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Post by LilNinjaWolf on Mar 28, 2009 11:39:21 GMT -6
Chapter 19
Leo crawled through the vents of the warehouse with practiced stealth, being extremely careful with his sore arm. It was time to get his family back. If he knew anything about his brother Raphael's past plans, he'd probably find the red banded turtle here too. And with Rai and April with him, they had to be here too. He did wonder if Casey had been with them. Most likely yes. So now it fell to him to rescue his family. And he would. Or die trying. He wasn't going to leave this building without them. He had already cost them too much. Brought too much destruction into their home. The least he could do was get his family out of here. And then... He didn't know what. They had no home now.
He came to an opening in the vents and was surprised to see the cover had been taken off and set aside. He frowned and peered inside, seeing his family. They were untied, but all there just as he thought. Except April. He didn't see her standing with the others... He scanned the room, angry eyes resting on Shredder who was entering the room and cracking his knuckles.
“Well it's about time we get this started freaks,” Shredder growled.
“What makes you think you can finish us off bucket head?” Raph demanded.
A flood off Foot ninjas slowly fell in behind Shredder. Keith appeared at Shredder's right side, a smirk spread across his face.
Shredder laughed coldly. “I think it will be quite easier than you think Raphael.” He turned to Keith. “And I thought you had tied them!”
Keith's smirk disappeared. “I... I...”
“Just goes to show traitors don't tie good knots!” Raph growled.
Shredder glared at Keith, then turned his glare on Raph. “No matter. You will not be escaping this building.”
The Foot ninjas began surrounding the group, closing off any hope of an escape attempt.
“Contain them,” Shredder ordered.
The ninjas pounced forward in a blur, at least three grabbing each of the group and holding them secure.
Raph glowered at Shredder and squirmed against the ninjas. “I will get free. And you know it!”
Leo's gaze hardened from above them in the vent. He looked down towards the wall and silently dropped himself down behind the pile of boxes near the wall. He about gasped as soon as he dropped down.
April stood just a couple feet away watching the scene.
So she was here.
Leo inched close to her and tapped her shoulder. He would need her help if he was going to get his family out of here.
April spun around and about punched him in the mouth.
Leo caught her fist in the air, inches from his face. “Whoa. Shh...”
April's eyes widened. She pulled her hand back. “You shouldn't be here!” she whispered.
“We don't have time for this,” Leo argued. “I'm here now and I'm not leaving without you guys.”
April shook her head and sighed, not looking like she was going to argue back. They both knew it would be useless.
A sickening slap echoed through the room.
Leo and April quickly peered around the boxes.
Raph had slumped a little. “That all you got?” he growled defiantly.
Shredder glared at Raph. “Not even close.” He walked up to Splinter. “I'll start with your beloved master.”
The Foot ninjas snickered.
Keith stood just behind Shredder, his smirk back in place, hands clasped behind him.
Leo's eyes narrowed. They had to do something right now. But he knew he couldn't take on that many ninjas. What they needed was a distraction. He thought through some options, but only one seemed to be the best. Smoke pellets. And a little power outage. He turned to April and gave her three smoke pellets. “As soon as the lights go off, I want you to throw these to the center of the room,” he whispered faintly.
April looked at them and nodded. “Be careful.”
Leo nodded and snuck off darting behind boxes, keeping out of sight from the Foot ninjas and Shredder. He chanced a look at them as he neared the front of the room. Shredder stood over Splinter, gauntlet raised. Arm about to come down and strike his master. His father. No! He wasn't going to make it in time! The light switch was still too far away!
Rai seemed to see him, eye in his direction for a moment, then turned back to Shredder. He suddenly groaned.
Leo cringed. It sounded painful.
Every eye turned to Rai as he collapsed in the grasp of the ninjas.
Shredder laughed coldly. “Couldn't take the pressure. Weak.”
Leo bolt forward while Shredder had his attention on Rai and smacked the light switch.
Confusion quickly swept through the room.
“What is going on?!” Shredder bellowed.
Little balls clacked against the ground. Smoke came up in the darkness. Coughing could be heard. Shouts echoed. Shredder's standing out the most. And it was ugly.
“Find whoever it is!” Shredder finally bellowed. “Now! Keith find him!”
Leo snuck through the darkness to release his family, careful not to inhale the smoke. He couldn't reveal his presence. Not yet. First sensei. He darted right, almost bumping into a few ninjas, and quickly jumped over them. Landing lightly on his feet, he proceeded to master Splinter. He unsheathed one katana and kicked the two ninjas on his sensei's right. He swiped left, clang of metal on metal echoing, and lifted his right leg, kicking those three down.
“My son...” Splinter whispered very faintly, disbelief evident in his voice.
“I'm here sensei,” Leo whispered in Splinter's ear. He quickly darted off into the darkness and came up to another few forms. These ninjas held Raph. He instantly kicked down the ninjas holding his brother and sent one flying.
“You were supposed to stay at April's,” Raph muttered.
Leo chuckled. “You can't keep me away that easily,” he whispered.
Raph nodded, then whirled around. April stood behind him holding out a bag filled with weapons. He took out his sai.
“Was stashed in a locker in the back of the room,” she whispered faintly.
Raph seemed to grin. He turned and darted off.
Leo looked at April.
She nodded and slipped to the back of the room, out of the way, where she knew where she was going.
Leo turned and darted to find someone else. He nearly bumped into a group of confused ninjas. He quickly kicked down the ones on the left, then ducked, nearly getting whacked from those on the right. Leo brought up his blade and swatted away the swords, and punched the ninjas down with a good right hook.
The lights smacked on and smoke was starting to clear, drifting to the ceiling.
Mikey stood right in front of Leo, looking like he had just saw a ghost. His mouth gaped open.
“Leonardo!” Shredder yelled, disbelief thick in his voice.
To be continued...
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Post by kat on Mar 30, 2009 3:25:03 GMT -6
Great chapter! So worth the wait! But of course ya had to leave another cliffhanger....(I can't say much, I love to do that too ) I think it's an addiction. Well I hope that you can continue soon! I can't wait to read Keith's reaction to seeing Leo...
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on Mar 30, 2009 11:39:03 GMT -6
lol Thanks. Yeah I think cliffies are an irresistible addiction I hope to have the next chapter up by the end of the week.
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on Apr 14, 2009 11:05:25 GMT -6
Well I finally got it. Yay!
Chapter 20
Mikey couldn't believe his eyes. He wanted to scream, shake, run, hide. Anything. Anything to make this horrible apparition go away. This wasn't Leo. Leo was dead. Dead people don't just appear in a poof of smoke when you least expect it. It was impossible. It didn't happen. This was not Leo!
Leo eyed him with wide eyes. “Mikey...”
“I thought you said he was dead?!” Shredder bellowed.
Mikey averted his gaze from the figure that he knew wasn't Leo and stared at Shredder and all the ninjas that had gone quiet in seeing Leo. They were just as surprised.
“He was... he is...” one elite ninja stuttered. “It's just one of their tricks!”
Leo turned around. “It's no trick. I'm very much real. Alive and kicking.”
The Elite guard seemed to be frozen in their tracks. They didn't move, only stared. And why shouldn't they. They were sure they had killed Leonardo. Even told their master so.
“Well what are you waiting for?!” Shredder bellowed. “Attack him! Kill him! Now! Do something you incompetent fools!!”
The Elite jerked themselves out of their stupefied stare and jumped forward, weapons aimed at Leo, death in their eyes.
The rest of the Foot army dove for the rest of Leonardo's family. Mikey stood frozen where he stood, still not believing what he was seeing. But if this wasn't Leo... If Leo was dead... why attack this whatever it was if it wasn't Leo? A little hope rose up inside him. The ninjas surrounding them though quickly caught his attention, forcing him to defend himself or die. He didn't feel like dying. Not today.
---
Leo caught two blades with his swords as he caught sight of his family grouping together to hold off the ninjas. He redirected his attention back to the elite just in time to dodge the blade aimed to slice his head off. He ducked and rolled to the left, coming up on one knee, one katana pointed up, the other pointed down. He narrowed his gaze on the elite rushing him from the left. He stood and spun to the right, slipping out of the elite's path and clashing weapons with another. Their weapons clanged again and again, both pulling back then swinging again hoping to make contact. The other three Elite had stopped and just seemed to be watching Leo and this one elite. Not that Leo didn't mind, but he couldn't help but thinking they were just waiting to wear him down one at a time. Well he wouldn't let that happen. He leaped over the elite he was fighting and spun, raising his leg up and catching the elite unaware with a kick to the back that sent him soaring into a wall. He turned to the other three to find two of them also flying into the wall where the first one had crashed.
“Fighting alone are we?” Raph asked, arching an eyeridge.
Leo shrugged. “You were busy.” He caught the weapon of the fourth. “Shouldn't you be helping the others.”
“They're fine. Rai's a little upset right now from being strangled and is taking it out on the ninjas,” Raph chuckled. “Reminds me of me.”
Leo kicked the Elite in front of him to Raph, who in turn slammed him against a wall. The elite sank to the ground. Leo glanced over at the others to find that Raph was right. Rai was doing just as Raph had said. Helping the others take down the army of ninjas. And he didn't look too happy, not staying in one place for too long, letting loose a punch and a kick while sliding into another with ease. “Well he looks more controlled than you,” Leo remarked straightening.
Raph snorted. “I can control myself.”
Leo shook his head. “Come on.” He started toward the others to help them.
“Keith!” Shredder yelled.
Leo swiveled, glaring at Shredder who stood by the door with his arms crossed. The tin man seemed content to watch the fight. For the time being.
Raph stopped at Leo's side, keeping an eye on Keith. No one could escape that look of hate in his eyes toward Keith, who had started all of this.
“Finish Leonardo. Now!” Shredder ordered.
Leo spun to Keith, who smirked drawing his sword. Leo tightened his grip on his own blades.
Raph jumped at Keith, leaping into the air and thrusting his leg out aimed at Keith's head.
Keith smirked wider and stepped to the right, letting Raph leap right past him. “I don't think so Raphael. That was impulse driven. Won't work.”
Raph landed and growled lowly. “Well try this!” He flung his sai at Keith, eyes flaring his anger.
Keith jumped up and flipped.
Leo's eyes widened, his brother's sai hurling straight at him. He darted to the left, just barely missing the blades. “Raph!”
Raph glared at Keith. “Sorry Leo,” he muttered. He lunged forward, throwing his fist out at Keith's head.
Keith smirked and leaned backwards, shaking his head. “You're letting your anger drive and control you.” He threw a punch of his own, a right hook that connected with Raph's jaw. He spun and landed a kick to Raph's chest, then slashed at his leg.
Raph fell backwards and rolled, Keith's blade nicking his skin. He jumped up and growled, tackling Keith and pinning him to the ground. What he didn't see was that Leo had been knocked over and was now under Keith as well. “I am controlled and will finish you off,” Raph growled at Keith, venom in his voice.
Leo tried to wiggle free, but Raph had them both pinned down pretty well. Keith's weight pushed down harder on him. “Raph...” Leo croaked out, getting smooshed harder against the floor. Keith growled above him and the load on Leo lightened a little, then a lot. Keith was off and a loud thud echoed through the room. 'Raph!' Leo thought.
Keith turned around and picked up his fallen sword, glaring down at Leo.
Leo slowly picked himself up off the floor. His whole body ached. He could feel the bruises from being chased and fought by the Elite earlier on the rooftops. His arm ached, starting to scream at him from being slashed on the rooftop. He ignored the pain and focused on Keith. He collected his katana from the floor. This was ending now. And then they would find themselves a new home. One where Keith would never again step foot inside as long as Leo lived.
To be continued...
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Post by kat on Apr 14, 2009 15:48:43 GMT -6
Very nice! Lots of action! Loved it...well worth the wait Hope that you can update soon and your other fic as well (no pressure )
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on Apr 14, 2009 19:52:41 GMT -6
Thanks. And what'd ya know, I forgot to put up my chap of The Classic Deception. So you get another. ^^
And now I get back to work.
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on May 1, 2009 14:32:15 GMT -6
Modified ch. 20. I found a mistake where I had jumped from Mikey's POV to Leo's when I shouldn't have. I added some --- and a new paragraph before that. Sorry 'bout that.
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Post by kat on May 1, 2009 15:43:31 GMT -6
No worries *goes to re-read*
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on May 2, 2009 12:32:16 GMT -6
The next one is almost done.
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Post by kat on May 2, 2009 20:45:06 GMT -6
Yay!
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on May 4, 2009 10:40:52 GMT -6
Almost had this up yesterday. But yay it's done!
Chapter 21
Rai slashed his sai up and left, whacking the ninja's blade away and into the wall. He smirked seeing the wide eyed look on the unarmed ninja. He spun and jumped up into a round house kick, knocking the ninja and a few others behind him clear across the room. His smirk widened. That was fun. Almost made him forget that Don had forbidden him to talk. Almost. He looked around carefully. There was a wall of ninja between him, Mikey, Don, Splinter, and Raph, Leo, and Keith. The ninjas no longer surrounded the four, but now they couldn't help Raph and Leo against Keith. And even though Mikey, Don, and Splinter weren't hurt that bad, he knew they had to get out of the building now. And Leo... He didn't know how he was holding up. He scowled. They had to break through. He turned to look at Don.
Don looked at the unmoving wall of ninjas. “We have to break through,” he whispered.
Rai opened his mouth.
Don glared and shook his head.
Rai closed it and almost growled. He so hated Don's order not to talk.
“We cannot all go through the ninajs,” Splinter said.
Don nodded. “You and Mikey stay here. I don't think they'll come over here anymore. Rai and I can try and break through. We'll have a better chance. Then we get out of here.”
“Be careful then,” Splinter warned.
Don and Rai nodded. They took a breath and stared at the black ninja wall. Rai eyed Don. Don eyed Rai. They bolted toward the ninjas, weapons held firmly in their grasp.
---
Keith eyed Leonardo, spinning his blade in his right hand. So close. Leonardo would be dead in minutes. The poor sap was wearing down. He'd be doing the turtle a favor by ending this now. But then he wouldn't get to see Leonardo finally break. And he so wished to see that. He lurched forward, eyes narrowed into daggers, sword lifted and aimed to sear straight into Leonardo's shoulder.
Leo ducked right and spun, coming around in a half circle, left leg extended.
Keith felt the kick before he could do anything about it. He quickly found himself on the floor, staring closely at the concrete. He growled and leapt up to his feet, lashing out at Leonardo, slashing down with quick and precise force.
Leo's swords came up, crossing to catch Keith's blade. “I will not let you finish this Keith.” He pushed against Keith's sword with surprising strength.
Keith pushed back. “You don't have to let me. I will do it because I must.” He inched his face closer to Leonardo. “And I will do it because I can.”
“You are thinking too much of yourself. It will be your downfall.” Leo pushed again.
Keith held his ground. He was prepared for anything else that Leonardo tried. There was another reason to spending so much time at their home. Get to know how Leonardo fought so he could be brought down once and for all. And that little feat belonged to Keith and only Keith. Today he would fulfill that feat. It brought a chill down his spine. “The only downfall there's going to be is yours Leonardo. It's time you were taken out. For good. You've been in our way for far too long.” He almost felt like laughing the end was so near. It would be fitting.
Leo shook his head as if not believing what he was hearing. “I guess you are blinded by your own dark heart.” He uncrossed his swords, pulling outward quickly and forcefully, slicing Keith's blade in two.
The blade's end clattered to the ground. Keith's eyes watched it fall and slowly came up to meet Leo's narrowed eyes. Keith's heart pounded, rage filled him like never before. He growled at the mutant before him who had just sliced into his only friend in this begotten place. He tossed the rest of the broken sword on the ground and leapt at Leo, jumping up into a round house kick and connecting with Leo's slashed arm.
Leo yelped, falling to the ground and clutching at his arm under Keith's weight.
“No one. And I mean NO ONE! breaks... my... sword...” Keith breathed in Leo's face, keeping him pinned down on the ground.
Leo's grip tightened on his hurt arm as he glared up at Keith. He didn't utter a word.
Keith became furious that Leonardo would not answer. He pushed his forearm against Leonardo's throat, attempting to crush the turtle's windpipe. His own breathing started to escalate, his chest heaving as he pushed harder. Taking pleasure with slowly widening eyes of the mutant beneath him. Leonardo's final demise was close at hand. And Keith relished it. Relished it like a cool drink on a hot day. He...
Two hands gripped Keith's own neck, squeezing tight and jerking him off Leonardo. He stumbled on his feet, grasping at two furry hands choking him. The grip tightened still. Keith's vision slowly started to darken, his mind going on overtime as he was quickly loosing oxygen. He slumped down to the ground hoping whoever it was would let go if they thought he had passed out. The grip loosened as he touched the ground, but didn't let go. Getting a little more air, he tightened his grip on the hands and pulled with every ounce of strength he had left. The hands slowly came loose. He lifted his leg, kicking his attacker in the stomach. Free, Keith gasped for much needed air, chest heaving even more. He turned around, his vision slowly returning. A spinning kick met him in the face, propelling him through the air and into the wall. Head smacking against the hard wall with a thud, Keith immediately crumbled to the ground, the room quickly fading on him.
To be continued...
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Post by kat on May 4, 2009 14:13:27 GMT -6
Wow, great chapter So well worth the wait Can't wait for the next...(cliffhangers, grr)
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on May 4, 2009 16:02:37 GMT -6
I love 'em. Except when I'm not the one writing it.... oh well. Next one will be up soon. I think there's only a few chaps left. Wow.
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Post by kat on May 4, 2009 18:15:20 GMT -6
Ha! Yeah they are always fun to be on the other side of... Looking forward to the rest!
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Post by LilNinjaWolf on May 20, 2009 11:27:14 GMT -6
Yay!! I got it done! Whooo!!
Chapter 22
Leo squeezed his eyes shut as Keith's forearm pushed harder and harder on his neck, trying to wiggle out from underneath him, but it was no use. He was pinned down too hard. He could see his vision starting to go black as it became increasingly harder to breathe. His struggles slowly started to become less and less. Thoughts started to race through his head, coming quick, hard, and fast. Not good enough. Failed. Disappointment. But mostly the failure. The failure to protect his family, to save them from the Foot, to bring them to the safety of a new home, of actually leading leading Keith, who worked for the Foot, to the lair. To their home. There was nothing he could think of that could have been a worse failure. Nothing.
The weight on his neck suddenly lifted. Slowly, then suddenly he could breathe. His lungs burned, resisting the sudden oxygen quickly filling his lungs. He choked, then gulped hungrily at the air. The sweet sweet air. Two familiar hands helped him sit up. He blinked, trying to regain his vision. After a moment he turned to look beside him.
Don watched him with a worried expression, his arm hanging in that sling in front of him. His other helping to support Leo.
“Raph...” Leo rasped.
“Shh... no talking for you either until I look at your throat,” Don scolded quietly. He looked over to the right. “Rai's helping him. That blow Raph took knocked him a little senseless. He'll be fine. So will the others.”
Leo blinked and rubbed his throat, wincing slightly as he did. He looked back at Don, then around the room, a big question in his eyes.
Don nodded. “Yes. Keith's out. For now. I couldn't have stopped Rai from knocking him out if I'd tried.”
Leo sighed relieved. But he wasn't fully relieved. There was still the matter of Shredder and whatever ninjas that were left. He slowly got to his feet with Don's help and finally looked over to where Rai and Raph were. Raph was standing as well and pushing Rai away. Rai didn't look too happy but pulled away. The two were just starting to join Leo and Don when Leo cringed. A high pitched girly scream pierced the air. Leo spun, knowing the sound of that scream anywhere.
Mikey was hanging upside down in Shredder's grasp, face pale. The dozen ninjas that were left surrounded Shredder and Mikey.
Splinter was picking himself up off the floor, his eyes narrowed on the tall tin man before them. “Let him go,” he said slowly.
“Now that is something I can't do rat,” Shredder growled. He pulled back his arm. “But you will watch his death with your own eyes tonight.”
Leo stumbled forward, but knew he would never make it in time. The only one closest to Mikey was Splinter. And he still had a broken leg, not to mention the few ninjas still standing. He would truly loose his brother tonight. And Leo's heart felt as heavy as stone.
The lights flickered twice, slowing the actions of those in the room, then shut off.
“What? Again?!” Shredder bellowed. “No matter. It won't help this time.”
A crack echoed through the room. A sickening sound, sending an icy chill down the back of every single person in the room. Then a hard thud and an uneasy moan. And a very loud crash thundered through the sudden silence. A few more things that sounded like metal and plastic lightly crashed before the air settled back into silence. A deathly silence.
Leo's heart raced. He stumbled weakly around in the dark. He could feel Don close behind him should he fall over from exhaustion. He could hear Raph and Rai's footsteps behind Don's. But what he couldn't get his mind off was the fact that Shredder didn't care about the lights. That crack was all that echoed through Leo's mind. Over and over without stopping. Never mind that the room was still silent. Or that his footsteps could probably be heard by everyone else in the room. He only cared about getting to Mikey. To know that he was still alive. But every logical thought in his head told him he would not find his brother alive this time. It was just simply not possible. He continued forward a little more, sure that he was where Mikey was hanging from Shredder's grasp, when he tripped over a lump. His heart fell even more, crushed. He scrambled to his knees. Felt the familiar cool, smooth skin. The pads on the elbows and knees. The broken arm. A hand squeezing his. Leo froze. A hand squeezing his...
“Hey bro,” Mikey whispered.
“Mikey!” Leo gasped barely above a whisper.
“Yep.” Mikey squeezed his hand tighter. “I'm ok. Help me up?”
Leo pulled him up and felt like he was going to nearly fall over himself. Mikey and another set of hands steadied him. Don's hands. “But Shredder... The sound...” he rasped.
The lights flickered on. Shredder was no where in sight. Though a gaping hole in the wall nearby suggested he had flown straight through it. No door for him! And the ninjas were unconscious on the floor, laying at Rai and Raph's feet. Leo blinked. They had been behind him and Don.
“We were just checking them,” Raph said, as if reading Leo's thoughts. His arms crossed. “Sensei knocked them out.” He eyed them, looking as if he'd like to kick a few of them just for good measure.
Splinter stood on one leg next to Leo, his other leg slightly off the floor as he leaned on a tall piece of smooth metal. “We must leave my sons.”
Leo nodded. He wanted so much to go home. But they had no home. No where to rest. Or to heal. They would never make it safely to Casey's farm house. The battle shell was toast. There was April's van... but he knew they had to get fixed up first. He just some how doubted things would turn out all right. Too much had gone wrong. Too much caused by his own failure.
“Hey, where's Case,” Raph asked looking around.
“Over here.” Casey stepped out around a few boxes. “Some ninjas decided to drag me from the fun. But showed them a thing or two.” He smacked his left hand into his right, a grin across his face.
“You did?” April came out behind him, eyeing Casey with one eyebrow up.
“Ok ok. She did. But I still got in a few good whacks,” Casey protested.
Raph shook his head.
“Is he out?” Mikey asked, staring at the hole wall.
They all turned to gaze at the hole in the wall where Shredder had been thrown through.
“I do not know,” Splinter said. He started limping for the door without another word.
“I'll find out,” Raph muttered and headed for the wall, jumping through the wall before anyone could stop him.
“Raph!” Leo rasped out anyway.
Don squeezed his shoulder and shook his head. “Shh...”
Leo glared at him and went over to the hole in the wall, peering through.
“Looks pretty out to me,” Raph said, kicking him in the leg.
The leg twitched.
Raph growled, taking his sai out of his belt and raising one of them, about to slice into the twitching leg.
Slowly both legs twitched, then started to stand. The whole body stood.
Raph's arm slowly lowered. He stumbled back a couple steps.
Shredder glaring at them with a fierce hatred. “You think throwing me through a mere wall would be enough to finish me and ruin my plans?” he growled. “Pathetic.”
To be continued...
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