Perspective: Fluttershy
We had waited until at least nightfall before we decided to put Leonardo's plan into action. And I have to say, I was not very comfortable with it...Leonardo only debriefed me with my own job. I had no idea what he and his brothers would be doing the whole time, and it made me a little nervous.
He simply told Pinkie and I to "distract the guards" when the time was right. At first I was a little confused, but Pinkie was more eager than ever. It was as if she had her own plan ready to go from the start.
Leonardo stated that he had very important jobs for each of us to do, even Spike. No offense to him, but I was not very sure what he would possibly do to be able to do to give assistance. I managed to overhear just some of what Leonardo had told him.
"Why do I have to be the one to stay back? I want to help!" Spike argued, giving Leonardo a very nasty and cold stare. The young dragon was puffing out his chest, as if to prove that he was big and strong. "I'm not a little kid, I can help!"
"You may not know it, but your job is plenty important." Leonardo replied, rather anxious to resume strategizing with his brothers. Spike jumped in front of him, however, not entirely finished yet.
"Well, why don't you tell me!?" Spike was frustrated completely, I could tell just by the single fact that a little bit of gray smoke was fuming from his nostrils, although it was hardly noticeable.
"You'll know when the time comes. I know you, Spike. You're a quick thinker, and I know you'll do fine." Leonardo answered him, almost deadpanning. With that, he patted the indignant dragon on the head and trotted back to speak with his other brother, Donatello.
"Oh come on, Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie piped as she wrapped a single foreleg around me. "This'll be easy! We just have to show them that we mean business!" She said, looking off into the distance of my cottage. I squealed a little bit at the possible danger looming ahead of us. The two guards have chased me before, and I had barely gotten away from them in one piece! It was so frightening! They were running really fast with some sort of wooden spear! They...they wanted to hurt me! Who would do that? I didn't even do anything...
"But...what if something happens?" I brought up. My knees were shaking just slightly, but I tried to hide it, albeit doing a bad job at it.
"Oh, don't be such a worry-wart. It'll be easy!" Pinkie replied, closing her eyes and giving me a kind smile. I couldn't help but be a little bit afraid. There were so many things that could go wrong! What if...what if I mess up? What if they...whoever they were, catch us?
It was after eleven o' clock that night when we actually left my cottage. Well, everypony else did. Raphael literally dragged me out by my tail, as I was very unenthusiastic about leaving. Eventually, I decided to stand and walk on my own for the sake of everypony else. Leonardo made me lead the way, since I actually knew where the base itself was. That, and I knew this forest like the back of my hoof.
The forest was known for being excessively dark, and there are also records of there being very frightening animals in here. Especially at night. There are plenty of creatures that prowl at this time. This was usually their feeding time, as a matter of fact. But what I learned is that most of the creatures didn't, and will not, eat ponies unless you provoke them. You could hear their cries as we made out way though the wood. I was used to the noises by now, but the others sure were not.
"Uhm, what exactly are those...?" Michelangelo asked from the back of the line. His voice was shaky, and he was panting rather hard.
"Mikey, it's probably nothing. I told you that you watch too many monster movies..." Raphael added. Although he was partially correct, he wasn't entirely.
"Oh! Well, I know for sure that timber wolves and cockatrice live in this forest!" Pinkie answered for me. Once again, that wasn't the whole gist of it.
"What are those?" Leonardo asked, surveying parts of his surroundings that he could actually see.
"Cockatrice are half chicken, half dragon creatures. There aren't very many that live here. I've actually met one before. Looking them in the eyes can turn a pony to stone within seconds."
There was a slight gasp from the ponies behind me, and I immediately felt bad. I didn't mean to scare them... "Like...like Medusa?" Donatello asked, to which I raised an eyebrow. I didn't think that Donatello was able to see my gesture, however, as he was near the back of the line with his youngest brother.
"I suppose." I guessed, although I have no idea who this "Medusa" was. Donatello's pretty smart, so I bet he is partially correct with whatever he was talking about. "The animals in the forest won't bother us unless we provoke them." There were many relieved sighed behind me, the loudest coming from Michelangelo.
After a few more moments, there was a very bright and blinding light coming from deep inside of the forest. It definitely wasn't natural, so there was only one possible answer. "We're here..." I squeaked. I knew what that meant, we're even closer to...doing my "duties".
Leonardo charged ahead of me, and everypony else quickly followed suit. This time, I made sure to be last. Perhaps if I hide, somepony else will volunteer! Yep! Sounds like a solid plan to me!
The ominous building looked even bigger in the nighttime, for some reason. It was much more menacing. The building was covering in black, held together by gray steel beans that protruded vertically down the sides of the structure. On the front of it, was a large, red emblem that reminded me of one of Spike's footprints. The industrial lights lit up the premises and about everything else within ten feet in diameter. Even still, there were two guards in front of the entrance, both holding wooden, pointed spears upwards as they stood at attention. I gulped loudly.
Part of me was wondering why there were only two guarding the building, and not more. But I didn't worry about it. Maybe they're just inside? Taking a nice and quiet nap, perhaps?
We all hid behind a long strand of bushes, to which everypony lined up against side by side to get a good look at the factory-like base. I made sure to sit as far away from Leonardo as physically possible while not technically leaving. I knew the woods well, but I still didn't want to get left behind, for any reason.
"Now what?" Spike whispered, just loud enough for all of us to hear. I crouched REALLY low to the ground. Oh no...
"Spike, I need you to stay right here-"
"But why!?"
"Just do as I say! And whatever you do...Do. Not. Move." With every word that Leonardo spoke, he moved in a little closer to the small dragons face. By the time he said the word "move", there were only about an inch apart, and Leonardo was giving Spike the most stony of stares. Spike gulped softly, before he plopped on his rump and crossed his arms. He then began to pout and mumble something to himself.
"What about Fluttershy and I?" Pinkie whispered, who happened to be right next to Leonardo. Aw, Pinkie! Why!?
"Oh, right. Like I said, you will both distract the guards. Also, to draw out any of the Foot who may be hiding nearby. They could possibly be expecting this." Oh, so...Pinkie and I are decoys? That didn't make me feel any better! "On the count of three, I need both of you to run out there and get their attention!"
"Okie dokie!" Pinkie understood, giving a small salute. I stood up with a sigh, my knees were wobbling so hard that I almost tripped.
"One...two..."
I closed my eyes, and prepared myself. I had to do this, I had to get this over with...
"Three!"
"WHOOPEE- MMPH!"
"Aaaaaagh!" I shouted at the top of my lungs as I plunged through the foliage and into the brightness of the spotlight. I didn't know how far I actually ran out, but when I felt like I was out in the open enough, I simply froze. It took me a moment, but I finally opened my eyes after a few seconds. I turned to my left, only to see a lack of pink. Oh no!
It was only me, standing there. Pinkie...ditched me?
I looked ahead and squealed as I realized that two of the black-clad 'ninjas' were literally two feet in front of me, eying me down and gripping their spears in their hooves menacingly. I felt a hot sweat flow through me as one of them raised their spear at me.
I knew exactly what to do.
With another cry, this time in distress, I ran back towards the bushes that were about five feet away at the time. I wasn't for certain that the ninja ponies were actually chasing me, as they ran in silence, but I still ran, just in case. I felt a few tears run down my cheek at the situation I was in. I didn't want to die! I was too young! Please, no!
As I jumped through the shrubs, my heart dropped as I realized that no pony was there. Everypony was...all gone? My adrenaline was coursing through me, giving me the some sort of unforeseen stamina as I barged my way through.
"No! Please!" I wailed at the guards who were silently giving chase, running through the wood with ease. They wouldn't stop. They would kill me this time! As I ran passed the undergrowth, an odd blur in my peripheral vision caused me to do a double take. Was it...purple?
"Hey!" A young shout pierced the silence of the forest. I turned around, to see what might be my only hope. Spike. The reptilian had ran in front of the Guards, cutting them off from reaching me. I didn't know why, but I stopped my running. The guards furrowed their brow, and almost looked amused as the baby dragon tried to be heroic. Without wasting another moment, they raised their spears, without a sound.
"Leave. Her. ALONE!" Spike suddenly screamed. I was not sure if it was intentional, but Spike emitted a large stream of green fire through his mouth, encasing the two guards in a sea of swirling, neon warmth. The guards immediately dropped their weapons and waved their hooves in the air ecstatically, trying to put out the fire themselves. It was in vain, and it only took a few more moments before they both fell to the ground, all in absolute silence. I brought a hoof to my mouth as I witnessed the entire situation happen right in front of my very own eyes.
As they fell, the fire suddenly seemed to put itself out. Their ninja suits were burnt, and their fur color shone brightly underneath. Both were a very pale tan. Spike seemed unfazed at what had just happened, and waddled over to me, perturbed. "Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes were anxious.
"I...I..."
Spike looked back at the two ninjas, and let out a small tuft of air. "They're fine. They're still breathing. I...I don't know what came over me!"
It took me a moment to stop shaking, and to finally come to my senses before I could actually respond. Spike knew just by looking into my eyes that I accepted his apology. It was...hard to watch, I admit, what had happened to those two guards. They didn't deserve it...they were only doing their job! I...I wish I could help...
"Shh!" Spike suddenly quipped, holding a claw in the air as if telling me to 'stop'. "Do you hear that?" Both of us immediately looked around, to see the last thing we could have expected. My mouth dropped in awe...
In a circle, there were more than a dozen Foot Ninjas. They surrounded us, as if blocking us from any chase of possible escape. Their blank, yellow eyes were emotionless, devoid of giving any sort of mercy. One ninja even stood right in front of the two burnt bodies, although he showed no signs of giving aid.
"Uh.." Spike was in awe, his mind making calculations, trying restlessly to think of some feasible way to get out of this situation, but it was to no avail.
Uh oh.
Before anything else could occur, my mind started to stir. The sudden dizziness was unbearable, and caused me to lose all coordination. "Fluttershy!" Spike shouted as I slammed onto the soft grass with a THUD, before everything went black.
***
Perspective: Raphael
"Come on!" Leonardo shouted seconds after Fluttershy was tossed into the fray. It was my duty to hold Pinkie Pie back, who knows what she would have done. Eh, oh well. Spike's back there anyways. I was sure that he'd give her a hand. Leo was right, Spike did have a fairly important job. I witnessed it as my brothers, along with Pinkie, made a beeline for the side of the factory.
Sure, I felt a little bad for Fluttershy, but we didn't really have a choice. We couldn't use Pinkie as a distraction, since we we're told that we were going to need her, although I have no idea what for. Everypony knew that it would have been impossible to convince her to go out alone. She was such a chicken! I knew deep inside that Leo didn't want to have to resort to that, but we all knew that it had to go down like that.
Anyways, as Fluttershy was running towards where Spike was hidden, all five of us were already leaning up against one of the many windows that covered the outside of the base. I was a little confused on how we would get in, at first, but that was before Donnie stepped up.
"Stand back...I got this..." He boasted before taking out a small turtle like gadget. Hey...was that...? He actually still has that glass cutting device? Why didn't he say so before? Quietly, he stuck the small turtle onto the glass and pushed its back. The turtle released a large handle from its backside that extended about halfway down the window. On the end of the handle was a knife, I believe, that actually pointed towards the glass. In one swift motion, the handle spun all the way around the utensil, creating a large circle about five feet in diameter in the window glass.
When the turtle had made a full circle, the handle retracted back into the machine, and Donnie snapped it off the glass. "All set!" He whispered. He pushed the glass slightly, grabbing it and placing it on the soft grass before it made any sort of loud noise. Great, we have our entrance.
I was first to climb through the hole. Since you know, I called dibs. I took the liberty of making sure the coast was clear, which of course, it was. The floor was a shining topaz, while the hallway walls were completely white, like snow. It almost reminded me of a laboratory.
"'s all good." I muttered back to everypony behind me. With that, my brothers and Pinkie made their way through the hole behind me.
"Well...certainly is clean in here." Leo exclaimed, making sure not to cut himself on any of the glass. We all looked down the hallway. Well, it looks like there was only one way to go.
We basically tiptoed down the hall, effortlessly making almost no noise as we moved. It was quiet, almost peaceful, even. I hated it. I mean...gah! I want to kick some shell! I want to teach the Foot a lesson! Well, I guess that'll come in time. I was counting down the days.
"Uhm...so...anyone have any good stories to tell?" Mikey asked from the back of the group, in a rather joking manner. Uh oh. Pinkie took in a large inhale of air, but before she could say anything, Donnie stuffed a hoof in her mouth.
"Nope!" He whispered, albeit loudly. Mikey got visible angry at Donnie's motion and swiftling removed his hoof. "Sorry Pinkie, but we need to stay silent..."
Pinkie nodded her head in understanding. To be honest, I didn't know why the heck Leo thought it was a good idea she come along. Sure, she helped save our butts ONCE. If anything, she was going to be a hinderance! I mean...seriously! I still didn't understand what went on inside that head of his. It's never anything good. He tends to help get us out of jams, but still. I know that I'm still a better candidate than he is...
We seemed to walk on for about five more minutes, when we came up to a fork in the hall. "Okay guys...and Pinkie..." Donnie stated. Pinkie beamed. "Here's where we say out goodbyes."
"Goodbyes?" Mikey asked. "What do you mean by that?"
"Mikey!" Leo shouted in a hushed tone. "I told you this! The plan!?"
"Uh...right! Yeah! Totally!" There was a slight pause, and Mikey's shoulders drooped. "No, not really..."
Leo hit his head so hard that even Splinter would have been impressed. He let out a nice, long sigh before I decided to just step in and explain things, AGAIN, to the knucklehead.
"Here's the deal. You and Leo are going to the control room to shut down the security and sabotage the entire base." I pointed over to Donatello, who was standing next to Pinkie Pie awkwardly. "Donnie, Pinkie and I are going to go find technology that we can use to help build the Tele-Portal. Got it?" I made sure to explain everything nice and slow. Mikey wasn't the sharped tool in the shed, that's for sure.
"Isn't that stealing?" Mikey asked. I had to COMPLETELY restrain myself from shouting at this kid.
"No. We're just borrowing what we need. I'm sure they have extras." Donatello answered for me. Good thing too. "Now, do you understand?"
Michelangelo looked at Pinkie with a frown. The mare simply ushered her hoof over in Leonardo's awaiting direction, with a reassuring smile on her face as if to say "it's okay"...wait...am I missing something here? Are they...nah! Mikey doesn't have that sort of charm, or the body that would be necessary to even get a girl.
Now, THESE pecs...that's a different story!
"Uhm, yeah. I gotcha." Mikey said gloomily, fiddling with his nunchaku a little bit. Well, great. Now that that's settled, let's get this over with. With that, we split up. Pinkie, Donnie and I both went down the hallway to our right, while Leo and Mikey went down the other.
I just hoped that Pinkie wouldn't get...annoying. I swear, I will not hesitate to-
Sigh, nevermind.
This hallway is much more...active...than I would have expected, or even preferred. We've had to hide from passing Foot multiple times, either resorting to hide in doorways, corners, and even once on the ceiling, making sure to stay out of sight from all of the security cameras. Donnie was very helpful to Pinkie Pie, who wasn't the best at "this kind of hide and seek". It was odd. I would have expected the other hallway that Leo went down to be more crowded than this one! I mean, it's a wonder how we weren't found yet, even considering that we are ninjas. You'd think that there would be more Foot guarding the control room than...wait...
"Donnie, where are we actually headed?" I whispered to him seconds after two Foot patrols made their way past us. Fluttershy and Spike must be doing a really good job out there.
"Armory, or some sort of technologically advanced room. We just need parts." He replied, his back facing a wall. His hoof was on the bouncy mare's chest, as if to keep her stationary as well.
"...Why did we need Pinkie?" I couldn't help but ask. I really wanted to know the answer. It still didn't make sense.
"Did you notice at the Library that Pinkie pulled that cannon out of nowhere?" Donnie deadpanned. As if on que, Pinkie peeked her head up from behind Donnie's.
"Oh yes! I carry TONS of stuff with me!" Pinkie whispered. Before I could say anything, she pulled the following from her mane: a rubber chicken, tons of silly bands, an UNTOUCHED birthday cake, and a baby bottle. There were many other things, but she pulled them out so fast that I honestly couldn't tell you if she pulled them from her mane, or if she just reached behind her and did it.. I saw a glint of something shiny however, but I didn't feel like inquiring. I think it was a watch?
Donnie looked at me with dull eyes. "That's why."
"So she can do a magic act?"
"So she can carry the tools that we need, Raph!" Donnie exploded, barely managing to keep his voice hushed. Jeez, what's been bothering him lately? He's...not himself. Oh well. I'm not a psychiatrist. I'll ask later. When we were sure that the hallway was clear, we emerged from the little nook that we were in and stealthily made out way back down the hall.
I had a feeling that we weren't even close to our destination yet...
***
Perspective: Michelangelo
"This...this isn't right..." Leo said in a regular tone as he and I stealthily navigated our way down the hallway. There were very many cameras, and it was getting a little...difficult to make sure that we didn't get caught on any of them. After quickly following my older brothers lead, and snaking my way past the moving cameras, I decided to ask.
"What isn't right? I can name a few things." I chuckled, poking Leo in the side. I must have hit a pressure point, because he jumped in the air a bit and rudely glared at me.
"Mikey! Ugh, I meant the fact that we've been traveling down this hallway for ten minutes, and we haven't seen one guard yet..." He replied snakily. Now that I thought about it, he was right. I haven't seen one Foot Ninja walk down this hall yet.
"...Maybe Fluttershy and Spike are doing a good job outside?" I inquired, raising a hoof in the air. There seemed to be a lack of cameras for a good few feet, so we stopped to take a quick break. Leonardo didn't look to pleased.
"No...something's not right..." Leo claimed, his eyes opening just a little bit wider as the possible thoughts clouded his mind. The way he said that kind of put me off. I just hoped that Pinkie Pie was okay. I was really leery when it came to even bringing her in here. I couldn't stand to have her get hurt! If she did, it'd be my fault! Well, she might be able to take care of herself, and even if she can't she had Raph and Donnie by her side...
I hope they know that she's MINE.
"I find this to be a blessing." Leo's mouth almost seem to drop as he turned to look at me. He was hilariously dumbfounded. "What? It makes the job easier! Let's go!" I replied quietly as I jumped ahead of my bro, who rolled his eyes and followed my lead.
About fifteen minutes later, we actually found it: the Control Room. I had almost ran right passed it, but luckily Leo was quick enough when it came to grabbing my tail and pulling me back. Leo looked at the door carefully, while I was more impatient. I grasped onto the door and was about to turn the knob, when-
"No!" Leo shouted, literally throwing my hoof onto the floor. "Are you insane!?" I rubbed my now sore hoof and stuck out my bottom lip. He can really be a butt sometimes...
"What'd I do?"
Leonardo was fuming, and pointed to a little dial next to the door. On it, there were little buttons that went from one to nine, and then one that said "enter". Wait...oh. "You almost set off the alarm!"
I blushed a little at my impulsiveness, and gave Leo an apologetic, yet goofy, smile. "Eheh...my bad."
Leo rolled his eyes as he proceeded to restlessly inspect the lock, sighing disappointedly as his eyes traced over the advanced mechanism. "It appears that it needs a three digit combination...I knew we'd need Donnie for something like this!" He mumbled. I can understand. Donnie is a great asset in our team, and although we really needed him right now, he was the only one who knew what parts we actually needed for the Tele-Portal. I guess Leo thought we could figure it out on our own. Okay, Michelangelo, time to shine!
"If watching television has taught me anything, the code is probably something extremely simple." I brought up, but Leo didn't seem to enthused.
"Mikey, do you really think that a ninja clan would lock everything with a simple password like "123" or "555" or something? That's ridiculous!" Leo threw his hooves over his head, panicking just a little bit. Hm...I had an idea!
"Stand back, and hand me one of your swords!" I announced has I got down on my knees over by the lock. Leo took a step back.
"You could break it! It'll set off everything and the whole mission will be compromised!" He replied shockingly, holding onto both of his katana tightly.
"I help Donnie with his gadgets all the time! I already have a good idea of how to uhm...'defuse' the lock." I said. I was not good at coming up with words, so I improvised, okay? I'll think of a better word later. Leo looked at me, then the lock, and then back again. "Trust me."
Those last two words seemed to do the trick. With a sigh, he unsheathed one of his swords and carefully handed it over to me. With a grin, I grabbed the sword and used the edge of it to slide off the central monitor, getting a good look at the entire motherboard behind it all while Leo stared back at me, seemingly waiting for disaster to strike. Now, Donnie once told me that when it comes to locks, there are always a red wire, and a blue wire. I immediately saw then and raised the sword up to both of them before I stopped myself. Oh. Maybe it was the green wire I'm supposed to cut? Which one was it?
Crap.
"What are you doing?!" Leo muttered, watching from afar. I was trembling just slightly.
"One of these wires will unlock the door, the other two will set off the alarm..."
"Dang it Mikey!" Leonardo wasn't very good with technology as Donnie was, but when my bo-staffed brother isn't around, I'm the best choice. Well, more like the only choice. Raph never had the patience for dealing with technology. I raised the end of the sword up to the red wire, then the green, and then the blue.
I closed my eyes as I slipped the sword underneath the small wire, and with a plink, I cut the blue wire.
I waited, and waited. But nothing happened. I let out a breath filled chuckle as I soon heard the locks inside the door tumble, and the door open itself. Success!
Leo was astounded. "I have no words." He mumbled as he peeked his head through the door. I quickly reattached the main frame in a matter of seconds before following my brother inside of the Control Room.
The room was fairly small, but it looked extensively complicated. The walls were a dark, steeling color that reminded me of aluminum, and the floor was a similar colored gray. There were dozens of small monitors that shown various parts of the building, most of which we had no idea even existed in this building. There were Foot Soldiers all over the place! Below the monitors was a station that was absolutely covered in different colored buttons and levers.
I took on a seat in the chair and began to extensively observe the situation. "We need to find a way to shut own all the cameras..."
"Mikey."
I didn't hear him, I was too in the zone. "Maybe if we can disassemble the...uhm...this thing...and then flip a few of those switches..."
"Mikey?"
"Oh! What if we simply destroy the panel?" I thought about it for a moment. That was a horrible idea! "Or, maybe we can somehow signal Donnie to make his way over here and he-"
"MIKEY!" Leo suddenly shouted behind me. I jumped in my seat and turned to look at my brother. He deadpanned as he pointed to a different part of the panel of which I didn't see. There were dozens of little switches that read "Camera 1". "Camera 2", all the way up to thirty. All of the switches were "on".
"Oh...I knew that." I replied as Leo and I started be quickly flip the switches, and watched as the cameras, one by one, quickly turned to static. Before we forgot, I made sure to find the switch that overrides all of the door locks. You're welcome, Donnie. Although, that only meant that we'd have to get out of here sooner. It was only time until the Foot realized that all the doors that should be locked were wide open, and then a few would come up here to check it out.
It took us a second, and we there were only about five switches left before Leo suddenly shouted. "Stop! Hold on!" Leo was staring at a certain camera, which caused me to raise an eyebrow. I kind of had a bad feeling about this.
"What's going on?" I asked, trying to get a good view of the camera he was looking at. However, the monitor was in the far corner, and I had trouble seeing it from my seat. With great reluctance, I stood up to get a better view.
I wish I hadn't.
The camera was for that of a jail cell. It had the cliche steel bars that kept the unlucky captives inside. The walls and the floor were both made of steel, and were lacking in any sort of foundation. It was just a simple room full of nothing...but that was until I saw a little purple dot on the screen.
The camera focused itself in on the individual inside of the cell, and I felt my heart instantaneously drop. Inside the cell, Spike was furiously rattling the bars, screaming. The camera appears to lack a microphone, but if I had to take a guess, he seemed to be shouting "Let us out!"
Wait..."us"?
In the far corner of the cell, there was another splotch of color. One that was a dull yellow, with various hints of pink scattered about. The pony was lying on its side, breathing softly, its eyes shut tightly.
She wasn't moving.