Chapter Text
“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned.
Nor Hell a fury like a woman scorned.”
- William Congreve
Several beams of light approached the entrance, then stopped.
From the centre of the room, the ethereal tree’s leaves continued to emit their gentle glow. Fading in and out like a living, breathing, thing. Allowing more than enough light for the armed men to see into the room from where they were halting at the threshold.
In the back, hidden away in the shadows, Paige held her back pressed up against a crooked pillar. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes in an attempt to calm herself. Still, her heart beat furiously in her chest. Hammering against her rib cage.
Exhaling softly, she tried to focus. Turning her attention to the men. Listening for their rhythmic breathing. The gentle rustle of fabric and sharp metallic clang as they shifted. Curiously, there were no more footsteps.
The men were scanning the room, but did not move.
What are they waiting for? She thought frustratingly, suppressing the urge to peek around the stone.
Then, as if spurred on by that one thought, she heard the first soldier walking forward. His steps were careful, as if he already knew of what was waiting for him.
Hiding in the shadows.
Watching.
Like some masterful predator about to hunt its ignorant prey.
Then, like sheep, the other thirteen men followed that one soldier inside.
Their guns were raised. Laser pointers trailing over the ground and walls as they stalked forward in sets of two as they flagged out.
Once they were all inside, the trap was set, and the predator unleashed.
Without a sound, Leonardo dropped in behind them from higher ground. Striking the first two men before any of the others could even notice the white blade cutting in the dark behind them.
By the time he was done with a third, the first soldier dropped to the ground. The heavy thud of the body informed the others of Leonardo’s arrival, and they whirled around. Rounds of bullets fired instantly.
Leonardo was quicker though.
Before they could take aim, the skilful ninja dodged the shower of iron pellets with such ease, it even surprised him.
Like lightning, Leonardo charged forward. A swell of exhilaration filled his chest. His feet were feathery light. His muscles responding quicker than usual. He swore it was almost as if the world was slowing down, while he, himself, was speeding up.
He wasn’t sure how, but he simply knew – no, sensed – that it was the sword that fuelled his body with some powerful energy that allowed him to move the way that he did. It was almost a familiar sensation.
One he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Not since his time as an Acolyte, serving under the Ninja Tribunal and carrying the mystical amulet that amplified their inner power.
Still, this felt different.
It wasn’t his own Chi that was empowering him now. It was something else.
Something powerful.
Hot and bright.
Like the sun.
In a brief moment of respite, hiding again in the shadows, he adjusted his grip on the hilt. Allowing himself a moment to determine his next move whilst welcoming the flow of energy to seep deeper from the sword into his own Hand. Arm. Body. Setting his limbs aflame.
The soldiers were disoriented. Shouting out commands at one another while they searched the room for Leonardo in a fit of panic. They were not accustomed to fighting a warrior of the shadows.
Good.
In a flash he dashed back in.
The men aimed their guns once again, but were completely taken by surprise as he streaked to the side. Before they could turn their heads, Leonardo was already behind them.
One soldier cried out, but the sound of his voice was cut short when the backhand smack of the pearly white sword knocked him unconscious. Another aimed his gun right at Leonardo’s head, but he tucked and rolled to the side.
With an upward kick at the man’s chin Leonardo sent him flying, while he completed the backwards jump by landing on his feet.
He didn’t wait for the final two to respond, and snapped forward, swiping the blade at the soldiers. The blade cut the nozzles off the weapons clean with little effort.
Leonardo’s elbow hit one soldier’s nose with a sickening crunch, while he knocked the other off his feet with a kick to his plated chest.
Before the steel ends of the broken guns could clatter on the ground, Leonardo stood as the sole survivor amongst a group of fallen men.
All were still alive.
There was no need for actual bloodshed. Master Splinter taught them that taking a life was always a last resort.
One man stirred, and groaned on the floor. With trembling arms he attempted to stand. Leonardo approached him, and with one simple finger on a pressure points in the soldier’s neck, Leonardo watched him go limp.
Taking a moment to listen, Leonardo assessed his surroundings, and concluded that no more soldiers were coming.
They were safe.
For now.
“Paige,” He called out, putting the wakizashi away in his belt. Upon releasing the hilt he immediately felt the loss of the energy. The connection was broken. Still, some of the left-over energy continued to thrum in his muscles. “It’s safe to come out now.”
The girl leaped from behind the pillar, and stumbled to a halt when she noticed the bodies on the floor.
“Damn, Leo, remind me to never get on your bad side.”
A ghost of smile graced his lips, but was immediately washed away. Because, as soon as she’d said those words, Leonardo sensed movement behind him.
Before he could react, he was slammed face down onto the ground. And as he kissed the unforgiving stone, he heard Paige scream his name.
Someone was atop him now, holding him down with one foot pressing hard on his shell. He tried to get up, but the force pressing down on him was unrelenting, and firmly shoved him back down again.
Unable to get up, and tasting blood from his split lip, he swept his gaze up over his shoulder. Slowly, the blurry image came into focus and he found the end of a barrel looking down at him. The face behind it came into view soon after, revealing the golden feral eyes and fanged grin of a familiar man.
“Fabian.” Leonardo groaned, narrowing his eyes. “Can’t say I’m happy to see you.”
Fabian tilted his head. A smirk playing on his lips.
“Sorry, pall, no time for our usual joust.” He said, and without warning pulled the trigger.
A moment of panic shot through Leonardo, however, the loud bang of a gunshot never came.
First, there was surprise, then Leonardo felt the sting in his neck, and instantly knew what it was.
He turned to Paige, yelling to tell her to leave and run, but he barely got out the words before succumbing to the sedative.
Seeing Leonardo slump to the ground, Paige started running.
“LEO!” She yelled his name, leaped and slid down on the ground to reach his side while Fabian took a step back.
“Leo! No…” Her hands trembled, almost too afraid to find out what happened as she reached to touch him. That was, until she noticed the dart stuck in his neck. Recognizing it from back at the lab, when Donatello had been struck with a similar one, she felt anger well up inside her chest.
Not this again!
“Heh, looks like the Boss upped the dose.” Fabian chuckled, “He went out quicker than I expected.”
Hearing Fabian’s snickering, she whirled around to face him.
“You bastard!” She snarled, eyed narrowing into a withering glare. “Do you think this is funny?!”
“Honestly, I think this is all fucking annoying.” Fabian gave a non-committal shrug, “Because of you two, Stockman’s been on my ass non-stop. Not to mention how that creepy woman’s been watching my every move.”
“Oh, poor you.” Paige bristled, and slowly got up to stand. Ready to take him on if he tried coming for Leonardo.
“Aw, look at you.” Fabian laughed, eyeing her up and down with amusement. Watching her move to block Leonardo from his view. Then his eyebrows shot up with surprise when his gaze landed on her face, but his smirk did not waver. “With your new glowy red eyes even. Looks like the mutation’s setting in nicely.”
Paige tried to hide her own surprise at the mention of her eyes, but it didn’t seem like Fabian gave a damn about her reaction either way. He simply continued to chuckle and shook his head.
“What do you think you are gonna do, huh? Think you’ve got a chance against me now that you’ve got some new powers?”
Paige balled her hands into trembling fists. Not out of fear. Oh, No. She was shaking with uncontrollable rage.
“If you think I’ll let you hurt him –”
“Bitch, you don’t stand a chance.” He interrupted her, and started forward. Ready to grab her by her arm. “Now shut up, or I will rip your heart out this time.”
“NO!” Paige suddenly shouted, pointing an accusing finger at him. Startling Fabian into a standstill. “This time you shut up, asshole! First of all, I am sick and tired of your little vampire schtick! I’ve been killed, gone through some fucked up mutation or something, nearly drowned, had to swim through ice-cold water, and then I have been hunted down like a wild animal, only to be attacked by an actual freaking monster!”
Fabian frowned at the sight her, then his eyes were drawn to the tree behind her. Its usual ethereal golden glow was turning a bright crimson. The ambient light of the leaves started pulsating quicker, and quicker, as if angered. Giving the room an ominous ambience.
“Huh.”
“So I am sick and tired of you trying to scare me.” Paige roared on, “Either you go away or I’m gonna rip those stupid fangs out of your stupid mouth and wear them as a fucking necklace!”
Fabian scowl deepened. He wasn’t about to wait and stick around for whatever it was that was happening right now, and decided it was in his own best interest to deal with the annoying girl as fast as possible, and hail his ass out of here.
So he shot her with the tranquilizer. Right in her chest.
Paige staggered backwards, then stared down and frowned, as if confused.
“Wha –”
Looking back up, she met Fabian’s equally puzzled expression. It seemed that the drug was not having its desired effect.
Now, looking even more pissed off – if that was even possible – Paige sprung forward in rage, ready to attack him with her bare hands.
Fabian had to shoot three more darts to put her down. Meanwhile, he could’ve sworn he saw a flash of sharp fangs before the girl finally dropped to the ground.
1951 – 165 Barlowe Road, New York.
As a venture capitalist, Heinrich Kaiser was not unaccustomed to failure.
Back when he still lived in Germany, the wealthy man was well-liked, and respected deeply by his peers. He was an easy man to talk to, and always had a listening ear for others.
Many actually revered him for both his great scientific mind, and tremendously deep pockets, but those who knew his darker side, feared him for the unconventional ways in which he conducted his research.
Experimenting upon living humans was still frowned upon, after all…
But, ever since the rise of a certain chancellor of Germany, Heinrich gained much more leniency and gained total support for his work.
War was the perfect place for finding an abundance of test subjects.
Then, when the man had sensed the change that was upon the world and his company, he had the good mind to fled his country. Crossed the ocean, and sought help in the Americans in an attempt to save Kaiser Enterprises from becoming an ancient relic of the past.
He had invested in unsuccessful businesses before, so when Kaiser Psychiatric Systems went down the deep-end, he saw it as an opportunity instead. Even when no one seemed interested in what he had to say, he continued to search for people who would listen anyway.
Many doors were shut on him. No one liked to touch his unorthodox work.
However, he still continued, and actually reached out to a military branch named the Office of Strategic Services.
Evidently, the man was not easily deterred from his pursuits.
Not even when the O.S.S. had declared his research diabolical and insane.
Actually, instead of fearing that government officials would now definitely figure out what he had been doing all those years at Pine Grove Sanatorium, the man remained oddly optimistic.
He was certain he could find someone else to aid and abed him in his desires to keep his personal projects afloat.
And, to everyone’s surprise but his own, he did.
John Bishop, a government agent who was also a well-respected and renowned man, took notice of Heinrich’s work. The agent himself was known for establishing the Earth Protection Force by those who had been cleared to know. When he took wind of Kaiser’s research, he eagerly reached out to him.
Bishop had found Kaiser’s ideas ingenuous and refreshingly progressive, and together they initiated a collaboration that launched the ADX project.
Fully known as the Alien Derived Xenograft project. A collaborative work dedicated to improving the human body.
Within the year both men managed to recruit several distinguished scientists to conduct research for this Black-ops organisation within the walls of Pine Grove Sanatorium.
Despite having made great progression on certain aspects of their research, their true goal had remained frustratingly out of reach.
Creating the perfect superhuman through genetic engineering.
Instead, they’d created monsters.
Not entirely useless, but not at all what the two men desired to achieve.
Today, July 17th of the year 1951, Bishop was visiting the genius philanthropist to discuss a new addition to the team on Heinrich’s request. He had been strangely adamant this would change everything, but Bishop remained sceptical.
Despite his own reservations, John Bishop found himself walking the streets of New York during the bright light of day. Wearing his prim black and white suit despite the summer heat.
With a strong stride the agent climbed the marble steps of the beautiful Georgian mansion, grabbed the ornate handle, and knocked it three times on the intricate wooden door. A young, stoic butler allowed him entrance into the spacious hallway, and Bishop welcomed the cool temperature that enveloped him as soon as he’d entered.
With a curt not, the butler then wordlessly escorted Bishop to one of the back rooms. He opened the door with his white gloved hand, stepped aside to make space, and bowed his head as Bishop walked passed him.
As he went inside, Bishop found Heinrich Kaiser sitting behind his desk. Scribbling sidenotes in one of the many books splayed out before him.
“Heinrich.” Bishop greeted simply, and the man lifted his head.
His face was deeply wrinkled into a thoughtful frown, looking somewhat annoyed to be disturbed. Then, his eyes lit up when he recognized Bishop, and instantly his face unfolded into a wide smile.
“Ah, John, mein Freund!” Heinrich exclaimed with his usual overly jovial manner. “I am much delighted to see you!”
The man had watery green eyes, a broad chest, and a firm handshake. Streaks of grey ghosted his dark blonde hair, and as he approached Bishop, he again was reminded of how much taller the German was than him. Older, too.
Which was impossible, of course.
Even though Heinrich looked older than him – which Bishop knew could not be true, for his own age was perfectly concealed by his own genetic modifications – He looked nothing like his actual age. Bishop was certain this man had to be pushing ninety, but there was nothing about him that betrayed him of those years. Almost as if the man had stopped aging ever since he hit forty-five.
Bishop secretly wondered if Heinrich had performed some experimental tests on himself.
“You wished to speak with me?” Bishop asked quickly, and to the point. He was in no mood for casual chit-chat since Heinrich would always try to drag him into tedious conversation.
“Yes. Yes.” Heinrich nodded fervently, rubbing his hands anxiously. “I’d like us to discuss some changes in our upcoming experiments.”
One of Bishop’s eyebrows peaked curiously over his dark sunglasses. “Changes?”
“Well, I’d rather not get into too much detail without our newest addition present.” Heinrich replied sheepishly, “These new changes were her idea, after all. I fear she is running a little late, however. I worry it might take a while before she arrives… she does tend to get easily distracted.”
“I see.” Bishop straightened his tie as he continued, “While I appreciate you reaching out to me, Heinrich – My time is a valuable thing. You can’t expect me to simply wait here for your new scientist to eventually join us. There is much I need to do, and –”
“No need to wait any longer, sir.” A female voice suddenly interrupted him. “I am here.”
While Heinrich’s face had lit up with joy when he’d spotted Bishop, the old man’s face now softened with deep fondness.
“John, I’d like you to meet my granddaughter,” He swept one arm out at the newest arrival standing by the door, “My dearest Helena.”
Bishop remained emotionless as he observed the young woman thanking the butler with a smile and a nod. As she entered the room she removed her tailored woollen overcoat, and handed it to the young man. Taking the item of clothing from her hands, he bowed, and left the room. Closing the door behind him.
Now, without her coat, the young woman wore a knee-length dress and heels. Her nails were done, and aside from the fiery red lipstick, she wore subtle natural tinted makeup. Her golden hair was styled in a short bob with finger-wave curls, and atop her head sat a cloche hat slightly askew.
The neat, elegant look, draped in muted darker tones looked somewhat outdated, but she carried it well. Bishop found her to be the perfect image of classic elegance and refined modesty.
Walking in her high-heeled shoes she carried herself with the nimble grace of a cat, and her gorgeous green eyes studied him with an intelligent stare that held him unnervingly captivated.
She first approached her grandfather, brushing away little specks of dust and hair from his shoulders with her gloved hands, and pecked a loving kiss on both stubbly cheeks.
“Heinrich, mein Liebling, du siehst jha ganz müde aus. Hast du schon etwas gegessen?” Her hands fiddled with his tie and straightened his suit, all the while she studied his face with worried eyes. “Wie geht es mit dir Gesundheit? Bist du noch immer schwindlig? Und wie sind die Kopfschmerzen?”
It was an odd thing to see her fuss so much about her grandfather. Which was probably why Heinrich looked so uncomfortable.
Bishop wondered why this woman was asking about his health. He wasn’t aware Heinrich had been feeling unwell. He did not like not knowing everything about his subordinates.
When the old man noticed Bishop’s curious stare, he couched awkwardly.
Reaching for her hands, Heinrich gently grabbed the young woman’s wrists,“Helena,” He started mildly, and peeled her hands away from him. “Nicht hier,” his eyes shifted nervously between the young woman and Bishop. “Bitte.”
Bishop watched as her eyes narrowed in aggravation. She clearly fought the urge to berate the old man for dismissing her, and Bishop half expected her to reprimand her grandfather for not letting her dote over him.
Instead, she fixed her glowering stare on Bishop.
For a brief moment she studied him like he had studied her.
With a cold, calculating gaze and slight contempt.
Being at the receiving end of those piercing bright eyes, he felt oddly exposed. There was a sense of inordinate dread that washed over him as she continued to stare. In response, his back straightened, followed by the determined lift of his chin.
He wasn’t about to be intimidated by the likes of her.
Upon taking notice of his reaction, one side of her lips twitched amusedly.
She then strolled forward, coming to a brisk halt so close in front of him, he could smell her floral perfume. As if unbothered and uninterested by his presence, she looked down at her hands as she slowly started undoing them of her gloves.
“My apologies. I have not seen my grandfather in a long, long time. However, it is my pleasure to finally meet you,” She said in perfect English, and reached her now naked hand out to him, “My name is Helena Wolperdinger Kaiser.”
She lifted her eyes to meet his directly. There was a challenge in them, and they almost seemed to glow in the dim light of this dark, stuffy room.
His eyes narrowed with suspicion, and slid down to stare at her hand before greeting her with a curt nod of his head. “The name’s Bishop.” Then apprehensively placed his hand in hers. “John Bishop.”
There was a unusual heat in her touch, and her fingers clasped around his hand with an unexpectedly firm grip.
A muscle spasm in his jaw betrayed his surprise of her strength – one that she caught with her keen eyes, and she smiled knowingly back up at him.
There was a tense moment that drawled on.
Heinrich’s eyes flicked between them, watching them stare at one another for a long time, before audibly clearing his throat.
Instantly, Helena released Bishop’s hand, and walked away while Bishop turned his head to Heinrich.
“Right.” Heinrich clasped his hands together. There was a nervous smile on his face. “Now that you’ve two gotten acquainted, I believe we can discuss business. John, I want to bring Helena into the fold, so the speak. You might not expect it, but she is quite clever. And very knowledgeable about alien genetics. She’ll be a valuable addition to the team.”
“Is that so.” Bishop muttered under his breath, and his eyes were involuntarily drawn back to the woman. He wondered where she got her knowledge from, exactly.
He watched her casually lean against the desk. Like she had absolutely no trouble settling in comfortably in new places. It evidently came naturally to her to take up space. As if the world revolved around her, and she was the protagonist in everyone else’s story.
He noticed the soft dimple in her right cheek when she smiled at her grandfather. The light freckles on her nose. How she casually adjusted the bracelet around her wrist, and brushed the skirt of her dress straight before turning her gaze upon him once more.
Those bright, green eyes were intoxicating.
“Well then.” She took out a small box from her pocket, and set it on the desk. She flipped it open, revealing the glowing, blue crystal inside it. “Let’s talk business.”
Michelangelo threw a peanut in the air, and caught it with his mouth.
He, his brothers and the two girls had been waiting for several hours now. In the meantime, the petulant rain had finally stopped, but it was still extremely cold, and thus Michelangelo preferred to stay inside the giant whale-like spaceship instead of standing guard outside like his brothers were doing right now.
After rummaging through cabinets to find a little snackie-snack, the orange clad turtle found his way in the common room area.
He threw another nut up. A little higher this time. But its arch was a little out of the way, and so he had to step a little around before catching the little treat with his mouth.
In doing so he almost tripped into Bex’s aura shield, and immediately sprung aside. His incredible reflexes saved him from rudely stepping on the little alien girl who was sitting cross-legged on the floor.
“Whoops! Sorry, Bex, didn’t see you there…”
The girl did not respond, and Michelangelo waved his hand in front of her face. Her eyes were definitely open, and glowing a bright pink, but she remained totally unresponsive.
“Uh, Bexie?”
His eyes caught the crystal around her neck. Floating freely in front of her. Glowing in a bright pink similar to her eyes.
While Bex remained perfectly still in her meditative position, Michelangelo shrugged and threw another nut high up in the air. He missed, and it bounced off of his snout, right towards Bex.
“Oh, crap!”
Unexpectedly, the little nut stopped its descent downwards, and floated gently in the air.
He blinked. Caught off guard by what he was seeing. Eyes following the little nut bobbing in front of his face.
Apparently, it got stuck in the faint pinkish force field surrounding Bex.
“Hmm…”
Well, now he just had to test if that one nut had been a fluke, and thus threw in another. His brow shot up in a pleasant surprise as it stayed in the air around her as well.
His mouth spread into a wide grin. With a mischievous glint in his eye he muttered a soft, “Nice.”
Scanning the room, he quickly found a baseball lying around. He picked it up, and threw it in. It stopped, and floated around her.
He continues to throw bigger and bigger stuff, curious to see how far he could take this. After picking up a large pillow from the couch, he was about to throw it in when a voice interrupted him.
“What are you doing?”
“AH!” Michelangelo shrieked out loud. Startling Bex awake, and immediately the force field disappeared and all the items floating around her dropped to the ground in a series of soft thuds.
“Nothing.” Michelangelo answered innocently. Perhaps a little too quickly, because Charlotte now eyed him suspiciously with a sceptical cock of her brow. When her gaze lowered to the pillow in his hand, he quickly hid it behind his shell.
“Riiight.” Charlotte drawled softly, not believing him in the slightest, but ignored it nonetheless. She then turned to address Bex. “Well, did it work?”
Bex exhaled a loud and frustrated sigh, and placed her chin on the palm of her hand while the fingers of the other drummed restlessly on her knee.
“No.” She grumbled in response, before noticing the items surrounding her, and frowned. Picking up a book from the floor, puzzled by what she found, she looked up for answers. “Uhm?”
Michelangelo momentarily froze before his lips spread in a sheepish grin.
“Huh, that’s weird.” He said, but his voice went up an octave at the end. Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, he added, “How did that get there?” Michelangelo cast a look back, cupping his ear. “What’s that? Don, is that you?”
Michelangelo then casually pretended to listen to something neither of the girls could hear.
After nodding fervently, he then threw his thumb over his shoulder, and said, “Sorry, dudettes, my bro’s are calling me. Be right back!”
Bex and Charlotte’s face screwed up in abject confusion as they watched Michelangelo dash away from them and down the staircase.
“O-okay… that was weird.” Charlotte mumbled under her breath, then decided once again to ignore Michelangelo’s strange behaviour and turned to Bex. “What now?”
“Okay, so I can’t find Roth because something is still blocking me. At first, I thought he was the one doing it, but now I’m not so sure.” Bex explained, floating herself up from the ground to stand back on her feet. “I can sense quite a lot of people spread out across this island, but there is one particular place that is entirely empty.”
“You mean that there are no people there?”
“What I mean is that there’s nothing there. No humans, no animals.” Bex clarified, “Which means…”
“Which means that something in that particular spot is blocking your powers.”
“Exactly. Seems worth to check it out, doesn’t it?”
“We should tell the guys first, though.” Charlotte said thoughtfully.
“They’re only going to tell us to wait for their brother first! Don’t you want to find Roth? We’re so close now. We can do this without them. It’s not like we’ve never snuck in somewhere we weren’t supposed to be before.”
“I don’t know Bex…” Charlotte said slowly, shaking her head. “This is different from hacking the system and sneaking around the forbidden sections back at base. Those guards weren’t going to shoot us on sight.”
“It’ll be fine! Those soldiers out there are focussed on finding Leonardo and that girl, right? It’s the perfect opportunity for us to go out there while they are busy doing something else.”
“Bex –” Charlotte started cautiously, but Bex took her blonde friend by her shoulders. Both hands gripping tightly whilst giving her a little shake.
“Come on, Charlie! It’s only a few miles from here. We’ll just go out there to check it out, and come back immediately. They won’t even notice we’ve been gone. I swear!”
Charlotte wistfully glanced back at where Michelangelo had disappeared down the stairs to meet up with his brothers, and then warily looked back at Bex.
“Just a quick look?”
“The quickest!”
“And we are just going to observe?”
“Recon only, and then we come back immediately.” Bex said, crossing her heart.
Finally, after a laboured sigh, Charlotte lay her forehead down against Bex’s.
A typical interaction between them. Ever since they were little, Charlotte wanted nothing more than to connect with Bex on a telepathic level. So much so that she would press their heads together. As if somehow that would make it easier for her to force her thoughts into Bex her mind. It didn’t, of course, but that didn’t stop her from trying.
Now, their telepathic connection came to them as easily as breathing.
You promise?
Charlotte met Bex her expectant gaze, and watched her face split with a toothy grin of excitement. Her telepathic words echoed instantly back in Charlotte’s mind.
Promise!
1952, Fund raiser
Hands wrapped around his arm, and Helena tugged him closer. Pressing her chest deliberately up against him.
That woman. Bishop grumbled silently, and his brow furrowed. He hadn’t even sensed her coming up behind him.
“You should know, mister Bishop,” She murmured by his ear. Her breath tickling the hairs in his neck. “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
“Excuse me?”
“You face.” She said innocently, tilting her head to meet his brooding stare. “It is quite grotesque.”
Bishop inhaled sharply through his nose. His frown deepened, but before he could say a word she averted her gaze and continued lightly.
“Now, come, come. Don’t look at me like that. I did not mean your actual face, of course. You are quite the handsome man, after all, but it is the way you look –“ She turned to him, mimicking his grimace, “ – it is frightening.” The muscles in her face unclenched, and she smiled sweetly again. “You should at the very least try to be liked by these people. Especially, if you want more donations for your organisation. E.P.F. was it?”
“I do not care if I am liked.”
“Nonsense. Everyone wishes to be liked.”
“Not me.”
“Then you are a fool, sir. Funny, I would’ve never took you for one.” Helena quipped, “But alas, if you truly believe in what you say, than it seems that I have been mistaken. While it does not happen often, it does remind me that I can be wrong on occasion. How refreshing.”
“Careful, miss Kaiser.” Bishop warned slowly, “I do not take kindly to being mocked.”
“Oh, hush now. You cannot frighten me, mister Bishop.”
“Really? If I recall correctly you just said that my expression was frightening.”
“It is,” She tilted her head, a coy smile lingering on her red lips, staring him directly in the eyes. “To everyone else who does not know you. But during our time together I’ve come to see the man behind that face, and I do not fear him.”
Bishop studied her closely. Watching those piercing green eyes glimmer with mirth. Noticing the small dimple in her cheek as her smile grew slightly wider.
His voice lowered into a dark, rumbling timbre as he leaned in and whispered to her. “Maybe you should.”
Michelangelo walked towards his two brothers standing guard.
“Still no sign of Leo?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” Donatello said, looking rather despondent.
“That’s weird, dude.” Michelangelo stepped in between them, watching the forest line like they had been doing. “Don’t you think Leo should’ve been here by now?”
“It has been longer than he said it would take him.” Donatello agreed reluctantly, “Which is not like him.”
“Well, he did mention he had that girl with him.” Michelangelo offered, trying to ease his brother’s mind. “Maybe she’s slowing him down somehow?”
“You mean Paige?” Donatello glanced briefly at Michelangelo before shaking his head. “Doubtful. Knowing Leo, he would’ve factored that in.”
Raphael let out a sudden burst of frustration. Startling the other two.
“Argh! I’m done with waiting.” He blurted out impatiently, “I’m going out there!”
“Really, Raph? And go where?” Donatello asked slightly irritated, watching as Raphael started walking down the ramp. “We have no clue where Leo could possibly be, and it’s a pretty big mountain. Be reasonable.”
Raphael turned on his heel, holding a fist up in the air. “I have reasonable right here!”
“Very mature.” Donatello countered flatly, crossing his arms.
“Chillax, guys.” Michelangelo intervened, eyes flicking between the two, “Arguing like this isn’t helping.”
“We shouldn’t have let Reyna go…” Raphael grumbled, pacing back and forth.
Donatello couldn’t stop himself from rolling his eyes. “I highly doubt she would’ve let you keep her here, Raph.”
“I bet ya, that damned thief knows more than she is tellin’ us.”
“She told us plenty, Raph.” Donatello replied, “Without her we wouldn’t know about this new person Stockman is working with.”
“So, are we believing her story then?” Michelangelo asked. There was a slight look of concern on his face as he turned to his brainiac brother. “Did we really wake up some new evil because we destroyed the Demon Shredder?”
“Nah, I ain’t buying it.” Raphael said before Donatello could respond.
Donatello shot Raphael a sharp look. “I don’t think we should be so hasty in dismissing what Reyna told us, Raph.” He said sternly. “If Stockman is really working together with someone powerful who has their own agenda, it could explain why he suddenly left Bishop’s side.”
“That has been bugging me,” Michelangelo offered. “I thought Stockman and Bishop were like all buddy-buddy and stuff. Now he suddenly hates the dude?”
“Stockman stayed with Bishop because he promised him a new body.” Donatello explained, “But apparently, someone else managed to help him with that instead.”
“They did do a pretty good job. His new body looked exactly like his old one. Without the horrid bulges and peeled skin this time.”
“Then there’s the other elephant in the room.” Donatello mused with thoughtful eyes on the skyline.
Michelangelo and Raphael shared a look, then both turned back to Donatello with quizzical expressions.
“What about Charlotte and Bex?” Donatello explained, as if it was so obvious. Someone had to address the big question none of them had dared to mention aloud so far. But from the looks his brothers were giving him, Donatello started to think he was the only one who had been having doubts about the two girls.
“What about them?” Raphael asked mildly.
“Well, how much can we really trust them?”
“Are ya bein’ serious, Don?” Raphael asked, looking rather peeved. “You’ll trust the weird ass story of a freakin’ thief, but ya question whether we can trust them?”
“Need I remind you that you were the one who did not trust them in the first place?” Donatello pointed out.
“Pah!” Raphael waved his comment away with a dismissive hand, “That was before.”
“Before what?” Donatello asked incredulously. “From the moment we’ve met them, they have been keeping important information from us. They knew about the laboratory underneath Pine Grove Sanatorium, and didn’t warn us.” Donatello reminded them. “Besides, they are part of some sort of secret organisation who they claim is like some alien sanctuary that we have never heard of before. Doesn’t that sound just a little too good to be true? Whether you like it or not, Reyna at least has been honest about her intentions. She seems to think there’s still something Charlotte isn’t telling us. And I think she might be right.”
“Unbelievable!” Raphael exclaimed loudly, “Did she scramble yer brain with those fancy cybernetics of hers or somethin’ ? Ya really think Charlie is some manipulative secret agent?” Raphael narrowed his eyes at Donatello, “That’s more Reyna’s department, don’tcha think?”
“I’m not suggesting that Charlotte’s having ill-intent," Donatello quickly tried to explain before Raphael's mild frustration got out of hand, "but I do think we should be cautious as to how much we can trust them. Who knows what they aren’t telling us about this place. About them?”
“I don’t know Donnie,” Michelangelo shook his head slowly, giving him an apologetic look, “I’m with Raph on this one. Reyna’s cool and all – and a total babe – but Bex and Charlie have been nothing but helpful until now. Yeah, they didn’t tell us everything, but that’s because they’re just being cautious themselves, ya know.”
Donatello watched both his brothers, realising he wasn’t going to get anywhere with them like this. They weren't seeing the big picture.
Leo would've...
“Alright,” Donatello finally conceded, “I won’t mention it again.”
1954, Christmas party
“Can you dance?”
“No.”
“I do not believe you. Now, dance with me.”
“I don’t dance.” Bishop grumbled irritably.
Helena pursed her rosy lips, and in a petulant voice said, “Oh, don’t be like that, John.”
He ignored her, and she playfully swatted his shoulder before taking his arm. Why this woman always needed to force herself upon him, was beyond him.
What was more annoying, was how she always managed to sneak up on him without him noticing.
“Come, please.” She pleaded, expectant eyes looking up at him. Slowly, he dared to look down at them, and she smiled in turn. “Dance with me. Or I shall be forced to dance with any of those men out there, and every single one of them is just dreadful.”
He forced himself to look away.
“Not my problem.” He muttered, glancing about the room. Determined to ignore her.
Her hands slipped free of his arm, and in his peripheral vision he noticed her standing in front of him, offering up her hand.
“One dance.”
He eyed her hand like it might actually bite him.
“What is in it for me?”
“You’ll get to dance with the prettiest woman in the room.”
He fought the urge to smile. “That’s rather presumptuous of you.”
“I merely speak the truth.” She shrugged, and placed her hands on her hips. “Point me to another, and prove me wrong.”
He didn’t need to look. Bishop knew everyone who was on the invitation list. She really was the prettiest woman at the party. If not in the entire state.
“Fine.” He gave in with a weary sigh, and opened up his hand to her.
Her smile was instantaneous, and incredibly infectious.
“I’ll warn you, John,” Helena said softly as she lay her hand in his. The jolt between them sent shivers up his spine, and he could not help but feel a fluttering in his chest when he noticed the fierce intensity in her eyes. “Do not fall in love with me, for I shall only break your heart.”
Bishop’s lips curved in a faint, reluctant smile. “I highly doubt that, Helena. There is not much heart to break.”
Baxtor Stockman did not like to be interrupted. Especially when he was in the middle of something important. Finally, his men had managed to get their hands on that insufferable mutant named Leonardo, and the new girl.
Helena’s soon to be vessel.
There was still much work to be done, so it was not unusual for him to be irritated when one of the soldiers came knocking on his door.
“What?” He snapped, looking up from the computer behind his desk.
“Excuse me, sir?” The guard started cautiously, “There is a…” He faltered, searching for the right word as he shifted uncomfortably on the spot. “… a visitor who would like to talk to you.”
“A visitor?” Stockman repeated sharply, looking at the man as if he was the biggest idiot that had ever existed. “What are you talking about? We are on a secret island, you buffoon. Who could possibly have found us?!”
“I-I don’t know sir, but –”
“And why did you not get rid of this intruder at once?!”
“We tried, sir.” The man responded, “She – ah, took out several of our men.”
“What?!” Stockman blurted out, slamming his desk as he stood. “Are you telling me you were bested by a singular girl?” Stockman asked, walking around his desk and grabbed the man roughly by his collar. “Did she get in? Where is she now?”
“She did, sir. She’s… waiting in the conference room.” His eyes shifted nervously, and swallowed before continuing, “Says she’s here to make a deal. Claims to have valuable information on the mutant’s whereabouts.”
Stockman scoffed, and let the man go. “We already have the mutant in our possession.”
He turned his back and strolled to his desk.
“Not that one, sir.”
With his interest suddenly piqued, he slowly turned around.
“The other turtles.” The guard explained quickly, “The one’s we thought died during the explosion. She says they are here, and knows where you can find them.”
“Does she now?” Stockman drawled, rubbing the stubbles on his chin thoughtfully.
After a moment he strode purposely towards the computer by his desk, and accessed the security camera in the conference room.
A screen popped up. Showing him the image a young woman sitting casually in his chair with her muddied boots propped up on the table, and her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her long, white hair lay draped over her shoulder, and as soon as he activated the camera she turned her head in its direction.
She tipped her head askew, smiled at the camera, and waved.
The cheeky woman surely had Stockman’s attention, and so he grinned deviously back down at the image of her on his screen.
“Well then, I’ll just have to go out there and make our acquaintance.”
1954, New Years Eve
Midnight was fast approaching, and Bishop dreaded the celebratory evening’s conclusion. Usually he would be working during New Years Eve, but Heinrich had been annoyingly persistent lately in involving Bishop in every aspect of his social life.
Bishop was not a socialite.
Work was his life, and he was not looking forward to watching all the surrounding couples partake in the well-known, age-old tradition of swapping spit.
That’s why he quietly slipped away from the party, and scoured the hallway by himself. He only needed to find his coat, and he’d be on his merry way back to base. There were still a few hours left before he’d feel the need to sleep.
From the corner of his eye he caught the strip of light peeking through from a door that had been left ajar. A familiar voice cursed from inside.
Curiosity took him, and he approached it slowly. When he opened the door it creaked softly, and upon hearing the sound, Helena’s head lifted upwards. A lock of hair sprung free from its intricate updo, and her delicate face was uncharacteristically furrowed in thought. She had her nose in not one, but several books that lay splayed out before her on the ground.
“John.” She greeted him with a bright, toothy smile – reminding him a little of her grandfather. Her green eyes glittered in the golden glow of the light standing on the desk behind her. The one she was evidently choosing not to use. Probably because it couldn’t possibly contain all the books that surrounded her.
Instead, she sat sprawled on the carpet. Her heeled shoes tossed somewhere to the side. Forgotten.
So this is where the vexing woman had disappeared to. He had wondered why she had not graced her annoying presence upon him this evening.
“What a pleasant surprise.” She said, and waved him inside. “Come. Come. Free me from my own mind, for I cannot seem to stop myself.”
“What are you even doing?”
Helena breathed in and released a deep, weary sigh as she leaned her back against the desk.
“I’ve had an epiphany of sorts. I came in here to confirm it, but I fear that the longer I stare at these words, the further away it slips from my mind.”
Bishop noticed the open bottle on the desk, which was halfway empty, and the glass sitting by her on the floor. Not a drop left in it.
“Perhaps your mind would be more inclined to work with you if you hadn’t clouded it with a vast amount of liquor.”
Her head snapped up to him, and her eyes narrowed dangerously before a slow, humoured smile spread on her lips.
“Oh, John dear, don’t be like that.” She waved her hand, and continued lightly, “You’re just jealous I had the good mind to flee the crowd and indulge in a more sensible drink before you did.”
She reached behind her and snatched the Glenrothes from the desk. The neck of the bottle clunked against the rim of the glass as she filled it back up – far more than needed – then patted the space by her side.
“Will you join me, John?” Her voice was light, but there was something dark that flashed in her eyes.
Bishop watched her for a moment, with a deep frown on his face, but that only made her smile grow wider.
There was something alluring about this woman that made it hard for him not to look. Like a moth to a flame, he simply couldn’t help but approach and join her on the floor. He’d come to enjoy being drawn to her, and she evidently wished him closer still.
She offered him the freshly poured drink, and he took it.
“Your grandfather should know I have better things to do with my time then join him on these fatuous celebratory events.” Bishop grumbled as he swirled the liquid in the glass.
“And yet, here you are.”
Helena leaned her head against the desk, studying him. Taking in the deep lines between his brows. The tense jaw. The glowering glare he was shooting at the innocent glass in his hand.
She tilted her head. “It won’t bite, you know.”
He shot her one particularly peeved look, then took a big sip. He drew away the glass, and studied it with newly found appreciation. “Huh.”
Helena grinned, “I know,” and leaned in closer to take the glass back. He could feel the warmth of her body as she pressed her shoulder against him. “It’s exquisite. Truly, one of a kind.” She whispered, and he could feel the brush of her breath on his neck.
Their fingers touched, and he watched her closely as she brought the crystal glass to her lips and sipped. He noticed her eyes fluttering close, while his own were fixated on her face. Noticing the slight alcohol induced blush on her cheeks. Watching every muscle work as she swallowed. Eyes following the movement of her tongue as she trailed it over her lips to lick away a drop of amber liquid.
Helena caught him staring, smiled, and abruptly leaned in closer.
Bishop barely had enough time to raise one questioning eyebrow as her warm breath brushed against his face, before feeling the soft, tentative pressure of her lips on his.
At first, he did not react, and remained as still as a rock. Unsure how he should respond to her sudden, but not unexpected, advances.
She was watching him through hooded eyes.
He stared back.
We should not be doing this, he thought.
Then, after not getting the response she’d hoped for, Helena started to pull back.
He groaned darkly.
Whether it was because of the loss of her lips on his, or coming to the realisation that he wanted to taste more, he was not sure. And so, despite better judgement, he brought his palm to her cheek and followed after her.
Weaving his fingers through her golden hair he pulled her closer. Pressing his lips firmly on hers, and closed his eyes.
The world around them slowly dissipated.
Midnight came and went, but the two were too engrossed with coaxing out more, deeper kisses from the other. So much so, that neither noticed any of the loud cheers that erupted in the other room. Nor the explosion of fireworks outside, or champagne bottles being popped.
Until, finally, they slowly broke apart, staring each other longingly in the eyes. Panting heavily with flushed cheeks and hearts beating fast. Insides fluttering with arousal that desired more. Much more.
This cannot happen.
Abruptly, Bishop stood up from where he sat and left the room without another word. Forgetting even his coat as he ventured into the cold world outside. A stark contrast to the heat roaring inside him.
Flashes of her beautiful face invaded his mind, and had his heart pounding with excitement and affection as he remembered the kiss.
The palm of his hand clasped over his mouth.
What have I done?
He shook his head and convinced himself it had been nothing more than a fluke. It just had been a long time since he’d had been intimate with a woman. This had been nothing but simple primal urges that have to come to light after having suppressed them for far too long.
He was still human after all.