Something had changed.
The patterns of the void were shifting. Rippling energies were drawing together out of the swirling darkness that marked the edges of the plane. I twisted my shoulders and peered upward, waiting for my body to follow through the nothingness of our atmosphere. High above, ribbons of colored light spiraled around a vortex of blackness.
"By the gods," I whispered, pulling myself toward it, "he's created a breach!" I climbed the currents, racing up into the darkness. The colors were blinding. I reached out with SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION, found the center of the spiral.
Tharn had gone through. I could taste his trail. Before thought of fear could catch me up, I followed him, into whatever dimension he'd opened to us; no matter the danger, I HAD to go after him, keep him from destroying another world. With any luck, the slaves we'd left below would have time and wits enough to escape, somehow, while Tharn's will was elsewhere.
The vortex closed cold about me, the chill shooting to my marrow. Bitter. I clenched my teeth and pulled myself on. Finally a light appeared ahead, a glowing square that sucked me forward. Closer, closer it was going to be too small! I couldn't stop myself though! I hit it headfirst, my head punching out into free air. But the rest of my body was caught by the box's sides that bruised my shoulders. The incredible pull crushed me helplessly, partly in and mostly out of the new dimension.
"SHRINK!" I managed to gasp, the last of my breath squeezing out of collapsing lungs. Shooting out like an arrow, I tumbled to the ground, a tiny and battered version of myself.
"GROW," I moaned, and dusted myself off.
I was in a small, stone walled, squarish room that was crowded with unfamiliar materials. The humming box I had tumbled from glowed with strange figures behind me, sitting grey and heavy on a propped up table. Both were covered in scattered piles of extremely thin white parchment. Smaller tables, small books, it seemed to be somebody's work area.
Two tunnels led off the area the shorter one held a pallet and strange weapons; the other was empty, but I could see a much larger open area beyond. Jaggar must have gone that way.
When I hurried out of the tunnel, something leapt at me from the wall outside the opening a round faced, green monster whose class I had never encountered.
"AAGH!" I screamed.
"YAA!" A jet of water zapped between my eyes, the monster dodged away.
In the quiet that followed I regained my balance, swiping the water from my face and keeping the wall at my back. The monster had disappeared somewhere in the room, which was much bigger than I 'd expected. It was at least the size of the old castle's hall, but this place could never have held as many people as the castle's floor had; not even after Jaggar Tharn took over. The room was, despite its dimensions, almost as crowded as the first; there was junk everywhere. Seeing stairs and open space across the floor, I moved carefully forward, watching for movement behind any of the colorful pillars that surrounded me.
"HAI!" A solid heaviness slammed into my back and I reeled with the impact. I hit the ground hard, brought down by the sudden weight on my back it must be the monster! His strong hand seized my shoulder and flipped me, dazed; then creature was on me, pinning me to the ground beneath its knees.
"Who be ye?" we gasped together.
He paused, blinking in surprise.
"I am the prince " "Ria Silmane "
We shook our heads. "Look, can you get off me?" I suggested, the pain in my sides becoming intense. After a moment it backed off, keeping the bright green, dripping thing he'd shot me with pointed toward my face. We stared at each other.
Jaggar must have made his portal to a world full of these monsters. The muscles of this one were unbelieabvle, who called himself a prince... It suited Tharn to strike at royalty, as he had in my world. I got to my feet slowly, under the being's wary stare.
"Um," I tried, "did a big purple guy just go running though here?"
He raised what passed for an eyebrow and looked unhelpful.
"Actually, did anything go by at all? He's sort of a shape shifter, you see, coulda looked like whatever he wanted. Even me."
Now he really looked blank.
"Uh, you didn't see me run past a few minutes ago, before I really did, did you?"
He held my gaze, wide eyed, a moment longer. The the prince swung abruptly away, dropping the green thing and holding its head in confusion. "I don't know what's going on, Lady!" he cried. His accent was incredible. "The Crystal Box has been killing my warriors, and a dude started talking to me out of it and then he started eating half of Donato's chamber! So I escaped to the hall and everyone was gone and you showed up don't tell me, ye come from the Crystal Box, too?"
I didn't know what to say. This prince sounded like any human; even a young and handsome one. He also reminded me of a scared little boy, trying to make sense of of a drunkard's ball. I wasn't sure how much to tell him, but he deserved some sort of explanation. I struggled for a way to start...
"What is your name?" I faintly asked.
"I am Prince Miguel. But leave such parley for later what's going on with Donato's Box?" he demanded.
I already knew I would tell him the truth. The question was, how. He was impatient, and I wanted to be after Jaggar, so I told him what came to my tongue.
"I believe the man Jaggar Tharn has created a breach from his void to this world through your Crystal Box. He's a very evil mage, known as Jaggar Tharn in my homeland. He trapped me in his anti dimension after I died opposing him in Skyrim. I followed him here because he is too strong in his own sanctuary for me to defeat alone, and he must not be allowed to destroy another land in his desire for power."
I could almost see his thoughts spinning. "Lemme get this straight, " he tried. "A false wizard invaded your land, captured you to his, came into ours through Donato's Box, and now you're gonna try and stop him?"
"Decapitate him, actually." Poor guy. For a freak, he seemed nice, but I had to move on. "I'm sorry you've been caught in the middle of all this; I'm sure you're a very nice monster but breaches don't really care one way or the other, you know?" I started backing away. "Now I've really got to catch him before he does anything dangerous, so I'll just find my way out of your castle, if you don't mind..."
"Wait! I'll help you!" Miguel cast about frantically before I could get any farther away, and snatched up the green thingy. "Know thee how to wield such a weapon as this?"
"No o." I wasn't planning to learn, either.
"Ha! You need me!" he crowed. "Besides, you need help to get about this city. I can help you find this dolorous ogre faster than you could on your own."
I gave him the once over.
"Please?"
"It couldn't hurt," I sighed. "Where do we start?"
He threw a fist into the air. "Yes! The others will think I got another chance at the ale barrels! What was your name again?"
"Ria Silmane." He had a neat smile.
"Cool. Listen, that Tharn guy could have gone in the same direction as Young Caesar's as well as any other, right?"
I shrugged. What was a seezur?
"Then let's go for it! Follow me!"
"Enough with the DAMN game!"
"What Raph? What's wrong?" Keno asks, turning away from Donnie's computer.
Casey looks up from the chair he's sitting at, apparently waking from a half sleep. Danny just moves back a step, I guess slamming my fist on the table doesn't help any either.
"It's bad enough it took me long enough to get here. Now we're playing with a stupid GAME!!" Shouting, I stomp out to the steps.
Thinking back, I can't believe I had to make a stupid detour, because a couple of sewer workers had to be in the way. I got so far off, I almost got close to the old lair. Damn, could've sworn they were trying to follow me.
Then to get here, only to find everybody is gone. Then Casey and other two showed up. Telling me that not only was Donnie in trouble and crazy but so was Leo! And where the Hell is Mikey?
"So what are we goin' to do then?" Casey asks as I walk past him.
Getting back to the present, I reply, "We're goin' to get them back. You and Keno know where they might be, so let's go!"
"All right! A little action!" Casey stands up, stretching.
Hell, I'm the first to admit it, I'm no leader, but I got more at stake here. "Let's go guys."
Sneaking to the damn place, it turns out well. No Foot. No cops. No crap. Keno is good, give him a couple of years, he might get to be, maybe, my level in stealth. Casey has a little trouble, but nothing to worry about at the moment. As we get to gate, I can see Danny being a thief helped him in this. I still don't completely trust him yet.
Let's see here, how the Hell do we get in there?
"Well, what do we do now?" whispers Danny.
"Quiet! I'm thinking about it," I snip back. Didn't mean to be so hard about it, I guess it's my nature.
"You think we can get over the fence?" Keno asks softly.
"Nah. I'll make too much noise. I like the front approach," Casey answers.
"There's just two guards talking at the gate, we could take them out," I decide. "Casey, follow my lead. Keno, make sure no one else comes by."
Casey and I sneak up to the two guards, as Keno gets to a better position.
The two guards are talking about a door that they have to check. A few more steps and they're going to check out, period. I'm getting a good lead when Casey steps on a cat. A CAT?!
"ROWR!" screams the kitten.
The guards turn around, just as Casey and I attack. They pull their guns. I jump kick one right in the face, he falls hard on the pavement. Casey strikes the other guard in the gut with his hockey stick. Casey follows through by hitting the poor S.O.B. in the back of the head.
"A talent," Casey says to me.
"Yeah, stepping on cats."
"Hey! It walked under me. I can't help it if it liked me."
Keno and Danny walk up to us. Keno speaks up, "We're in, right?"
"Yeah, I guess." I shrug my shoulders.
We run quietly to the open door. A few small cats are running around, luckily no one steps on any. Although Danny and I almost do.
I peek in the warehouse and see two more guards scampering around, chasing cats while one is down with a cat puking on him.
Telling Danny to stay back, Casey, Keno and I bum rush the guards. Keno gets to one before us. He roundhouses a cat chaser, knocking him toward a table. Hitting it knocks the wind out of him. Keno finishes him with a boot to the head.
I come up to the last guard, he gets the first swing. Easily ducking it, I punch him in the balls. The weak idiot passes right out.
"Aw man! Why didn't you save a hit for me?" Casey asks.
After binding the three up, we scan the room. The warehouse is small compared to most, with only one large room and a smaller one at a corner. Along one side is a row of cages. Most are open and some are damaged. In the near center is the table, and on the other walls are shelves, cabinets, and a computer. One of the cabinets is smashed open, with blood all over it. Blood and glass is on the floor and table. Needles are also scattered across the table.
"Hey look! A trail of blood," Danny speaks up, pointing at the floor near his feet.
"What?" Casey, Keno, and I ask turning toward him.
Sure enough, a blood trail is leading heading from him toward the table. I look back to the floor between the cabinet and the table. With the blood and glass there is some yellow green liquid. Hell a cat is licking up some of the blood!
"Get out of here!" I shout at the cat, kicking it. It takes off.
"What's wrong Raph?" Casey asks.
Where the cat was, there is a rag, a blue one. Wait a minute, it's not a rag. It's... it's... LEO'S MASK covered with HIS BLOOD!!
"THOSE SONS OF BIT !"
"Raph! What's wrong with you?!"
"They drugged and killed Leo! Then dragged his body out of here!" I replied back.
"No it can't be," Keno mutters.
I race out, running past the others, growling. Can't think straight, just see RED. BLOOD RED RAGE!
I run out of the warehouse, acting more like a beast than a ninja. I think I hear my name called out, but I don't care anymore. I just want REVENGE.
I come up to the fence, jumping I reach over half of it. Quickly climbing the damn chain fence, and reaching the top, I flip over the barbed wire. Landing solidly, not gracefully, I continue forward, destination unknown.
Racing past a block or two, I turn a corner and stop. A man, is standing there, waiting. For what? Me or just death? He's carrying swords, sure looks like Leo's. He will pay! I draw my sais as he approaches. Taking the first swing, going for his chest, he parries my attack and counters with a swing to my left side.
I block with my sai, and back off a few steps. Can't win a fight by fighting stupidly.
He strikes at my head, I block and crouch. He pulls back his arm for another swing as I do a leg sweep. Jumping over my leg, he swings again low towards me. I parry his sword and stand back up into a defensive pose.
He strikes at my left side with his right sword, as I step back from his sword, he comes back with both to the right. I twist to the right to block this attack. Clashing metal rings in alleyway.
With my left hand I attack at his chest, but he steps back just before I connect. He thrusts with his left toward me. I turn slightly, dropping my left sai and catching his sword with my right one. Using my left hand, I strike his sword, breaking it in two. He slices at me with his other sword cutting over my right eye. I feel blood coming out, blinding me. My mask falls to the ground.
"AARGH! Bastard!"
"First blood is mine, so is your life," he coldly speaks out.
"Don't count on it," I reply.
The bastard attacks with his sword to my right. I side step it, moving to the middle of the alley. He was casually toward me, holding his sword high in a defensive position. I'm not that STUPID, he's waiting for me. Raising my left arm in front of me and my other by my head holding the sai with the length of it following my arm. Bastard swipes at my head from above, I block with my right and strike with my other at his chest.
"Uhn," the bastard gasps for air. I just took his breath away.
I strike at his hands, knocking his sword to the ground. He steps back taking the Tiger stance. Tiger, this bastard knows the Tiger?! Turning my sai around, I swing for his head. He blocks with his left hand and claws at my chest with his other.
"Oww!" He shouts, shaking his right hand.
"Forgot I got a shell?" I chuckle.
"No matter. I know another way," he calmly replies, standing back, clenching his fist.
With a crescent kick, I strike at his hand to the left. He blocks with his right arm. I over swing my sai at his neck, damn my eye. He easily blocks and knocks it out of my hand. I step back again. The bastard steps up, hits me with his left in my gut, follows through with a right uppercut. As I stagger back, he gets into a defense position. Damn he's fast. As I regain my defense he jump kicks at me. Turning to my left, I block the kick with my left arm and catch him with my right. I slam him to the ground. I strike at his temple, but my eye screws up my aim. As he turns his head, my thumb smashes his right eye.
Bastard screams. Good.
I get knocked off with a right punch to my head. We both get up from the ground. I jump at him, grabbing his head around by the back of it.
As I force his head to the pavement, I coldly say, "Be one with concrete."
If anyone was around, they could've heard his nose bust.
I get up and grab my sai. I look back at him and all I see is him lying on the ground with blood around his head. I spit at him and leave.
I run down a block or two before I start feeling the damage he did to me. The cut above my eye is still bleeding. Damn. I look around got to clean this cut and see a small restaurant closed for the night. I cross the street and move to the back of the restaurant. After looking for a minute or two, I find the employees' door. It has a metal gate in front of it, and is locked with a padlock. I grab my sai and pry the lock open. After a few moments I bust the lock open. Unfortunately also my sai. I break the door with a couple of kicks. After checking around the outside, I enter the building.
Inside I see that I'm in the kitchen; to the right of me is a small room. The office maybe? To the left is another door. I open it and look inside, a restroom. After walking to the sink, I turn the faucet on. Gross yellow water, good ol' New York. After waiting a few moments the water clears up, I proceed to clean the cut and eye out. I hear a noise behind me. Looking up at the mirror I see five Foot entering the restroom. The damn Foot has no respect for other's privacy.
I calmly speak up without turning around. "Hello Boys."
Aw hell. Now Raph was gone off the deep end again. I can't say as I blame him, but we don't know for sure that Leo is dead. And I hate running after him. I just hope I can keep up.
So far this has not been a good day at all. First, April gets called away, then when running to help Leo, I fudge up royally and end up in the trash bin. (At least when they took the scaffolding down they had the courtesy to put the trash bin back.) Then for no apparent reason whatever, Donnie thrashed me but hard. If it hadn't been for my mask, he would have broken my jaw for sure.
Across the lot, there's Raph. "Raph!... RAPH!" Either he doesn't hear or he doesn't care. Most likely he doesn't care. His figure looks like something off of Gargoyles.
Just my luck, he went over the fence! If I go around I'll lose him. I've got to follow!
Up one crate, up another, and jump over yes! I oh no! My shoe lace caught the barbed wire, uh oh. Ground impact in 4,3,2, ugh! oops.... Miscount. I hope no one saw that.
Yup, Keno did. Well, at least they didn't see me damn near shit my pants when I stepped on that cat. I'll threaten Keno's life later, right now I've got to get to Raph. I really don't think Raph knows or cares where he is going.
Aw hell, where is he? I lost him!
Back track? Or keep going....?
I hear him yell in the distance. Ah yes, that familiar sound, much like that night we first met. It almost seems romantic... NOT!
Ok. Follow the direction of the yelling, that shouldn't be hard, Yet the yells of pain I hear aren't Raph's. One scream was as if a face was being broken, and that worries me.
Around the corner and sure enough, it is Raph's handiwork. Ewww. Home boy must have kissed the ground hard. That had to hurt. It hurts just lookin' at it. And they wonder why I wear a hockey mask.... Usually because I end up practicing with Raph. Ha, ha!
Let's see if this guy needs a mortician or not.
Just as I crouch down to inspect, I hear the tell tale sounds of ninja yells and a turtle's blood curdling war cry. It's coming from that restaurant a few short blocks up. Dammit Raph! How do you move so far so fast? Feet move it before I have get rid of corpses!
Ok, no damage to the front, but I can hear the commotion inside. Must be a door around back... yup. Raph came in this way. At least here is part of a sai oh no! Raph needs help! Only someone who hits harder than Raph could have broken his sai!
Ok, the noise is coming from the... the Restroom? Of all places!
Oh such a beautiful ritzy, place. But if it's up to Raph, not for long. Chandeliers, crystal and silver all set up for tomorrow's lunch rush....
Huh! Behind me. Ah yes, look at the scum suckers file in through the door. Ooh, Raph ordered a side dish for me, how thoughtful!
Quick count. Seven. No problem. Hardly seems fair, maybe I'll give them a chance to give up.
"Ok you bug eyed hyenas, who's first?" The one in front comes at me with a sword held over his head, I react when he brings it down, blocking with my hockey stick, then a hard kick to the groin. Ooh what a nut buster!
The second and third come in at my sides. The one on the right had nunchaku and the other has two short sticks. What did Master Splinter call them? Escargot sticks? Whatever. The rest start to surround me, as if to wait for their turn. Not likely.
The one to the right rushes in. Hockey stick at the ready and... oh damn! He wrapped the chuks around the stick in opposites directions, and ripped it right out my hands! "Hey! That was my favorite stick!"
Ok, here come The Boys: my José Canseco Bats! His movements are so fast, let's see if I can time this just right. Swing high with the right, then low with the left, then straight in at the face— well he'll be breathin' though his mouth for awhile!
Whump! Oh! My back!
Ok. Over the chair and let's try to at least look professional about this ooh! Wall meet face... ok, maybe not.
Now where is he? Hey! How did he do that flip onto the table? I gotta learn to do that! Wait a minute! I've always wanted to try this! Grab the table cloth and pull
oops. The poor Foot fall down, go boom. "David Copperfield, eat your heart out!"
Uh oh. Now what? One bat and a table cloth. Ah yes, come and get me!
The last four, as they rush in, I throw the table cloth over their heads and start with the
One whump at whump a whump time whump...
"What... that's it?"
ARRGH!
Oh yeah, Raph!
As I charge in the restroom, one Foot starts out, right into the end of my hockey stick. "Mind tellin' me what's up bug face? Ah, forget it. I'll find out myself." One head butt and he's outta there.
I enter the main area of the bathroom to find one Foot literally flying towards me, head first from one of Raph's kicks. And another being held horizontally over Raph's head. I quickly step to the side and knock him out of the air.
I think I'll just watch this part, this could be fun.
Then again, maybe not. He's gonna impale the dude on that piece of pipe sticking out of the wall! "RAPH! NO!!!"
I run in front of him, hoping to stop him from killing the scum bag. "No Raph! You can't do this, as much as he deserves it. You can't!" Oh shit, he seems to looking right through me.
Only one shot, and pray that he doesn't kill me. Slam him right in the face. Aw hell.... whump!
Ok, he's stepped back, but Raph hasn't dropped him. Ok, he's looking at me now, and whoa! There he goes, right to the floor!
Dude was running on pure adrenalin. I'm surprised he didn't drop sooner. Footsteps coming aw hell....
Oh! It's just Keno and Danny. "Well, don't just stand there lookin' stupid, you two. We gotta get Raph on his feet and back to my place. Can't go back to Splinter lookin' like this...."
The order has been issued by Master Tatsu to try to find the Turtle that was spotted by one of our undercover members at a pizza shop. Another was just reported seen in the sewers near their old lair.
I am in charge of two groups of Foot who have a leader just underneath myself. I requested this so that I may do some of my own searching. Master Tatsu knows that I work better alone. Yet he suggested they go to cover more area and help if need be. Because of the rush of this operation I will be forced to make plans as I go along.
I hear my comrades coming down the brick hallways as I stand next to Master Tatsu. When they reach the open area I can feel the tension and excitement in the air.
Master Tatsu speaks, "Who leads these men?" Responding, two step forward. Pointing to one, then the other, Master Tatsu gives the orders, "You will take your men to Little Caesar's. And you will go to the old lair."
My dogi distinguishes me from the others, having chain mail on the head, chest, forearms and shins. Pointing at me, Master Tatsu says, "He is going along to check progress and check areas he sees fit to inspect."
I bow to them and they bow in return.
As we reach the exit of the headquarters I nod to the leaders to command their teams. They nod in acknowledgment. I follow with the team heading heading towards the turtles' old area. The one spotted fits the description of Raphael, the one I want.
Watching them run in the shadows of the rooftops, streets and sewers, I notice one not keeping up and I follow him. I am ready when he trips over a chimney vent on a roof. Grabbing him roughly, I slam him against a stairwell. "If you mess up again you won't have to worry about keeping up."
I can feel his heart racing. Putting my sword up to his throat I whisper, "Do you understand?" I cannot stand incompetence.
A shaky "Yes sir," is his response and he runs off showing more effort. Soon we reach the spot.
After fifteen minutes of vigilance there is still nothing. I direct the leader to look for traces along with the others and with that they disperse.
I don't think they would be here, especially if they knew one of them has been seen. Why not go someplace unlikely to to be caught? But where would that be?
Sometimes the safest place is in the face of danger. Yes of course! The building we burnt down! No one would suspect them of going there, so that is where I shall look.
If I find him there, what then? Whatever it is I will make sure he pays.
With thoughts of vengeance going through my mind, I almost pass up Ninth Street. I will hold here for a while. After all, this way might be a route used by the turtles. Not many normal people travel Ninth, with it being deserted. The only thing there is abandoned cars, garbage, and the low life scum of the city. A perfect place for the turtles. Ha! Ha!
I forgive myself for the low, almost silent chuckle. I wait for a long while, yet see nothing except a bum talking to himself, along with the distinguishing sounds of the city: cars, people, sirens, a slight wind and meow from a kitten. It sounds like a single kitten and no sound from an adult cat. How odd! I can hear it from the direction of the bum. Probably just his pet.
He looks drunk, yet something is different about him. Why does he hide in shadows? This normally would not concern me, except he seems to have some skill in keeping with the dark? I watch closely as he stumbles into the glimmer of the street light. Wait a minute! He has an ugly beak! A turtle?! Yes! My vigilance has paid off! Yet why is he alone? With as close as they seemed this is very odd. I'll follow just in case....
I follow him to Eleventh and Bleeker, just where I thought they may go! I must be cautious of the others, they may be in the building. He has stumbled almost the whole way. Why? Is it a trap?
I had observed him leaning against a sign post. Why his hesitation? Was he really needing the support? He may be faking. I'll take no chances.
He enters the building, stumbling over things, making much noise. Obviously he does not think anyone is around to hear. I follow silently.
He takes little time in getting comfortable and sits down. He takes off his hood and there is no doubt he is a turtle. The one I want is the loner! Therefore this must be him! And still no around. I will attack now!
"Ah Raphael," I hiss. "We meet at last. Now my vengeance can be done."
My enemy only whispers, "R Raph?" and passes out.
Strength surges through my arm as I lift him in the air, readying him so I may tear his throat out. He looks beat already, and there has been no struggle, no effort to defend himself! Why?
This one called me Raph. Damn! This is not the one I want.... I don't care. I'll kill him nonetheless.
Just as I prepare to make the final blow, I sense something to my right and instinctively my right hand goes up by my face. I feel a sharp pain as something pierces my skin and breaks a bone. But I learned long ago to ignore such things. The throw was meant to kill, aimed at my temple with enough force to enter the brain! Without blinking I turn my head to see who it is, while keeping my hand up for another attack. Out of the shadows I recognize the Rat!
In an ancient voice he says, "Let my son go!"
"You are good," I offer. Throwing the turtle to the side, I remove the shuriken and fling it back at him with my left hand. I expected him to dodge it, but to my surprise he gracefully snatches it out the air.
"Yes, very good. Obviously a master. Their Master," I say nodding towards the fallen turtle.
He says nothing. I must see what I am up against. Pulling my sword I attack. I slice downward and he simply steps back. I thrust the point at his head and midsection, each of which he easily pushes aside using a single hand. Without even being cut! I attack again and this time he stops the sword with his walking stick, stepping in and twisting my wrist around it, rendering my sword and arm useless. He then turns with his back to mine and elbows me in the gut. The force of the blow is unbelievable for someone of his size and apparent age. He obviously allowed me to keep my sword in hand, and then he stands ready. I balance myself on a slightly raised 2 x 4 and bow. He bows in return. No doubt I cannot take him on hand to hand, so I must retreat.
With this I use the slight spring onto a beam between us, but over his head. I land so lightly that only a small amount of dust falls. Crouching down I say "No matter. He is not the one I want."
I can see that the beam is ready to break, so I use a bit of excess force to flip forward off, causing it to come down on the rat. Landing I turn to see that the rat has rolled out of the way now near the turtle. "We will meet again! I promise!"
I run out and climb up on an old fire escape in the darkness and wait for them to emerge. I will track them. Maybe they will lead me to the one I want. I must be very careful in doing so. Undoubtedly the Rat is truly the leader and a Master. I'm sure he actually let me go. But that will be his undoing. I will deal with him accordingly.
For now, with the winds starting to pick up, I shall tend to my wound. I tore a section off the bottom of my shirt, and with my teeth and left hand, tied as good of a bandage as I could. Below, I heard a vehicle door slam. A Ford passed by at a high speed for this area, and a pick up with a tarp on its bed started out into what little there was of traffic.
I hurried down to the street level, as the truck and the car were no longer in sight. The rat and the turtle were more than likely in the truck. They were traveling faster than I could keep up. After the second block, they had turned, and I could no longer keep up. Damn them.
My pager went off, the vibrations coming from my pocket. The Foot, calling from the fall back. Something went wrong, dammit.
There was a phone across the street. Another Ford passed before I crossed, fumbling around my left pocket for a quarter. Pulling it out, I picked up the headset and held it with my shoulder and cheek. I dialed my voice mail.
"Freddy, we need you to come to the restaurant. There's been a fight... Well, I think you should come as soon as you can."
Damn them. Oh well, they've probably got more than I did tonight.
I turned, giving the turtle building in the distance one last look, then ran to the restaurant. The pain from my arm seemed to subside while I held it against my chest.
In less then ten minutes, I was at the restaurant scene. No one remained. Police sirens sounded in the distance, growing steadily louder. A figure stepped out of the shadows and motioned me to follow.
"Freddy," he called, quickly walking to a back alley behind the restaurant. He stopped behind another building, perhaps a florist by the smell of dead plants from the nearby trash bin. In the light of the lamp above, I saw that this Foot member had been defeated badly in battle. He looked worse off than my arm did at this moment.
He reached out both of his hands and bowed his head. There, in his bloodstained hands, was a tattered piece of red cloth. I grabbed it and acknowledged what it was immediately.
Damn them all! I should have stayed! The turtle I wanted was here!
The rage built up, enough so that I blanked; when I came to, the other Foot was on the ground, groaning, and the bandanna was still firmly in my hand, but now drenched in blood.
"Raphael!" I shouted. I held the bandanna up into the light.
I am coming for you, turtle.
Go ye back to Part Two, Chapter Two