Race. [TMNT 2012]

029. Arrival; Raphael

Song: Try - Simple Plan

Spotting the Shredder's lair is easy. Since our last visit, it has grown drastically larger. Footbots freely go in and out the doors on it to patrol the streets. Even though it's daylight, the building still casts a feeling of doom across the city. None of the New York citizens sense it, however; they're so convinced that the Shredder is a hero.

   Getting inside isn't a problem, either. Charlotte and I walk right through the front doors and stand in middle of the lobby area. I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what is about to happen.

   And I am not disappointed. Many Footbots, after recognizing us, surround us and force us to the back room. I want nothing more than to pound their fake, robotic faces into the nearest wall, but I resist. I will get a chance to do that soon enough. Besides, nothing will be better than beating them from the inside out, just like Shredder did when he took Master Splinter from us.

   I allow the Footbots to shove us around. I comfort myself with the thought that I could take them down in one blow if I try. I find myself smirking at the thought as we finally arrive in the Shredder's throne room.

   As we're given one final push towards Shredder's throne, I glance over at Charlotte. She's taking to treatment pretty well. She hasn't complained once about the Footbots getting her top dirty. She has changed a lot since I met her weeks ago.

   "Ah, a turtle has decided to show himself." Shredder's dark voice makes the ground quiver. It also starts a rage in my heart that I have to force down. All I could think of is the killing blow he dealt my father.

   Fending off my anger, I get on my knees, motioning for Charlotte to do the same. "Master." It kill me to speak to him in such a humiliating manner.

   Shredder sounds faintly surprised when he speaks again. "What is this? Are you finally admitting defeat after all these years?"

   I quietly clear the hatred from my voice before I speak again. "Yes, Master Shredder. I have seen that your ways are ideal. I am willing to serve you if you will please spare my life."

   The Shredder, however, seems to be focused on another matter. "Where are the rest of you?" he questions suspiciously.

   I pretend to hesitate before meeting the iron-plated man's gaze. I extend my arm out to reveal blue, purple, and orange bandanas. "I cut off their heads for you, sir." It's frightening how easily the lie rolls off my tongue, but it's also quite satisfying to deceive him. "I tried to convince them to give into your great and mighty power, but they did not listen. I took their lives as punishment. These are all that are left."

   The Shredder's eyes gleam with an evil kind of pleasure. He removes the bandanas from my hand and ties them around his own wrist. "I shall keep these as my trophies," he rumble. I can practically see the smirk beneath his sturdy mask.

   Then he turn his gaze to Charlotte. "Why are you here?" he asks as if he doesn't really care.

   "She's with me," I respond before Charlotte can. I don't want to give her any room to screw up. "She helped me finish off my brothers," I add as sincerely as I can. She nods to emphasize the fib.

   "My allegiance is to you and you only," Charlotte murmurs and bows her head.

   The Shredder narrows his eyes. For a second, I think he isn't going to buy it. Maybe I didn't lie well enough, or he doesn't think Charlotte would submit to him so readily. He's part of the reason her dad died, after all.

   The Shredder fixes a hard stare on both of us. "Why do you aline yourselves with me?" he growls dangerously.

   This is it. One wrong word and we'll be fed to Tiger Claw.