Tales of Dani

Chapter 5: Clash of the Mutanimals

"Dear Diary,

It's been weeks since the Mutanimals and I helped the Turtles stop the second Kraang invasion. Things have started to cool down some, and I've been spending some time with my father while trying not to reveal that my friends are a bunch of mutant animals.

Now that I'm a Mighty Mutanimal (surprisingly), things have changed for me. I have four friends that I can rely on. Training with Slash has increased. I have improved over the past three months, but I know I still have a lot to learn about being a ninja. I'm glad that he's teaching me all there is to know about ninjutsu.

With the Kraang gone, there's one other foe to focus on now: the Shredder (the same guy who beat me up when the invasion started). He may have won the first round, but I can assure you, the next time I face him, he will-

Before she could continue writing, Dani hears her TPhone (given to her by Donatello) ring. Sighing, she grabs it and sees a text from Slash. "New mission. Meet us at the docks." 

With a grin, Dani puts on her cloak. 'Time to go to work,' she thought to herself. But before she could open the door... "Another round of Mazes and Mutants with your friend, Dani?" her father asks. Dani laughs nervously. "Actually, we're having a marathon of Crognard the Barbarian," she lies. 

"I see," he says smirking. "So, when can I meet this guy?" "Who?" Dani asks. "That friend of yours," he continues. "He sounds like an interesting fellow, but I don't understand why you haven't introduced me to him. What's he got to hide?" As much as she wanted her father to meet Slash, she couldn't risk it. He's a mutant, and the people in this city freak out when they see a mutant.

Before she could come up with an answer for him, her TPhone rings again. "Aw, man!" she says quickly before leaving. "I'm already late! We'll talk about this another time, Dad. I'll see you later!" Dani's father sighs and shakes his head as he watches her leave. "Teenagers..."

(At the docks)

A black car parks at the pier. Two men step out, armed with guns. One of them is holding a briefcase. They look around for their contact until they hear a growl. "The Fulchi Twins," Tiger Claw says, stepping out of the shadows, "punctual as ever." "Tiger Claw!" one of the twins shouted, raising his gun. "I believe that belongs to me," the mutant tiger says, nodding to the briefcase. "You ain't taking the merchandise without forking over our loots," the other twin snaps.

Tiger Claw drops his own briefcase and kicks it toward them. The twin looks at it and throws his briefcase over to the mutant tiger. "This had better be worth the price," he growls. "You don't want to disappoint him."

Suddenly a large figure jumps down facing the three, startling the twins. Only Tiger Claw knew who he was. "The infamous Slash," he remarks as the mutant tortoise steps out of the shadows. "Not very stealthy for a ninja." "What I lack in stealth, I make up for in friends," Slash says as Leatherhead, Rockwell, Dani, and Pete land behind him. "Meet the Mighty Mutanimals."

"More freaks?!" one twin shouted. "Blast 'em!" shouted the other. The two men opened fire on the team. Slash quickly pulls Dani close to his plastron, and turns around to use his spiky shell as a shield to block the laser shots. Leatherhead charges toward the twins. "Get the cat!" he roars.

Tiger Claw growls as he smacks Pete, Rockwell, and Dani aside. He blocks Slash's mace with his sword. The mutant tortoise then leaps forward and tries to hit him, but the tiger just kept dodging. "Hold still, you sneaky little-" Before he could finish, Tiger Claw blinds Slash with a smoke bomb and kicks him away.