Race. [TMNT 2012]

037. Over; Charlotte

Song: Not Gonna Die - Skillet

Taking in my surroundings, I can't help obtaining a sense of doubt. All of us are damaged and worn out. Raphael can barely stand, one of Slash's eyes has swollen up, Leatherhead has taken a serious blow to his stomach, and their pigeon and chimp companions don't look any better.

   Elizabetta is alive, but she is leaning heavily on April for support. Blood still seeps through the wound on her hip and her green eyes are dull. But she holds her weapon out with determination; she isn't ready to give up.

   Though the turtles and I all look like we just walked out of a fire, we are tall and proud. We aren't about to let everything we worked for slip from our hands. Even as the Shredder slowly makes his way towards us, none of us back down.

   We aren't going to die.

   Before us stands Rocksteady, whom has recovered from his earlier swim. A mutant warthog is beside him babbling insults at fifty miles per hour.  Tiger Claw, Fishface, and Rahzar are lined up with them as well, their eyes glinting menacingly.  Shredder is in the dead center, only a few feet away from Leonardo.  Even I predict it will be a tough fight; not that it hasn't been already.

   "Let's bash their heads in," Raphael growls angrily.  Behind him, several of our allies rallied in agreement.

   Leonardo puts his katana out to stop the hot-headed turtle from doing anything.  "Hold it, Raph," he orders.  "You know what happens every time we face the Shredder.  Someone always gets severely hurt." His eyes shadow with grief for a moment.  Then he look at all of his brothers to fix them with a sharp expression.  "Who's the one mutant we know that can take Shredder on single-pawed?" he asks suddenly.

   Michelangelo and Raphael look down sadly while Donatello answers. "Master Splinter.  But he's..." he trails off and takes a deep breath.  "He can't help us anymore."

   "Or can he?" Leonardo's query causes his brothers to look at him in confusion. "Think about it," he goes on, his voice lifting with each word. "He said his spirit is in our hearts. That means we conjured him up in the fire pit somehow. What if we did that same thing here somehow?"

   "Whoa!" Michelangelo squeals excitedly. "We're gonna summon a demon!"

   Donatello glares at the freckle-faced turtle. "Master Splinter is not a demon. A demon is an evil spirit or-"

   "Well, I think the idea is stupid," Raphael interrupts and crosses his arms. He makes a face at how painful the position is for him, though he tries to hide it.

   Michelangelo, as usual, disagrees with Raphael's stubbornness. "I watch a load of ghost shows, so I've got this! You dudes gotta form a circle with me and chant Splinter's name a bunch of times." He sits down on the floor and crosses his legs, looking up at his brothers with expectant blue eyes.

   Leonardo exchanges a glance with Donatello. They both sit down in the same position as their youngest brother. "I think we'll go for a traditional meditation instead, Mikey," Leonardo decides.

   With all three of his brothers staring at him, Raphael finally gives in. "Fine," he mutters. "But if this doesn't work, I'm never gonna stop calling you Lame-o-nardo."

   Leonardo gestures for the Mutanimals to form a shield around them. They do so promptly, glaring dangerously at Shredder and his minions.

   Shredder doesn't seem phased, however. In fact, he looks amused.

   "Do what you will," he scoffs deeply, making the ground shiver like a tree in a tornado. "Your destruction is inevitable. You will all perish, starting with Leonardo." You can practically see the gleeful smile under his facial mask.