Love Never Lost

It Came From the Depths: Part 2

Brooke's POV:

Later, at tunnel 281, we pull back the caution tape and walk further down the path. Leo looks to the ground and finds a large footprint.

Leo: "Whoa, check this out. What the heck made these footprints?"

Up ahead, we hear a roar and zapping sounds, which means the Kraang found him first. We rush to the tunnel's edge to see the alligator fighting off the Kraang. We might have more in common with him than we realize

Donnie: "I never thought I'd feel sorry for the Kraang."

Suddenly, one of the Kraang-droids zaps the mutant with a taser, causing him to fall over in pain.

Kraang-Droid: "Tell Kraang in what place can be found the power cell that Kraang wishes to find the place of."

Leatherhead: "Never!"

This time, all five droids tase him.

Mikey: "Come on, we gotta help him."

Raph: "I think 'gotta' is a strong word."

Leo: "Mikey, we don't know anything about that guy. He could be way more dangerous than the Kraang."

Mikey: "That gator dude needs our help. I can't wait around for you cowards."

I smile with pride, glad Mikey is compassionate for someone he's never met, just as he was for me all those years ago.

Donnie: "Do you know what you're getting into?"

Mikey: "Booyakasha!"

Raph: "Well, I guess that settles it. Let's go whack some pińatas."

We all leap into action. During our fight, two Kraang-droids try to drag the gator away. So, I jump ahead of them and slice through their heads.

Donnie: "So what do we do now?"

Leo: "We get out of here before more Kraangdroids show up."

Me: "With the alligator."

Leo, Raph, & Donnie: "What?!"

Mikey: "Brooke's right. We can't just leave him here. What if the Kraang find him?"

Leo: "Well, what do you wanna do? Take him back to the lair?"

Mikey dons his signature 'puppy dog' pout.

Leo: "Oh, no. Oh, no. Did you see what he did to those Kraangdroids? We are not bringing that monster home with us."

Me: "You say he's a dangerous monster, but ten years ago, I could've said the same thing about all of you. We had just met, and yet I trusted you with my life. I'm not leaving someone in need alone to fend for themselves. I know what that's like, and I'm not letting it happen again. Mikey, a little help?"

{Time skip}

It took a second, but the others finally agreed to help us bring him home. We gently lay him in the middle of the living room. After grabbing the first-aid kit, I do what I can to help with the wounds I can fix.

Raph: "I can't believe we let them talk us into this."

Mikey grabs a teddy bear for the gator to sleep with.

Mikey: "Aw, look at him. He's so peaceful."

Leo: "That's because he's out cold."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Donnie approaching us with chains. I hand the kit over to Mikey, walk to stand before Donnie, and give him a stern look.

Donnie: "Brooke, we understand you're trying to help someone in your previous position. But, we need to consider everyone else's safety from a-"

I raise an eyebrow, warning him to watch what he says next.

Donnie: "Creature of his species."

Mikey: "Guys, he's awake, and he's perfectly calm. I bet the first thing he's gonna do is thank-"

The alligator jolts up with a roar, his eyes seemingly glazed over. He tosses Mikey off of him and rips the teddy bear in half.

Mikey: "Or, maybe the second thing."

The gator grabs Donnie by the face, causing him to scream in fear.

Donnie: "Get him off me! Get him off me!"

I slowly approach him with a calm look. The gator turns to me with a snarl, but I remain unfazed. He drops Donnie, who rushes over to our brothers in relief. I place a hand out in front of me. The gator stares at it and then turns to look into my eyes. I remain calm and gently pet his snout. The gator begins to purr as he lowers himself to the ground and gently drifts back into sleep. I sigh before standing as the brothers look at me in shock and wonder.

TO BE CONTINUED