#somewhereinchina

“You should have seen Angel.” April smiled as she sipped out of her Starbucks cup. Once word got out that Mona was back and conscious, she had to catch up with her mutant family as soon as possible. She was accompanied by most of the family as they gathered around the kitchen counter and tables, eating Popeyes leftovers for breakfast. Mona was absent, not by already eating, but getting dressed for the day after her clothes had been washed. “The next morning, when she woke up, the first thing she did was hug me. She told me she was sorry and that she messed up really bad. She almost started crying, the poor thing.”

“What was she cryin’ for?” Raphael spoke mid chew. Donatello, whose pet peeve was his brothers talking as they ate, put a finger to his lips. Raphael rolled his eyes and swallowed, which satisfied his tallest brother. Raphael’s back leaned against the chair, allowing his massive arm to spill over the top of it. April’s shoulders adjusted as she sat deeper into her chair.

“She thought after all this that I was going to send her back and have her reassigned a new sister.”

“You’re not?”

“No.” Mikey’s wrist immediately began to lose blood as April’s grip on it squeezed him with all her strength. “I’m not.” She glared at him as he cried “Uncle”. Knowing he has had enough, April let her grip off of him. The young turtle took his wrist to his chest and protected it with his other arm just in case she wanted to try again. “I promised her I wouldn’t. I couldn’t do that to her.”

“It sounds like someone’s caring for the girl.” Splinter spoke softly. April placed her cup on the kitchen table. Her head had to poke out to see the meager rat who sat so closely to Donatello.

“Who said I didn’t care about her?” April asked honestly. Master Splinter’s brow rose slightly after giving her a look that represented a know-it-all and went in to sip his tea.

“Splinter? Did you just-?” April smiled as she pointed a finger at the old rat, who continued to smile behind his cup. Venus had to do a double take at the counter Michelangelo was sitting at, for she finally was able to enjoy a joke popular to Americans. All of a sudden, Mikey began clapping his hands in slow slaps.

“You go sensei! Sip yo tea!” In response, he lifted his cup up when he was finished, earning the appreciation of those in the room.

Mona walked out of the bathroom, making her way into the kitchen filled with laughter. After being awake for just two hours, she felt the strength of her legs come back to her. Weirdly enough, when she put on her pink clothes, she felt power come back to her; more power, old power that she hadn’t been able to tap into for so long.

“Mona?” She felt the breaths of the room stop when she walked in. Turtle, rat, and full blooded human analyzed her. This time, Mona proudly took in the eyes as she placed her hands on her hips, facing the music.

“What?” Her body was cloaked in a bright pink robe, fastened by a floral pink corset from her chest to her stomach. Her legs popped out of it while the rest of the robe covered her front and back with two separate long strips of the robe touching her ankles. Her hair remained the same, but was now accompanied by a hot pink mask that also served as a hair covering. On her feet were short laced, bright pink ballerina shoes by Nike. “Mona Lisa is back, baby!” She exclaimed. “I’ve been gone far too long. Time to come back to training as a kunoichi.” The lizard lady was sweetly welcomed into the room. Although she ate, she still took a seat at the counter beside Leonardo, who was admiring the beauty of her floral corset’s design.

“Never did get why you quit anyways.” Raphael spoke over his shoulder. Mona crossed one leg over the other as she listened. “After something like that, most people would train harder to prevent it from happenin’ again.”

“I don’t know. It seemed like the right thing at the time.” As she kept her legs crossed, the cloth that ran down the front of her legs began slipping off of her leg. The tickling began to bug her as she irritably threw it to the side of her hip as the bottom of her leotard protected her solely. Although her outfit was fixed, her face had dropped in thought. “It didn’t protect me from Filch.”

“But now you’re stronger.” Mona looked over the other side of the counter. Leonardo and Michelangelo leaned back from their chairs, allowing Mona to view her little sister’s smile peek out from behind them. The lizard lady smiled along with a small laugh.

“Which is all the reason to start back up again if I’m going to be fighting giant pigs and rhinos and not cowardly men.” Mona winked at her sister. Venus brought her arms up in a fist and pumped them, following a “Yes!” that her sister has not only accepted Venus to fight with the brothers, but she too was in on it.

On a separate note, the family continued to eat and drink as they pleased, getting ready for their day ahead. Meanwhile, Mona continuously looked down at herself. The feeling of wearing her old mask again felt different around her eyes and eyebrows. Her eyes looked down t her midsection, which showed how much she had grown since she was thirteen. The leotard had a nice good stretch in it, but it did not feel tight on her lower body, but if she didn’t have the collar that connected it to her neck, it would have for sure slipped down her chest. Also having problems with her developed upper body was her corset. The pink string that secured it around her was used up more, which was evident as she tied it up the way she had always done. The corset itself also had some small gap between it, not fully containing her body with its shell. The only thing that felt right was the shoes. It was a happy day when she realized her feet had stopped growing so early on, and as sure as Chung I said, she had grown into them. Venus looked up to see her sister look at her body and outfit, tracing her finger on fabric and straps.

“I haven’t seen that outfit in years.” She commented. Mona gave her a half smile, but didn’t take her eyes off herself.

“Even back then it was ugly. There will be a makeover in due time. Hope the change will be as awesome as yours.” Her head turned to her sister. The female terrapin gave her sister one nod, ecstatic that she was finally able to provide a model for a way to live for her sister and not the other way around. The family stayed in the kitchen, eating their soul food and wondering what the rest of their day, their week, their month, and what their year will bring now that their family was bigger and fuller.

Her eyes gracefully opened. No sunlight shocked her pupils back into her long hibernation. Straightaway, she took in her surroundings. She was in the lair, normally full of life now dark and barren. Even the neon lights that would flash relentlessly dared not to show off their florescent lighting to her. She noticed that the ceiling above her was duct taped and cracked; she was in the living room, lying on the cardboard couch. Surrounding her body was a count of three velvet-y blankets. They began to fall off her body easily as she fidgeted her legs to free herself from the wrapping. Mona looked down at herself. Her body was bare of everything but a large, faded Spongebob t-shirt that stopped just above her knees. Free from her ribbon, her dark locks flowed down from her head. It has been a long time since Mona ever wore her hair down. She took account of it because she wasn’t used to the ends tickling her legs as she walked. At first, her legs refused to move. She felt like a newborn horse learning to walk again as she clutched onto the arm couch for support. The feeling in her legs began to pump blood and allowed her to gain enough control for her to walk. Arms crossed up to her obviously braless chest, she inspected the lair. Broken items were missing and it didn’t look like there was as much damage as she thought there was.

Could this be another mind trick, one that the Shredder had to hypnotize her to see? The Shredder. Kidnapping her, practically locked herself in her own head, letting her evil alter ego flaunt around in her provocative clothing while carrying out every single command he gave her. The horrific memories began to flow as her thought process flourished. Such scenes like Jazz putting his grotesque pig hands on her and she couldn’t do a thing about it. Then she remembered her family, sensei, the turtles, her sister. Although she felt no direct pains of being controlled towards the turtles and Master Splinter, she had a hard heart after remembering Venus. All the lies she told. Numerous times she wanted to tell herself to shut up and stop screaming at her sweet sister. Oh, how much pain she inflicted upon her. Even the smallest sight of seeing the small streak of blood trickle on the side of her face and escaping the depths of her mouth. She knew for sure she could have killed Venus for being so brutal. Thankfully, Venus overpowered her, cleansed her of the worm. She finally beat her older sis at a sparring match and Mona couldn’t be any happier.

“You’re awake?” Mona jumped and turned sharply. Before her stood the female turtle, whispering to her softly. No clear joy, no smile. Only subtle surprise.

“I’m alive.” Mona really wanted it to be her sister, not a trick by the Shredder, but she looked so different that she couldn’t be sure. “I never thought I would see you again. Me seeing you.” She tried so hard not to tear up in joy in fear that it will all go away from her. Mona tried to talk to her as if it were indeed real, but didn’t get her hopes up too much. Hopefully as she talks to her, she could determine if this Venus was indeed her. “How long has it been? Since I left?”

“Two months, including your two days of unconsciousness.” Venus kept her distance as she talked to Mona. She seemed insecure and detached. The female terrapin prayed that the worm did not mess up her mind, or worse. Underneath a broad strip of Mona’s hair, she could see her eyes widen in amazement.

“Whoa. That gave you enough time to beef up.” Mona had seen Venus that night, but she was too focused on her face to recognize the changes on her body. Venus looked down at herself. Indeed, the turtle did gain better definition in her triceps and legs over the course of Mona’s absence.

“I grew up.” The lizard lady saw the maturity in her voice and eyes, but they did not lack in any way the brightness they had when she left. She wanted to hug her so much for her growth without her, but refrained. “When you left, I struggled to gain some independence.” Venus admitted.

“I just didn’t want to get you hurt,” She looked up to the sides of Venus’ face. A bruise formed on the side from where she had hit her. It was obviously faded some, which meant it was much worse a week ago. The blood was washed from her mask, but Mona could still play the memory of it beading down the side of her head as she pushed her face into the floor. The sheer thought of it gripped onto her stomach, doubling her over and shying away from her. “But now I see I can hurt you too.” Venus’ hand slowly lifted itself involuntarily to the side of her hurt face.

“It wasn’t your fault. Shredder controlled you.” Venus assured her. She wanted to reach out to her sister, but Mona refused to look at her. Instead, her eyes looked down at herself, all the way down to her bare, webbed toes.

“Did he? Or did he bring a darkness out of me that was already there?”

“Darkness is only in so many beings.” Mona felt a hand grip her hair. It felt firm, but did not pull on her follicles. She looked up as she watched the hair covering her face be whisked back by her sister’s firm hand. Both felt tense, as they locked stares. “My cleansing brings pain to all with the darkest of hearts and intentions. Shredder is hurting. The worm is hurting. Anything in close proximity to me was hurting. Mona Lisa is not. Not like them.” Signs of Venus’ voice about to break were apparent in every sentence. Suddenly, her face began to drop; her eyes became half lidded as she tried to squeeze the tears back into her eyes. Her sister also began to squint as she tried to refuse slipping into sobs because of an illusion. As pained as her heart felt, Venus continued. “No darkness can come from a little girl who saved a baby turtle off the streets and adopts her as her sister.” The terrapin closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip as she attempted to proceed. “Nor does it come from someone who takes her to a completely different city to be protected by a league of warriors, leaving all their loved memories behind. The village, the house, Nan and Yujin, the magicians, our mentors, and Chung I.”

Those words, those memories. She knew she never told Shredder about any of that. Not the village they left behind along with the Chinese magicians along with Yujin and Nan. None of those topics came up. At that moment, Mona Lisa had lost it. Whatever held back her tears had given up to her powerful feelings. Venus’ eyes began to water too, but only let a smile and a hiccup out.

“Thank you.” Mona wiped away the small tears and the wet hair that stuck to her face. “Thank you for coming back for me.” She signed in relief for she was truly home and her real sister was hers again. Venus’ grip on her hair was released. Her hand slowly descended from the side of Mona’s interesting facial features, reaching all the way down to her shoulder. Just from her eyes, she could feel the love and joy that came over them. Then, Venus’ smile vanished as she looked down upon herself. Mona’s smile vanished too as she became concerned.

“Mona, I’m sorry, about what I said,” She looked up, revealing the tears that have somehow escaped. “You know, about not needing you.”

“Venus, don’t.” Like magnets, the two pulled one another close, embracing each other. The hug felt so good to feel their loved one again. Both let their sobs of joy out after being reunited with their sister again.

“It’s so good to have you back sister.” Venus whispered in Mona’s ear. The comment only made the lizard lady squeeze harder. Her sister laughed at the sudden squeeze and tried to match her just like they would when they were little. Venus could feel the side of her face being peppered in loving kisses, skin or bandana. After some time, the two let go of one another, assured that their time apart will be the last. Their hands slipped from each others bodies, but their hands kept intertwined as they held the others. “Guess who’s up, guys!” Venus shouted, beaming that the rest of the family will be as joyous as her. Mona lit up instantly as the first turtle sprinted out from the dojo. He gave her one quick glance from the entry way until he showed her a series of squeals and dances that seemed very similar to the “Quan”.

“Mona!” Mikey bellowed as he charged up to her. Swiftly, he gathered her upper body in his arms as he hugged her immensely.

“You hungry?” He asked with wide eyes, gripping her shoulders. Food was never a joke to Michelangelo. Mona nodded her head briefly.

“Yes, I am.” A laugh escaped as she answered.

“She wants food! Bring her some food!” He shouted into the unknown. Suddenly, his hands came off her shoulders and compressed her face by squeezing her cheeks. “You’re gonna be okay Mona, a’ight?” His blue eyes pierced into hers, but his concern for her was too humorous for Mona to not stifle a smile.

“Ok, yeah Mikey.” The lizard lady put her hands on top of his and pried them off of her face. “Get a grip, will ya?” Mikey let his hands hang on his side, put his grin never left.

“Did I hear somebody’s hungry?” The three swung their heads around from the voice emerging from the kitchen. With a hot plate of reheated Popeyes chicken and red beans and rice, Donatello’s goofy smile was a treasure to her. When the smell of the Cajun style food hit her nose, the lizard lady felt her stomach growl in anticipation. Purely out of hunger, Mona took the plate before gratefully hugging the giant turtle. As she reached up over his shoulders, Mona could feel the shirt rising and hastily tried to pull it down with the opposite hand until they left one another’s embrace.

“Whose shirt is this?” She asked quizzically, then remembered her chest and wrapped her arms back around her, her plate now digging at her side. Both Donatello and Michelangelo looked in opposite directions when they realized until Mona covered herself.

“Just an old nightshirt we had lying around.” Michelangelo answered.

“Then, where’s my stuff?”

“In the wash.” She felt the recognizable voice of the older rat. Beside him were Leonardo and Raphael, who had come from an unknown place in the direction of the dojo. Steadily, with his paws enclosed in the sleeves of his robe, Splinter made his way over to his daughter. Mona slowly bent over as he took her hands in his, putting them both together as he squeezed them gently. “It is good to see you again, my daughter.”

“It’s good to see you again, father.” Splinter chuckled lightly; his beady eyes grew bright and promising at her acceptance.

“Yeah, that last outfit you had on was not representable young lady.” Mona looked up at the sign of sarcasm in Leonardo’s voice as he took on the persona of a concerned parent. Splinter let go of her hands, letting her stand up straight and playfully take Leo’s scolding as the rebellious teenager.

“So, we burned it.” Raphael added. Without looking at each other, the two shared a victorious high-three to the side. Mona giggled in appreciation and set her plate on one of the sushi stools next to them. Her arms stretched out to hug Leonardo, who left his humorous persona to enjoy the return of their lost sister. Right after their hug, Mona stretched and arm out to grip the side of Raphael and pulled herself over him. He looked surprised for he was due to the rugged past the two had. Slowly but surely, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged back. Mona looked up from her face being smashed against his collarbone.

“Don’t think I didn’t see what you did.” She spoke low enough for their small circle to hear. All of a sudden, Raphael’s entire body tensed up as he saw her give him a small peck on the cheek in appreciation. So badly, Michelangelo wanted to take a picture of that goofy face he made as he tried to conceal his embarrassment and the blush on his cheeks. The rest of the family looked in surprise as well, except for Venus, who only giggled at the spectacle.

“Wow.” Donatello commented in monotone as he crossed his arms over his chest. “How do you get that reward?” Although feeling the least bit bad, both Venus and Michelangelo got the same idea as the two simultaneously hunkered him down for their lips to reach opposite sides of his cheeks. Both laughed at their own genius, as well as the rest of the family. Donatello merely shrugged his shoulders after exchanging glances with the two shorter turtles. “It’s a start.”

Mona released her grip on Raphael, who was still trying to stifle his embarrassment by putting on a brave face. The sight of her plate reminded her stomach that it was quite empty. Her hunger revived, Mona grabbed the plate and swung herself onto the couch and began to eat, having little in mind to use the fork that sat idly next to the fried chicken she was devouring. Her family looked on at her. At first, they watched sadly, feeling sorry about what has happened to the girl and not only the latest ordeal. Mona had been suffering for a long time, but now it was over. She was here, making the most pleasant noise as she ate. It was humorous, but the crisp sound of satisfaction lightened their mood.

Raphael’s face has cleared from his red blush as he watched her quietly.

“Now we can go house huntin’.” He commented. Mona looked up from her plate from a long time. The small, golden crumbs on her face made her family chuckle some.

“We’re leaving?” She spoke through the food that muffled her voice. Donatello nodded slowly.

“Yeah, Sacks and the Foot got in here twice. Probably should go find a new home.”

“We’ve lived here all our lives.” Leonardo placed his hands on Splinter’s shoulders lovingly. His sensei looked up at him with sympathy. “Gonna be tough leavin’ this place.”

“Hey, if Mona and Venus can do it then so can we.” Both Mona and Venus looked to the tallest brother, who returned their glances with a sly wink behind his tortoiseshell glasses. “Besides, we need a new place to room with our new sisters!”

“Yass!” Michelangelo danced around. He swiftly wrapped a wild arm around Venus’ shoulders and dragged her down as he fell to the couch. The two slammed against the back of it, pushing Mona back as well as the turtle’s weight became accumulated in the cardboard exterior. “Welcome to the fam! Ya’ll stuck with us now!” His opposite arm slunk around his other sister, who swallowed the food she was working on. Mona Lisa looked around herself. She was in the lair, the only safe place for her and her sister to live now. Surrounding her were smiles of those who are just like her and are as loveable as they are protective of one another. It wasn’t China, but they were now in a land of opportunity together. She and her sister, her four new brothers, and their new father would stand hand in hand as they grew up to together in a real home full of love and joy, much expanded from their last. Mona merely shook her head.

Every door began to look the same to her as she snuck around the mansion. Surprisingly, she had not come across anyone on her venture, which disturbed her most for it increased her chances on stumbling upon a mass of Foot ready to kill her.

Sound vibrations were sensitive on her ears as she heard a slight rustling behind one of the doors. The terrapin pushed her shell against the wall and leaned over slowly to peek inside the room. The left eye caught the only image she could handle until hastily retreating back to the wall. She’s seen that man before. From her visions, it was him. Eric Sacks, her buyer. He failed to sense her behind the door as he carried on with whatever he was doing behind that table. A weird tingling went on in her head and on the rear of her cheeks as she took a deep breath. She was scared and didn’t know if she could go on with her mission. Reminders and doubts began to fill her head out of fear from that one man who had done so much damage to them all. How could she even do this? This was her first actual mission, one without her sister behind her. Venus closed her eyes and bit her lower lip in pain. How could she do this? How could she do this? Her lime green eyes flashed fiercely and she quickly picked herself off of the wall.

“Where is she Sacks?” She demanded fiercely. Although she didn’t know how this was all going to go, and she was still pretty scared, Venus bet that if her attitude was as fierce as her sister’s, others would react the same to Venus as they would to Mona.

“Where is who?” Sacks uttered back, not paying attention to the turtle standing in the doorway. Venus’ posture and face dropped in feared disappointment that her rouse may not be working, but she quickly rushed those ideas out and scrunched herself up.

“Cut the act Sacks, I know you have her.” The older man lifted his eyes off the paper her was reading flat on the table. They were soulless and dead when he shared his eyes with hers. Venus had expected him to be a lot more excitable, but not in a good way, as to seeing her appearance. Instead, he looked on at her as if she were a normal human being who came to talk with him.

“Aphrodite. I heard you were alive but, I don’t know how.” She could feel him judging her and analyzing her body scientifically. “I didn’t even inject you with mutagen.” Building up her courage, Venus began to advance on him. She did it delicately so he wouldn’t flee because she wanted him to hear her.

“I know you didn’t. It was accidental. Just like how you accidentally left me behind that night.”   

“You may have been important at the time, but, lets face it.” He clasped his hands together in a single fist. “You were just a turtle.” His answer left no traces of remorse for her own feelings as he compared her to a common animal. Venus couldn’t describe how much he wanted to choke him for speaking to her like that, but she kept her hands to herself. She could sense a slight fear within him that is being masked by his cool disposition. Her plan could only go into full effect if she harmed him mentally and not physically. She now placed herself on the other side of the table. Sacks watched as she looked down at the papers that appeared upside down to her, but she wasn’t trying to read them.

“I learned a lot about you and project Renaissance. I know what my use was then,” The terrapin paused and her eyes left the table. Her deadly orbs pierced into his as she leaned forward on the tabletop, placing her arm underneath her. “And now you’re probably using my sister for the same purpose.”

“Your sister?” He asked surprised although he knew very well that Mona had spoken about her sister numerous times, but she wasn’t clear on what species this ‘Venus’ was.

“She’s the one who rescued me from the fire, unlike you!” She reached into her belt and took one of her fans out. It remained closed as she pushed the top of it to his chin, barely pushing his head up. Sacks could she her arm muscles twitch in anticipation and didn’t dare to move. The fame may be flimsy paper and wood, but the turtle used it as a weapon for a reason. Suddenly, Venus’ face lightened up. Her scrunched up face softened into an uncanny look of understanding and serenity. “But you know what? I’m okay with it.” She paused at every chance she could to convince herself that she truly believed what she said. “If that stupid fire didn’t happen fifteen years ago, I would be in a cage, never living my own life in you and your father’s dirty hands.” She saw the man look down for only a brief moment. “Maybe I’d be pregnant with one, maybe all the turtle’s babies ‘cause I know you have the technology for that. I’d never learn ninjitsu, speak Chinese, and have a real family that loves me for me.”

“That’s very touching.” He finally spoke since her fan pressed against his old chin. Her face squeezed again, scolding him.

“Mona leaves now. With me.” She spoke low.

“She is free to go,” Venus retired her fan to her belt. “That is, if she desires to.” He reached over into his pocket. It alarmed Venus until he pulled out a walkie-talkie device up to his lips. “Can I get Mona into the testing room?” he asked. Venus couldn’t believe it. Her rouse worked!

“Yes, Mr. Sacks. She’s on her way.” A voice answered back.

As they waited for the lizard lady to show, the two sat at the table in complete silence. Both felt a little uncomfortable as they stared into eachother’s eyes, trying to read eachother’s intentions. Both did not enjoy the company of the other; Sacks looked at her with wonder with how she came to be and whether she would be a bigger threat than the terrapin brothers; Venus looked at him not with hate, but felt sorry that he has chosen for his life path. Yet, both scolded the other.

Finally, they began to hear the click of heels coming down the hallway. Venus’ face lit up as she saw the familiar shadow of her sister.

“Mona?” Venus smiled wide and stood up straight from the table. Mona grabbed the side of the doorway and swung into the room. Her face was the first to be seen, which smiled deviously and not excitably at the turtle’s presence. From the new found light, Venus gasped in horror of her new style.

“Hello, Venus.” Her smile quickly faded away and so did Venus’. Why wasn’t she excited that they have come to rescue her just as she asked them to? Maybe her treatment here drained some of her joy out of her.

“What have they done to you? What is this?” Venus’ voice choked, looking at the skimpy clothing her sister now donned. They must have forced her to wear it. Those monsters! Now, the nightmare will be over and Mona could be reunited with them.

“I could say the same for you.” Mona continued in monotone. “Ditched the traditional Chinese rags. Good for you.”

“The guys are here too. Ready to go home?” The light blue banded turtle took her sister’s hand lovingly. It was the first time in forever since she felt her webbed fingers in her grasp again. Her sister looked down in surprise, but then she scrunched up her face.

“That’s just the problem. I’m not sure you and those turtles are exactly ‘home’.” Her eyes glared into her sister’s, angrily she looked at her. Venus shook her head.

“Don’t bring up that whole moving back to China thing. We need to go.” At once, Venus yanked on her arm and continued to drag her out of the room. “We’ll be back Sacks for some unfinished business.” She grumbled. Suddenly, she felt Mona pull back, taking her hand out of hers.

“You didn’t listen to what Sacks said! I’m not going back!” She yelled.

“Mona, stop it!”

“You’ve abused me, all of you!” Her eyes began to glisten as she screamed “I screamed, I shouted your names… and you never came!” Finally, Mona’s voice cracked and a tear fell down her cheek. “You and Chung I didn’t protect me!”

“I was ten! Me and Chung I were out of the house; helping Mr. Shang with his sheep herd, remember? We couldn’t help!” Venus tried to take Mona by the hand again, but the reptilian girl swatted at her hands with her tail, driving Venus backwards.

“That’s not what I’ve been told. Why would you think I’d come back after being locked up in a small box and sent here to work as those turtle’s servants? They liked you so much that they let you be served by me. What did you do then? Command me to get you beers and cigarettes when you knew you were all underage.” The terrapin grew confused.

“Beers and cigarettes? Where’s this coming from?” Never did they lock her in a box and they sure didn’t use her as a servant. Beers and cigarettes? A true warrior would not succumb to such poisons, underage or not. She must be trying to use a lie to cover up something. That stubborn Mona!

“The same place where I’m not going.” She wiped the tear falling out of her eye and narrowed her brows. Unhooking the loops behind her back, Venus saw the ball and chain of her naga surujin fall behind her. “This ends now!” Mona took a fighting stance, her naga surujin in hand and swinging the end with the ball at her side.

“Mona, I don’t want to hurt you.” Venus pleaded, withdrawing her fans all the same.

“Good, makes my job that much easier.” She growled. Venus closed her eyes, hoping all of it was just a dream. A terrible dream she was going to wake up from and be back in the lair with her full family by her side. Her sister never grew angry with her and the Foot never dared to infiltrate their home. This all had to be a lie, but no matter how many times she wished for it all to be fake, Venus knew this was all too real. Suddenly, she had a realization. Something sparked within her as she got the most unusual feeling. The vibes transmitting through her, it was Mona’s.

“Your emotions.” She listened and felt them as they surged within her. “They are… not real.” The turtle’s eyes grew wide when she looked back up at her snarling sister. The reality was real, but her sister wasn’t.

“As real as this?!”

Mona’s surujin was already swinging hard as she aimed for her turtle sister’s feet. To avoid a brutal blow to the toes, Venus back-flipped to avoid any contact. Despite her resistance to hit her sister, the other end was happy to continue swinging the ball and chain at her. Mona tried to strike her again, hard when the turtle was in the air but missed. Mona’s body was hunched over to the side after missing with so much strength behind it. Venus took the opportunity to push her sister back by bringing a swinging kick to the shoulder. It pushed the reptilian girl to the floor. When she tried to get back up, Venus didn’t take the chance and used her momentum to deliver a separate kick out of the spin to the top of her chest. Finally, she had brought Mona to her back who groaned in some pain. Venus didn’t want it to hurt as much as it did but she had to if she was going to win. The terrapin tried to pounce on top of her so she could disarm her and see if she could find Mona’s problem spiritually. In the wake, Mona saw the turtle coming and stuck up a heel and her hands up. The heel didn’t hurt against her plastron stomach, but with the aid of it and her hands, it sent the turtle flying over her. Gracefully, Venus spun horizontally until she hit the floor on all fours. Her breath grew out of frustration. Venus rarely got to beat Mona in sparring matches back home. Now, she had to win or she would lose her sister forever. Her motives replaying in her head thrust her forward as she charged at Mona, who was picking herself off of the ground. Before she could stand fully, Venus jumped up and brought her fist back, ready to strike. She punched down on her stomach, but missed for Mona had dodged to the side. With incredible strength and speed, Mona wrapped a tight hand on her forearm and the other on her back arm, bending it behind her back. Mona would be giving Venus her first hug since she left if she wasn’t immobilized and in a bit of pain. In such close proximities, Venus looked in horror as to how much rage forced itself into the eyes of an artful girl. Mona curved her back and brought up a knee to lift Venus’ feet off the ground, taking her to the floor with her. By this, Mona pressed Venus’ head to the dirty floor. Venus blessed that her neck stayed strong and refused to break by such a deadly move. She could feel the ball end of her sister’s weapon tap against her back, which feared her greatly. Both were unbalanced, pushing the two of them over. The turtle girl strained to roll on her shoulder and not her neck when she was the bottom result of the toppling. Her sister however had flipped and remained on her feet. Quickly, Venus kicked her on the upper thigh, ensuring her sister couldn’t perform any more deadly stunts with her. The kick over her body help Venus roll up to her feet and her sister to roll on the ground before gaining the momentum to stand again.

Venus was starting to get tired from the struggling fight and opened the fold of her fans swiftly. The sound of unfolded paper and the flash of white made the terrapin feel more comfortable to know she had more years of experience with her hands than Mona had with her own naga surujin. Venus charged as her sister, the wooden parts before her to avoid air resistance. Mona stood there and began to swing her naga surujin. She took a step back to position herself as the charging Venus came closer. Mona waited until Venus was in perfect position for her. Her webbed hand let the ball end go. It cut through the air like a bullet until it released all of its energy into Venus’ forearm when it caught her and wound itself around twice. With her catch, Mona pulled on it fiercely, dragging the turtle warrior forward. The reptilian fighter moved out of the way when the turtle’s velocity propelled her to her. Mona pulled again, away from her body. The jerk pulled Venus towards Mona, who landed a good knee to the cheek and brought her under her. Venus could taste a small amount of blood begin to develop in her mouth when she slammed onto the floor. The chain was still wrapped around her arm, in which Mona pushed down against Venus’ hard shell. Harshly, Mona jumped onto the back of the turtle, happily seated for she had defeated her captor. At that moment, she began to her whimpers and the jolts coming from the turtle’s shell. Still on her back, Mona leaned over to look at the face of the bloodied and teary turtle. It gave her great pride to watch her suffer this way with herself unscathed.

“What happened to you?” Venus whispered under her tears. A small drop of blood escaped her mouth and onto the floor. “Chung I raised you better than this.”

“I have no respect for that sorry excuse for a magician! My loyalty is with the Shredder.” Venus felt Mona pushing her arm down harder on her back and leaning over into her ear, which pressed her face further into the ground. The floor tasted metallic to her as she struggled to breathe.

“Chung I raised us! He saved us off of the streets!”

“And left us no where to go in New York!”

“No, Shredder taught you all wrong. He didn’t leave us!” Her voice hurt, sore from yelling, sore from fighting, sore from not speaking out. “He died, Mona. In China.” Her face began to lift itself off the ground. Venus looked up from the corner of her eye to see Mona sit up straight. Her eyes looked up to the ceiling.

“Chung I is finally gone? My soul can rest easier now.” She sighed in relief, eyes closed and taking in the freshness of justice. Seeing her act in such a way burned inside Venus.

“You have no soul!” She shouted into the ground. Mona grew alarmed when she saw a mysterious blue light flash underneath her. “Not anymore!”

Venus’ legs curled up to where Mona was and crossed around her neck. With as much force as she could give, Venus brought her legs back down, sliding Mona off of her back and her upper body hit against the floor. The reptile couldn’t believe it had happened. She looked up in shock. Venus hastily unwrapped the chains from her arm and threw them behind her. The green and black of her eyes disappeared and now glowed white in the place of them. The light blue flash came from the aura seeping through the palms of her hands like a mist. The eyes may have been new and she has seen her hands glow, but Mona couldn’t prepare herself for the mystical black and white beams swirl around her. The white beam swam in and out of her right side and the black on the left until they joined behind her, creating the Yin Yang symbol.

“I am the voice of the great magician, Chung I.” Mona cowered down at the sound of Chung I’s low and elderly voice playing behind Venus’. The sound of it brought the fear back in her heart, unable to move. “Surrender my sister now or the consequences will be dire.”

“I’ve got to get out of here.” Both had forgotten the silent man who stood behind the table, watching the spectacle. His worried face revealed all of his fears about Venus being a powerful being, possibly more powerful than the four boys.

“Don’t be scared Sacks.” Mona toughened and put her hand up to him to stop his movements. Seeing that he was in no position to leave, Mona looked back to her glowing sister. “I don’t care! I’m not under Chung I’s spell! You are not my sister!” Without her naga surujin, Mona was left to use her bare claws. “Time to die!” Instantly, Mona charged the glowing figure in hopes to grab her throat and claw at it. All the while, Venus stood there. His fists, down. Her feet, straight as she allowed her to approach her.

“All power surges within me. When I am threatened, I shall strike. Even if you claim you are not, you fear me. I am a Kunoichi, and when my world is in chaos, I command it to,” Mona was just about to grab Venus’ vulnerable throat, but the strength of her and Chung I’s apprehended her, squeezing her three fingered hands onto the sides of Mona’s reluctant head. “STOP!” Surges of white and black light engulfed the two as magic worked itself around Mona. The reptile lady’s head was shocked painfully as the worm within her was separated from her brain. Venus tried to submit some of her own memories to force Mona’s false ones to remind her of where she came from and who she was. Overwhelmed by the insertion of the new information that went against its programming, the worm unlatched from her head and was catapulted far away from her and landed on the floor. Once the worm had left her cranium, the bright light grew brighter, so bright that Sacks would have been blinded if he didn’t duck behind the table.

Meanwhile in the hall holding the quarters, the eight mutants were still going at each other. Tokah and Rahzar had both been tired out quickly and refused to fight until they took a nap. Jazz grew frustrated that the two babies crawled back into their cells and tried to retire despite his orders for them to continue to “play”. Now, it was he and Ellis versus the four turtles. Before they could determine a winner, a loud voice screamed “STOP!” Both sides looked over to where the scream had come from. As low and intimidating as it was, they were able to ignore the undertone and figure out its source.

“That’s Venus!” Leonardo he shouted fearfully. The four brothers looked back into the darkness, scared beyond their wits of what could have happened. Not too long, they heard a painful shriek.

“Mona!” Jazz shouted. The brothers looked back at him, confused as to why he seemed so worried. She was one of them, not the other way around. Jazz took off, his giant body swishing side to side as he took off to find her. The turtles and the newly named “Rocksteady” followed closely behind.

It didn’t take long as they saw the herds of Foot running into a room, guns in hand. The boys entered the room as comfortably as if they were the Foot themselves, yet kept their weapons up and eyes keen for any sudden moves. Upon walking into the room, they saw them all stare at the crime scene. There was both Venus and Mona on the floor and tired. Neither could comprehend what had happened, but by the looks of blood on Venus and the unresponsiveness of Mona Lisa, they could conclude a power struggle had taken place.

“Ey, bay bay.” Jazz pushed the surrounding Foot away with his massive size. He went to Mona’s side. He looked down on her. She looked so peaceful for someone who had been knocked out. “I’mma get you outta her’.” Jazz assured her with a smooth voice as he went to bend over.

“Don’t touch her!” Raphael roared. Jazz looked up. He pushed his purple glasses off of his snout and onto the top of his head. Raphael approached him threateningly, in which Jazz stood defensively.

“This is my main b*tch, you better step-!” Before he could finish, he was knocked out by a hard blow to the face by the red clad turtle. The giant pig fell backwards into the arms of Foot who were too weak to catch him on their own.

“That was for Mona!” He shouted at the disoriented pig. Those surrounding in the back scrambled to get away in fear from his mock charge. His brothers stayed back to give their brother space. Raphael’s body curved over hers as he bent down. His big arms slid under her legs, gathering them together as the other arm slid underneath her upper back. Slowly, he picked her body off of the ground. Her head lulled back, resting perfectly on his gigantic arm. His fears of her possibly being dead faded away as he stared at her stirring in his care. Subtle movements of her arm and legs that dangled down assured that she was asleep. Her big snout pressed against his body, along with the rest of her torso turning towards him for more comfort. Mona must have been cold from either Venus’ spell or the skimpy clothes she was forced to wear.

With all attention on Mona, Donatello’s caring and doctoring instincts brought him to kneel to Venus. To his amazement, she was still conscious, but pained definitely.

“You okay? He asked as he pulled her torso up to his sloped thighs to keep any possible blood in her mouth to drain and keep her from choking.

“Mona was being controlled.” Venus coughed. Donatello lightly patted her arms sympathetically. “I flushed all the evil that surrounded her.”

“What does that mean?” Venus looked up to him and gave him a weary smile.

“You should ask the Shredder.” As much as she wanted to laugh, the turtle girl was just too tired to. Donatello felt a light draft brush by him. He looked up to see Raphael who began to head for the door.

The thugs undeniably let him walk right past them as he made way for the exit.

“Raph?” The red do-rag turned slightly. From the corner of his eye, he could see his three brothers staring at him. Their slack jawed expressions were matched with confused stares. “Raph, where are you going?” Leonardo asked quizzically.

“Home.” He answered back as nonchalant as possible.

“What about the bad guys?” Michelangelo lifted his nunchucks up higher, ready to pounce on anyone at any second, but Leonardo began to tip them down with a katana.

“We got what we came for.” He spoke behind him, and then proceeded to walk out of the room with Mona in her arms. Surprised, the brothers exchanged glances with one another, then to the soldiers who began to lower their weapons slowly. Despite their own motives to continue the fight between them and the Shredder, the two boys slowly put their arms at their side.

“Leo?” Donatello motioned his brother over to the downed turtles. With a twirling finger, he asked him to turn around and bend over slightly. Because of the multiple things strapped to his back, Leonardo was the next best choice with only his katana on his back and was trusted enough to be careful with her. Gently, as to not hurt or dislocate anything that could be broken, Donatello struggled with Michelangelo to get Venus up. Her legs crouched up and twisted around his torso. Michelaneglo placed her arms around his neck, making sure she was secure. Getting the okay from Venus that she was capable of hanging on, they let Donatello lead Leonardo with Venus on his back out of the room. To secure the backside, Michelangelo didn’t leave the room without showing the leftover Foot his awesome skills if they were to try something funny.

Sacks’ vision was blurred as he began to come to. He could see a dark figure look over him critically and silently.

“What is it Karai?” Suddenly, he realized where he was. He was still behind the table in the testing room to hide from Venus’ magic. He must have passed out. How could he pass out because of some stupid lightshow? He couldn’t be that light-hearted now, could he? “Where are they?” He demanded from her. Karai scrunched her nose in disgust.

“Gone. Home.” Sacks got up from behind the table. His legs were still tired and his head spun from getting up so quickly.

“Why didn’t you stop them? Go get them back! Now!” He ordered frustrated. Instead of sucking it up and completing her orders, Karai stood there in front of him. Sacks glared at her defiance and ordered her once more, barking. She continued to stand there, unafraid.

“You let four turtles escape first time, now, you let six leave. All your fault.”

“How could you blame this on-?” Karai cut him off abruptly.

“Your fault!” She barked. “The camera showed you watching the turtle glow. Did not phone help. Did not call father. Did not do anything, but watch.”

“Where is Master Shredder?”

“Sick. After the turtle girl’s explosion, father fell unconscious.” Karai explained.

“Well, if father is sick, then I am next in command.”