[center][img]http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj306/Carnage27/TMNT-Banner_zpscxrfdstr.jpg[/img][/center] Leonardo could still see it sometimes. The blood that flowed from the bodies as the Kingpin's men screeched away in their car. It was the Turtles' first taste of violence. Well, real violence. He had seen guns in the movies Donnie downloaded off the internet. He had been trained in nearly every form of hand-to-hand combat the world had ever seen. There was nothing like the real thing, however. Seeing what a firearm could do had told Leonardo many things. That those that used them had no honor. That violence was king on the surface. But most of all it told him that there was a need for him and his brothers to protect the people that lived in this great city. They were his responsibility now. That was something he wouldn't take lightly. It was a great responsibility, and certainly not an easy one. [color=red]"Hey look, he's brooding again!"[/color] Raph laughed as he slapped Leo on the shoulder. [color=red]"What're ya thinking about? What would Captain America do? We should make a bracelet for you with it on there."[/color] [color=blue]"Very funny, Raph,"[/color] Leo rolled his eyes and looked around the lair. Mikey was buried in a video game, Donnie was tinkering with something, and Raph was on his third set of pushups for the day. They had been on patrol the night before, and had taken down a few groups of Foot soldiers doing who knows what. They were in a good mood, that's for sure. [color=blue]"So are we patrolling tonight?"[/color] [color=orange]"Do we have to?"[/color] Mikey whined as he pressed away at the controller, half his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth. [color=orange]"I'm so in the zone."[/color] [color=blue]"You don't become a hero like Superman by taking nights off, Mike,"[/color] Leo shot back to his brother. [color=red]"Yea, well, maybe when you can fly around the world in an hour you can be like the big blue boy scout,"[/color] Raph grunted through his reps. [color=red]"Hell, you definitely got the boy scout part down."[/color] [color=purple]"Besides,"[/color] Donnie piped in, [color=purple]"we told April and Casey we'd meet them at the movies later."[/color] [color=orange]"Yea, bro!"[/color] Mikey exclaimed. [color=orange]"The new Fast and Furious! Ride or die, Leo!"[/color] He chuckled, and had to admit they were right. They had been working for weeks without a night off, and it would be good to hang out with their friends when they weren't nearly being killed by gangsters or ninjas. Still, Leo kept his mind on the Foot. They had been getting more brazen in their moves. The leader of the Turtles wasn't sure if it was due to the vigilante group's emergence into the gang war or what, but The Foot were pressing the advantage they were building against Kingpin. Things would come to a head soon. [color=red]"Seriously, Leo,"[/color] Raph shook his head as he grabbed a towel, [color=red]"no one can possibly brood this much."[/color] As his brothers got ready to leave, Leonardo slunk into his father's room and found him meditating. Leo crossed his legs and sat directly across from his sensei, [color=blue]"Father."[/color] [color=brown]"I thought you were going to the movies?"[/color] Splinter asked without opening his eyes. [color=brown]"I would not want you to miss the show."[/color] Splinter was right of course. But the nagging in the back of his mind wouldn’t leave him alone. If the Foot were ready to move, wasn’t this a waste of time? [color=blue]"We have time,"[/color] Leo shook his head. [color=blue]"Father, I'm worried about-"[/color] [color=brown]"The Foot,"[/color] he cut his son off. [color=brown]"Of course you are. We all are. As we should be. The Shredder is not to be trifled with. But until we find out what his true intentions are, we will stab blindly in the dark to stop him. What have I always told you about control, Leonardo?"[/color] [color=blue]"Without control and wisdom, we lose everything,"[/color] Leonardo recited from memory. [color=blue]"A true combatant needs steady ground under his feet. Must mind his surroundings. Fighting blind means losing, no matter how strong you may be."[/color] [color=brown]"Which means go to the movies. Have fun with your friends," [/color]Splinter smiled.[color=brown] "The Foot will be there when you're done, my son."[/color] [center]**********[/center] [color=yellow]“Casey! We’re gonna be late! Hurry up!” [/color] April called to Jones. He had just finished both a workout and a practice with the hockey team. She knew he’d probably be flexing in front of the mirror after his shower. She’d think it embarrassing if not for the fact that it was cute in a dopey sort of way. She, on the other hand, was in front of the hall mirror fixing her striking red hair. Around her shoulders was a yellow peacoat with a black scarf to accent it. [color=yellow]“If we miss the previews Mikey is going to be pissed!” [/color] [color=teal]“Comin’!” [/color] he responded from the bathroom. He emerged wearing an old, grungy leather jacket and his long, black hair pulled back. [color=yellow]“Do you have to wear that coat?” [/color] she grimaced playfully. She knew he did. He never explained why, other than his mother gave it to him. At this point she teased him about it, but he knew it didn’t really bother her. [color=teal]“Do you have to ask me about it every time I do? [/color]” he sidled up to her and planted a kiss on her cheek. She wiped it away with proper over exaggeration,[color=yellow] “Gross.” [/color] They stared into each others eyes for a moment, and April still wondered how they had gotten here. They were as opposite as can be, yet they were now part of a family neither could have even imagined. Both were part of a war against evil in their city. She was training with a ninja...who was also a rat, and he was a vigilante fighting alongside vigilant Turtles. Each was the others rock, but even then they felt like the tide might wash them away. [color=teal]“You’re the one who chose to date me,” [/color] he shrugged before putting his arm out. [color=teal]“Shall we go, madame?” [/color] [color=yellow]“Oh, how chivalrous,” [/color] she rolled her eyes. [color=yellow]“Let’s go, Casanova.” [/color] [center]**********[/center] Vin shifted uncomfortably as he watched Old Hob overlook the shipment of weapons they had just been given. Hob wasn’t someone to be trifled with, and his temper was legendary. The speed and ferocity with which he had killed the old leader of the gang to take over leadership was astounding. Now he had managed to get them signed up with the Kingpin in exchange for helping the big boss take out the vigilantes that infested New York. The weapons were high-powered automatic rifles, and each was military grade. The quality and deadliness of the shipment solidified something that most in the streets of New York had known for months: War was coming. Things had been escalating for years. First gangs started muscling one another on the streets, and then the heroes and vigilantes showed up to try and cleanup the city. They had been in a long game of tug-of-war ever since, but it seemed like that was about to change. The heroes had to be taken care of. Even if the criminals of the city couldn’t do it, it was time to go out firing. “How’s it look, boss?” Vin asked Old Hob nervously. [color=gainsboro]“It looks like we’re going hunting tonight, boys,”[/color] Hob responded in an ugly, guttural growl. He pulled the hood back from his head, revealing the mutant’s face. The mangy fur on the mutated alley cat’s face was a dirty grey. His one eye was missing, covered by an eye-patch, and the skin around it was scarred. His fangs snarled through as he smiled at his men. [color=gainsboro]“Time to hang some Purple Dragon pelts on our wall.”[/color] The other gang members cheered this. The Dragons were a vigilante gang that had drive Hob’s gang out of Brooklyn with the help of four mutant turtles, humiliating them in the process. Hob and his men had desired revenge ever since, and their alliance with the Kingpin would help them do that. [color=gainsboro]“Saddle up, boys! Tonight we take care of the Dragons and the Turtles!”[/color] [center]**********[/center] [b]Purple Dragons Safe House Brooklyn[/b] Bullets ripped through the brick walls of the safe house, splattering plaster and debris through the air. The firepower on display was like nothing the street gang had ever gone up against before. Handguns they could handle, especially when they had the element of surprise. But this was more. This was military grade. Cries of pain filled the moments of silence between rounds being discharged, and Angel Bridge, leader of the Dragons, knew she had to do something. Next to her, Chun, her second in command, laid bleeding, shot through the abdomen. He saw the look in her eyes, and shook his head. He coughed out, “No. Don’t even think about it.” [color=mediumslateblue]“If they take me, some of you might survive,”[/color] she pleaded with him. [color=mediumslateblue]“I have to.”[/color] She crawled along the ground as shells continued to make Swiss cheese of the safe house. She crawled over and around other Dragons, some who were wounded, others who were praying, and some who were taunting the men trying to kill them. The Dragons may not have been as deadly and dangerous as the gangs they fought, but they had bravery. That’s why she loved the makeshift family they were. Angel made her way to the front door of the Dragon’s hideout, and kicked it open. She heard someone call to stop firing. Hob himself, she figured. With an eerie quiet save for the moaning of the wounded, Angel called out to Hob and his men, [color=mediumslateblue]“Hob! Take me and let the rest go! They’ll stand down!”[/color] She heard the mutated alley cat’s laugh echo across the street, [color=gainsboro]“They ain’t doin' much standing now, girlie!”[/color] [color=mediumslateblue]“You know there are more Dragons out on patrol!”[/color] she retorted. [color=mediumslateblue]“Without me they’ll disperse. I’m trying to save as many men as I can, Hob! Take the deal.”[/color] After a few moments, Hob called out, [color=gainsboro]“Deal! Come on out. We have a ride to take!”[/color] [center]**********[/center] The scenes flickered on the scene in front of the assembled kids, and Leo did have to admit the movie was damn entertaining. It had taken his mind off things, but hanging out with his brothers and friends like they were normal people always did that. They would never be normal, of course. There was no status quo for them. They weren’t human, and they were barely even turtles at this point, Leo figured. It’s something he and his brothers had struggled with, especially after they discovered television and the internet. They’d never be able to fit in and have normal friends. It wasn’t an easy reality to live in for teenagers, but they all made due. Thankfully, April and Casey had put together outfits for them in order to hide them from view when in public. The bulky hoodies and pants worked during the winter, but Leo wondered whether they’d pass muster in the hot summer months. That was a worry for another time. For now all he did was sit back and enjoy the movie. Once the credits rolled, they filed out of the theater with the other patrons, and Leo couldn’t help but notice the stares he got from some looking under his hood. He ignored it and followed his friends to a nearby park where the assembled group discussed the movie. [color=purple]“I don’t know,” [/color] Donnie shrugged, [color=purple]“it was awfully unrealistic.” [/color] [color=orange]“Oh come on, Donnie!” [/color] Mike pleaded with him. [color=orange]“It’s a movie!” [/color] [color=teal]“Yea, egghead,” [/color] Casey punched Don lightly on the shoulder,[color=teal] “turn off the melon and enjoy!” [/color] [color=blue]“Seriously, Donnie,” [/color] Leo laughed, [color=blue]“jumping a car between buildings is awesome, realistic or not.” [/color] [color=red]“Whoa!” [/color] Raph feigned a heart attack. [color=red]“Who are you and what have you done with Captain Logical!?” [/color] [color=blue]“Hey, a good movie’s a good movie!” [/color] [color=yellow]“Well at least we know you’re not a complete Vulcan, Leo,” [/color] April chuckled and threw her arm around him. As the group laughed, Casey’s phone went off. As he looked at it, his face turned chalk white, [color=teal]“Guys.” [/color] [color=blue]“What is it, Casey?” [/color] [color=teal]“A text from Angel. All it says is ‘S.O.S.’.” [/color] [center]**********[/center] [b]Secret Foot Clan Compound Somewhere in New York City[/b] In a dimly lit warehouse, two men in ninja garb faced one another and bowed. A gong went off from the darkness that surrounded them, and the two squared off. The two danced and flip over each others' attacks as they engaged in a beautiful, but dangerous dance. They were obviously well trained in their art. As one attacked, the other parried beautifully into a throw of their own, before the first regained his bearings in mid air. Each attack that did land happened to hit lightly, and most devastating strikes missed by the slimmest of margins. Suddenly, one of the combatants manages to deliver a back kick to his opponent's stomach, doubling the man over. He quickly delivered another strike to the man's neck, dropping him to the floor. [color=crimson]"Well done!"[/color] a booming, terrifying voice called from above. The lights in the room exploded to life, revealing the army of ninjas that had been watching the bout. On an ornate, Japanese throne raised above them all was a man in scarlet red garb with shining blades adorning his shoulders, shins, and hands. He was Oroku Saki. He was The Shredder. He was their master. With a press of a button, the throne pedestal lowered to the floor, and he approached the victor, [color=crimson]"You have shown us your honor and skill tonight. For that, you will receive the greatest gift of all."[/color] From his belt, The Shredder pulled a slate gray headband with the mark of a bloody foot emblazoned on the front. He placed it over the victor's brow, and tied it in the back as he said, [color=crimson]"Only the most skilled of warriors get the honor of fighting for the right to join the Foot Clan. Only the best of them win the right to wear our emblem. You are now a part of something greater than yourself. Together, at my side, we shall remake the world and the heavens, and in the end you shall be rewarded. You shall all be rewarded!"[/color] A single cheer of acknowledgement rolled through the members of the Foot, and the man bowing at Saki's feet said, "Thank you, my master." [color=crimson]"Rise, my son, and take your place with your brothers and your sisters,"[/color] Saki lifted the young man up. [color=crimson]"Tonight we celebrate your rebirth. As for you..."[/color] The fearsome ninja master turned to the defeated man, who was only now getting to his knees, [color=crimson]"You have failed, and in doing so you have disgraced your name. As such, there is only one way to cleanse your soul of this dishonor."[/color] Saki unsheathed a short sword from his belt and tossed it at the man's feet while he hissed, [color=crimson]"Take your own life and regain your honor."[/color] The masked man looked at the sword and picked it up. Instead if disemboweling himself, however, he lunged weakly at the Foot leader. Shredder easily batted the strike away with the blades on his left hand, while he drove those on his right into the man's chest. Shredder slowly withdrew the blades, and allowed the man's blood to drip off them onto the concrete below, making a faint splash. With a move of frightening speed, Shredder latched onto the man's mask and ripped it away, then stared menacingly into the man's eyes, [color=crimson]"You had your chance. Now suffer."[/color] Oroku Saki's eyes began to glow with an ethereal, white glow, and his would-be murderer could not look away. After seconds, the man let out an inhuman cry of pain that lasted uninterrupted for minutes, before he slumped to the ground dead. The Foot, being reminded of their master's power, filed out of the room to celebrate their new brother, while one of them approached Shredder as he cleaned the blood from his hands. He green hair and lips were in stark contrast to the black ninja garb that adorned her, but Shredder had insisted she keep it as a reminder of her past life which she had betrayed to join his side. Viper was the perfect lieutenant, and didn't hesitate to fulfill her master's wishes. [color=crimson]"What is it, Viper?"[/color] he asked without looking up. [color=lightgreen]"Master Shredder,"[/color] she began, [color=lightgreen]"we have word that a group of men hired by the Kingpin has attacked the Purple Dragons. There are reports of casualties, and that the Dragons' leader may have been captured."[/color] Saki had to smile at that. The Dragons were little more than street thugs, but they were exceptionally crafty street thugs. They had meddled in his affairs recently, and would be happy to see them destroyed. [color=crimson]"The only shame in that is the fact that the Foot will not be the ones to finish the Dragons off,"[/color] he lamented. He hated to see the Kingpin succeed at anything. [color=lightgreen]"That's not the most interesting part,"[/color] his second in command continued. [color=lightgreen]"It's said they took the Dragon girl captive in order to draw out...the freaks."[/color] This caused Shredder to turn and face her. Viper of course spoke about the four turtles who had been a constant thorn in his side for months. Normally such things would not draw his ire. New York was, of course, filled with would-be heroes and vigilantes he would have to purge before his ultimate triumph. But there was something different about these creatures. How his men described how they moved and fought was familiar to Shredder, and that planted a seed of worry in his mind. Worry was not something The Shredder did, which meant the Turtles needed to be eliminated. [color=crimson]"Find where he's keeping her. I want you and some of our best to wait for the fighting to begin,"[/color] Oroku Saki commanded. [color=crimson]"And when it ends, I expect neither of the other sides to be alive."[/color]