TMNT 2012 Nightshade

Episode 8: Teams aren't Black and White

Tiger Claw stood in one of the old cell blocks in the former lair of Shredder. While many of the small time petty thieves left yesterday shortly after the decapitation, Tiger Claw knew the building well enough to step away from the chaos. He quietly leaned against the wall while sharpening one of his blades. The entire scene still burned in his mind. Strange wasn't it? Even though he spent most of his life in the underground Japanese Yakuza and the underground crime world, something about that moment stood out to him in significance. First and foremost of course was that strange power or magic. He wasn't for sure what it was, but its appearance reminded him of something from an old story told back in Japan. However, his thoughts were interrupted when he sensed someone approaching. On high alert, Tiger claw swiftly turned around the corner and pointed his gun at the closest moving object. He found himself face to face with Fishface. "Hmm." Tiger claw muttered while flipping his gun back into its holster. Fishface held his hands over his eyes. "Watch where you are pointing that thing!" He said regaining his composure. Tiger Claw looked curiously to his sushi friend. "Why are you here? I thought you left the city. And why come back here of all places?" Fishface sighed. "I did. Rahzar and I have shared residence for a short time trying to figure things out. It seems though that finding acceptance has been harder then we thought." Tiger Claw scoffed, "So you have come hoping to find riches? Justice to the people who have turned their backs? A new Shredder to lead you?" Fishface scowled, "Don't confuse this as a measure of desperate aid. We were curious as well. I mean, why are you here exactly?"

Tiger Claw stayed silent, before speaking again. "So what do you think of his offer? Is it intriguing?" "Money is not a concern of mine anymore, Rahzar is more into that then I am." Fishface said sitting against the wall. "Personally, I sort of want to see what happens. I grew up in a very poor town in Brazil where people were ruled by clans. I'm not sure what exactly to think of this new guy yet, but the results he has created intrigues me. However..." He trails off. Tiger Claw looked down in anticipation. "What is it?" He asked. Fishface pulls up his head. "There is something about this guy. I'm not sure what it is, but his demeanor is..." He pauses. "Familiar."

Tiger Claw handed Fishface a cigarette, "Where I'm from, the offering of a smoke is a sign of understanding between two folk. I apologize if your aquatic anatomy makes this gesture void." Fishface shook his head and took the cigarette, Tiger claw lit it before lighting his own. "I too noticed this." Tiger Claw muttered between puffs. Fishface looked up at the tall Tiger in surprise. A realization hit him. "Either we have faced this foe before, or he is mimicking a former adversary." Tiger claw nodded. "I do not wish to brake promises that I have made. But putting my feelings aside, I shall do what I believe is the best for the same kind of people that I once wronged. It's the least I could do for my sister." Tiger Claw said nearly fished with with cigarette. Fishface sighed. "Regardless, I can't help but anticipate the next events to unfold. I don't what side I'm on anymore, but as long as I keep people from dictating those weaker then them..." Fishface took the bud from his mouth and pressed it against the brick behind him, leaving a burn mark. "Then I suppose I can stick around for the time being."

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Back at the turtle lair, Leo and Karai were training together as they discussed new developments. "Did Donnie finish analyzing that sample?" Karai asked as she braced for Leo's kick. "Not sure yet. It took forever just to cut a small piece of that vine. Donnie says its physical structure is like nothing he's ever seen from a basic table of elements. Or something along that line." Leo tried advancing to throw Karai off balance, but her legs quickly morphed into a snake tail so he couldn't trip her. "Hey that's not fair! You can't use powers in sparring." Leo said half laughing. In all reality he wasn't taking the spar the most seriously. Karai snickered. "Oh please, I'm a mutant now. That never stopped you from hitting me back when I was still human." She pulled out her sword and tried striking him under his arm, but Leo blocked too quickly. "So." Karai continued, "Do you think its some sort of alien or magic?" Leo drew his own sword and they both held there blades in front of each other. "Maybe, that might explain why it seems to bother April so much. If that's the case though I don't know how much data Donnie will be able to retrieve." Karai advanced towards Leo but held her sword behind her back. "Oh Leo that's a lot of stress to deal with... how about I let you win this time?" She said tiptoeing his fingers on Leo's shoulder to his face. Leo became flustered. "Well... uh." He said leaning in closer to her. But Karai laughed and turned the sword in her hand and hit Leo in the gut with the handle. She giggled. "You let your guard down Leo. A ninja never lets his guard down to a girl." She said reaching out her hand to help him up. Leo grabbed her hand but then pulled her down to her knees where she found her face inches from his. "Well you cheated." Leo said with a grin. Her face turned red, but then they heard the Dojo door open. "What are guys doing?" Raph asked in a sarcastic tone. Leo shot up to his feet and helped Karai up off the floor. "J-just training Raph, going over mission stuff you know?" Leo's face was completely red, and Karai couldn't help but laugh. Raph snickered and gave a sly look to Leo. "Oh I completely know what you mean." He said forming his hands to act like they were kissing. "Raph!" Leo said pushing by him to leave the Dojo. "Easy their Bro I'm just messing with you." Raph said heading into the TV area behind Leo.