Chapter 7 Part 1
Ever since she was young, Karai knew what the real world was like.
She knew that no matter how many good things you do or how many people you save, the world will continue to be cruel. Age, gender, or race had nothing to do with it. The world was just cruel.
So she didn’t care about how extreme the Shredders training was. She didn’t care that they used living targets for physical exams. She didn’t care about lying to her sister about how much the bruises and scars on her body stung.
Karai knew it just didn’t matter. She knew she was selfish for lying towards someone who had been outright charitable to her, a completely strange and new girl.
So that’s why she let April get close to her. Out of greed and selfish longing. While Karai spied on Aprils closest friends and organized their abduction, the hidden warrior was leading her down a rabbit hole of lies and false emotion. There was nothing more to her actions than just creating an alibi. Right?
Then why did she openly feel things around April about the things she wouldn’t around anyone else. Except Jennika of course. Karai didn’t have a crush on her that’s for sure(it was painfully obvious that the blue turtle already covered that job). But some kind of bond was made between the red headed news girl and the silent ‘badass’(as April occasionally teased her as). That kind of trust and light heartedness was definitely like what she had with her sister.
In some ways the two were very similar. They both were very open about their emotions and passions. A gift to express opinion that Karai can only barely remember. But April probably didn’t know how to play rock songs off the top of her head or who Lita Ford was(a common topic her sister talked about when they had free time to imagine what future they may have after their father completed his plans). And Jennika probably had no clue how to write a newspaper or how to connect the dots to a giant undercover plot based on notes and a few pictures on a messy old school board.
“That’s actually kinda cool.” She had once said when April was showing some of her work.
A buzz from her phone broke Karai out of her trance as she hung on one of the pipes of a rooftop water tower above what appeared to be an abandoned factory. April had texted her saying: COME NOW BIG BREAK!!! The brisk night air and the blare of city lights begged her to stay for longer and enjoy the sight. It was the first time she had seen anything like it. Wait until I tell Jennika about this. But she had to go now if she was gonna help with the last few of the turtles. Which means back to oppressive training and no more actually getting to go out without fear of getting caught. So she wasn’t gonna miss out on her last chance to enjoy that little freedom.
Karai hooped down from the roof into a back alley before continuing to her and Aprils hangout spot on the sidewalk.
Normal cities were strange. They were much different than what she had been taught by her mentors. They were indeed chaotic but not with violence and gore decorated streets. They had a certain rhythm and style that left you in awe by the appeal. Jennika always said those old cronies were wrong. Now Karai could believe that.
Besides it’s not the rest of humanity that’s the problem it’s the mutants right? It’s not their fault that they had been tricked and manipulated. Right?
But something was strange about the mutants(other than their appearance obviously)that stuck to Karai.
They
Acted as if they were
Normal kids
Like April and Jennika. They could be cringy and emotional and sometimes even funny. They portrayed what seemed to be personalities and feelings? The thought of seeing the orange one, Mikey as they called him, in pain made Karai uncomfortable and squirm with sheer pity for hi-
NO no no. Stop. Stop that right now. Remember your training. They’re just trying to trick you. Their pitiful pain-filled heart aching faces are just an act. It’s not real. Besides even if it is-which it isn’t-it’s nothing compared to what they have done to your family. What they have done to you.
Karai huffed as she pushed those thoughts aside and walked briskly up the steps of Eastman High. Strange. Her senses seemed more heightened than usual. The smell of sweat and pen ink grew stronger than their usual stench. She was about to reach for the door until she looked down at her arm. Scales.
Kuso! Okay! Okay okay okay! Don’t panic! Remember your teachings . . . again.
Rushing to keep It at bay, Karai rushed for her bag and pulled out her elixir. Within seconds she had downed the drink and her scales slowly sunk back under her skin. Vanishing into no where. Where It belonged instead of inside of her body.
Echoes from her past rushed through her body. Her breathing was still in sharp panicked huffs and only grew shakier with the pain of her past. Noticing this Karai gripped the back of her neck and bent her head back. She attempted her breathing exercises as the fangs in her mouth shrunk away and her tongue no longer lingered of the surrounding smells.
Ochitsuke Karai. Just breath.
Finally shaking the last of It away, Karai opened the door to the school and finished her journey. By the time she made it to April’s “news room”, she took one final breath before opening the door.
Just Breathe. She doesn’t need to know. No one does.
And no one will.
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Hope y’all like this chapter. It’s not as progressive in the story than usual but at least you get a peak inside Karai’s mind. Since this wasn’t as progressive as usual I decided to leave a little Easter egg from The Strength in Weakness by @truths33k3r4 a personal favorite content creator of mine(hope you don’t mind that I did this). Sorry for not posting this sooner but it was kinda rough juggling that and art and school and family and- just everything. So I hope you like it.
Cowabunga turtle fanz!
HELLO NEW OOT!! WANT SOME HOT CHOCO OR A BLANKET AND SNACKS?
Sure thanks! I appreciate the offer since this is my first time doing anything like this. I hope you like my content so far and just let me know if you have any suggestions.
the fact that Donnie’s first instinct instead of getting into a safe hiding spot but to get as close to Mikey as possible is just
🥺
People need to watch this because it is cinematic GOLD!! You did an amazing job on this @truths33k3r4 and I love to see how you portray your story. I hope you are very proud of yourself for making this and that you will continue to do this if it makes you happy and if we get to see more of this story in this way.
If you’re a fellow SIW and @truths33k3r4 fan this is definitely the video for you.
Cowabunga turtle fanz!
SIW AUDIO BOOK Chapter 1 - Sneak Peak
This is a test. :) For a little while now, I have been getting comments to turn my tmnt story, " The Strength in Weakness “ into an audio book. And I prayed about it for a good amount of time, as well if God wanted me to try. So eventually, I decided to give it a shot. :) This is the result! If this video reaches 1,000 views by May 10th, then I’ll continue making my story into an animated audio book. :)
Voice Talents and Editing by Melissa Story written by Melissa Music and Sound Effects by Epidemic
Sound To God be the glory!
~ Melissa
Damn it I forgot to add Glelphie and Sonadow!
Can you guys help me decide how imma redraw this scene?
sorry I haven’t posted more digital art lately but I lost my apple pen😭
Urgent Appeal for Help from Gaza💔
My name is Inas, a mother of five, living in Gaza. Our lives were once filled with hope until a bomb exploded in my husband’s car, injuring him and killing those with him. My home, which I built after taking a loan from the bank, was bombed, and now we have no means of livelihood.
We are living in a tent without proper shelter, and my children are suffering from illnesses and malnutrition due to the lack of basic supplies. They lack clothing and blankets, and have lost their school year due to constant displacement. I long for the day when they can feel safe, with food and warmth, at least, as they have suffered enough.
We urgently need your help. 200 SEK is about 20 dollars. Your support could provide us with shelter, food, and renewed hope🥹😓💔
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HOLD ON!!!
What if that bitch Kitsune is an actual KITSUNE!? LIKE THE YOKAI!!
Chapter 10 Part 1
“For years, I have trained you.”
Her father began standing before his throne. Karai stood with her head bowed. She knew this was coming. But the shock and fear still found a way to creep into her.
“Perfected you. Raised you. Created a vision into what this clan could live up to.”
Her father’s cold voice became harsher and harsher as it rose on each word. He paced to the wall.
“And now . . .”
Her father punched the wall, immediately creating a spiderweb of cracks.
Shimata
Karai had never seen anything good happen when he was this filled with rage. She needed to think of something. Anything. Now.
“THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?! BY SURRENDERING THE MISSION?! BY NOT ONLY LETTING THEM LIVE! BUT TO ALLOW THEM TO ESCAPE AS WELL. THOSE VILE RATCHET BARBARIC CHIKU-”
“There are more.”
A beat of silence followed Karai’s interruption.
“What?”
Oh shimata that actually worked. Keep Going!
“There are more mutants. Than the four terrapin creatures. From what I gathered they consider themselves a family. Cousins and siblings.”
Her father’s figure loosened from its original stature. Moving to have his arms crossed behind him, back facing Karai. “And? What importance does this have to your failure?”
Karai was fighting both her giddy relief and anxiety at this point. To massive beast clawing at the edges of her mask.
“So instead of raising alarm to all of the mutants by obtaining a small group, why not use my role more to our advantage? If I gathered enough information you could devise the perfect plan to obtain all of the mutants. TCRI will have so many mutants in reach that they are more than likely to leave the majority to your disposal.”
A long stretch of silence came before the two warriors. Karai was preparing herself for the worst. Any day could be the end so she had to be prepared.
“You have impressed me my daughter. You may proceed with the mission. I will contact TCRI.”
She let out a heavy breath of relief. That was close.
“But. You still disobeyed me. And therefore a punishment must be imposed to restore your honor.”
Karai hesitated before bowing once more. There was no point in fighting or begging for this to stop. She chose this path but she wouldn’t be foolish enough to leave it to head into the woods.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He really let his anger out with that.
Karai hissed as she covered a bruise forming on her cheek. This was the least of her problems. She had plenty of other injuries. Plus 2 weeks of being suspended from field work.
That meant no school. No kickboxing. No hanging out with April. . . Nevermind. That still wasn’t an option until she apologized. But hey. She only had to wait 2 weeks for that awkward conversation. Yaaay
Speaking of which, Karai might as well have put her mask back on before she walked into her shared room. But no she was too tired for that and could use a discussion with Jennika no matter how restricted the seriousness of the tone could be.
She was already half way to her bed before her sister noticed her arrival. She was fiddling with her guitar. A common sign that quite the show had happened while she was gone.
“You will not believe how low Lieutenant has fallen. I saw him sparring with like 2 newbies, straight of the street, and they beat his ass so go-”
Jennika stopped mid sentence as Karai dropped to sit on her bed. Her wide smile of mischief was swapped with a look of concern melting from rage to annoyance. Jenn threw done her guitar carelessly.
“Ano meinu no musuko.” Karai’s roommate grumbled as she dug around for their first aid kit. They always made sure to have one in case of training or . . . situations. Like this.
Karai didn’t need to handle another situation right now. Especially if it put Jennika in danger. “Hey. Don’t bring my grandmother into this.”
Jenn turned her head furiously. “Unless she was like you then I don’t give a shit.”
“And if she was?” Karai playfully countered.
“Then screw me. At least she probably wasn’t half as reckless with her body as you are with yours.” Jenn flicked her forehead. Karai didn’t mind. She managed to lighten the mood.
Instead of focusing on Jenn’s poor medical technique, she started to pick that the fabric of the mattress. It was soft and firm.
. . .
“Jenn.”
Her sister hummed in response.“Thanks for breaking the tension. Felt like I was bouta choke on it.”
That got a chuckle out of both of them.
“I . . . I need you to call me a different name. When we’re out doing missions.”
“Is this because of the talk that got you and dad into this whole situation?” Jenn dramatically jestured to her face at the last bit.
Karai was honestly a little shocked. Her sister was blunt to say the least. But not usually when it came to situations. One of the few topics where she kept her opinion to herself. Karai was used to and thankful for that.
It wasn’t much of a topic one would like to discuss.
“Can we not talk about it?”
“Who said we would?”
Karai really did try not to let the feelings show but somehow they snuck onto her face. Jenn seemed to notice, seeing by the way her face detensed. She let out a frustrated sigh.
“Whatever happened, all I know is the only reason you’re here is because whatever you did that upset him was important enough to you to make you do it and find excuse to get you out.” Jenn pressed her forehead against Karai’s. “As long as you’re still smart and careful enough to keep getting out alive enough to be fixable then I don’t need to ask anything.”
Karai smiled as she leaned into her sister. “Watashi?”
“Anata.”
They sat for a while. It was dangerous to have moments like this in public. Compassion can be used easily as a tool against you in a ninja clan. Especially one as prestige as the Foot. So they saved this for their room. When they needed a place and person to let the walls fall down.
Jenn broke the silence by getting up to pick up her guitar. “So.” She clapped on the word. “What do you want me to call you? On the field?”
Karai thought about that for a minute. Looking around the room before landing on her bed. An old ichimatsu doll rested in the corner. Supposedly from her mother. She remembered blurs of being quite attached to the thing. But could never hook onto the memory of how the silky hair had become stained from blood.
“How about Miwe?”
Jenn snorted as she flopped back on her bed, guitar in her lap. “Alright! I like it. You ready to hear about what happened while you were gone now, Miwe.”
Karai chuckled at the thought of such antics. “Sure. I’ve got time to kill.”
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ONE MORE PART AND WE’RE DONE WITH THIS STORY!!! Ah I had so much fun writing the sisters ever in the Foot (yes they are sisters and no they aren’t a ship). As well as sprinkling in a little lore. Stay tuned for the last part.
Cowabunga turtle fanz!
last fictional character in your camera roll adopts you challange
MAMA NOCEDA!!!!
Tag time! @wingstobetorn @willwatts81 @nosleep83 @duckdodger @lordshroom
last fictional character in ur camera roll just adopted u
(Yes I did do this only because I want him to adopt me. Fuck off)
tags: @cryptidwithaninternetconnection @reggie-the-inferi @gingerbreadeel24 @pickupstyx
and whoever the fuck sees this
Chapter 9 Part 1
Flashes of the fight flew past Leo’s eyes. Hands grabbing him. Arms locking him into place before the sharp pain his neck. Donnie and Raph’s faces as his head pounded before a numb shock.
RAPH! DONNIE!
Leo snapped his head up like a nutcracker slamming against another skull. Ow ow ow ow OW! Loud muffled voices were turned to his direction before something hit him back. OW!
Through his tight wince he opened his eyes. Whoever these people were, they put a duffel bag on his head. It made him feel stuffy and hot, feeling his own struggling breathes against his face.
He tried moving his arms but an arm around each of his own as well as a cold metal chain kept them in place behind him. Now normally this would be any easy feat to put a persons hands behind their back. But Leo was not normal and had shell. So he had to deal with the high discomfort of both chains and the edge of his shell. Greeaat.
Come on Leo! Think!
His legs were free. Maybe he could use that. He was, unfortunately to Raph’s liking, very bad on his feet but he was still a ninja.
Leo sucked in breath before trying to lock his legs in place. But his feet were just dragged against the harsh cement. And that hurt. Before he could try again, he was forced onto his knees, scrapping even more on the cement. A hand pushed down on the back of his shell as another yanked the duffel bag off his head.
There was no blinding light in face like they did in movies thank God but instead a darkness only shied away from by the moonlight.
Leo’s thought got cut short by a hands yanking his head back up. The face he was met with was one he would definitely avoid if he saw it at any other time. The face of some jerk who believed everyone should bow down or become some kind of zombie henchmen just by their presence. A manic smile crept up his face. “Well what do you know? The plan worked.”
What plan? I don’t have time for this I have to get back to Raph and Donnie and find-
“Leo?”
His little brother sounded so scared. But he was here. He was ok. Leo found him.
“Mikey?”
But his relief was quickly replaced by rage and his own fear looking at his brother’s body. Bruises in variety of sizes and color were almost everywhere. Blood trickled down the back of his neck and down his arms. None of those wounds managed to compare with the fear on his face. The fear caused by them.
Leo didn’t think through the swirling panic in his brain. Thrashing against the tight hold of the chains on his arms and hand on his face. “LET US GO!” He growled eyes screwed shut to avoid whatever could trigger him further on the outside.
Anxiety had quickly added itself to the storm in his brain. Lightning bolts of pain from struggles added to the pressure. He needed to get Mikey away from here now. His littlest brother was hurt and scared. He needed to be treated by at least Raph immediately. The injuries that peaked around from the back of his skull hinted that he had been slammed against the pillar behind him.
What if his shell was cracked? What if it was bleeding? What if-
Another sharp thwack of a spike bristled hand against Leo’s head broke him from his suffocating thoughts. The jerk in front of him forcefully grabbed his chin, yanking his head up to look at the cruel smile that formed. He was enjoying this. He was enjoying their pain and suffering like a tv show. “How about, no?”
As Leo face scrunched up in hatred, his captor broke into a cruel chuckle. “You two will be staying right here. That is until you’re ready for pick up.”
Through his anger, he shot a quick glance at his little brother. But who he saw didn’t look like Mikey. The orange banded turtle before him looked too stunned for that. Too lost. Too quiet. Too blinded by fear with no hope of optimism. But worst of all he looked too much like he had a month ago. When they were all healing and his little brother could barely hold it together.
Mikey was the one that made them feel better who built them back up when they got taken down. When Donnie got cyber bullied and it made him question himself Mikey talked him through it. When Raph got into big arguments with him Mikey talked to him in a way that made him listen for once. When Leo had a sensory overload Mikey was there with his breathing lessons and a favorite movie.
All of those times when they hadn’t felt like themselves, Mikey knew what to do. Almost like he knew them better than they did. But now Leo was looking at a turtle he wasn’t sure was the same.
Leo wanted to comfort him. To tell him it was gonna be ok. To take him home and make sure that he would be ok.
Sounds of vehicles in the distance stopped the conversation. “Ah. I guess you’ll be leaving sooner than I thought.”
No no no no no no No NO!
They couldn’t leave yet. Leo needed to find Raph and Donnie. He needed to tell them to stay away from here. He needed to get away from here. He needed to at least get Mikey out of here.
In the middle of his panic, Leo spotted a shadow moving above him. When he looked in the direction of the action, aka the giant whole in the ceiling, another shadow vaulted past. With … a glint of light reflecting off … something? Like glass?
Glasses! Donnie! Raph!
Leo must have let his excitement show because his captor turned to glare at where he was staring before swiftly returning it to the mutant. “What are you smiling about fre-?”
“GET THE SHELL AWAY FROM MY BROTHERS ASSHOLE!”
In a flash, Raph smashed his foot into his face, sending the criminal flying to the other side of the warehouse. After he made quick work of the two holding him in place his twin rushed to his side. “Leo!”
“Raph!” Leo excepted the embrace. Thank God. After a moment Raph pulled back unsheathing two swords, handing them off to him. Right. We still have a mission here. “Thanks.” Leo could hear Donnie in the background. He rose to his feet as he spoke. “You and Donnie fend the rest of these guys off. I’ll get Mikey. But when I give the signal we’re out here.”
“Got it.” Raph ran off to the fight as Leo turned to get to Mikey. Either his plan in action no one who was nearby needed anything more than a kick or a shove out of the way.
When Leo got to his little brother the weights on his chest felt like they were drop down his throat and into his stomach. Mikey hanging limp against the chains holding him up. He put a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to gently shake him awake, his voice dropping to a flat mutter. “Mike. Come on.”
Mikey groaned in response, hissing when Leo clenched the bruise forming on his shoulder too hard. Stepping back and taking a breath, Leo broke the chains in one swing. With Mikey detached from the pillar, he had a clear shot of the damage. It was cracked all spiraling to a whole in the center. Right where his head was. Coated with a thin layer of blood. The back of Mikey’s head looked like anyone could dent it with the smallest touch. But no one would probably ever wanna do that from the mere sight of it.
God Mikey. I’m so sorry.
Leo readjusted his little brother onto his back in a piggyback ride. “Raph! NOW!”
His twin stood beside Donnie as they both looked back with nod. Raph pulled a smoke bomb out of his pouch raising into the air. Leo raised his one as they smashed them down in unison and Pow!, they were gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the rooftops Leo ran as fast as he could. He didn’t mind that he wasn’t thinking straight. He didn’t care that Donnie was mapping the way home (even though that was his job that he usually fought for). He was going to get Mikey home. Now.
Leo felt the arms around his shoulders tighten ever so slightly. His little brother murmured in a small voice. “Leo. Where are we going?”
Leo moved a hand to squeeze Mikey’s as he felt his brother fade again. “Home, Mikey. We’re going home.”
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Man I had an internal battle while fighting this. Our boy in orange gets to go home in celebration of Tales of the Tmnt being UNBELIEVABLY GREAT (that and we had to get to that part of the story). The last three parts coming up are definitely gonna be way more fun to write as I try to wrap this up before September(edit:spoilers I failed at that attempt). Hope y’all like this.
Cowabunga turtle fanz!
RACISM TCEST PROSHIP HOMOPHOBIA TRANSPHOBIA DNI!!!! Any and all people’s will be shown and supported on this platform please. As God said all are welcome 🏳️🌈. None of which should be mistreated for whatever reason.
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