TMNT: Beauty and Dangerous (TMNT 2k12 OC fanfic)

Chapter 4: Dilemmas

The boy still lives, but he is very weak. There is still hope for his world and ours. However, time is running short. He must act now.

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   Donnie's red-brown orbs widen as he heard April's panicked explanation from the other line. He wasn't quite sure what his 'sweet chinchilla' meant, but the purple masked turtle was sure as shell that there was a connection to Alex's sudden attack. Donnie managed to remain calm, however, despite his siblings giving him confused looks. "When did this start?" he asked. "Just a few minutes ago," April responded frantically. "You guys need to get up here now!" "We're on our way, April." Donnie said before hanging up his tPhone.

   "Well, what did she say?" Raph asked. "Apparently, there's some type of plant infestation up in the surface," Donnie started as he picked up one of the cut vines from Alex's bed. "And clearly, it's relevant to what happened to Alex just a few minutes ago, the same time April said this whole mess started." he concluded. "So, there's more of those freaky plants up there?" Mikey asked, his voice shaken in terror. "If April says that it's this serious, and that some type of plant tried to kill Alex, then this is something we have to fix." Leo said. "At least he didn't say anything about 'weed whacking'." Raph thought to himself, relieved that his older brother didn't drop any form of cheesy dialogue.

   "Let me go with you guys." Alex said softly. "No way, Alex." Leo declared. "You saw what that thing tried to do with you, and you're in a super weak state right now." he said. "You need to stay here and rest so you can regain your strength." Leo turned to leave Alex's room with the others, but he was stopped by his black-and-blue masked brother. "I'm not letting you all go out there and face a threat that powerful and dangerous by yourselves," Alex stated, glaring into his eldest brother's royal blue eyes. "There are forces in this world that you don't understand, and I think I might get this whole plant attack thing." he tightly gripped onto Leo's shoulder.

   "Leo, let me go with you..." Alex began firmly. "I'm tired of being stuck down here knowing that there could something that'll hurt you too." As he spoke, a fire burning in his cerulean blue eyes. Leo thought about it all for a moment, and finally let out a quiet sigh. "Fine, just me talk with Splinter, and we can figure something out." he started. Leo looked over at Alex as he stepped over to the doorway. "We're leaving once that's out of the way, so don't expect an answer from me." Leo said as he walked Alex's room.

   One by one, Raph, Donnie and Mikey followed the blue masked turtle out, until Karai was the only other sibling left in the room with Alex. She turned to face him apologetically. "Sorry, Alex." the kunoichi said softly before turning away and leaving the room. Alex let out a sigh and collapsed onto the bed, his gaze fixed up to the ceiling. He never liked to pick a fight with Leo, but he could tell that his brother was just trying to protect him. But until Splinter would come back with an answer to Alex's request, all the black-and-blue masked turtle had to do was to wait. Alex took this time to listen to Leo and get some rest, and he felt his eyelids droop and his vision began to blur. Within seconds, the weakened Alex began to snore softly, and he carried himself into a dreamless slumber.


   Outside of Alex's room, the Turtles then geared up to go up to the surface. Leo then waited for the others, and he sees Splinter approach him. "Leonardo, what is going on?" he asked. "I'm not sure how to describe it, but something is attacking the surface, and we need to stop it." Leo started. "This force also attacked Alex and it nearly drained his powers." Splinter's eyes widen as he heard this information. "Is he coming with you?" he asked.

   "He wants to, Sensei, but I just don't know." Leo responded as he looked down sadly. "I don't like to make Alex upset after the way I treated him, but I can't risk him getting hurt." he sighed. Splinter then rested his hand on the blue masked turtle's shoulder, causing him to look up. "Leonardo, I understand what it is that you want to protect your brother," he started. "But ask yourself on what it is he wants to ensure his protection." Leo nodded in understanding, and he turned over to his siblings, who were standing at the entrance of the Lair.

   "We're ready whenever you are, Leo." Raph said. Leo nodded and then looked back at Splinter. "I will check in and speak with your brother about this." the rodent said, understanding his eldest son's question without him even saying a word. "We'll be careful, Sensei." Leo bowed before he joined his siblings. Splinter watched as his four sons and daughter rushed out of the Lair. He turned his gaze over to Alex's bedroom door and found his fifth son sleeping on his bed.

   It always pained Splinter to see any of his sons in either a sick or wounded state. However, this feeling was worse in Alex's case, considering what he went through in the past. And the fact that the scarred turtle was almost drained of his powers, Splinter found some relief that his son was still alive. The mutant rodent then closed the door to let his middle son rest.


   Meanwhile, out in the sewers, the four Turtles and Karai ran through the tunnels and grates, quickly trying to find the nearest manhole and escape to the surface. As they ran, the dark brown and blonde-haired kunoichi turned her gaze towards Leo. "You think you were a bit harsh with Alex earlier?" Karai asked her younger adoptive brother. The blue masked turtle looked at Karai. He knew that she and Alex were close friends during their times with the Foot Clan, and his brother was just as understanding with Karai as Leo was to her. The royal blue-eyed turtle let out a quiet sigh before responding, "I just don't want him to get hurt."

   "Guys, I think we're near the location April said that she and Casey were at." Donnie said, pulling out his tPhone and re-reading his text from the red head. "Where did she say she was at again?" Mikey asked. "Near Fifth Avenue located between Madison Square and Union Square." Donnie responded. Raph then climbed up the ladder and tried to push the manhole cover up, but it wouldn't budge. "It's not moving!" Raph exclaimed.

   Donnie then felt his tPhone buzz again and saw it was another text from April. The purple masked turtle quickly typed in his response. "What's going on now, Donnie?" Leo asked. "I think April saw us trying to get out. I just told her that we're here." Donnie responded. "Then how come we're still stuck down here?!" Raph demanded. "She said that there were some vines growing over some of the manholes, including this one, and that she and Casey are figuring out a way to get us out." Donnie replied with a slightly anxious tone.

   Leo thought about this information for a moment before facing his bright green-eyed brother. "Raph, try pushing the manhole cover up more," he ordered. "Just trust me on this." Raph began to push up the manhole cover yet again, using as much of his strength to keep it lifted. "Whatever you say...!" Moments later, Raph had the lid held up about a half foot above the ground, and he was met with a pair of brown eyes almost peeking into the manhole. "Raph, is that you?" Casey asked as he looked at Raph. "Casey, get us out of here!" Raph shouted, his voice clearly suggesting that he's struggling.

   "Stand back, Casey," April's voice spoke up, and with a quick swipe of her Tessen, the vines entangled on the manhole cover were cut loose, and Raph practically threw the lid off. The red masked turtle then climbed out up to the surface with his brothers and Karai following behind. "Oh, thank goodness you guys are alright." April said as she saw the others. She then hugged Donnie, relieved to see him and the others are all okay.

   Casey then turned over to face Karai, whom he and April didn't notice at the start. "So, you must be Karai," the hockey stick wielder said. "I've heard some stuff about you, by the way." Casey continued in a somewhat slick tone of voice. "Likewise, Casey Jones." Karai responded with a smirk as she placed a hand on her hip. April then released her grip from Donnie and looked at the others curiously. "Where's Alex?" she asked.

   "This plant thing came to our Lair and almost drained Alex's powers," Leo started. "He needs to rest until he can come join us in battle." Casey and April looked at each other in concern for they were somewhat aware of the struggles the cerulean blue-eyed turtle is going through. "So, how bad is this plant problem?" Raph asked confidently as he cracked his knuckles. "Um... pretty bad, dudes..." Casey responded as he pointed out the streets. Some of New York's citizens were frantically running and hiding from what appeared to be an army of giant shrub people. In some areas, there were plants growing out of control, attacking and trying to capture people. It was clear that New York City was under siege by a strange force. "Oh no, this is bad!" Mikey exclaimed. Unaware to the seven teens, a large plant formation suddenly grew and towered behind the Turtles and their allies, ready to consume them.


   "Look out below!" a new voice hollered out. The Turtles, Karai, April and Casey looked up and saw a silhouette jump down from the rooftops, using his dual weapon to cut down the giant plant with ease. It collapsed in front of the teenagers, leaving them all stunned, and they all looked back at the figure, who stood on top of the lifeless plant being. "What's the matter, forgot to bring weed-whackers with you?" the figure chuckled as he stepped into the light. He was a mutant turtle who stood no taller than Raph, wearing a custom-made black-and-white mask. The turtle sheathed his twin Kama into his belt before crossing his arms and baring a smirk that exposed a small tusk on the right side of his lower jaw.