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The city was loud even at night, the trains rumbling the hushed hum of the streets interrupted by noisy cars, parties and of course crime.
Crime wasn't a new thing in fact it was as old as the city it’s self though not everyone knew of the bigger issues of New York City.The foot clan was their biggest problem for tonight Donatello had gotten Intel that the foot was helping an unknown corporation deliver alien specimens across the docks, all four boys agreed that this mission was risky but well worth it if they could find out what exactly they were moving."Guys they are on the move" Donatello whispered signalling down towards the large moving truck below them. it was slow but it was moving and that's all the prompt they needed to follow along."Is that even the right one?" Raphael grunted looking down at the van it looked the same as all the rest it was huge, grey with heavy duty metal doors on the back, how where they meant to know if this was the one?"Definitely” Donnie pushed his glasses up “I hacked their communication they said this was the most important one, they said their boss would be impressed with the loot they got from the krang." Donnie watched as the foot soldiers got on their bikes following the truck as 'extra security'."Let’s move." Leonardo nodded as he stayed in the shadows of the buildings following behind the truck with swift steps, the other brothers followed keeping an eye on their surroundings. Something didn't feel right, this felt bigger than just a few alien artifacts.“Stop the truck” Don heard over the hacked com “it’s going to break the glass!” Donnie raised a brow at Leo who was listening in while Raph and Mikey stood their ground not too far away ready to move in on command.A harsh static sound came from the com along with a scream they could hear directly from the truck in front of them."That doesn’t sound like anything good" Donnie looked to Leo."We should move in if there's something dangerous in there, we should stop it from getting into the city!" Leo commanded.The four brothers moved in quietly, silently taking out the three soldiers on bikes from the sides ambushing them one by one in a coordinated attack before tossing them aside watching the other three as they got out of the van heading to the back doors of the truck.“We need some assistance” the com sounded off again the voice was hushed like the person was hiding from something, the two remaining foot soldiers grabbed the doors before a shriek was heard from inside the truck, all four boys plus the foot clan covered their ears the sound was piercing like it was about to burst their ear drums.Three more soldiers jumped out of the truck causing the metal doors to fly open as the men ran out
"Turtles!" one of them shouted pointing to the four ninjas shielding their ears."Fuck!" Raph growled, as the shrieking stopped the red turtle took this opportunity to kick the nearest solider causing the other boys to jump into the fight. It was too late to turn back now Leo thoughtOne of the soldiers ran back to the front of the vehicle locking themselves in as he started up the truck."Don’t let him get away with whatever is inside that truck!" Leo ordered as he sliced into one of the footclan kicking them down off of his katana."Don’t have to tell me twice!" Raph growled running after the truck as his brothers took care of the remaining footclan.The hot head caught up quickly grabbing onto the metal door that was swinging open in the wind as the vehicle drove, pulling himself up he saw inside the truck –whatever it was it was huge! as expected but inside was something he didn't expect he barely got a look at the creature before he was shaking his head and climbing up onto the top of the van.
"I can't let this truck go any further" Raphael's patience was wearing thin as he slid down the front of the truck landing on the front window causing the driver to swerve trying to shake the turtle off violently, the ninja stabbed his Sai into the windshield cracking the glass, he struck it again this time with more force fully breaking it just before the whole truck swerved too close to the dock's edge."STOP THE TRUCK ASSHAT!" Raph yelled grabbing hold of the wheel a fight for dominance ensued as the two men pushed and pulled the wheel.
The three brothers saw it all the truck was swerving all over the dock until it finally got too close, tipping over the railing and falling into the water with both the foot solider and Raph still in it and whatever was inside that truck was now in the water with Raph."RAPH!" Mikey screamed sprinting over to the railing.Raphael opened his eyes. He was under the water. The van was sinking along with the foot soldier, who was still buckled inside the driver’s seat, a black blur caught his eye it came from the back of the truck.
Fuck. Raph thought as his eyes widened that thing was loose, what Raph had saw briefly was what most would call a horrific mermaid it was huge at least ten feet most of that was its tail the creature was all white apart from red glowing fins that looked like hair the creature had three inky black eyes that bore holes into Raphael’s mind the creature had two antenna on its head reminiscent of a fish he had seen in a movie once...the creature had long arms with claw like fins the worst part was the mouth Raph swore it was unhinged like a snake coming towards him at great speeds.
Raphael shook his head he didn't have time for this he needed to get out of the water, there it was. That thing. It was coming straight for him! The turtle swam as fast as he could trying to breach the surface but the thing was quicker it grabbed his ankle with its long tail dragging him back all three of its eyes were on him, they looked...scared?
Raph smelt it before he saw it the smell was like nothing he had encountered before it was toxic and made his mind fuzzy, he looked down to see glass sticking out from the things long tail...the tank of water it was in must have shattered when the truck fell."I see him!" Mikey screeched "Hold my legs!" Leo and Donnie both looked at each other before they could even grab hold, Mikey had jumped in grabbing Raph by the arm pulling him up but he was stuck something had him. The orange turtle pulled with all his might and reached a hand up for his brothers who quickly leaned over to help pull the red brother up, with all three helping Raph was pulled onto the dock Donnie helped Mikey out of the water while Leo checked on the hot-headed ninja."Raph?" Leo waved his hand in front of his brother's face"Is he okay?!""He doesn’t look so good""We need to get him back before anyone sees us""We can't just leave his mess here!"
Raph could hear his brothers' voices that all seem to drown out they were all talking too fast. "NO!" Raph finally found his voice as he shot up looking around "that thing is down there! Fuck!""What thing? You mean the truck?" Leonardo questioned"No what was IN the truck! It was some kind of alien...looked kind of like” Raph paused “if a mermaid was part of a horror movie" Raph shivered trying to shrug off that eery feeling in in his mind."We can't let that thing loose in the city Leo" Donnie's voice wavered."Get the truck...our truck" Raph ordered "I'm going to drag that thing out of the water whether it likes it or not""We can't let you do that Raph!” Leo’s voice was stern looking out into the dark water "we have no idea what that - alien is capable of…" he trailed off with caution."I'm not asking you Leo, I'm telling you, I'm going" the hot head turned to the water he wasn't going to let that thing get away, Leo didn’t see it, see the size of it if it got to land there’s no way it wouldn’t hurt people.Before anymore could be said Raphael was back in the water Donnie took off towards the sewer to get the truck. ‘Fuck this better work’ Leo thought as he jumped into the water after his brother leaving Mikey on the dock."Wait guys?! What do I do?!" the orange turtle panicked what was he meant to do now?!The youngest turtle kept look out after ten minutes he saw more foot soldiers come to collect the fallen clan members a few stayed behind looking at the scene in front of them it was obvious the truck had gone into the water the tire tracks, the broken gate and well…? the lack of a truck. It was another two before he saw the turtle truck speed down the docks Mikey looked back at the water Leo and Raph were still down there with whatever it was Raph saw.Under the water Leo and Raph took off towards the creature they could see swimming around the docks circling around the drowning truck, Leo lead the attack swimming towards the thing and pulling out the spring net Donnie had created as part of a tool kit for the turtles to use, with Raph holding the other side of the net they swam at the alien and with all the thrashing they thought it may not work but with enough force the brothers were able to tangle the mermaid into the net as it struggled, screaming under the water as it battled against the brothers, the thing was obviously hurt as Leo could now also smell the toxic liquid spilling from the glass wounds scrunching his face in disgust as it floated in the water with them."Where are they?!" Donnie yelled slamming the door of the truck closed "they haven't come back up yet?!" the tall turtle bit his knuckle.A splash came from not too far away then another each one getting closer until the two saw Leo and Raph and... Shit that thing was huge!
Leo got up first holding one end of the net Raph holding the other as they hauled the creature onto the dock managing to lift himself up after the mermaid was struggling on the land.
Donnie was quick with his taser rod as the creature thrashed in the net threatening to break free, a few hundred volts and the alien was out for the count. For now.
"We got to move before people start coming to investigate" Leo ushered helping Raph pick up the mermaid creature heaving it into the back of the turtle truck before getting in themselves, Donnie and Mikey climbed into the front with worried faces."Where are we even going to put that thing?!" Donnie yelped as he started the truck up, speeding out of the docks as fast as he could."Well, we couldn't have just left it there!" Raph interjects."Enough" Leo hushed as he held his nose bridge “shit...we have to take it back with us...maybe...Donnie we have to find out what this thing is and where it came from...and how to send it back." Leo huffed rubbing his face with a pained expression.
"Umm guys...not to alarm you but... it’s moving." Mikey pointed behind Leo to the alien."Fuck." Raph whispered.
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"Would it kill you to help?" Leo huffed as he dragged the alien out of the truck."It looks pretty hurt…" Mikey helped Leo carry the thing into the main living area, his eyebrows knitted together in concern."Donnie is there anything you can do about that glass?" Leo turned to the taller brother with a raised brow."I can try...but can someone hold it down - I don't feel like getting on the wrong end of those claws…" the purple turtle grabbed the med kit from the shelf after looking at the thing up and down with a sceptical look as he quietly gulped.The creature was barely awake as far as the ninjas could tell but that still was no reason to take any chances.Raphael pushed past Leo to go straight to the thing. Sitting on the thing's hips he pushed his weight into his legs as his knees pushed down on the creature’s tail, his hands pinned the thing's shoulders."That’s not what I- never mind." Donnie huffed as he sat next to the long white tail inspecting the huge glass shards sticking out from the scales, the tail itself was over six feet long with a large red glowing fin at the base. Donnie got to work cutting part of the net to free the wounded areas then doing his best cleaning and pulling glass from the tail trying not to anger the creature but that was short lived as soon as Donnie pulled one of the large shards the thing shrieked like a banshee thrashing around trying to get Raph off and get to whatever was going on with its tail. Raph held strong putting all his weight and strength into holding the thing still Mikey and Leo ran over holding its tail still as it thrashed."For fuck’s sake calm it!" Raph yelled putting a hand over the alien’s mouth to stop the horrid noise.For a moment everything was silent Raphael’s eyes widened as all three eyes of the creature looked at him, he could see himself in the reflection it was almost hypnotic, before he could react the two antennae were stretching and reaching up to him the tips of them glowing red, as they made contact with his face his whole mind was swimming, everything thing around him was dark and all he could see was black.He didn’t know when he fell but he felt the thud as his body slumped onto the creature’s chest."Raph?""Raphael?!""Dude help!""I'm almost done just a little longer!""Hurry up Donnie!""OMG! Is it eating his brain?!"It felt like an eternity had passed before there was another voice."GET THE FUCK OFF ME!" the creature retracted its antenna, pushing Raph off as his limp body fell to the floor."Oh great! Now it has Raph's brain!" Mikey cried as he threw a hand to the floor to point at his fallen brother.Leonardo and Donatello were frozen the thing had just spoken English?! How? Was it something to do with why Raph was a drooling mess on the floor?"Donnie get Raph! Mikey on my left!" Leo commanded.The alien suddenly shifted taking the form of Raphael as it stood there, the remaining glass now in his leg."Where am I?" the fake Raph spoke."Okay this is too weird" Mikey looked over at the real Raph who was just waking up. Pulling his brother away from his doppelganger."It can shapeshift?" Donnie’s hushed voice caught the thing's attention. "It learnt the language so quickly" he gulped backing away slowly reaching for the taser."We didn't bring you here to hurt you" Leo stepped forward “you can speak to us now, we will listen”The room was in a standstill but with the tension relaxing as Leo tried to make conversation, it was helping.It was at least an hour before the creature was willing to let Donnie work on its tail shifting back to his original shape, once again and another two before it was ready to talk again, but all that mattered is that no one was attacking.Getting a better look at the alien it was large, towering over the turtles even without it being able to stand, white almost translucent skin with bright crimson fins and an almost glowing chest cavity where they could see a gel like substance pooling like a hot lava lamp, 3 black eyes with no sign of a pupil just sclera looked at them all."I was taken from my home planet and when I finally awoke I was far from my home and in that small body of water I couldn't understand any of the creatures around me...the humans? I don't remember a lot it was...fuzzy?"The boys continue to listen as the alien spoke explaining itself best it could with its limited understanding of the human language."So, you can shape shift depending on the environment?" Donnie asked he was taking notes in his book as it spoke."Only if I know what that species looks like I need reference...which is why I took your form" it gestured to Raph who was now sitting as far away from the creature as possible while still in ear reach."And you’re still using my voice" Raph grumbled out crossing his arms."Chill Raph" Leo shot the red brother a glare "listen we want to help you but right now you're hurt and well it’s going to be hard for us to help you like...this" Leo gestured to the alien body in front of him, Donnie had done the best he could on pulling out the glass he was met with insides he didn’t understand just gel like bubbles that wanted to spill from the wounds no blood just strange alien biology."Your species looks like this?" the alien shifts again into Raph."Well...we do but the humans are the main species you should try and look like them for now," Leo said trying to find a compromise for this alien."Oh, I can help I have tons of magazines! That would help right?! having reference?" Mikey shot up."That’s a start... Donnie contact April see if she can come over, we may need an actual human if this fails."
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Mikey leads the fake Raph to his room, the alien looks around as they walk taking in the sewer hang out, they call a home."I have tons of magazines dude! Oh, wait! are you a dude?" Mikey raised a brow "I mean do aliens even have dudes and chicks?""Dudes and chicks?" the fake Raph blinked with a confused look on its face."I'll show you don't worry!" Mikey pushed the fabric curtains aside to reveal his room it was large with an old double mattress pushed against the wall covered in colourful blankets and clothes piled up, the walls were decorated with posters mostly of old movies and super hero covers, there were old pizza boxes and junk shoved in a corner and lots of decorations strung around...messy...the room was messy but it had a lot of personality the fairy lights lit the interior letting the doppelganger see the space clearly.Mikey sat on his bed reaching over to a box that was covered by an orange blanket. "This is my stash!" the turtle winked bringing the box closer he looked inside and pulled a few playboy magazines out then rave posters then a few magazines with alternative girls on the front covers."These are chicks?” the alien questions raising an eyebrow while the orange ninja scratched his head as the alien shifted though some of the magazines, Mikey definitely found this weird there was an alien that looked and sounded exactly like his brother sitting on his bedroom floor shifting through a box of hot magazines."Maybe like pick and choose different elements, it’d be pretty weird if people saw one of these ladies walking around the sewers? Make yourself look...unique?" Mikey said shyly as he helped pick out a few of his favourite models.Back in the living room the rest of the turtles sat, Leo was pacing, Donnie was on one of his tech devices trying to look for more information and Raph was sitting on the sofa with a pout"This is stupid..." Raph muttered under his breath.An hour had passed and April had just arrived, April was a nice girl she always accepted the turtles, April was 21 a little younger than most of the turtles and top of all of her classes in university, her ginger hair was normally tied up in a bun or a pony tail and she often wore yellow it was her favourite colour after all, today she wore her hair in a bun with pale yellow dungarees and large boots, she had learnt the hard way about wearing proper shoes when in a sewer.she entered through the main tunnel her boots thumping across the stone floor"Hey guys what's up? You said it was an emergency?" April walked over to the three boys in the living area."April we are glad you’re here we have...well we found an alien...and before you say anything we have it here and its fine it’s not here to hurt anyone.. as far as we know, the footclan was transporting it when we stopped them...but we thought we might need a human for it to copy... or at least learn from?""Yeah, so it can stop walking around in MY body!" Raph growled."It chose Raph to copy...trust me it wasn't our first choice the thing's first word was fuck..." Donnie laughed as Raph threw an old pizza box at him."Where is it now?" April looked around seeing no sign of another Raph...or Mikey."It’s with Mikey in his room...he is trying to help it look more human" Leo gestured "we should probably go check on him"Leo and April approached Mikey's room as they got closer, they heard laughing."Is that how he laughs?! That’s hilarious! I haven't heard him laugh that hard before!" Mikey giggled."What are you guys doing in here" Leo pushed open the curtain, Mikey yelped throwing a blanket over the box of magazines."Science!" the orange turtle blushed.Leo looked to the alien and lord he wished he hadn’t let Mikey handle it...The alien was female...or atleast it was now sporting a female human body, a lot shorter than its alien body standing around 5’10, a few inches shorter than Mikey as Leo looked closer the alien seemed to look like a super model, she was tall, curvy and she has a light skin tone not too dissimilar from her alien form, she had extremely long red hair that came down to her hips, her face was unsettling but pretty, from a distance she was beautiful but the longer you looked the more things you noticed looked a little off like her eyes being a touch too big or her teeth a little too sharp at the corners and her ears being slightly too pointy, that's when he realised the alien was for the most part now a very naked human..."I said human Mikey! She looks like a doll!" Leo slapped his palm to his face. "Why did I leave this to you of all people?""I think she's pretty!" Mikey protested"Wow..." April hummed as she crept past Leo to get a closer look."She looks like a porn star Mikey..." Leo grumbled rubbing his face. "At least give her some clothes""What’s her name?" April looked up at Mikey who was rummaging around his floor for a shirt or jacket to put over the alien."Oh ummm…she hasn't told us yet - I don't really think the alien language translates well..." Mikey grabbed a large hoodie and helped the alien into it, it was long enough that it came down past her hips and covered her like a large jumper dress, it was black with a cartoon pizza on the back of it."Well, she's going to need clothes...and... Never mind just... April can you-" Leo gestured to the alien with a hand on his face."Sure Leo." April smirked. "Who knew pretty women were your greatest weakness"Leo huffed as he turned to leave, leaving April, Mikey and their new alien project to their own devices, the leader made his way back to the living room slumping down onto the sofa.
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April: Hey Casey I need your helpMr Jones: what's up buttercup?April: can you meet me by the turtle tunnel...and bring the bike we need to go to the mall. Also, can you bring an extra pair of clothes? I'll explain once you’re hereMr Jones: urmm sure? Turtles place huh? I'll bring body spray...you probably stink ;)****April rolled her eyes not everyone appreciates that sewer musk she smirked to herself though in reality she would be grateful for the body spray.Mikey swung his legs looking over at the two girls in his room as April texted on her phone the alien sat there reading one of the magazines left out."So...urmm what do we call you?" April looked up putting her phone away"Call me?" the red head tilted her head like a lost puppy"That’s going to take getting used to." Mikey shivered listening to the girl in front of him talk in his brother's voice"Yah...we should fix that." April stifled a laugh"Okay so like a name? I'm April that's Mikey." the orange turtle waved "the blue guy...oh does she know colours?" April pouted; this was going to be more difficult than expected."Let’s try this instead." April got up dusting off her dungarees then extending a hand to the girl on the floor, all three of them walked out making their way to the living area where the other three sat."Okay so this is Leo." April pats Leonardo’s arm as he turns and waves with a confused look on his face "and this is Donnie!" April practically jumps the tallest turtle who smiles patting her on the head "and that is Raph don't worry he’s a big Softy really" the ginger girl winks as Raph huffs looking over at the alien who looks ALOT different now."Wow Mikey." Donnie gulped as he looked between the alien and Mikey "urmm...you did good."The alien girl smiled mimicking the wave Leo had given her earlier as she stood by Mikey who looked pretty pleased with himself."I'm just glad it doesn't look like me anymore" Raph grumbled as he threw his legs up over the arm of the sofa."Oh, come on Raph! She’s beautiful and you know it, come on you can say it" Mikey smirked "Mikey you did a good job! ~" the youngest turtle mocked Raph's voice with a playful tone"Whatever, she looks fake" Raph rolled his eyes"So? You get how names work now? What’s your name?" April smiled trying to distract everyone from Raph's negative attitudeThe red haired alien paused then a sound came it came out more of a screeching noise than a name as all four turtles' faces contorted into harsh discomfort."Okay maybe not..." Donnie chuckled “what about Valentina Tereshkova after the Russian astronaut?”Leo sighed holding back a smile “I think that’s a little too complicated Donnie, how about something simple”"Mona Lisa." Raph said flippantly as he looked over at the group.The group looked taken back by the turtle’s sudden suggestion."I think that's very fitting Raph." April smiled softly "Mona for short?"The alien looked over to the grumpy male on the sofa and smiled "sounds good to me.""Oh god! No!" Donnie cringed."That voice needs to go!" Leo shivered."Oh, for fuck’s sake! Take April's voice or something...ya fucking fish!" Raph grunted.Mona turned to April her antennas sprouting from her human head and April’s face went white as she awkwardly backed away with a nervous “whoa! id rather not get the freaky alien stuff happen to me just yet”Mona stopped seeing everyone looking at her with a worried look “my species can copy things if we connect to others…I can copy April?”“it’s not gonna like…hurt, is it?” April swallowed the pooling saliva in her mouth.“It doesn’t unless I want it to” the alien said blankly trying to comfort the girl.“well that’s not creepy at all” Raph said under his breath as he rolled his eyesApril took a deep breath and stepped forward taking Monas hands in hers “its okay I trust you won’t hurt me” April smiled warmly she knew the turtles wouldn’t let her do this if it was dangerous…right?Mona looked to their conjoined hands then back to April's smile, this was a chance to show she wasn’t a danger.The two girls stood in silence for a few seconds before the alien finally let her antenna reach forward to April’s temples the tips glowing a warm red as April’s eyes glossed over the turtles looking to the scene with interest, it doesn’t take long about 30 seconds before the glow subsides and April’s eyes blink a few times before coming back around."Better?" it wasn't April's voice...but it wasn't Raph's either and frankly that was enough for the hot head."Much better." he grumbled looking away from the rest of the group.April smiled to Leo and was about to speak when her phone chimed***Mr Jones: I'm outside I got here fast as I could <3***April sighed in relief as she read the message on her phone. "Okay guys Casey is here which means we are out of here""What where are you going?" Leo stepped up looking confused."You said she needed clothes?" April shot back popping her hip out for extra sass giving Leo the finger guns."You’re taking her with you?" Donnie asked as he looked up from his notebook."At least she's gonna be outta here...take your time April" Raph gave a stiff wave as he got up heading to his own room."I wish I could come too..." Mikey pouted as he crossed his arms "bring me back something cool?" he smiled with a cheeky smile.Casey was outside on his motorbike his backpack full of spare clothes hung off his shoulders as he waited in the alley, 5 minutes passed and April comes walking out from behind the fake garage the turtles have set up for the truck with Mona following behind her still in Mikey's pizza jumper."Hey April" Casey smiled holding out the bag of clothes. "Wow who’s the new girl?" his eyebrows raised as he looked her over, her long red hair hung down all the way past her hips and she looked to have a full face of makeup on fake lashes and obviously made up for an event but all but she was dressed in was what looked like a hobo’s sleepwear it was a giant black jumper with pizza stains in the sleeves, the girl lacked any pants, socks or shoes."This is Mona... she's an alien?" April didn't sound sure herself as she grabbed the bag from him and handed it to Mona. "Here put these on for now... we can't really have you walking around in... That." April gestured to the jumper.Mona looked down at the bag then back at the two humans in front of her with a shrug she opened the bag pulling out a black vest top and sweatpants, a pair of socks and white trainers without a second thought she stripped the dirty jumper"Oh, wow okayyyy." Casey covered his eyes as April looked around like a deer in headlights, Mona pulled on the outfit stopping at the shoes as she raised a brow holding the socks in one hand and the shoes in the other, she made what April thought was a confused chirping sound."Oh right...never worn shoes before... here let me just." April kneeled down helping the alien put on the socks and shoes then doing up the laces. "Ta da!" April jumped up with a smile.Have you ever seen a dog with shoes on...the way they walk...not wanting to put their feet on the ground...well that's what this looked like, Mona was confused about the items on her feet trying to shake them off as she walked towards the bike."Is she gonna be, okay?" Casey muttered as he elbowed April"She will be fiiinnneee!" April’s smile was fake and awkward as she scratched the back of her neck."ya know I didn't bring a third helmet... you should have told me you had a tag along, I don't even know if my bike can fit three people April." Casey bit his lip as he pulled out the extra helmet he always keeps for April and handing it to her."It will be finnneee she's an alien what's the worst that can happen?!" April laughed awkwardly realizing she hadn't thought this through.It took a while but they got it to work Casey drove, the alien sat behind him and April sat on the hump of the bike it wasn't the most comfortable seating layout but it was the best they had for now as they drove to the mall.The drive was quick not even 10 minutes, the mall was huge the white building stood tall housing all the shops a teenage girl could want... well an alien in a...hmm April couldn't lie it wasn't even a teenage body at this point, April pouted as she grabbed her own boobs which where a lot smaller then her new alien Buddy's...Casey parked up his bike and followed the girls in, Mona was still walking like a zombie on crack and that was going to draw unwanted attention, Casey looked around to spot a row of shopping carts for the mall he grabbed one rolling it over to the girls."Here get in" Casey smirked to the alien pointing to the cart"What are you doing Casey?!""Well, she can't walk around like that...this is, easier?" Casey shrugged as the alien jumped into the cart, the group started walking around the large mall looking for clothing stores..."Urmm April?” Casey laughed "How do you expect to pay for all this new stuff?" the black-haired boy smirked as he leaned his elbows on the carts handle bar looking rather pleased with his realisation."I really didn't think this though, did I?" April face palmed with a loud sigh"Don’t worry my sewer loverrr Mr Jonesss has a plan~" Casey pushed back his bangs and wiggled his eyebrowsThe plan was simple...if simple meant the dumbest plan to ever exist"I’ve done this like... a million times! It’s easy" the leather jacketed boy bit his lip "look all we gotta do is grab a few bags fill ’em with the clothes...but ya know make sure to take the tags off the clothes, the bags make it look like we bought the stuff and if we don't cause too much racket no one will notice.""Ya know this whole bad boy act you have going on is kind of dumb...like really dumb...like this won't work kind of dumb." April all but shook her head."Trust me baby doll!" the tall boy grinned from ear to ear as he started pushing the cart into a large clothing store, the store was big, with clothes as far as the eye could see it.Casey's eyes lit up when he saw the alien merch section and with a laugh he pushed the trolley over to it with Mona still inside, the whole time she had been pretty quiet.With quick hands and even quicker eyes the tall boy grabbed a few sizes and lifted them to their new alien friend trying to figure out what size would fit best."Really?! It’s a little on the nose don't you think?" April sighed looking at the collection of alien themed tops Cacsey had in his arms."it’s hilariously on the nose, that's why its perfect" Casey winked as he made light work of pulling off tags sneakily as he put the clothes into the cart "go get us some bags we are gonna need em to get this stuff out of here" Casey whispered planting a kiss on the ginger girl's cheek.April nodded, turning to search for a bag or two she’s sure she could find a few behind a desk or laying around the store if she was lucky"Now for the real fun" the boy in front of Mona was tall, black jacket black hair black skinny jeans with a grey T-shirt he didn't look anything like the turtles and he didn't look exactly like April either - though Mona knew they were the same species, she had been quietly taking in everything around her learning and observing as they went, humans were interesting to say the least."You’re mating with her." Mona deadpanned as Casey pushed the cart along the jeans and shorts section."w-what?!" Casey stuttered his face going red as he coughed trying to cover up his embarrassed reaction."April? You’re mating her? That thing you did after you told her to search for bags...that's a mating thing right?" Mona reached out grabbing a pair of satin booty shorts off the rack and checking the size trying to match it with the sizes Casey had already picked out for her."Urmm not really? I mean you can do that with anyone. It’s a way to say thank you...or I love you... or just something nice to do with someone you like.""It’s called kissing? April thinks about it a lot...well thinks about kissing you a lot""How do you know that?" Casey raised an eyebrow as he stopped the cart."When I connected with her...to learn her voice I see creature’s minds...that's how my species learns so quickly.""that's kinda creepy...but cool" Casey blushed he and April had only been dating a short while and even then, they hadn't done anything past making out yet, he wanted to take it slow with April not just fuck and duck as his friends like to call it...he really did like her and to think she thought about kissing...him? ALOT?! Wow!Casey wasn’t paying attention as he pushed the cart to the next section then CLASH"FUCK! WHAT THE HELL?! WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING DIPSHIT!" Mona growled in Raphs voice at the lady in front of them whose trolley had smacked into theirs."Excuseeeee you?!" the lady in front of them gasped taking a step back from the younger woman with the foul mouth."You heard me ya hag get your eyes checked!" Mona retorted.Mona had learnt a few things from April…but a lot more from Raph as she dived deeper into his mind on her first interaction, apparently social graces weren't one of them."Whoa! Whoa! Let's not argue ladies." Casey backed up the cart. He really didn't need them getting the attention of the staff...not when they wanted to make a dash with all these clothes.The woman looked offended as Mona stared at her from the cart, the woman got closer stepping around her cart to confront the two young adults standing in front of her."You crashed into me young lady! And how dare you speak to me in such a tone!" Mona's face scrunched on her planet this was a clear sign to fight for territory but she wasn’t on her planet, pale hands gripped the shopping cart's front as Mona opened her mouth to retort.Casey panicked pulling the cart away with a screech leaving the older woman in the aisle “sorry mama you have a good day yeah?” Casey tried to give his best good boy smile.“we should have challenged her for territory” Mona huffed looking almost angry with her knitted eyebrows“HA!” Casey laughed “yeah I wish sunshine, that’s not how we kick it on earth, woman like that ya just gotta avoid old bags, always thinkin they deserve more then they do”Casey didn’t usually get involved with the alien shit, yeah he has slammed a few heads with Raph before, the two got on well after meeting on the roof top that one night, he was older than April but definitely hadn’t seen as much as she had alien wise, April was always trying to find new stories for her blog and he’s pretty sure that’s how she met the turtles, she wanted to be a reporter she was pretty popular online with her sci-fi blog where she often wrote about the things she encountered but from a more story telling angle some people believed aliens were real and most believed it was a blog for those who want to believe but that didn’t stop April from wanting to share the truth, Casey often read April's blog in secret just to see what she would write about next…she didn't write about the turtles, but any time she did she described them as heroes in the shadows as too not reveal to much about them, Leo always wanted her to keep quiet about them, humans weren’t ready, But today April brought him in on an alien thing, and he couldn’t help but feel like that had to mean something.April made her way to the two after stealing a few bags from behind the cashier counter “if this works, I owe you lunch” April teased setting the bags in the cart with Mona as they started to pack the chosen clothes into them, Casey smiled at her looking down at her freckled face as she laughed with Mona about the stunt they just got away with, maybe he would tag along with the alien shit more.The 3 made their way back to the bike, before stopping In front of it.“There was barely enough room for us on the bike…how do we get the shopping back smarty pants” Casey teased; April knew she had forgotten something…
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
mind...he was glad April was taking it out for a while.The red turtle huffed as he flopped down onto his mattress pushing the large fur blanket off to the side as he looked over to Spike who was sitting in his cage eating a leaf."What a weird day Spike...it was just meant to be a simple take down mission then we find an alien? THEN we...I was stupid enough to go after said alien? THEN WE BROUGHT THE DAMN THING HOME?!" Raph screamed into his hands "what was I thinking?! I mean yeah, we couldn't have just left it out there but...urrgggg fuckkkk" Raph turned to see his pet still munching on his leaf with not a care in the world."Then...it reached into my mind...it turned into me! it saw into me Spike?! What the fuck?" Raph growled at himself for even talking about it out loud before rubbing his head "do you think it chose me for a reason?"Raph huffed gritting his teeth what the hell was he even saying...he was just the closest at the time...that thing didn't care who it got hold of...he wasn’t special.Raph looked to Spike holding out a leaf for him to munch on "do you think I'm over reacting?""Yeah, maybe a little" Raph shot up looking to his doorway where Leo stood with his arms crossed leaning against the wall"I wasn't asking you boy wonder...get out of my room" Raph grumbled turning to his front and burying his face into the pillow"I know today has been crazy...I mean it’s not even midday and we already have so much to deal with but we have to think about the long term Raph...if we had left that thing out there who knows what it would have done""Not a lot it seems...the damn fish is more civilised than we would ever be...for fuck’s sake Leo it turned into a human right in front of...well Mikey but we all saw it!""And that might not have happened if it didn't learn English from you" Leo sighed as he rubbed his eyes "look Raph, I get it you're confused we all are but this is our life...no one said it was fair or easy...in fact everything is stacked against us at all times... but sometimes we just got to...go with it?" Leonardo tried to sympathise he knows how hard this life can be for his brothers "Look why don't we go train for a while? clear our minds for when April brings...Mona Lisa back" Leo sighed as he got up from the wall making his way to the dojoRaph looked up at his ceiling, he lived in a sewer...he was a giant turtle...he kicked ass by night and by day? he slept...he wished he knew what it was like to be a normal human being... it must be so easy for them...this was his normal, was it fair? no... but was it the only thing he had...? yes####Donnie sat in his lab trying to figure out what the footclan was planning and trying to see if they had any information on what Mona really was and why this mysterious corporation wanted her...it..."it’s not a person Donnie, it’s an alien creature pretending to be a person" Donnie whispered to himself as he went back to looking through hacked data he had gotten from the foot clan so far.nothing...Mikey went back to his room to tidy up his magazines he looked down at the mess on the floor the models Mona chose from were all over the floor but he hadn't noticed... was the scales left behind they were white, shiny but not wet...and they looked...unlike any fish scale he had seen before, maybe these could help Donnie?####Leo and Raph were in the dojo sparring, the red turtle lunged at the blue only for him to slide out of the way and kick him in the shell, Raph stumbled forward his hands hitting the wall as he growled"the angrier you get the easier this is Raph" Leo smirked as he twirled his wooden practice katana, the angry brother growled low in his throat as he span around throwing his practice sai at Leo catching him off guard as he stumbled trying to dodge the wooden blade inches from his face as it zoomed past hitting the wall on the other side of the dojowhile Leo was distracted Raph rushed him sweeping his legs out from under him and grabbing Leos weapon as it clattered to the floor now pointing his own katana at him pinning him with his foot."Being cocky is gonna get you killed, oh wise one~" Raph purred as he held Leo downLeo bucked up retreating his head into his shell as Raph went falling forwards, Leo jumped up waiting to strike but Raph rolled to the wall where his other sai was stuck in the wall, with no problem he pulled it out clinking them together to taunt the blue leader"why Mona lisa?" Leo smirked as he went to strike his brotherRaph spun around and blocked the katana with his shell"First thing I thought of" Raph grunted as he pushed Leo's head away with a harsh shove"It matches our names...that can't have been a coincidence" Leo raised a brow as Raph's sai clashed with his katana"What you think I wanted to be matchy, matchy with a fish?" Raph huffed as he fought for dominance as their weapons collided"I'm just saying you were pretty quiet... almost like you were thinking about it a lot more then you let on" the wood on wood continued as the brothers took shots at each other"If I was actually thinking about it, I would have named it after one of Michelangelo's masterpieces since ya know Mikey's the one who-" Raph was cut off as Splinter entered the dojo"Master Splinter" Leo bowed as he greeted their father leaving Raph to catch himself as Leo's counterweight disappeared."Hey..." Raph grumbled as he rolled his shoulders"Donatello tells me we have a new guest" the rat hums as he takes a seat on one of the mats"Yeah...about that" Raph mutters as he puts his practice sais back into their holders on the wall."No need to explain, Donatello explained enough...I'm proud of you boys for thinking and taking action so quickly" the rat smiled warmly "though I don't know if sending her shopping was the best idea... we don't even know how long she's staying here on earth" their father let out a quiet laugh."Until we figure out what to do with her, master...and that was April's idea..." Leo said regrettably as he put his katanas on the wall next to Raphael’s blades."Mona Lisa...many a man have lost themselves over that painting" Splinter sighs "so many foolish people out there...letting their lives be run by a pretty face in a painting" he shook his head with a tut"Raph named her" Leo smirked as he wiggled his brow"Yeah, yeah whatever you guys just took the first name I suggested""I'm surprised you didn't give her that name Leo since it was one of Leonardo's masterpieces" Splinter laughed as he reached for the tea pot on the side of his mat"As if I'd be that vain" Leo smirked as he joined Splinter sitting down on his own matRaph left with a tsk as he watched Leo speak with Splinter...how fast that turtle could change what he was doing amazed him...Raph looked at the clock it had been a few hours since April and... Mona left"To think it was only last night when we found her...we haven't even slept yet..." Raph rubbed his eyes as he sat down on the sofa kicking his feet up as he switched on the TV"Oh, hey dude you finally done sparring with Leo? You guys spent hoursss in there man!" Mikey jumped onto the sofawith a slice of pizza in hand"I needed to blow off some steam" was all Raph grumbled as he watched the news####Casey, April and Mona all sat on Casey's sofa as they shifted though clothing items"I can't believe we stole all of this" April gasped as she looked at all the bags around them"Well, that's what happens when you hit up 5 different malls and stores April..." Casey smirked"Well, I guess...but we wouldn't have had to even leave the first mall if..." April looked to Mona who was sitting on the edge of the sofa looking at a shirt with an alien on the front of it"Mona?" April started "what happened back there?""I'd rather not talk about it""Dude you where gonna melt her brain! like those aliens on TV!" Casey shrieked"I did not...I just told her to back off" Mona muttered as she stared at the alien shirt "is this what humans think aliens are like?""Oh urmm...yeah I guess?" April felt awkward sitting between Casey and Mona who both seemed unphased by Mona doing something very alien to that lady back at the mall...Casey even seemed...excited?"Look Mona I know this has all been kinda crazy and frankly it was my fault I shouldn't have taken you out into the world...I mean seriously you were in captivity up until last night! I don't know what I was thinking...but you can't just lash out at humans they don’t act like that…usually…its complicated humans are complicated”"You should mate with him" Mona looked up at April "you think about it a lot"April fell silent as her face turned a bright shade of red averting her eyes from both of the edge lords sitting beside her."I could tell you what Casey is thinking too""woahhh no nope we don't have to do that" Casey waved his arms around shaking his head at Mona "maybe you're should tell us what YOUR thinking about? this must be pretty weird right?""You wouldn't understand if I put it into words" Mona bent down to pick up another alien shirt this one just read 'I AM NOT AN ALIEN' across the bust"We should head back to the guys...I think this has been more than enough human interaction for one day "April sighed "Casey can you take her back on the bike? I'll wait here for you""You want to wait in my shitty apartment while I play taxi for an alien?" Casey raised a brow and shrugged "okay whatever you want, feel free to take a shower if you want it’s just down the....you know where it is"####Casey parked in the ally pushing his bike into the fake garage the turtles keep the truck in "wow Donnie really didn't play around with that thing... it’s amazing" he mused under his breath more to himself than anyone else"I'll help you with the bags...so I guess you're living down here for now?" Casey scrunched up his face seeing someone who looked like... they had just walked off a playboy calendar... in a sewer? that just didn't look right to him...she was an alien but...she looked so human, he didn’t even like the idea of April being down here, he knew the turtle’s living area was safe and clean enough but the sewers aren’t exactly the best place for ladies…he wondered if aliens care about dirt or disease."Why didn't you want me in your brain?" Mona didn't even look at him as they walked"urmm...cos a man’s brain...is no place for a lady” Casey blushed “not when that lady looks like you" Casey laughed as they came up to the entrance of the turtle's hang out, he didn't want to have to explain boners or horny thoughts to an alien that might eat his brain."Honey I'm hommmeeee!" Casey yelled out in a sing song voice, echoing around the sewer."yo dude!" Mikey jumped up running over to them as he fist bumped Casey"Good to see ya Jonesy" Raph smirked walking up to greet his friend punching him in the arm, leaving the human male rubbing the sore spot"It actually doesn’t stink so bad! did Donnie finally fix those pipes?" Casey joked laughing with the turtles"Yeah dude he did that a while back!" Mikey beamed"You're just too pussy to come down here after Splinter scared ya shitless last time" Raph scoffed"He did not...I just wasn't expecting him to be behind me man!" Casey pouted giving Raph a bro-hug before laughing with him and Mikey while Mona made her way to the sofa with her shopping bags"that's a lot stuff Casey" Leo appeared from the kitchen with a slice of pizza "you and April really didn't have to do all this""Well, we kinda stole it all soooo no big deal really" Casey finger gunned at Leo as he put the rest of the bags by Mona who was relaxing into Raph's spot on the sofa with a hum"duuuddeeee" Mikey laughed slapping Casey on the back a few times before running over to the kitchenRaph saw Casey off with a short wave before turning back to the sofa to continue watching his programs but what he saw was Mona in his spot with a ton of shopping bags on the rugshe was in a black vest top and sweatpants...presumably Casey's as they didn't look brand new, they made eye contact."Ohhh no no no no first my brain, then my body! now my sofa spot?!" Raph grunted as he stepped closer looking down on the alien"You should really learn to control those emotions, April says lashing out at humans isn’t the norm" Mona watched as Raph stepped closer“good thing YOU ain't human then ain't it” Raph stood over her leaning down so he could be in her eye level trying to intimidate."up" Raph growledMona studied his face he was getting pretty close and she hadn’t got to look at him this close yet, he was pretty in an ugly way he didn’t look like the models in Mikey's magazines but on her planet he would be seen as quite the catch, big, strong, loud and ready to fight, under a different circumstance she might have gotten along with him but he didn’t seem to like her in his territory, that would have to change. “make me” if all went well they would fight for dominance and she would win claiming the territory for herself and making him…her thought was cut off."Raph don't fight with the alien!" Donnie called from the kitchen waving a wooden spoon at him.Raph rolled his eyes picking her up by her vest top lifting her off the seat with ease, easy he thought but he was caught off guard when a tail slapped him square in the jaw with a hard thud."What the fuck ya lil shit!" Raph scolded"I am much bigger than you" Mona scoffed"Not like this you ain't" Raph pointed to her human body her fish tail had shifted back into legsDonnie looked back over at the two bickering and gave a pointed look.Mona pouted as Raph still held her up with ease sitting down in his spot before dumping her on the floor with all the bagsthe rest of the boys came in Mikey taking up the other side of the sofa while Donnie sat on the rug and Leo sat on the 3 stone steps that separated the living area from the walk way, all four brothers were in touching distance if they spread their arms out and reached, eating pizza by the TV was one of the most normal human things they did...Mona huffed as Mikey handed Raph a box of pizza"Hey Mona? are you hungry? do aliens eat?" Mikey offered her a slice of pizza Mona took a sniff of the slice and instantly recoiled in disgust"ew what is that?!" Mona hissed and all four turtles faces dropped"YOU HATE PIZZA?!" Mikey screamed as he held the pizza close to him dramatically"You haven't even tried it! come on give it a bite at least?!" Leo held out his slice"Maybe aliens just don't have good taste?" Donnie smiled as he held his slice with a smile "New York pizza is the best food""Told ya she's evil" Raph smirked as he scoffed down a whole slice in two bitesMona rolled her eyes as she got up and climbed onto the sofa between Mikey and Raph, pushing Raph's leg down from its position hiked up on the sofa as she got comfortable between the two###it had been an hour or so and Mona was sound asleep leaning against Mikey's shoulder as the boys watched a super hero movie it was almost over when Leo tapped Donnie's shoulder and pointed over to Raph and Mona both asleep, Raph was snoring as Mona was all huddled up against Mikey her foot looked like it was kicking Raphs knee every time it came close to her."that's kind of cute" Donnie scoffed"Though that does bring up the question of where is she going to sleep?" Donnie's hushed tone was more of a statement than a question"We can figure that out later for now she's asleep here" Leo smiled softlyLeo got up and stretched heading towards his room "I'm heading to bed guys good night" Leo waved as he speedily made his way to his room, he liked to meditate before bed and with no one to interrupt him now was a perfect time to do so.Donnie nodded as he also got up and collected the pizza boxes as he went, before heading to his own room.Mikey hummed as he looked to see Mona asleep, she was pretty...he was glad the guys let him help her find a look...knowing them Leo would have made her very traditional and asian...and maybe a man kind of like Splinter before the whole rat thing? Donnie would have definitely tried to do some science way of picking genes...and Raph... well Raph probably would have made her look like a wrestler from the TV...Mikey still didn't know if Mona was actually a girl or if aliens even had girls like earth does...maybe they had all kinds of ways to categorise their species?Mikey finally slid away sliding Mona to lean against Raph who was basically sleeping sitting up with his arm on the arm rest and his head in his hand...how could anyone fall asleep like that?Mikey kissed her forehead before sleepily walking to his room and falling into bed with a thud.###when the boys woke up it was night Leo was the first one up and heading to the dojo for his workout, then Donnie who made himself a mug of coffee in the kitchen before heading to check crime activity for tonight, Mikey woke up rolling himself out of bed and practically dragging himself to the main living area before having to stop himself from laughingRaph was belly down on the sofa with one arm hanging off into the sea of shopping bags and the other over his head as he slept, Mona was sleeping on Raph's shell were she had brought a pillow up and was sleeping on him like a bed her face was in the pillow and her legs where hooked around Raph's back like a sloth hanging to a branch."awweeee that's so sweet" Mikey cooed as he grabbed the shell phone Donnie had made him to snap a picture of the two red balls of hate sleeping together like angels"Raph is gonna throw a fit when he sees this" Mikey giggled as he headed to the kitchen to make himself a bowl of cereal.Raph finally woke up after half an hour, stretching out as he grumbled something about falling asleep on the sofa again he went to sit up but felt a weight on his back he lifted his arm up his hand feeling around for what was perching itself on his shell when he felt a mop of hair and instantly huffed"Can someone get it off me" Raph sounded tired and groggy as he let his head hit the arm rest"awww good morning sleeping beauty!" Mikey laughed as he made his way over"Just get it off me..." Raph growledMikey poked her softly "wake up Mona Lisaaaaa~"The red head grumbled as she buried her face deeper into the pillow"Come on rise and shine!" Mikey tried again this time shaking her shoulder"10morminutess""Well, she certainly has being a human down" Donnie laughed as he walked in from the lab"Any crime tonight, Don?" Raph grumbled"Nothing yet Raph" Donnie rolled his eyes "you haven't even woken up fully and you’re already thinking about fighting...what a surprise""Any excuse to get up and kick ass is a good excuse to get up and kick ass..." Raph muffled into the arm rest as he shifted from side to side."What happened to Mr 'I'm bigger than you I'll move you I'm Raph I'm mean to hot alien girls" Mikey mocked as he stroked Mona's hair"mmtootiredidiot" Raph huffed"awww I think she's growing on you" Mikey smiled"You wish..."it wasn't long before Mona finally did decide to get up giving a big stretch as she sat on top of the turtle’s shell like it was normal, maybe that was normal for an alien...who knows?"kinda reminds of of the little mermaid" Mikey mused causing Donnie to laugh as he saw it too...a red head sitting on top a giant rock...well Raph looked like a giant rock and well Mona was kind of an alien mermaid...it made sense at least if he made it fit.it didn't take Mona long to hop off of Raph and make her way to the bags of clothes and picking out the white shirt with black text that just said 'NOT AN ALIEN' on the front of it and a pair of leggings, as Mona stripped off Casey's clothing Raph couldn't help but look, she was sitting right in front of him and wow Mikey really did make her pretty...fake but pretty. Raph growled as he pulled himself away from looking, why did the creepy alien have to be hot"Hey guys we have eyes on Bebop and Rocksteady down by the docks...same area where we found Mona Lisa" Donnie announcedLeo came out from the dojo just in time as Raph stood up shaking out his shoulders"let's go fuck em up...they can't be doing anything good" Raph smirked as he got up from the sofa and clicked his neck"Okay guys let's move" Leo ordered as they all headed for the main passage way to the truck"Hey where are you guys going?" Mona pulled on a pair of trainers April had stolen they were black with a white rubber bottom"Shit...""Look Mona we need to go okay " Leo pressed"I know what you’re doing I connected with Raph...I know you guys fight with other...mutants?" Mona didn't really know what to call all the creatures she saw in Raph's mind."Yeah...well it’s a little more complicated than that" Leo sighed as he turned to Donatello for help"If we can figure out what they are doing there we might be able to link it to a way home for you" Donnie smiled softly"Then I'm coming too" Mona wiggled her feet she still didn't like shoes but humans wore them so. "I know alien tech better than you do...well at least better than Raph, I can help""She would know a lot more about what information applies to her...Leo?" the tall turtle gestured to their leader"It could be dangerous these guys are tanks...they hit hard Mona" Mikey pleads "we have trained for this! you're still new to earth! what if the gravity doesn’t work the same?! or they take you back to the footclan?""I'm going" Mona crossed her arms looking at the four brothers with a determined look.####they all piled into the turtle truck Donnie and Leo in the front while Raph, Mikey and Mona sat in the back"Look if it gets too rough just fall back okay? we can handle this" Leo looked to Mona who all but huffs but nods anywayit wasn't long before they came up to the dead ally that Donnie knew he could hide the truck in while they scouted the docks for Bebop and Rocksteady, the docks were dark with only a few lamps hung to create light the sky was inky with only a few stars, but the sea looked steady, calm, beautiful as it reflected the moonlight.the storage garage the foot had been in a day prior was open a single truck was parked in front of it with its doors open.the place was quiettoo quiet"So where are these mutants?" Mona whispered as she followed behind the turtles"They should be around here" Donnie grew more confused as he looked at his shell phone which had two red dots on it signalling, they were near by"We should split up and search the area...let's see what these guys are up to""On it Leo" Mikey ducked out splitting off from the group then one by one they all were gone, bleeding into the shadows leaving Mona very impressed but also now with none to guide her she set off by herselfshe had gauged an idea of the two they were looking for... she had seen them in Raphs mind they were both larger men but like the turtles they were animals...one a large warthog with a purple mohawk adorned in cheap leather and chains the other a rhino who looked more like he was trained to some degree, both looked like they could be trouble but she wasn't sure which one was which....sneaking wasn't difficult but she definitely didn't match up to the turtles as she walked around in the dark her third inky black eye was open on her head scanning the docks."Give me a hand will ya?!" a rough voice came from an open storage unit; it was large like the ones she had seen when the footclan had her locked up."Yeh yeah I'm comin" another low and gravelly voice answeredMona smiled to herself as she crept around to see inside, watching the two males they had been looking for unload boxes and crates"Why are WE the ones stuck with movin all this shitt?" the large hog whined"You think those fairy footclan bitches can lift like we can?!" the rhino flexed his large muscles causing the other male to join in as they compared strengthsMona almost laughed, these were the guys Leo was worried about? they barely seemed to have one braincell between them, this would be easy.Mona looked around finding a rock about palm sized and held it up before throwing it across the opening into the metal doors on the storage unit causing a loud noise that instantly made the two stop flexing and look around"Go check it out idiot!" the rhino pushed the hog towards the noise. Bebop popped the collar on his leather jacket before heading out and looking to check the cost was clear, the hog walked out deciding to actually have a look rather than going back to Rocksteady.Mona studied him as he walked it was dark but she was pretty sure she could shift into him well enough to fool the rhino, she stripped off the clothing she was wearing as to not rip it before stretching and morphing into the hog man as best she could."couldn't find anythin" Mona copied his voice as she walked in looking almost exactly like Bebop except for a few small details she didn't quite see right."Good...don't need those nosey turtles snooping around" Rocksteady grunted before grabbing another crate and loading it out of the storage unit, he had to double take as he watched his friend come in maybe his mind was playing trickes on him but he could have sworn Bebops hair was lighter than that a second ago and his nose ring looked a little…no who else would it be but his best bro? all this work was getting to his head he deserved a break."What we doin all this for again?" Mona asked still keeping up her illusion as best she can"really Bebop? always askin stupid questions" Rocksteady rolled his eyes"I just wanna know is all...ya know since we are the ones doin all the work!" Mona presses as she grabbed a box opening it up slightly to see inside"yeh we are the ones stickin our necks out for these footclan bullshitters" Rocksteady agreed with a grunt dropping one of the boxes heavily.Mona continued to 'help' but slyly opened boxes and crates to look inside while she could before long she heard footsteps probably the real Bebop coming back from scoping the place out."You hear that?" Mona quickly jumped looking to Rocksteady who was already making his way to the soundMona shifted her hand into a familiar looking fish claw, hesitant at first but then she grabbed the back of Rocksteady’s jacket pulling him back toward her, if she was caught it would be two on one and she didn’t want to chance those odds."Hey what the fuck?!" before he could retaliate her 3 inky black eyes had opened on Bebops face and antennas were glowing red as they grabbed hold of the rhino’s face, as the mutant man yelled out, black all he saw was black, his best friend's face was melting off before his eyes, he had to scream his whole brain felt like it had been hit with a truck before he slumped down to the ground drooling and babbling.she shifted from Bebop to her human form as she ducked behind the boxes trying to stay small and out of sight while she analysed the situation in front of her. The warthog had some back looking battered and bloody."yo fuck dude the turtles! they are here!" the real Bebop ran in panting already blood was dripping from his mouth as he tried to catch his breathMona shifted into Raph before jumping up onto the boxes"He already knows" Mona teased in Raphs voice"HOW the FUCK did you get there?! Rocksteady! where are you man!""I already took him out...you're next" Mona jumped off the pile of boxes as Bebop ran at her thinking it was the turtle he had just fought and managed to escape.Mona almost didn't believe the hog's strength as he rammed into the boxes just shy of grabbing herhe had no problem charging straight though everything in the room like it was paperMona was able to kick him causing him to stumble into a crate but he got back up practically dripping with anger as he charged again towards her but this time when she moved he charged right into the turtles who had just caught up with him Leo thought quickly, cutting the hog with his katana as he dodged pushing the hog into Mikey who was already swinging his weapon into the guy's face followed by the real Raph punching him before Donnie socked him with his electric staff causing the hog to go down with a sizzle.Mona shifted back into herself...well her human self as she ran towards the turtles "took you guys long enough" she smirked putting her hands on her hips, she tried to look confident but in reality she was glad they had shown up when they did."where's Rocksteady" Leo was still on guard as he scanned the area around him the dim light made a good cover for everyone"I took him out...he's over there" Mona pointed behind her to where she had left the rhino man"we need to tie him up, Donnie attach one of those listening bugs you have...maybe we can overhear the information when the footclan come to pick them up" Leo ordered "and...Mona why are you" Leo gestured to Mona who was proudly standing in the nude in front of the limp Bebop"stealth reasons" she quipped before watching the turtles look around the storage unit while Donnie saw to Bebop."You took him down all by yourself? dude that's rad!" Mikey laughed as he waved his hand over Rocksteady’s face it was frozen in fear as he lie rigid on the floor"Did you melt his brain?!" Mikey gasped looking at the fear in Rocksteady’s eyes"What? no? that's not what aliens do? well at least not my species..." Mona walked around watching each turtle tend to their own devicesDonnie was tying up the hog man and probably attaching a bug like Leo suggested while Leo and Raph looked through boxes trying to get an idea of what they were transporting, Mikey and Mona sat there staring at the rhino man in silence.Donnie flinched when Bebop groaned and started to open his eyes, standing up as he signalled to the others standing over the hog.
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The boys stood around the hog man as he sat tied up and bloody looking up at the 4 ninja turtles and....some naked chick?"What got bored of each other?" Bebop snickered earning him a harsh punch to the gut from the large red ninja, Raph already hated Bebop he didn’t need a reason to hurt him, but the fucker was cocky and Raph hated it, he always knew what to say to piss him off."What are you doing here? why did they send you two to take care of alien cargo?" Leo crossed his arms looking down with his brows knitted together, Bebop grunted still hurting from the beating they had given him not to mention the latest jab from the group’s hothead."I ain't talkin' so ya might as well scram" Bebop spat out blood struggling against the chains holding him, Mona looked to Raph who seemed 100% done with the hog already his face was in a scowl with his hands balled into fists ready to strike the hog again if needed"don't let him get to you" Mona hushed putting a hand on the turtle’s muscular arm, she could feel his anger his annoyance like an energy his mind was black he hated Bebop, she remembered what it was like on her home planet being able to connect with the minds of others and seeing what they feel and think, the planet was in constant fight because of it, he reminded her of that feeling."don't tell me ya need ya girlfriend for moral support tough guy" Bebop laughed harsh snorts escaped his mouth as he watched Raph hold back his anger "I'm sure you can relieve some of that stress with ya bitch here" Bebop taunted trying to get a rise from the red ninja.Mikey looked around silently stepping away to find Mona's clothes to at least cover the alien, he knew this was pointless Bebop probably didn't know anything and if he did he wasn't gonna spill it without proper convincing...what about Rocksteady? he thought as he saw the rhino still passed out in the shipping box room...yeah maybe not... he spotted the pile of clothes picking them up as he looked to the rest of the group...Raph was yelling he looked ready to kill Bebop Leo was whispering to Donnie probably about what they should do and Mona...she was standing there still watching them all almost like she was studying how they reacted to the hog and his comments.
Mikey tapped her on the shoulder handing her the bundle of clothes with a warm smile."can't you just like.... shift clothes?" Mikey spoke without really thinking as he remembered all the fun alien parody clothing Casey and April had helped her steal."hmm I mean I didn't think of it...but I guess I could?" Mona blinked she looked as if she was deep in thought over this new revelation, after a few seconds Mona's human body morphed what looked like the outfit she was wearing beforehand"I guess you guys went shopping for nothing huh?" Mikey chuckled awkwardly seeing Mona's face scrunch up like she was remembering something sour."When I get out of these chains, I'm gonna kick your ass" Bebop spat blood at Raph who was still fuming "then I'm gonna fuck your bitch" he sung almost like a promise."Raph! cool it! he's toying with you" Leo pushed Raph back from the hog, Donnie held his head in his hand with a sigh as Leo and Raph bickered about how to deal with the brute in front of them, he almost didn't notice Mona sitting herself down on Bebops lap"OH ho hoe! hey baby you want a real man" Bebop winked catching all 4 brothers attention, without a word she smiled it was unsettling her mouth stretching longer than any humans should as a third eye opened up on her head it was black almost like a deep hole, Bebop let out a scream "what the fuck?! ya freaky bitch!" her antenna sprouted latching themselves
onto the hogs face like leeches while he thrashed causing the turtles to step back, except Raph he stood strong watching Mona she had done something similar to him...and now Bebop was gonna feel it."They are collecting artifacts for a man called Mr. Rocanna, they seem to be searching for specific items... he doesn't know much else..." Mona retracted herself, as Bebop dropped to the floor mumbling to himself with fear in his eyes."urmmm...good work Mona" Donnie stared at the hog on the floor petrified "we should go we have what we came for....information" he muttered looking to Leo with worried eyes, the leader nodded bit didn't say a word he signalled for everyone to leave and pile back into the truck before anything else could happen.####Back at the hideout Leo was the first to crack he rubbed his face hard before turning to face the rest of the group "what the hell was that?! Raph you know he was trying to get a rise out of you! I told you to control your rage!""And I told you to fuck off" Raph spat back pushing past Leo, Mikey looked to Donnie who was still trying to process the evening"And you! you’re a danger! what the hell did you do?! Rocksteady looked half dead when we showed up and Bebop?!" Leo knew she was trying to help but they had their own way of dealing with this kind of thing, he was the leader and he felt as if he had no control of what was happening."I did what I had to! I helped! you guys wouldn't have gotten any info without me" Mona huffed looking to Mikey for help"Look Leo dude we are all stressed okay you should just breath, no one died and we are a step closer to knowing what's up with the footclan" Mikey held Mona close to his chest protectively watching Leo take a second to breath"I'll look into who this Mr. Rocanna is" Donnie patted Leo on the shoulder before heading to his room/lab turning back to look at Mona who was pouting into Mikey's chest "this is gonna get messy fast" he muttered to himself before exiting the main room.####Raph let out a growl as he entered his room looking to the large punching bag, it didn't take him long to start beating the thing with bare fists taking out his energy on the inanimate object.Mikey watched as Leo went to find Donatello to discuss intel, holding Mona as he let out a sigh he understood why they were all on edge Mona proved herself as a force they didn’t understand and that scared them they didn't understand it so they feared it...funny because the humans do the same thing.
Mikey liked Mona she was cool and different and she certainly knew how to handle herself she was just like them...they just had to realise it, and Mikey was just the turtle to help!"Hey Mona?" he let go of the alien girl who was still pouting as she looked up at the youngest turtle"Yes Mikey?" she raised a brow he looked sad and yet so conflicted.
"What did you do to Rocksteady and Bebop?" he tried to smile bright he wasn't mad just he wanted to know so he could explain it to the others, help them understand her a little better help them understand what she can do...but he couldn't do that without knowing what it was she can do."I warned Rocksteady? we use to do it all the time...back home...when other aliens tried to fight or invade...just warned them for a while, scare them make sure they tell others we aren’t to be messed with" the red head hugged herself "the ones that got me... I couldn't reach their skin they had suits on...I couldn't break through to skin...that's how we use our abilities, through contact" Mona placed her hand onto Mikey's holding it tight "we can bond with others too not everything harms" she hushed, he looked down to her pretty face cupping it in his free hand with a soft sigh
"Bonding is special to us, though we use physical contact often not all of it is special that's just the way we communicate, humans do that too? communicate with their bodies?” the alien girl knew this was the case she saw it between April and Casey and in the mind of Raph"urmmm yeah I guess most species do? we all use to pile up to sleep and Raph use to be super touchy with Leo...but then we grew up and we kinda lost that" he smiled warmly remembering when they were just kids reminding the way they were all so close "now we all have separate rooms...and we don't touch as much as we use to...ha I'm pretty sure Raph is touch deprived...I learnt that from Donnie" Mikey smirked"April and Casey?""What about them?" Mikey held her smaller hand in his own tighter but also like he was protecting it"They want to mate and Bond but don't? why?" Mona knitted her brows, on her planet if you wanted someone you showed them it was a big show of mating you had to show otherwise someone else would and once you're bonded you're bonded for life. I guess humans don't have the same anatomy we do, she thought to herself as she recalled others on her planet trying and failing to bond with her...she always was picky."urmmmm ha I think that's a question to ask them ha ha" Mikey awkwardly laughed as he blushed letting go of Mona's hand to rub his neck bashfully."urmm how do you show each other?" Mikey bit his lip suddenly feeling very aired out in the open space of the living area"well, our anatomy is a big part of it...I guess it's kind of like a show?" Mona blushed herself, remembering a very flashy 'male' showing off his extended fins and tentabulge it was very flattering to say the least though he wasn't her type, the poor guy ended up attracting other flamboyant males...I think the humans would call that gay?"it’s okay if you don't wanna talk about it...seems pretty intimate" Mikey couldn't image what alien sex was like, it was probably pretty wild considering all the things he had read online about human kinks and fantasies about aliens."it’s easier to do in water...I don't really know how you would do it on land" Mona tapped her finger to her chin "it’s kind of like a dance? but also we do tasks for our mates...like build nests and coves to mate in after the other accepts?" Mona pondered harder trying to recall what she had seen other members of her species do for their bonding rituals"Do you guys have like...males and females?!" Mikey blurted out he had been thinking about it a lot and god help him he needed to know!"Not really...not in the way you do on earth all of my species has the same genitalia it can both give and receive to reproduce eggs, gender on this planet is confusing you can have men and woman...then men who are women...and woman who are men? and some like us who are neither? or both? and some don't accept others?" Mona had learnt a lot from April when she connected with her... humans were hateful creatures, if they were all built the same way her species was they wouldn’t have differences to hate."so you're not a girl?" Mikey seemed more confused now than he did before"well in this body yes?" honestly with all the genders and lack of she didn't quite know what to say...she was an alien from a different planet... "yes let's just say yes?""I guess earth is super different then your home planet huh?" Mikey's smile was sympathetic being so far away from home...in a whole new setting must be pretty scary...she was kidnapped from her home and brought to a planet for who knows what...he knew they could figure it out though.
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Mona wandered through the lair checking out the different rooms and exits, Mikey had told her to make herself at home while he went and got Leo and Donnie, his idea was to watch a movie and try to relax after the weird outing the other day.The red head heard haggared growls coming from down the hall and not giving a second thought walked towards the sound Mona had proved herself more than capable in a fight so checking out the noise was a simple in and out task she was just curious as she hadn't gotten to look around the turtles home yet - who knows what's down here, silently she made her way to a large entrance way peeking in she found the source of the sounds.It was Raph, beating on his punching bag letting out angered growls and deep grunts as his fists hit the sturdy bag, Mona watched as he worked up a sweat seeing the distress in his face - he suddenly stopped grabbing the bag as it swung back to him, holding it still."What the fuck do you want" Raphael grunted wiping the sweat from his neck with a wash cloth that looked very used.Mona scoffed watching him roll his eyes as his face turned sour "you were making a ton of noise, almost thought you were an animal down here""We are animals, don't know if ya noticed but we ain't human" Raph threw the towel onto his bed turning to the alien with strong arms crossed."I've noticed...I'm an alien not a dumb ass" Mona smiled, but she didn't want to enter the turtle's domain it was heavily scented like him, clothes, towels, medical rags and other items were littered around the room, organised chaos is how Mona described it to herself she could see there was an order to his mess but it was still...well a mess, stepping into his space seemed like a bad idea. On her planet if someone had claimed a space, to enter uninvited was an invitation to fight for dominance over said space and after the sofa incident she knew it probably wasn’t a good idea to start fights over territory again."Could have fooled me" Raph smirked stepping closer to the shorter woman"Those comments the hog made the other day" Mona started "they bothered you... a lot""Yeah, what of it, asshole was talking shit" Raph's scowl deepened as he stepped closer again asserting his dominance "you got a problem with how I handled shit? cos I don't think you can judge, brain eater" the hot-headed turtle was obviously not happy with how the mission had gone."I don't eat brains why do people keep assuming that? don't ya think that's a lil too harsh of an assumption ya know since your brain wasn't eaten" Mona sassed"whatever" Raph muttered looking away from the alien who was still standing just outside of his room, even when she spoke she didn't step towards him "are you just gonna stand there?" Raph gestured to the entrance way with an open palmMona looked at the turtle then back to the room around him "I'm gonna watch a movie with Mikey, you should join us" Mona wasn't ready to enter Raph's room, Mikey's room was so inviting he made her feel so welcomed...Raph was different she didn't get the feeling he wanted her there, and that she could respect and thus she turned on her heel making her way back to Mikey leaving Raph more confused than angry.Aliens are weird Raph thought, lifting his arm to smell himself, maybe that was the problem?Mona entered the living room to see Mikey making popcorn while he spoke to Leo- the TV was waiting to play whatever movie he had chosen.her shopping bags had been moved though she probably didn't need them anyway but it was strange to say the least she had gotten use to seeing them there."Mona" Leo cut Mikey off mid-sentence as he spotted the alien linking eyes with her, he took a deep breath as he made his way to her leaving Mikey to continue his raid on the kitchen for movie snacks."Leo?""you did good the other day, you did help" he sighed seeming a lot calmer then he was not long ago- patting her on the shoulder with his large hand "but the way you handled things, we don't know what you’re capable of Mona" Leo continued expressing his worry, Mona looked to the floor her eyes studied Leo's legs, strong, sturdy, scars ran white along his thick skin- she thought back to sitting with Mikey how his arms had scars his legs were littered with small permanent marks from past battles."Mona? are you listening to me?" Leo finally got her to stop staring at the floor clicking his fingers with a stern expression."mmm? yeah I get it...I'm dangerous and you don't like what you can't control, are we done? I'm pretty sure Mikey is ready to start the movie" Mona wasn't trying to be rude she just didn't like people thinking they knew best, the truth is they knew nothing about her and yet already assumed the worst after seeing a glimpse of what her species could do, something she was used to doing daily back home.Raph snickered walking past Mona and Leo as he overheard the reprimanding Leo was plaguing her with, he could relate to the big Leonardo lectures "come on shorty" Raph grabbed Mona's arm pulling her towards the sofa with only a grunt to acknowledge Leo.Donnie was sitting on a large beanbag chair, a bowl of popcorn in hand as he checked his shell phone while waiting for everyone, Mikey sat in his usual spot on the sofa ready with the remote and a bowl for sharing "come on guys I wanna start! let's just relax ok?"Raph thumped down into his usual spot slinging Mona down in between himself and Mikey almost identical to the other night but this time she didn't feel the need to kick him away he seemed looser, maybe all the punching really did help him?it wasn't long before all four boys were comfortable settling into their seats for a well needed relaxation session.just as the movie started splinter entered the room, slowly making his way past the living area"Master splinter?! are you feeling any better?" Leo jumped up looking towards the older rat with a soft smile, Mona noticed he would dote on the older man she assumed this was an earth thing, they usually threw their elders down The Hole."I’m fine Leonardo, just needed some rest" he smiled genuinely as he peeked over the sofa to see everyone sitting and getting along "Mona Lisa you're still with us I see""yeah I am..is that still okay?” she turned her body to see him as she spoke, while in Raph's mind she could feel how much this rat meant to him a father figure when none else was around, a mentor, a loved one, she knew all the turtles held him with high respects he reminded her of their clan's elder.. before they threw him into The Hole."of course as long as you need, I'm glad to see you're getting along with my boys" he smiled his soft smile his eyebrows tilting up as he looked content, with a nod he continued on his way through their home....Mona would have to follow him at some point see more of this place for herself she just knew he had secrets hidden away here.####The film had been on for almost thirty minutes now Mikey had been telling Mona all the spoilers through hushed whispers like he had seen the movie a hundred times before, Donnie on the other hand had told him to hush a few times now telling Mikey not to ruin the ending for her, Leo seemed content his eyes not leaving the screen as it played out the action portions his body was relaxed and open she hadn't seen Leo so calm, Raph didn't seem too interested in the film instead his focus was on knitting while periodically looking up at the screen, it was strange seeing such a large angry man knit, Mona had gotten the impression knitting was for older people but seeing him take such care in such a small practice sent her heart doing back flips it was like when the larger of her species would spend time crafting small items for mating gifts.Mona gasped as one of the heroes on screen got shot causing Raph to snicker quietly as he side eyed her reaction."don't worry he's not really dead" Mikey whispered with a smile patting her head softly."Mikey, stop spoiling it for her" Donnie rolled his eyes throwing a handful of popcorn at the youngest turtle."I knew he wouldn't go out like that...that church scene was so badass" Mona smiled, embarrassed that she had made an audible reaction to a fictional character’s death.Leonardo liked times like this, when everyone was together again they didn’t spend as much time doing relaxing things it seemed there was always more important things to do, he secretly enjoyed when Mikey would beg them all to spend family time together, getting everyone in the same place to do a hobby or play a game, as leader he really should make more time for this quality time.Splinter watched from the hallway out of sight he was glad his boys were making time for each other and having someone new was seeming to bring them together.The movie continued; Mona yawned sinking further into the sofa as the movie came to its end causing Mikey to giggle."I'll take her to my room" Mikey smiled getting ready to stand"Actually, I'd like to see her in my lab...if that's okay with you Mona?" Donatello adjusted his glasses as he got up from the old beanbag chair"Oh sure? I guess?" Mona rubbed her eyes as she followed Donnie into his lab####Donatello's lab was dark, wires were covering the floor all hooked to different machines and computer screens littered one corner of the room with bright screens showing code and other things Mona didn't quite understand."I’ve been looking into some things I was wondering if I could get your help since you seem to know a lot more about alien tech than I do" Donnie smiled shyly sitting down on his large swivel chair as he pulled up some images on the main screen.The screen showed a few images, one was of Mona hooked up to a large machine while in a tank of green liquid gel her large mermaid like tail was curled up on itself to fit her inside, the next was of a crystal it was black with silver markings engraved into it finally he pulled up a picture of a book- the same markings were written in it with rough translations of what each mark meant though it was rough and incomplete."Do you know anything about...well any of this?" Donnie looked to the alien who was now staring at the screen with big sad black eyes"Those are symbols from our culture's language we barely use it anymore since we started to use touch instead of speaking" Mona started "that crystal is from my home planet a slab of our calendar, I don't see why humans would want a fraction of it?" Mona looked to the picture of her in disgust scrunching her nose "I don't know why they wanted me or what they were doing it almost felt like an intrusion on my mind""Did you hear anything? like did they say anything while you were awake?""I only learnt English when I connected with Raph... then more with April" Mona tries hard to recall if she saw anything that could help but couldn't understand anything she had seen."it’s okay, we will figure it out I’m pretty good at this stuff" Donnie rested his hand on her arm hesitantly, Donnie wasn’t sure what to make of the alien that joined their life a few days ago she was loud and he wasn’t sure where to look when addressing her, he was probably the least socially adjusted out of his brothers he was always more into tech than socialising the first time he met April he got tongue tied he had never really spoken to a girl before it's not like they got many chances being mutants who live under the city, he’s tried to avoid Mona he doesn’t know what to say to her when she’s around, she makes him nervous."Mikey found these...after you shifted into your human form" Donnie held out the scales Mikey had brought to him."That happens sometimes...it's normal for us we actually end up giving them to those we care about we replace our own scales with ones gotten from loved ones" Mona looked to the scales with a sigh feeling her human skin, the lack of scales was different to her."well I ran some tests on them" Donnie's voice was low as he looked into her eyes nervously "I found out more about your species, where you come from in coordination to us- you’re from mars?""Mars?" Mona raised a brow; on her planet they didn't have names for the planets just coordinates and enemies."it’s close...though I have no idea how they got to mars in the first place honestly" Donnie scratched his head with a huff "Are all your species red?""Mostly... reds, yellows, oranges, browns, gold in rare occasians ""I see" Donnie hummed spinning back to his computer and writing notes as Mona watched."I'd like to know what you know" Mona spoke calmly as she continued to watch the screen"As in?" Donnie gulped praying it wasn't what he thought it was, he didn't know if he could take a mental intrusion like Mona's."I don't eat brains" she huffs rolling her eyes but looking to the purple turtle he still seems unconvinced "I didn't eat Raph's brain""Not much brain to eat" Donnie chuckled trying to lighten the mood as he felt sweat bead down his neck, he trusted the alien but he didn't know enough about what she could do...he didn't want anyone messing around in his brain.####It had been a little over 3 weeks since Mona 'moved in' with the turtlesRaph looked around not seeing anyone before giving himself the all clear, he had no idea what made him want to do this but he thinks it has something to do with that alien brainwashing him,He was carrying Mona's shopping bags into a nearly empty room not too dissimilar from their own rooms the only difference is this one had a large bath like bowl buried into the concrete, Mikey use to use it as a skating bowl but he hadn't seen the orange turtle use it in over a month so he decided it would do.he set the bags down in the corner looking over to the large bowl before grunting to himself "how the fuck am I meant to fill that with water" he muttered wondering if he could ask Donnie to help him somehow, the man was a genius he had to have some idea on how to do it hell he managed to get the TV and lights to work down here, not to mention running water and the make shift shower room they built.As if he had jinxed himself as he walked out of the room, he saw Mikey humming and walking towards him with his skateboard in hand, Raph slapped his own face with a growl "of course... why would I expect any different ""oh, hey dude! what are you doing back here?" Mikey's face looked confused as he got closer to Raph who was angrily muttering to himself as he stood in the doorway.Mikey smiled as he stood face to face with his big brother gesturing to get past him."You can't go in" Raph blocked the way with his shoulder trying to create as little space to see inside as possible"What why?! what did you do!" Mikey pouted trying to look over his brother's shoulder to see inside"what's in there? dude come on Mona is busy and I wanna make sure I have this trick down! I'm gonna show her what skateboards are""yeah, I'm sure she will be reaall impressed with a wooden plank on wheels, she's an alien Mikey she's probably seen more impressive shit" Raph watched as Mikey's pout deepened."What are you hiding Raph?"The younger turtle scoffed trying to push past the older turtle with no luck "I'm serious Mikey" Raph's voice was low as he looked at the younger male, Mikey huffed turning away with a sigh."fine..." he sighed dramatically"Cock shot!" Mikey spun around smacking Raph with his skateboard before running into the room with a scream as Raph growled.Mikey stood with eyes wide as he looked around his skating room, Mona's bags were sitting in the corner, the cold lights Mikey had up before where now a warm orange and dimmer- the room looked clean...well clean as it could be- large towels and an old pillow sat in the other corner.Mikey bit his lip looking back to a very mad Raph with a smug smile as his eyes were lit up with mischief "Oooooooo""Shut it Mikey" Raph grunted walking in behind him with a scowl"You liiiikeee herrr" Mikey teased slapping his hands to his cheeks with a massive shit eating grin."I just think she needs her own room...I don't wanna have to look at her sleeping on the sofa every time I wake up in the night" Raph often had trouble sleeping too many things plagued his mind he had been waking up at stupid hours and walking around the lair only to see Mona sleeping on the sofa in uncomfortable positions."aweeeeee Raph has a crushhhh~" Mikey snickered before having to dodge a punch from the embarrassed turtle."This is just too good!" he chuckled practically slapping his own cheeks as he smiled wide.It wasn't long until Mona was back wandering around the lair looking for Mikey, the happy turtle said he had something to show her when she was finished with Donnie in the lab they had been spending more time together in the lab Donnie had so much information to share but without letting her see into his head he had to just tell her and explain… it took a lot longer than needed if he would just let her peek into his head, she had been spending more and more time with Leo and Donnie working on alien tech and finding out information, Mikey was stealing her back! only fair she deserves a little fun!"Mikey?" Mona peeked into his room to see noone inside "Mikeyyy?" the red-haired alien walked around the lair confused as to where the fun turtle was."Mona! MONA!" Mikey was screaming as he ran towards her at full speed with Raph running behind him, Mona Lisa's eyes widened as she saw them both running straight for her, she didn't even think before shifting it was an instinct - without looking Mikey ran straight into her large red and white scaled arms that were out stretched to catch both men as her legs stood wide and heavy almost unnaturally digging into the floor to stabilize her, her oversized fish like claws held both turtles against her chest to break the impact - she was larger almost full alien but no mermaid tail just large scaled white legs with red claws like a dragon."m...Mona?" Mikey gulped as he looked up at her."you guys shouldn't just run at me like that! what the fuck is wrong with you?" Mona scolded as she shifted back into her 'human' form."Raphie has something to show you" Mikey giggled as Raph stood with his arms crossed grumbling to himself."Oh? but I thought you had something to show me?" Mona raised a brow looking up at the two males."Oh, I mean I did but...Raphie's kinda ruins mine"Mona looked to Raph who seemed embarrassed - his whole mood seemed off, she listened to Mikey explain what he had planned, nodding along though she didn't quite understand what a skateboard was or what a backwards kick flip extreme was but Mikey was always full of energy bringing a smile to Mona's face every time he opened his mouth to speak so she didn't mind feeling lost when he spoke about earth things, she didn't quite understand yet."OH YEAH!" Mikey gasped gripping Mona's shoulder as if he was going to faint at any moment "Raph's thing!"Mona turned to the grumpy turtle who seemed reluctant to show off this 'thing'Mona whispered something to Mikey looking back at the large hot head brooding in the corner of her vision, he had been avoiding her the past few days and even talking to him he would seem to get hot; he was spending more time in his room away from her it was strange she thought maybe it was a turtle thing. Mikey almost snorted before realising that Mona's species made nests and coves for each other...oh shit maybe it IS a mating thing?!Mikey suddenly felt guilty for teasing Raph about the room...and now he is practically forcing Raph to show Mona his little project."Whatever its not done yet but since this idiot can't keep his mouth shut, I might as well show you" Raph rolled his eyes feeling blush creep up his neck and cheeks as he turned to lead down the hallway they came down.Mona followed.Mikey bit his lip nervously running after the two reds "hey?! urmm Raph? maybe you should wait until it's done? or I dunno?!" Mikey stuttered how was he going to explain this wasn't a mating thing to Mona? or worse how was he gonna explain this WAS a mating thing to the rest of the gang...Raph came to the entrance taking a breath before stepping inside the skate room "I just thought you should have your own space...we can fill the bowl with water, ya know so you don't have to be a crummy human all the time"Mona looked to Raph his expression was hard to read, he just stood there with arms crossed looking over the room - the alien then looked to the younger turtle who was peeking in around the doorway nervously."Thank you, Raphael," her response was soft as she looked back to him, Mona walked around the room feeling the warm lights and sliding into the bowl it would be big enough to relax in but nothing like what she had back home, the alien girl looked back at the tall hot head she felt a smile creep up her face.Mikey stepped up next to Raph looking up at his older brother “at least she likes it” he chuckled nervously as Raph shot him a scowl.“Ya just couldn’t keep ya mouth shut huh” Raph huffed before half a smile crept up his face as he watched Mona explore the room even going as far as to spider climb the wall to get a closer look at the heat lamps.
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the night was quiet for the most part the turtles were posted up around the city in well-known footclan populated areas on the lookout for more information on what the clan were doing.Mikey was scouting the main hang out of the purple dragons, a known street gang that did work on the ground for the footclan, they had dealt with these gangster wannabes many times before they were easy enough to take out except Hun...Mikey could admit that mammoth of a man gave him the chills.
Hun was a huge guy with cropped blonde hair and a loyal member and second in command to the Shredder along with Karai, he ran the street gang that was the purple dragons and had a sense for when the turtles were around, Mikey knew this was just a patrol no need for him to engage but just seeing the blonde walking out of the hide out for a smoke break made him nervous.####Donnie was posted at the Stockman industries lab watching Baxter, listening in on the hacked coms he had set up last time the boys were here, Donnie saw the smaller man pacing in his lab In front of a white board, Baxter was a shorter man around 5'6 with deep brown skin and a short mop of curly hair, he was missing his pinkie finger and left eye both punishments after disappointing the shredder on a few occasions thanks to the turtles’ interventions, Donnie listened in on the scientists mumbling.
"This isn't going to work...there's only so long I can postpone the testing...shredder isn't going to be pleased" the man grabbed at his hair and tugged, a nervous habit the man had when stressed "we have to find that alien...stupid turtles...they always get in the way of my work" Baxter slammed his hands on the desk and knocked over a mug full of pencils and pens letting them clatter to the ground before his head shot to the white board.
"I could tell him we are having trouble getting a sample...no I already used that lie...I could tell him testing is already underway?" his one good eye darted around the room "no. then he will expect results"
Donnie pulled out his staff and twisted one of his many mechanisms, a tablet unfolded from the side of the staff as he held it towards the window zooming in on the board, a mess of notes and theories littered the thing, Donnie could make out one of the notes.
Donnie made a note: Martian DNA can be used to create a new mutagen, one that can let the scientist pick and choose what he wants his soldiers to look like, no longer would they be limited to the randomisation of the green ooze they could actually decide what genes the mutants would get.####Raphael was posted up at the docks the main storage units that held krang science that the foot had been gifted, he was sitting in the shadows watching Bebop and Rocksteady along with some foot clan moving boxes onto trucks like they had a few days prior, he wanted to jump down and bash some heads together but he knew he was alone and Leo would definitely lecture him if he got caught... again...
The red turtle watched as Rocksteady came out with a large container of glowing goo it looked almost like the lava lamp like gel that made up Mona's alien body, but it was a golden colour, the warm glow made it easy to see the man's scarred face in the dark.
"Bet Donnie could tell us what that shit it...if I could just get a sample of it" Raph smirked to himself, maybe he would have to bash some heads in after all.####Leonardo had brought Mona along for his patrol of the Shredder's lair, they sat on the rooftop across from the lair in the darkness, inside they could see the Shredder training, out of his usual armour and in a traditional Japanese gi fighting against a group of foot soldiers who were all getting their asses handed to them.
"I trained you better than this!" he threw a soldier into another before kicking another "Again!" he ordered, those still standing getting back into a starting position and those too injured for another training session were with replaced with new foot soldiers."That guy's intense" Mona hushed as they listened in on the man with a drone, Donnie had given them that could get closer to the building.
"he's the one behind most of the problems in this city" Leo grumbled his arms flexing as anger appeared on his face "I know he's behind your captivity...but I don't know why" he sighed letting the tension go "he can't be working alone...the krang must have teamed up with him...but why?"
Mona watched the building, the large windows gave them the perfect view from above, she saw a woman enter the room and approach Shredder, a short Japanese woman with short black hair and a scar on her cheek, dressed in armour not unlike the footclan but obviously she was in a role of power.
Leo caught view of her too, learning forward to get a better look at the woman he knew as Karai.
"You know her?" Mona whispered
"Yeah...she's trouble" he looked almost hurt as he said it
"...I could turn into her...and get on the inside? see if I could find anything?" the alien girl questioned"I..." Leo started but paused "thats dangerous Mona we don't need to put you in harm's way""If I could know more about her, I could recreate a perfect double...you know her, I could use that" she pressed "in and out, it would give us more information while that Shredder guy is busy with..." Mona watched as he beat up one of his own men "...whatever he's doing""And what do we do with the real Karai?" he raised a brow "if she runs into you...she would alert the rest of the foot not to mention Shredder...""Then I'll change into a footclan member" Mona's face quickly morphed into a generic looking foot clan mask "look I'm like...the perfect person for undercover missions" she smiled through the mask like appearance."I don't know Mona" he let out a huff before taking a moment to think, she's right this could be useful...but if she's caught, he doesn't know if he can take on shredder and Karai, not to mention the foot on their own terf, but if this was successful it could tell them a lot, they could be more prepared for whatever this enemy has in-store.Mona watched Leo then the building, if she could just connect to Leo....she would know what he was thinking."Fine...but at the first sign of trouble you have to get out...don't fight just run I'll cover you" Leo almost regretted saying it as Mona morphed her face back but with the spindly antenna she has sported when connecting to Raph and April "you wanna go into my mind huh?" he winced"It would help me, seeing your memories of how she talks...fights...looks. acts" she listed off "is there something you don't want me to know, Leo?" she tilted her head with concerned eyes trying to study his shifting face."no... just..." he let out a sigh "try not to pry" he calmed himself letting out a breath then turning to Mona "just do what you have to do"The alien girl smiled before scooting her way closer to the crouching ninja letting her antenna find his brow putting her hand on his shoulder, peering into his mind she scanned though memories as they flash in parts Infront of her, she searched for ones that pertained to Karai in the sea of closed doors that was Leo's mindMona saw a memory of his first fight with Karai she was hot on the ninja's tails chasing them on the roof tops, Leo stopped, turning to face Karai his katana out and ready to charge as she caught up stopping not far from him as she watched the rest of the brothers continue on after Shredder, it was a intense battle of swords clashing and threats spoken...Mona peered into another memory, it was raining and Leo was standing toe to toe with the shorter woman both soaked as lighting struck not far from them,
"You don't have to fight me on this Leonardo" she spoke, her voice low and commanding"You work with Shredder of course I have to fight you on this" he growled "he's using you Karai, he tried it with us...he tried to get us on his side too""You know nothing of my master, he's fighting against evil, if you’re against him you’re against the fight against evil" she lunged forward with her sword as Leo blocked with his "you could have been great Leonardo"Mona sifted through a few more before she heard a voice behind her, a memory was reaching out, like Leo was thinking about it in the moment, like triggering so many memories about Karai was forcing him to think about her."I could protect you" Leo pleaded his hand catching her arm his eyes tearing up"I don't need you to" Karai spat out in a hiss"Karai please, let me help you, I can't keep doing this! I can't keep lying to everyone, I can't keep making excuses for you to myself...if you love me..." Leo choked on his own words "if you love me...you will stand against Shredder with us..."Mona felt a force trying to eject her from Leo's mind as she snapped back to reality, finding herself back on the rooftop with Leo, his eyes were glossy and tearing up before he was able to shake it off, rubbing his eyes before staring at the red head."oh..." Mona felt his body tense up once more "I'm sorry" she whispered before looking back to the building, not much time has passed it was a few moments at best and a few minutes at worst, Mona stood up letting her body shift into Karai, her height shrinking to 5,6 her skin warming up to a light tan, her hair black in a wolf style cut with a shaved back, her eyes a deep brown with a deep but healed scar on her cheek, wearing her footclan armour, Mona watched as Leo took in the sight of Mona now as Karai in front him, standing up and stepping over to her his hand hesitantly raised to touch the scar on her cheek."You look just like her." Leo felt conflicted second guessing their plan before studying his thoughts "in and out” he ordered before watching Mona jump down from the rooftop and make her way towards the building that Shredder called a lair.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Mona entered the building, disguised as Karai easily bypassing foot soldiers that were guarding the hallways, walking about the lair she didn't know where she was going exactly but she saw in Leo's memories what the general lay out of the lair was, Mona looked to a room that seemed familiar to Leo's mind.The room was small almost like a supply closet, cabinets lined the walls all holding documents and papers that Mona assumed had to have some kind of importance if they were worth keeping around, she rifled through the drawers scanning the names of files and screwed her brows trying to decipher the labels and names of various projects the footclan apparently had their hands in, she scanned through the labels picking up a few and reading them before putting them back, opening another drawer and searching through pulling out more files before putting them back when they fail to mention anything about her or her planet, she spent the next few minutes letting her eyes scan through the text."Leo. Can you hear me" Mona whispered into the com Donnie had set up for her."I'm here Mona, what did you find?" she heard Leo's voice crackle though the com, giving a sigh of relief."I found some documents...the foot seem to have their hands in a ton of shady shit" she pulled out a document labelled 'The T project' she scanned over its contents before pulling the drawer it was in all the way open to see it was full of other papers all with the same label "do you know what the T project is?..." Mona asked"Never heard of it" Leo shrugged "if Shredder's part of it then it's probably bad, take some pictures for Donnie""sure...lemme just scan through them first" Mona hung up the com as she read her eyes narrowing as she speed read the papers, there were files that all contained details of a trial run for super soldiers Mona wouldn’t have cared but when she saw the attached pictures she stopped, she couldn't tell Leo, what she saw was strange.A document that held information about the turtles, the pictures attached were of the 4 brothers she had come to know, but in test tubes, small definitely not the forms she had known them in, almost like they had just been mutated, almost no bigger than regular turtles, one of the page's notes read;'Turtles 1,2,4,6 have started to grow, they are showing signs of progress with the mutagen. no progress on turtles 3, 7 and 5.'Monas eyes widened she remembered the scar on Leo's shoulder...it was faint but she could have sworn it almost looked like a 4, Mona gathered the papers pulling them under Karai's armour hiding them in herself before she returned the rest.Mona shut the drawer turning her head to look to another before pulling it open.###Leonardo sat outside on the rooftop keeping watch on the building keeping his eye on Shredder in the dojo and the real Karai speaking with him."Donnie...you there" Leo asked into his com"Right here Leo" Donnie answered "how's the patrol with Mona?" he asked"Yeah...it's fine, have you heard of project T?" Leo squinted his eyes hardening his brow."can't say I have? why did you guys find something?" the smartest turtle questioned, Leo could hear his anxious finger tapping over the coms..."Mona might have, haven’t heard back yet, she just seemed off" Leo side eyed the building then looked to the shell phone to check the time."Have you known her long enough to know what's off and what's just alien?" Donnie chuckled"I have a sense for this stuff Don...trust me she was off" Leo bit his tongue before catching himself in the act and stopping himself from the nervous habit "maybe I'm just overthinking...she's been in there too long""In where?" Donnie asked"She's... undercover" Leo winced####Mona passed a door with a large lock, it caught her attention because of how out of place it was in such a traditionally decorated building, she placed her hand on the padlock about to crush it in her hand when she heard a voice call out."Karai?" a voice from behind her came, a woman's voice...Mona slowly turned to look towards the voice seeing a foot soldier walking towards her.
Mona raised a brow trying to give a scowl that she had seen Karai give Leo, the woman walked closer before pulling up her mask to reveal a tanned face littered in small scars."you don’t have to pretend.... your father isn't here" the woman smiles showing off a set of white teeth, missing one from the top set."Father?... of course not." Mona answered in Karai’s voicethe woman gave a suspicious look "what are you doing with that door?" she crossed her armsMona side eyed the nearest window before letting out a tsk "checking it was locked obviously""sureee" the woman raised a brow "you ok K?""yes...of course I am, just tired...I just got back from training with...my father" it almost sounded like a question before she fixed her tone and stood up straighter letting go of the padlock and stepping towards the tanned woman ready to put her down if needed "I need to get back to checking over the building, turtle activity is high lately" Mona nodded"Since when is it your job to patrol the building? shouldn't you be playing second hand to daddy?" the tan woman snickered letting her demeanour soften punching Mona in the arm in jest.Mona's gaze was hard and steely trying scan the woman's face before letting a smile cross her lips "ha...yeah I needed a break, anything to get away from that old hack" Mona smirked letting the woman get closer"well if you’re on break~" the woman smiled letting her hand find Monas before interlocking their fingers."We shouldn't" Mona pulled her hand away as she heard her com crackle, Leo was trying to reach her "later..." Mona smiled before trying to push her way past the taller woman, making her way towards the stairs to head up another floor.####"Mona come in" Leo hissed into the com, he was getting anxious the woman has been in the lair of their greatest enemy with no radio contact for longer than he liked."Everything is fine Leo, I handled it" Mona's voice finally came over the com"Mona! finally!" relief washed over Leo letting his shoulders relax "Raph got into trouble at the docks...we are heading over to help him""Go without me I'm still looking around" Mona's voice crackled over the radio wave"What? no I'm not just gonna leave you in there with no exit plan" Leo huffed "just come out you have been in there long enough" Leo ordereda long silence came, only the quiet crackles from the coms filled the air."I'm coming out..."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Raphael ran towards the shadow’s canister in hand the warm glow giving away his position, his grip tightened as he cursed
"Fuck..." his eyes darted around looking towards the roof tops as he heard the footclan fast approaching, he strapped the canister to his shell tucking it into his belt before jumping up to the roof top of a storage unit trying to stay out of sight.He knew it wasn't the best idea but he had been so antsy lately, with Donnie and Leo almost obsessively searching for information on what the footclan wanted with aliens. Mikey was the only one acting normal but even he was hanging around Mona like a lost puppy following her around and constantly trying to keep her attention.
He didn't know what was normal for Mona the month she had spent with them seemed to give him little to no information other than she got on with everyone but him, until he built her the room...since then she had been hanging around outside his room and always made sure to invite him to play games with her and Mikey, he didn't understand the switch in personality recently.Maybe it was a mixture of everything that led him to take such a drastic step...if he could get this canister back to Donnie maybe they could actually make a break through and move on."Where'd he go?" Rocksteady huffed, out of breath as Bebop followed below him."I dunno, he's got that ninja shit he dose" Bebop grunted looking around before running his hands up his mohawk to restyle it
"He can't have gone far...he's alone" Rocksteady chimed in "I can smell him""You can smell him? my brother...that's kinda gross" Bebop chuckled smacking the larger rhino man on the shoulder"Shut up ya dunce let me think" the rhino man growled looking towards the roof tops before his lips curled into a smile "come'er ninja, we just wanna talk" he called out, Bebop looked confused as he followed his friends eye line towards the roof"We don't wanna talk...we wanna bust his face in!" Bebop almost stage whispered but was cut off as Rocksteady smacked him upside the head."We know you're alone~" Rocksteady grabbed one of the small grenades off of his belt, weighing it in his hand.Raphael watched them from the roof almost nervous to make a move as the rhino pulled out the bomb, he knew they weren't afraid to use it, he had been on the bad side of Rocksteady’s artillery before...it wasn't fun."what's the matter, scared to fight us alone?" Rocksteady teased waiting for any movement, any sign any shift."Yeah, don't have that freaky bitch and ya nasty lil brothers to help ya now!" Bebop bellowed as he made his way around the unit trying to find the turtle manRaph snarled he had to restrain himself from jumping the hog, he knew getting this canister to Donnie was more important than any petty fight he could have now"yaknow I kinda always thought y'all where always so mad cos ya couldn't get laid" the pig man laughed banging his fist into the unit to draw attention to himself "but now ya have a bitch and you're still a pain in my ass, maybe having to share her just ain't your style" the man snorted as he laughed he knew exactly how to piss off the turtle and he was banking on the hot head to jump him.Bebop had chains wrapped around his knuckles ready to fight if the hothead jumped him, his fist clenched the chains in anticipation, he continued to tease and taunt the turtle shouting insults and crude comments as Raph held onto his resolve thinking about Leo and what he would say in this situation, he was so focused on the hog that it was too late when he noticed the grenade being thrown his way by Rocksteady who had found him, flashing him an evil smile before the bang, he was blasted back his vision going white and the ringing in his ears unbearable.when he came too he was chained to the back of a truck with footclan surrounding him, blades out as they stood guard he was able to struggle but unable to get his hands free, he knew he had to radio in he just had to reach his shell phone.
As his eyes adjusted to the dark once more, he saw Bebop standing over him while Rocksteady was sat a few feet away polishing his gun."Well, well, well, if it isn't the tough guy himself," Bebop said, sneering. "We finally got you." He snorted “wasn’t expecting the big ass boom huh?”
Raph glared at them, but he knew he was in trouble. He had to figure out a way to get out of there before it was too late.
“Fuck you” Raph spat out struggling against the chains “you're gonna regret this fatty”“Well, that isn’t very body positivity of you” Bebop chuckled as he cracked his knuckles ready to finally get some payback on the turtle
“It’s body positive dumbass” Rocksteady rolled his eyes, standing up and walking over to the turtle crouching down to his level “we wanted you to be awake for this” he smiled darkly before grabbing the turtle's face with a harsh grip “you're gonna tell us everythin’ ya know”####Mikey got the message first it crackled though his com as he was watching Hun talk with another gang member.“I fucked up I need hel- “Raph’s voices cut off and replaced with Rocksteady’s “who’s he talking to…” then Bebop’s “oi who you chatting to! Haven’t had enough yet?”
Mikey couldn’t make out much more than that but he knew it meant trouble he turned on his coms to contact the others as he made his way towards the docks.####
Mikey and Donnie were the first to arrive kneeling behind a unit not far from where they could hear a commotion, assuming it was their brother and the mutant men he had been spying on.
“What should we do?” Mikey questioned in a hushed voice white knuckling his nunchucks.“Wait for Leo” is all Donnie responded as he tried Leo on his com again “he’ll be here soon.” Donnie tried to reassure himself more than anything else as his fingers tapped nervously on his metal staff.“Leo's with Mona at Shredder's building…that’s across town we have to do something now” Mikey pouted his brows furrowed ready to spring into action as he heard the mutants grunting and laughing around the corner, he could only assume the worst when he heard Raph’s pained grunts though the coms earlier.“there’s only two of us Mikey, the scanner says there’s at least a dozen foot bots there not to mention tweedle Dee and Dum, if Raphael’s hurt, we need more than just the two of us to fight off the clan and carry him out” Donnie calmed himself looking back at the scanner before closing his eyes to think.Michelangelo liked to think he was level headed, he was usually the one who didn’t take missions as seriously as he should, but today was serious he’d been on a solo patrol he was called to help his brother he wasn’t willing to wait around and listen to Raph get beaten by their enemy.
“Then you wait I’m going in” Mikey was about to take off when Donnie grabbed his shell holding him back.
“Mikey…please don’t do this, I’m not strong enough to fight you on this, but I’m smart enough to know it ISN'T a good idea.”It wasn’t much longer before Leonardo and Mona-Lisa arrived finding Mikey and Donnie hiding behind cover in stealth.
“Sorry we’re late” Leo hopped down to their level before ducking behind the unit with Mona in tow “where’s Raph?” Leo questioned
Donatello pointed in the direction of the ongoing noise then back at the scanner “there’s at least a dozen foot bots”
“Then we better be on our A game” Leo pulled out his katana “let’s go…Mona get Raph we will handle the rest” Leo looked pointedly to her with a nod.The ninja turtles charged in and were quickly surrounded by the Foot Clan, but they were not afraid. Donatello twirled his bo staff in his hands, Michelangelo swung his nunchucks and Leonardo held his katanas at the ready.The Foot Clan charged forward, but the turtles were ready. Donatello used his staff to knock one of the Foot soldiers off its feet, while Michelangelo spun his nunchucks in a wide arc, hitting two more at once. Mona darted forward with lightning-fast jabs as she ran towards Raph, and Leonardo blocked incoming strikes with his katanas able to fight off their attacks before hearing the two mutant men shout for the bots to capture the turtles.The Foot Clan regrouped and charged again, but the turtles were not easily defeated. Donatello leaped into the air, delivering a powerful strike with his staff that sent two Foot soldiers flying. Michelangelo twirled his nunchucks in a dazzling display of skill, striking three more Foot soldiers and sending them reeling. Leonardo twirled his katanas, blocking and countering the incoming attacks of the Foot soldiers, kicking another away as he stabbed through a bot rushing towards Donnie, the turtles stood their ground as more Foot clan bots charged towards them, their razor-sharp claws gleaming in the moonlight. Leonardo was the first to engage, his katanas clashing with a resounding metallic ring. Donatello and Michelangelo moved in to flank taking out bots as they went.
Mona skid on her knees ducking under a katana of a soldire as Leonardo engaged in battle with it keeping them off her as she shifted her legs into her alien form, strong paper white legs ending in red scaled claws hit the pavement after jumping over a bot, taking off towards Raph who was still bound in chains.
Leonardo kicked a bot into Bebop, before his katana clashed against the hog's chained up knuckles as Bebop blocked the attack Donatello used his bo staff to keep Rocksteady at bay, dodging his powerful punches and kicks. Meanwhile, Michelangelo darted around the docks throwing nunchucks at his enemies and distracting them with his acrobatics, keeping the foot on him.
Raphael was badly beaten and bleeding on the ground, tire tracks left skid marks on the concrete almost like they had dragged him around with the truck, the chains were tight she could see the metal straining against the red brother's muscular arms, Mona clenched her teeth together almost biting her tongue before shifting her arms into her alien form, more white limbs ending in red scales and claws.“Leo...is that you?” Raphael could barely open his eyes as he winced groaning in pain “I'm sorry, I thought I could handle it” he spat out blood before grunting in pain “they have can-“ Mona cut him off
“shh it’s okay I got you big guy” Mona gripped the chains ripping them off of Raph with brute strength letting the turtle free as he rolled on his shell letting the chains fall with broken links.
Mona looked back towards the brothers still holding off the hoard as she looked back to Raph, he was too injured to move himself.
“Mona lets go!” Leo called out throwing Bebop into a unit watching the metal wall indent with his weight, the alien girl didn’t hesitate to shift the rest of the way growing to her full height of 10ft, the alien form ripping its way through her human disguise as she picked up Raph in her arms holding him close, slinging his arm over her shoulder as she lifted him off the floor.
“shiiiiit” Rocksteady hissed as he saw Mona turn to look at the fight towering over them all, being caught off guard Mikey was able to jump down onto his back knocking him to the floor.
“Wait!” Raphael’s voice rasped out “the canister ...fuck get the canister” Raphael weakly pointed to the tin of glowing golden goo that Rocksteady had confiscated from him, Monas three black eyes looked to Raph then the tin nodding before reaching over and taking it.
Leo chopped the head off of another bot before shouting “ok we got him go, go, go!” the brothers all started running towards the ally that would take them to the sewer entrance closest to their location, Mona followed with Raph escaping the docks.####The turtles were careful going back to the lair making sure none of the bots had followed them before heading into their home, the open plan living room greeted them, the tall ceilings and balconies a calming sight after a stressful event let the turtles ease up, Mona carried Raph on her back as they walked in seeing Splinter on the sofa watching one of his telenovelas, the older man was shocked not having seen Mona in such form yet he almost jumped into action before seeing Raph on her back.
“My sons!” he yelled quickly making his way to the group “what happened? where were you?” he questioned with haste his voice laced with concern
“We were on patrol…I’m sorry master, Raphael was caught.” Leo looked to the ground shamefully bowing his head before he felt Splinter's hands on his face.
“Are you hurt my son?” Splinter looked over his oldest son, Leo shook his head before Splinter reached his hand out to Mikey “and you?” he asked his youngest.“We are fine Splinter it’s just Raph…he’s pretty beat up” Donnie chimed in, leading Mona over to the sofa pulling it out into a sofa bed so she could lay Raph on it “set him down here Godzilla”
Mona set Raph down gently, her chest rumbling with a low humming sound as the lava like gel in her chest glowed a bright red.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Raphael winced as he rolled over feeling a pillow under his head his hand shot to his side as he felt a deep pain, opening one eye he looked around, his other was almost swollen shut, he could taste dried blood in his mouth. His head was throbbing he felt like he had just gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.“he’s awake” he heard a hushed voice it sounded like Mikey but the dull thud in his head made it hard to register, he felt a hand press against his forehead, he felt skin to skin and knew his mask was apparently missing from his face he looked up and focused seeing a waterfall of red hair.Leonardo held a cup of hot tea in his hands and walked over to the sofa bed Raph was resting on, Mikey was at his feet and Mona was sitting on the arm of the chair by his head taking his temperature, Donnie had locked himself in the lab as soon as they got Raph patched up and hadn’t come out since, it had been a few hours, they had let Raphael rest but kept an eye on him in case of a concussion.
“Hey buddy” Leo soothed as he leant over the sofa to look down at his brother with a concerned look plastered across his face, Raph grunted rolling away from his brother’s gaze and burrowing his face into the pillow, Leo looked to Splinter who was pacing in the kitchen waiting for more tea to brew.
Raphael could feel the eyes on him and he felt his body aching he remembered the beating he got from the mutant men the way they kicked and punched until he was bruised and bloody, the way they got in the truck and drove it around letting him be dragged across the docks his shell scraping the concrete and his legs getting scraped up in the tussle, he could feel the chains getting tighter around him as he struggled against them, he could feel the bruises on his body from the pipes they used to beat him senseless, he didn’t remember calling for help, he didn’t remember how he got back to the lair, he didn’t remember anything other than pain, his face screwed up into a snarl as he screwed his eyes shut not wanting to cry as he held the pillow tighter.
Leo let out a long breath from his snout before blowing on his tea and taking a sip, Mikey went to place his hand on Raph’s leg and watched his brother flinch away causing him to hesitate before following through and placing his hand on Raph’s leg and sooth over the tough skin.“you're safe… we came for you” Mickey held back tears as he looked to Mona reaching his other hand towards hers, she met him half way and moved to sit on the floor with him to hold his hand.
Raphael could feel the woman shift off of the arm of the sofa but didn’t look up, he kept his head buried in that pillow until he fell asleep once more.####Donnie was hunched over his computer, typing furiously as he scanned through various research articles and scientific papers. His lab was a mess of wires, gadgets, and chemicals, but he was in his element, working on a new project.
He had been studying the canister of lava lamp like gel Raph had found, he was determined to make Raph’s sacrifice worthwhile, it had unique properties that he believed could be harnessed for various purposes. But he needed to study it more closely to fully understand its potential.
So far, he had tested it against the DNA Mona had let him take a week or so ago he’d been studying it for over a week and this new golden gel was almost identical…which could only mean there was another martian on earth. One they hadn’t saved; they could have been just like Mona in fact he could almost guarantee they would be, the dread in his stomach was almost unbearable but he pushed past it.
“come on give me something” he muttered to himself pushing his glasses up so he could rub his eyes, he knew there was something he was missing.
Donnie rolled his swivel chair over to another desk where he had the samples out under a microscope and looked through it comparing the two samples.
“they're almost identical…but why does the clan want alien DNA” he hummed zooming in on the sample he saw it was moving still flowing like it did inside Mona's chest, the women had let him inspect her alien form for his research, she had told him about martian biology, their bodies are made up of this gel substance that lets their body move like liquid and shape shift into any form like water conforming to any container it's put in, martian bodies were almost the same concept.
Donnie pulled away from the microscope and rubbed his face “they can shape shift…it has to have something to do with that” Donnie tapped his fingers along the desk nervously, he looked at his hand then to the canister steeling his gaze as he grabbed a syringe and filled it with the gel, the golden glow of the lava like substance filled the tube, he flicked the needle before holding out his arm.
“Anything for science” Donatello was about to push the needle into his thick skin when the door to his lab was being banged on jolting him back to reality.
“Donnie! Raph’s coughing up blood bad help!” he could hear Mikey almost screaming behind the door, he looked back at the glowing syringe before setting it down and speedwalking to the door and unlocking it, following his youngest brother to their older one.
Splinter was on his knees holding a bowl for Raphael to cough up into soothing him with caring words and a tender hand on his shoulder as Leo was patching up his brothers shell with duct tape, the cracks he already possessed had gotten worse due to the beating, Donnie knelt down next to his brother and gave him a smile.
“okay Raphie you got to let me take a look” Donnie smiled helping his brother sit up fully and checking him over.####The next time Raph woke up he was alone in the living room it seemed like everyone else was asleep until he sat himself up and saw Mona asleep on Donnie's beanbag across from him with her arms crossed holding a first aid kit, he didn’t want to wake her, he didn’t want to be judged or lectured about his reckless decision. He winced as he tried to stand grabbing his side. He looked down. his chest was bandaged along with his legs and arms he knew he’d taken a beating but he didn’t realise how bad it would be even after Donnie's patch up, he strained to look over to the kitchen he was cold and wanted to heat up something to eat, he looked back to Mona expecting her to be asleep but almost jumped out of his shell when he saw two piercing red eyes staring at him in the darkness they were almost glowing in the dim room.
“Fuck Mona. Warn a turtle next time” he huffed wanting to laugh but it pained him as he winced.
“What do you need?” Mona said in a soft voice as she stood up
“Nothin. just cold” the gruff turtle broke eye contact with her looking around for a blanket, he looked back and Mona was closer now almost at the edge of the sofa bed now, he was taken aback he felt like he was in a horror movie every time he looked back at the alien she was closer with those wide red eyes just staring at him.
Mona grabbed the blanket Leo had left out for her and crawled onto the sofa bed with Raph as he watched her, she sat herself close to him pulling the blanket over him, Raph was about to question her before he watched her chest start to glow with a red hue the shifted t-shirt disappearing replaced with the lava lamp like chest she sported in her alien form he could feel the heat coming off of her.
“whoa” Raph let the words leave his lips before he could stop himself looking to Monas face lit up by the soft red glow of her chest
“lay down” it wasn’t a command, but he took it as one as he leaned against her, as they both got comfortable Raph laid on Mona's partial alien form letting himself melt into the warmth that he so desperately needed his head settled in the crook of her neck as his chest laid on hers, he looked up to see Mona's eyes still on him watching as he got comfortable.
“Close yer eyes…being creepy” he grunted out as he pulled the blanket his over shell, a low hum came from Mona as he closed his eyes, he’s sure he would second guess this arrangement if he wasn’t desperate for heat and pain relief, that’s something he could kick himself for later right now he was warm and comfortable, he felt Mona's arms wrap around him as he found sleep.
####
Leo woke up for his watch shift he and the rest of his brothers had agreed to each take watch over Raph in case he got worse it was his turn to take over for Mona, she had stayed up with Mikey on his watch he was sure she would appreciate the break.
Leonardo walked into the living room and noticed Mona wasn’t where he had left her, he walked over to the sofa peering over to check on Raph when he noticed the red light coming from the sofa, seeing Raph laying on top of Mona while her chest was emanating a warmth he could feel from even behind the sofa, he wondered how Raph wasn’t boiling alive being directedly on top of that kind of heat, he smiled softy before walking over to the kitchen and making tea.
A few more hours passed without incident Leo heard Donnie's door open and watched as his tallest brother sleepily wandered out of his room sleep mask still on his head as he yawned waving to Leo.
“Morning Don” the blue brother hummed as he leaned against the kitchen counter playing some kind of game on his shell phone.
“Morning Leon” the purple brother shuffled over turning on the kettle to brew himself a coffee
“Get much sleep?” Leo gave a warm smile up at his brother
“it’s too early for small talk” Donnie whined looking over to the sofa then back to his mug.
“Fine, fine” Leo chuckled grabbing the kettle and pouring the boiling water into Donnie's cup as the purple turtle added the instant coffee mix with a tired huff.
Donatello took a sip of his coffee before hissing as he burnt his tongue setting the mug down to fan his mouth, Leo couldn’t help but laugh as he watched his brother curse the coffee.
The two spent the early morning talking, while Leo spoke mostly and Donnie listened as he read on his shell phone, before they knew the time, they watched Mikey emerge in his pyjamas, a long torn up t-shirt and shorts with novelty batman slippers Raph had refused to ever wear but Mikey stole.
“you guys are up already?” Mikey smiled “you guys see Mona she’s not in her room I kind of left her hanging last night” he pouted feeling bad about leaving her to watch Raph alone after she stayed up to keep him company.
“Sofa” Leo spoke with his mouth full of a slice of toast pointing to the sofa with his mug.
The youngest turtle made his way to the sofa only to be met with Raph’s stern busted up face drooling on Mona's lava core, he tried to stifle a giggle. “if I had a nickel for every time Raph and Mona fell asleep together on the sofa I'd have two nickels which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that its happened twice though”
“Leave him to sleep, he needs as much rest as he can get” Donnie scolded as the youngest turtle made his way to the kitchen with his brothers to make himself cereal.When Raph woke up it was almost mid-day he could hear the TV on and Mikey complaining about something in the game he was playing he lifted his head off the pillow with a yawn opening his eyes, he quickly remembered he wasn’t sleeping on a pillow and wiped the drool from his mouth and propping himself up on his elbows with a grunt looking at Monas face her eyes still closed with a smile on her face the way he left her hours prior “ you can open yer eyes now” he whispered as a test… he was unsure if she was asleep or pretending for his sake, red eyes opened and looked into his green ones as her smile widened blush on both their cheeks as Raph sat himself up fully “Thanks. The warmth was nice” he muttered barely audible.“Finally, up tough guy?” Leo smirked walking over and setting a large burger Infront of Raph on a plate with a basket of chips beside it “you need to eat”“yes mom” Raph teased picking up the burger and taking a bite almost melting into the burger as he needed something to chew on
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It had been a few days since Raph took the beating, but things were finally getting back to some kind of normal, Raph was up and about even though Donnie had begged him to rest more but the impatient turtle man brushed his brother's worries aside with a "I don't need to be babied" anytime Donnie had protested, Mona hadn't left his side Leo was surprised, the two weren't exactly friendly when she first moved in but he was glad things were calmer, himself and Mikey had been doing duo patrols while Don stayed in his lab researching the canister of glowing alien DNA.Mikey smiled to Leo as they sat on a roof top watching over the purple dragons hideout the two had decided it was a good idea to scout out the gang’s lair for any further information going on outside of the whole alien plot they had been obsessing over.
the two boys watched as purple dragon thugs loaded guns into a crate before a team of delivery men came to collect them, Leo squinted his eyes trying to focus on the logo of the crate but couldn't see much."do ya think these guys will ever learn" Mikey beamed giving his brother the knowing look of 'lets kick some ass' Leo gave a nod as the brothers jumped down to let off some steam against the thugs putting a stop to the petty deal.####Donatello was in his lab with a pipet full of the golden glowing substance in hand, carefully letting a drop fall onto a sample he had taken from himself earlier in the day watching the DNA merge together and his mutant DNA reacted to the alien substance, the two mixing together with almost dance like movements as the purple ninja sat back rubbing his eyes, he looked back at the syringe he had prepared a few days ago the glow still pulsing as his eyes locked onto it.The room was lit by an overhead lamp and the blue glow of the screens that littered his own personal lair, it often put Donnie at ease to be in such a space he knew everything about this lab and where everything was it was organised so imagine his surprise when he noticed one of his files had been moved, he hadn't noticed at first but as he went over to his cabinet and searched through it he noticed a file had gone missing, the tallest turtle brother looked around before closing the cabinet and walking over to the door that separated his lab from the lair peeking his head out"Mikey? have you been in the lab?" he questioned, seeing his youngest brother sitting on the sofa with Mona and Raph playing a video game."nahh bro it's creepy in there...well I mean I did take your extra controller for Mona but like that's it bro" Mikey called back mashing the buttons on his controller to make his character fight against Mona's."Mona" Donnie side eyed "you haven’t been in here have you" he adjusted his glasses, he was still getting used to having the girl around but he was getting more confident."I wouldn't dream of stepping into your space without asking Don" Mona's face was flat almost expressionless as her head turned to look at the man."I saw you walking out of there last ni-" Mikey said with a confused look on his face but was cut off by the grumpy turtle."Must have been seeing shit Mikey, she said she ain't been in there" Raph gave a pointed look to his smallest brother punctuating this nickname with a firm punch to the arm."oh...I mean yeah, I didn't see anything Donnasmello" Mikey smiled awkwardly all teeth and no eyes."riiight" Donnie grimaced looking towards the three.######Mona sat in her room, the warm lights brightening up the dull sewer walls, looking towards the painting on the wall Mikey had started, the boy had already graffitied all over the room while it was his personal skating bowl but decided to paint over his work to create something Mona would like, so far it was a mix of Mikey's wall tags done in bright orange and doodles of space, he had painted the solar system as he knew it for Mona, to show her how close their planets actually were. He had painted a picture of Mona and Mikey in a space ship flying over mars. Mona smiled at the goofy doodles before looking back to the papers in her hands.The documents she had stolen from Shredder's lair laid on the floor spread out for easier reading and the files from Donnie's room in her hand as she compared the two.she could hear Mikey playing music upstairs in his room, something about band practice she was told, she used it as an excuse to remove herself from the turtles for a while, the dull sound and vibrations played in the background as she sifted through the papers making mental notes as she went."you’re a terrible liar ya know" she heard from behind her, her head spun to see the still injured Raph in the doorway."that's not true on my planet I'm very good at it" Mona pouted collecting up the documents and pushing them under a pile of boxes filled with candy Mikey had brought her to celebrate Raph not dying."Yeah? well you’re a lousy earth liar then" he scoffed, he walked towards her breaking the threshold of her room, he was walking with a limp still not quite back to his full strength.
"I only covered for ya since you've been so good to me" Raph stood over her "don't get use to it"Mona smiled up at him her cheeks flushing as she stood up "of course I'm good to you" her eyes softened touching his bicepRaph still wasn’t use to the 180 but he couldn't say he didn't prefer this to them fighting "what cha need from Dons lab""Just some light reading, I'll give them back when I'm done" she hesitantly answered, she didn't want to lie to Raph...he was special to her now."Bad. liar" he poked at her shoulder as he punctuated his words "fine don't wanna share? then at least tell why u've been hanging off of me like I'm some wounded animal"Mona blinked at him "you ARE a wounded animal" her face in a mix of confusion and embarrassment."Not the point." Raph slapped his own face in frustration "you know what I mean, you've been different since ya got your room" he crossed his arms "having your own space can't improve your mood THAT much"Mona's face was almost as red as her hair when Raph looked down at her "you built me a nest" she almost whispered."What? you mean the room?" the tall man grunted shrugging his shoulders."On my planet..." Mona started holding her hands together "building such a thing is a proposal"Raphael's not sure he heard her correctly he almost wanted to make sure his ear holes weren't filled with water, he's pretty sure he heard the word proposal but they couldn't be right, he didn't give her a ring..."a marriage proposal..." she continuedthe room was silent all except the dull sound of music playing in the background from Mikey's room, it's almost like time stood still as Raphael's mind went blank, he wouldn't process the words...he knew his face was in a dumb ass expression, a mixture between flustered and nervous as he felt his cheeks heating up.Mona broke the silence snapping Raph back to reality...the very real reality that he may have proposed to Mona in some weird alien mating ritual
"Martians bond for life...I wasn't goi-""I'm sorry what? for life?" Raph cut her off "how long do y'all live""a few hundred years""Just a few hundred...yeah of course that's totally normal..." Raph was almost going through hysteria trying to hold back the laughter threatening to spill from his lips."isn't that what you intended?" Monas eyes looked at him with a doe like expression he felt his mouth go dry and he tried to swallow."that's not exactly how it works on earth" he almost couldn't get the words out, coming out as more of a whisper than a statement."I thought Mikey had told you...that's why you-" Mona cut herself off realising the horrible misunderstanding as her expression dropped, Raph swore he saw a shift in the colour of her red hair become a shade duller."Wait. Mikey knew?!" he interrupted "that's information he could have fucking told me when he saw me making the dam thi-" his thought was cut short as his head shot to the door...Mikey knew...and let him do it anyway.Mona was left alone in her room as Raph stormed out apparently on his way to Mikey's room if his string of curses gave her any information, her heart was aching and she could feel the lava inside her cooling
This was all just a big mistake.####"MIKEY!" Raph almost ripped the curtains off the rigs as he yanked it open, only the thin cloth separating his room from the rest of the lairMikey jumped dropping his microphone as he stumbled back tripping over his amp"Bro chill out I was gonna ask you to-""YOU KNEW!" Raph stormed into the room watching his brother go wide eyed as he lay on the floor in a mess of cables and music sheets"Knew what dude?" he gulped, trying to pull himself to his feet as his brother ground his teeth together"Mona. thinks. I proposed. to her" his voice growled out through clenched teeth Mikey could see his fang like canines grinding together."it's not a big deal!" Mikey yelped dodging a smack from Raph he was almost thankful the turtle wasn't at full strength. "it's just an alien thing! it doesn’t mean anything on earth!" he squeaked out rolling onto his bed to avoid the other turtle grabbing him."that's NOT what she thinks" Raph spun around to face Mikey again the younger male about to run out of his room"I think it's cute...you guys are both red" Mikey dodged the book being thrown at his head "you're both big and scary" ducking out of the way of the next thing Raph had picked up and thrown in his direction "and you're both really...really angry" he smiled wide before running out of the room screaming for Splinter and Leo respectively."RAPH'S TRYING TO KILL ME! HELP!" Mikey ran into Leo before hiding behind him as the taller brother stalked towards them."Raph cool off what happened?" Leo held his hand out in the universal sign to back off "Mikey what did you do?" Leo accused"ok ok, soRaph builtaroomforMona andshetookit as a proposaland nowraphsmadcoshes been makingkissyfaceswithher" Mikeys words all ran together he was talking too fast for Leo to understand"wait Raph’s getting married?" Leo's face was more confused than surprised"IM NOT GETTING MARRIED" Raph yelled"then what's the problem?" Leo said with exasperation shielding Mikey instinctively as Raph stepped closer"MONA IS THE PROBLEM" Raph shouted balling up his fists.the turtles heard concrete breaking from down the hall and all looked towards the sound it sounded like something...or someone has just punched a hole into the thick concrete wall.Splinter was quick to emerge from the dojo where he had been meditating "my son's ..what is with all the noise you are ninja...not barbarians""Raphael please calm down" their father's face was concerned as his smaller frame made its way towards his sons "Leonardo explain"Leo looked to Mikey then to Raph "honestly sensei I'm just as confused as you are"#####Mona hadn't meant to break the wall...well that's not true she meant to hit it... just not that hard, she would offer to fix it later but for now she was on the move, she needed to blow off steam.Her alien legs moved swiftly through the sewers as she ran on all fours, she felt more alone that she had in a long time...she missed her planet, missed her friends she knew if her best friend was with her now the smaller brown martian would offer her a shiny rock or a nest to cry in, but she wasn't on her home planet and she doesn’t have anyone else...when she reached the manhole cover, she shifted back into the human form she had gotten so use to sporting and climbed out of the sewer, it was raining and dark but she didn't care all too much the water felt good on her skin as she walked through New York City, she knew where to go she had been here a few times in the little over a month she had been on earth, if this guy didn't have answeres she didn't know who would.Mona approached the building seeing the front door locked her hand shifting into an alien claw to break the door knob, she entered making her way up the stairs and down familiar corridors, she heard the familiar sound of fighting coming from behind the door the grunts and thuds of a group show down.Mona knocked on the door, cold, wet and desperate for someone to talk to...yes this desperate she didn't think she would turn to this man for anything.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Casey opened the door to his apartment to see Mona standing at his door her hair was wet and her skin littered in raindrops."Mona?" he questioned taking off his VR head set, the man was out of breath, sweat on his forehead."I didn't know where else to go" she responded looking down to the floor"yeah yeah, it's all cool you're always welcome at Castle Casey, princess" he smiled doing a playful bow as he held open the door and gestured for her to come inside."is that the new fighter you told Mikey about" she asked as she entered the warm apartment, the place was a tad messy but nothing Mona cared about."yeah it is actually, you work up a pretty good sweat when you actually gotta do the moves yourself it's like I was fighting a group of foot clan" he chuckled closing the door and tossing the headset onto the sofa.Mona looked around at the brick walls of his industrial looking apartment, the pool table in the corner was untouched, and the collection of bats and hockey sticks sat on display against the wall with a few masks decorated in different ways decorating the same wall."you need a shower? you look cold, I know New York rain ain't the most comfortable shit to get caught up in""I'll be fine" Mona watched as the man picked up dirty clothes that had been laying on the sofa so she could sit down, she took the offered seat and let her chest glow the warm red to evaporate the rain water and warm herself up"yaknow that shit's gotta be real useful in the winter" Casey smirked thumping down next to Mona with legs spread wide, taking up half the sofa "so ya gonna tell me why you're showing up to casa Casey so late? not that I don't enjoy your company""I think I've upset Raphael""trust me dude's always upset about something, he once punched me in the face just for saying the Batman comics wasn't all that great" Casey shrugged"I took one of his actions...in a way he didn't mean it and now he's upset" Mona relaxed into the old sofa"guys' actions never make sense trust me" Casey put his arm around Mona pulling her into him "the trick with dudes...they just need a-" Casey smiled cutting himself off "aaaaa...pizza" he saved feeling proud of himself and nodding internally."I don't think pizza fixes everything" Mona smirked letting herself laugh at the man's questionable advice."what is it anyway, he take the last slice? punched the wrong punching bag?" Casey shrugged before taking a sip of the beer he had sitting on the coffee table"he asked me to marry him"Casey spat out his drink, spraying himself and his table in the tangy beer before looking to Mona with wide eyes."Marriage? you barely know him?!""that's the thing...he doesn’t mean it""you can't accidentally ask someone to marriage with ya" Casey wiped his mouth and shook his hand trying to dry it off"on my planet...it's very..., it seems proposing is very different on this planet...I didn't know that before" Mona pouted "I assumed it would be the same...but it's not...and Raph seemed...disgusted at the thought""who wouldn't wanna marry you, look at you" Casey gestured with his beer "Raph doesn’t know what he's talking about...you probably just caught him off guard, I'm sure he wouldn't be that grossed out at the thought of marrying you" Casey tried to comfort her squeezing her shoulder."I'd marry you in a heartbeat...yaknow if I wasn't with April" Casey quickly added on the last part as he took another swig.Mona rolled her eyes before smiling"You don't want Raph anyways...he's a terrible kisser" Casey teased "all teeth and tongue""How do you know?" Mona giggled"don't ask a man that...it's private" Casey said dramatically before necking the rest of his drink.The two sat and spoke for a while chatting about life and the turtles before Casey stood up "why don't we go on a night watch...I know a few spots we can find heads to knock together at"Mona wouldn't say no to a little fighting, her planet was run by it, her species was known for its strong warriors, Mona herself was a white martian one of the biggest of her kind which often meant she was protecting her clan or in the gladiator ring fighting for sport, she thought about the turtles and how well they would fit in on her planet... especially Raph she just knew he would give his all in the ring, she could see Donatello getting along with the scholars and scientists and it would be a whole new planet for him to explore and research, she could introduce Leo to her kind's ancient culture and show him the marvels of mars and the long standing traditions they had, she knew Mikey would love the clans of smaller martians that spent their time making flower crowns and singing she knew he would get along with her clan members, the ones who were always finding new ways to create art and song, she thought about how much her kind would admire the turtles, their strength their minds their strong swimming speeds...that's why Mona accepted Raphael's proposal she knew he would be a good martian bonded...Casey broke Mona out of her spiral of thoughts as he handed her a mask, it was almost identical to his but instead of white it was a cherry pink with the word 'bitch' written in Sharpie on the front "I didn't have a girly mask. This one April made for valentine's gotta work right?"Mona smiled putting the mask on and following Casey as he climbed out of his window onto the fire exit balcony, using the stairs to climb onto the roof tops."Purple dragons take the piss when they come onto my turf...let's go remind them why I'M the boss of these rooftops" Casey smacked the baseball bat and hockey stick together with a a determined look on his face.The two masked individuals made their way across roof tops and down ally ways on the lookout for the purple dragons and with Casey knowing their usual patrol routes it wasn't long before they found some.Casey stepped out of the dark alleyway "Hey there, boys," Casey said, grinning menacingly under the mask "Looking for some trouble?"The gang members glared at him, their hands clenching into fists. They didn't like outsiders meddling in their business, especially not a vigilante like Casey Jones. They stepped forward, ready to take him down before noticing the woman next to him sporting a similar mask."you got a side kick now Casey?" one of his ex friends and purple dragon members retorted.Casey didn't flinch. He pulled out his hockey stick and twirled it expertly in his hands. "Let's dance," he said, beckoning them forward.The Purple Dragons rushed at him, swinging their fists wildly. But Casey was too quick for them. He dodged their blows and struck back with his hockey stick, knocking them to the ground, but then, a gang member snuck up behind him with a metal pipe. Casey spun around just in time to block the blow with his hockey stick. The two of them circled each other, sizing each other up. The gang member swung again, but Casey was ready. He parried the blow and delivered a swift kick to the man's stomach, sending him flying.Mona was impressed she hadn’t seen Casey fight much other than with Raph but that was only playful, watching the cocky man tease his opponents made her remember her gladiator days, she grabbed one of the trash cans nearby and threw it at a dragon knocking him back into another before jumping on a other.The rest of the Purple Dragons were getting angrier and more aggressive. They started throwing anything they could find at Casey and Mona, from garbage cans to broken bottles. But Casey remained calm and focused. He used his hockey stick to deflect the objects, sending them flying back at the gang members, while Mona caught one of the cans and kicked it into the air before jumping after it and slamming it into one of the larger men.
Just when Casey thought he had the upper hand, a large figure stepped out from the shadows. It was the leader of the Purple Dragons; Hun was towering over him. The man grinned, showing off his sharp teeth."You picked the wrong fight, little man," the leader growled.Casey didn't back down. He tightened his grip on his hockey stick using his off hand to pull the baseball bat from his belt and prepared for the final boss."this guy hits hard princess, keep behind me" Casey warned trying to get Infront of Mona, he knew she was an alien but he'd never seen her outside of the human form she had and just assumed that she came from a planet almost identical to earth...he knew she could glow and her eyes would change colour but that wouldn't help in a fight against Hun.Casey launched forward smacking the towering man with his bat before jumping up and slamming his heavy hockey stick into the man's shoulder, the dude was a beast standing almost as tall as Donnie but all muscle no brains.Casey looked to Mona who was easily tearing though the group of dragons on her and felt proud almost bringing a tear to his eye.For several minutes, they battled back and forth, neither of them gaining the upper hand. But then, Casey saw an opening and struck the leader with a powerful blow to the side of the head. The man stumbled, disoriented."You think that's gonna stop me from taking you in Jones?" Hun laughed with a low dark voice grabbing Casey's hockey stick and crushing it in his fist the wood splintering under the impact."On the steroids again I see hunnie" Casey joked letting go of the stick and gripping his offhand bat with hands."You have no idea" the man jumped towards Casey wrapping him in a bear hug and squeezing tight catching Mona's eyes as she continued to tussle with the dragons.it broke her concentration getting hit in the head with a metal pipe. Mona let out a low growl and grabbed the dragon by the shirt before sending them flying into a large dumpster before shifting into her land alien form, bigger than Hun and paper white with the pink mask barely staying strapped to her now bigger more alien face.Casey's eyes widened letting out half a scream before getting cut short by Huns arms letting go making him fall to the ground with a thud."what is that thing?!" a dragon yelled"I don't get paid enough for this!" another added"the missing alien" Hun mused "my, my Jonesy you got some explaining to do"Casey scrambled away picking up his bat and holding it it out towards Hun "that you princess?" he asked nervously looking towards the creature he could only assume was his alien friend. "what am I thinking, of course it's you...saw it with my own eyes..." Casey caught his thoughts steadying himself."Finally, a worthy opponent" Hun out stretched his arms in a welcome motion "Shredder will be pleased once I've brought you back to him""you wouldn't send a lady back to a mad man like that would ya hunnie?" Casey joked spinning his bat.Mona pounced forward taking off from all fours onto the man, he was just shy of Donny's 7'3 but he was a solid wall of muscles like Raphael, the large purple dragon tattoo spiralling around his arm was impressive, she could agree with him on one thing...SHE was a worthy opponent, Monas claws slashed at the man leaving deep cuts in his clothing and chest before kicking him into a wall and following, about to pull off he mask to bite down, the man grabbed her by the throat and threw her back like a fish into a pond, charging towards her and shoulder bashing her into the alleyway, Casey had to dodge out of the way to not get hit by the alien, her claws digging into the pavement as she used it as leverage to steady herself before running at him again their heads butting and hands meeting.Casey seized the opportunity and swung his baseball bat with all his might, striking the leader in the back of the head as Mona tussled with him their hands interlocked in a fight for strength as they pushed back and forth, with the strike from Casey the man had momentarily lost his balance but that was all she needed, the alien spun around using her tail to send the man flying backward and hit the ground hard.The rest of the Purple Dragons quickly scattered, running away in fear. Casey stood victorious, panting heavily but feeling a sense of satisfaction looking over to his new side sick who was panting over the large man's body."That's how you take care of business," he said to himself, grinning "that owtta teach em " He turned and gestured for Mona to follow him back into the shadows to escape walking away, his bat slung over his shoulder and an arm around a shifting back to human Mona.Mona looked behind her as they left meeting eyes with Hun as he lay on the ground, she knew this wouldn’t be the last time they fought.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
the lab was dark, dimly lit by the lamp Donnie had next to him as he scribbled down a formula before scrunching up the paper then tossing it into the bin and starting again. The man had been at this for hours he was struggling to get this right, his brain was tired and his eyes exhausted, a long forgotten cold coffee next to him."I'm gonna need access to Stockman’s research if I want to figure this out...but he never got the sample from Mona...does he even have this gold one?" Donnie muttered to himself letting his mind scan through options, he had an idea. ..it might have been the dumbest idea he's had but with the lack of sleep he was desperate for a break through.
The purple turtle stood up dragging himself to the wall of tech, grabbing his staff and drone. taking one last look around the lab before he left sneaking out of the lab with a small set of samples in his back pocket.It wasn't long before he arrived at Stockman labs landing on a roof top nearby, his drone had carried him to the tallest roof, his feet touched down and he quickly crouched and pulled out his staff, twisting his dials and watching the tablet unfold, using his fingers to zoom in, he pointed the tablet towards the lab's window where he saw Stockman’s lab lights on but no man in sight, Don's headphones playing techno beat tracks in his ears.
“Weird…he’s usually here” Donnie muttered pointing the tablet towards the white board “he’s not progressed much. He must not have the samples we do” the smart turtle hummed, taking a deep breath before sending his drone to the window.
The drone was made of tech he had gotten from the Stockman lab and the krang's last shipment they infiltrated, a heavy duty drone that could carry him short distances, but was also very good at breaking into places.
The drone flew over to the window hovering Infront of it like a humming bird as two appendages unfolded, tiny robot hands that made quick work of cutting the window with a laser extension, cutting a hole big enough for it to fit though if it folded up.
“that’s it, easy now” Donnie smiled controlling the drone from the roof.
The glass fell backwards falling down the outside of the building before shattering when it hit the pavement, if he was lucky he would be done by the time anyone noticed. The drone folded itself and flew inside, Donnie watching his tablet to get a closer look at its place in the room, he had it scan round the lab for anything he could use.“Really? He’s got nothing? nothing on display anyway.” Don tapped his fingers anxiously on his staff before having the drone get a closer look at the desk of papers, he was so focused on reading the sheets that he didn’t realise someone had entered the lab.“what are you looking for turtle” Baxter accused knowing the drone all too well to not recognise the turtle's handywork.
The drone hovered back to get a better look at Stockman in full, the man was dishevelled and had a few new bruises and cuts on his face, Donnie didn’t want to have to ask but he knew he needed another pair of eyes on his alien stuff, he pulled out the microphone connected to the drone's speakers to talk though it.
“Stockman” the drone played Donnie's voice “you haven’t gotten very far with that alien DNA huh?”
“I don’t need criticism from you too, I get enough from…him.” Baxter trailed off “I wouldn’t be so behind if you didn’t keep sticking your nose into my work”
“I'd say I’m sorry but we both know that’s a lie” Donnie chuckled watching the darker skinned man walk closer to the drone from his safe vantage point.
“You come to rub it in?” the man snarled with no intimidation in sight, Don almost felt bad for the weak man.
“I actually wanted to compare notes”
“Well as you can see, I don’t have any” Baxter rolled his eyes moving past the drone to his desk to collect up the papers it was just looking at “maybe if I actually had an alien to test on, I'd have some information to share” a fake smile plastered across his face as he said the last part with a passive aggressive sarcasm.
“Do you really neeeed the alien? Or just her sample?” Donnie teased
“Her? You mean that thing isn’t just a beast born to rip the heads off of our best footbots” Baxter let out a laugh “giving it human qualities won’t make it human…it’s a killing machine.” He said that last part with venom in his voice.
“Well, SHE hasn’t killed any of us-”
“yet” Baxter interrupted making Donnie pause…was there something Baxter knew that he didn’t?
“You have another one, don’t you?” Donnie asked almost not wanting to know the answer
“Clever boy. Work that out all by yourself?” the man gave a sarcastic clap of his hands.
Donnie glared at the man from his hiding place “if you have another martian why don’t you have any notes on it”
“Dammed thing killed itself after the first trial” Baxter shot the drone a sour look “can’t shapeshift if its dead…its useless without the ability to shift, I quickly discovered that its DNA only changed when its in its various forms…the DNA morphing to an alien version of the things its mimicking, it’s a scientific miracle really. But we could only make the thing shift a few times before it got loose and impaled itself on a pipe it had ripped out of the wall…almost like it knew we needed it alive” the man paces getting more frustrated as he spoke almost rambling the information like Donnie was a confidant.
Donnie's mouth was dry all the confidence and sarcasm he was shooting off prior dying in this throat as he realised that a martian was dead…all because they didn’t investigate sooner.
“If you gave the one you have to me…I could make you an ooze that could turn you human…no more hiding in the shadows…no more fighting…you could be normal” Baxter offered “you may pretend it’s not just a creature, but we are both men of science Donatello…we could work together, this could be a scientific break though!” the man was getting increasingly desperate “all we would have to do is give it a human form…we could take the DNA from it… REVERSE ENGINEER AN ANIT MUTAGEN!” the man yelled almost stumbling into his desk “who knows we may both need something to turn us human soon!” the man pulled at his hair almost manic as he spoke.
Donnie watched the man and became uncomfortable quickly as he watched the man spiral into mania, this was getting too creepy, was he trying to tell him something? Was Baxter a mutant? No, he couldn’t be
Yet…#####
Mikey peered into Mona's room, the once skating bowl now filled with water, the clothing from her shopping trip with April and Casey hung up on hangers Raph had installed while finishing the room, he had also had moved a set of blankets in for her to use when not in the water and a TV that Mikey insisted, she had to have so they could play video games in her room sometimes.
He looked towards the mess of blankets that were arranged to look like a bird’s nest in the corner covered in clothing items given to her from the turtles, mostly Mikey, after the youngest turtle had heard about Mona's species building beds out of things that smell like their family and loved ones he wanted to help.
It was definitely a mission trying to get Donnie to part with anything, the tall turtle making any and all excuses to not have to give up some of his hoarded hoodie collection but gave in when Mikey pleaded with him and promised he wouldn’t touch his lab supplies for making ‘new awesome pizza sauces’ anymore.
Leo was easiest to convince even if he was a little confused, the leader was happy to lend Mikey his old gi and a few pairs of pants that he’s worn to death during training.
Mikey had given the most he didn’t know what Mona would like best so he ended up giving half of his wardrobe, an assortment of hoddies, tops and pants had made their way into the nest including the pizza jumper he had first had her wear the first day they met.Raphael was the hardest to convince and Mikey can admit he ended up stealing some old gym shorts from the hamper when Raph refused to give up any of these clothes saying “she already had my body and voice she doesn’t need my clothes too, that’s gross”Mikey walked over to the pile of blankets and clothes knowing Mona liked to bundle herself in them like a crab in the sand, he lifted one of the many blankets “Mona?” he asked but didn’t see the girl anywhere, it had been a few hours since Raph had blown up at him and Splinter sent him to The Hashi, Mikey got a harsh talking to from Leo but other then that was let off the hook, he had sat and pouted in his room for a while before coming to find his lady friend but he couldn’t find her anywhere, he looked to the wall where Mona had been working on her own painting of the turtles to match the mural Mikey was doing on the opposite wall, but the cement was punched in with large crack running through the portrait and up the wall, he walked over to it placing his hand on the heavy indent in the wall feeling the crumbling hole before a sad look overcame his face, he would help her fix it later but for now he wanted to find her, Raph said she was upset and he could only assume she had overheard their argument earlier.Mikey entered the dojo seeing Leo and Splinter meditating as he quietly made his way in and took a seat cross legged next to his brother, in a hushed stage whisper he said “psstt…Leo…you seen Mona”
Leo didn’t open his eyes but could feel Mikey next to him “no Mikey” he whispered trying to keep his voice low
Mikey sulked for a moment “I don’t think she’s in the lair anymorrreee” he drawled
“she’s probably out blowing off steam if Raph pissed her off” Leo tried to focus on his meditation
“And I hate to tattle but there’s a hole in her wallllll”
Splinter exhaled loudly catching the two boys' attention, Leo finally opening his eyes to look at his father whose face was still relaxed and eyes closed “My sons if you must speak, please don’t disturb my meditation”
Leo shot a glare to Mikey making the younger turtle retract his head into his shell.
“sorry sensei” Leo apologised before dragging Mikey out of the dojo
“sorry dad” Mikey added being dragged from the room by his eldest brother.
“Mikey this lost puppy routine is getting old, you cant just follow Mona around all the time” Leo crossed his arms almost done with his little brother.
“What I don’t do that!” the fun turtle protested looking up to his brother’s towering height
“Yes. You do!” Leo almost had to laugh “ever since you gave her that human disguise you have been drooling over her nonstop, we can ALL see it. I get it you took the shot to make your perfect girlfriend and now you can't stop trying to get her to notice you”
“Dude! that’s not true!” Mikey defended himself his eyes glossing over as tears threated to escape
“Every day it’s the same you never shut up about Mona its always where’s Mona, I can’t train I’m hanging with Mona, I’m worried about Mona and she’s ALWAYS five feet away from you! Its pathetic! I’m tired of it!” Leo yelled throwing his hands up, the pressure had been building for a while and with this whole thing with Raph and Mona he was done…
Mikey stood silently, shaking, his fists bawled up with white knuckles his eyes streaming salty tears, he wanted to say he was wrong to yell back but he couldn’t, he just wiped his eyes with his cuff and made his way to his room thudding down on his bed and holding the large bear Raph had stole for him when they were young, it was old and had been torn and repaired many times, a knitted lime green ninja mask sat on his eyes, the turtle held it close as he let himself cry so overwhelmed by the emotions of today.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Raphael hung from the metal pull-up bar in The Hashi, his feet dangling over hot coals. He could feel the warmth emanating from them on his toes.He had been hanging there for an hour, already a pretty relaxed punishment by Hashi standards, he knew Splinter was going soft on him due to the injuries. But he was thankful even if he wouldn't admit it, his mind was swimming with thoughts of his brothers, how much this sucked, the dull aching in his arms as his weight hung from them, and the warmth beneath him."Stupid Mikey" Raph growled clenching his teeth "Getting me sent to the fucking Hashi" he readjusted his grip flexing his fingers before tightening them around the bar once more "He should be in here, not me" Raphael knew that wasn't exactly true but he wasn't about to let Mikey off the hook, he'd be dealt with later.The Hashi wasn’t far from the dojo, a large off room Splinter converted into an area for punishment when they were young. Raph was used to the room, he was definitely the brother who got sent here the most, his constant bickering, rule breaking and general disrespectful attitude growing up often got him sent to the punishment room to 'learn his lesson' and even now as a grown man, here he hung, looking around the room seeing the different balancing set ups that he and his brothers were often subjected too."Fucking fish...stupid Mikey...dumbass Leo" Raph let out a string of curses following their names before looking up towards the bar "Why's shit gotta be so complicated..."The red turtle closed his eyes letting his body relax trying to clear his mind, he hated to say it but being here definitely made him think. He wasn't easily broken when it came to interrogation from Splinter, but the silence was what always made him retreat into his own mind, group punishments were easier, cause he could find comradery with his brothers. They hated telling on each other growing up and often covered for each other’s fuck ups even if it meant they were all sent to The Hashi, he missed those days. Raph knew blowing up at Mikey wasn't the brightest idea, he always got so angry, so overwhelmed anytime emotions came into a situation and Mona was making him feel a whole slew of new emotions he didn't know if he liked, he didn't know what they were exactly but he knew they pissed him off to think about.The more he thought about the situation the more he kicked himself for how he reacted, Mona definitely wasn't the worst person to propose to...not that he would. not intentionally anyway. But she wasn't ugly, and she was pretty warm...her strength was pretty cool, she learnt the drums pretty fast too, she was pretty good about not eating his food, she was also pretty good at video games, he could admit she was pretty skilled when it came to fighting too…she was prettyBUT that’s beside the point, he didn’t propose…on purpose and Mikey had known and didn’t think to tell him…or maybe Mikey just thought it would be a laugh if he did and Mona rejected him…. but she didn’t.ALSO, not the point he was pissed and confused but mostly pissed…or was he mostly confused…he wasn’t sure. The point was…shit what was the point.He hadn’t noticed the time pass as he went back and forth in his head until he heard Leo's voice yell something not far away… Leo didn’t usually yell, unless it was at Raph but he wasn’t yelling at Raph. He heard Mikey yelling back then Leo again he couldn’t make out all of the words but it had to be something pretty heated for Leo to blow up like that, Raph was almost tempted to hop down from the bar and check it out but knew he would get extra time if Splinter caught him.The grumpy turtle continued to listen but the argument died down and he heard one of the brothers slam a door not long after.“Shit”#####It was late almost hitting 2am when Casey and Mona got back from their night watch, stealthing back into the apartment as to not wake his neighbours. The man took off his mask after closing the window hanging it back up on the wall before reaching out for Mona's one, the woman handed him the pink mask.“thanks Casey…I needed that” Mona watched as the taller man wiped the sweat from his brow with his tank top, lifting it up showing off his tanned muscular chest. The guy worked out almost religiously and with all the Nightwatcher patrols he went on with Raph the man had bulked up a lot since his teen years. His black hair in a shaggy mullet and deep ocean blue eyes greeted Mona.“Happy to help, I’m neva gonna complain about getting my hits in” the man gave a cocky smile before grabbing a hair tie from the coffee table to tie up his long hair. “yaknow I still got some stamina in me if ya up for some fun”Mona gave him a suspecting look “Don’t humans have to sleep?”“Eh. most do I’m kinda a night owl” Casey stepped towards her “cant say the same for April she heads to bed at 8pm on the dot…like an old lady” he snickeredThe man made his way to the kitchenette in his apartment opening a cupboard and pulling out a box “You hungry?” he asked over his shoulder.“I ate a few days’ ago” Mona sat on the sofa“A few days ago? The turtle tots don’t feed ya?” Casey was almost ready to call the blue ninja to complain.“They do. Martians don’t need to eat as much as you earthlings seem to” Mona mused picking up a magazine Casey had laying next to the sofa“Well imma make you my famous mac n cheese, got the good box mix n everythin'”Mona hummed with a smile giving the man a sweet look before turning her attention back to the magazine, Mikey had loved showing her all the ones he had collected over the years. He had explained the gossip magazines to her with such excitement, but this one seemed more like the ones Mikey had shown her for her to base her human disguise off of.“Casey?” Mona called the man looking towards her “Why're the pages stuck together?”“Don’t touch that one… if you want something to read just...” Casey quickly made his way over, almost snatching the magazine from her grip “…I got book, aliens likes books yeah?”“Mikey had some in the same condition”“I do NOT need to know that” Casey made a show of blocking his ears like a child before yelping as he felt the magazine slap his face, Casey made his way to his bedroom and shut the door leaving Mona in the living room confused. After a moment, the man emerged with a book in hand “Here this is one April recommends… I haven’t read it but she says it’s a romance novel, should help ya get an idea for earth romance”Mona took the book from him looking over its cover. The title, ‘Pride and Prejudice’“I ain’t read the book but the movie is great, really enjoyed the zombie parts” Casey smiled, he was definitely remembering the wrong movie but Mona didn’t know any better. The tanned man walked back to the kitchen to finish off his meal prep.The alien woman sat back into the sofa and opened the book and started to read, it wasn’t long before her eyes glazed over with a dark inky blackness as she speed read the words on the paper, she didn’t know how long it had been when Casey came over with two hot bowls of what he was calling “The best mac n chess you’ll ever have on earth”#####Mikey has just woken up, it was early. The orange ninja looked over to his clock and saw it had just gone 3am. He pulled his shellphone from the bed side and checked his messages seeing Mona had replied to his last message, the blue glow from the phone lighting up his face in the darkness.****Tangerine: Mona? where you go? ☹Fishsticks: I’m at Caseys sorry I didn’t tell you 😍Tangerine: I was worried about you! 😥😥😥Fishsticks: I know 🤡🤠🦄Tangerine: I really need to teach you how to use emojisFishsticks: am I not doing it right??? 🔴✔🤳Tangerine: hah 🤣 not rly but itz funnyFishsticks: 👽☔🚩🎣🔕Tangerine: when are you coming home??? 🥺Fishsticks: I’m not sure 🤠****Mikey pouted tossing his phone onto the bed before sitting up and rubbing his face. He felt his stomach grumble. He had gone to sleep without dinner, so using his ninja skills Mikey crept out of his room and made his way to the kitchen. He knew he had to be quiet so he moved carefully, making sure not to make any noise. He tiptoed past his sleeping brothers’ respective rooms and reached the kitchen. Once there, he quietly opened the fridge and began to search for something to eat, and as he rummaged through the fridge, he found some leftover pizza. Perfect! He thought to himself. He grabbed the pizza and placed it on the counter. He then opened the microwave and popped the slices in.Just as he shut the door, listening to the hum of the microwave and watching the warm glow light up the kitchen, he heard a noise. He turned around to see his brother Raphael standing in the doorway, arms crossed and looking annoyed.“Raph…” Mikey quivered out about to grab the pizza box for protection“Don’t get ya nunchucks in a twist, I’m cool.” he grunted walking into the kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out a four case of energy drinks “Why you up this late?”“I could ask you the same thing grumpy pants” Mikey gave his brother a goofy smile poking his arm trying to ease the tension between them.“Can’t sleep.” Was all he got from the taller man. Mikey watched his brother crack open one of the cans and chug it without pause, gazing in mild concern as Raph belched loudly before crushing the can on his head and moved onto the next one as he walked towards his room.“Raph…” Mikey was cut off as the microwave dinged as it finished heating his pizza.“Just enjoy ya pizza Mike” Raph didn’t look back.“Mona might not come home” Mikey whimpered.“Don’t be so dramatic. You really think she could spend more than a day away from you?” he chuckled lowly“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the alien stuff…”“iz fine” Raph crushed another can“Mona’s at Casey’s” Mikey took his pizza from the warmth of the machine“What? ya want me to go get her?” Raph rolled his eyes turning to Mikey seeing the smaller turtle giving him big puppy dog eyes “...No.”#####Leo paced the dojo, Splinter sat on a mat watching his son, tea in hand as he listened to his eldest sons ranting.“THEN I found out Donnie went to Stockman tower without telling any of us! Not to mention all this new shit with Raph and Mona! Mikey isn’t any better he’s missed almost every training session I've set up since she got here! Its like she’s just causing chaos for the sake of it!”“Have you spoken to your brothers about your concerns?” Splinter looked up at the usually level headed turtle sipping his tea.“I’ve tried! Donnie is too focused on his science stuff, Raph never listens to me anyway and I can usually rely on Mikey but he’s been goofing off more than usual and whenever I bring it up he hits me with the WHOOAHH duuudeeee be chill namaste broooo” Leo threw his hands up in a dramatic expression of his frustration.“Leonardo…come sit with me” Splinter gestured to the mat next to him.Leonardo sat cross-legged in front of Master Splinter; his eyes downcast as he tried to focus on his breathing. His mind was racing with doubts and insecurities, and he couldn't seem to find the peace he so desperately needed.Splinter observed his student with a knowing look, and spoke gently. "Leonardo, my son, what really troubles you?"Leo took a deep breath, then another, before finally answering. "I don't know, Master Splinter. I feel like I'm not doing enough, like I'm not living up to my potential."Splinter nodded sagely. "These feelings are not uncommon, my son. But you must remember that your worth as a ninja is not measured solely by your physical prowess or control of your brothers. It measured by your character, your intelligence, your compassion."Leo listened intently, his eyes meeting Splinter's. "But how do I know if I'm living up to those things? How do I know if I'm being the best leader I can be?"Splinter smiled, placing a gentle hand on Leo's shoulder. "The fact that you are asking these questions, my son, shows that you are on the right path. Keep striving to be better, but do not be too hard on yourself. Remember to find balance in all things, and to trust in your brothers”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Karai was focused, her eyes never leaving her opponent. She had been training for hours, pushing herself to the limit. Her mentor, Shredder, had taught her well, but Karai was determined to become the best warrior she could be.She circled her opponent, a skilled ninja from the Foot Clan. The taller women was quick and agile, but Karai was faster. She feinted to the left, then spun to the right, her katana slicing through the air. The ninja dodged her attack, but she was ready for her. Karai kicked out with her right leg, catching her in the side and sending her falling back.But she didn't stop to gloat. She pressed her advantage, charging at the ninja with a fierce determination. Karai swung her katana in a deadly arc, forcing the ninja to backpedal. But she wasn't out of the fight yet. She lunged forward, the tall woman’s own blade flashing in the dim light of the training dojo.Karai parried her attack with ease, her katana ringing against the ninja’s sword. She countered with a swift kick, catching her in the chest and sending her stumbling backwards. She followed up with a series of rapid strikes, her katana flashing in the air like a deadly bird of prey.The ninja fought back, but Karai was too skilled. She deflected her blows with ease, her movements graceful and fluid. She saw an opening and took it, thrusting her katana forward with all her might. The ninja tried to dodge, but it was too late. Karai's blade sliced through the air and buried itself deep in her chest.Karai stood over her fallen opponent, her breath coming in short gasps. She had won, but the victory was bitter, her chest felt heavy, her father had put so much pressure on her, pushing her to her limit day after day, but she knew that the path of a warrior was a difficult one. And Karai was determined to walk that path, no matter the cost. For she knew that only by pushing herself to the limit could she truly become the best.“Well done, you're getting better at that” a voice came from behind her. Karai knew the voice well; it was her girlfriend, Akari. The taller woman was in her footclan gear, her mask off. She had been sitting on the side-lines watching Karai train.“Thank you” Karai made her way over, stepping over the newly dead body sitting by the tanned skinned woman, Karai’s hand grazing hers.“Is it later yet?” Akari bat her eyelashes mocking the flirting you see in cheesy movies“What are you talking about?” Karai smiled trying not to let out a laugh“The other day in the hallway… You said later but I haven’t seen you since, Slashy had you on training drills every time I came around” the woman huffed almost disappointed“My blossom” Karai smiled squeezing her lover’s hand “… I haven’t seen you in over a week, I think the patrols are getting to you”“Stop messing with me, you were checking the building on a patrol break” the woman’s scarred face turned to confusion, did she really not remember?“Akari... I’m telling you I haven’t seen you since our date” Karai looked worried, her face growing with concern “Did you take a blow to the head recently?” the shorter woman ran her hand along Akari's scarred face, cupping her cheek in her hand.“It… must have been… I must be mistaken” Akari gave an awkward smile leaning into her lover’s hand soothing herself “It’s probably the stress”“Let's get some food in you, I know a good spot not far from here” the asian woman smiled.#####A few days prior…Bebop and Rocksteady stumbled into their dingy hideout, bloodied and bruised after their fight with the turtles on the docks. The two mutants groaned in pain as they made their way over to a makeshift medical station in the corner of the room."Ugh, my head is killing me," Bebop muttered as he gingerly touched a large bruise on his forehead.Rocksteady grunted in agreement, his arm dangling uselessly at his side. "I think I broke something," he groaned.Bebop chuckled weakly. "You always think you broke something, man."As they began to tend to each other's injuries, Bebop couldn't help but think back on their latest battle with the turtles. It had been a close call, with the mutants only getting off because the turtles ran after that big ass alien had grabbed Raph.But something was different this time. Bebop couldn't shake the feeling that they had been lucky, that they had narrowly avoided disaster. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe it was time for them to start taking things more seriously."Hey, Rocksteady," Bebop said suddenly, interrupting the other mutant's efforts to bandage up his arm. "We need to step up our game. We can't keep getting our butts handed to us by those turtles."Rocksteady grunted in agreement, his eyes narrowing as he looked up at Bebop from the chair he was sat on. "What do you suggest we do?" he asked.Bebop smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We need to start training," he said. "Get stronger, faster, better. That way, next time we run into those turtles, we'll be ready for them."Rocksteady nodded, a fierce determination in his eyes. "Let's do it," he growled.“awwwhhh yeah my brotha” Bebop went for a high-five but winced recoiling from the pain, letting out a snorting laugh“Dumbass” the rhino man smirked “Help me pop my arm back into its socket will ya”Bebop nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, It's gonna hurt like a mother though," he warned, Rocksteady braced himself and nodded, allowing Bebop to grasp his injured arm. Bebop then pulled with all his strength, using a technique he had learned from some of his old street fights.Rocksteady let out a loud grunt of pain as his arm popped back into place. Bebop quickly handed him a bottle of painkillers from the medkit they kept close by, which Rocksteady eagerly downed."Thanks, man," Rocksteady said, rubbing his arm gingerly looking up to the hog with a crooked smile.Bebop shrugged. "No problem, bro. That's what friends are for…" he replied with a grin letting his hand linger on the rhino’s shoulder. “You think that alien and the freaky bitch we ran into are related? They are both red and got those weird black eye balls!” Bebop asked with a genuinely questioning tone.“idiot” Rocksteady would slap his own face if he had the strength, but he didn’t “You AMAZE me with your questions” the rhino stood up shrugging the hog's hand from his shoulder “They are the same person” he rolled his eyes making his way to the hammock he had set up.#####The Purple Dragons lair is a dimly lit and dank underground hideout, accessible only through a hidden entrance in a deserted alleyway. The walls made of rough, gray stone, and the floors are uneven and gritty, with scattered puddles of murky water reflecting the flickering light of the ceiling's lamps. The air is thick with the acrid scent of chemicals and sweat.The main room was cluttered with makeshift furniture, including old couches, chairs, and tables, all in varying states of disrepair. The ceiling is low, and the room is poorly ventilated, making it feel claustrophobic and suffocating. The few windows that are present are barred and covered with thick curtains, blocking out any natural light.The lair is divided into several smaller chambers, each with its own distinct purpose. There's a weapons room, where an array of firearms and blades are stored, a training room where members practice their combat skills, and a holding cell for prisoners. The atmosphere is tense, with members constantly on guard, suspicious of anyone who enters unannounced.There was Hun the leader and owner of the Purple Dragons and its lair, his cropped blonde hair tussled from his brawl with Casey and the alien, his arm was being stitched up by a gang member with medical experience to his left.“A beautiful creature” he hummed as his eyes looked on the photo of the alien one of the gang members had shot before the group fled “Strong… no wonder Shredder wants it”“you’ll get it next time boss” the medical expert cooed the needle mid-way into the man’s arm.“Call him… I want to tell him the good news… I know exactly where to find his prize alien” Hun scoffed “Jonesy won’t get away with hiding that thing for long” the man mused turning to his men “Get the guns… We’re gonna pay our friend Jones a visit”“You’re still hurt though” the member stitching up his arm protested.“That’s why we are bringing the guns” the man let out a chuckle “I won’t be bested twice”#####Baxter Stockman paced back and forth in his laboratory; his forehead creased with worry. He glanced over at the large, glass tube in the corner of the room where the dead alien specimen lay. He had been tasked with examining it to find a way of making the DNA still work.But now, the specimen was starting to decay, and he was running out of time to gather the information he needed. The smell was becoming unbearable, and he couldn't bear the thought of disappointing the foot clan again…“I need the live one…” he mutteredHe sighed heavily and rubbed his temples, trying to think of a solution. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door, and he quickly composed himself before answering.It was one of the foot clan members, and he could tell from the expression on his face that he was not pleased."Stockman," the man growled. "We've been waiting for your report on the specimen. What's taking so long?"Baxter took a deep breath before answering. "I'm sorry, but the specimen is starting to decay. I need more time to gather the information you need."The Foot Clan member's eyes narrowed, and Baxter could feel his anxiety mounting. But then, the man surprised him by nodding understandingly."You have one more day, Shredder is NOT a patient man. After that, we'll take matters into our own hands."Baxter watched as the man left the room, relief washing over him. He knew he had to work quickly, but at least he had a little more time.He turned back to the specimen and rolled up his sleeves, ready to work.The lights flickered. Baxter was elbow deep in the alien's gutted body, pulling out anything he could to salvage samples from. He knew it was useless without it being alive but he wasn’t willing to deny Shredder the proof.The smell of chemicals scarred his nose even through the mask, the thing's blood was almost acidic and the fumes were making the man light headed.The alien’s skin was flayed out, the gel inside its body has started to solidify, chunks of it sat on the nearby surgical table hooked up to a machine pumping it full of mutagen, he was determined to get every experiment he could out of this thing’s corpse, planning to do the same to the living specimen Shredder has promised they would find.#####Shredder stood in his dojo looking up at his armour, it was in its glass case on display. He could see his reflection in the glass, his body lining up with the armour almost like he was wearing it, deep in thought as he contemplated the failure of his minions Bebop and Rocksteady. Not only had they lost a canister of martian DNA but also apparently they hadn’t even tried to capture the alien when it showed up on the docks to save Raphael. They had returned empty-handed, beaten by the turtles once again.As he stroked his chin, his mind raced with thoughts of how to punish the bumbling duo. They were already known for their incompetence, and he couldn't let them continue to embarrass the Foot Clan.The Shredder's eyes narrowed as a thought came to him. He turned on his heel and left the room walking to the monitoring room, approached the large monitor that displayed the security footage of the failed mission. He rewound the tape and watched it again, studying the movements of the turtles and the mistakes made by Bebop and Rocksteady.“Those imbeciles… next time I’ll go myself” he promised, pausing the feed on the martian who was looking directly into the camera as it held Raphael in its arms.
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Casey opened his eyes with a yawn. He and Mona has stayed up pretty late playing pool, he was trying to show her the trick shot Donnie had been teaching him, the tall turtle was the best at pool. His skill with the bo staff really seemed to give him the edge and with the crazy math that went on in his head… yeah there was a reason no one played pool anymore.He rolled over on the sofa cracking his stiff back, he had offered for Mona to sleep in the bed while he took the sofa, she said martians didn’t sleep all that much but he thought it was rude to not insist, his mother woulda smacked him up good if she knew he hadn’t been a gentleman.He could smell the alluring sent of bacon wafting into the living room from the kitchen. “Mona?” Casey called out before making his way to the kitchen rubbing his back.“You didn’t have to make me breakfa-“ Casey stopped looking to see the kitchen clean, and plates of food sitting on the countertops; fresh eggs, bacon and sausages plated up and a bowl of fresh fruit awaiting.“It’s the least I can do with you letting me crash at your nest” Mona hummed serving up another plate of eggs.“As awesome as this is princess I dunno if I can eat all this” Casey leaned against the counter grabbing a slice of bacon with his bare hands biting down on the crispy slice.“Humans eat a lot I saw it on TV” Mona ignored him, cracking another egg“No, seriously Mona I can’t eat all of this. I’m not the turtle tots, I ain't gonna be able to stomach all this” he put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze “Ya don’t gotta to do this wifey stuff”Mona stopped her movements glancing over at the tanned man, turning off the stove.“Where’d ya get all the food anyway, no way I had that many eggs” Casey grabbed another slice of bacon chewing it with gusto.“I went to the store” she replied clearing the pan onto a plate before turning to the sink.“Where’d ya get the money?”“what’s money?” she replied over her shoulder with a sarcastic smile.Casey didn’t want to know if Mona had actually robbed a store for his breakfast, so he did what the thought was best and grabbed the plate of food, taking it without question. He could enjoy this guilt free if he didn’t ask any more questions.Mona followed him into the living room carrying the bowl of fruit and extra eggs, sitting on the sofa next to Casey setting the bowl on the coffee table. With the late morning sun shining through the window, the two felt a wave of calm wash over them.“Want me to talk to Raph for ya?” Casey offered, cutting up his egg and shoving it into his mouth “Shit these are good…you use pepper n shit on this?” he spoke with his mouth full “yaknow Raph is actually a big softie”“I know…” Mona smiled thinking of the night they spent cuddled together on the sofa not that long ago.“Right yeah…” Casey shovelled another mouthful of breakfast into his open maw, enjoying the food made for him “Well, lemme talk to him, he’s probably just scared of commitment, don’t see many ladies into big ass turtle mutants these days” Casey teased “What made ya fall for big green an ugly anyway?” he asked wiping his mouth“He’s strong and he’s kind…in private, he’s big…and he isn’t ugly” Mona gave him a pointed look “He’s just beautiful in an ugly way” Mona sighed lovingly almost like she was picturing his face“Okay love bird calm down I can see ya fins doing that weird frilly thing” Casey teased but saw but saw her cover her neck with an embarrassed look on her face.The two laughed together, Casey spent the rest of the morning showing Mona his playlists and singing to her, teaching her some of his favourite songs on the guitar.It was midday when a knock at the door came. Casey wasn’t expecting anyone and walked over to the door opening it, slinging his guitar over his shoulder on the strap.Casey instantly slammed the door shut, holding it closed with his body “Mona call Raph” Casey said quickly almost desperate as she heard banging from behind the door.“Who is it?”“NOW MONA” Casey yelledMona grabbed her shellphone Donnie had given her, tapping on Raphael’s contact and hitting call holding the phone up to her ear.The window leading to the balcony shattered as purple dragons slammed a hammer into it, catching the two-off guard, Mona saw two dragons with guns along with the one holding the sledge hammer.“MONA!” Casey yelled tackling her to the floor as gun fire ruined his wall of pictures.The phone connected“Mona?” Raph’s gruff voice crackled through the phone“Purple dragons broke into Casey’s apartment I need you!” Mona's voice was desperate “He needs you” she corrected herself before she heard the front door being broken down, seeing a mammoth of a man enter holding his own large gun.“RAPH MAN IF THAT’S YOU ON THE LINE I NEED YA BUDDY” Casey yelled over her shoulderCasey watched as Hun stepped into the apartment with a shit eating grin on his face“IM COMIN! Don't worry, I'll get you out of there! I'll be there as fast as I can!" Mona heard Raph’s panicked voice yell over the line.“What the fuck Hun you know this is out of your turf” Casey yelled kneeling up, pushing Mona behind him.“That was BEFORE I knew you had something that belonged to Shredder” Hun stepped forward “Now little lady if you don’t want your little boyfriend here getting hurt, you’ll come with us”“Don’t listen to him Mona” Casey shot behind him to the red head.“I wasn’t going to” Mona glared up to the man as the other dragons closed in on them guns pointed at the two on the ground.“This doesn’t have to be difficult, be a good little xeno and come with us, I promise I wont bite….hard” Hun licked over sharp teeth, the man has filed them into points years ago, better to rip out the throats of his enemies.“Just wait for Raph… guy's bullet proof” Casey hushed leaning against Mona.“No talking Jones” Hun turned his gun and hit Casey in the nose with the butt, of it knocking the man back.Mona instantaneously bared her teeth, her mouth morphing into a more alien maw the jaw unclenching like a snake as multiple rows of teeth grew in like a piranha “DON’T TOUCH HIM!” she hissed.“My what big teeth you have” the blonde chuckled.Mona's eyes shifted to Casey who was holding his now broken nose as it bled, she didn’t want to wreck his apartment but at this rate it seemed to be happening either way.“Just shoot him! Let’s take the girl and go!” one of the dragons demandedHun looked to the man with piercing eyes causing the man to shrink into his coat under his lead's gaze, Mona took her chance while he was distracted and leaped at the man locking her teeth into his broad shoulder as he stumbled back cursing. He pushed her head in a desperate attempt to make her let go, but Mona sunk her teeth into Hun deeper, ripping at the skin and tissue like a rabid dog.Casey reached over to the potted plant behind him on the TV stand, grabbing it and throwing it at another goon’s head, knocking him back and giving Casey an opening to rush to his hockey stick collection, quickly grabbing one and knocking out a goon’s legs with it.Hun gripped Mona's face tearing her away from his shoulder and tossing her onto the floor before kicking her into the wall.Things were starting to look dicey as more dragons moved in, when all of a sudden Mikey appeared, jumping up to the balcony before rushing into the apartment though the broken window “HUNNIIIEEE IM HOOMMMEEE!” he yelled almost as a battle cry as he hit the closest dragon with his spinning nunchucks before kicking the one Casey had hit.Raph rushed in behind his brother, pushing through the room and seeing Hun standing over Mona, his gun trained on her as she snapped at him with large alien teeth and her smaller humanoid form pinned against the wall.Hun locked eyes with the turtle cursing “Not a step closer” he demanded threatening to pull the trigger.Raph stepped closer, his sai in hand gripping the weapons like a lifeline“I can’t kill her…but man can I hurt her” Hun smiled pulling the trigger firing a bullet into Mona’s leg as she screamed.“MONA!” the three men yelled almost in unison as Mona held her human leg now bleeding an acidic blood, screaming at Hun like a banshee. Raph didn’t think, he just acted; running forward and stabbing Hun in his already wounded shoulder causing the man to pull the trigger again in reflex. Raph pushed his sai into the open wound Mona had made, keeping them locked together as his grip tightened around his other sai, using it to punch the man in a frenzy, roaring at him like an animal.Mikey and Casey fought with the remaining dragons, Casey pushing one out of the shattered window onto the balcony, the man almost falling off of it with a roll.“You okay dude?” Mikey was panicked as he touched Casey’s nose, the dried blood staining his face in a streak.“m’ fine Mike had worse” Casey gave a cocky smile “you get Mona I’ll get Raph” he ordered.Mikey nodded running past the two large men in a brawl, kneeling in front of Mona who looked in shock as she bled out, her eyes wide.“Hey, hey, hey it's okay, I’m here” Mikey waved a hand in front of her face.Mona was bleeding from her leg as Mikey looked down, he noticed the rogue gun fire had also hit her in the shoulder blade.“it’s okay Don's real good at patching people up” Mikey picked up Mona's human form in a bridal carry.“Raph lets go” Casey pulled at the man's shell as he beat into Hun's face repeatedly, the two men on the floor with Raph on top beating him senseless “Come on leave it Raph!” he demanded.Raph was in a rage fuelled trance just letting his body move on its own, he felt Casey grabbing his arm in protest “Raph now we gotta get Mona to Donnie” Raph’s eyes were almost crazed when they locked with his best friend's, his face screwed up in a snarl.#####Mikey ran with Mona in his arms into the lair screaming for Donnie. The tall turtle ran out of his lab hearing his brother's pained screams in a desperate tone, and his voice cracking.Casey and Raph followed soon after not being able to keep up like the fastest brother. Mikey fell to his knees as they buckled under him. He had run so fast he was panicking. He was freaking out.Leo met them in the entrance way seeing the crew usually deemed the ‘topside gang’ sweating and desperate, Casey and Raph out of breath as they ran in.“What happened?!” Leo’s voice cracked “Not again!” he almost expected it to be Raph that was injured, but turned his attention to Mona in Mikey's arms dripping acidic blood onto the floors.“I got her” Donnie helped Mona up slinging her arm over his shoulder as he supported her.“Water” she gasped “I can’t hold it much longer” her eyes shifted from human to black.Donnie looked around, hesitating before remembering her room. Before he could even help her walk to it Raph pushed past, scooping her up and running her into the room before sliding into the pool of water, submerging them both.As they sank to the bottom Raph saw Mona shift, her alien form releasing itself from its captivity, quickly growing in size. A mess of red hair morphed to the lava like fin, flowing like a dance in the water, fins frilling out and tail coiling around itself, he watched as the bullets shot out of her growing form with force, expelling the foreign objects. Her form spun and danced in the water almost like a fan dance, Raph breached the surface of the water, shaking his mask of the waterlog, wiping his eyes as the rest ran into the room, Donnie holding his medkit in hand.
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Donnie sat at the edge of the pool, his feet dangling in the water as his expert hands inspected Mona’s tail. The bullet wound carried over to her martian form, but the injury was a lot less severe. The toxic smelling blood hit his snout as he scrunched up his nose.“It’s remarkable” Donnie said in awe, as he ran his fingers over the wounded scales.Mona was floating in the water and Mikey was holding her up by her shoulders, soothing over the bullet wounds as Leo stood outside of the pool with his arms crossed, watching over his brothers.“You sure it's okay to be in there with that stuff?” Leo gestured to the toxic blood.“The water's diluting it man” Mikey said, giving Leo an unamused look, almost defiant in his statement.“Don’t you have somewhere else to be an ass? Raph growled, still in the water.Leo rolled his eyes, turning on his heel “someone has to clean the blood trail leading them straight to us” Leo huffed, going to do just that.“What's up his ass?” Raph side eyed the oldest turtle as he left.“He’s just in a mood…he’s been a real dick lately” Mikey pouted sticking out his bottom lip, turning his attention back to Mona who was looking up at him in her alien form, her hair flowing like fabric on the surface of the water.“Thanks for coming to save us” Mona’s mantis like mouth curling into a smile.“I’ll always come to save you!” Mikey beamed.“You guys are so sappy, get a room” Casey smiled sitting on the edge of the pool letting his hands wade through the water as he relaxed. Donnie had patched his nose up as best he could, a white bandage sitting across the bridge.Raph swam towards Casey, getting to the edge of the pool and resting his arms on the ledge in a crossed motion next to his best friend.“I knew you would come” Casey smiled, splashing Raph playfully as he looked over Raph, he would see he was still recovering from his beating. His lip was busted and he would see the bruising under his eye even with the mask on, his shell was scuffed and his arms bruised up.“Glad I picked up…I almost didn’t” Raph admitted, looking over his shoulder at Mikey and Donnie laughing with Mona as she splashed Donnie with her tail.“What's up with you guys… she said you proposed” Casey caught the turtle looking over to the alien.“Long story” the large turtle rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smile to himself as he watched Mona drag Donnie into the pool, the tallest brother yelping like a school girl.Mona ducked under water to avoid the splash from Donnie as he laughed, hitting Mikey instead as the younger turtle giggled getting into a splash fight with his brother.“Can I ask why you wouldn’t wanna marry her? She's an amazing cook…pretty badass too you, see what she did to Hun?” Casey jabbed Raph in the arm playfully.“I barely know her, plus she’s not gonna be here forever…she'll go back to mars at some point…”“And if she doesn’t?” Casey asked.Raph watched as Mona went to lift Mikey on her shoulders, he could see her face wince but she continued to carry on playing, she was so strong…“There ain't exactly a line of ladies begging for your attention Raph” Casey smirked.“That’s not the reason I'd wanna settle…I don’t wanna settle out of the fear of being alone” Raph rolled his eyes, huffing as he sunk his head into his crossed arms.“Well better decide fast cos she’s coming over” Casey tapped the man’s shoulder.Raph turned again seeing Mona swimming over to them, she stopped in front of him, Casey gesturing to her with the ‘talk to her’ look.“I wanted to say thank you” Mona smiled “you came”“You called” Raph smiled, he could feel his face flush.“What’s that Donnie I’m urgently needed over there and not here? Oh, oh yeah sure I’m coming!” Casey dramatically yelled as Donnie looked confused, Mikey taking the chance to dunk Donnie under the water playfully.Raphael gave him a unimpressed look watching the black haired man walk over to the other side of the pool with a wink to the turtle man blowing him a kiss.“You don’t have to say thanks… you would have come for us” Raph blushed not looking the alien in the eyes.“Well, I’m saying it anyway” the alien woman reached out touching his bicep moving closer to him in the water as he turned to face her, their faces only inches apart. Raph almost didn’t know what to do with his hands he just treaded water and she leaned in placing a kiss on his cheek.“yourewelcome” Raph muttered his face felt hot and his heart was beating rapidly in his chest.Mona pulled away about to swim back to the rest of the group“Wait. Mona” Raph held her hand under the water the two locking eyes, all three of Mona's blinking at him in sync, he could see himself in them like a mirror it was almost like he had to really look at himself, into himself beyond the surface… he shook off the feeling looking back to her lips, her fangs sharp and her scales white as snow.“Yes Raphael?”“I…I wanna get to know you…as a person…as a martian...”“I'd like that”#####April: U GUYS DID WHAT????Mr Jones: not a big deal babe we handled itApril: sounds like I leave you alone for a week to visit my parents and you get your nose broken, fight the dragons and play match maker???Mr Jones: its fine babe 😉 few more battel scars gotta make me hotter right?April: ill see you tonight, I have to get on the plane remember to pick me up at the airport.****As the man walked through the bustling airport terminal, Casey was about to see his girlfriend again after what felt like an eternity. They had been apart for weeks, and the distance had been unbearable for both of them, April had been visiting her parents in Detroit in Michigan while over the break she got from University.Casey stood by the arrivals gate, tapping his foot as he waited for her flight to land. He checked his phone for the tenth time in the last few minutes, hoping for a message from her that would tell him she had landed safely. As he looked up, he saw her coming through the gate, and his heart skipped a beat, the shorter woman looked confused at first almost like she was lost before spotting him waiting and waved.She walked towards him, looking more beautiful than ever before, her curly ginger hair tied in a puffy bun and her skin was glowing, it seemed time away from the turtles and all the chaos was actually good for her. He couldn't help but smile as he saw the joy in her eyes. As she got closer, he extended his arms to hug her, and she ran towards him, her face lit up with excitement.They embraced each other tightly, and he could feel her arms wrapped around him as if she was never going to let go. He lifted her off the ground, and she giggled with delight as they spun around in a circle, he saw it in all the cheesy movies and had practiced the move with Raph to impress April with his ‘romantic skills’"God, it's so good to see you," she said, as they finally broke apart from the hug. "I missed you so much.""I missed you too," he replied, smiling at her. "How was your flight?""It was fine," she said, still beaming at him. "But” she paused“what’s wrong darlin’?” Casey looked down to her big hazel eyesApril punched the taller man in the arm with a scowl “I was worried sick about you!” she continues to punch him slamming both her fists into his chest “you went out and fought Hun” punch “you got hurt!” punch “you could have been killed!” a slap hit Casey’s arm.Casey's eyes were wide in a loving gaze watching the smaller woman beat against his chest like an angry Pomeranian before sighing holding her wrists still.“I know I worried ya but I’m a tough guy” he shot her a cocky smile“you’re an idiot.” April corrected before tip-toeing, her wrists still caught in his grip she leaned forward, kissing him.Casey embraced her letting her hands go and wrapping his arms around her in a hug pulling her close, he was glad she was back.They walked out of the airport, hand in hand, and headed to his motorbike. Casey strapped the small suitcase to the bike before driving back towards April’s home.April started to unpack, setting her clean clothes on the bed and the dirty ones in the hamper as Casey changed the bandage on his nose.“yaknow I actually had to sleep as Raph’s place last night, my apartment is still a mess” He winced as he cleaned the cut on his busted nose.“You can’t actually be serious about still living there” April called into the on-suite bathroom“Where else am I meant to live?” he laughed.April set the picture frame she had taken with her on the bedside table, it was a picture she had taken with the turtles and Casey after their first fight with Shredder, they were all bruised but happy and they celebrated pretty hard that night. The woman smiled setting the frame down.“Why don’t you stay here for a while…at least while I help you look for somewhere else to live” April offered nervously“Live with you?” Casey smiled at himself in the mirror in front of him, before seeing April’s reflection behind him the doorway.“As long as you don’t leave your nasty gym clothes around, I’m sure I could put up with you for a while” she smiled coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around him, pressing her forehead into his back.#####Bebop was lifting weights, his biceps bulging as he pushed the barbell up and down. He was determined to increase his strength, and he knew that the only way to do that was to push himself to his limits. Rocksteady was doing pull-ups, his muscles rippling with each repetition. He was focused on building his upper body strength, knowing that it would give him an advantage in any fight, especially since they had recently pissed off the hot head and knew he would be coming for them with a new hatred.As they trained, they encouraged each other, pushing themselves to go harder and longer than the day before. They knew that they needed to be ready for anything, and that meant being in peak physical condition, the threats from Shredder had them pushing themselves till they broke almost daily.After a grueling workout, they sat down to catch their breath. Bebop wiped the sweat from his forehead and took a sip of water."That was intense," he said, grinning at Rocksteady. "But we're getting stronger every day." The hog snorted.Rocksteady nodded, a determined look on his face. "We need to be ready for anything that comes our way," he said. "We can't afford to let our guard down, not that with that alien on the turts side”Bebop agreed. "We need to be the toughest mutants in the city," he said. "No one should be able to take us down." He fist bumped his rhino friend as they laughed“aint no one gonna fuck with us after this” the Rhino grinned his hand reaching for the new supplements Baxter had given them “nerdo said these are made with that things DNA, said its gonna make us as strong enough to rip through those turts”“Then hand em over brotha!” Bebop leaned over the rhino man to get to the new capsules of mutagen, the ‘supplements’ looked like any sort of vitamin, a large pill with a plastic outer coating and powder on the inside but Baxter described them as a new semi permeant solution to their issues fighting against the missing alien.“He said only to take em when we need em” Rocksteady held the bottle of pills out of the hog’s reach “we gotta save em for the next mission”“buuuuttt how do we know they work if we don’t try em now?” Bebop wiggled his eyebrows; the rhino nodded his head in agreement with a crooked smile, the two giving another a wicked look before popping open the bottle’s cap and laughing as they both grabbed a handful and tossed them in their mouths, Bebop chugging his left-over water to help him swallow.“You can’t swallow pills without water? What are ya 5?” The rhino laughed punching his friend“I got a bad gag reflex!” the hog defended punching his friend back.The two broke out in hysterics at the innuendo, the two immature men hitting one another again and again until Bebop was sent flying into the wall after a playful punch from his best friend.“WHAOA!” Rocksteady looked to his hand in surprise he could see his veins popping out with a dull golden hue.Bebop pulled himself up looking to his own hands twisting them to see his own veins under his fur with the same golden hue “this is gonna be fun”#####Leonardo had just finished cleaning his room, looking over the tidy room with a smile, Leonardo's sleeping area was a simple space with a single bed and a small bedside table. The bed is made of a few mats, blankets and a pillow, and it's pushed up against the wall to save space. The room is dimly lit with a single lamp, which Leonardo uses to read or meditate before sleeping. The walls are lined with weapons and equipment, including swords, shuriken, and grappling hooks, all neatly arranged and ready for use at a moment's notice.Near the bed, there is a small shelf with a few personal items, including a picture of Splinter and his brothers and a book on philosophy. The shelf also holds a few trinkets that Leonardo has collected on his adventures, such as a seashell from a beach they visited or a small statue from an ancient temple they went to in Japan, a doll he had been gifted by the children when he had spent a year as the ghost of the jungle.The oldest turtle gave a hum, proud of his work. He was about to return the cleaning supplies to the common area when Mikey accidently ran into him the two getting turned around in the collision, Mikey holding his head after it knocked into Leo’s plastron.“Mikey” Leo scolded before brushing from his snout “sorry I didn’t see you there” he tried to smile, he and the youngest had been avoiding each other after the argument the other day “Mikey…”“It's fine Blue” Mikey gave him a side eye, still mad at his brother.“Mikey, we need to talk…you can’t keep ignoring me” Leo put his hand on Mikey’s shoulder.“Yeah, I can dude” Mikey sulked shrugging his shoulder to knock off Leo’s hand.“Mikey stop acting like a child…I’m trying to apologise to you”“Then apologize! Cos you haven’t yet!” Mikey yelled “it’s been days and you haven’t said sorry or even tried to ask me how I've felt… some leader you are”“I know…I’m sorry” Leo pleaded “Mikey I’m sorry I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Or said any of that stuff…its okay to like Mona, its even okay to have a crush” Leo offered“You think that’s what I’m mad about?” Mikey gave him a look of confusion and almost disgust.“Isn’t it?”“No. Leonardo.” Mikey furrowed his brow “I'm upset with you because all you do is treat me like a kid, Mona has nothing to do with it, I don’t care what you think about how much time I spend with her, you don’t think high enough of me to even think I didn’t make Mona to look the way she looks for my own selfish reasons, not to mention you think so low of me that you think I'd ONLY wanna hang around her because of the way she looks, yaknow Leo when we hang out alone she doesn’t wear the human disguise half the time” Mikey huffed crossing his arms “and you know the only reason you blew your top at me is because you can't pull that shit with anyone else, Donnie would put you in your place and Raph could kick your ass but you KNEW I…” Mikey cut himself off“Mikey that’s not what I thought…I didn’t think…that’s the problem…I didn’t think it through and I’m sorry” Leo had a pained look on his face “I don’t think that low of you…I’m jealous of you, all you do is smile and people trust you, you're kind and you didn’t hesitate to help Mona…you never hesitate to help anyone. You’re a people person, even though you goof off you still run circles around us when it comes to rescue missions, when you actually try you're so much more than any of us could be…and yet you don’t even have to try to keep up” Leo smiled“You mean it?” Mikey smiled “you’re jealous that I pull more ladies than you” he giggled poking Leo’s arm, Leo knew Mikey was joking and rolled his eyes“Yeah, Mikey that’s why I was mad…cos you’re a way better catch them me” Leo let out a breathy laugh looking to Mikey their sets of blue eyes meeting “we cool again?”“Yeah…we’re cool” Mikey gave the older boy a toothy grin, “we are all gonna do karaoke if you wanna join us?” the orange turtle gestured to the living room, Leo gave a nod following the now excited Mikey as he ran into the living room where the rest of their brothers sat, setting the cleaning supplies in the corner before sitting in his usual spot as he watched Donnie set up the microphones.
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The group sat in the living room, Mikey turning off the main light and replacing it with the disco ball he has gotten for his birthday a few years ago, giving the giving room a party atmosphere, the colourful dots spinning around the room.Donatello quickly set up the sound system while Raphael went to the kitchen to grab snacks and drinks, setting a case of his favourite beer on the table and setting the leftover pizza down to join it before he and Leonardo began searching through their extensive collection of music, debating on which songs would be the best to sing.“Dibs on going first!” Mikey grabbed the microphone with the orange band around it, the youngest turtle tapped the microphone to test it, the sound echoing around the lair, the orange turtle flicked through the songs on his playlist and chose one, the rest of his brothers till bickering about song choices and Donnie relaxing into his beanbag with a bottle of cider in hand form his personal stash.“I got a feeling! That tonight's gonna be a good night!" Mikey started as the music kicked in already bouncing on his toes as the music amped upLeo excused himself to his room and returned with a flavoured vodka and a big bottle of soda he was saving for a night like this, the eldest turtle took in the sight of his brothers all together and all the anxiety and doubt he has felt before about his team falling apart dissipated.“woo-hoo” Mikey sang dramatically dancing Infront of the TVRaph sipped his beer kicking back on the sofa next to Mona as she sat and watched Mikey a huge smile on her face as she watched him dance around, tapping her foot to the beat."That tonight's gonna be a good night, that tonight's gonna be a good night, that tonight's gonna be a good, good night~the orange turtle performed like he was on a stage with fans watching him, the music and his off note singing filled the living room as the other turtles enjoyed the youngest turtle’s preference.Donnie was tapping his boot on the concrete beneath him mouthing the words along as he enjoyed his cider while Leo mixed his drinks and scrolled though his playlist listening to Mikeys laughter as he sung.“You got alcohol on your planet” Raph nudged Mona“we usually poke a toxic species of fish until it releases its defense chemicals and inhale it to get high” Mona sat back against the sofa as she tried to learn the words to the song playing.“well, I ain't got any toxic fish to poke so try this instead” Raph cracked open a beer and handed it to her while taking a long drink from his own, Mona took the drink and took a sip scrunching up her nose at the taste, Raph was side eyeing her to watch her reaction.“It’s good” she lied“Tonight's the night, let's live it up, I got my money, let's spend it up” Mikey beamed running towards the sofa Raph and Mona were sitting on and jumping up on the cushion “Go out and smash it, like, Oh my God, Jump out that sofa, let's kick it” Mikey jumped off the sofa dramatically in a rockstar pose “OFF!”Raph rolled his eyes as he watched his brother run around the living room hyping himself up.The night pushed on with Mikey singing a few more songs in-between drinks getting progressivity worse in pitch, Leo had joined Mikey for a song running up with his own microphone a blue band around it, as soon as he heard the song start.Mikey danced with his brother the two working around one another like a choregraphed duo, the two where so in sync, though Leo’s singing voice was better and his words less slurred.“Where have all the good men gone, and where are all the gods?” Mikey started swaying his hips as he held the microphone with both hands. “Where's the streetwise Hercules, to fight the rising odds?” Mikey faked faint leaning against Leo’s shell, the two singing in a duet.“I need a LEOOOOO!” Mikey sang pointing to the blue ninja making a spectacle of himself “I'm holding out for a Leo 'til the end of the night” the smaller turtle sun the taller man around.“He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast” Leo sang as he span, the lights from the disco ball burling around him “and he's gotta be fresh from the fight”I NEED A LEOOOOOO!” Mikey sang at the top of his lungsDonnie clapped along with the two almost falling out of his bean bag with laughter when Mikey dipped Leo at the end of the song, the tall man already a few drinks in by the time it got to his turn.The purple turtle stood up almost stumbling over to the TV as Mikey chose a song for him letting handing the turtle his microphone.“Look, I was gonna go easy on you not to hurt your feelings, But I'm only going to get this one chance, something’s wrong, I can feel it six minutes, Slim Shady, you're on!” Donnie started pushing up his glasses.“Donnies so got so good at this onneee!” Mikey squeaked shaking Leo’s arm dramatically, as he poured himself another drink.“Why do you always get him to rap?” Leo chuckled“Cos he only dose it when he drunk! I need him to do it for the Christmas album!” Mikey pouted grabbing his own drink that Leo had mixed for him and necking the rest of it, Sitting himself down on the sofa next to the two reds.“But for me to rap like a computer, it must be in my genes, I got a laptop in my back pocket, My pen'll go off when I half-cock it, Got a fat knot from that rap profit” Donnie was flawless when it came to rapping his words always perfectly syncing up with the song even at their break neck speeds.“WHOOOOO GO DOONNIIIEEEE” Mikey yelled throwing his hands up in the air“This flippity dippity-hippity hip-hop, You don't really wanna get into a pissin' match, With this rappity brat, packin' a MAC in the back of the Ac'Mikey bounced along with Donnies song as the tall turtle continued his lyrical acrobatics.“Oh my god! MONNNAAAA” Mikey gasped turning to the woman grabbing her hands in his “you should do a duet with meeeee!” be pleaded.“Mikey she barely knows any songs” Raphs rolled his eyes feeling the weight of the drink in his hands, he had been necking his beverages most of the night, not waiting to pace himself.“Casey taught me a few” she smiled her cheeks feeling flush as her head buzzed from the new sensation.“seeee! she knows stuff” Mikey pulled Mona up off the sofa grabbing Leo’s microphone and handing it her, grabbing his phone and letting Mona scroll though the songs to find one she knew.Donnie finished his rap and dropped the mic dramatically “mic droppppppp” he smiled biting his lip as they all clapped Mikey whistling at him before handing him another drink, Don sat back in his bean bag and grabbing a slice of now cold pizza.Mikey looked to the alien who has chosen a song and asked how to bring it up on the screen for the lyrics, Mikey giggled at the song choice running over to the Tv to change the song.Raph got up with a groan heading to the bathroom after his 7th beer.“waiiit Raphhiee me and Mona are gonna sing for you!” Mikey slurred almost falling over the coffee table.“Start without me ill be back in a sec” the taller man dismissed him as he made his way to the washroom down the hall, the man was light headed and winced at the bathroom light being so bright, even with the disco ball the living room was pretty dark without the main light.The drunk turtle pulled down his shorts and aimed towards the toilet while looking at himself in the mirror above the sink across from him, he smiled at himself almost like he was practicing the action before noticing he was peeing onto the floor and not the toilet, correcting himself with a groan and reminding himself to clean it up later.The red turtle entered the living room again rubbing his wet hands on his shorts.“Yo' dick brick hard like a medal” Mona sang thrusting her hips playfully at Mikey“Uhh” Mikey faked a girly moan“I got three holes for it like a pretzel” Mona posed Infront of Mikey her legs wide and flipping her hair making Mikey laugh, the turtle trying to steady himself as Mona danced around him“Tight as a virgin, boy, don't get nervous” Mona dropped to the floor bounding on her heels at dick height“Tight!” Mikey violently shouted more than sang into his microphone mockingly putting a hand on Mona’s head to mimic a blowjobRaph stood in the middle of the room between the group and the door his face heating up with second hand embracement.“I'm here to serve you customer service”“Right!” Mikey pulled her back to her feet as they both sung the word.Raph made his way back to the sofa sitting down and sinking into the familiar soft cushion as he watched the two make sexual poses at each other while they sang.“I save dick by giving it CPR” the alien flashed a wide smile at Raph as she spotted him back on the couch“I save dick by giving it CPR” Mikey repeated“Yes!” Donnie added on signing the fake moans along with Mikey from his seat"Put my mouth on it like CPR, Let's make porn and watch it on VCR"Raph swallowed the pooling saliva in his mouth before looking to anywhere but at Mona as she danced with Mikey, his eyes landing on Leo who seemed just as flushed his head buried in his drink, chugging it like his life depended on it.Raph almost regretted coming back into the room, why was THIS the song Casey taught her? Was its just to spite him?Raph was jolted from his thoughts when Mona sat in his lap pretending to faint as she and Mikey faked girly moans that where almost comically bad, Mikey was soon next to him on the sofa joining in as they both sang to Raph.Mikey had pulled Mona off of Raph at some point but the mans brain had short circuited and wasn’t able to put together the time line, but the song was over and they were no longer torturing him, the two giggling idiots drinking Leo’s vodka and soda as Mona sat in Mikey’s lap.Donnie tapped Raph on the shoulder, the shorter man hadn’t realised the taller one has even gotten up. “You gonna choose a song” the gap in his front teeth on full display as he smiled.