Chapter Text
SETTING: SHREDDER'S LAIR, 2AM.
POV: Shredder and his henchmen. 3rd person.
After hours of searching for Karai, they found nothing. Tigerclaw, Xever, Rahzar, and Baxter Stockman returned to Shredder's lair late in the night- entering his throne room. He, their master, was sitting on the throne- awake. Tension floats in the room as they come back empty handed. Tigerclaw and Xever walk side by side in front, while Stockman and Rahzar follow behind. The 4 of them would stop in the middle, crouch down, and bow in front of Shredder.
"Master Shredder," Tigerclaw started, "We have searched the city for Karai... but she was nowhere to be found."
Shredder would grimace under his helmet. He jolted up, standing as he walked down the steps towards his goons. "..If you searched the city, she would've been found." He argued, his blades swiftly coming out from his left hand, "You'll keep looking until you find her. Even if it takes all night.".
Rahzar groaned under his breath, 'all night?', he was already tired. Xever glanced back at Rahzar- slightly hoping Shredder heard him complain and start to beat him into a pulp. Rahzar would test Shredder's patience, tilting up his head. "Excuse me, Master Shredder, but it's getting pretty late... if we search all night, we will-"
"-Silence, you mutt!" Shredder yelled, silencing him. Rahzar, drunk in tiredness- forgot the limits of his boss, and lowered his head in shame. "...You have to find my daughter.." Shredder frowned, "and fast.".
"...Bzzt.. is it... possible at all that maybe the turtles have Karai..?" Stockman questioned- immediately feeling the gaze from Shredder. He twitches. "M-Maybe Hamato Yoshi took h-her before the building collapsed.".
"...That may be the reason we haven't been able to find her." Xever followed, "We never checked the sewers.". Tigerclaw felt the gaze of Shredder on him- he was the one that encouraged them to retreat, is this his fault? Tigerclaw and Shredder exchange a glance, in response, Tigerclaw would look away. Shredder pulls back his blades, "...Then you'll be killing two birds with one stone".
"Find the turtles and their master, then bring Karai back to me." Shredder ordered, turning around as he started walking up the stairs. He was convinced that his enemy, Hamato Yoshi, was the one behind this. Of course, it was always him- he was always the problem- he was one that had burdened him.
"I don't care what you do to the turtles, but leave their master to me." He yelled, walking over to the window behind his throne. He looks at the view of New York City. "We need to finish this play of cat and mouse, once and for all.".
"Until then, go and sleep. If you disappoint me again, I'll slice you all into pieces." Shredder threatened, narrowing his eyes as he glanced back at them all. His hands turned into fists.
"Yes, Master Shredder." The 4 reply, responding in unison. Shredder would huff, and would turn away from the sight of the city. Walking past his goons, two footbots would join behind him. "...I'll find you, my daughter." He murmurs, leaving the throne room.
Once the door closed behind them, the 4 would stand and look over at one another. "So..." Xever started, "What's the plan?" He asks. Rahzar would groan, "Get some sleep, wake up, search for the turtles and their master, then bring Splinter and Karai back to Shredder." He replies.
"That hasn't really worked out before, has it?" Xever questioned, "a thief would lure out the target- instead of coming to them directly." He replies, referring to his past. "...Yeah, nice thinking! ...As if we have anything to lure them with." He grumbled, glaring at Xever. "Even if we go through your stupid plan, we won't know where they keep Karai." Rahzar barked.
"...Not if we force them to tell us." Tigerclaw chimed in, crossing his hands. "...Besides, I think Xevers' plan could work." He replied. Xever smirked at Rahzar- his smile mocking him as he groaned. "...How?" Rahzar asked.
"Shredder may have his enemies... but I also have mine." Tigerclaw replies, narrowing his eyes. "Those human friends the turtles have will regret having to put me in that worm... and they'll suffer." Tigerclaw stated.
"So- we kidnap the humans.." Stockman started, "And we bait out the turtles." Xever finished. "...We'll make them tell us where their master and Karai are, destroy them, and then bring their master and Karai back to Shredder." Tigerclaw continued, "and then he will finish off the job.".
"We can't attack the humans in the daylight without get caught by other high schoolers. We must follow them. Until then, we search for Karai."
As Rahzar and Xever exchange a glance, Tigerclaw would walk into a different part of the Throne Room- all except Stockman slept there... as Stockman would sleep in his lab. Xever would jump into the water at the sides, floating around as he swam and hid under the concrete in the middle. Baxter starts to float towards the exit- "and I'll use my cage of DOOM- my newest invention- to capture them and see them suffer!" He squirmed, leaving the Throne Room.
"Sure bug-eyes, sure." Rahzar groaned, starting to search for a place to rest for the night.
SETTING: TURTLES LAIR, 11:30PM.
POV: Leonardo. 1st person.
Coming home was a long, silent walk. After Karai had mutated, and recognized Master Splinter, she zapped Raphael with some sort of ooze- then fled. We, too, had to flee before the burning warehouse crashed down. We looked at it burning on top of another building not far from it. I tried talking to Sensei, and I apologized... but all he said is:
"We should go, my sons."
My heart aches. It was my fault, I let the team down. I had jumped up to the cage to save Karai- however- Shredder saw me and zipped up at me with his blades, and destroyed the chains keeping her from the Mutagen. Even then, I should've stopped her from confronting Shredder in the first place.
Walking into the lair, there was a lingering feeling of dread and tension. Sensei retreats to his dojo, and I don't stop him- I couldn't face him right now. I had too much shame.
My brother's and I walked into the living room. Raph immediately goes and hits the stuffed dummy that already looked like it's had a rough day- making me hear a loud 'THWOMP' every time he punches it. He was angry, I could tell.
Donnie grabbed his laptop and sat down on the couch located in the middle. He opened it and started typing, a determined look on his face. I wonder what he's doing... he seems focused.
Mikey didn't even look happy- which seemed so odd coming from my little brother. I watched him sit down near Donnie, bummed. I, too, sit down- I sit down in the same spot where I would watch Space Heroes. Typically, it's on the floor, but sometimes it's on the couch. Couch days are either the sucky days, or the lazy days.
I looked down on the ground, Raphs punching sounds and Donnies typing are the only things heard throughout the lair. I look down at my hands, reflecting on what happened today. I narrowed my eyes... this is my fault, and because it's my fault- I needed to fix it. "...Okay Team," I called out, "During patrol tomorrow, we will try to find Karai, and bring her home." I replied.
Raph stops punching, and Donnie stops typing. My brothers look over at me, as I stand up. "We need to find Karai before Shredder does, at any cost. For her sake, and for Master Splinters.".
There was a moment of silence... and then the sounds of punching would continue from Raph. "Whatever you say, fearless leader.".
"Yeah, don't worry Leo, we will find her. Soon enough, I'll even have some Retromutagen for her" Donnie replies, continuing to type away, mumbling-"Hopefully...". I glanced at Mikey, who lacked conversation. "...Who wants some pizza?" I ask.
Mikey beamed- suddenly smiling as he shot up, "ME!" He yelled out, "Dude, I can't remember the last time I had pizza... It was like... a whole hour ago!" Mikey whined. "..Well, why don't you order some? Before Antonios closes down at midnight." I told him.
"No problemo." He beamed, pulling out his T-Phone as he calls Antonios. Of course, it's on speedial. He walks off into the distance; "Hi, yes, I would like 4- delicious- marvelous pepperoni pizzas please..!" Mikey exclaimed, voice fading in the distance. He starts to walk off towards the manhole. April sometimes leaves some money for pizza every once in a while, so on days like this when it's late, we just say to leave it out on a certain doorstep- where the money will be placed in the mailbox. We would then take the pizza after, and pretend like we were never there.
Either that... or Mikey completely outs himself to the delivery driver.
I slightly smile. I glance back at the Dojo- where Sensei would be. I sense my smile fading... as I take a deep breath. I'll do my best, Sensei... I'll do my best to bring Karai back.
SETTING: APRIL'S APARTMENT, 12:00AM.
POV: April O'Neil. 1st person.
"So... you're telling me Karai has been mutated?" I ask, speaking over the phone. Donnie had recently called me, telling me about the situation that happened to him today. Of course, he was scared that he woke me up- but I told him he didn't. It's the truth, I didn't. To be honest, I had a bad feeling in my stomach that something would happen- and couldn't sleep. I'm currently here in my pajamas, leaning out the opened window as I talked to Donnie. The same window I would also meet the turtles at.
"Yeah.." He replied, saddened. I could hear his brothers eating in the distance... the sounds of Mikey and Rapheal bickering as Leonardo tries to calm them down. It kinda relieved me in a sense, if anything, I thought it would be a debbie-downer party over there. "...How is Master Splinter..? Is he okay?".
"He went into his Dojo right when we got to the lair. We haven't seen him since." He replies. I take a deep sigh, worried for him. "...Well, I hope he's okay. How are you guys feeling?" I ask.
"The one who's taking it the most is Leo... but he seems to be fine. We're going to use patrol tomorrow to also try and find Karai... if you want, then you can maybe join us too...?" He asks.
I smiled, wanting to be of help. "Sure- I'll text Casey too and ask if he can come." I reply, already hearing the groan from Donnie. Those boys need to learn to get along together- they would make a good team. I would be lying if I said that when they argue it doesn't annoy me sometimes.
"Oh-" I add, "If Casey does come, we might be a bit late. Were meeting up with a friend tomorrow at 5pm to work on a project. Normally I would reschedule it but it's a group of 3.". I immediately rethink my decision... "...Or maybe I should just reschedule, this seems more important...".
"Don't worry, April, if you're a bit late it shouldn't be a problem. Besides- you already have 4 turtles on the job." He chuckles.
"Thanks Donnie... alright. I'll keep you all updated. Until then, I should get some sleep... I still have to wake up for school tomorrow." I reply, closing the window.
"Sure thing April, I'll see you tomorrow..! I mean... cya April... I MEAN-"
Beep!
I hung up the phone and walked away from the window. I open up the group chat I have with my project members. It's composed of Casey, Y/N, and myself. I hesitated about following through with the plan for tomorrow- I mean- Karai is out there somewhere... alone. If it was just Casey, it would be easy to explain and reschedule.
However, someone new recently came to New York- Y/N. They seemed to be quite the scientist- kinda like Donnie- but even then... It looked like they didn't have a lot of friends. It's natural of course, they just arrived here 2 weeks ago. The turtles won't be able to go out until night... maybe we could just reschedule at an earlier time? If we do it right after school, we have a plan hopefully before then- and even so- we can always chop it up and meet again at another time. Geez, what am I so worried about?
I text the group chat that all 3 of us share.
APRIL. "Hey guys, can we change the time to right after school? I have to be home by dark."
CASEY is typing...
CASEY. "You don't remember, Red? I got hockey practice afterschool- I can't do anything until around 5pm. But hey... we should be done in 3 hours."
(April's mind) Oh- right- I forgot. That's why we had to schedule it at 5. I rub my head, thinking... does Casey really expect us to have it done in 3 hours...?
Y/N is typing...
Y/N. "This project is going to take more than 3 hours... that's why the due date isn't until the end of the semester."
(April's mind) ...I thought so.
CASEY. "Man- I hate high school!"
Y/N. "I still have some unpacking to do. If you want, we can just discuss what each of us will do for the project and then meet at a later date. We could get food too."
CASEY. "Hell yeah! We could order some Antonios. Do you need help unpacking at all?"
Y/N. "No, it's fine. I unpack quickly... I could always use some ideas for decoration though."
APRIL is typing...
APRIL. "Where do you live, Y/N?"
Y/N. "I live in an apartment building at XXX street. It's rather lavish... you know that white apartment building near that weird abandoned church? It's near there. I'm room 504."
CASEY. "Holy cow- are you loaded?!"
Y/N. "My father is a scientist, yknow..."
(April's mind) Church...? Do they mean... Shredder's lair..? There is a white apartment building near there... It's expensive too. That must be the one they're talking about. This might be dangerous... that place is full of windows. But then again... were close by the enemies lair in the shadows of an apartment room.
APRIL. "Can we come over to your apartment tomorrow then?"
Y/N. "Sure!"
(April's mind) It'll be more of an advantage for not only us, but for the turtles. Hiding in plain sight.
I get a text message from Casey- a private one.
CASEY. "Isn't their apartment building near Shredder's lair? Are you sure about this?"
APRIL. "It'll be fine, Casey- Shredder won't know we're there. Besides, maybe we could spy on them and know what their plan is next."
CASEY. "But what if we get caught- then what will we do? How do we explain that to Y/N?"
APRIL. "We won't let it get to that point. Trust me, we will keep them out of Shredder's way."
CASEY. "Alrighty then. At least I get to see that smokin place! We should take a photo there, Red- I'll show it to Donnie as a nice memento."
CASEY SENT 3 EMOJIS. :CRYING_LAUGHING:.
I leave Casey hanging and took my ponytail out from my hair. I sent my phone down, set my alarm, and plugged in the charger. I took a deep sigh as I layed down on my bed, and shoved my legs under the covers- then the rest of my body.
Nothing bad will happen.
PROLOGUE CONCLUDED