TMNT: Secrets of the Sewers

Edge of a Revolution

The gladiators all stood in line to get something to eat before the Games, the Hamato Siblings pulling up the rear. As the line got shorter and shorter, the turtles continued their earlier efforts to get under the Overseer's skin.

"Hey look guys." Donny said, gesturing to Gruell with his thumb. "Gruell's serving gruel."

Leo then caught a whiff of something foul in the air and felt like he was about to throw up.

"Ugh, what is that smell?" he gagged.

"I hope it's Gruell and not the food." Raph commented.

Gruell heard their comments, grimacing in annoyance. However, that grimace quickly became a fiendish smirk as an idea came to him. Eventually, it became the turtles' turns and Mikey eagerly held out his tray,

"Fill 'er up!" he cheered.

Gruell just tapped his ladle against Mikey's tray, unable to keep a straight face.

"Awww." he said sarcastically. "All out of food. Too bad."

Mikey peered into the bubbling cauldron of yellowish gunk, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh, there's like half a cauldron of stuff still there." he remarked, gesturing to the cauldron with his thumb.

"Don't bother Mikey." Hisako told him. "Gruell just doesn't want to share his lunch."

Gruell glared, then raised his ladle as if to strike. Hisako then slipped one hand behind her back, the tip of her finger glowing green as she summoned a fraction of her power. Gruell's feet began to glow, then she flicked her finger, pulling his feet out from under him and sending him falling face first into the cauldron.

"Oops." Hisako said without as much as a hint of remorse.

"Nice one sis." Mikey whispered.

"Yeah, I'm just sorry it wasn't me that did it." Raph added quietly.

The five then took their empty trays, going and sitting beside Mona Lisa and Salcommander. When the former noticed her allies without food, she stopped eating.

"Where is yours?" she asked.

"By now, probably somewhere in between Gruell's horns." Raph replied.

"You will need your strength for the coming battle." Salcommander declared, sliding his tray towards the turtles. "Eat."

Mona Lisa did the same, much to the sibling's surprise.

"You don't have to do this." Leo assured them.

"Yeah, we're no strangers to hunger." Hisako commented.

Mikey's stomach then let out a loud grumble. He covered his stomach, then reached for Salcommander's plate.

"No offense Hisako, but speak for yourself."

About that time, a third tray joined the two offered to the turtles. Everyone blinked, then looked up to see Traximus standing there. He looked at Hisako, then at the seat next to her, which was empty.

"May I?" he asked.

"Uh, sure." she replied.

He took the seat as the turtles began to divvy up the food, ensuring all five of them got some. As they all dug in, Hisako glanced at Traximus in curiosity.

"Thanks for the food." she told him.

"No, thank you." he told her. "I have been a slave in the Arena for so long, I had almost forgotten what it was like to fight with honor."