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

Chapter 15: The Final Battle

The Garden will grow. The Charge is near. Vengeance will be mine. The Elders shall pay for what they've done. My power will be limitless.

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   With Leo and Casey both behind the wheels of the Shellraiser and Party Wagon respectively, the vehicles drive up to the end of the subway trail. Donnie looks at his monitor, seeing the view from outside of the Shellraiser, and glances at the tunnel above them. "I just hope this works..." the gap-toothed terrapin thought to himself. He then flipped a switch on one of the devices next to him in his station. A section of the tunnel suddenly swung upwards, creating an opening to the surface above. The exit was still blocked by several spirit vines, with a few even dangling down into the tunnel. Alex then climbed out of the Shellraiser through the hatch door above him. Activating his powers, he fired an aura sphere at the Party Wagon and pressed a glowing hand down on the Shellraiser.

   Both of the vehicles then began to glow bright blue. Raph then activated the bumper jaws from his station, which tore through the vines as the Shellraiser drove up to the surface. Casey then drives the Party Wagon up from behind and gave a thumbs up to Alex. The turtle then nodded and headed back inside the Shellraiser, barely catching himself after landing. "You are using too much of your power, Alexander," Splinter addressed.

   "I-I'm fine, Father..." Alex urged, just barely able to shake off his increasing weariness. "We have to end this now." the black-and-blue masked turtle said as he stood up straight. He then opened the hatch beside him, which housed the Stealth Bike. Alex crawled inside, gripped on the handles, and the entire interior of the bike began to glow bright blue. "Just don't scratch it, okay?" Raph reminded his younger brother. "I don't intend to." Alex replied with a small smirk.

   Alex then started up the Stealth Bike's engine and slowly began to drive out from under the Shellraiser. He glanced over to see the two vehicles right behind him before pressing a button on one of the handles. The Bike then converted a shell-like hatch that conceals the scarred turtle from sight. "Central Park is only a few blocks away," Alex said into his tPhone. "Just follow my lead and stay close once we're past 50th." he instructed. The cerulean blue-eyed turtle then began to carefully drive off through the streets. Leo and Casey drove just as carefully behind Alex, and the three vehicles were soon headed to dangerous territory.

   As Alex drove through the infested streets, the spirit plant life from underneath him slowly began to wither from his powers. The Shellraiser and Party Wagon also drove over the plants in their paths, all of them also decaying. None of the vines were able to entangle the tires, and the vehicles were able to crumble up the dead vines with ease. Some of the others were quick to notice how some of the surrounding plant life and a few shrub people also began to die. "Some of these things are dying, Al," Shade spoke into a tPhone. "And we're not even touching most of them." he added. "That's because some of it is all connected with whatever is dying in our pathway." Alex responded. "Finding that source will destroy everything Temptress created."


   "We're almost to Central Park, everyone." Donnie said, observing the map on his station monitor. Leo then looked at the monitors in his station and his eyes widen. "Uh, are you sure we're almost there...?" the leader asked his younger brother. "I don't remember Central Park looking like THAT!" Mikey exclaimed, peeking at his eldest brother's monitor. Shade, Splinter and Karai were all quick to glance at a monitor at the nearest station. Central Park was covered in a massive dome made entirely of spirit vines, and it didn't seem like there was a way inside. "Alex, we've got a problem." Leo said into his tPhone. "I see that," Alex responded. "Temptress seemed to have made Central Park her base." he observed. "She's protecting the source."

   "How the heck are we gonna get inside?!" Casey asked loudly, still itching for some action. Karai then looked at the glowing vehicles, then the barricade and looked down at her phone. "We have to drive through it." she suggested. "But is that going to work?" April asked into her tPhone. "She does have a point," Donnie spoke up. "Those vines look like they're thicker than the ones back at the gate." he observed. "Well, I guess we'll make a running start." Leo said. "Everyone, back up!" he ordered.

   Casey and Alex did as Leo instructed and backed up their vehicles slowly. The leader then backed up the Shellraiser and waited for a few moments. "Okay, on my go." he said. Casey and Alex both revved up the engines, both eagerly awaiting the signal. "Okay, now!" Leo shouted as he slammed his foot on the gas pedal and drove towards the dome. Both the vigilante and black-and-blue masked turtle followed the katana wielder's lead, stepping on their gas pedals and driving behind Leo.

   The Shellraiser, Party Wagon and Stealth Bike were able to burst through the vines. Despite a rocky landing from the Party Wagon, everyone managed to make it into the base safely. "Is everyone okay back there?" Casey asked his fellow passengers. "You... drive like an animal." Rockwell responded as he readjusted his helmet. The Party Wagon group left their respective vehicle and rejoined the others outside.


   Everyone was surprised to see the view of what became of Central Park. This sight was all too familiar to Mikey, as he vividly recalled Temptress's lair. Much of the trees, plants, and grass was overgrown and corrupt of the spirit's power. There were some shrub people not far ahead, but they are currently unaware of the team inside the base. Leo took sight of Brambleweed with the plant-based squadron and quickly looked back at the others. "Brambleweed is there with several of those walking bush-things," the leader said quietly. "We have to be very careful." he instructed. "But isn't that Brambleweed guy blind?" Raph asked, recalling his enemy's current disability. "He is still likely to use his other senses to his advantage, Raphael." Splinter responded.

   Alex suddenly gripped his head, sensing another darker presence in the base. "Temptress is here." he said. "He's right," April spoke up, also holding her head. "And she's not far from here." she added. Alex then noticed Temptress approach Brambleweed's small fleet, and his eyes widen. The cerulean blue-eyed turtle quickly used his powers to briefly make himself and the others invisible, concealing them from the spirit's sight. "No one make a sound." he said quietly, hoping to not get caught.

   The shrub people around Brambleweed knelt to the ground as Temptress approached them. "The boy has entered this base, Brambleweed." she said to her lieutenant. "You all know the plan." Temptress reminded. "He will come right to you, Mistress." Brambleweed responded. "We will dispose of his comrades." he said as he took out his grass blade. "Or capture them and see the purpose of our cause." Temptress added. "Only if they are unwilling to follow shall you destroy them." the spirit said, bringing her lieutenant's statement to full circle. Brambleweed only nodded before his Mistress left.

   The invisibility spell faded over the group after they found places to hide and wait to ambush the army. "Alex, she knows you're here," Mikey whispered to his older brother. "It's a trap!" he quietly shrieked. "She's not going to win, little brother." Alex reassured in a soft voice. "I'll make sure of it." The orange masked turtle only nodded his head and glanced over to Leo, who is hiding in a tree across from him and Alex. The royal blue-eyed turtle looked down at the fleet, then around at his comrades. His gaze met Brambleweed and his army one last time before looking at Slash, Splinter and Alex and nodding his head. "That's the signal." Alex whispered to the group nearest to him. "Time to go weed-whacking." Slash chuckled softly, tightly gripping onto his morning star. Everyone all jumped out of hiding and down to the ground, surrounding Brambleweed and his fleet.

   "Well, the Mistress has been expecting all of you." Brambleweed chuckled, aware of his foes' presences. "You all won't get away with this." Leo urged his adversary. "And how does one pathetic mortal plan to stop the Garden from growing?" the blind lieutenant asked, almost in a mocking tone. The Turtles, Karai, Splinter, April, Casey, the Mutanimals, Rufus and Shade drew out their weapons, all ready for a fight.

   Alex activates his powers and casts several aura spheres, firing them at each of his comrades' weapons. "You will have to get through all of us first." the black-and-blue masked turtle responded. Brambleweed gritted his teeth and signaled his army to attack. Several other shrub people came charging from behind the group, all ready to fight, but the team is not willing to back down. They all prepare to fight and defend themselves in one of the biggest battles of their lives.


   Raph was the first to leap into action, quite literally jumping towards two shrub people and plunging both of his Sai into their chests. Still on the ground, the hothead was unaware of a third looming over him. "Heads up!" Slash's gruff voice warned his former owner. Raph quickly ducked down before the larger mutant swung his weapon at the shrub person. Raph looked over at Slash as he pulled his morning star off the shrub person's head. "Thanks for that, Slash." the bright green-eyed mutant said. "Gotta watch that shell." the black masked turtle firmly nodded. Raph smiled and nodded back before charging back into battle.

   Casey and Karai both stood back-to-back, each dealing with their own set of the shrub people. The kunoichi sliced and stabbed each soldier that approached, while the vigilante used his hockey stick to smash and cave in the heads of any shrub person. "You know, Jones, you're not a bad fighter," Karai said, slicing the arm off another shrub person. "Even if you don't have the proper combat training." she added. Casey then caved in another shrub person's head and slapped it to the ground with his trusty hockey stick. "And you're not so bad yourself," he replied.

   "Considering that you almost tried to kill the guys on numerous occasions." the vigilante added. "Hey, water under the bridge now." The dark brown-and-blonde haired kunoichi spoke. "And I'll just assume that you tried to do the same in the past?" she asked with a sharp wit. "Heh, I guess you can say that." Casey chuckled as he used his potato masher taser on a shrub person.

   Mikey and Rufus were completely surrounded by a fleet of shrub people, the two of them standing shell to shell. The younger turtle's baby blue eyes lit up and looked to his partner. "I got an idea how we'll take them out." he cheerfully exclaimed. Mikey then proceeded to convert one of his nunchucks into a Kusarigama chain and wrap it around his waist. "What are you doing?" Rufus asked, confused to why Mikey had handed him one end of his chain. "I've always wanted to try this," Mikey began to explain. "All you need to do is swing me around, and I knock these guys with my body!" the freckled turtle cheerfully said. The white masked turtle only winced at the thought of his partner's idea.

   "You sure this is a good idea?" Rufus asked with uncertainty. "I did the same thing with one of these guys earlier." Mikey responded in a chipper voice. He then leapt up in the air, allowing Rufus to easily swing the orange masked turtle around. Mikey converted his head, arms and legs into his shell, knocking every shrub person that surrounded him and Rufus. The latter's brown-red eyes grew large at the sight of Mikey's successful plan. "Whoa... That actually worked..." Rufus muttered as the young turtle poked his head and limbs out. "Told you it would!" Mikey cheered as he held his hand up. Rufus only smiled and gave the freckled turtle a well-deserved high three.


   Donnie and April stood close together, their weapons drawn, as a fleet of shrub people surrounded them. "I don't know if we can take all these guys." April said with uncertainty. "These forces have gotten stronger since you guys left." the yellow banded girl added as she sliced through one of the shrub person's arms. "We've noticed," Donnie responded, whacking another shrub person and twirling his Bō in his hands. "But this is only to keep them distracted until Alex deals with Temptress." he finished. "You guys sure he can do this?" April asked. "I've seen Alex grow and overcome whatever we had to deal out in the Spirit Realm." the genius replied. "If anyone can stop some wicked spirit plotting to take over our city, it's him."

   April looked at Donnie in his red-brown eyes, recognizing the faith that he has. "Then I have faith if you do." she said with a smile. The purple masked turtle returned the gesture with a kind, gap-toothed smile. April's bright blue eyes widen and prepared her Tessen. "Look out!" she hollered as she threw her weapon. Donnie quickly ducked his head into his shell, just behind April's Tessen sliced through a shrub person behind him. He then peeked his head out, looked at the fallen shrub person behind him and looked back at the teenage girl, his olive-green cheeks flushed with red. "T-Thanks for having my shell there." Donnie awkwardly said. "You're welcome." April responded with a firm nod before the two returned to combat.

   Shade and Alex were both standing side-by-side when facing their fleet of Temptress's army. "You sure you don't owe these guys anything?" Shade asked the other black masked mutant. "I'm not giving them my powers." Alex said firmly. "That would mean the end of the world as we know it." The scarred turtle darted his crimson red eyes away. "Jeez, I didn't account for any of that." Shade muttered. Alex only shook his head and stabbed a shrub person with a dagger.

   "Your dad told me you've been through a lot." Shade finally spoke. "Sorry that I misjudged and tried to kill you." he apologized as he plunged his Naginata into the chest of another shrub person. Alex looked back at the other turtle, who only looked right at him. "I forgive you." the cerulean blue-eyed turtle said quietly before resuming to battle.


   In the midst of all the chaos, Brambleweed stood by, taking pleasure of what was happening before him. He suddenly felt something knock him off his feet and onto the ground. "Alright, who did that?!" the lieutenant screamed out. "Even without your sight, it seems you have lost your own dignity." Splinter spoke up, responding in a much calmer matter. "The rat..." Brambleweed growled. He got back up on his feet, his head still facing the ground, even with the rodent facing him. "You would've made a fine warrior in the Mistress's army," the lieutenant stated. "But I'll prove I'm still worthy to her once I destroy you!" Brambleweed shouted, drawing out his grass blade. Splinter then drew out his staff and glared at the blind adversary before him. "We shall see about that." he said before charging into battle.

   Splinter and Brambleweed were immediately locked in combat, but the former had the upper hand. The lieutenant would try to strike his sword, but the mutant ninja master was quick to dodge and strike. Brambleweed began to feel his anger boil the more he missed. He had to prove himself, but how would he consider himself worthy if he failed? Brambleweed let out a loud cry and lunged his blade forward, cutting Splinter in the arm. The rat hissed in pain and gripped his arm. Now knowing where his opponent is, Brambleweed kicked forward, knocking Splinter down to the ground. "The Mistress will reward me greatly." the lieutenant laughed coldly.

   Leo quickly turned around to see Splinter now at Brambleweed's mercy. "Master Splinter!" the turtle cried out. He quickly sliced through a shrub person before dashing to his father figure's aid. The blue masked terrapin leapt towards Brambleweed, knocking him off of Splinter and to the ground. "Are you alright, Sensei?" Leo asked as he helped his master to his feet. "I am fine, Leonardo." Splinter responded. The lieutenant gritted his teeth as he regained his footing. "And yet as I was about to reclaim my glory, a freak had to take it all away." he barked.

   "It's twisted to think taking a life is a way to reclaim your so-called glory." Leo stated. "Temptress desires your father to become a part of her army," Brambleweed began. "But with my own sight stolen from me, that would mean that I'm replaced." the blind lieutenant gripped his blade. "Eliminating him will ensure my rank in the Mistress's army remains."


   Leo unsheathed one of his Katana blades and stared down at Brambleweed. "I won't let you hurt my family for your own personal gain." he said tenaciously. "You were barely able to fight me by yourself!" Brambleweed laughed. "How do you suppose you'll stop me this time?" he asked tauntingly. The royal blue-eyed turtle deeply sighed and slid his blue mask around, the knot and tails now over his face. "I'll make this fair by fighting you blind as well." Leo calmly responded.

   "A noble spirit of a warrior; I admire that." Brambleweed commented. "Too bad that will prove your own downfall." the lieutenant drew out his blade and positioned himself. Leo gripped his blade and also positioned himself to battle. "We'll see who's the true warrior here." he responded. Both Brambleweed and Leo leapt towards each other, letting out battle cries, and their blades drawn, until one was plunged through the other's chest.

   A moment of silence passed until Leo was met with the sound of ridged breathing. He slowly removed his blade from Brambleweed's chest, causing the latter to fall limb to the ground beneath. The turtle repositioned his blue mask, only to be met with the sight of the fallen lieutenant before him. There was a large wound on his chest from Leo's weapon, and his body faded from green to grey. The leader only wiped the green blood from his blade with his arm before sheathing his blade. Leo only faced the lifeless Brambleweed, afraid to look at his master. Splinter walked to Leo's side and rested a hand on his shoulder. He was met with his eldest's royal blue eyes before embracing him in his arms.

   Leo then pulled himself from the hug and looked at Splinter. "I'm sorry you had to see all that..." he said softly. "You are not at fault, my son." Splinter responded. "You chose to fight for your family, and that is what matters." Leo nodded and turned to face Alex. "Alex, you're good to go! Hurry!" he called out. The cerulean blue-eyed turtle took a moment to stop fighting and face the dead Brambleweed on the ground. He nodded, rushed out of battle and past his brother and father figure. "This is it," Alex told himself. "The entire world is counting on you right now."


   Alex quickly raced through Central Park to search for the source, using his powers to track it. He had evaded any of the shrub people or spirit-infested plant life that crossed his path with ease. The scarred turtle was even careful to not use his blade, until he found the source. His eyes widen as he saw the bud left unguarded, but at the same time, Alex knew that it could be a trap. The mutant had to use stealth to get to the bud and destroy it without getting caught. Alex snuck through the trees until he was just above the bud. He drew out his glowing blade and jumped down from the tree branch. The black-and-blue masked turtle pierced his blade through the bud, but to his surprise, only a small portion of the supernatural plant life below him died. "What?! It didn't work?!" Alex exclaimed.

   Temptress's evil laugh rang in the area, quickly alerting Alex of her presence. "I knew you'd fall for it, my precious Charge." the spirit's voice spoke. Alex was suddenly entangled with vines, causing him to drop his now powerless blade to the ground. Temptress, supported by her own vines, appeared before the turtle, a sly grin on her lips. "My little bud already blossomed after taking some of your power." she stated, gesturing to the empty bud before her. "It's only a matter of time before I drain all of your power." the corrupt spirit said, stroking her hand across Alex's cheek. The turtle only stared down at Temptress, his cerulean blue eyes burning with anger. He then casted a forcefield around himself, freeing him from Temptress's vines.

   "You won't get away with this!" Alex declared. Temptress, in response, laughed evilly. "And how do you suppose you'll do that without the one thing that's meant to destroy this very Garden?" she asked mockingly. "You can't do it without this." the spirit added as she used her vines to grab Alex's blade and break it into pieces. Alex's eyes widen in horror as he saw the broken blade fall beneath Temptress, only for his gaze to meet her again. "I'll find some other way to stop you!" he said with determination. "Tell me, Alexander," Temptress began. "How much of your power have you used after returning home?" she asked.

   Alex did everything he could to hide his slowly fading strength, but Temptress saw right through him. He said nothing and continued to stare down at his enemy. "You are still young, but you can't keep your strength forever." the spirit mocked. "Just watch me!" the mutant terrapin barked back. Temptress glanced over at Alex with her pale green eyes. "You met with the Keeper, did you not?" she asked. Alex's eyes widen and looked at Temptress. "How did you know?" he asked. "I've been watching you for some time, child," Temptress responded, lowering herself towards Alex's forcefield. "I know many things about you." she added. "You're not the first." Alex replied, turning away from his enemy.

   "He fears you, child." Temptress spoke up after a moment of silence. Alex glanced over at the spirit, his shell still facing her. "You may know a lot of your power and where you came from, but the Keeper is afraid of something in you." she added. The mutant terrapin turned to face Temptress, slight confusion and realization on his face. Alex recalled that the Keeper was afraid of something during their meeting, but until that moment, he wasn't sure what it could be. "He's afraid of my power, isn't he?" the scarred turtle asked. "More or less, but this fear is restraining the potential you have." Temptress responded. Alex raised a brow, unsure what the spirit had meant.


   "I can help you reach that potential, Alexander." Temptress said. "No more holding back, no more showing weakness, and no more dealing with your own past." the corrupted spirit continued. "Everything you need to know, I hold that information." she finished, offering her hand towards Alex. "What do you say?" Temptress asked, a smirk painted on her face. Alex looked down at her hand, and as he glanced back up to her, something peculiar caught his eye. On the spirit's bosom, there was a blue flower that was oddly familiar to the turtle. It was then that Alex realized it was the flower from his vision. He then glared at Temptress, the fire still burning in his cerulean blue eyes. "You're only going to drain my power if I say 'yes'." Alex responded. "I have everything I need to make myself stronger."

   Temptress tightly clenched her fist and growled softly. "I knew you wouldn't be fooled." she muttered. "But you can't stop the Garden from growing." the spirit added. Alex glanced at the flower again before drawing out his glowing dagger. "That's where you're wrong." he said in a low voice. The turtle lowered his forcefield, and he aimed and tossed the dagger towards Temptress's bosom. The spirit was quick to deflect the dagger with her vines. "You have a good eye, Alexander." she said, coldly flattering Alex. "But you have to be much quicker than that." Temptress finished as she summoned some vines towards her opponent.


   Alex was quick to dodge the vines, leaping towards his dagger and grabbing it tightly in his hand. "That's when my training comes in play." the turtle said, referring to his ninjutsu skills. Temptress gritted her teeth, her rage slowly beginning to grow. "I know why you want your revenge," Alex began. "You're upset that the Guardian banished you from their forest, and you feel like you were wrongly punished." he continued, much to the spirit's irritation. "But you're being used by that dark spirit." the turtle finished. Temptress angrily sent several vines to attack and restrain Alex, but he was quick to cut them all down. "You will soon burn out." she growled. "We'll see about that." Alex said, twirling his dagger in his hand.

   Temptress summoned a slew of vines towards Alex, in hopes to prevent him from getting any closer to the source. The black-and-blue masked turtle was quick to cut down any incoming defense of the evil spirit, but more vines grew just as fast. Alex then activated his powers and sent out a massive power wave that knocked down all of Temptress's defenses. He quickly leapt towards her, pinning Temptress to the ground, and pointed his dagger towards the source. "It's over, Temptress!" the mutant turtle said. "I don't think so." Temptress said, using her powers to grow a blade of grass near Alex's feet. The supernatural blade coiled itself around Alex's ankles and tossed him off of Temptress, knocking him into a tree.

   His vision slightly blurry, Alex slightly groaned as he slowly pushed himself up. Temptress walked over to him, smiling evilly. "It's over for you." she laughed. Alex then knocked Temptress off her feet before getting back up and running off. The spirit then used her vines to lift her up from the ground. "Where are you, my Charge?" she called out, searching the area. Alex hid behind a tree and used his powers to make himself invisible from Temptress's sight. He wasn't sure how to stop his enemy, but the fate of the entire world was on his shoulders. The scarred turtle was the only one powerful enough to stop the corrupt spirit. And that's when it hit him. "I can use the Dragon's Traverse." Alex said to himself. "It's the only other thing that can stop Temptress."

   Alex could just barely remember what the exact details were on the scroll, but he had no other option. The turtle's invisibility spell wore off, and he calmed his mind, trying to picture the images and the mantra from the scroll into his head. When these images became clear, Alex then began to softly chant the mantra and form the hand gestures of the Dragon's Traverse. Strange, glowing white markings slowly began to form across the turtle's body. His cerulean blue eyes flashed pure white once he opened them, and Alex continued to chant the mantra. This bright glow from the mutant began to attract Temptress's attention, who was not far from him.


   "Your power is mine, Alexander." Temptress laughed evilly as she approached Alex. Her eyes widen in horror once he was at her sight. "No! That's not possible!" the spirit cried and trembled. The black-and-blue masked turtle continued to chant the mantra before a bright white sphere formed in his hands. Alex lifted his arms high above his head, and the sphere slowly began to grow and take shape. Temptress was horrified to see the sphere transform into a large white dragon. The projected dragon then let out a loud roar and looked down at Alex. The mutant turtle then looked up at the dragon and began to move his arms around in a strange motion.

   The projected dragon then began to move around the area, flying through Central Park. It circled around and, with its light, destroyed all the supernatural plant life. The dragon then broke through the barrier of Central Park and flew around the city. It phased through and travelled around the buildings and streets, severely weakening all that were affected by Temptress's power. Many civilians were surprised to see a strange dragon-like projection in the city, but they were even more so when it destroys the things trying to attack them. Even the brainwashed civilians were freed from Temptress's control when they saw the dragon, or it phased through them.

   Temptress then saw the dragon make its way back to Central Park, much to her horror. It then flew towards the spirit, phasing through her body. Temptress let out loud cries of agony, feeling her own power slip away quickly. The flower on the bosom wilted, and the spirit dropped to her knees, looking to see a large mark on her chest. She turned to see the dragon towering her. It then fired a white beam of light towards Temptress, causing her to wither and turn grey. Her face of agony was etched onto her corpse, with the spirit's mouth stretched in almost an unnatural way. The lifeless Temptress fell backward, her body then disintegrating into nothing.

   The projected dragon then looked towards Alex, flew towards him and re-entered his body. The black-and-blue masked turtle let out a sharp gasp and stopped glowing. He then felt himself grow weaker and dizzier. Alex then held his head, but he barely kept his balance. The mutant saw the dead plant life affected by Temptress's power begin to crumble and decay. Before he could react, Alex then fell forward, collapsing to the ground. He couldn't remember what happened after he began using the Dragon's Traverse, but the turtle felt his own conscious slip just as fast. Alex's vision began to blur before he noticed a strange bright light just ahead. His cerulean blue eyes rolled to the back of his head, and to Alex, everything turned white.