "Mikey, sweetie, there's no music coming from the pendant."
When silence once again falls over us in the BattleShell, I clutch my free hand tightly near my thigh until my nails dig into my palm. Great. Just great. Another thing to add on to the long list of things that makes Mikey weird. First my left-handedness, then my overactive imagination, THEN absorbing that tracker and become, I guess, the 'Ultimate Weapon', and now I'm hearing music from old, ancient pendants that nobody else can hear!
What next? An intergalactic royal coming down and proposing to me? I snort as I finally make out the symbols on the pendant's surface. I nearly choke on my own spit.
"Mikey?" Leo asks quietly, eye ridges furrowed and face intense as we squeal down another side road as three motorcycles appear out of nowhere.
"I…I, uh, figured out what the symbols mean, Leo." I swallow thickly. "April's right, they're very faint, but there's quite a few and very small. One is Seimei, or the symbols of 'Life', right there at the top." I point for April to see. "Then to the right of that one is Shibō, or the symbol of 'Death', and the last one is Shinsei, or 'Rebirth', which sits to the left. It makes a very neat little triangle, bro. Not sure, but maybe Sensei could provide more insight on what this pendant was used for." I yelp as we jerk to the right and nervously laugh. "That is, if the Himbo and over-sized kitty-cat will leave us the shell alone."
Leo growls.
"I just can't shake them! And no matter which street I turn, more Dragons on motorcycles come flying out and I can see those rogue Foot up on the rooftops."
"Want meh ta just blast 'em?" Raph calls out, a ting of excitement lacing his words as his seat squeaks.
Leo purses his lips as he glances around and I can see a plan forming behind his chocolate brown eyes.
"No, we're still too close to residential housing and we can't risk drawing attention to us. If we can just make it to a wider strip or a more secluded area, then yes, I want you to fire away. Donnie? Any suggestions?"
The sound of fingers flying across a keyboard fills the BattleShell and I slowly crawl my way back to my original seat, unsure what else I can do. Needing a distraction, I tug the telescope back down and peer into it, swiveling until I lock onto Hun's car once more.
The black car is no longer alone. Four motorcycles race alongside, two on each side with Purple Dragons in spiky helmets at the driver's seat. Behind Hun are two more black cars, not nearly as nice as Hun's, but their windows are also tinted and from this distance, I can't make out who's driving. A small, sinking part of me knows that Rahzar and Fishface have to be in one of those other vehicles and Bebop and Rocksteady in the other. My snout wrinkles at that thought. I really hope that they decided to stay back for this fight. Hun and Tiger Claw will be a handful all on their own but if the other four are here as well… I grimace as I turn my focus back to Hun's vehicle. My bruises are going to have bruises by the time we return to the lair.
Movement from the inside of Hun's vehicle catches my attention and I can just barely see Tiger Claw shifting around. Suddenly, he pops up through the sunroof of the car and I gasp as I stare at what is in his hands. A missile launcher.
"Uh, uh, uh, Leo? Leo, I think we need to make a quick turn," I state frantically as my eyes remain glued on the tiger assassin. "Tiger Claw has a very big toy in his hands and it's aimed right at us. Leo, it has two missiles on it!"
"Fuck!"
Ice shoots through my veins as Leo curses, yanking the wheel hard to the right, and I do everything in my power to remain where I am so that I can watch Tiger Claw. If Leo's cursing, then I KNOW the situation is bad. Leo curses about as much as I clean my room. And that's to say almost NEVER. I think the first time I ever heard Leo curse was when we went to steal that pendant from Karai for Bishop all those years ago to help Donnie and that was only because I nearly got speared through by a Foot Elite.
I swallow thickly as I refocus on Tiger Claw as he reappears behind us and I can just make out the small smirk on his face.
"LEO! HE'S SHOOTING!" I shout just as Tiger Claw pulls the trigger. Two rockets launch themselves toward us and I quickly buckle myself in as Leo starts swerving all over the road.
I cling to my seat as the first rocket zooms past us, smashing into some poor soul's car and exploding. Leo swerves around the flying debris. Shouts ring out from us when the second rocket must have hit the side of the BattleShell as Leo tries to turn left.
"HANG ON!" Leo shouts just as we flip sideways.
An explosion shakes us around and the BattleShell bounces and slides harshly on its side. Raph curses as we rattle around while April screams when we start to spin. I choke as my seatbelt tightens around me and I hear Donnie yelp as we tilt up before crashing back down. Emergency lights start to flash and groans fill the air. Rubbing my head with one hand, I tug on my seatbelt as everyone starts to shift around, my ribs aching at being confined.
"Dudes, I want off this ride," I moan, my stomach lurching as I move, my seatbelt refusing to budge. "Can we get a refund?"
"Everyone okay?" Leo calls out, already climbing into the back and I can see a small cut on his forehead already starting to bleed. "Donnie? Raph? Mikey?" April follows him closely, looking rattled and holding her head slightly. She must have smacked it when we got hit. I wince in sympathy as she bends down and grabs the fallen pendant, her movements slow and jerky.
"Yeah, I'm good, Leo," Donnie states as Leo helps him up, rubbing his head as he stands, only swaying slightly.
"Same," Raph snorts, waving Leo off as he goes to help him. "We need to get out of here before…"
"Turtle freaks! You better come out and hand over that pendant and we MIGHT let you live."
My eyes widen as Hun's voice echoes around as if he's shouting into a megaphone. The five of us glance at each other. Raph growls as he walks over to me and pulls his sai out, using it to cut my seatbelt. He helps me stand and April slides closer, her lips pursed.
"Leo, we can't let those guys get that pendant," Donnie states as he leads us back toward the front.
"But what else are we supposed to do?" I ask, staggering a little as Donnie reaches the passenger door. "Tiger Claw literally has a missile launcher."
"Reptiles! You have till the count of 5 to exit that vehicle before I send off another 2 rounds into you!" comes Tiger Claw's voice.
Raph glares at the back of the BattleShell just as Leo stops April and takes the velvet box from her. He pulls out the pendant, the music filling the space once more before wrapping it with a random cloth he pulls from somewhere and places the pendant inside of it. He then tucks it into April's coat and before he closes the box, he places a smoke bomb into the velvet box.
All of us smirk as Leo places the velvet box into my hands.
"You're the fastest out of all of us. I want you to hand this to Hun and then disengage as swiftly as possible, you understand?"
Nodding, I swallow thickly as we start to pile out of the BattleShell. But what if they can hear the music? Won't they know that it's not in there? Plastering on my trademark smile, I climb up after my brothers and April.
My smile nearly falls from my face when I spot where Hun and Tiger Claw are standing. Rahzar, Fishface, Bebop, and Rocksteady are on either side of the mountain human and killer cat. Behind them are many Purple Dragons and Rogue Foot Ninjas, all with their weapons at the ready and staring at us. I wince as I spot Tiger Claw's missile launcher, already loaded and ready to fire. Hun is towering over everyone, a sneering smirk on his face. He lifts a megaphone to his mouth.
"Hand over the Ikigai Pendant and we MIGHT just let you leave." Hun puffs his chest up. "Unless, of course, you freaks have a death wish that we should know about?"
I glance over at Leo, who nods at me. Biting my lip, I jump down from the BattleShell, aware of all of the eyes on me as I cautiously make my way toward Hun with the velvet box. My fingers flex around it and I pause a good five feet away. Hun extends a large meaty hand. Working to keep a sneer off my face, I glance back at Leo one last time, who nods again. Pursing my lips, I reach out with the box and place it into Hun's overly large hand.
"Don't know what the entire fuss is about a little pendant, dude, but hope it was worth it," I state, shrugging as I quickly disengage backwards.
"Oh, it'll be worth it," Hun sneers, smirking down at the velvet box. "Because the pendent inside of this box is the last piece we need to control that out-of-control ancient tin can."
I stagger and a cold fear wraps around my chest. That thing can control the U.P.?! I frantically reach into my belt just as I hear a BOOM and angry shouts and howls. Peeking over my shoulder, I snicker as a large cloud of smoke covers most of our enemies and the Purple Dragons appear to be panicking while I can just barely see the movement of the other Rogue Foot (We really need a different name to call them) as they prepare to jump through the smoke. Lifting my own smoke bomb, I chuck it down just as Rahzar and Fishface emerge from the smoke, not as badly affected as Hun and Tiger Claw, who took the brunt of the smoke.
Moving as swiftly as I can, I hear the audible sound of the rocket launcher taking aim just as a SHING rings out. Tiger Claw howls in rage and I can imagine just what exactly one of my brothers' shuriken hit a few seconds before something explodes off to my right.
"DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY!" Hun roars as I scale up the side of one of the buildings. "WE NEED THAT PENDANT!"
I bite my lip as I flip over the ledge, realizing too late that my brothers and April are on the other rooftop two buildings over. Raph waves at me, pointing east and I nod. Continue on and then we'll regroup. Not a perfect plan and I know Leo hates making plans that vague but kinda hard to include me in on anything more elaborate. Because, I may be the master at charades, but when it comes to Leo's plans, I need him there to explain it to me. I might not interpret it correctly. It's certainly happened before.
Shaking my head, I sprint for the next rooftop just as a group of Maroon Ninjas appear. My snout wrinkles as I leap. Maroon Ninja just sounds so lame. I've gotta come up with something different. Flipping, I land and twist just as shurikens come flying toward me. Snapping my nunchucks out, I smack the throwing stars out of the way before booking it toward the next roof. Landing, I manage 3 steps when two shadows fall over me. Sliding to a stop, I flip backwards just as Rahzar and Fishface drop down. Changing directions, I take a single step when more Maroon Ninjas (Hand Ninjas? Blood Ninjas?) land in my path.
"Well, well, well," Rahzar sneers, his red eyes gleaming as he flexes his long claws. "If it isn't the turtle menace. Brothers finally get sick of you and decide to offer you to us to end their suffering?"
My eyes narrow as I smirk at the once human, flicking my wrists to spin both my nunchucks.
"You wish, Rahzar, my brothers know that you can't lay a finger on me."
Fishface chuckles, flipping his pocketknife as his yellow eyes watch me closely.
"Oh, but I would disagree, turtle. And it would seem that we have you not only outnumbered but also surrounded." Fishface gestures around.
I shoot a quick glance over my shoulders, wincing slightly as I stare at more of the Maroon Ninjas. My eyes land on the upside-down Foot symbol, almost resembling a fist of sorts. My grin widens as I refocus on Rahzar and Fishface.
"Oh, but here's the real question. Am I really the one trapped on this roof with you? Or are all of YOU trapped on this roof with me?"
I nearly snicker at the confused looks on the two mutated humans' faces as they glance at each other. Rahzar turns back to answer me just as I cry out:
"COWABUNGA!"
And I launch myself forward, swinging my nunchucks at the taller mutant. Fishface and Rahzar growl at me as they split up and I backflip as Rahzar tries to kick me away. I land and instantly roll away as Fishface tries to smash me with his heel. I spin and lash out with a low sweep of my leg when three Fist Ninjas try to join the fight. Two more Fist Ninjas appear in their place and I wrap my nunchuck chain around the blade of a katana that the Fist Ninja to my right tries to slam into my skull. I twist and snap out my leg at the other Fist Ninja as they lunge for me. My foot connects solidly with the ninja's stomach, causing them to fly back and smack into the ledge of the building. I grunt as they don't get up again and quickly glance back at my more immediate problem. Soft footsteps alert me to a visitor behind me. Narrowing my eyes, I twist and flip the Fist Ninja right into two more of his fellow ninjas, knocking them down.
"Gonna have to be better than that if you want to touch this," I state, dancing left and right as four more Fist Ninjas leap out at me. Ducking under a bo staff, I twirl in my crouched position, smashing my left nunchuck into all of their knees. The four fall to the roof and my skin prickles. Rolling to my left, my eyes widen as Rahzar slams his fist right where I was standing. The cement of the roof splinters and spiders out and a flare of fear hits me but I quickly shove it away. If I get too scared then I might make that weird shield and I REALLY don't wanna deal with that right now!
I duck to my right just as a knife tries to slice open my throat and I leap away from Fishface as he follows after me.
"Why not make it easier on yourself, little turtle, and just surrender?" Fishface asks, swiping and lunging at me. I wince as his blade just barely grazes my cheek and I grin cheekily at the large koi. "Just give us the pendant and we might just let you walk away with a couple limbs intact."
"And where's the fun in that?" I ask, teasingly as I twirl out of range. "You and Rahzar would just get fat and lazy if I went easy on the two of you."
Spinning, I backflip once, sliding to my left as Rahzar tries to swipe at me with his long claws. Wind from his attack has my heart leaping into my throat and I do my best to keep some distance between me and the older two males.
Rahzar smirks at me once I land a few feet away, crouching low and balancing on the balls of his feet.
"You're merely a warm-up for the two of us, brat. You're only still alive because we enjoy playing with our prey before killing them."
I roll my eyes.
"Right, says the overly large dog and fish with legs who's gotten their tails kicked by me and my bros more times than anyone can count." I smirk, spinning my nunchuck in one hand and rubbing my thumb over the hidden button to turn my second nunchuck into my kusarigamal. "If anything, you dudes need to warm-up WAAAAY sooner if this is the best you can do."
Rahzar growls at me, eyes narrowed as he springs at me. Prepared for this, I daftly glide to my right. I barely get a moment's pause when Fishface joins in once more, the two alternating between who swipes at me and who tries to sweep me off my feet. My chest heaves and my heart pounds in my ears as I do my best to keep up. I force myself to laugh and taunt as I dance along the rooftop, hoping to hide just how freaked out I am. The Fist Ninjas are still blocking any escape route, which is a major bummer. I can't even attempt to call my brothers for help if I want to keep my head and not give Rahzar and Fishface the satisfaction of harming me.
Are my brothers dealing with being chased by Fist Ninjas, too? Are they fighting right now as well? Are they fighting Hun and Tiger Claw? Or did Bebop and Rocksteady follow them? Are they dealing with Purple Dragons? Are any of them hurt? Leo's head was bleeding pretty good and April didn't look too hot after our run-in with those missiles.
A familiar rush of warmth spreads across my chest causing me to stumble in surprise. My eyes widen as I press a hand to my plastron, frantically scanning the rooftops for any sign of the U.P.
"Ooouf!"
I grunt when Fishface manages to land a kick to my stomach, air rushing from my lungs as I fly backwards. Pain flares in my ribs as I hit the roof heavily. Coughing, I curl onto my side, trying to get to my knees as I silently berate myself. Dang it! Of all times to lose focus! No wonder my brothers hate going on patrol with me! I could have been gutted if Fishface had swiped at me with his knife instead of kicking me!
"Should have just surrendered and given us that pendant when you had the chance, meu amigo," Fishface states as he and Rahzar close in on me. Rahzar chuckles darkly as he looms over my prone form.
"Ah, but that would have been smart, Xever. And we all know that's not this brat's strength."
My eyes narrow as my free hand tightens around my nunchuck, tensing at the harsh words and ready to move. That is, until some of the Fist Ninjas appear behind Rahzar and Fishface, boxing me in. Icy fear grips at my heart as I glance from face to face before finally meeting the glowing red eyes of Rahzar.
"Well, here's news to you, shell-for-brains. I don't have the pendant!" Sitting up, I glare around me, most of the faces hidden behind maroon masks. "And even if I had the pendant, I wouldn't give it to you!" I snap, not wanting to go down without a fight as I turn my snout up. "And by now, that pendant is long gone. You'll never get your grubby hands on it."
The two males exchange a look before smirking down at me. Fishface cocks an eye ridge at me.
"Oh, I think we know just how to get that pendant from your brothers, meu pequeno amigo tartaruga."
My jaw locks as my eyes widen, the air catching in my throat. Shell. Oh, shell. This isn't good. This isn't good at all. Those guys can't get that pendant!
Panic jolts in my chest as Rahzar reaches for me. On instinct, I lift my arm to protect myself, eyes squeezing shut. I've been grabbed enough times by Rahzar to know that he's anything BUT gentle. Another pulse of the warmth has me whimpering. No! While I don't wanna go with Rahzar and Fishface, I REALLY don't wanna go with the U.P.! He'll hurt my brothers! And they have no idea that the pendant can control him!
"What the fuck is this?!"
My head jerks at Rahzar's outburst and I quickly lower my arm. I groan. That pulse didn't mean that the U.P. is here, but that the shield dome is back up. How the shell am I supposed to drop it now?! There's no way I can concentrate on this with all these baddies around me! Dread fills me as I stare up at Rahzar's and Fishface's shocked expressions. How can I-
ROOOOOAAAAR!
I jump as an ear-piercing roar fills the air and the rooftop shakes as if something heavy has landed on it. The Fist Ninja fight to remain balanced while Rahzar whips around, elbow smashing into Fishface as he wobbles around. I wince as Fishface collides with my shield face first. I blink up at him as he slides down the golden surface, face stunned until he hits the roof.
"It's the Kyūkyoku no purotekutā!" Rahzar shouts and turns toward the remaining standing Fist Ninjas. "Well, don't just stand there, you idiots! We've been chasing that thing for days now! Take it down!"
Instantly the ninjas burst into action as the U.P. slowly stands. In a flash, the U.P. spins around and backhands most of the ninjas closest to him. A deep growl emits from the large, walking statue and I shrink into my shell a little. His eyes, usually a deep gold, are tinged red.
'Release my Kyūkyoku no buki,' U.P. growls, backhanding another three ninjas as they foolishly try to sneak up on the angry piece of armor. Rahzar stiffens as Fishface groans and sits up, rubbing his head. I cover my mouth as my chest heaves, my heart trying to leap out of my chest as I suddenly feel sick.
"'Kyūkyoku no buki'?" Fishface asks, wobbling to his feet. "Isn't that the thing we're trying to use THAT THING to find? What does it mean to 'release' it? We don't…."
My lungs squeeze and I stop breathing when the two taller mutants slowly turn toward me. Don't throw up. Don't throw up. Don't throw up. Forcing a smile, I lift a hand and wave.
"Uh, could, uh, could the two of you just, ya know, leave? He doesn't exactly know how to play nice." I wince as my ribs twinge as a reminder. Rahzar and Fishface's eyes widen.
"YOU?!" Rahzar gasps, pointing a claw at me. "You're the Kyūkyoku no buki?! YOU?! The 'Ultimate Weapon'?! But you're…you're just…"
Rahzar trails off as Fishface places a hand on his forearm.
"Pure innocence," Fishface finishes, grinning so that all of his sharp teeth are on display and I scoot back a little. "Just like we were told that the Kyūkyoku no buki needs to be. You know as well as I do that he can be just a force of nature as his brothers. You always underestimate him, that's why you always lose. He's not as big of a fool as he lets on."
Well, shell. Maybe they're far more observant than I give them credit for. My snout wrinkles as I glance off to the side. A shadow falls over me and I peek up, snickering a little.
"Uh, dudes? I'd turn around if I were you."
The two older mutants stiffen before turning slowly. U.P. growls at them and swings his arm out. Both Fishface and Rahzar leap out of the way, just barely missing the big guy's hand. My shoulders relax now that my immediate threats are gone and I press my hands against the dome. Warmth presses back and I frown.
All I have to do is concentrate and it'll lower, right?
My eyes flicker over to the U.P. as he fights the Fist Ninjas, Rahzar, and Fishface. The question is: Should I lower it? If I do, I run the risk of not only fighting with the Fist Ninjas but being grabbed by the U.P. all over again. I shudder at that thought.
"But I can't stay here forever," I mutter, pressing harder against the dome. "My bros need me. I need to warn April about what that pendant can do."
Breathing in deeply, I sigh through my nose as I make up my mind. Closing my eyes, I focus on the warmth in my hands, willing it back into my body. Leo said it was just my chi trying to protect me, so I should just be able to reabsorb it like I did before. The warmth starts to gradually creep up my arms and heads toward my chest, soothing some of my aches as it goes. When the warmth fully vanishes from my hands, I open my eyes.
"Booyakasha!" I shout as I leap to my feet, fists in the air. That's when I notice the sounds of fighting has stopped. Looking ahead, I gulp as I notice everyone's eyes on me. Laughing nervously, I lower my arms and play with my fingers.
"Uh, hey, nice night we're havin'. Think I might just, ya know, go for a quick walk around New York City. Enjoy your fighting, dudes!"
Spinning on my heels, I book it for the ledge.
"Catch him!" Rahzar barks. "He's the Kyūkyoku no buki! So don't let him escape!"
'You will do no such thing! Not while I still stand!'
I bite my lip as U.P. roars again and the sound of fighting resumes. Bracing myself, I launch myself to the next roof, not daring to glance behind me as I sense a few of the Fist Ninjas chasing after me. I don't dare to fight them. The longer I take on reaching my bros the more of a chance of them trying to find me with the pendant and I can't risk that.
The sounds of fighting grows more distant and I flip onto a clothesline, swinging myself to a further rooftop. Twisting in midair, I slide as I land on the roof, using one hand to slow myself and pulling out one of my nunchakus, spinning it in my left hand.
"Okay, Fist Ninja-dudes, show me what ya-"
"HEEYA!"
My words die in my throat as four blurs zip out of the shadows. I allow my hand to drop down as I stand. Pressing a hand to my plastron, I watch as Leo disarms two of the Fist Ninjas before split kicking them away, snarling as his brown eyes flash in the moonlight. To Leo's left, Raph is engaged with four of the maroon ninjas, dodging easily as the four try to punch him at once. After a few seconds, Raph, snickering to himself, leaps into the air and also kicks them away.
THUMP! THUMP!
Turning to my right, Donnie twirls his bo staff, smacking Fist Ninja after Fist Ninja in the back or chest and dropping them like flies. However, unlike Raph who seems to be enjoying himself, Donnie's face has a fierce scowl on it and his eyes are pure white. I wince. Donnie's pissed.
But why? Did something happen?
I turn my gaze on April as she uses her ninjato to fend off the last three Fist Ninjas. A smile tugs on my lips as she dances around, light on her feet and almost untouchable.
SHING.
My head snaps back over to where Donnie is fighting. He is engaged with another 3 Fist Ninja but a fourth is sneaking up behind him, katana in hand. Heart leaping into my throat as I realize that he doesn't sense this fourth ninja. I wind up.
"Don! Heads up!" I shout as I throw my nunchuck.
A familiar warmth shoots up my arm just as I release my beloved weapon. My eyes widen as an orange-gold glows from my nunchuck before engulfing my body.
"Whoa!"
Suddenly, everything goes white and my entire body is jerked forward. Yelping, I stumble as the world comes back into view and I'm staring at Donnie's plastron.
"Mikey!" Donnie shouts, bringing his bo up and catching the katana just as the ninja brings it down. Donnie grunts under the strain but I don't dare move, I can sense just how close the metal is to my skull. Donnie growls. "Guys, a little help here! Mikey's about to gain a metal plate in his head!"
I stare wide-eyed up at my immediate older brother, our plastrons pressed against each other.
"Donnie?"
He offers me a tight smile.
"Don't worry, Mikey. Leo and Raph are on their way," Donnie says quietly. "Then we're gonna chat on just how you got over here so quickly."
A sheepish smile forms on my face but I remain silent. Fast footsteps reach my ears and Donnie instantly relaxes as the pressure on his staff vanishes.
"Don't touch my brothers!" Raph snarls, tackling the Fist Ninja to the ground.
Leo stops next to us, resting a hand on my shell and one on Donnie's shoulder. Leo smiles but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"Okay, that's the last of the rogue ninjas," Leo states as April joins us and Raph stands. "We need to get out of here."
"What about the BattleShell?" I ask, pressing my cheek against Donnie's shoulder as he hugs me. Leo rubs my head for good measure before waving us on.
"I'll call Casey and see if he can tow it," April says, pulling out her cellphone. My eyes widen and I pull away from Donnie. Catching the redhead on the arm, I cut in front of her.
"April! Do you still have the pendant? Please tell me that you still do?"
April frowns, concern in her green eyes.
"Of course, I do. Why?"
Biting my lip, I glance at my brothers then back to my honorary big sister.
"There's something I need to tell you dudes but I think we should head home first."
0o.o0
0o.o0
0o.o0
Hi everyone!
Sorry for such a long wait. This chapter really seemed to have gotten away from me and just became longer and longer. So, I'm honestly hoping that it flows nicely. If not, some constructive criticism would be awesome :D!
Also, a few more notes: the Foot symbol that I'm imagining for this world is the 2003 version. Bebop and Rocksteady are the 2012 versions while Baxter Stockman is from the 2003 version.
Thanks for reading!
Edited: Fixed some of Fishface's dialogue. I had him speaking Spanish when I should have had him speaking Portuguese.
my friend
my little turtle friend
