TMNT - Worlds Change

Twenty Two

Mikee POV

We crept along the alley way, following the Foot soldiers. Casey followed a few feet behind. We had only just arrived back to the city when we noticed the foot soldiers in most every shadow of the city. We followed the streets back to the center of town.

"That's Shredders old tower." Casey slowed in the street below the tower.

"Great observation Case. We could all see that. What about it?" Raph looked at Casey, but I watched the sky. In the lights of New York, a black dart circled. I poked at Raph and pointed. His expression changed. "Alright. That's something we don't see everyday." Casey stopped the van two streets over, before speaking.

"So what's your move? We have three darts above Shredders old roost, and hundreds of Foot soldiers laying in wait. We are kinda in over our heads." I glanced between Raph and Casey, who both looked over at me.

"Wait me?" I was bewildered.

"Yeah Mikee, you. You wanted this mission, you lead." Raph said this, even though I could tell this bothered him. I steeled myself against beaming with pride. My first leadership role. "So? Game plan?"

"We need an idea what they are. The darts, I mean. But we can't do that without the guys for bac-" With that the truck shook, with the sound of footsteps on top of the van.

Leo POV

"Venus. You need to take a look at this." Iris looked up at me from where she was working on Venus's wounds. I didn't want her to see just yet, but...

"What happened?" She moved over to me immediately? Venus came over and stopped beside me.

"I'm sure everything is fine, Iris. Maybe you should check on Athena and see how she's doing?" Iris was skeptical, but nodded. When she was gone, Venus turned back to me, closing the door. "What happened?"

"The Foot happened. Casey sent this," I held up my t-phone. The screen showed Mikee and Raph fighting Foot soldiers when suddenly, larger enemies made almost of shadow grabbed them and pulled them away, just as the video feed went down. "Casey sent a message few minutes later to say he was headed to the Lair to try and take cover, but we don't know if that is compromised or not. We need to make a plan." Venus rested her hand over mine. I hadn't realized I was shaking until then.

"Leo, We do need a plan, but we need everyone on board. And fast. The problem will be getting Iris and Bellona to stop and think. Especially Bellona with Raph on the line. We need to come up with something."

"Yeah, get better at whispering." Bellona's voice carried through the door before she opened it. Donnie, Athena, Iris, and Bellona all stood in the doorway.

"Why wouldn't you include us, Leo?" Donnie, who never questioned my discretion, gave me a look of hurt. Bellona pushed forward.

"Here is what we are gonna do. We are packing up, and moving out."

Iris POV

I hung back as Donnie and Bellona argued strategy and speed with Leo. I walked out back to the Battle Shell and started gearing up, pulling on the body armor that Athena had been working on. Footsteps sounded along the outside of the vehicle, as Athena and Venus rounded the corner.

"Iris, what are you doing?" Venus watched me as I packed in more supplies.

"I'm going after them." She grabbed my wrist, trying to grab my attention.

"We need to wait for a pla-"

"No, Venus. You didn't need a plan when you went back for Sensei. You didn't need a plan to throw yourself at Shredder's feet to save us. Mikee and Raph are out there and need us. So, I'm going. With or without you."

Donnie POV

"I'm gonna go check on my sisters. Why don't you get your head out you shell and then maybe we can make a plan?" Bellona stormed out of the room. She had done most of the talking, or shouting would be more like it. I glanced up at Leo now from across the room. He seemed tired, pained.

"You know why she's upset, right?" I walked over and checked his shoulder to see if he was ready to fight. I had a feeling we would be soon.

"Yeah. But I can't figure out why you are." I glanced away. I hadn't meant to snap at him earlier. I was worried because of Athena's reaction.

"You weren't the only ones to get that video. Bellona got it. She showed Athena, and when you Venus 'dismissed' Iris, it grated on Athena. She's tired of being put to the wayside. We all are." He turned and looked to me.

"What are you getting at, Don? Are you saying I should worry everyone, send them into a panic? You saw how Bellona reacted. She's ready to go, weapons ready. We have to be more prepared than that."

"Well, you are going to have to get better at including people. Especially with this... couples thing now. Bellona and Iris should have been first to know." He went to open his mouth. "I know," I held up my hands, "Venus is your second. I know. It used to be me. So maybe you just need to find a way to include us. You can be team leader. But remember we are a team."

I left Leo to his thoughts, headed to find out what the girls were doing outside by the Battle Shell. And why it was running.