Damn! I can't believe I'm kneeling. That's it! No more!
I stand straight back up. Ok. "Lady Silmane" is good looking, but no April. And Donnie and Mikey are in the Spirit World. So I did the dumb deed, but enough of it. Looks like Keno is confused too, oh well.
Donnie, or I should say "Sir Donato", is talking (like someone out of Robin Hood or Camelot) to his Lady about some danger or something. Mikey looks different, like he's someone else. Damn, what's going on here?
"Hey Mikey, you ok?"
"Monk, the name is Prince Miguel, Sir Knight of Lady Silmane and Protector of my Great Realm," Mikey snapped back.
Yeah, right, I think to myself.
"My liege, you are mistaken, this is Sir Raphael, a traveling knight here to aid us on our Quest," Don speaks after hearing Mike's insult.
"Many pardons for my outburst, Sir Raphael." Mikey gives a half bow.
"No problem," I answer.
Keno, gives me an elbow in my side. "Talk and think like the game, or at least Medieval Knights," he whispers.
I bow back and force myself. "Prince Mik- Miguel." I'll kill them both when Mikey's back.
Keno continues, "I suggest we should get off the soon too be crowded streets."
"Do you have a suggestion young knight?" Lady Silmane asks Keno.
Poor kid, I think he has the 'hots' for her. He just turned red and it appears his heart went straight to his throat, I guess I'll save him.
"I do." I pause, waiting for all of their attention. "I suggest we should go back to the lair to see Splinter."
"You know of the great mage Splinter, our master?" Donnie asks near shocked. "Do you also know where he is?"
"But of course. I've lived with him all my life."
"Why is it I do not remember you, Sir Raphael?" Seems Donnie is still mistrusting me.
"Let's just say I liked being alone... a lot." I quickly answer.
"Enough. Let's be on our way," Mike commands.
I lead them down to one of our safe routes to the lair. I notice when Keno tries to get close to Miss Silmane, Don and Mike stop him from getting too close. I'm not sure if it's loyalty from their fantasy land or possibly love.
Forget it Raph, you got bigger troubles. Like having to tell Splinter Leo's dead. And these two are now loony.
"Sir Raphael, if you don't mind if I ask, who is Leo?" Silmane quietly asks.
"WHAT?!" She can read MINDS? I hate her.
"Nothing to worry about," I lie quickly.
As we are getting closer to home, something occurs to me. I haven't seen any Foot lately and something isn't right here; it's really quiet. I'm not the only one who notices it. Donnie just regripped his staff and is starting to scan the tunnels.
"Raph, what's wrong?" Keno whispers.
"I think we're surrounded." I whisper back. "I hear nothing when there should be at least mice around."
"Are you sure?" Keno asks.
I'm answering his question, and ten Foot jump out of ajoining tunnels, all carrying weapons. One of the Foot isn't wearing a mask, I know him from somewhere, but where?
"You led us into a trap Raphael!" Donnie accuses me.
"Did not! Just take them out!" I shout.
"My Lady, please stay behind me," Mike pleads.
"Of course, Prince," Silmane calmly answers.
"The tall turtle is mine, kill everyone else!" the unmasked Foot shouts.
Fine, a little one on one is all right with me, but I have to help even the odds. Donnie and Mike ain't well and we have a skirt with us. The Foot rushes us from the front and the back. I go for my sais. Damn! I forgot I lost them!
I have to keep calm, everyone is counting on me, even if they don't know it yet. The Foot are leaving me alone; mistake number one. I grab one of them rushing past me, slamming him to the ground. He swings his badik (butterfly knives) at my head. Blocking this arm with my left arm, I punch him in the gut with my other. Knocking the wind out him, I seize his weapon from his hand.
A buddy of his hits me on my back with something wooden. I punch the Foot under me in the face with enough force to have his head hit the floor, knocking him out.
The one who hit me before, now kicks me in the face. I spin off the downed one and look to my attacker. He looks down at me with fear and anger in his moves. Stupid punk looks like he doesn't know how to use his tonfas yet.
I block his tonfa with my recently acquired blade. I spin on the ground, kicking his feet from underneath him. As he falls on his back, I get to my feet, and with a small jump, I kick him in his covered face, sending him backward. I wait until he stands up, then with a roundhouse, he slams against the wall. He falls and doesn't get back up.
I turn and see the others are doing ok. Looks like Donnie isn't the peaceful ninja no more, good. Hearing something moving in the air, I duck. Good thing. I could've lost my head with that swing. I turn back around seeing the maskless Foot holding a katana with a red cloth tied to the hilt.
"You shall die today, Raphael," his eyes were like bloodstones trying to see into my soul.
"Go to hell, you Bastard." I snarl at him. "How do you know it's me, or is it my good looks?"
"Enough jokes, I will have my revenge!" he shouted, swinging at me. I step back, dodging his attack. He comes at me again, this time for my left hand. I block it with the badik, then move in, keeping calm. This guy is a psycho! He high kicks at me, ducking, I swing my blade to his left side. Parrying my blow, he moves to my left, while I turn toward him, stepping to the right. Aiming for my legs, he moves closer. I jump over his sword. As I come back to ground, I kick toward him, glancing off his shoulder, he steps back, regaining his footing. I move in blocking his sword, and punch him him the ribs. SOB didn't feel it.
"You'll have to do better, Freak," he laughs at me.
"How's this?" I go down on my shell and give him a double snap kick boot to the balls. I do a back flip to my stance.
Waling, he staggers back, one hand holding his nuts.
"I'll kill you slowly Turtle," his voice is a little higher.
I thrust to his chest, but he blocks it easily. He punches my side which makes me loosen my grip on my blade. With his next swing, the badik flies to parts unknown. I quickly grab his arm and move my body underneath him. As he tries to pull from me, I send him over my side into the sewage water. Before he gets to his feet, I stomp on his sword arm and kick his katana from his grasp. His free hand grabs my left foot and sends me off balance.
I land on my shell, I see him over me. As he stomps on me, I roll away from him. Halfway to my feet, he kicks me, yet I block it. As I back up and regain my stance, he continues to attack. I block every blow but still can't swing back.
Still against the wall, he punches toward my face, I side step it. His fist hits the wall. Damn! Idiot didn't feel it. Is he on drugs or something?
He quickly kicks at me, connecting just above my eyes. Hurts, but I'm ok. I stagger back and counter attack. He blocks every punch and kick. I feel somehitng on my forehead, stinging a little. Vision blurs for a second. Feeling a kick to my gut, I hit the wall. Dammit, he opened my cut again!
"First blood is mine and so is your life," he mocks me.
"In your dreams."
He bombards me with kicks and punches, at least half is getting through. I roll with every hit that goes through, my head's pounding. Can't think. Can't keep control of the fight. Don't want to lose to a punk, especially not a cocky one. He keeps pounding on me. More blood is flowing. I do a quick front kick to the jaw. He falls backward, not expecting my comeback. He lunges at me, I grab him around the chest and swing him into the wall.
He bounces off the wall, rolling away from me. Standing back up, he laughs at me. God Damn Psycho!
He rushes me, slamming me in the gut. Hurts like hell.
"Once I'm finished with you, I'll kill your brothers and perhaps April too." He scoffs at me.
"NO!!" I launch at him. He will not get me or my brothers and especially NOT APRIL!
I block both his chops and move away from the wall. Blood in my eyes, blood in my mind, and I want his blood. He kicks at me, I take it. Then I send my palm against his nose.
I hear his nose snap, and feel it move into his skull. His eyes full of fear and disbelief, he dies as I send his nose to his small brain.
The eyes are empty before he hits the ground.
Standing over him, I mutter, "Say hello to Shredder in hell."
The others are finished with their punching bags. Donnie approaches me and says, "You fight well, Brother Knight. Let's now see Splinter the mage."
Silmane walks up to me. "Let me see if I can do something."
"What?" I step back.
She puts her hand on my forehead and says something -- what I don't know or care.
"That hurts, Lady!" I shout.
"You don't have to shout, I am not stricken with deafness. "
I feel better. I think she somehow healed the wound. Maybe I don't hate her.
"Thank you," I apologize. "Let's get home."
I have come to believe, in life, that to all things there is some kind of purpose. I accepted my life of training as a nightblade and learned my lessons well. 'The best techniques are passed on by the survivors...' or so Gaiden Shinji was quoted to have said. But all this, and all my preparation for the quest for the eight pieces of the Staff of Chaos could not have seen this. We were in the sewers, again.
I had started in the sewers, in the dungeon cell below the Imperial City I had been locked in by the Emperor. It was then she appeared to me, with only her powers keeping her here. She told me of the evil that had struck at the Imperial Seat last Mid Year's Festival. I could not let such evil grow. I escaped from my cell and crawled through the Imperial City's sewers and fled. There, I had begun my task of training and of searching. Now, here I am, again. In the sewers.
Sir Raphael and Sir Keno have led us here, throughout the muck. My lady and the Prince told me that they had started here, and this is to where the Prince insisted we return to this morn. I, on the other hand, was impatient for action, for the Game is only won by action. I left, in search of any sign of Jaggar Tharn in his city, and met the two monks in search of me.
The mage, Splinter sent them, or so they claimed. Then we got attacked, by Foot? Something tells me they are not related to Tharn, yet they may have a connection somewhere.
The fight had woken up the puppies and it had taken some effort to keep them in their duffel bag until we reached the Lair.
The Lair proved to be a large open area. It was grand, but it was also familiar. Sir Raphael was the first one down and we all heard his cry of surprise. Sir Keno quickly hopped down to find what was wrong, the Prince close behind.
I looked around, thinking I could slip away to continue my search when my eyes caught that of my Lady's. Her hand reached out and touched my shoulder, gently. She smiled.
"I know, we must seek out Jaggar Tharn, quickly," she said to me. "But, these others may be what we need to defeat him."
I shook my head, "No, this is wrong. You came to me, in the dark cell, and told me I was the one. Now, you ask me to join with others? My Lady, do not think me rude, but why did you bother to free me when you had all of these to help you?"
She sighed, she seemed so sad. "I was not sure who I would have to help me. When Jaggar Tharn attacked you through the one called Casey and his spell of Spaghetti, I knew that you and I would need help. I was not even sure I could find you."
"Hey!" Sir Raphael's voice called up to us, "Get your butts down here! Leo's alive!"
My Lady and I exchanged glances, Leo?
I assisted my Lady down and quickly followed her. I looked at those who had gathered to herald our arrival.
Prince Miguel stood near a short, human-rat. It took me several moments to recall this was the great mage, Master Splinter. Sir Keno and Sir Raphael stood near another Angorian, who did not look so well. How could we enlist this one to our quest? Another man and a woman stood on the others side of the mage.
Sir Keno was telling them something when we entered, but quickly grew silent. Sir Keno rose and cleared his throat, he was obviously going to be the group spokesperson.
"Uhm," he said, not off to a very good start, "Sir Donato, Lady Silmane, may I introduce Professor Perry of TGRI, Lady April, Master Splinter, and Sir Leonardo."
Teegee Ari? I had never heard of the city, but Sir Keno must of thought it important to mention it. Sir Raphael seemed to show much interest in Sir Leonardo.
"... we can even watch The Hunted again, if you want to."
"It's ok, I'm ok."
Master Splinter walked over to us. He looked us over and nodded, he seemed greatly relieved to see me.
"Welcome home, my son," he said.
I bowed low to him, the duffel bag of puppies sliding forward. One yelped and I gently set the bag down.
"Master, may I present my friends," I said, opening the bag. "This is Rihad, the leader, Archon, Riften, and their lady Elinhir."
The four puppies tumbled out and looked around. Master Splinter took one look at them and groaned. "Why does no one listen to me when I said no pets?" he muttered.
Rihad and Riften quickly set to barking at the new ones. It was then I noticed the small bundle of fur in the arms of Sir Leonardo. It quickly sat up, hissed and spat at my friends. They, in turn, quickly raced forward. To play or attack, I was not sure which, but chaos followed.
Another kitten bounded out from nowhere, the Lady April crying, "Raph Jr., wait!"
Sir Keno, Sir Raphael, my Lady, and I dashed after the puppies while Sir Leonardo held on to his kitten with intense concern. The Professor of Teegee Ari seemed confused as to what to do, so he simply stood there and watched with what I could only guess to be amusement. The lady April bounded after her own kitten.
We soon had the quivering mass of fur back to respective corners. Master Splinter looked at the group of us. I bowed low when his eyes fell on me. My puppies had embarrassed me.
"Donate-- Donato," he said.
"Please forgive my young ones," I said, "they have only been with me for a short time and are yet new to the world."
The master looked away, "Professor, would you please show... Donato and Miguel the computer."
The Professor looked confused, but nodded, "Of course."
I stuffed the puppies back in the bag and followed the prince to a corner of the Lair. There, the prince cried out, as is in pain, and quickly ran back.
"The Crystal Box," he cried from behind me.
I crept slowly forward, unsure, of just what I would find before me. That's when I heard it, the hum of a fan. The sound of the greatest magic of all. It was sitting by itself, surrounded by magic tomes whose boxes were gaily colored and decorated. This belonged to a true mage of a most intricate science.
I glanced over the pile of papers when one seemed to catch my eye. I pulled it out and my heart stopped as I read.
"'Codex Scienta, the Book of Knowledge'," I muttered as I read, a scroll whose possession could buy riches and had the power to crush one's enemies. The tome that could lead an adventurer through the trial and terrors that lurk within the world of Arena. Complete maps to all dungeons and crypts, including all four levels of the Imperial Palace.
I could read no further. This Codex Scienta was what we needed. Coming here to the Lair had been a good idea. Was this Codex Scienta here, in this room? I began to dig through the piles and stacks.
"My son," Master Splinter said, placing a hand on my arm. "Do you understand? Do you know what it is that we have shown you?"
I grabbed the paper, "Yes, oh Master Splinter, you are so wise. You have shown me the truth."
He sighed, his shoulders sinking with relief. "Then you must help the professor. Your brother, Leo, has been poisoned and we must find the formula."
"A brother? I have a brother?" I asked. "I have been gone from my home for far too long. We must take him to a temple, quickly."
I turned to my lady and waved the paper at her. "This is what we have come back her for. This scroll, this Codex Scienta will show us the secrets to defeating Jaggar Tharn!"
"No!" the Master cried. He grabbed me and forced me in to the chair before the Crystal Box. "Find the game, bring it up."
"I can do it," Sir Keno said, slipping up next to me.
He typed a few words on the screen. I heard music, the screen changed. 'The Elder Scrolls, Chapter One.' The screen shifted. 'The best techniques are passed on by the survivors, Gaiden Shinji, Blademaster, First Era.' Again, the screen shifted, and there, in bold words, was the history of my world.
I read and watched as the history and horror played out before my eyes. Sir Keno pressed a few buttons on the rat that was tied to the box, and I was looking at myself. I cried out in horror and jumped back. What foul sorcery was this? How could they do this? They had not searched me out and brought me back here to help, they had come to steal my soul, my life. They were in league with Jaggar Tharn.
"Run, my lady," I cried, pulling my bo. "It is a trap! They will claim your soul in the Crystal Box as they are doing to me!"
"Donato!" she cried, her hands reaching out.
They were closing in on me, telling me that I was wrong, to listen to them, I was their son, brother and friend. Lies, all lies.
"Prince Miguel, flee! Protect the Lady Silmane!" I cried out, swinging my staff at Sir Keno. "Flee! Do not worry for me, it is to late! Continue the fight, for the freedom of all Tamriel!"
I could see them, racing for the exit.
"You will not take me so easily," I growled, pausing to dump the duffel bag on the floor, freeing the puppies. They looked about from my feet, setting up a barking that echoed about us.
"My soul may be lost to the Crystal Box," I said, "but your life will soon join the others of your hell-spawned brothers."
I leapt forward, crying out in honor of Tamriel, of the true Emperor I served, and of the lady who now fled and had entrusted me as the the last hope for freedom. I now entrusted her, to avenge me.
I left April, clutching the basket of kittens, with Leonardo in the short looped tunnel beside our entrance way, and pulled away the boards that hid our doorhole. A dusty glow rose from it and lit the sewers. I broke the beam, creeping headfirst down the ladder, until I had a clear view of our home spread below.
The many lights the Turtles have rigged flooded the lair, bouncing from the glass of the dead subway car. Some caught in the gold fringe of an army coat Leonardo had brought down last month. A bright row of flags hanging from the arch over the stairwell combined with the splatterpaint on the wall to my left to transform the lair into a colorful, distracting zoo. Warm colors_on a cold background. No one had blasted heated steam into the den this night, I guessed. The worried stare of an overturned mannequin below caught my attention, her sharp glass eyes leaving me uncomfortable. I signaled to my son, and he followed with April as I hurried to the floor.
I didn't see Michaelangelo, or Raphael and Donatello, but the Professor ducked out of Donatello's room and hurried over to us. I was glad of his help, for April's exhaustion and my son's dizziness returned as we entered the safety of our home. Perry helped April to our couch, and Leonardo tugged me into the subway car. He handed me the clinking bag of "evidence".
"Give these to Jordan for me, Master. He might know what to do with them." He yawned, squinted happily down at me, and sprawled gratefully onto one of the long, blanketed seats along the car's sides. I peered anxiously out at April as the Professor joined us, but she appeared to slip easily into sleep with the kittens in their basket at her feet. Leonardo lay awake, watching Perry and I quietly while I explained to the Professor what I knew of the evening's adventures_that is, what I felt he needed to know. I watched my son as the long minutes drew to a close. His eyes whispered at me of heavens and whirlwind stars, of feverish blue smoke on fallen leaves, of broken dancers spilling up waterfalls. He did not make a sound in all that time, but his teeth would clench in pain when Perry touched him, seeking the source of the hurt. All I could do was hold his hot fingers in my own. He rarely blinked. He seemed very far away.
I answered Perry's questions, was relieved when he finally gathered the bag from beside my son's bed and returned to Donatello's.
Leonardo tugged at my fur to catch my weary attention.
"Master Splinner? Lissen, okay?"
He caught his breath, turned a half-smile toward my feet. I rubbed his hand between mine.
"You gotta go meditate, sensei, reach out and touch someone. Challi's dad won't shut up in my head cause you can't hear him till ya zen out again. An' I wanna go to sleep." He looked away, I caught the stars in his eyes again. "There," he murmured, "satisfied?" Then my son's eyes closed, and he sighed into a snore.
I left him, my heart catching. There were strange forces at work beneath the moon tonight_or was it play? And I did not want to play any longer. Then my heart caught again, and I froze, all the concern of this terrible evening disappearing in the sight before me. April_
The kittens had crawled their way up the length of the couch to her face. One lay curled between her chin and shoulder, the other was stretched on her spread of hair, one of its legs slipping off the side of her pillow.
I tried to move, to strike them away and save her, only to realize I was paralyzed by my fear. Even as I thought it, April jerked awake and met my panicked, helpless stare.
"What is it, Splinter?" she cried.
"The kittens," I whispered, unable even to hiss them away.
She brought a loose hand up, confused, and touched the two little furballs. The shock drained from her eyes and she smiled, relaxed. "Oh, how adorable. I haven't had a cat sleep by my cheek since those summers at the farm! Thanks for showing me, Splinter. Mmmm. Aren't you sweet, my little pookie num-mums. Go on, snuggle buffems. Back to sleep." Miss O'Neil sent me a reassuring smile and lay happily among her furry pillows, cooing.
I retreated, with the hope that April would be able to keep the creatures with her. She seemed to have an unnatural, calming affect on their nasty little natures. Praying the peace lasted, I headed for my own chamber, stepping over several toppled light stands and one fallen, makeshift bookshelf outside Donatello's rooms. Had there been a struggle here? The Turtles usually at least made an effort to hide any accidental messes they created.
And what had Leonardo meant about Challi's father? The boy had told us his father perished before he could bring us the gifts of my sons' ancient friends. Was Leonardo truly hearing a voice from beyond the grave?
I slipped into the meditation chamber and lit two candles. The wax in their glass bowls were low. I had spent much time in this room for many weeks. It was easier to escape here, to avoid the sons who wonder more, each day, why they must train. Easing onto the familiar flat pillow, I glanced at the scarred wooden pole on the far wall. It had been Raphael's, one of his first, a relic from when they were all much younger and practicing with such staffs. Back then, the work had been an exciting diversion -- with a goal set in some unfocused, uncertain future, where their skills would help their master avenge his master . . .
Now even that distant dream had been fulfilled. Twice over, they had risked themselves to defeat Saki, using the weapons given them only a handful of years earlier.
My mind drifted off, and I smiled. Somehow the meditation was easy tonight. The images of battered broom handles and flashing steel came strongly. I remembered a different home, one that began with a single shared room. The way Raphael would wake in the night to tuck the blankets back around a shivering Michaelangelo. The five of us crouched around a meager feast of sandwiches, sharing stories and laughter. Myself, giving the Turtles their first real weapons. Master Yoshi's proud smiles. I pictured his face before me in the smoke. How much it had hurt to see that face shock with the death blow! Was it cowardice for me to have fled the ruined home? I never knew what happened after . . .
The memory before me in the flame-shadows began to shift, the features of my sensei's face blurring, shaping into those of another. Then the visage moved, nodding respectfully, and began to speak--
"Master Splinter, I am Miyatio Hummatsu," he said in the old language, "descendent of Norinaga Kenshin and the princess Mitsu. I have been trying to reach you for many days, but . . ." The eyes rolled toward the stained ceiling. "The stars were not ready. Tonight, we have the full moon to strengthen bonds. I was able to send my son, Kenji, who calls himself Challi, to aid your fight.
I held my breath a moment before speaking. How many years had passed since I had heard my master's language spoken? I answered slowly, in kind. "Challi helped my son, Leonardo, tonight. If this honor was your doing, then we have you to thank, Hummatsu."
"There are others, your friends, seeking him at TGRI. I led them to the place. There are Foot waiting, but your friends are strong."
"You know of our enemies?"
"They were my clan. No longer, Splinter. We fight the same fight, against their master. So it is written in the scrolls."
"Their master is dead; twice-dead, Hummatsu."
"No, Splinter, you are wrong. His spirit lives. Rest now, there is battle to prepare for. I will be with you. Watch for my son. He is foolish, but has the abilities to aid your clan in the war against the Foot."
There is no war, I thought. War -- kills the innocent. Only one man had to pay with his life at the hands of myself and my sons. If Saki's spirit lived on in his minions, so be it. My sons are not killing machines. They are ninja of honor.
"Hummatsu," I said, "take care your quest for vengeance does not destroy what you have left."
"I seek only to protect you and your students, for all they have done for my ancestors."
"That we will accept."
The image faded with the flames, and I was left in cool darkness. I started up to bring the heat-giving steam pipes to life, but fell asleep before I could rise.
"Master? Master, wake up! Someone's coming in the tunnels!" Leonardo spoke from the door of the chamber, holding one of Donatello's heavier training bos in a ready stance. "Here they come, I can hear them moving the boards!" he hissed.
I came to his side, blinking in the light. I saw the green legs descending, the massive muscles.
"Oh, it's Raph," Leo sighed in relief. We hurried toward the ladder.
Raphael spotted us as soon as his head cleared the manhole's circle, and immediately missed his next step. "LEO!" he hollered, hanging from his fingers. He dropped the rest of the way and ran to us, grabbing his brother in a bearhug. "I thought you were dead!"
"Just a little dizzy, Raph." Leo pulled away and limped over to lean against the back of an armchair as Perry appeared from Donatello's room.
I held Raphael back as he started to follow Leonardo. "Raphael, where are your brothers? Where have you been, and are you all right?"
"Oh, geez, Splinter, I_oh, let Keno explain!" he said impatiently, tugging away and going to his brother. I turned to see Keno jogging towards me, and behind him, Michaelangelo climbing down the ladder. April had come to stand near us with Perry
"Splinter, I gotta make this short. But believe me, it's all true. Mikey and Donnie think they're characters in that computer game, Arena. There's this lady, Ria Silmane, who's really powerful, I think. You gotta play along, pretend you're the mage leader of this_" he swept his hands to take in the whole den. "_this castle, okay?"
At that moment, I was nearly bowled over by Michaelangelo. "Greetings, Master Splinter! You'll never guess who came through the Crystal Box and helped me find Donato_the Lady Ria Silmane!" He pointed, beaming, to the entrance, as a small young woman descended with Donatello.
"We got them home for you, Splinter. Now what do we do?" Keno asked.
I had no clue.
The woman seemed to, though. She walked confidently toward us. She glanced back at Donatello once, though, and seemed confused, as though at something he had said.
"Um," Keno started. "Sir Donato, Lady Silmane, may I introduce Professor Perry of TGRI, Lady April, Master Splinter, and Sir Leonardo."
"Hello, April," the lady greeted.
"Huh? Splinter, that's the voice I heard before!" April cried.
I knew.
"How are the kittens?" the woman continued.
"Um, they're fine." April leaned forward and squinted at the lady. "Who are you?"
"I am Ria Silmane."
"The one -- from Arena?"
I signaled April to silence.
"I sensed when Tharn tried to take you over, April. I'm glad you're all right. I don't know why he targeted you. There is obvious good within your heart."
"Thank you? Hey--hang on. Leo! What did you just say?"
We turned to look at my son, who was telling his story to Raphael. "You mean about the cage?"
"No, that name. What name?"
"I think the guy's name was LeGault. Vance LeGault, the main `doctor' there. I didn't like him much."
"Vance LeGault is my neighbor down the hall, apartment 527! He's a creep, asks me out every time we're at the mailboxes! I much prefer that little short guy downstairs, actually . . ."
"That's it!" Raph growled. "I'm really starting to hate this game. One of Tharn's minions in outer Skyrim is named Vancetor. Is this gonna be another weird connection to Arena?"
"Well, my locks are pretty shitty," said April. "Maybe the game and the kitten were supposed to go to him, and whoever was supposed to deliver them got mixed up and just broke into my apartment instead."
Donatello looked close to panic. If what Keno had told me was true, nothing we were saying would be making sense to him. I had to help him. I went to him. "Welcome home, my son," I tried, hoping to jar his memory. He bowed, and opened a bag of--puppies.
"Master, may I present my friends," he said. "This is Rihad, the leader, Archon, Riften, and their lady Elinhir."
"Why does no one listen to me when I say `no pets'?" I moaned.
Between the cats and the dogs, we soon had total confusion on our hands. As soon as I felt it was safe, with the kittens back in Leonardo and April's arms, I tried again. "Donate_Donato," I began.
"Please forgive my young ones," he apologized. "They have only been with me for a short time and are yet new to the world."
I nodded. "Professor, would you please show . . . Donato and Miguel the computer?"
This had to work.
But it didn't. Donatello grew increasingly alarmed as Keno showed him the game he was living. I could almost feel the pain of the mental struggle he was suffering. Finally the strain broke and he leapt up, yelling for his brother and the woman to escape, then attacking us. I heard Ria and Miguel running down the tunnel, but I had to protect the others who had followed us in. Leonardo was in no shape to take on Donatello in a bad mood.
The struggle was on. Being deluded only seemed to help Donatello's more latent talents flow more easily. He attacked Keno first, as I dodged the puppies he let spill to the floor.
I blocked one of Donatello's blows and leapt on his shell, behind the shoulder. I grappled with my son as the others piled on.
"Splinter!"
I got a grip on one elbow, but lost it as Donatello slammed me between the wall and his shell.
"Splinter!"
I jerked toward the voice, trying to pin Donatello's flailing arms to his sides. "What?" I snapped, over his howls.
"Is he your son?" Miss Silmane demanded, pointing to Donatello.
"Of course!" I hadn't meant to shout, but the situation was not exactly one for whispering.
"Then his name is Donato?" she begged.
She knew the answer. We locked eyes over the whipping headband. "He is Donatello--"
"NO!" my son bawled.
"SLEEP!" she cried, and the wild Turtle in our midst crumpled to the floor of his chamber.
I held my stance, but looked up at the one called Silmane. This stranger held great powers. "Why did you not flee?" I asked her. Michaelangelo stood on tiptoe and peeked at us over Ria's head.
"Because Donato_I'm sorry, his name is truly Donatello?--he said a few minutes ago that he is the boy I sought to aid me in the dungeon at the Imperial City. But that was my friend Talin, and a human at that. It is as though Donato--tello--was somehow possessed by Talin's spirit . . . or his story." Ria gestured weakly at the images on Donatello's computer screen. "Talin and I, and our world, and Tharn . . . are a game here?"
"That's not true!" Michaelangelo glowered. "Tell her, Master Splinter! You brought us up, all four of us, here in the castle."
I shook my head. "I raised you, Michaelangelo, and your brothers. But not here. There was another home, another hiding place beneath New York City. These names, these roles you speak of, are not real."
"No, Splinter. They're real. Just not here," Ria told us. "Tharn brought them here with him, when he created a breach from one dimension into this one, through the Crystal Box in this room. Perhaps he tried to take Donatello over, but his good heart chose another spirit from our realm to pattern itself after: my friend Talin. And you, Miguel, chose one somehow as well."
"You mean, I'm not a prince?"
"No," I sighed. His look of disappointment made my heart want to break in mid-leap. "You are my son, Michaelangelo."
"Whoa."
The little room fell silent. Perry peered at us warily from the far end of Donatello's sleeping quarters, no doubt hoping the fighting was over for the night. Keno had dropped to one knee beside Donatello, panting. Behind me, Raphael and Leonardo slumped together against the wall, exhausted. The animals at my feet were being gathered up by April.
"Then whose body has Ria got?" Keno wondered.
"And you, too, Sir Keno," Silmane replied.
Keno grinned. "Oh no, my Lady. Me and Raph were just pretending so we could get you three home. You sure didn't make it easy."
"Easy? Hell. Fightin' Shredhead was easy," Raphael muttered.
I decided to interrupt. "Donatello has been . . . distrustful of others in recent weeks. Perhaps this carried into his character. But Michaelangelo's perceptions of his family and surroundings were somewhat true to life. Miss Silmane, is there anything you remember of family, or a nearby home?"
"No. Splinter, I know my mind is intact. I was apprentice to Tharn when he killed me in the Imperial City. I have been trapped in his anti-dimension ever since, and that I know is real. Somehow, Tharn came here, and I followed him through. This is my body. Now, I only need your help even more to find Tharn. His evil powers still work here, as does my own. Miguel, that is, I mean--"
"That's okay, Ria. You can call me Miguel if you want to. I don't mind."
Leonardo winced. "Bambi, Mikey?"
"What?" he asked.
"Miguel," Ria continued, "do you remember when I sent the Cloaking spell to you and your brothers, and Tharn attacked me?"
"Yeah, of course so. It was so wild, you guys! No one could really see me! Invisibility rocks! And then me and Donato could walk around on the streets and no one paid us any attention!"
"That would explain a lot," said Raphael.
Ria smiled at him. "You see, this proves our powers do work, here."
"Didn't have to prove that to me," Raphael told her. "You healed me, remember?" he said, pointing at his forehead.
"So--how come you guys never answered the phone when me and Donato and Ria called this morning?" Miguel asked us.
"The phone never rang," said Leo. "Did it, Master?"
"Perhaps our `fiddling' with the computer and the modem caused a breakdown in the phone lines," Perry suggested, pulling himself carefully forward.
April raised her hand, holding the kittens and puppies in her lap with the other. "Where's Casey now?" she wanted to know.
No one answered. Her eyes widened. "When did you last see him?"
"When we left his place to go find Donato a couple hours ago," Keno said. "He was with Danny . . . Danny Pennington."
A different kind of silence fell.
"You mean Dani the betrayer?" Miguel wondered.
"We better get back there, fast," said Raphael.
Keno shook his head. "Will somebody please explain to me who the hell this Dan is?"
"On the way, kid. You comin', Leo?"
Leonardo looked at me helplessly. "Master, there were other test subjects at that lab. I'd like to go back and rescue them. Besides, they've got my swords. And maybe Perry can find something there to help me and April, too."
"Then I'm going with you, Leo." April handed him the kittens and looked at us defiantly. "He'll need someone to keep an eye on him. You know men when they get sick. They crumble like babies."
My son looked outraged.
"Besides, you guys are not gonna leave me behind and expect the damn lair to be clean when you get back, are ya?" She sounded exactly like Raphael. I tried not to be worried.
"Actually," Perry broke in, "April, it would be highly beneficial to have all subjects present at the base laboratory. Assuming, of course, that you are suffering the effects of a TGRI-connected substance. I think it is a stupendous idea for you to accompany Leonardo and I to the TGRI lab. I'm afraid we may not have much time."
"Why not, Professor?" Leonardo asked.
The man squirmed uncomfortably and wrapped his long fingers around each other. "I finished reading the notes of this Vance LeGault, and they say that most of the test subjects in the RK90 series . . . well, ended up dying."
"What?!" Leonardo shot me a terrified glance.
"Then we have no time to lose." I drew myself up to full height. "Keno, you and Raphael return to Casey's apartment. When you find him, go to the TGRI lab and meet with Perry, Leonardo, and April. April, you are in charge of the kittens. Make sure they go with you. And be very careful, there still may be Foot forces at the labs." I turned to Ria. "Michaelangelo, Donatello, and I will help you find Jaggar Tharn, Ria. The spiritual forces of other realms have no claim on this dimension of Earth. Such evil must be banished."
I faced the others again. "Go carefully, my friends. We will return to the lair as soon as possible. Make sure to leave a note of some kind to inform any who come after of what has transpired, and where you have gone to. I will write one to Casey now. Be strong, my sons! Remember your training."
Go back to Part Two, Chapter Seven