Reckless. [TMNT 2012]

33. Tiger Temper; Casey

Song: Point of No Return - Starset

Tearing myself away from Evelyn and leaving her in such an anxious state is rough. I have to force myself not to look back, and it's a struggle to keep pace with Michelangelo. I feel my soul ripping in half as we part, but I know one thing:

    I will see her again.

    With that thought renewing my energy, I begin to skate down the icy sidewalk. I dodge and curve around drunken pedestrians as I fly down the pavement, Michelangelo running on my tail. We swerve back and forth together, none of the obstacles stopping us. We have a job to do, and we are prepared to see it through.

    I turn my foot sharply to stop rolling as we arrive at our destination. As I gaze up at the building, I practically have to lean backwards. It is one of the largest skyscrapers in New York, if not the largest. The walls are covered with huge windows, reflecting the joyful lights shining below. Looking up further, I notice that the roof abruptly goes flat. Such a level stadium with many unsuspecting victims below seems like the perfect place to plant a bomb.

   "I'll bet my hockey mask that Tiger Claw is on the top floor," I tell Michelangelo as I point upwards. "We need to evacuate the building, or everyone is gonna turn into fireworks."

    Michelangelo raises his bandana like eyebrows. "But how are we gonna do that?" he wonders aloud.

    We look at each other and I smirk. "Just show them your face," I suggest.

    Michelangelo doesn't act the tiniest bit offended. He races over to a group of businessmen standing outside the building. "Hi!" the turtle greets them. "Do you dudes know where a turtle can get some good pizza around here?"

    The businessmen respond by shrieking and running right out into the street. One of the men nearly hit a taxi as it slams to a halt. The man screams, "Ugly freak! RUN!"

    His yell has a domino effect. Everyone that hears him spots Michelangelo, sending them into their own panic. Like a wildfire, the fear eventually spreads throughout the entire street and building, until the place is almost deserted.

    "Nice job, Mike!" I shout happily.

    Michelangelo slumps over to me with a depressed glimmer in his baby blue eyes. "I wasn't even trying your idea yet," he complains. "I was asking a serious question. I'm starving!"

    I roll my eyes. "We can snack later, right now we've gotta stop those-"

    Before I can finish my sentence, Tiger Claw's face appears like light on the building in front of us. He looks as evil as ever, and his shocking appearance makes the people freeze in place. They stared up at the huge projection with wide eyes, as if they are reliving the Shredder's rule all over again.

    "Hello, pitiful humans." Tiger Claw's voice shakes the city to its roots. "I am Tiger Claw, the almighty mutant of New York. Look behind you." At his command, all of the citizens spin around. "That skyscraper contains a nuclear bomb, as well as other places in the city. I have the trigger, and I will press the button to set them all off if you do not comply with my commands. I will return within the hour to give you my orders."

    As he talks, I follow the beam of light that his face is glowing from. I trace the light right back to his projector, which is shining from the top floor. I can make out the shadow of three familiar mutants reflecting off the window; my blood boils. They are up there terrorizing the city, and probably laughing about it! Well, little do they know, they're about to get those grins smacked right off their disgusting faces.