Legacy Mutation (Book Eight)

Chapter 47: Together As One

Dean paces angrily back and forth behind the couch, muttering incessantly under his breath. Splinter sits on the couch watching his soap opera, the other kids watching curiously.

"Oh David, I just can't do it! You know how much it'll hurt Evangeline..."

"Melissa, please...I need you."

"Why do you enjoy these?" Copeland asks.

Splinter shrugs. "I find them amusing, and I like imagining how I would've handled the same situations." His ears flatten a little. "See, if I were Melissa, I would stay faithful to my spouse."

Venus tilts her head a little. "Melissa is kind of stupid...a little."

"I think she has problems with her morals," Dakota comments.

"Or she's a Mary Sue that we don't need to care about," Asher guesses.

"True..." Mitch murmurs.

They all nod in silent agreement. Dean finally stops pacing as his tail flicks.

"We need to fight with them," he says.

"We can't," Asher reiterates tiredly. "They told us to stay behind, and we have to be obedient."

"Usually, I would agree with them, but not today," Dean insists. "I will say this once, but my father is wrong today. He needs our help...they need our help." He leaps over the couch and shuts the TV off. "So I say we get our weapons, go out there, and help rescue our friends. Come on team, I need everyone with me on this."

They all look at each other, then at Splinter. The aging rat strokes his beard, his eyes shut.

"Dean, I admire your courage," he admits. "But-"

"I know. We can't leave. You're going to try and stop us," Dean says, sounding defeated. "Sensei, we can't-"

"Dean, you just allow me to finish," the rat scolds gently. A teasing smile softens his face. "But, if you are going to fight, then I will come with you."

"Woah, seriously?" Copeland asks, hazel eyes sparkling. "You're letting us go?"

"If you are fighting, I will fight with you. It is as simple as that," he answers. He gets to his feet, readying his emerald staff as he easily towers over the teens and Venus. "All of you, retrieve your weapons and whatever medical supplies we may require. We leave immediately."

"Hai Sensei!" they shout.

Dean, Copeland, Mitch, and Venus dash off to retrieve their needed weapons. Dakota and Asher go to the laboratory, gathering bandages, scar treatment ointment, and other needed items.

"Hey, think we'll need anti-venom?" Dakota calls.

Asher arches an eyebrow. "For what?"

The white-haired girl looks at the label, her red eye flashing. "Fish bite."

They both think over what that might mean. Dakota shrugs.

"Can't be too safe," she says, putting the vial and syringe into her medical bag.

In record time, the Hamatos regroup at the front of the lair. Splinter folds his hands behind his back, his warm brown eyes staring off down the tunnel.

"My children, I hope that you are aware of the danger we are about to face," he says lowly. "What you said to your father was correct, Dean. You have been sheltered, and your experience in real combat is not as refined as those of your parents." He looks to each one of them in turn. "But...I still believe in every one of you, and I love you all very much."