Turtles' Big Sister

The Wrath of Tigerclaw

It's been over a week and half since Tigerclaw went missing. It was a stormy night, and Karai was in her father's throne room, watching the rain fall. Something kept bothering her as she looked at the torn photo of her mother, Tang Shen.

Pepper's words echoed in her mind.

"Please, believe me, Karai. It's not too late. You can still save yourself before Shredder takes you down with him."

"Your real name is Miwa!"

"Don't do this, Karai. Splinter--he's your father, your true father."

"I swear it. He's your father--Hamato Yoshi. Please, you have to believe me."

"Karai, I don't want to fight you anymore. Leo and your sisters don't want to fight you! We're not your enemy."

Karai looked at the photo again. Pepper was a terrible liar. And that look in her eyes. Pleading, almost on the verge of tears.

"What is it that troubles you, Karai?" Her father's voice broke her train of thought.

She looked at him. "I want to know the truth. The truth about my mother. And Splinter."

Lucian raised a brow and folded his arms. "Why? Because of Pepper and that lizard said?" 

Karai nodded. "You know the truth, my daughter. Hamato Yoshi took your mother away," Shredder answered.

There came the sound of the doors opening. Shredder, Lucian and Karai looked to see a face they thought they'd never see again.

"I have returned," he announced.

"Tigerclaw," Shredder gasped.

Tigerclaw looked a little different from last time. More focused, more hateful. Along with a new eyepatch over his left eye.

"How? You were eaten by a giant alien worm," Karai said in shock.

"And you believed such a thing could contain my hate?" Tigerclaw asked as he entered. "My hate is what kept me going, as I tore my way out of the belly of the Kraathatrogon. As I battled through the armies of the Kraang. Across alien worlds that would drive lesser men mad. And finally, back here, back to my enemies." He knelt on one knee. "I would have my revenge against Splinter. Against his hideous reptiles and mammals. And against those who trapped me in that wretched worm's belly."

"I will grant you this wish," Shredder answered.

"What? It's because of him that Splinter and the ninjas are still alive in the first place," Lucian argued.

Shredder gave him a stern look. "Lucian, you and Karai will go with Tigerclaw. Destroy Splinter and his pupils, and capture my daughter at any cost."

As much as Karai wasn't fond of working with Tigerclaw, he truly knew how to get the job done. Karai bowed and Lucian lowered his head in obedience.

----------

Since it had been a quiet night lately, Pepper and Leo decided it would be a good idea to have a training exercise at Murakami's restaurant. Though, the girls and Leo decided to simply observe.

"I've put up with you guys for a long time, but this is about to get real!" Mikey said, as he and his brothers took their positions.

"You don't want that kind of pain, Mikey," Raph warned.

"Big talk for someone with such a limited vocabulary, Raph," Donnie mocked, before getting shoved aside.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Leo asked.