Alternate Allure

CHAPTER 25: FROM THE START [Part V]

The Shellraiser barrels through the streets, tires squealing with every turn Leo yanks it through. Inside, nobody's talking, everyone focused on one goal: getting underground before the Kraang catch you all.

But, of course, the Kraang weren't letting that happen.

From the front and rear, two white Kraang vans suddenly cut off the vehicle, their tinted windows rolling down to reveal blasters aimed directly at you. Overhead, the whirring blades of a helicopter sent wind whipping against the Shellraiser.

"Oh, sick, we're doing this now" You groan, half to yourself.

Pink lasers start lighting up the night, ricocheting off the Shellraiser with a teeth-rattling thunk-thunk-thunk.

"They're shooting at us?!" Tim yelps.

"No, genius" Raph growls. "They're politely knocking"

More shots rattle against the armored sides of the Shellraiser as Raph turns to Leo, already moving toward the trash cannon controls.

"Hold her steady, Leo. I'll take care of these jokers"

Leo barely nodded before shifting gears, his knuckles going white on the wheel, eyes flicking between the road and the monitor. "Heads up, guys! Kraang's on the roof!"

Without hesitation, you, Donnie, and Mikey bolt for the roof hatch, weapons drawn. You pop your head up first—and instantly regret it.

"LEO, KRAANG CAN FLY!" Mikey shrieks, as one of the droids activates a jetpack, launching straight at him. "KRAANG CAN FLY!"

A pink blur slams into his chest, sending him skidding toward the edge of the roof. His fingers scramble for a hold as his feet dangle precariously over the side.

"Mikey!" Your whole body moves before your brain catches up. Your shoulder screams bloody murder, but you grab his wrist just before he falls.

Behind you, with a furious snarl, Donnie whacks one of the Kraang with his bo staff, sending it spiraling off the roof. He dodges a blaster bolt by inches, then snaps his gaze to you, eyes wide.

"Watch it!"

You barely had time to react before another Kraang lunges at you. With a sharp twist, you swing Mikey up and over the edge just as the Kraang's blaster fire. The shot sizzles past your ear, scorching a black scar into the Shellraiser where your face used to be.

"Dude!" Mikey flops onto his plastron, panting, eyes wide. "I totally saw my life flash before my eyes...!"

Quickly, the three of you regroup, weapons raised, as the remaining Kraang droids close in—

And then, the Shellraiser swerves violently, throwing all of you off balance. One of the Kraang trucks rams into the side, forcing Leo to jerk the wheel—but the momentum was too much. The entire vehicle skids, tires screeching, before slamming into a warehouse wall. You feel yourself collide with the roof before tumbling back inside through the hatch, landing hard on the floor. The world spins, and for a split second, all you hear is a high-pitched ringing.

Your heart's going full rave mode in your chest when a warm hand grabs yours.

"MC?"

"I'm—" You groan, trying to play it cool while every bone in your body files a complaint. "I'm good, Dee. Just... gonna feel that in the morning"

"You sure?"

You nod, shaking the dizziness off. "Yeah. You?"

"I'm fine if you are" He exhales, reluctantly letting go of your hand. "Mikey?"