Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

Prologue

Darkness encloses the deteriorating building. The structure seems to have been abandoned months ago. Cobwebs cover every crease and stacks of crumbled foundation create obstacles in every room. Stains that look strikingly similar to blood dot the floor, adding an eerie chill to the atmosphere. The building itself seems to be whispering promises of great doom, piercing the very souls of anyone who happens to pass by.

   The moon is the only light available to the insides of the structure. However, it's just enough to glimpse six inhumane figures, each in different shapes of animal species.  Their strange bodies cast long, looming shadows over the debris-filled room.

   A tiger mutant with demonic eyes suddenly thrusts his paw forward. It smacks into the fly mutant's chest and sends the victim sliding away from his table of chemicals. The insect lets out a whimper of horror as the tiger glowers down at him.

   "How ignorant of you to work while I am in the room," the large cat snarls. His brilliant white fangs flash through the darkness, a subtle threat that only the fly understands. "You should be immensely grateful that we have not turned you into cat chow by now, Stockman. And yet, you dare be so foolish?"

   The mutant insect shrinks away as far as he can. "Zzz-sorry, Tiger Claw, zzz-sir," he mumbles fearfully as he moves away from his chemicals.

   Satisfied, Tiger Claw backs off, though he doesn't remove his penetrating gaze from the fly. "Tell me what you have accomplished," he commands impatiently.

   Stockman dodges Tiger Claw's tall stature and heads back over to the table of components. With his unattractive hook for a hand, he scratches the side of his head bashfully.  "N-nothing, boss-zzz. I-I can't zzz-seem to get any of your zzz-suggested mixtures-zzz to zzz-synthesis," he finishes his announcement with a low bow to Tiger Claw.

   Tiger Claw barely acknowledges his humble motion. Instead, his yellow eyes glow like flames.  "You are a nuisance, Stockman!  I give you a simple task to infect the turtles with the zombant fluids, and you fail me."

   "It's-zzz very fragile, zzz-sir," Stockman defends himself weakly.  "The bacteria of the creatures-zzz can only live for zzz-so long without a zzz-suitable hos-zzz-t to-"

   "Never mind that, I have a more effective plan," Tiger Claw switches gears as he turns himself towards a huge rhinoceros and fragile-looking warthog mutant. "Have you been successful in your acquirement of the needed supplies?" the tiger questions.

   The warthog replies with an enthusiastic hop. "Yessiree, G! Er, I mean Boss! We spoke with those Dragon dudes and got exactly what you need. The world with soon be at your fluffy kitty feet!" He ends his little show-and-tell with a dramatic pose.

   Tiger Claw seems oblivious at his desire to impress. "When will the shipment arrive at the docks?" he presses on further.

   "See, that's where the problems start to come in," the warthog mutant laughs as if he's telling a joke, but his companions are not amused. He quickly silences his own chuckles and goes on. "Your request was so huge that it had to be divided into three separate trips. Each ship will pull in at the end of the month. So that means you'll get some goodies on the 31st of this month, November 30th, and December 31st." He gives Tiger Claw an uncertain grin.

   The skeletal dog, who hasn't spoken at all so far, breaks out into cold laughter. "So, Tiger Claw's star pupils finally messed up! Such a refreshing sight. I look forward to watching your punishments," he tells the rhinoceros and warthog mockingly. Beside him, the purple fish mutant looks just as pleased with the mistake.

   Tiger Claw holds out his paw to silence the hysterical pair. The beginnings of a smile appear upon his white, furry lips. "Then the full plan shall be carried out on December 31st," he speaks with an air that makes the decision official.

   The rhinoceros looks faintly surprised. "Is that not the eve of the American new year?" His words are strongly accented, but it's clear enough what he is asking.

   Tiger Claw gives a single nod. "Indeed. It is the night when humans all around the country come to New York City to celebrate the turn of the year. And it will also be the day that many of them will submit to me. The rest shall perish."

   The mutant speaks so smoothly as if he is simply discussing the weather or an afternoon picnic. Clearly, he has this plan well thought out.

   Around him, his servants put in their murmurs of agreement. Though, it's never determined if they have the freedom to state their own opinions anyway.

   Well pleased, Tiger Claw lifts his gaze to the sky. A cloud covers the moon as if the stars do not see justice in the big cat's idea. But Tiger Claw sees nothing ominous about this. Instead, he smirks and stands tall to take in his warriors once more.

   "On New Year's Eve, we shall finish what Master Shredder started."