//------------------------------// // Side Mission: Lady Shiva // Story: Equestria Ninja Girls: The Birthday Bounty Bash // by AmethystMajesty25 //------------------------------// Meanwhile, Karai ran and jumped one roof to another to find the sounds of a crying baby. After jumping on rooftops for a couple of blocks away from her friends, she arrived at an empty alleyway where the lamp post was shining on the baby stroller. “I hope the baby’s parents are here. They got a lot of explaining to do for leaving the baby like this.” She approached closer and uncovered the blanket from the baby stroller… and there was no baby in it except a tape recorder. “What the? There's nothing here except-” Karai suddenly felt a presence behind her. She drew her tanto and whipped around just in time to clash with the sword of a tall, dark-haired woman. The two broke apart and stood face-to-face with each other with their weapons at the ready. “Impressive awareness,” the woman complimented. “I can see why you're just like those rainbow-colored high school brats and mutant turtles.” “Let me guess, another bounty hunter from Gotham?” Karai accused, before she added. “And why do you sound like me?!” The woman ignored her question and clearified, “Yes and no. I am indeed from the same dimension as those thugs and criminals you guys fought but Black Mask's bounty is of no interest to me. The reason for my presence is to simply test you.” “A test? I don't have time for-” Karai began. “You WILL comply... Hamato Miwa,” the woman stated. Karai’s eyes widened in shock, “How do you-” “Somewhere in this city, an innocent woman is about to die, and we both know you won't allow that,” the woman instructed. “Your task is to find and save her. And there will be obstacles. And do not bother calling your friends for assistance, we have scrambled your communications. The test is for you and you alone.” As the woman started walking away, Karai demanded, “Wait, who are you?!” The woman remained silent before she answered, “Lady Shiva.” Then she vanished in a poof of smoke by the use of her smoke pellets. “Shiva, huh?” Karai thought. “Man, this night just keeps getting harder and harder.” Minutes later, Karai searched high and low through the streets of New York to find the kidnapped victim until she heard someone calling from one of the shopping complexes. “Here! Over here! Help! Please help! Can anyone hear me?! I need help!” Karai opened the door, but it was locked. She climbed up the rooftops and opened the door, racing downstairs. Inside the building, a female cop was hanging by a rope with her hands tied and the fountain below her was filled with static electricity. Few minutes later, Karai arrived at the main entrance and found the cop. She asked, “Hey, are you okay?” “Physically, yeah. P-please don't hurt me. I d-didn't do anything! They ambushed me… Strung me up! I don't want to die!” “Alright. Let me take a look around and find a way to save you.” “O-okay. Hurry!” Karai spotted a gate that was damaged and investigated the area. She used her katana and destroyed one half of the fuse box. Then, three of Shiva’s ninjas suddenly appeared to ambush Karai. Karai barrel rolled out of the attack and clashed with their swords with hers. She dodged one of the ninjas’ swords and took the ninja down with a headbutt. The other two ninjas attacked Karai again with her swords, but Karai used her mutant powers and blocked their swords with her snake arms. “My turn,” Karai said, spinning fast and pushing the ninjas back. She charged fast and attacked them with her kicks. She bit the three ninjas and stunned them to defeat as a result. “Be grateful I used one of my paralysis venoms. It'll wear off, but you might experience nausea.” After her first battle, she exited the area and ran to the other side where the last power cable was located. “H-hurry! I feel like my hands are slipping!” The officer pleaded. She heard the officer and destroyed the next live power cable with her sword, shutting down the electricity in the fountain. After that, the next three of Shiva’s ninjas ambushed Karai again. “I don't have time for this.” Karai didn’t have much of a choice as the three ninjas attacked her again. Karai dodged one of the ninja’s blade attacks until she punched her followed up with a DDT to knock her out. After that, deflected her sword with her katana and stung the second ninja with her venom from her mutant snake arm. Then she swept the third ninja off of her feet and knocked her out with a punch to the head. After dealing with Shiva’s ninjas, Karai leapt down and used her shuriken to cut the rope, freeing the police officer. “Are you alright, officer?” Karai asked. “Yeah, I'm good.” “I'm guessing Shiva sent her students to test me.” “Who?” “Where are they now?” “I don’t know. I shot one of them, but they strung me up and took off with the criminal I arrested earlier.” Karai suggested the officer, “You should call the precinct. Have them send a car for you. Then find someplace to wait.” The female police officer answered, “Okay. Thanks.” After saving the female cop at the shopping complex, Karai found something on the ground. “Footprints,” Karai answered and used her phone to scan the footprints. “It must be one of her ninjas or Shiva herself that took the criminal. I should follow it and it will lead me straight to the kidnapped victim.” Karai ran off and followed the footprints. Minutes later, the footprints ended right underneath the sewer entrance. Karai walked underneath the bridge and found a figure laying on the ground, covered by a blanket. Karai approached the figure and lifted the blanket up. She gasped and backed up in shock. She had found the criminal, or rather his headless body. “No...” She breathed in horror. Suddenly, Lady Shiva appeared from behind to attack her again. However, Karai blocked Shiva’s kick and countered it with a spinning back kick to the gut in anger. “You kill that criminal?” Karai accused Lady Shiva. “Why?!” “Because you would not. He was corrupt. And evil.” “But there's no justice in this.” “What do you know of justice?” Lady Shiva rebuffed. “Behind bars or beyond them, these people never change. As long as they live, your dimension is stained.” “That isn't true, Shiva,” Karai argued. “Maybe some can't change, but most people who can and will change for the better if given the chance.” “Are those your words? Or the words of those simple-minded fools called the Rainbooms?” Shiva challenged. “Both!” Karai answered. “And my late father once said there is no greater monster than a lack of compassion.” “Wise words,” Shiva admitted. “Yet they carry only half significance.” “Better half than none!” Karai rebuked. “And here I thought you might understand my philosophy. Just like the Shredder,” Lady Shiva mentioned his name to Karai. “Do not EVER mention or talk about him. I am nothing like him. How did you know his name?” “Before I came to your dimension, my master gave me a task to dig some research on your so-called ninjas. And when I entered, I found some interesting facts about them. Most of your friends are part of the Hamato Clan and one of yours is part of the Foot Clan.” Karai figured she was talking about Shini, the Turtles, and the Rainbooms. She inquired, “Uh-huh. And what's your point?” “My point is… I want you and your clan to join the League of Assassins.” “Excuse me?” Karai said, perplexed by Shiva’s offer. “Think about it Karai, if our clans join forces together, we'll be unstoppable. And together, we will wipe our dimensions clean and purge them from evil. So what do you say, Karai, do you accept my offer and forget this test or do you wish to continue your test and this foolish path you're making for your Foot Clan?” Karai sighed, “I admit that the Shredder and I have done terrible things in the past. However, this new path I took isn't foolish. My brothers and friends helped me put my past behind and learned what it means to help good people. So my answer to you, Shiva, is no. I will never sell my soul and my clan to you or any other evildoer who tries to take over my home. So take your offer with you and shove it down into your throat because as a friend of mine once said, "My past is not today!"” Lady Shiva understood her decision, “Very well then. The test must continue. A reporter in another part of the city is about to meet his end. I suggest you hurry if you wish for him to not end up like that.” She pointed at the headless criminal. After that, Shiva used her smoke pellet and disappeared in a puff of smoke. “I better find that reporter fast,” Karai vowed and left the sewer entrance. Meanwhile, somewhere in New York city was a mysterious figure swinging through building to building and landed on the rooftop. The mysterious figure then spied on the reporter, Jack Kurtzman, along with Angel, Zach, and Caitlyn who were all carrying shopping bags filled with party supplies in his apartment. Angel thanked him, “Thanks for letting us use the party supplies, Jack.” “Ah, no worries, kids. Anything for the friends of the Turtles.” Suddenly, a red sticky thread shot out of nowhere and stuck to Kurtzman’s back. “What the?” Before he could react, he was yanked right out the window. “Kurtzman!” Caitlyn, Zach, and Angel ran to the window and looked out. Kurtzman was dangling high above the ground by the sticky thread and holding the other end of it was the figure. “Jack Kurtzman,” the figure spoke. “Pleasure to meet you.” "”Who are you?” Kurtzman asked. "Oh, where are manners," the figure mused. "You can call me Black Spider, of the Leauge of Assassins. You probably never heard of us because we're from another dimension, so you know how it is. Anyway, I was sent here to drop you off this building and make you go splat." “Wh-What?!” Kurtzman gasped in horror. “It's nothing personal, just all part of some lame brain test my boss set up for this Karai girl,” Black Spider shrugged. “P-Please! Y-you don't have to do this!” Kurtzman begged. “Wish I could, but I'm on a deadline, and so are you... bye bye!” And with that, Black Spider let go of the thread and Kurtzman fell screaming. “NO!” Caitlyn cried. Then right before the old reporter could hit the ground, Karai leapt in out of nowhere and caught him before landing safely. “Are you alright, Kurtzman?” She asked. “Yes, thank you, Karai!” Kurtzman replied in relief. “Right on time!” Black Spider called down. “Now the real fun begins!” He shot out another thread to a building and swung away. “Catch me if you can, ninja girl!” Karai turned to Kurtzman, “Will you be okay?” “I'll be fine,” Kurtzman nodded. Karai smiled before she flipped up a fire escape and ran after Black Spider. Back in the apartment, Caitlyn breathed a sigh of relief, “That was too close!” “Yeah,” Zach agreed. “Hope Karai catches that creep! Right, Angel?” Angel didn't respond. “Angel?” Caitlyn and Zach turned to find that Angel was no where in sight and the apartment door was open. Meanwhile, Black Spider swung through the city and Karai was close behind, leaping across rooftops and catching up to him. Then once she was close enough, she leapt up and sliced his thread with her tanto, causing him to fall and land on the rooftop of the building where the Turtles first fought Shredder. Karai landed before Black Spider and spoke, “I assume you're one of Shiva's lackies?” “You know it,” Black Spider jumped to his feet. “The name's Black Spider.” Then he pulled out a knife. “Care to dance?” “Your move!” Karai replied. Then the two rushed toward each other and began to clash with their weapons. “Look, I got nothing against you, little girl. I don't suppose you'd let me finish off the reporter and go about my web-swinging ways.” “Not a chance!” Karai yelled. Black Spider leapt up, dodging her weapons, and landed on her shoulders. She tried to swat him, but Black Spider leapt up again and landed on the billboard. Karai threw more kunais at him and Black Spider kept dodging them. She brought out her katana and Black Spider shot his web at her sword. “Nuh-uh-uh. Can't let you do that.” Black Spider pulled the sword out of her hands, tossing it and sticking it on the back of the billboard. He then tossed a stun grenade in front of Karai and it exploded. Karai was stunned and couldn't see her opponent. Then, Black Spider leapt behind Karai and webbed her to one of the high supports. Black Spider approached her, twirling his knife, “That was an exhilarating dance, but now it must come to an end!” He raised his knife ready to stab Karai, when an escrima stick knocked it out of his hands. “What the?” He turned and was instantly met with a sharp kick from Angel, knocking him away from Karai. “Angel?” Karai was surprised to see her there. “Hey, Karai,” Angel greeted and pulled the webbing off, freeing her. “Thanks, but what are you doing here?” Karai asked. “Giving you some backup,” Angel answered, and picked up her stick. 9And giving some payback to that creep for trying to murder Kurtzman.” She pointed to Black Spider. The assassin stood up, “Wow, props to you, kid. Not many people can get the drop on a member of the League of Assassins.0 “Yeah yeah, whatever,” Angel rolled her eyes. Karai and Angel teamed up against Black Spider and the girls clashed their weapons against the assassin. “Is that all you two got? I expected better,” Black Spider commented. He then leg swept Karai until Angel knocked Black Spider into a wall with a kick, but just as she was about to slam both her sticks onto him, the assassin shot a thread onto her and yanked her forward, before grabbing and pinning her front first against the wall. “Angel!” Karai exclaimed and was about to rush foward when Black Spider held his knife to Angel’s back. “Not so fast, ninja girl, come any closer and I stab her in the back, very literally...” Black Spider threatened. Suddenly a portal opened up taking the assasin by surprise. “What the?” A shuriken flew out and Black Spider dodged it, but it flew around and knocked the knife from his hand. Then shortly after, a figure leapt out and kicked him away from Angel. The figure was short, about the same height as Angel, and dressed in black suit with a hood, cape, and a mask that covered its whole head. The figure turned to Angel and spoke in a young girl’s voice, “Are you okay?” “Yeah, I'm good,” Angel assured. “Thanks for the help.” Karai approached the figure, “Who are you?” Before the figure could reply, Black Spider called, “Cassandra Cain?! What a surprise! Little Orphan Cassie's here! Gotta say, I was not expecting you to show up. Especially once Shiva finds out your here...” Cassandra drew a sword, “Not afraid of Shiva!” Then she rushed at Black Spider swinging her weapon as he flipped around, dodging her attacks. Karai and Angel were up next and fought against Black Spider with their weapons. Cassandra readied herself as Karai and Angel continued fighting against Black Spider. Black Spider hit his web at Karai and then he web-zipped towards her, but Karai hit him with an uppercut before he can attack. After that, Cassandra shot out and hit Black Spider in pressure points, making him drop to the ground temporarily paralyzed. “Gotcha,” Cassandra smirked. Karai cheered, “Whoo! Looks like I win, little spider.” “Not so tough now are you?” Angel remarked. “Easy for you to say,” Black Spider turned to Karai. 0But since you defeated me, Shiva wants me to give you your next test. One of my colleagues is currently breaking into the Chinatown museum to plunder all its valuable artifacts. So you better hurry before all of those treasures are stolen.” The three girls raised their eyebrows as three ninjas from the League of Assassins appeared to aid Black Spider and threw smoke bombs in front of Karai, Angel, and Cassandra until Black Spider and his accomplices vanished. “And he got away!” Angel huffed. “For now,” Cassandra noted. “Say, what did Black Spider mean by…” She interrupted Karai, “Don't want to talk about it!” Karai was about to ask her if she is related to Shiva, but she instead said, “O…kay then.” Cassandra asked, “Do you want me to assist you?” “No need Cassandra. I have to continue this test on my own.” “Good luck Karai.” Cassandra bowed and launched a grappling hook to leave the building. “Wait! How do you even know my name?” Karai hollered, but Cassandra left. Then Karai sighed, “Oh nevermind.” “Weird girl,” Angel noted. “But are you sure you don't want any help, Karai?” “I have to do this, Angel,” Karai stated. “You better head back and keep Zach, Caitlyn, and Kurtzman safe.” “Yeah, alright,” Angel relented. “See yah later.” And Angel took her leave. Meanwhile, a tough-looking dude with a red, long collared shirt took down some security guards and security cameras in the Chinatown museum and no one left to stop him. Then, he grabbed his bag and started looting some valuable items in the Chinatown museum. As he continued stealing some more items, he felt Karai’s presence in the room. “Well, well, it's about time you showed up.” He turned around saw Karai. “How did you find me?” “You're not exactly subtle. Plus, I took out your guards.” “Very impressive. You should consider…” Karai interrupted him, “No thanks. Now who are you?” “I was going to say that you can be my apprentice, but oh well. I am the great Katarou and let your next test begin.” Katarou brought out his bo staff and started kicking the museum vase towards Karai. She caught it while dodging Katarou’s attacks with his bo staff. Karai blocked his staff with her sword from destroying the museum items. “Watch it! Those items can’t be replaced.” Karai informed him while dodging. “Pathetic! Restraining yourself for intimate objects!” Katarou replied until Karai kicked back, pushing Katarou back and the two combatants were at a standstill. “You think you can stop me?” Katarou questioned her. “I know I can,” Karai answered and charged right after him with two kicks Katarou blocked them with his bo staff. “It is only fair to warn you that I have trained with the best.” Karai bluffed, “You mean the League of Assassins? Not surprised. 'Cause I learned from the best too.” Katarou continued, “Guess we've got that in common then.” “One way or another, you're going down. Now we can do this the easy way or…” “Yeah, yeah, or the hard way. But I think you know my choice.” “Then we've got that in common too,” Karai agreed. Both combatants put their weapons aside and bowed to each other until Karai charged towards him first, but Katarou grabbed her arms and landed a front kick. Karai released her arms from his grasp and grabbed his foot. “I'm afraid you have to do better than that,” Karai said before releasing his foot. “So will you,” Katarou replied before ducking Karai’s spin kick. They both countered each other’s kick until Karai attempted to land another one and Katarou countered it and tossed her to the other side. “HA!” Katarou screamed and kicked downwards. Karai dodged his kick and stood back. “You are good,” Karai commented. “But you're going down.” “I don't think so,” Katarou taunted with a hand gesture, signaling her to bring it. Karai ran forward and proceeded to jump kick him, but he ducked and Karai tried for a leg sweep, but Katarou dodged it with a front side flip and grabbed his bo staff. He used it to launch himself and kicked Karai. She crashed through the window and landed on the floor outside. Katarou made his way outside and then activated a hidden blade from his staff. He drew the blade towards Karai after that. “It's over, little girl. You lost,” Katarou said out loud. “Any final words before you meet your end?” Then, a portal appeared behind Katarou and Karai smirked. “Why are you smiling?” Katarou questioned her. Suddenly, Katarou was unexpectedly kicked from behind by a Japanese male dressing up like a samurai. He had short, black, neatly trimmed hair is tied in a small ponytail. He wore a sleeveless white shirt with pointed shoulder blades and long, black pants, a big collar similar to Katarou’s outfit except it was blue on the inside but the front of his collar was a black stripe which goes down to his belt, a blue belt, long, black wristbands, black sandals, and carried his sword and scabbard. Katarou turned around to see his archnemesis. “Bushido. What are you doing here? This is none of your concern.” “Whose side are you on?” Karai asked the teen samurai. Bushido showed her a yellow circular device with a "T" on it. “My side. Thanks,” Karai confirmed as Bushido nodded. Katarou gloated, “Heh. Even if you have a friend with you, there is no way you can beat me.” “That's because you underestimate teamwork.” Karai told him. “Even with your little teamwork. You cannot defeat me.” Katarou said and taunted his opponents with a hand gesture, signaling them to fight him once more. Karai stated, “I've beaten opponents much bigger than you.” Bushido then tapped her shoulder. She looked at Bushido and listened. He pointed to himself then up, then he pointed to Karai and down. Karai nodded back, agreeing with Bushido’s plan. The duo charged Katarou, attacking both high and low. Katarou used his staff to attack his opponents, but they dodged them as Karai jump kicked Katarou until Bushido grabbed him from behind and hit him with a German suplex. Katarou rolled over and stood up as Bushido launched a jump kick at Katarou’s bo staff, leaving him open. “Claws of the Iron Bear!” Bushido shouted in Japanese, signaling Karai to hit Katarou with a double palm strike on the chest. Her enemy was sent to the floor until he slowly got up. “How will you be able to fight when you cannot even see me?” Katarou threw smoke pellets at the duo. Karai commented, “You know the funny thing about snakes is...” She shifted her arms into her snake hands. “Sight isn't our dominating sense.” Bushido spoke in Japanese, “And we don't need to see you.” Karai closed her eyes and let her snake instincts take over to sense the vibrations. While the smoke continued surrounding the duo, Katarou proceeded to ran forward, getting ready to strike without them noticing. “Strike of the Flying Serpent!” Bushido shouted in Japanese again and Karai counterattacked with her snake strike on Katarou. Katarou got hit and struggled a little to stand up. “I see that you're serious about winning.” He backflipped towards the guard rail and continued, “So am I.” “Then let's finish this!” Karai shouted. After that, both Karai and Bushido barrel rolled like monkies while Katarou watched. Then they jumped and landed on the guard rail safely with their feet. Katarou fought them off with his bo staff while his enemies dodged his staff. After that, they got off the rail and continued fighting on the floor with Bushido and Karai continuing to dodge Katarou’s attacks. Bushido and Karai jumped over as Katarou swung his staff. However, Karai was nowhere to be seen. “Hey. Where did she go?” Katarou asked. Bushido pointed his finger at his staff as Katarou looked to the other direction as Karai perched onto his staff like a monkey. “Monkey see, monkey do,” Karai bent Katarou’s bo staff a bit until she backflipped away from him, letting his bo staff hit him in the face. Then she commented, “A little bit Michelangelo, but effective nonetheless.” With Katarou stunned, Bushido and Karai hit him with a double team move, Karai swept his leg while Bushido hit him with a spinning roundhouse kick to the face. Karai said, “I guess that's that.” “Enough,” Katarou said as he slowly stood up. “You have passed.” “Finally,” Karai sighed. “However, you have one final challenge you must take. Head over to Grand Central Park to complete your test.” After that, Katarou used a smoke pellet and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Karai contemplated, “Grand Central Park huh?" “It's a trap!” Karai and Bushido turned to see Cassandra perched on a window still before jumping down. “Cassandra?” Karai was surprised to see her again. “What do you mean it's a trap?” “Shiva's not alone,” Cassandra warned. “So you're saying she'll be waiting to ambush me?” Karai asked in surprise. Cassandra nodded. “And I can't call the others for backup!” She said in frustration. But then she had an idea and turned to Bushido and Cassandra. “I have a favor to ask of you both.” She took out her T-phone and showed them a digital map. “I need you two to head to this location and tell them to come to my aid. Can you do that?” “We will,” Cassandra said and Bushido nodded. “Good, I gotta get to the park. Fast.” She then thanked Bushido, “Thanks for helping, Bushido. Sorry for asking whose side you're on.” Bushido bowed and replied in Japanese, “Good luck.” With Cassandra bowing as well, Karai bowed in return. After that, Bushido and Cassandra ran off quickly and left the Chinatown museum. “Arigato,” Karai bowed until she quickly climbed up to the rooftops and jumped one after another to Shiva’s location, Grand Central Park. Minutes later, Karai arrived at Grand Central Park and looked around the area. No civilians were around in the area. “No sign of trouble,” Karai thought. “Shiva is way too well informed to be a simple messenger. She's definitely a high ranking member in this so-called "League" of hers.” Then, Karai sensed her presence as Lady Shiva emerged from the trees. “Don't you have some friends to save?” Lady Shiva said. “I can handle a lap dog like you easily. But, I cannot overlook the fact that you killed someone, even though he is a criminal.” Lady Shiva remembered, “Yes. A lesson that seems lost on you, and many more will die if you do not learn it.” “It doesn't matter what someone does, no one has the right to be the executioner. And you will stand trial for it,” Karai said with determination. Lady Shiva slightly chuckled, “I admire your passion, though your cause is flawed. It seems like you never met the bat, and yet his influence has reached you. I thought we're starting to get to know each other and be comrades by joining forces with our clans, but I guess I was wrong. Now, let us fight.” Then, a smoke pellet was thrown beside her and an army of her ninjas appeared from the smoke, plus Black Spider, Katarou, and two more figures appeared alongside Lady Shiva. The first figure wore a silver monkey mask, armor, and wrist gauntlet claws on each side. The second figure had white hair, wore a green trench coat, and a big hook as his right hand. “I'm guessing you did research on how Shredder fought an army all by himself in the past. Am I right?” Karai joked. Lady Shiva just shrugged her shoulder in response. Karai then smirked and Lady Shiva asked, “What's so funny?” “Did you really think I'd come alone?” Karai responded. Then the Foot Clan ninjas appeared from the shadows, including Shinigami. “I told you that you cannot call for backup!” Shiva said in anger. “We made sure of that when we scrambled your communications!” “Yes, but there's more than one way to call for assistance,” Karai smirked as Cassandra and Bushido dropped in, revealing that she had them inform the Foot and Shini. “And you never said anything about my own ninja clan coming to my aid.” “Very resourceful,” Lady Shiva admitted, “Very interesting to see two ninja clans fighting against each other. A very fitting choice for your death. Not only that, you brought my daughter into your mess.” She pointed her katana at Cassandra. “Yeah. I already figured. But enough talk. It's time for war!” Karai signaled. The two opposing ninja clans charged at each other to start the ninja battle. Meanwhile in Stockman’s lab, Stockman and Black Mask’s men were working and engineering on something for Black Mask. Then, Mr. Stockman gets a call from Black Mask himself. “Hello.” “What's the progress of my battle suit, doc?” Black Mask called. Baxter answered, “These things take time. If I don't do this carefully, there's a likelihood that it could end explosively for you.” Black Mask holstered his gun, understanding what Stockman was saying. “I want it done right away, so I can test this bad boy out. Do you understand what I'm saying?” “Y-yes sir. I understand,” Baxter stuttered and turned off his phone. Black Mask sighed, griping about his incompetent lackeys. Then his phone rang. “What?!” “Boss, you might wanna turn on the TV. He says his name is Killer Moth,” His goon answered. “What? We already have a bounty hunter named Killer Moth! So what are you blabbering about?” “Easy now, boss. This one is very different from the one we saw at the meeting.” Black Mask groaned, “I'll go check it out,” He hung up his phone and wondered, “It's probably Clayface playing tricks on us.” He turned on the TV with the remote in his penthouse after that. (Lights Out - Chris Vrenna Remix) Back at the Grand Central Park, the two ninja clans clashed with one another. Karai against Lady Shiva, Shini versus the spider guy, the Japanese swordsman going toe-to-toe with big red guy, and Shiva’s daughter clashing swords with a man in a silver monkey mask. “What are you suppose to be?” Shini asked while dodging the spider guy’s web bombs. “They call me Black Spider.” “Seriously? You sound like a knockoff from one of Mikey’s comic book characters.” Black Spider lunged at Shini, but she brought out her hypno ball. “Just watch my...” “Yoink!” Black Spider tossed his web balls, sending it straight at the tree. “Don't you just love my balls?” He asked as Shini ran while dodging Black Spider’s web ball attacks. He continued, “Hot, sticky web balls coming at ya!” Shini dodged them in time. “If you're trying to make jokes, don't bother. I already have two friends that can make me laugh.” She then threw shurikens at Black Spider, but he dodged them perfectly. He caught one and asked, “Did your parents ever tell you not to use those things? You can poke someone's eyes out.” “No, cause I was raised mostly in an orphanage.” Black Spider cringed, “Oh, that ruins my one-liner perfectly.” Shini chased after Black Spider as he web-slinged from tree to tree until Shini used one of her explosive shuriken and hit the assassin’s web. Black Spider tumbled on the floor and got up until Shini used her bolas and captured Black Spider. “Like I said, cheap knockoff.” Meanwhile, Katarou clashed his katana with Bushudo once more. “Is that the best you can do, kid?” The samurai deflected his enemy’s sword and back spin kicked him in the gut. He told his enemy in Japanese, “I'm not a kid anymore, Katarou. My name is Bushido and I will bring you to justice.” “Yeah, well, I'm hearing nothing but hot air!” Katarou shouted while continuing to clash swords with Bushido. “Mind your tongue,” Bushido replied in Japanese. Both sides acted like equally strong swords, neither one even left a scratch on the other. As he continued sword fighting, Bushido knocked off Kartarou’s sword. Katarou held his hands up as Bushido drew his katana at him. He pleaded to Bushido, “No more. Please, I give, I give.” Bushido said in Japanese, “Had enough huh? Now turn yourself in before…” Katarou abruptly spat green mist at Bushido’s face, making him drop his katana. Then he leg swept Bushido and walked towards Bushido’s sword to grab it. He drew the sword in front of Busgido. “You thought I would give up that easily, little boy? Well think again, pretty boy. So, any last words before I finish you off?” Bushido then remembered a technique that Nightwing used to defeat his enemies in the past when he was Robin and then Bushido smirked. “What are you smiling about?” Bushido immediately kicked him in the jewels, right between the legs. Katarou groaned in pain and knelt down. “Now here's something I learned from Nightwing,” Bushido said in Japanese and hit Katarou at each part of his body with nerve strikes. “Not... fair,” Katarou groaned in pain. Meanwhile, the man with a silver monkey mask was sword fighting against Shiva’s daughter. “Have you learn nothing from your mother, Cassandra?” “I learned more than you know, Silver Monkey!” Silver Monkey begged her, “Your friends are nothing more than a distraction. Come back to the League of Assassins. Come back to your mother. It's where you belong.” “Never!” Cassandra yelled. Silver Monkey clashed his katana with Cassandra’s until she rolled back and kicked him towards the tree. Cassandra was about to capture Silver Monkey with her bolas, but he dodged it and grabbed his katana to continue the fight. “I won't go down that easily, little girl,” Silver Monkey replied, clashing his katana with Cassandra’s katana. “That won't be much of a problem when I defeat you.” As both of their katanas were at a standstill, Cassandra jumped up for a backflip and Shini appeared to use her hypno ball after taking it off from the stick webs on the tree. Shini told him, “Night, night, little monkey.” Silver Monkey was in a trance and Cassandra knocked him out with a roundhouse kick to the face. “Looks like the League's standards are hitting rock bottom for you,” Cassandra said. Then, Hook jumped in and launched his silver hook at Cassandra. However, Bushido tackled Cassandra and saved her skin while Hook’s hook hit the tree trunk. Shini ran by and confronted Hook as he retracted his weapon back. Hook then launched his hook again at Shini, but Shini used her hat to activate a portal and his weapon went through. “Huh?” Hook said. Then, Shini’s portal appeared behind Hook and his weapon launched right at his back of his head, defeating him. “You know what they say, what goes around, comes around.” Shini quoted. Meanwhile, Karai and Lady Shiva clashed with each other’s katanas at a standstill. “I'm ashamed that your talents are wasted because of your master.” Lady Shiva replied, “My master knows my talents are a valuable tool for his cause.” “And yet you're comfortable living in his shadow like an insect,” Karai pointed out. “How dare you insult me and the master,” Lady Shiva told her. “Seriously, who is your master anyway?” Karai wondered. “I bet he's not as good as my father.” “I won't reveal him to a worthless gnat like you!” Karai understood Shiva while fighting her, “I get it. You're nothing more than a fly to him. Your followers followed orders from the higher-ups while you stumble in the dark.” “What do you know of my clan, Miwa?” Lady Shiva questioned, continuing to clash katanas. “You denied my offer.” “Because I know it's wrong to take a life as a first resort, even an evil one. You just know how to follow orders like a mindless puppet. Never even having a single thought for herself.” “Who do you think you are fooling, young child. You have the eyes of an assassin and yet you allowed your friends to change you. You are nothing more than a spitting image of my daughter because you believed you rejected your old ways and declare yourself free.” Lady Shiva scoffed, “Pathetic. I am a living weapon and I’ll achieve my master’s goals by any means necessary.” “Do I really have to repeat myself, Shiva? I may have done bad things in the past, but I've changed. My friends helped me moved forward and I won't turn back now.” “Fine then. The test has ended. And with it, your life!” Lady Shiva announced as she attacked Karai with her katana. Karai reluctantly caught her katana with her hands, shocking Lady Shiva. “Enough!” Lady Shiva yelled and backed off, signaling her ninja army to stand down and rally to her side. Karai’s side did the same as everyone put their weapons aside with Bushido tying up Katarou. “Skilled. Honorable. Devoted. I see now why you are just like the Bat instead of Oroku Saki. It seems we have both learned something today. Perhaps my master would one day meet you and your clan to this dimension or in vice versa.” Karai replied to her, “I don't care about you or your master. I'm bringing you in.” “No, you will not. We'll leave on our own. But you have earned a reprieve. I hope in time, you come to realize how wrong you are about your world. It is not meant to be saved, it cannot be saved, only cleansed. And from the ashes, reborn.” After that, the League of Assassins dropped smoke pellets and disappeared in a puff of smoke. “Pfft. I'll never believe any of their garbage,” Karai scoffed. “Let's leave before anyone else sees us.” Her Foot clan agreed and left the park immediately. “And as for you, you're going back to prison,” Bushido told Katarou in Japanese as Katarou groaned in disappointment. Meanwhile, the League of Assassins were heading back to their dimension via portal at Black Mask’s hideout. Before Lady Shiva was going to enter the portal back home, Silver Monkey spoke up, “Say, where's Black Spider?” Lady Shiva answered, “He told me he'll stay in this dimension for a while because of the bounty.” “You think he'll succeed?” “Only time will tell,” Lady Shiva answered. “I hope our master will understand what's going on in this dimension now.” “I hope you're right. And what about Katarou?” Lady Shiva ignored him and entered the portal. Silver Monkey sighed and entered the portal back to their dimension.