The warm, savory scent of freshly made gyoza filled Murakami's small restaurant, but the air was anything but peaceful. In the center of the room, the turtles stood in tense formation, eyes locked on the chef like predators circling prey.

"I've put up with you guys for a long time," Mikey growled, narrowing his eyes as he dropped into a low stance. "But this is about to get real."

"You don't want this kind of pain, Mikey," Raph said, cracking his knuckles.

"Big talk for someone with such a limited vocabulary," Donnie muttered, earning a shove to the face from Raph.

"I can't believe we're doing this again," Leo sighed, watching them all.

"You sure you're ready?" he asked.

Raph's eyes gleamed. "Are you kidding me? I was born ready."

"Same," Mari chimed in from the corner, casually twirling a tanto between her fingers. "Let's see which of you amateurs can actually get one this time."

Cat, beside her, was already bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I call first gyoza! Dibs! I want the shiny one!" She didn't seem to notice that none of the gyoza were shiny.

Leo raised a hand toward the counter. "Okay, Mr. Murakami."

The elderly chef smiled serenely. "One pizza gyoza, coming up."

The atmosphere shifted. All six siblings tensed like coiled springs, eyes locked on the prize.

Murakami tossed a single steaming gyoza into the air.

Chaos erupted.

Mikey and Cat screamed at the same time—"MINE!"—and launched forward. Raph tackled Donnie. Mari shoved Mikey out of the way, Cat latched onto Raph's shell, and Donnie somehow got stuck beneath the table. Limbs flew. Grunts and shouts echoed through the tiny room.

The gyoza arced high into the air, then descended slowly—straight toward Mikey's waiting mouth.

He closed his eyes, mouth wide open, arms out like he was receiving divine food from the heavens.

Snick.

A blur of motion, a flash of silver—

Leo stepped in calmly and sliced the dumpling mid-air with his katana, catching it perfectly on the flat of his blade. He flipped it into his mouth and chewed, savoring every bite.

"I thought I'd play after all," he said with a smug grin.

"You traitor!" Cat shouted, pointing dramatically from her place tangled in Raph's arm.

Raph grumbled, trying to shake her off. "Get off me, glitter gremlin!"

Mari shoved off the floor and dusted herself off, glaring at Leo. "You're so annoying."

Leo smirked. "Mmm. These things are really good."

Murakami chuckled as he brought out a full plate of pizza gyoza. "My restaurant was never that popular until I invented these for you."

All six of them lunged for the tray with heart eyes and battle cries, snatching up gyoza like starving animals.

But even as they ate, Leo's gaze drifted to the window, his smile slowly fading. Donatello noticed first, watching as his brother stared out at the city beyond with a distant, troubled expression.

"He's still brooding," Donnie muttered.

"He's thinking about her," Raph said knowingly. "About Karai."

Leo finally spoke, his voice quiet. "Master Splinter is her father. How could she still want to be with the Shredder?"

Mikey, mouth full, spoke through muffled gyoza: "You have to have faith, Leo. Her entire life was shown to be a lie. This is a challenge to everything she knows. The truth will set her free. Just give her the time she needs to accept who she is."

Donnie nodded. "Right. Look, Leo, she'll come around."

Raph scoffed. "Yeah, well, personally? I hope she doesn't. I don't trust her. Not for one second."

"I agree," Mari muttered, not even looking up from the gyoza she was calmly slicing in half with one of her tantos. "Just because she's confused doesn't mean she's not dangerous."

Cat sat nearby, quietly nibbling her gyoza and looking uncertain. "I dunno..." she mumbled. "She let me go, remember? Back when I was... not okay. She could've captured me, but she didn't. That has to mean something, right?"

Mari raised an eyebrow. "Or she was using you."

Cat scowled. "Gee, thanks, Mari."

In the midst of the tension, Raph failed to notice Mikey stealthily reaching for the last gyoza on his plate and popping it into his mouth with a triumphant hum.

Donnie smirked. "You're right, Raph. You shouldn't trust anyone."

Raph turned back toward his plate—only to find it empty.

Mikey beamed at him, cheeks bulging. "Worth it."

Raph launched himself across the table with a growl, tackling Mikey to the ground as the gyoza war exploded into full chaos again.

"Every. Single. Time," Mari muttered, leaning back in her chair.

Cat quickly scooted her chair—and her plate—away from the chaos. "I'm just trying to eat in peace," she whispered.

The manhole cover creaked open, and the team clambered out into the cool, quiet night. The air was brisk, the city still—but something wasn't right.

Mikey suddenly skidded to a halt, eyes wide. "Guys, wait—stop!"

Leo paused mid-step. "What is it now, Mikey?"

Mikey's brow furrowed, his fingers twitching dramatically. "I feel like we're forgetting something. Something important. Like... fate-of-the-world-level important. It's right on the tip of my tongue..."

Donnie raised a brow. "The Kraang?"

Mikey shook his head. "No."

Leo tried next. "The Foot Clan?"

Mikey tilted his head. "Mm-mm."

"The Rat King?" Raph offered, clearly over it.

Mikey gasped. "No—wait! I remember! My doggy bag! I left my leftover gyoza at Murakami's!" He turned to them, utterly serious. "We have to go back. Fate of the world."

Everyone groaned.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Mari muttered.

"I kinda wish he was," Cat added under her breath, even though she still looked a little concerned.

Leo was already turning back. "We'll be quick."

But when they arrived at Murakami's, the scene stole the breath from their lungs.

The once-cozy ramen shop had been ransacked. Tables flipped. Broken chairs. Shattered bowls and gyoza scattered like ashes. A violent storm had passed through—and left nothing untouched.

"What the—" Donnie murmured.

"Mr. Murakami?" Mikey's voice cracked as he ran ahead.

Behind the counter, the elderly chef sat slumped and trembling. Mikey dropped beside him, helping him sit up while Donnie checked his vitals.

"They... they were looking for you," Murakami rasped. "They wanted to know where you lived. About your friends. I—I didn't know, but they kept asking... And I told them everything I could remember."

"Who did this?" Raph growled, fists clenched.

Murakami swallowed hard. "The girl... and the growling man."

Leo's gaze snapped to a wall where deep, slashing claw marks were gouged into the wood.

"Tiger Claw," he said darkly. "He's back."

"And they're going after our human friends," Donnie added, his voice tight. "April. Casey. Maybe even—"

"Elliot," Cat breathed, her eyes widening in horror. "They know about him too, don't they? If they were digging for info, they definitely know."

Mari crossed her arms. "Leo, this is what happens when you trust people like Karai. She's probably the one who led him straight here."

Leo's jaw tightened. "We don't know that."

"No?" Mari snapped. "Because I've got a pretty solid theory."

"Guys," Donnie cut in, staring at his T-Phone, "April's not answering. That's not normal. She always picks up."

Leo pulled himself together fast, turning to the team with sharp resolve. "We split up."

"Smart," Mari muttered. "Divide and survive."

Leo continued, "Me and Donnie will head to April's place. Raph, Mikey—you check the ice rink. Casey might still be there. Mari, Cat—you two find Elliot. Fast."

Cat nodded shakily, then glanced at Mari. "We'll find him. I mean, we have to."

Mari didn't look at her. "Yeah. We will."

"Be careful," Leo told them all. "Tiger Claw's back—and he's not alone."

"No kidding," Raph muttered.

The night buzzed with neon light and leftover popcorn as April, Casey, and Elliot stepped out of the movie theater, the energy from the sci-fi blockbuster still crackling between them.

"Best. Movie. Ever!" April beamed, practically bouncing on her toes. "The part where the Captain's cornered by the slime monster? And it's all fangs and drool and then BOOM—explosion knocks them out of orbit into a collapsing star?!"

Casey snorted. "You say that about every movie."

"Because I have taste," April shot back.

"I liked the monster design," Elliot added, stretching as they walked. "Though let's be real, that whole 'black hole bomb' sequence? Totally broke its own rules."

April waved a hand. "Let me live, Elliot."

"We're just saying it was fun," Casey said. "Nice to hang out without ninjas for once."

Elliot chuckled. "Yeah, three friends watching things explode in space. Peak normalcy."

They were halfway down the block when April suddenly stopped.

She stiffened. "We're being followed."

Casey's expression hardened in an instant. "Foot?"

April didn't answer. Her eyes scanned the rooftops.

"I'll take the alley," Elliot said calmly, already reaching into his jacket for the collapsible bo staff Donnie had given him. "You two cut across the street and circle back."

Casey gave him a nod. "Let's go."

April hesitated only a moment before whispering, "Be careful."

They split off without another word, slipping into the shadows of the city like they'd done this a hundred times.

Because they had.

Casey sprinted through the alleys, slipping into his apartment just long enough to grab his gear. He paused at the window, scanning the street.

"Yes!" he whispered. "Coast is clear. Casey Jones can't be caught." A beat. "Aww, nuts."

A massive shadow lunged from above—Tiger Claw. Casey barely dodged, jamming his taser into the mutant's chest. Electricity crackled.

"Come on, tiger dude. Let's see what you... got?" He caught a glimpse of the towering feline's snarling face. "You know what? On second thought, I don't need to see what you've got."

Meanwhile, at Kirby O'Neil's apartment, Leo and Donnie had just arrived. Kirby paced the room, phone clutched in his hand.

"She's not answering," he muttered. "She always answers."

Donnie threw his arms up. "That's what I said!"

Leo stayed calm. "Kirby, you said she went to the movies. That's where we start."

April ran through a dimly lit alley until a shadow dropped in front of her.

"Karai," she hissed, pulling out her tessen fans.

Karai didn't move to strike. "O'Neil."

"You wanna do this, Karai? Fine," April said, bracing herself. "But I'm warning you—I've been training with Master Splinter big time, and I'm ready to kick your butt."

"I didn't come to fight," Karai said calmly. "I came to talk."

April narrowed her eyes. "Oh, well I've been trained in that, too."

Elliot kept his hood up, eyes flicking over his shoulder every few seconds as he moved through the quiet streets. The city felt too still, like the air was holding its breath. He could still feel it—that prickle at the back of his neck. The same one he felt earlier when he, April, and Casey were leaving the movie theater.

Someone had been watching them. He was sure of it.

He rounded a corner, every sense on alert—just as a shadow dropped from above.

Elliot tensed and stepped back, hand going to the switchblade clipped to his belt.

"Relax," Mari's voice snapped, sharp and familiar.

He blinked. "Mari?!"

A second figure leapt down beside her—Cat, breathless and wide-eyed.

"Elliot!" she gasped, rushing to him. "You're okay!"

"Define okay," he said warily. "Where the hell have you guys been?"

"We've been looking for you!" Cat said, grabbing his arm. "Everyone's in danger!"

Mari nodded, expression grim. "We saw Murakami's place. Total wreck. They were asking about us. About you."

Elliot swallowed, hard. "I knew something was off. At the theater, I felt someone watching us. That's why we split up. Thought we could throw 'em off."

"Not the best idea but whatever," Mari said. "Come on."

Casey was getting thrown around like a rag doll, barely avoiding kunai as Tiger Claw pursued him with relentless force.

"You know," Casey called out while ducking a claw swipe, "part of me always wanted to fight a man-eating tiger. Know any real ones?"

Tiger Claw's snarl deepened. "Do you think this is a game?"

"Whoa! Okay! Let's play 'Keep Away from One-Eyed Freaks!'" Casey darted across parked cars, barely staying ahead. "Or maybe 'Crush the Cat!' Later!" He laughed nervously. "If it wasn't for the fact that I'm gonna die, this would be so cool."

Back with April and Karai, the tone had shifted.

"All my life," Karai said, voice low, "I was raised to believe the Shredder was my father. That Splinter was the enemy. When Leo told me the truth... I couldn't accept it. But now... I have doubts about Shredder's honor."

April crossed her arms. "Doubts about the evil leader of the evil ninja clan? Really?"

Karai nodded. "Yes. Even now, the Shredder has sent Tiger Claw to destroy the Turtles. He's using me to set a trap. But I can't do it. Even if it means betraying Shredder."

Casey exploded onto a rooftop, tossing a puck grenade.

"Taste exploding puck!" he shouted. "Okay, cat-man-dude, you wanna do this? Let's do this."

Tiger Claw didn't hesitate—he closed the distance, throwing Casey like a rag doll. Casey caught onto the ceiling beams, using the momentum to try and swing a kick. But Tiger Claw grabbed him midair, snarling.

"You will pay for what you did to me. The suffering. The pain."

Casey winced. "You're not still mad about the whole worm thing, are you?"

With a roar, Tiger Claw hurled him from the rooftop.

Casey crashed hard into the pavement below with a gut-wrenching scream. He barely moved, pain radiating through every bone in his body. His arm trembled as he reached for his T-Phone.

At the ice rink, Raph stood with his arms crossed, eyes closed, while Mikey zoomed past on skates.

Raph's T-Phone buzzed.

"Casey?" Raph said, answering. "Casey, answer me!"

Nothing.

His chest tightened. "Something's wrong, Mikey. What are we gonna do?"

Mikey slid to a stop. "I know exactly what to do. We can triangulate the signal from Casey's T-Phone by bouncing it off the satellite."

Raph blinked. "That's... actually a good idea. It's like we're in some kind of alternate universe or something."

Mikey grinned. "You can also track pizza delivery guys that way. Booyakasha!"

The rooftops were quiet as Leo and Donnie arrived at the edge of the block, their gazes locking on a familiar redhead standing beside someone unexpected.

"There's April," Donnie whispered, his brow furrowed. "Come on! Get away from her."

But April raised a hand quickly, stopping them in their tracks.

"Leo, Donnie, wait! You have to listen to what she has to say."

Karai stood beside her, her stance calm but resolute.

"I believe you, Leonardo," she said. "I believe that Splinter is my true father."

April nodded. "I believe she believes you."

"I believe April," Donnie added firmly.

Leo's expression softened, disbelief washing over him. "This... This is great. I knew you'd come around." He stepped forward, voice full of hope. "We'll take you to the lair. You can see Master Splinter."

Donnie exhaled, relief breaking across his face. "Whew. Raph and Mari are not gonna believe this."

"I don't believe this!" Raph shouted, storming into the main room with fury written all over his face. "What have you guys done?!"

Casey groaned from the cot, battered and barely conscious. April was kneeling beside him, dabbing gently at a cut on his cheek. Elliot hovered nearby, handing her supplies from Donnie's med kit with tense, quiet urgency. His usual sarcasm was gone—his focus locked on helping his friend.

"April!" Mikey called as she pressed a cold cloth to Casey's forehead. "Is he okay?"

Leo stepped forward, voice low. "What happened to him?"

"Tiger Claw threw him off a building," Raph snapped, turning on him. "And you brought his partner in crime back here like it's no big deal!"

Karai, standing near the entrance with her head low, lifted her eyes. "Shredder lied to me. I didn't know—"

"Oh, did you know," Raph growled, yanking out one of his sai, "that I'm about to stick this right up your—"

"She believes now!" Cat blurted out. "She was nice to me even before she knew! That time— that— you know. She's here now. She made her choice."

Leo raised a hand to stop Raph from attacking him or Cat for sticking up for Karai. "Cat's right. She's here because she wants to be."

"Please," Cat added, glancing at Karai. "Tell them you're not leading him here."

But Mari's arms were crossed tight, her eyes narrowed into daggers. "You're all too trusting," she muttered. "Raph's right. She's still the Foot. Doesn't matter if she's confused or crying about it. You think one moment of guilt changes everything?"

"I'm not crying," Karai said coldly, though her voice wavered.

"She understands now," Cat tried to reason.

"She knows it, sure," Mari cut in, "but that doesn't mean she believes it. Or that she's not playing us."

As if on cue, Karai subtly tapped something behind her back—a hidden communicator, nearly invisible in her palm.

"I've heard enough," Raph snapped. "She's probably leading Shredder here right now!"

Leo stepped toward him. "Raph—"

"Enough," came a calm but commanding voice.

They all froze.

Master Splinter stood at the dojo entrance, his expression unreadable, but his gaze steady.

"Miwa," he said softly.

Karai turned toward him, eyes wide. "Splinter..."

"Come with me."

In the dojo, Karai's gaze wandered to the tall tree growing in the center of the room, her steps slowing. Her eyes widened in awe, drawn in by the quiet serenity of the space.

"I retain very little from my old life," Splinter said gently, stepping beside her. "But this—I will never let go, my daughter."

He extended a small, worn photograph. Karai's hands shook as she accepted it, her eyes scanning the smiling faces in the old family picture.

"I... I can't believe it," she whispered. "You're telling the truth. All these years... the Shredder's been lying to me."

The turtles entered quietly. Leo moved to the front, his eyes bright with cautious hope.

"Wait—you can't believe it?" he asked, confused. "I thought you already did. If you didn't believe it, why'd you come down here?"

Karai looked up, guilt washing over her face. "Father... what have I done?"

"You had to see it for yourself," Splinter said. "You had to learn the truth in your own way."

"You knew," Karai breathed, glancing at him. "You knew I was lying."

"No doubt," Splinter said, his voice grave. "The Shredder's forces are on their way."

Donnie stiffened. "Wait—what was that last part?"

Karai glanced at them all. "Tiger Claw is tracking me."

The room fell into silence.

"I TOLD you!" Raph bellowed, throwing his arms out. His glare cut straight to Leo. "You let her in and now you've led them right to us!"

Mari stepped forward beside him, fists clenched. "You're all unbelievable. This is exactly what we warned you about! We're not even going to get a head start now."

"Karai!" Leo barked, spinning toward her. "Is that true?!"

"There's no time to argue," Karai said firmly. "I have to go. I can lead Tiger Claw away from here."

Splinter nodded solemnly. "Go. Take Karai and watch over her. I will stay with April and tend to Casey. Remember—you are who you choose to be, not what others make you."

Raph scoffed and crossed his arms. "Some of us choose to be right all the time."

Mari grumbled under her breath, "And ignored anyway."

Cat, who had been silent until now, finally stepped forward. Her voice was small but hopeful. "Karai... I'm glad you believe us now. I never thought you were really bad. I think you were just... hurting."

Karai's eyes softened, and for a moment she looked like she might say something, but Raph quickly yanked Cat behind him, narrowing his eyes at Karai.

Leo shoved past Raph. "Will you just go?!"

With the lair already on borrowed time, the group turned and ran into the tunnels—vanishing into the night before the storm arrived.

April sat by Casey's side, gently brushing a damp strand of hair from his forehead. His bruises looked worse in the lair's dim lighting, but his breathing had finally steadied.

"Do you think he's gonna be okay?" she asked quietly, looking up at Splinter, who stood nearby with a calm, watchful gaze.

Elliot lingered on the other side of the room, arms crossed and trying to mask the worry in his face. He didn't say anything, but he hadn't moved far from Casey since they brought him in.

Casey stirred with a groggy groan, his voice scratchy. "April... why'd you bring Elliot again...? Hes gonna tease me later..."

April blinked, then let out a shaky laugh.

Splinter raised an eyebrow. Elliot just smirked faintly and muttered, "He's gonna be fine."

And despite the tension still lingering in the air, it was a moment of relief.

In the winding tunnels of the sewer system, Karai ran beside the turtles, her breath sharp and focused. Mari and Cat trailed just behind, weapons at the ready. They had successfully led Tiger Claw away from the lair, but now they were deep in unfamiliar territory—an old utility sector lit only by flickering emergency lights and echoing with every footstep.

"Well, princess?" Raph snapped, his voice cutting through the silence. "You got us into this. Where to?"

Karai hesitated, visibly shaken. "I... I don't know."

Mari scoffed. "Wow. Shocking."

"Everyone, stop!" Mikey shouted, lifting a finger dramatically. "I know exactly where to go."

Donnie blinked. "I feel scared."

Cat, clinging to Donnie's side, whispered, "You and me both..."

They moved cautiously through crumbling corridors until they reached a vast, cold storage room lined with hanging slabs of meat. The air was freezing. Breath fogged. Tension rose.

Then came the sound of claws.

Tiger Claw entered slowly, his voice a low growl. "I can't smell you," he muttered. "But I can hear you. Show yourselves!"

No one moved.

A figure darted through the shadows and slammed into him. He spun and lashed out with his claws, missing—but not by much.

"Are you afraid to face me?" he bellowed. Another hit. Another dodge. "Are you afraid to fight me?!"

With terrifying speed, he seized Raph from the darkness and flung him into a wall. The impact made the floor shudder.

The others emerged. Leo. Donnie. Mikey. Mari. Cat. Eyes glowing faintly, they stood shoulder to shoulder in the dim light.

"Let us finish this," Tiger Claw snarled.

Then the lights cut to black.

From the shadows, the fight exploded. Mari struck first, her twin tantos flashing. But Tiger Claw caught her arm mid-swing and hurled her into a stack of crates. Mikey lunged—only to be swatted from the air like a fly. Raph and Donnie flanked him, but Tiger Claw was fast. Brutal. Efficient.

Leo was knocked aside. Cat ducked low, trying to shield herself as Mari staggered back to her feet with a groan.

Karai appeared behind them, eyes burning.

"Karai," Tiger Claw rasped, spotting her. "Would you like the honor of finishing him?"

Karai's grip tightened around her weapon. "I have no honor," she said coldly, stepping forward. "But that's about to change."

She struck. Lightning-fast. Her blade met his claws in a crack of sparks. She landed a kick, a punch—then he countered with a vicious strike, sending her flying toward a whirring saw blade. She rolled just in time.

Cat screamed, "Karai!" but couldn't move—she was pinned under fallen beams.

Karai sprang up, launched herself forward—but Tiger Claw was done playing. He grabbed her by the throat and hoisted her into the air.

"If you value her life," he hissed at Leo, "do not take another step."

Leo froze. Karai's legs kicked uselessly as she struggled.

"Just as I thought," Tiger Claw sneered, vanishing into the shadows with Karai still in his grasp.

"No!" Leo lunged, but Mikey groaned nearby, barely conscious.

Donnie knelt beside him. "We've got to get him back to Master Splinter. Now."

Mari limped over, face bruised. "She had it coming..."

"She was trying to help us," Cat muttered from the floor, still pinned, eyes glassy with fear.

Leo stood trembling, fists clenched. "Karai..."

Raph crossed his arms. "Told you. I still don't trust her."

"She saved our lives," Leo bit back.

"And now she's back in daddy's claws," Mari said, voice low. "You think that was worth it?"

Leo didn't answer. He couldn't.

The sewers were quiet, save for the distant echo of rushing water and the soft, pained groans coming from Mikey.

Donnie and Leo flanked him, supporting his weight between them as he limped, one arm draped around each of their shoulders. He tried to crack a joke, but it came out as a weak breath.

"You're okay, Mikey," Leo muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "You're okay."

Behind them, Cat trudged in silence, her arms crossed tightly. Her expression was tight—not from fear, but from anger. The kind that burned quietly in the pit of her stomach.

Raph walked ahead, face hard, still muttering under his breath about Karai. Mari followed beside him, arms tense and eyes sharp, scanning every corner like she expected Tiger Claw to leap out again.

"You two must be so proud," Cat suddenly snapped, her voice echoing against the brick walls.

Mari glanced back, brow raised. "What?"

"You wanted to be right about Karai so badly, and now Mikey's hurt and she's gone," Cat hissed. "Hope that was worth it."

Raph stopped walking. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You didn't even try to believe in her," Cat said, her voice trembling with fury. "You treated her like she was evil before she even did anything! And now—now she's gone, and she was the one person who helped me when I was at my lowest—and—" She stopped herself.

Mari's eyes narrowed. "We warned Leo. You saw what happened. This isn't about being right—it's about not being stupid."

Cat stared at her, furious. "You don't get to talk about being stupid! Every single human in our lives—you don't trust! That's like—racist or something!"

Leo's voice cut through the tension. "Enough. We're almost home. Mikey needs help—not more fighting."

They fell back into silence, the weight of everything they'd lost hanging in the air as they moved toward the lair.

And behind them, Cat's fists clenched at her sides—because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop blaming the two people she loved so much.