//------------------------------// // 2. The Sword Of Yurikawa // Story: Equestria Ninja Halloween // by Jebens1 //------------------------------// In New York city, a lone figure landed on a rooftop and stared out at a building ahead of it: the Foot Clan HQ. Then the figure held up a picture of Hamato Yoshi with Tang Shen and baby Miwa. The figure looked at the picture before staring back at the Foot HQ building. Then the figure spoke in a woman's voice. "Not the family reunion I wanted. But you are the only one who can help me. Miwa." Inside the building, in an unknown room, Karai sat on the floor alone, meditating before a shrine of Master Splinter. Tonight was the anniversary of the day he was killed by Super Shredder and she was honoring him. Then she opened her eyes and without turning her head spoke, "You know, security is very tight here. I'm impressed you managed to get in." From the shadows behind her, the figure emerged. For a moment, the two did nothing. Then in a flash, Karai was on her feet and pulled out her tanto. And the figure pulled out a katana. Then the two rushed at each other and engaged in sword play. Karai swung her blade hard, but the figure managed to block and deflect each strike. Then Karai tried to sneak strike the figure, but it managed to slip away and kick her back. "You good," Karai admitted. The figure didn't answer. It just stood ready as the two continued their fight. They clashed blades, looking evenly matched until they reached a grapple. Until the figure suddenly disarmed Karai and swept her legs, knocking her to the floor. "Nice trick," Karai admitted. "Here's one of mine!" She flipped back and morphed into her snake form then whipped her tail, knocking the katana from the figure's hand and then wrapped around it, holding it down. "Oruku Saki trained you well," the figure admitted, right before it hit a neve in Karai's side and twisted it. "Ugh!" Karai cried in pain, before the figure kicked her off and into a wall, morphing back to her human form. Then as she looked up, the figure had it's katana aimed at her chest. "But you know nothing of what I know," the figure said. "Maybe, but I have something you probably don't have," Karai smirked. "Me!" The figure suddenly found two small blades at it's throat held by Shinigami. With no other choice, the figure dropped it's sword. Karai stood and pointed her retrieved tanto at the figure. "Now, how 'bout you tell me just who you are and why your here, trying assassinate me?!" "If I wanted to kill you, you would not be standing right now," the figure said. "And besides, I would never try to harm you..., Miwa." Karai's eyes widened and her hand, that held her weapon, trembled in shock. Then she grabbed the figure by it's robe and glared hard at it. "How do you know my birth name?!" She demanded. "I was there when my brother chose it for you," the figure answered. Then it pulled it's mask to reveal a middle aged Japanese woman. "I am Hamato Mitsu... your father, Hamato Yoshi, was my brother..." Later, Karai sat on her throne, while Mitsu stood before her with two Foot soldiers restraining her. "So, you expect me to believe that your my aunt?" Karai said in suspicion. "I understand your wariness, Miwa," Mitsu replied. "But what I said was the truth." Karai walked down from the throne and stood in front of Mitsu. "Well, I want some assurance that your telling the truth. So right now, Dr Chaplin is running a DNA test on you. And we'll just see if you are?" At that moment, Chaplin appeared. "Okay, I've got the test results, and... Ms Silent but Deadly here is telling the truth." "What?!" Karai gasped. Then she turned to her soldiers. "Release her!" And the soldiers let Mitsu go. "So, you really are my aunt?" "I am," Mitsu nodded. "It was shocking for me as well, when I learned you were alive." "Then, do you also know about..." Karai began. "Yes," Mitsu answered, sadly. "About my brother's fate at the hands of the Shredder." She layed a hand on Karai's shoulder. "I am so sorry, Miwa." "So was I," Karai said, looking away. "But the Shredder is no more, thanks to some very good friends of mine. But something tells me that your not here for just a visit." "You are correct, Miwa," Mitsu confirmed. "I need your help to retrieve something of great importance." "Oh, and just what is this something?" Chaplin inquired, getting nosey, and Mitsu responded by poking a nerve in his shoulder making him stiffen up and fall to the floor. "Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere?" Mitsu suggested. "Agreed," Karai agreed, looking flatly down at Chaplin. At Bradford's old dojo, Karai and Mitsu stood in his old office, while the older woman layed an old drawing of a sword. "The sword of Yurikawa," Mitsu said. "So, what's special about it?" Karai wondered. "Well, legend says it was forged by the legendary mystic Yurikawa," Mitsu explained. "He presented the sword to the Hamato Clan as a gift. The sword was blessed with ability to transform into any weapon, so that those who wield it would be invincible to their enemies." "So what happened?" Karai asked. "One day, the sword was stolen by the Foot Clan and fell into the hands of it's master, Oruku Keiji! Saki's father!" Mitsu continued darkly. "The Shredder's father?" Karai said in surprise. "Yes," Mitsu nodded. "For a long time, Keiji used the sword for evil, until my father, your grandfather, Hamato Yuuta, managed to take it back. Afterwards, he returned it to Yurikawa and he hid the sword away where it wouldn't be misused again." Mitsu then took out a map and layed it out. "I have spent nearly all my life searching for that sword and my search has finally payed off." She pointed to a spot on the map. "Yurikawa hid the sword somewhere in this city known as Canterlot." "I know of that city, it's where some of my friends live," Karai noted. "Shini and I are going there tomorrow to take part in a special event." "Then that is where we must go," Mitsu said. "And we must leave tonight." "Why tonight?" Karai asked. "Why not tomorrow?" "Because tonight is the only night when we can retrieve it," Mitsu responded. "When Yurikawa hid the sword, he created a crypt around it that will disappear for one hundred years before reappearing again on a hollows night. And tonight is that night and by midnight, the crypt will disappear for another hundred years." Karai looked hesitant for a moment before she said, "Alright, but I want Shinigami and some of my other friends to come as well." "So be it," Mitsu relented, then she asked, "These friends of yours, what are they like?" "You'll find out soon enough," Karai answered. Soon, they were riding to Canterlot in the Foot Clan's van. Shini drove while Karai and Mitsu sat next to her in the front. In the back of the van sat April, Casey, Chaplin, Carter, Angel, Keno, Zach, and Caitlyn. "So let me get this straight," Caitlyn stated, skeptically. "Your Karai's aunt and came all this way because you need her help to retrieve a sword?" "That is true," Mistu answered. "I even ran a DNA test," Chaplin added. "Her story checked out." "Right..." Caitlyn replied, but she didn't sound convinced. "Come on, Cate," Zach said. "Do you always gotta be so nosey?" "I'm a blogger, it comes with the territory," Caitlyn excused. "I didn't know you had an aunt, Karai. That's awesome!” Casey cheered. “I hope we get to see more of your relatives, Karai.” Carter said. "I'm afraid not, Carter," Mitsu rebuffed, sadly. "Miwa and I are the last of our family. There are no others..." "For real?" Angel asked. "That's a downer," Chaplin stated. "Mitsu?" April spoke up. "Yes, April?" Mitsu asked. "Forgive me for asking, but from all the times I spent training with Splinter, he never mentioned you. Why is that?" Mitsu looked down and sighed. "Yoshi and I were not very close as children. You might even say that we were like opposites... While we were both trained in ninjitsu, Yoshi was far more dedicated to it. I however, was more interested in scholarship and learning about the history of our clan. Sadly though, my brother's dedication to the clan, he became the favorite of our father, while I was ignored. Consumed by jealousy, I distanced myself from Yoshi. Knowing what became of him now, I regret that choice." April frowned and told her, “It's alright, Mitsu. I'm sure Splinter would be happy that you and Karai have met." "Thank you, April," Mitsu smiled. "I can see why my brother grew fond of you." And April smiled. "So why's the sword so important?" Keno asked. "It has the power to transform into any weapon at will," Mitsu explained. "Cool," said Zach. "I'd love to use something like that!" "Not in your life," Caitlyn rebuffed him. Mitsu turned to Karai. "Are you sure we can rely on these friends of yours to help us?" "My friends are... unique," Karai admitted. "But they can be trusted." “Don't worry, Mitsu. You can count on us.” Carter stated. “We'll find that sword before it disappears.” Angel vowed. "Or falls into the wrong hands," Keno noted. “Thank you everyone,” Mitsu bowed her head at them. “Thank you for helping me with my mission.” “Does anyone else know about the sword of Yurikawa?” Casey asked. “I mean, who else would try to find the sword other than all of us combined.” "Not that I'm aware of. And I do not wish to find out!" Mitsu stated, seriously. "We're here," Shini announced, as they passed a sign that said 'Welcome to Canterlot'. "So where exactly in Canterlot is this temple where the sword is hidden?" Angel asked. "According to the research I uncovered, Yurikawa built the temple in a forest called Everfree," Mitsu answered. "Hey, we've been there before," Casey noted. "Yep," April confirmed. "We went camping there with our friends the Rainbooms." "Too bad they couldn't join us," Angel said. "Said they were joining the Turtles for some forest training." "Turtles?" Mitsu inquired. "I guess you could call them my brothers," Karai said. "Father adopted them when they all got covered in mutagen. Father became a rat while the four turtles became human-like." "Interesting?" Mitsu raised a brow. "I have one last question?" Caitlyn asked Mitsu. "Why do you need Karai's help to get the sword?" "When I learned that Miwa was alive and well, I wished for us both to retrieve the sword together. As a family," Mitsu replied, and Karai smiled warmly. "Aww!" Shini said. "But we must hurry, we don't have a lot of time," Mitsu noted. "First, we need another friend of ours to guide us to the temple,” Karai suggested. Mitsu asked, “Who do you have in mind?” Karai thought about it until the van stopped by Sunset’s house. She knocked on the door and it was opened by Fugitoid who looked so pleased. “Oh, hello Karai,” Fugitoid asked with a smile. “Hey, Fugitoid. Are you busy?” Karai replied. Fugitoid answered, “No. Just finished dusting Sunset's house. So, what can I do for you today?” Karai informed him, “My aunt needs help finding a sword in Everfree. Will you help us?” Fugitoid was surprisingly shocked. “Wait a minute, you have an aunt?” “It's a long story,” Karai answered. “I'll tell you on the way.” “Right.” Fugitoid nodded as he locked the door and exited the house to follow Karai to the van for her quest. As they rode, Mitsu spoke with Fugitoid. "So you are a human brain inside a body of metal?" "Well, humanoid is more accurate," Fugitoid noted cheerfully, but then he turned somber. "And my condolences for the loss of your brother." "Thank you," Mitsu said. “Oh I can't wait for the Halloween Show later tonight. Would you agree?” Casey asked his friends. Mitsu overheard their conversations and asked her niece, “A Halloween show?" "Some other friends of ours are performing a show at their school for Halloween tomorrow," Karai explained. "And they invited us to preform with them." "Why would you take part of this trivial event?” Mitsu inquired as Karai answered. "After spending most of my life with the Shredder, I never really got the chance to make my own decisions and enjoy the happier things in life. Things such as walk on beaches, ride attractions in amusement parks, and just hanging out with my friends. My friendship with them made me a better person. And I'm going to enjoy that for the rest of my life.” “Hmm, I see?” Mitsu stated. But by the sound of her tone, she didn't sound very approving. What neither her or Karai knew, was that Caitlyn had overheard and she looked even more suspicious by Mitsu's behavior. While she drove, Shini noticed something. "Um, what's with all this fog?" The others noticed that clouds of fog were settling in. "Strange," Fugitoid said. "There was no weather report about fog?" "It matters not, we must find the temple before midnight," Mitsu stated. Minutes later, the van arrived at Camp Everfree where Timber was waiting and everyone exited the van. “Hey Karai, I got your message. What's up?” Timber asked. “We need your help guiding us around the Everfree Forest. Will you join us?” Karai asked. Timber nodded, “Of course, anything for a friend like you, Karai.” After that, Karai and her friends journeyed through the Everfree Forest to find an ancient temple where the Sword of Yurikawa was located. While continuing to walk through the forest, they took an abandoned path filled with fog while Zach was looking at the map. “Are you sure we're taking the right path, Timber?” Zach nervously asked. “I'm starting to get the chills around here.” "It's the right path, though I wasn't expecting there to be this much fog." Timber replied. "It almost seems ominous," Shini noted. “Here, let me light up the path for you,” Fugitoid announced as he turned on the headlights from his eyes to clear a path for them. “Ta-da!” "Thanks, Fuge," Timber said. As they walked, Caitlyn tapped April. "Hey, April, can I talk to you for a moment?" "Sure, what's up, Caitlyn?" April asked. "I've got a bad feeling about Mitsu," Caitlyn said. "She seems off!" "What?! Caitlyn, she's Karai's aunt!" April chastised her. "I know, I mean no disrespect, but she's rubbing me the wrong way," Caitlyn insisted. “Caitlyn, that's horrible!" April chewed her out. "Karai's had no family members until today! She's finally lucky to have found one!" Caitlyn reminded her, “Don't you get it, April. It's almost like the time you thought you found your long lost mother and look how that turned out...” April's face soften. She would never forget that horrible experience. Or how completely blinded she had been to the truth. She sighed, “You may have a point, but let's just keep going until we find out what's going on. And don't bring it up around Karai.” "Okay," Caitlyn relented. "But I just wanna point out one more thing: Mitsu never said why she wants this sword." April was taken aback, as the realization hit her. The thought had never crossed her mind. Why did Mitsu want the Sword of Yurikawa? Meanwhile, Casey's phone buzzed and he saw it was Gabby. "Hey, Gabby," he answered it. "Hola, Casey," Gabby replied, but she sounded a little uneasy. "Pregunta tonta, dumb question? That car mutant you and Donnie fought, what did it look like exactly?" "You mean Speed Demon?" Casey inquired. "Well, he was a dark purple muscle car and a totally crazy driver. Oh yeah, and the hood also had teeth sticking out!" Then he heard a clattering sound, as if Gabby had dropped her phone. Then he heard her shouting to someone in the background, "Get away from that car!" right before the call ended. "Weird," Casey said. "Hey, Casey, who was that?" Carter asked. "That was Gabby," Casey explained. "She wanted to know what Speed Demon looked like." "That car mutant you told us about?" Zack inquired. "Why would she wanna know what he looks like?" Angel wondered aloud. "No idea?" Casey shrugged. Mitsu then thought of something in her mind and walked up to Karai. She said, “Hey, do you have a moment?” “Yeah. What's on your mind?” Karai replied. “I want to take this time to know you better. And you haven't know me better. So, what was your childhood like?” Mitsu asked. "Well, being raised by the Shredder wasn't easy. Which is putting it lightly," Karai began. "So my childhood wasn't all fun and games. When Saki began training me in ninjitsu, things got even harder for me." "I am sorry to hear that," Mitsu sympathized. Karai continued. "While he did make me strong, he was also trying to mold me into his image, and sadly for a while, I did act like him and even hurt many of my now closest friends in more ways than one. Especially one, Leonardo. When we first fought, I found him amusing and he became attracted to me. Knowing that, I played with his emotions, making him ignore his better judgement and the warnings of April and his brother Raph, who both saw through me. Then one day, I made a complete idiot out of him and showed him my true colors at the time." Mitsu chuckled. "I use to play tricks on Yoshi and make a fool of him. He always fell for it. I suppose Leonardo adopted his gullibility?" "He sure did," Karai grinned, but then she looked regretful. "But I'm not exactly proud of it anymore. When he learned the truth about me being Splinter's daughter he tried to tell me, until I finally believed him. But by then, Saki had me imprisoned." “And then what?” Mitsu asked. Karai explained her story, “The Turtles managed to save me, but when I found out that Shredder killed my mother, I tried to get revenge on him and I was captured. He put me in a cage, dangling above a tank full of mutagen. Leo and his friends tried to rescue me, but Saki accidentally cut the chain and I fell into the mutagen. After I got out, I was turned into a mutant snake. After that, I got away but Saki and his men captured me. He brainwashed me and turned me into his puppet again. Some time later, my father freed me from Saki's mind control and I was free once more. After that, I wanted to make Saki pay for all he did to me! So I recruited Shinigami as well as my own ninjas and took down Shredder's empire from the shadows!" "Quite a tale you have, Miwa," Mitsu said. "Yes, but as I mentioned, I also have some regrets," Karai admitted. "One such regret was that I wasted the time I could have been spending with my father on taking down the Shredder." Mitsu layed a hand on her shoulder. "I understand, Miwa. There were times I wasted in research and studying that I could've spent with my father." "That's one thing we have in common," Karai smiled at her aunt. "It is indeed," Mitsu smiled back. As the gang continued walking, Zach heard something and stopped. He told everyone, “Hold up. Listen.” Zach used his flashlight and shined it on a tree where the noise was coming from. But the noise turned out to be an owl. Everyone just continued walking as Caitlyn said with a deadpan expression, “Really Zach? It's just an owl. Don't be a baby.” Zach frowned, when suddenly he heard a horse winny and turned to see the shape of a horse and carriage ride past in the fog. Freaked out, he ran to catch up with the others. As they walked, April tapped Karai on the shoulder. "Karai can I talk to you in private?" "Uh, sure," Karai agreed and they hung back. "What is it, April?" “Look, Karai. I know you're happy that you found your aunt, but Caitlyn told me that she doesn't trust Mitsu because there was something off about her,” April informed her. Karai rebuffed, “What? That's ridiculous! She's my aunt!" "I know, I told her off for that too," April replied, “But there is some logic in her claim. We never asked Mitsu why she wanted the sword in the first place.” Karai eased up, as she realized that was truth. "She never did say why she wanted the sword," she admitted. "Karai, some things are just too good to be true," April advised. "Something I had to learn the hard way with Mom-Thing..." Karai remembered hearing about that incident. How April let the joy of finding her mother and fear of losing her family again completely blind her to the truth. She didn't wanna believe it, but deep down Karai began to wonder if she was doing the same. And that Mitsu might not be what she seemed. She was also unaware that Mitsu was watching them from the corner of her eye. Through the fog of Everfree Forest, Timber then noticed something up ahead. He squinted his eyes and saw a building. He alerted everyone, “Stop.” Everyone stopped and Mitsu asked, “What is it?” “Look,” Timber said as he pointed his flashlight at the building and shined the light on it. The building was none other than the temple. Mitsu confirmed, “Yes, that's it. That's the temple we seek. Quickly!” Everyone hurried into the temple and entered a large room. They noticed the room was filled with statues, all in strange poses. In the center of the room, in a shaft of moonlight, sat a stone. Sticking out of the stone was the sword. "Is that it?" April asked. "That it is," Mitsu answered. "The Sword Of Yurikawa." "Why's it in that rock?" Carter asked. "When Yurikawa built this temple, he enchanted that stone so that it would only release the sword to a Hamato," Mitsu explained. “Well lucky for me, I am a daughter of Hamato Yoshi after all.” Karai said. "Uh, excuse me for interrupting," Fugitoid said. "But do you know if this Yurikawa built any traps in this temple? In all the Daring Do movies I've seen along with the CMC, I've noticed that in every old temple there's usually a trap." "There are no traps here," Mitsu said. "Well, now that's a relief," Fugitoid began, until Mitsu spoke up again. "But, there is one obstacle we must overcome." "Like what?" Angel asked. Suddenly, the ground shook and into the room stepped a stone warrior with a nagatana spear. "Him, Shogun, the temple's guardian!" Mitsu said. "And I spoke too soon," Fugitoid noted. Shogun charged right in and started attacking the gang. Everyone dodged as April, Casey, Shini, Carter, and Angel hold off the Shogun while Caitlyn, Zach, Timber, and Fugitoid stood back and hid behind some rocks as they watched. “Um, we'll be right here for moral support if you need us.” Zach said, scaredly. Mitsu rolled her eyes and informed her niece, “Karai, get the sword. We'll deal with Shogun.” Karai nodded, “I'm on it.” “Wait, what about me? What am I suppose to do?” Fugitoid asked Zach and Caitlyn. "You protect us," Caitlyn said. "Oh, right," Fugitoid remembered. "Goongala!" Casey exclaimed, skating toward Shogun and whacked him with his hockey stick, breaking it on impact. "Bonzai!" Keno cried, as he hit Shogun with his sticks. The stone guardian twirled his spear and knocked them both away. Then Angel lept in, hitting him with her sticks, but Shogun grabbed her and threw her into Carter, when he came charging in. Just as he was about to stab them with his spear, Shini's chain wrapped around his arm and was pulled back. "Eat this, stone boy!" Chaplin fired a laser blast at Shogun. The guardian was forced back a little, but he wasn't damaged. Then he yanked the chain, pulling Shini with it and swung her into Chaplin. Then he pulled them both forward and punched them both into a wall. But then the Bridge siblings and Keno knocked Shogun down with a kick. But after the kick, Shogun stood back up and smacked them away. Carter said in disbelief, “Dang, he's tough.” "That's an understatement," Keno noted. "You said it!" Angel agreed. "Let's see him deal with this!" April hit him with a psychic wave. As Shogun struggled against it, he hurled his spear at her, which she quickly deflected with her powers, but Shogun then upper cut her and kicked her back. Shogun then took his spear and about to stab her, when Mitsu appeared out of nowhere and blocked with her katana. Mitsu told Shogun, “You're good, but not good enough.” Then the two fought hard, looking evenly matched. Until Shogun noticed Karai heading for the sword. Then he knocked Mitsu away and threw his spear at the girl. "Whoa!" Karai stopped as the spear almost hit her. Shogun charged at her and lept up to land a kick. But Karai rolled out of the way just in time. Then he attack her, throwing punches and kicks, while Karai blocked then and tried to throw in some of her own before Shogun grabbed her and threw her into Mitsu. After that, everyone stood and attacked Shogun at the same time, ganging up on the stone warrior with their weapons. However, Shogun proved to be too strong and whacked them away with his spear. “He's too strong!" Keno said. "How do we even beat this dude?!” Casey asked, loudly. Shogun approached, ready to finish them, when he was hit with multiple blasts by Fugitoid. "Back! Back I say!" The cyborg shouted, forcing Shogun to back up. "Thanks, Fuge!" Carter said. Everyone stood as Mitsu ordered, "Karai, get the sword!" Karai nodded and rushed toward the stone. Fugitoid was still keeping Shogun at by, when the stone guardian managed to push through and slice off both his arms with the spear. "Oh, bleep!" Fugitoid said, before Shogun punched him into a wall. "Fugitoid!" Zach and Caitlyn cried, as they and Timber ran over to him. "You okay?" The camper asked. "Aside from being armless, I'm good," Fugitoid assured. "Oh dear!" Shogun stomped up to them and raised his spear, before Mitsu jumped over him, grabbed him by the head, and used her body weight to pull and slam him to the ground. "Whoa! Thanks for the save, Mitsu!" Zach cheered. Shogun stood, ready to fight again, when a laser blast knocked him off his feet and making him drop his spear, thanks to Chaplin. Then Casey skated in, grabbed the spear, and raced toward Shogan. "Goongala!" He shouted, and sliced off Shogun's head. "Yes! I got him!" Chaplin hi-fived him. "You the man, Jones!" Suddenly, Shogun stood back up, without his head. "No lo creo?!" Was all he said, before Shogun grabbed him and Casey, smashed them into each other, and slammed on the ground, before pounded them both repeatedly. Then he took back his spear, just in time for April to knock him away with another psychic blast. "He can fight without his head?!" She asked. “He's like the Headless Horseman,” Keno said in disbelief. Carter replied, “Yeah. No kidding, Ichabod.” “Mitsu, you did some research on this temple before," Shini stated. "So, does this headless samurai have any weaknesses?” "Only the sword can defeat him!" Mitsu said. "Look out!" Shogun picked up his head and threw it at the group who quickly dodged. "Hurry and get the sword, Karai!" Angel shouted. While Karai made way to retrieve the sword and everyone else held off Shogun, Caitlyn discovered some ancient Japanese writings on the walls of the temple. "Guys," she said, motioning for Zach, Timber, and Fugitoid to come over. "What are those?" Zach asked. "I don't know?" Caitlyn informed Fugitoid, “Fuge, can you help us translate the writings on the walls of the temple please?” “Certainly,” Fugitoid nodded and started scanning, decoding, and translating the Japanese writings. Karai took hold of the sword and with one heave, she pulled it out of the stone. At that moment, Shogun stopped fighting the others and turned to Karai. Then he rushed at her, swinging his spear and tried to land a hit. But Karai raised the sword and in a flash, it transformed into a nagatana spear, blocking Shogun's attack. Karai pushed the stone guardian away as the sword changed back. "Let's see how tough you are now!" Then she and Shogun fought. "Kick his stone butt, Karai!" Chaplin called. Mitsu was amazed by the sword’s power as Karai kept fighting against Shogun with the sword. “Wow. Incredible power from the Sword of Yurikawa.” “Fuge, did you figure out what those writings mean?” Caitlyn asked Fugitoid while Zach, Timber, and the others watched the continuing battle between Shogun and Karai. "Well, from what I've gathered, it appears to be a warning of some sort?" Fugitoid stated. "A warning?" Timber asked. "Of what?" "That I'm not sure of what that warning is yet?" Fugitoid answered. "I need to do more translation." Meanwhile, Karai was gaining the upper hand against Shogun, dodging his attacks and striking him with the sword as it transformed into various weapons. When Shogun swung his spear, it turned into a shield. When he threw a punch, it turned into nunchucks that Karai wrapped around his fist and using his forward momentum, flipped him over her shoulder. “Wow, this sword is something else.” Karai said, looking at the Sword of Yurikawa. Shogun rosed up and charged right at her again. The sword changed into a bo staff and Karai leaped over him. Then, the sword transformed into a mace and Karai hit Shogun’s head off his body before she safely landed on the ground. Shogun turned around and charged right at Karai as she used the sword to shuffle Shogun’s head like a puck and swiftly moved her feet like a hockey player. Karai hit his head, launching it like a puck and flew underneath his stone body as Karai slid underneath him. Then, Karai got up and hit Shogun’s head with her sword, launching it and bouncing it off the walls like a ping-pong ball as it kept hitting Shogun’s stone body. Casey was astounded by Karai’s performance and dropped his jaw, thinking and wondering if she had been taking notes of his moveset. Shogun caught his head gave a mighty swing and Karai just managed to dodge it. Then the sword's blade lit up with fire and she ran it Right through the stone guardian's chest. After a moment, Shogun dropped his spear and crumbled to dust. Fugitoid, Shini, and the rest of the teens cheered for Karai after defeating the stone guardian. Chaplin whooped, “Woohoo! That was awesome!” April cheered, “Way to go, Karai.” Shini bowed, “Well done.” Casey applauded, “You gotta teach me those moves some other time, Karai.” "Well done, Miwa," Mitsu said, then held out her hand. "Now, let me have the sword and we can leave this place." Karai was about to had it over when she stopped, a sudden bad feeling crept over her. Then she remembered what April had said. She quickly held the sword away and said, "Not yet!" "Miwa?" Mitsu looked surprised. "Tell me why you want the sword?" Karai demanded. "I don't have time, Miwa," Mitsu excused. "Please, give me the sword!" And she reached for it, but Karai jerked it away. "Make time!" Karai said, sternly. "Why do you want the sword?" "Miwa, I am your aunt!" Mitsu said, sounding hurt. "Do you not trust me?" "Yes, but I'm not stupid!" Karai stated. "You never told me why you wanted the sword! So tell me, now!" Mitsu looked down in guilt for a moment. Then she suddenly threw powder in Karai's face, distorting her. Then Mitsu grabbed her arm and swung her into the others, making her drop the sword. "I am so sorry, Miwa," the woman said, taking the sword. "I truly never wanted it to go this way." Karai was deeply shocked and hurt from her aunt’s betrayal. She cried, “Mitsu, what are you doing? Stop!” Mitsu ignored Karai as she exited the temple and used the sword to destroy the entrance until it turned to debris, trapping her former allies including her own niece inside. "Nooooooo!" Karai shouted, pounding on the debris before she slumped to the ground in sadness. "She used me! This whole time!" "I knew she seemed off!" Caitlyn said, and Angel smacked her upside the head. "Ow!" "Caitlyn, stop talking!" Angel pointed at how heartbroken Karai looked. April sat on her knees and put and hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry, Karai." Karai quickly composed herself and her sadness turned to anger. "We have to stop her!" She said. "But we need to get out of here first!" "April, can you use your ESP to move all the debris?" Carter asked. "I don't think I have enough strength for that," April rebuffed. "Well we gotta do something?" Zach said. At that moment Chaplin ushered everyone away from the entrance. "Alright, back up, folks. Back up, back up, retrocede, por favor." "Chaplin, what are-" Karai began, when she noticed there were now explosive charges all over the debris. Chaplin turned with a smug look and pointed his finger like a pistol. "Bang!" He pretended to fire it. And at that moment, the charges went off, blasting the debris away. "Awesome!" Casey cheered. "Yeah!" Keno added. "Nice going, Chaplin!" Karai said. "It's a talent," Chaplin said, blowing pretend smoke off his finger. Everyone exited the temple as Caitlyn dragged Fugitoid while Zach carried his arms. Fugitoid warmly smiled, “Oh, thank you Zach and Caitlyn.” Zach replied, “Don't sweat it, Fuge. Chaplin will fix your arms once we're done here.” Chaplin nodded, “Eeyup.” Fugitoid beamed, “Wonderful.” Everyone made their way back to Camp Everfree, but the Foot van was gone. Carter shouted, “Oh no, the van!” Karai speculated, “Hmm, seems like Mitsu took the van while we were stuck inside the temple.” “Yeah, but the question is, how are we going to find Mitsu now?” Angel asked. “Don't worry everyone, I placed a tracker underneath the van just in case it's stolen,” Chaplin informed everyone as he showed the location of the van and where it's heading from his phone. “See.” “Chaplin, you are a genius,” Karai said before hugging him. "As always," Chaplin grinned. "But... we have no way to catch up to her." "Well now, I wouldn't say that..." Fugitoid said. "If you'll reattach my arms, I might be able to help with that issue." Meanwhile, in the Foot's van, Mitsu was driving fast down the highway. Then she noticed something in rearview mirror. She leaned out the window and gasped in disbelief. "This is so metal!" Casey exclaimed in excitement, as he held on to Fugitoid. The cyborg was flying after the van with his rocket boosters, while everyone held onto his body and his extended arms and legs. "Yeah this is!" Zach agreed. "Whoo hooo!" Carter cheered. Chaplin informed everyone, “Okay, I'm gonna try to shoot the tires. That'll slow her down.” “Okay, but I want my aunt alive,” Karai ordered. “With pleasure,” Chaplin nodded as he grabbed his laser pistol and started firing lasers at the van. Mitsu ducked back in, floored the gas, and steered the van onto a dirt path while dodging the lasers. "Follow her!" Karai ordered Fugitoid. "I can't with all those trees in the way," the cyborg retorted. Karai thought for a moment, before she said, "Then fly above the trees and try to catch up to her!" "That, I can do," Fugitoid nodded and flew after the van above the tree line. Then, when Karai saw an opening, she found the opportunity to jump off and landed on top of the van. Mitsu heard the thump on top of the van and steered from left to right, trying to shake off her niece. “Where are you heading now, Mitsu?” Karai thought to herself. She held on tight as she climbed toward the driver's window and swung in, kicking Mitsu out of the van. Then she hit the brakes and stopped in a clearing. After that she got out and confronted her aunt. "You owe me some answers, Mitsu!" She demanded. "Why did you want the sword? Why did you use me?" "I'm sorry I used you, Miwa," Mitsu apologized. "But I had to. I would never have been able to pull the sword from the stone. As for the reason, I need the sword to take back what is rightfully mine!" "And what might that be?" Karai prodded. "The Hamato Clan!" Mitsu answered. "What?" Karai asked. Then, the rest of Karai’s friends arrived and surrounded Mitsu. “We got you surrounded. There's nowhere left for you to run now,” Casey said. Shini stated, “You're going to regret double-crossing us, Mitsu!” "Why do you want the Hamato Clan, Mitsu?" Karai asked. "Because the clan should have been mine!" Mitsu clenched her fist. "I was the oldest! I knew more about our clan's history better than Yoshi ever did! And still father made Yoshi master of the clan!" Karai explained, “That's because father worked hard to get to where he was. Age didn't matter whoever was chosen to be leader of the Hamato Clan.” Mitsu laughed, “Have you listened to yourself lately? I worked harder more than my brother ever could. He may be gone, but I'm still here.” Zach whispered to his sister, “I don't like where this is going, sis.” Caitlyn nodded. "Now that I have the sword, I can finally reclaim the clan!" Mitsu proclaimed. "But in order to do that, I must slay it's master..." "Leo!" Karai realized in shock. "You can't do that, Mitsu! He's my brother, our family!" "That kappa is not your brother!" Mitsu retorted, harshly. "He's a monster! Never a true Hamato!" Everyone gasped at what she had said. "How dare you!" April snapped. "That is so messed up, yo!" Casey added. Angel said. "No wonder your dad never made you leader!" "Silence!" Mitsu cut her off. "You know nothing of what you speak!" "No, Mitsu, Angel's right," Karai said. "Grandfather was right to make father leader of the clan, just as father himself was right to leave that honor to my brother Leonardo. He also said that there is no greater monster than a lack of compassion!" "My father said the same to me when I spoke against the idea of raising Saki, a child of the enemy! And see where that led?" Mitsu explained, “And that kappa has dishonored the clan by allowing, freaks, monsters, and outsiders to join the clan. That's disgusting!” Karai rebuked, “You're wrong, Mitsu. Leo and the rest of my brothers had help because of us. We went through many adventures together with them, formed bonds of friendship with our allies, and defeated many foes whoever tried to rule or destroy our world. That's why Leo is the leader. But for you, you only care about the past, restore the things you want, and most importantly, yourself.” "I'm doing what's best for the clan!" Mitsu insisted, fiercely. "Something father did not understand, that day I took the sword..." "What?" Karai asked, then she realized something. "You lied about the Foot using the sword?! It was you!" "Yes. You are correct," Mitsu admitted. Then remembering her past, she explained, “You see, when I was young, our clan was under siege by a French clan known as The Savate! I stole the sword and used it to win the battle. However, it caused some injuries on the Hamato Clan. Father was angry and told me that I was not worthy of leading the clan. Then he took the sword and with a heavy heart, banished me from the clan. It took me decades to find the sword. And when I did, I could not pull it from the stone for it considered me dishonorable. And when I learned you were alive, I believed that you could get the sword, and I was right!" Then she looked solemnly at Karai. "Miwa, despite everything, I do care about you. We are all that's left of our clan. It is not too late. We can rebuild the clan together. Be a real family." Karai looked thoughtful for a moment, before she said, "I care about you too, Mitsu, but I do have family! My brothers and my friends! And they have already rebuilt the clan, just as I rebuilt the Foot. Both are stronger than ever! But you're right about one thing, it's not too late. Give up the sword and abandon your plan." Mitsu shook her head and replied, “No. I can't turn back now, my niece. I can't pass up this opportunity,” She asked nicely, “Now I beg of you, Miwa, join me in my conquest.” “I'm sorry, Mitsu,” Karai rebuffed. “You may be my aunt, but I won't help you with your sick and twisted plan.” Mitsu sighed, “I'm very disappointed of you, Miwa. I don't want to fight you either. But if I must…” Without warning, she swung the sword at Karai, who ducked. Then Karai pulled out her tanto and clashed with Mitsu. They fought hard until Mitsu broke out, the sword turned into a bo staff, and whacked Karai away. “That's it! Goongala!” Casey yelled as he hit two explosive pucks after he swung his hockey stick. Mitsu turned her sword into a mace and knocked off the pucks, exploding right into the sky. Her sword turned into a whip and it grabbed Casey by the leg. She swung him around until he was sent flying right at Timber. However, Timber jumped right over him and grappled Mitsu. April used her psychic powers and rescued Casey before getting hit by a flying Timber as Mitsu threw him off. Then when Shini sent some bats to blind her, Mitsu turned her whip back into the sword and started taking down Shini’s bat decoys. While she was distracted, Shini used her chain to hit Mitsu, but she used her sword and cut off Shini’s chain. Mitsu then spin kicked Shini and she collided with April after she, Casey, and Timber got up. Carter, Angel, Chaplin, and the rest of Karai’s team circled around Mitsu until she used her sword to turn it into a whip and hit everyone with it. "Fools!" Mitsu exclaimed. "As long as I hold the sword, I am invincible!" "Well here's something that sword can't copy!" Chaplin said, as he and Fugitoid fired their lasers at her. But Mitsu turned the sword into a shield and blocked their attacks. Then Mitsu threw the shield at Chaplin, knocking him down. Then she turned it back into a sword and chopped off Fugitoid's arms again. "Oh, really?! I just got those back!" Fugitoid complained, right before he was kicked down by Mitsu. Then Mitsu was hit by floating rocks, thanks to April. The woman then threw the sword at her. April quickly halted it and Mitsu then struck her rapidly in the chest and elbowed her to the ground. "You are weak!" Mitsu sneered at her. "Unfit to even be ninja!" She picked up the sword, when suddenly Caitlyn jumped on her and put her in a headlock. Then Zach grabbed hold of her legs. Annoyed, Mitsu turned the sword into a staff again and pried Zach off her legs and tossed him into Caitlyn, knocking her off, and kick them both away. "Did you really think that would stop me?" Mitsu asked siblings dryly. "Nope," Zach smirked. "But it would distract you," Caitlyn added, slyly. Then at that moment, Mitsu was hit with a smoke bomb and April nailed her with the Dragon Tail kick, knocking her off her feet. "How's that for weak!" April smirked. After April’s attack, the Bridge siblings fought Mitsu with a double team move. Carter performed a leg sweep while Angel landed an enziguri to Mitsu’s face. Mitsu then got hit by Casey and Shini using their smoke bombs to blindside her. As Mitsu was distracted by the smoke surrounding her, Karai managed to knock the sword away from her. As everyone fought to grab the sword, Zach and Caitlyn run up to Fugitoid. "You okay, Fuge?" Zach asked. "Aside from being armless yet again, I'm good," Fugitoid answered. Then they heard a beep. "Oh, my translation is complete!" "I don't know if now's a good time for that?" Caitlyn stated. "It'll only take a moment," Fugitoid assured as he analyzed the message. "Now, it is most certainly a warning. To what that warning is about, let's see..." he looked and his eyes turned to Os. "Oh, no! What time is it?!" Caitlyn checked her phone. "Almost close to midnight. Why?" Everyone except Karai was ready to pile onto Mitsu, but she threw them off with her fast punches and kicks. Then, she and Karai were the only one left standing, face-to-face, glaring against one another. Then the two rushed at each other and fought hard, throwing in kicks and punches, while blocking the other's attacks, but also receiving some hits. Karai threw a punch but Mitsu blocked it and hit her in the gut twice, then spun her around, struck her in some pressure points, and threw her over her shoulder into a tree. "You stand no chance against me, Miwa," she stated. "It will be easier if you just give up!" Karai got up and proclaimed, "I've been beaten by others before you, Mitsu! I didn't give up then..." she turned around and got into a stance. "And I'm not giving up now!" "So be it!" Mitsu said, coldly. And rushed at Karai. Karai took a deep breath to calm down, then as Mitsu tried to land a blow, Karai dodged each strike. Then she turned into her snake form and wrapped her tail around Mitsu's legs, throwing her off. Then she slithered forward and whacked Mitsu all over, when the woman tried to strike her in the same spot like last time, Karai jumped up, transformed back, and nailed her with down kick, knocking her out. "I'm sorry, aunt," Karai said, sadly. “Woohoo! You did it, Karai!” April cheered. Angel added, “Yeah! That'll teach your aunt not to mess with the new Hamato Clan!” “So, what should we do with Mitsu now, guys?” Keno asked. “I'd say let Karai decide her aunt's fate. Right?” Everyone agreed with Shini, but Karai didn't answer as she looked at the sword. “Karai?” Karai then picked up the sword. "First, let's find out what to do with this-" "Drop the sword!" Fugitoid exclaimed frantically. "Fugitoid? What are you-" Karai was cut off when Caitlyn cried. "Put down the sword! It's cursed!" "What are you guys talking about?" Casey asked. "What we're talking about, is the sword is cursed!" Zach said. "What do you mean the sword is cursed?" Angel inquired. "While you guys were fighting Shogun back in the temple, I saw some old writting on the wall," Caitlyn explained. "After running a translation, I discovered that Yurikawa put a curse on the sword so no one could ever misuse it ever again!" Fugitoid added, then he pulled up the screen, showing them. "It says right here, then anyone who touch the sword will turn to stone!" "Remember all those statues we saw in the temple?" Caitlyn recalled. "Those weren't statues, they were people!" "Wait, hold on," Karai broke in. "If the sword turns people to stone, why hasn't it affected me or Mitsu?" "Because tonight is the one day a year when it is safe to touch it," Fugitoid explained. "But if you hold it past the midnight hour, the curse will take affect!" As they were explaining, Mitsu woke up and glared at the group, while eyeing the sword. "Look, it's almost midnight!" Caitlyn showed them the time on her phone. "Drop the sword!" Zach exclaimed. But before Karai could, Mitsu came out of nowhere, grabbed the sword, and knocked Karai into the others, knocking them all down. "The sword is mine!" She yelled. "Mitsu, no!" Karai cried. "The sword's cursed!" “If you hold that sword for long, you'll be turned to stone!” Caitlyn warned Mitsu. However, Mitsu refused, “No! I won't let you stop me from my destiny! If you won't join me, then I'll lay you all to rest with my sword!” As Mitsu was about to attack Karai and her friends, midnight struck and the sword burned her hand. “Gah!” She screamed in pain as her hand started to turn into stone. Mitsu cried with fear in her eyes, “No...” She turned to Karai and her friends for help. Mitsu pleaded, “Help me, please? I beg you! I don't want my life to end like this!” Karai and the others were too horrified to even move as Mitsu's feet and legs turned to stone. "Please! Miwa!" Mitsu's body and both her arms became stone. "Miwa!" Mitsu's neck turned to stone and the woman let out a piercing scream as her head became petrified, her face frozen as her scream faded away into an echo. The curse had claimed its next victim. Finally, Karai found her voice. "No..." she walked up to Mitsu and felt her cold stone face. Then her eyes filled with tears as she rested against her petrified aunt. April approached her. "Karai, are you okay?" "She was the only living family member I had!" Karai said. "But you and Caitlyn were right, April. She was too good to be true." April walked up to Karai and placed her hand on her shoulder. “I understand. It reminded me of the time when I defeated Mom-Thing, but I felt really sad that it wasn't my real mom.” Caitlyn stepped up and told them, “You know, you were right about what you said to Mitsu, we are your family.” Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement. Karai smiled back. "She is correct," came a familiar voice. Karai spun around to see Splinter standing there. "Father!" "Sensei!" April exclaimed. And the two hugged him. "Father, your sister, she's-" Karai began. "Yes, I am aware of what has become of my sister," Splinter said, looking solemly at Mitsu. "Master Splinter, why didn't you tell us you had a sister?" April asked. Splinter lowered his head before answering, "Make no mistake, I loved my sister dearly and still very much do. But she was prejudiced and inexorable, refusing to accept change. I did not want you nor my sons to know you were related to someone who was just as bad as the Shredder." “Oh, well…” Karai took her time to gather thoughts, “If only there was a way to help my aunt. I wish I could've save her from the curse. I'm so sorry, father. I don't even know what to do now my biological aunt's gone.” Karai felt really sad and began to tear up. Splinter placed a hand on her. "Sadly, not everyone can be saved, but take comfort in the fact that you tried. And for that, I am proud of you, Miwa." Karai smiled and bowed. "Thank you, father." "But I also bring grave news," Splinter said. "The Turtles and Rainbooms are in danger!" "What?!" Everyone gasped. "Where?!” Karai asked. Splinter pointed. "In that direction! And you must hurry, before they're life force is drained from them!" Everyone looked at each other in shock and confusion, wondering what kind of danger their friends were in, but when they looked back, Splinter was gone. "We gotta save our friends, yo!" Casey said. "But where are gonna find them?" Keno asked. “And what do we gonna do about the sword?” Timber added. "Well we can't touch it now, or we'll end up like that," Chaplin pointed at the petrified Mitsu. "But we can't just leave it here either," Angel noted. As everyone was wondering what to do, they heard the sound of someone or something moving through the trees. Then Shogun stepped out of the trees. Everyone quickly got defensive but the guardian walked right past them and picked up the sword. Then he turn and walked back the way he had come and disappeared into the woods. "Well, that takes care of that," Carter said. "Hey, what's up with those clouds?" Zach pointed up, as some clouds swirled with a green light, before the light hit the ground. "That's not normal, right?" Keno inquired. Then suddenly, a bunch of dead zombie hands popped up from the ground. Everyone became terrified as the zombies rose from the ground. "Are those zombies?!" Timber asked in fright. "Yeah right!" Chaplin scoffed. "I bet their a bunch people trying to scare us! I'll prove it!" He aimed his lazers and shot a stun blast at one of the zombies only for the blasts to go right through it. And they could see that it wasn't someone in a costume. "Maybe it's an animatronic?" Suddenly a zombie hand burst out of the ground and grabbed his leg. Chaplin screamed. As did everyone else, until Angel whacked it off with her sticks. "Or maybe it's real!" She exclaimed. "Run!" Everyone ran towards the van and went inside before Karai closed it. Shini, Karai, and April moved up to the front as the witch girl tried to start the engine. But it wouldn't start! Shini groaned, “Ugh, not right now!” Then, a bunch of zombies approached the van and they started to pile on it. Caitlyn pleaded, “Drive us outta here!” “Almost got it!” Shini yelled. Finally, the van started and Shini drove everyone as fast and as far away from the zombies as they could. "Well!" Fugitoid sighed in relief. "That was a near thing." "What was all that about?" Carter asked. "I don't know, and I don't wanna find out!" Caitlyn stated. "Well, now that we got away from the walking dead, let's go save the Turtles and Rainbooms!" Chaplin said. "Uh, any idea where they could be?" Everyone shook their heads. "I know Leo said they were doing some forest training," April noted. "I think it was in this forest, but I don't where exactly?" “April, use your ESP,” Karai suggested. April held her head with one hand and held out the other until she pointed to the right. "That way," she said. "Watch out!" Caitlyn shouted. From out of the trees, Simon Bonesteel and the Purple Nightmares came running out, screaming. Then they screamed when they saw the van. Shini made a sharp turn to the left and swerved down a slope. The van bumped and bounced until it reached the bottom and stopped. "Well, that was close," she said. "Hey, that was Bonesteel!" Casey realized. "And the Purple Nightmares!" Keno added. "What were they doing here?" Carter asked. "It looked like they were running from something?" Zach noted. "But what?" Angel inquired. "Uh, I'm guessing that!" April pointed up the slope as more zombies appeared. "Drive, Shini, drive!" Karai cried. Shini stepped on the gas, but the van's tires just spun in place. It was stuck in the mud! "Oh, no!" She exclaimed, pumping the pedal four times, but the wheels just kept spinning as the zombies came closer. "Let's bail!" Timber shouted. Casey and Carter kicked the back doors open, knocking down some zombies, Shini, Karai, and April doing the same as everyone fled the van and ran away into the night with the zombies stumbling after them.