Tower of Terror

Mizune winced as Mikko's body was crushed against the wall. Wondering what the girl is going to do next, she realized that she spoke to soon. Mikko took out a set of shuriken, and they were aimed directly at her. No matter. She deflected the shuriken with her blade, but the sharp edges managed to take a slice of her pants leg, causing it to sting. And the uniform to be ruined. Now she has to sew that thing. She ignored it. That was nothing.

"Is that all you got?" Junko snorted and laughed.

Mikko shook her head and grinned. No She said still out of breath from being crushed. She pulled out a pistol and took aim again. Then popped off three shots. Finally getting to her feet, she stumbled forward and aimed again.

Oh shit! She has a gun? A gun?! Even worse, she fired three shots directly at her. She dodged to the opposite side of the bullet range. That bullet would've hit her directly in the face. Although she managed to dodge the second bullet, but the third bullet managed to graze her leg. Again, another scratch. This was definitely not her day.

Karai had been out for her nightly run when she learned of the meeting that her father was planning on holding. It was short notice, but the young kunoichi knew that her master did not call these things for light purposes. Something of importance was about to take place and she knew that her attendance was needed. Tracking the blood-trail of the red-masked Reptile would have to wait. Business and responsibility had to come before curiosity.


By the time she arrived back at the tower, the meeting had already gotten underway. She entered through the side door to avoid the crowd, destined to take her place aside her father. Instead of entering into a speech as she had anticipated, Karai was welcomed by the angry blasts of a pistol. It didn't take her long to spot the source of the chaos, and the seasoned ninja was fast to react. She suddenly appeared behind Mikko and knocked the weapon from her hand, then pinned her back against the wall. Her katana was pressed against the woman's throat, her deep almond eyes peering into those of the traitor.



From her position, she could see the severely injured thug and realized this is what Mikko had come for. He must be a friend. But was his life so important that she would sacrifice hers? It certainly seemed that way.  


"You are a fool for believing that you can come in here and leave with both of your lives.." The kunoichi hissed. "You are making this harder for him. Your friend will not survive this. The most humane thing you can do is let it end quickly..." Karai ordered, sounding cold and indifferent. Beneath the surface was a completely different story. She witnessed everything unfolding. What had this man done to deserve such torture? There was a lot to this story that she had missed...

Mikko was going to shoot off the last of her bullets but found herself yet again against the wall. She looked at Karai with pleading in her eyes. You have to save him. He didn't do anything, he's here because he knows me. I could care less what my fate is, I just want Gabe alive and out of here.

Unfortunately for Gabriel, he was still conscious during all of this. He fought desperately against the inevitable pull, knowing that if he closed his eyes.. that was it. Still, losing consciousness would have probably been the humane thing. Through the haze, he witnessed as Ezekiel was tackled to the ground. He wanted to call out to him, but each breath was difficult. With each exhale, it was hard to draw a breath.


The chaos between Shredder, Mikko and Junko also wasn't helping matters. He feared for Mikko's life, but again, he couldn't find his voice. Eyelids threatened to close, despite his desperate attempts. With everyone fighting, he was no longer in the lime light. Mustering every ounce of energy he had, Gabe tried to push himself along on his knees, but didn't make it very far before someone noticed. He was roughly grabbed by the chains that bound his wrists and yanked onto his mutilated back, but there wasn't even strength enough to scream out. A wince replaced what should have replaced an anguish cry. A boot suddenly came down against his chest and a sword held to his neck. Gabe peered up, but couldn't see due to faltering vision and blinding lights, but someone was holding him into place.. waiting for Saki to finish the deed...

It seemed that the pleading wasn't working. Lexi was feeling desperate, but she knew that drawing her gun would only make the situation worse. Unfortunately Ezekiel didn't consider that and rushed toward the front, gun blazing. The thug leader was tackled to the ground before he made it to his destination, and now Lexi was worried that he would suffer his sworn brother's fate.


It didn't take long for everything to get out of hand. Mikko made a brave move in attacking Saki. Lexi had to give it to the woman, she was loyal to Gabriel. She had proven that by putting her own life on the line. Maybe she had been wrong and Gabriel was more to Mikko than just a play thing. Unfortunately it was looking as though the truth would never be known. Gabriel was about to be slaughtered, and Mikko would be next. And, what of them? Though, Lexi wasn't concerned about her own life, just that of her friends.


As Mikko and Junko fought, Lexi watched on helplessly as Gabriel made a heartbreaking attempt to escape, but in his condition, he only made it a few inches before being yanked onto his back. Now he was being pinned down by a foot that threatened to crush his chest, a sword against his neck...


Hot tears obscured her vision and despite the firm hold that the men had on her, Lexi desperately fought to free herself... "Please, I'm begging you.. you don't have to do this, let him go!!!" She cried, shoving and struggling against the arms that held her.

Amidst all this chaos, Chris Bradford wasn't able to see his hand in front of his face. More that he wouldn't be able to focus on it for long. He held Gabriel up with rippling muscles as a sadistic grin was plastered across his gruff visage, ready to get rough. But the prisoner had friends in high places, figuratively speaking. One of the Dragons' stray shots hit him right in the bicep. Another came whirring by and smacked him right in the chest. Bradford's eyes widened in awe as he suddenly puddled to the ground.

He couldn't believe it! A loose bullet had grazed his arm and struck him an inch from his heart; he was bleeding out. The shock set in but he reminded himself that this had happened many times in his movies and there was always a strategy to it. Sure, it was the movies but he didn't go into them learning jack shit. Bradford ripped a strand of cloth from his Gi and promptly tied it around his arm. But the burning hole in his chest would have to be looked at. He groaned in agony and welling pain.

---

Shredder found himself at a crossroads. He could end Gabriel's life right now and rid himself of such a disturbance or he could toy with them a bit more; he chose the latter. To let them think that they've won was his strategy. Shredder took a few simple steps forward to meet a crying Lexi with Gabriel in his grasp. "I can be a reasonable man! All you had to do... Was ask!", Shredder teased in a condescending tone. He shoved Gabriel at Lexi and lifted his gaze to glare at them both from his height. What a pathetic gang of criminals.

So-called criminals...

"You have my word, girl. Take your tears and leave my Tower. Take the rest of your friends with you. Foot, stand down! Let them leave.", the Master commanded as he glanced once more at Mikko. His former student and Foot soldier. A smirk with squinted eyes implied that this was not over. He wanted to show Mikko through compromising eyes that it had only just begun. Shredder waited for the Dragons to clear out as Foot soldiers spread out but still somehow surrounded them. Meanwhile, Bradford reached out to anyone nearby as his blood loss grew. He noticed Karai and Mizune were closest to him.

Ezekiel was still trying to fight his way to Gabe when Shredder spoke up. He stopped what he was doing and watched the man carefully. It seemed he was giving up Gabe, Something was up, but if he was going to let them go he wouldn't ask questions. He watch Tiphanny run to Gabe and try to help stedy him on his feet.

Finally he was relaeased and Eze too ran over to help.

Lets get the fuck out of here. Eze said in a hushed tone. Gabe had to get to a hospital which wouldn't be an easy task considering Gabe would rather bleed out then go to a doctor.

He put one of Gabe's arms around his neck. and started for the door.

Mizune had been watching as one of the bullets struck Bradford. He was going to finnish off Gabriel, when one of the stray bullets struck him and down he went. Mizune just stood there, in shock, looking around for anyone who would help him, but when no one did, she rushed over and knelt beside him, body trembling. Although injured herself, it was nothing compared to what Bradford is going through, but he seems to have taken care of it himself.

"Easy there, big guy, I got ya..." Her voice shook, dreading the inevitable, dark eyes locked onto the wound. Blood begin to stain her fingers. She and Bradford had fought many times before until tonight. Their personalities clashed so badly that they never bothered learning to work together as a team until this point. This was her fault. She was the reason why he is in this condition, but there was no time to be a martyr, he needed help.

"Bradford, I'm...this is....my.... Her voice broke. He was losing blood fast. She looked at the hole in his chest. She gritted her teeth, it was bad. That bullet was meant to be for her. Why did she had to dodge it? Why didn't she allowed that bullet to hit her instead? She could live with another injury.

She gripped his shirt, letting the tears flow down her cheeks. This was her fault. All her fault.

Having never been more heartbroken and scared, Lexi was bracing herself for the worst. She was going to be forced to watch her friend die, and she was completely powerless. That had to be the worst feeling in the world. How could anyone be so cruel? Why did Saki have to be so selfish that he was determined to deny someone of their right to live? Gabriel hadn't directly crossed Shredder. Not intentionally, anyway. Yet, he was being punished..no... tortured for a crime he didn't commit! How was this fair?! And the Foot so blindly followed him, and  most reacted favorable to the 'show' that they had been treated to. Animals. Perhaps in was because some of them wanted to see a lowly Dragon suffer. Whatever it was, this was just cruel...


Lexi's heart dropped to the pit of her stomach as she watched Saki roughly grab Gabriel and brought him towards her. This was it, she thought. This mad man was going to kill him, only inches away from her. She would feel his blood splatter her skin as the Demon of a man impaled him. There was no preparing yourself for something like that. What happened next completely caught the young woman off guard. Shredder shoved Gabriel's battered form at her, It was difficult supporting his almost dead weight, but adrenaline was often merciful. She hooked her arms under Gabriel's, trying to keep him on his feet. He was still conscious, but just barely. Soon she had the help of Tiph and Ezekiel, and it seemed that Shredder was giving them permission to leave....


..What?


Could it really be this simple. Had her tears and heartbreaking cries been enough to spare Gabe's life? Spared all of them? Of course not. Shredder was not that reasonable man, but right now, Lexi was feeling grateful that this didn't have a different outcome. The Foot's leader was granting them permission to leave. Even though Lexi half expected for the mad-man to attack them while their backs were turned, at least it was a chance. Lexi's vision was still obscured by unstoppable tears, but with the help of the other two, they started towards the door. They didn't make it very far before Gabriel completely stopped making any attempt at walking. At first, Lexi thought that he was about to lose consciousness, but he was looking back at her with eyes that almost appeared vacant. That wasn't a good sign.


"Mikko.." The injured thug managed in a pained whisper. "Not.. without her.."


Lexi spared Ezekiel a look, knowing they had to get Gabriel out of there, before Shredder changed his mind. The group practically dragged him along, wanting nothing more than to get out of the corrupted tower of torture. "We will call for help.. but we have to get you out of here.." She told him. "She was fighting for you.. she wants you safe.." And she looked to Ezekiel for a little back-up...

Continued from What's Love got to do With It?

---

Leonardo Hamato wrote:

We don't need details, Raph. Even though Leo was wondering how he managed to be with Mikko. weren't they a little too large for that kind of activity. Obviously Mikko was ok if she had rushed off to the tower so he dropped the subject before things got weird.

They finally came to their destination. He would let Raph go on ahead and lead everyone in, even though he still wasn't use to not leading. They really needed a better plan but didn't want to argue with Raph and part of him wanted Splinter to see the mistake he made. Then again, Raph might surprise them all.

We ready?

"Yeah, Leo.. someday when we ain't tryin' to crash the enemy's crib, I'll tell you all about the birds and the bees." Raphael smirked over his shoulder. It was certainly entertaining that the fact that he had been with a girl was making them squirm, even though they claimed that they didn't need details. If not for the current task and the urgency that accompanied it, maybe he would have been more tempted to brag and highlight the fact that he was the first to become a 'man'.

Finally, they were directly at the spot that had been estimated to be beneath the Foot tower. There was a large grate that fed into the sewer system and it was assumed that it would lead up into the structure's dungeon. It was hard to determine if this was the right spot, but Donnie's weird underground GPS seemed to think so.


It took little effort for Raph to push the grate free from the floor and slid it out of their way. It was almost too easy. Hopefully they would face some challenges. The Red-clad turtle needed the excitement.


Casting his brother's a glance, he shoved his sai through the opening, using the reflection to indicate if they would be greeted by guests. "Cost is clear." He told his brothers, then disappeared through the opening, then waited impatiently for his brothers....

Leo just rolled his eyes at Raph and followed him through the tunnels. He then followed Raph through the opening and waited for the others.

We get in and get out, If we can lets avoid Shredder.

She'll be fine, lets get you out of here. He told Gabe and helped him out of the tower. Really he didn't think the girl would be fine at all, but that wasn't his problem. He lead them all to his car and helped Gabe in the back seat. Tiphanny quickly took the front seat and once Gabe was settled in he climbed in the drivers seat.

I know you don't want to hear this, man. But we're bringing you to the hospital.

Shredder fixed his gaze onto Mikko now. Mikko, the traitor. The one who was so bold as to deny her allegiance to join a different group of people. Mikko had abandoned the clan and that was an outright sin. Shredder slowly shifted his gaze down to Bradford, who was being helped by Mizune. He was wounded pretty badly. The gunshot wound penetrated his flesh bad enough that in time he would bleed out. The Dragons may have left with their good friend and colleague but they had not won.

None of them would be crowned the victor this day. Suddenly, Shredder lifted his hand and shut it into a fist with lightning speed. This was their signal. The Foot Clan started to ascend to the upper level, some climbing up the banisters. Mikko was not allowed to leave. She was going to pay for her insolence. Shredder found himself staring her down yet again as a couple of Foot soldiers removed his glorified cape. Another handed him his Naginata, which he would use to peel the flesh from her bones.

"Unfortunately, you are not so lucky...", his metallic voice resounded through the Tower chillingly. Shredder gripped the weapon tightly in both hands and begun twirling it around skillfully and impressively. He was well-versed in many arts, weapons just happened to be one of them. Shredder tilted his head back a little as his wide-open glare met her own psychotic gaze. "You will be the example. I will use you to get my point across. That tattooed fool was just leverage to get you here. Ready to die?", he asked in a menacing tone as he lowered his gaze to her and narrowed his eyes angrily.

---

Chris found himself able to move. He was still conscious. So, there was that. He looked up and noticed Mizune had decided to be the one to help him. She was at least willing to stay with him. But why the tears? Bradford couldn't help but shake his head at the thought of her crying over him. It was ridiculous. Did she truly care for him? Sure had him fooled. Chris decided not to make any noise as to save his energy for more productive things, like staying alive. He simply reached up and placed his hand across the back of her head and smiled.

She would at least know that he was functioning. He gave her a nod, implying that he was grateful for her staying with him. Shredder was too preoccupied with saving the honor of the Tower and the clan to concern himself with his lackey. That was alright. Chris knew Shredder was a 'business first' kind of guy. That's why he respected him. But damn that gun wound hurt like a motherfucker!

Mikko backed herself up against the wall as much as she could. She could try to fight back, but she had no weapon and she was no match for shredder. She looked up at Shredder then over to everyone else. There was no way to escape. This was it. She was going to die.

Death didn't really scare her. Hell she never expected to live this long. It was HOW she was going to be killed that scared her.

She put her hands up in front of her and did the only thing she could do. Scream.

She felt Bradford's hand brushed against her head, startling her out of her reverie. Chris was still alive. The jerk, he scared her practically to death. Now she felt foolish for crying. It has been awhile since she last cried. Hell, she couldn't remember crying at all. Still, it has been awhile since she had a friend to talk to. She always had been somewhat of a loner. Even though she and Bradford don't always see eye to eye, somewhere along the way a friendship had been formed.

She returned the nod and smiled. At least her presence had given him some comfort. Someone had to look out for him or he will get himself hurt again. Her eyes then locked on Shredder. Shredder was getting ready for the kill. Mikko begin to scream. Someone needed to stop this madness, already there have been casualties, they don't need any more. She hoped someone would barge through that door and interrupt this nonsense.

Finally, they're here, at the Tower. It was about time. He was starting to get bored. He considered bullying Raph to entertain himself while they were in the sewers. He took a look around. Already he didn't like it in here, but where did everybody go? Its unusual for the Tower to be empty. He was positive it would've been covered head to toe with Shredder's flunkies by now.

The orange clad turtle had no clue why he was doing this. He has no clue who Mikko even is. Oh well. Anything to rescue a hot babe in distress.

"So...where to?"

Don kept thinking about Love the entire way to the tower's underground 'entrance'.  He was worried that they would be too late and she would kill again.  After that, Don wasn't sure he could keep trying to help her.  He really hoped maybe she found something decent to eat in the same place he told her about the night before.

Back to the task on-hand...

Don followed the GPS until it showed the entrance below the tower was right above them.  It didn't take long for all of them to be inside, but then it was uncertain which direction to go next.  Then a scream sounded.  It was definitely a female, but Don had no way of knowing if it was one of the people they were supposed to help or not.  Either way, it sounded like she was in trouble.  

"I heard it over that way," he told them, pointing to the right of the entrance, listening for any more sounds coming from that direction.

Soon they were all inside the tower. Well, in the dungeon area, anyway. At least the Chamber of Sorrow was empty, but it was obvious that hadn't always been the case. Dried blood stained the dirty floor. A large cell was situated at one side of the room, and it was evident that it had held captives before. Many times over, but that hadn't been the case tonight. Gabriel had never touched these grounds, and that was probably a bad sign. The Thug was probably already dead. But what of Mikko? Would she suffer the same fate, or would Saki keep her alive and torture her for days to come. That certainly seemed to be his thing. Gabriel would have been eliminated quickly because he held no value, but Mikko had been a Foot. The perfect toy for the cat to play with.


Seeing the various tools of torture dispersed throughout the bone-chilling area, Raph was second guessing having his brothers involved. Maybe this mission should have been done solo. If that had ever been an option, it was certainly the route Raphael would have taken, because his greatest fear was losing his brothers. Unfortunately it had never been an option. Leo was the first to know of the danger Mikko was in, and his blue-clad brother considered the woman a friend, so originally this was his mission. But having ties with Mikko quickly made it Raph's. The other two were there because they stuck together. Still, it didn't make the temporary leader feel any better about this situation.  Naturally Raph wanted to take this opportunity to eliminate the Shredder, but now he was realizing that this was not the time. This was a rescue mission.. nothing more. Get in, get the prisoners, and get the shell out of there.


Hearing Mikko's scream clued them in on her general location. Raph wanted nothing more than to rush up the stairs, burst into the room and take her, but he knew it wouldn't be that easy. They needed a strategy. A good solid plan. Slipping up the steps and onto the main floor of the Tower, it was becoming pretty clear that the majority of the Foot were elsewhere. Perhaps in the room the scream had come from. It made the Reptile's skin crawl. What a bunch of sick fucks. Taking pleasure in the torture of their former member. It took everything Raph had to keep from rushing in. Of course, Leo holding him back was helpful, too.


Don suggested that he disable the lights, to give them the vantage of surprise. Raphael was in total agreement, but not with the mathematical methods that his brainy brother was spouting about how to do so. With a massive roll of his eyes, Raph reached into the fuse box and grabbed a handful of wires, and after giving it a violent and destructive pull, the tower was cloaked in darkness. That moment of confusion was the element that the brothers needed. Like ghosts in the night, they slipped in through the side door, just as the back up generators began to reboot, instructing various lights to come to life. The room was strobed in a haunting glow, but the Turtles kept to the shadows... until Raphael saw what he had come for. More like.. who. Mikko, cornered by Shredder. There was no sign of Gabriel, but the massive pool of dark blood was enough indication that the Thug had been slaughtered. No human could lose that much and still live.


Now, Shredder was moving in for the kill, but the massive Turtle was quick to throw himself in between the monster and the woman. He deflected Saki's gauntlet and gave him a violent shove back. Despite the hate and rage that was burning inside of him, the Hot-Head wouldn't engage him. He gave their enemy a look that conveyed that this wasn't over and after grabbing Mikko and tossing her over his uninjured shoulder, a smoke bomb smashed at Saki's metal-clad feet and the Turtles disappeared with his would-be victim.

Mikko closed her eyes and prepared for the worse. She didn't even notice the lights went off. It wasn't until she noticed nothing was happening that she opened her eyes. She sighed in relief when she saw Raph push shredder away. Then she was suddenly over his shoulder. It was probably a good thing. Shredder didn't get to her yet, but from jumping on to him she cut herself up pretty bad. Plus she was feeling really tired and sick due to lack of her drugs in her system.

The others got out already. She informed.

She closed her eyes and soon they were all outside the tower with Raph still running. She took in a deep breath of air. She escaped death this time. But knew Shredder and the other foot would always be after her.

Thanks for coming to get me. I owe you.

It wasn't long before a scream reached his non existent ears. Don pointed the direction to where the scream is coming from, but it seems Raph had beat them to it. In a blink of an eye, Donnie turned off the lights. Complete blackness. This was not good, the orange clad turtle had always been too noisy when it comes to stealth, but so far he hadn't messed up, at least not yet. All he had to do is trail the screams.

Before he could react, Raph came out with a woman over his good shoulder. So this is the person they were rescuing? He wanted to get a good look at her and see if it was worth it. He was quite shocked that Raph didn't go in and bust Shredder's head wide open. What was going on here, anyway? He should be at home, playing video games or seeing Love, but that had to wait.

"That was fast."

Leo wanted to grab Raph and tell him to wait up, but it seemed he had a plan, kind of a plan. Though ripping out the wires of the control panel wouldn't have been his plan. Raph ran in and before Leo could join him he was out with Mikko over his shoulder.

Indeed it was fast, but that was good. a quick in and out. But what of the others? That's when he heard Mikko say that the others were already gone. This was a lot easier then he thought it was going to be. There had to be a catch, Shredder was letting them go for a reason.

The five of them made it out of the tower without so much as a scuffle. Once outside Leo took the lead, a habit that he had formed and wasn't ready to let go of. He brought them across the street into an alley.

That was way too easy. Shredder is up to something I doubt this is over. How are the others? Leo asked Mikko. You said they got out, but were they ok?

Indeed, Shredder was up to something. That rescue had been way too easy. They had gotten out without so much as a scuffle, and Raphael had been expecting someone to come out with something broken. After he emerged from the danger zone, Leo once again took the lead.. which was really starting to get under his skin, but there were more pressing issues on the temporary leader's mind. Like, what the hell was going on? Was this a trap? Shredder was toying with them, that much he was sure of.



Raph didn't stop until they reached the secluded alleyway, and carefully put Mikko on her feet. His golden eyes moved over her body, checking to make sure she was okay without making it too bluntly obvious that he gave a shit. Other than some cuts, she was okay. Nothing that would be fatal. Hearing that the others made it out surprised him. It certainly didn't look like it judging by the carnage on that stage.


"Someone lost a shit-ton of blood in there.." Raph said when Leo questioned Mikko about the other's conditions. "Dunno if it's yer boy or not, but someone's hurtin'.. if not dead.."

Mikko stood on her feet and wiped away some blood from her face. Gabe. He was beat up bad, He left alive but I don't know if he stood that way. I think I killed Bradford. But i'm not sure. I have call Lexi make sure Gabe is at least alive.

Mikko took some calming breaths and ran her fingers through her hair.

Pretty sure I would be dead now if you hadn't shown up. So, thank you.

She gave Raph a little smile and stood on her tiptoes to press a small kisss against his lips. She then took her phone out.

Are, you guys going to stick around? Maybe walk me home? she asked before dialing Lexi's number.