*I know I tend to have my messages at the end, but because this chapter took so long, I wanted to get it out of the way.*
Hello all you lovely heroes in a half shell!
I am so sorry for the long wait for a new chapter for this story. . I really didn't mean to take so long on writing this chapter. I literally finished chapter 22 and immediately started writing this one and then I started some other projects and lost track of the days. But I am hoping to make it up to all of you. I am using this story for my Camp Nanowrimo, so hopefully, if all goes right, I can get you a couple more chapters before April is over. That's my goal anyways T.T.
I hope this chapter makes up for the wait . *sweatdrops* but I'll also release a little extra something as a sorry. Just a little story that I wrote. It'll be titled 'Sleepwalking' if any of you are interested. If not, that's okay ^.^
And to everyone, returning reader, guest, or new reader, who has followed me or my story and commented or read this story while I was absent, thank you all! I really appreciate it ^.^.
But, enough blabber from me. I've made all of you wait long enough!
Happy reading!
P.S. some of the fights are a little graphic in here so just be warned.
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"LEO!"
I gasp as my shell hits cement, bouncing once and flipping onto my plastron, bracelet flying from my hands. My heart pounds against my ribcage as my head snaps toward the portal. The portal flickers once, twice and I leap to my feet. My body sways as my vision swims but I propel myself forward, reaching out for the portal. My fingers graze the light when it suddenly goes out and the portal vanishes.
"LEO! DONNIE!" I cry out, eyes burning as I stare at where the portal was.
No.
NO!
I frantically look around before my eyes land on the Dimension Bracelet. Lunging, I scoop it up. The screen is dark and cracked. Panicked, I shake the device with trembling hands. No. It can't be dead. It can't be! My chest rattles as I press the green button. Nothing happens.
"No! C'mon, you stupid piece of metal! Work!" I press at the button frantically. "Work you piece of crap! WORK!"
My vision blurs and hot tears slide down my cheeks, burning the cut I gained as I shake the bracelet. A warm hand lands on my shoulder before another gently catches my wrist.
"Michelangelo."
A sob escapes me as I glance up at Sensei. Concerned brown eyes stare back before Sensei releases my wrist and brushes at my cheek, thumb catching more tears.
"Calm yourself, my son. You will only make yourself sick all over again."
My jaw works as my eyes flicker over to the empty spot on the roof.
"Why'd he do that, Sen-Sensei? We all c-could have made it through the portal." I scrub at my eyes with my wrist. "Dammit, Leo. Why?"
"Yame," Master Splinter says softly but firmly. "Our enemies were overwhelming us, my son. And your brother knew that. Am I truly pleased with your brother's choice? No. But," Master Splinter pauses as he breathes in deeply, as if to center himself, eyes closing briefly before opening them to stare down at me. "But, I can understand why he did it. With the arrival of Saki, the danger of the situation escalated quickly. And it was not me or your brothers who Saki was there for."
My stomach swoops and my hands clench at my sides. Pursing my lips, I shake my head .
"That's not true. One of the Fist ninjas told me they were there to bring ALL of us in. Not just me. And we can't just leave Leo or Don there, Chichi," I state, my voice raising in panic. "We were there to help them! We've gotta do back!"
A strange sadness morphs in my father's eyes as his lips form a thin line.
"I am afraid that will be quite impossible at the moment, my son."
Ice flows through my veins at my father words and I take a step away from him, eyes wide.
"What are you talking about, Sensei? I'm not returning to the lair until I know that my big brothers will be there with me as well!"
Master Splinter shakes he's head his hand sheathing his sword back into his walking stick.
"Ochitsuite, watashi no musuko," Master Splinter soothes and my shoulders slump at my father's mother tongue. Sensei closes the distance between us, resting a hand on my shoulder, fingers just missing the cut on my arm. "I was not implying that we should leave your brothers to fight for themselves. Merely that, with where we are, it is physically impossible for us to return to aid your brothers. Not with the bracelet out of service now."
My eye ridges furrow in confusion. Seeing my face, Master Splinter gestures around us.
"Do you recognize where we are, my son?"
Following my father's hand, my frown deepens as I look around, unsure what he's getting at.
"Uh, yeah? We're in New York, Sensei." Turning, I stare up at my father. "I don't get it."
Master Splinter nods, straightening his maroon robes.
"Yes, we are. But this is not OUR New York. There is a subtle difference in both the landscape around us but also in the spiritual feel of the world."
My frown deepens as I look back at the city around us. Now that Sensei mentions it, the city does appear to be much darker than it should be. Closing my eyes, I try to get myself to focus, stretching my senses out around me. My eyes snap open when the familiar warm buzz of New York is anything but. This New York feels colder and instead of a low, comforting buzz, this New York gives off a static-like feel.
"We're…" I swallow thickly as I look up at Sensei. "We're not in our New York anymore. But I never changed the coordinates on the bracelet! How could it send us to some place other than back to the train station?"
Master Splinter strokes his beard as he hums and glances around.
"I believe that when your brother dropped the bracelet, the coordinates changed. But due to the screen being cracked, we could not tell that it was incorrect." Sensei drops his hand as his ears droop. "And until we can fix the bracelet, I am afraid there is just no way for us to reach your brothers." My throat tightens as Master Splinter closes his eyes. "I can only hope that our friends have reached your brothers and will provide the aid that they need until we can return."
My eyes drift down to the Dimensional Bracelet, the screen still dark and reflecting the small amount of light this city is giving off. Worrying my bottom lip, I glance over at Sensei.
"Do…Do you believe that there is an us here? In this universe? And, if so, maybe we could see if their Donnie can fix this? Or maybe even have a Leatherhead or Doc of their own?"
Master Splinter turns toward me, nodding slowly as his fingers drum on his walking stick.
"It certainly is a good possibility and we won't know until we investigate further."
My lips quirk as a surge of determination floods through me.
Don't worry, bros. Papa and I are on our way.
"Then what are we waiting for, Sensei? We got some-"
My voice trails off as the back of my neck tingles and Master Splinter' ears perk up and he falls into a fighting stance. I just barely pull out a nunchaku and turn around just as a mass of black-cladded bodies materialize around us. My eyes land on the red emblem on the newcomers' chests.
"The Foot?" I ask, flicking my nunchaku into motion. Master Splinter shifts closer to me.
"I believe so." Master Splinter yanks out his blade. "And I fear these ones are not on our side."
Biting my bottom lip, I nod as I eye the ninjas. Their heads twitch and there is a strange eeriness to their bug-like red eyes. Then, without warning, a large group of them rush forward.
Sensei and I split as the Foot throw kunais at us and just as I land, I twist to my left as three ninjas swiftly follow after me. My snout wrinkles as I smack one with my nunchaku and I swear that I feel their skull give a little.
"I think you guys need to spend more time drinking milk and less time trying to kill two mutants out for a stroll," I say as one Foot soldier falls and another quickly takes their place, katana in hand. Leaping back, I barely manage to stuff the broken Dimensional Bracelet inside my belt before this new Foot Ninja tries to slice my face off. My lips purse as I finally pull out my second nunchaku and use it to catch the blade of the katana. "Dude, I'm really not in the mood for this right now. I've got a big brother that needs lecturing and a bracelet to fix. So, why don't you and your buddies make like a bee and buzz off!"
I spring into the air and kick the ninja in the chest, sending then into one of their buddies. The two fall as the remaining two leap over their fallen comrades . Daftly, I dance away as the ninjas try to bean me over the head with their bo staffs. Keeping one step ahead of the Foot, I risk a glance over toward Sensei.
A grin spreads across my face.
Master Splinter is a blur of maroon and silver as he drops Foot soldier after Foot soldier. I'm sure that those ninjas don't even know what hit them. However, just as the crowd around him thins, more ninjas come crawling out of the cracks.
Shaking my head, I twist just in time to miss a kunai to the eye. I glare at the Foot and catch their bo with the chain of my nunchaku.
Dang it. How'd they get so close to me?
I kick my leg out when the second ninja goes to sneak behind me and catch their hip. A wince leave s me as a sharp pain shoots up my leg as if I hit something incredibly hard. Grunting , I twist the bo staff out of the ninja's hands and use it like a baseball bat to smack the ninja away.
"Soft heads? Hard bodies? What is your Shredder feeding you?" I inquire as I backflip away before split kicking two more ninjas heading toward Sensei. "'Cause I think you dudes are pretty malnourished." I smirk. "Should start eating more pizza, my dudes. Make you all tough and strong like me!"
Another Foot Ninjas leaps in front of me, blocking my path as I speak, sword in hand. Lowering their ninjato, they cock their head at me, as if processing my words. Their large red covered eyes feel as if they're sizing me up. Unsure why they're not attacking, I also cock my head, mimicking their movements as uncertainty fills my chest.
"Uh… Are you gonna do something?" A nervous laugh leaves me when the ninja just continues to watch me. I run a hand down my face. "Dude, don't do this to me right now. 'Cause I'm still gonna fight your buddies even if you don't fight me." Silence. "They're attacking my sensei." More silence. Wetting my lips, I nod. "Okay, dude. Uh, you just chill here and I'm gonna go and help my sensei. See ya."
Lifting my hand in a mock salute, I side-eye the Foot Ninja as I shimmy around them, heading for the mass of ninjas that Master Splinter is dealing with. Taking a few more steps, I deem this ninja not a threat at the moment and turn to rush the closest ninja in the group.
The back of my head prickles and I mentally groan.
You've gotta be shellin' me.
Sidestepping, I grind my teeth as my body protests the movement and the shine of a ninjato's blade flashes by my shoulder.
"I warned ya, dude," I grumble, pressing the hidden button on my nunchaku to switch it over to my kusarigama and use the blade to hook the ninjato as the Foot Ninja tries to back swing at me. "Shoulda walked away when you had the chance."
Flicking my wrist, the ninjato goes flying and I yank my blade back before whipping it forward. A strangled noise slips from my lips as the Foot Ninja doesn't move in time and the blade slices through their neck. The ninja falls and their head rolls off to the left as I stagger backwards, horror filling me.
That…That wasn't what I was trying to do! Why didn't they move?!
My mouth waters unpleasantly as I continue to stare at the downed ninja. It's not like I haven't killed a Foot Soldier before. The life of a ninja is a dangerous one and most of the time, it's kill or be killed. But I always try to make the effort of only knocking my opponents out! Or making the end swift and painless and as clean as possible. I know Leo and Raph have…detached some limbs from bad guys' bodies before, but they have blades! Pointy, sharp weapons that are MEANT to do that. I've hooked bad guys with my kusarigama before but never have I used it to kill someone. They either move or I wrap them in my chain and let one of my bros deal with them.
"Michelangelo!"
My head snaps up at my father's warning cry just as something solid slams into my shell. Grunting, I hit the roof as all the air rushes from my already aching chest. The heavy body pushes down hard on my shell and my skin prickles. Without thinking, my head slips inside my shell just as a blade bounces off the cement. I blink rapidly as the spots dance around the blade just before it vanishes.
Moving for a second attempt.
Heart pounding, I swallow thickly as I try to get my arms to move when the wait suddenly vanishes. Poking my head out, relief swirls in me as I stare up at Master Splinter. Icy dread fills my veins as my gaze shifts over to who my sensei is look at. In Master Splinter's grasp is the Foot Ninja who I can only assume is the one that tackled me. A dark snarl mars my father's face as lifts the ninja higher by the front of his black uniform.
"Yowamushi! Attacking an opponent from behind," Master Splinter sneers as he positions his katana. "Stay away from my son!"
My jaw clenches as Master Splinter slams his weapon forward, the blade gliding through the ninja's chest like butter. When Master Splinter yanks his blade back out, he tosses the limp form to the side and squats next to me, dark brown eyes scanning my body.
"Are you all right, my son?"
Not trusting my voice at the moment, I nod. Sensei narrows his eyes but nods as he helps me stand. A sharp zing shoots through my shoulder as Sensei pulls me up and my snout wrinkles when I realize that my shoulder is once again bleeding.
If it's not one injury, it's another, I think dryly as I move to set my nunchakus into motion. "Where do these guys keep coming from? I thought the Fist Ninjas were bad."
Master Splinter purses his lips as he shifts a little to stand in front of me.
"I do not know. But we cannot remain here. Your body is not yet ready for all of this activity," Master Splinter states firmly, his tone leaving no room for arguing when I move to protest. "You have not yet been awake for a full week and nor have you been able to train properly. We need to return to the shadows and disappear."
Biting my lip, I nod. Reaching into my belt, I pull out a smoke bomb egg and throw it down. A burst of black smoke engulfs Sensei and I. Silently, the two of us leap from the roof, gliding down to a fire escape before leaping down to the alleyway below. Master Splinter grabs the manhole cover and ushers me down, following closely after and shifting the cover back to engulf us into darkness. I blink rapidly as I try to get my eyes to adjust to the sudden change, only to jump when a warm hand catches my shoulder. Master Splinter taps once, indicating for me to move forward. This is something he used to do when we were younger and would go topside to help him scavenge. One tap means to move forward. Two taps means step back. Three taps mean to remain where I am until he returns. Four taps are for me to go left and he'll go right. And five taps are for me to go right and he'll go left. And it changes depending on which finger he uses. But it's been a very long time since we've needed to use this method.
We walk in silence for what feels like forever and I nearly whine in relief when the tunnel starts to brighten with dim lights. I refrain from doing so, not sure what else we might find down here. Did those Foot Soldiers follow after us? Did something else follow us? What dangers lie in theses sewers? Our sewers are relatively safe back home. But, then again, our sewers are much brighter than these ones. Is this some sort of indicator that this world is much darker than our own, not only physically but also enemy-wise? And what about our counterparts? Will they be willing to help us? Or are they gonna be more hardcore, gritty versions of ourselves like those black and white guys we ran into while fighting the Utrom Shredder?
My thoughts halt when Master Splinter places an arm in front of me, causing us to stop. My eye ridges furrow as I try to figure out what Sensei just heard or saw. Chichi's ears twitch as he listens, eyes narrowed in concentration. The base of Sensei's walking stick taps at the side of my shins and I shift further behind my father. I bite my lip to keep from asking what's going on. That was always Sensei's number one rule when we were younger and he would lead us around outside of the lair. If he indicates that there is danger, no one is to speak until he says so. And he hasn't said that it's safe.
After a few more moments of intense silence, Master Splinter's posture relaxes and he lowers his walking stick so that I can walk beside him once more. I glance up at him in question. Sensing my stare, Master Splinter turns toward me and offers me a reassuring smile.
"I thought that I heard voices up ahead, but I was mistaken." Sensei's smile slips a little as he studies my face and he maneuvers me more into the light. He tilts my head to check my cheek before moving down to my shoulder. "How are you faring right now, Michelangelo? Does anything else hurt?"
"I'm…"
I pause when Master Splinter narrows his eyes once more, giving me one of his 'Dad-Stares'. Swallowing the rest of my words, I decide now isn't the time to test Chichi's patience. Breathing in, I focus inward. My shoulder definitely stings, as does my cheek from sweat and who knows what else getting into it. My chest aches from slamming into the cement and my fist still aches from punching those Fist robots (Heh). And, boy, do my muscles ache. Like, A LOT.
Sagging, I meet Sensei's eyes again.
"Uh, I mean, I kinda ache and I think my hand is bruised. But nothing that can't wait until we get some place safer." I widen my eyes as Sensei's eyes narrow further and he takes both my hands in his to check my knuckles. "Honest, Sensei. I don't think I broke anything. But I wouldn't say no to us finding some place to crash, ya know?"
Master Splinter remains silent as he runs a thumb over my aching knuckles. He presses lightly on a bruise causing me to flinch but I when I don't rip my hand from his grip, Master Splinter sighs and releases them.
"Very well. If this sewer is laid out similarly to ours, then I am sure we are close to some place safe."
I gnaw on my bottom lip as Sensei moves to start walking but I quickly catch the back of his robe. Startled, Master Splinter turns back toward me, concern radiating in his eyes.
"Michelangelo?"
Wetting my lips, my eyes flicker to my father's shoulder.
"And, uh, and what about you, Sensei?" I ask. "Are…Are you hurt? How's your shoulder?"
Master Splinter blinks at me in surprise. After a second, his face softens and a small smile tugs at his lips as he reaches up and pats me on the head.
"My shoulder is all but healed now, my son. So, do not worry. And I was not injured during our recent fight." A dry look crosses my father's face briefly as he glances down the tunnel. "My ribs and back may be slightly bruised from us falling through that portal so uncontrollably but other than that, I am unharmed." Amusement quickly returns to Sensei's face. "Does that satisfy your curiosity, my son?"
Lips quirking, I nod my head with a grin.
"Yup! Just had to make sure," I state as the two of us start walking again. "I mean, it's not like our family is known for trying to hide injuries or anything. Or the fact that we're all pretty stubborn. But I'm sure we've gotten our stubbornness streak from somewhere but I'm not entirely sure where or who we got it from."
Master Splinter hums, folding his arms behind his back.
"It really is quite strange," he replies back, glancing around at this foreign yet familiar tunnel but I can see him shooting glances at me. "I cannot imagine just where the four of you got it from."
A snicker escapes me. I jolt slightly when something taps the bottom of my shell. Eyes wide, I shoot a look up at Master Splinter. However, he is looking off to his left as if something very interesting has caught his attention but I can just see the sly smirk on his face.
My mouth opens to call him out on using his walking stick to tap me when a chill rolls down my shoulders. Master Splinter's arm snaps out in front of me as the two of us pause just before rounding a corner. Holding one hand up, Master Splinter creeps forward as my heart rate picks up once more. The sound of heavy footsteps echoes down the tunnel and I quickly press up against the wall as Master Splinter falls back.
"There are men up ahead with large guns," Master Splinter mutters, motioning for us to fall back further. "We cannot go this way."
I risk a glance a look behind me.
"But where can we go, Sensei?" I whisper back, panic rising as the footsteps grow closer. "I didn't see a joining tunnel. I don't even recall another manhole cover for us to use."
A dark look crosses my father's face as he scans the tunnels. He then looks up. Pressing a finger to his lips, Master Splinter points upwards and I quickly nod. The two of us jump up and my hands and feet snap out to catch the groove in the ceiling. We just barely make it into the darkness of the ceiling when the two men Chichi spotted appear. Confusion filters through me as I watch them.
The two men look practically identical. The same black hair cut, the exact same black and white suit. Even the way that they walk is the same! My eye ridges furrow as they continue walking, scanning the area around them.
"Kraang could have sworn that Kraang heard a noise from the direction for which Kraang was heading."
My eyes nearly bulge out of my head.
Kraang?! These guys are KRAANG?! Our Kraang certainly did not look like that. Ours where more pink, squishy, and tentacly, looking more like brains that tried to grow legs and failed. Not identical black-haired men.
Wetting my lips, I try to readjust my position as my arms start to shake as the Kraang continue walking. Sewer apples! Can those dudes walking any slower? I shoot a look at Master Splinter. His eyes are trained on the two armed males. Panic starts to rise in my chest as my legs also start to tremble from the effort of keeping me in place.
I'm not gonna be able to keep this up! I think, shooting a look back as the men finally walk pass our position. Walk faster. Walk faster. Walk faster. Walk fa—
Air catches in my throat when my right arm suddenly gives out and I crash down. Gross water splashes up around me. Groaning, I sit up and wrinkle my snout.
"Eeewww," I whine out, wiping the liquid from my face and arms. "That's so grooooooss." I blink when I realize that the sound of walking has stopped. Looking up, I swipe my mask's tails from my eyes and smile sheepishly at the two black-haired men who are now staring at me. Their eyes are soulless and their faces blank as they stare at me. "Uh…Hey, dudes. What's up?"
"Kraang! It is Kraang's enemy, the one known as the turtles!" The right male says, voice almost robotic, glancing from me to his companion and then back again.
"Kraang must eliminate the one known as the turtles! Kraang, ready Kraang's gun!" The left male says, voice just as monotone as his companion.
My smile slips slightly as the two men lift their guns in unison and point them at me. A mechanical whirr fills the air as the guns glow a light pink.
"Uh oh."
I frantically try to get my feet under me but the combination the gross, slimy water and my overworked limbs make it nearly impossible for me to gain any purchase.
Shell!
Pew! Pew!
"No!"
I jump when Master Splinter suddenly lands in front of me, his katana out. He easily deflects the pink energy bullet things, sending them right back at the Kraang-men. The bullets slam into the guns, destroying them. The Kraang-men just stand there, whether in shock or surprise, I can't really tell. Their expressions don't change.
Master Splinter rushes them, causing the two to step back, but it does little good. In one fluid movement, Master Splinter slices their heads right off. I barely make a sound when the two bodies fall and the chests of the men burst open. Sensei jumps back just as two pink, brain-like creatures climb out, shrieking and squealing. The pink blobs scramble away, down the tunnel where they were originally heading, more squeals echoing off the walls.
My snout scrunches.
"Ew! Is that what the Kraang is like in this dimension?" I ask as Master Splinter rushes to my side. He grasps my forearms and helps me stand. "'Cause those things are nast—whoa!"
"Michelangelo!" Master Splinter catches me just before my legs give out. His lips purse as I nearly sag against him.
I chuckle weakly.
"S-Sorry, Sensei. I think I might need to sit."
"Not in this unsanitary water you are not," Master Splinter states firmly and the next thing I know he's lifting me up. I don't even have enough energy to flail around as Chichi moves us out of the gross water. (I am going to only think of it as water and nothing else. It's just gross, slimy water. That's it.) "We need to find some place to wash your open wounds before this water makes you sick."
I merely hum, eyelids drooping as my body is finally giving in and crashing hard. Dang it. I was really hoping to last much longer! What if Sensei runs into more Foot Soldiers? Or more of those weird Kraang-men that aren't actually men appear?
My eyes snap open when Master Splinter abruptly stops walking and his arms tense around me. Something buzzes in the air around us and my eyes flicker up to my father. A new enemy?
"I know that you are there," Master Splinter states out loud, his voice stern and full of warning. "You might as well come out. I might have my hands full but I would not test my patience. So, reveal yourselves!"
My eye ridges furrow as I try to spot the newcomers, but with how close Sensei is holding me, I can barely see anything. However, the sound of swords being unsheathed is too familiar of a tone for me to miss even with how tired I am.
"Who are you?" A baritone voice asks and, for some reason, I can imagine twin katanas being pointed in our direction.
Master Splinter turns around and my mouth falls open as I spot the speaker.
"L-Leo?"
