Just a quick note, this book is meant to be shorter than the others. I'm honestly aiming for about half as short as the first two books, putting this one at around 15-18 chapters? But there's still a lot of character development arcs that need to happen alongside the plot, so the chapters in this book are probably going to be a bit longer compared to my average chapter length in the other books. Just a heads up!

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Monica was split between being grateful for the distraction and concerned from the urgency in Leonardo's voice. Without looking back at Donatello, she followed the blue-clad turtle out of the lab and into the living room, where Master Splinter, Michelangelo, and Raphael had already gathered. As Monica approached the couch to take a seat, she noticed that Leo was holding his tPhone in his hand.

Once Donnie took a seat, Leo began. "Thanks everyone. I just received a call from who I thought... was Karai."

"Oh, Jesus." Raph grumbled.

"BUT-" Leo snapped, giving his brother a warning look, "it actually ended up being the witchy chick that follows her around."

"My name is Shinigami, reptile." A heavily accented voice spoke through the phone. Monica tuned in closely but did not recognize the voice from her encounter with the Foot Clan. "And I need to speak to Donatello, Raphael, and Shelby Bradford. It is urgent."

The emotion in the room varied from corner to corner, but universally everyone eyed the phone in confusion. "Why, what's going on?" Leo asked.

"None of your concern, put Bradford on the phone."

"You're not speaking to anyone about anything privately. We're a package deal here, Witch Girl."

The other side of the line was silent for a moment, before there was an exasperated sigh. "Karai is in a lot of trouble. After the battle in Bridgeport, Karai was not happy with how the fall out was handled. The use of mind control and mind erase serums continued to the point that Karai wondered what other type of manipulations Master Shredder was capable of, and who he was willing to use it on. After months of digging, we uncovered many awful truths, the worst of all being that... Oroku Saki is not Karai's birth father. Her mother, Tang Shen, had only given birth to one child in her life, Hamato Miwa."

As the story Shinigami was telling got absorbed by the group, eyes widened and jaws dropped. Leo looked as though he might drop his phone and Master Splinter stood up, his body ridge as if ready to spring into action at an invisible attacker. "We discovered that not only was Karai not the Shredder's daughter, but... the records from Tokyo reported that Tang Shen died from deep lacerations across her body... the kind that only a Tekkō-kagi would leave on their victim." Master Splinter looked like he was going to fall to his knees.

After a couple moments of silence, Leonardo cleared his throat. "So what does... Karai... need from us?" He asked, hesitating on the name.

"When she confronted the Shredder, you can imagine things did not go over well." Shinigami stated. "Karai was captured by the Foot, but before they got her she instructed me to reach out to the Hamato Clan and recruit Donatello, Raphael, and Shelby Bradford to aid in her rescue."

"I can give you a very long list to why I'm not interested." Raph scoffed, earning a glare from his brothers.

"That's... an interesting combination of people. Can I ask why?" Leo asked.

"Yes, you can, but every stupid question you ask wastes precious seconds for Karai." Shinigami hissed. "She did not give a specific reason for Donatello and Raphael, but she insisted on Shelby, stating "she would understand", and she also insisted that you, Leonardo, stay out of it."

Leo blinked in surprise, before the surprise turned irritation. "Well, I hate to inform you that Shelby is not available for any missions right now, and Donnie can't go anywhere because he's already working on reversing a different problem the Shredder has caused. The best I can do for you- and the best you'll ever get- is me, Mikey, and Raph. Take it or figure it out for yourself."

"Yeah, Leo, you tell her." Raph jeered.

"ばかやろう ふざけるな." Shinigami growled.

"Silence! Everyone!" Master Splinter snapped and the boys' mouths snapped shut. Not even Shinigami continued on the other line. His face was stern, his eyes flinting back and forth as if he was visually seeing the thoughts rushing through his head. "Shinigami, this is Hamato Yoshi. I would first like to excuse my sons' behavior. But before we continue, I must ask, what is Karai's fixation of Donatello, Raphael, and Shelby?"

There was a sigh on the other end of the phone. "I was being honest when I said I do not know entirely. She only gave a reason for Shelby. She said that she liked the idea of someone who understood her situation helping her. She also gave a reason for why she did not want Leo helping. That his emotions would get the best of him."

Leo cheeks flushed. "I would not."

"Yes, you would." Donnie muttered.

Master Splinter ignored them, weighing Shinigami's words carefully. "I agree with Leonardo that we cannot spare Donatello at the moment. He has prior commitments here. What I offer you is Raphael, Shelby, and Monica Mireles, another kunoichi in training."

"What?" Monica, Raph, and Leo demanded at the same time.

"Master Splinter, you can't be serious! That's like sending me by myself!" Raph exclaimed.

"Master Splinter, Karai needs more than someone who hasn't even completed their Taijutsu training!" Leo stated.

Monica's mouth had fallen wide open momentarily, but had since snapped shut at the turtles words. She expected that type of reaction from Raphael, but from Leo, the turtle who worked the most with her on her training and was the only one who consistently showed faith in her abilities? That comment coming out of his mouth stung more than any punches and kicks Raph had ever sent her way.

Master Splinter ignored his sons, his deep red eyes landing on Monica. "What do you say, Monica?"

Monica took a deep breath, her chest puffing out as she marched over to Leo and snatched the phone out of his hand. "Hello, Shinigami, this is Monica Mireles. I am perfectly capable of going on this mission to rescue Karai and I would be honored to participate. Its true that I am still working through the discipline of Taijutsu, but I am well trained with a bow and arrows and I'm sure I would serve as an asset to your mission."

Monica wasn't sure what she expected Shinigami's response to be, but she was surprised to hear the friendly shift in Shinigami's tone. "I would be honored to fight beside another kunoichi. You and I can serve as range fighters while Raphael and Shelby serve as melee. I accept these arrangements, Hamato Yoshi. I advise the party to leave as soon as possible. There is no time to waste. I will send coordinates for a rendezvous spot. I will await your arrival." And with that, the line disconnected.

Monica shoved Leo's phone into his plastron. "Here's your phone back, cabrón." She fumed, her lip curling with the final insult. She took great satisfaction with the dumbfounded look on his face while Donnie snorted and covered his mouth.

"Do you think this is funny, Hawkeye?" Raph demanded, marching up to them. "You had no right to sweet talk yourself into the mission. It's bad enough that I'm being forced to share air with Bradford, but now we have to drag your ass along with us!" He yelled.

"Raphael!" Master Splinter shouted.

"You listen here, you overzealous, idiotic, shell-for-brains bicho. If you ever speak to me like that again, I will add another notch in your shell, and I will NOT miss. You are either going to show me that respect I deserve or I am going to make your life so miserable that you'll have nightmares about me instead of Casey Jones." She hissed, causing Raph's eyes to widen in disbelief. "So try me again, Raphael. You may be a better ninja, but a war of wits is not something you will win against ME." She snapped, before whipping around so that the tip of her ponytail smacked him across the face, and stomped off to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Adrenaline still pumping, anger causing her ears and cheeks to flush red, she screamed and kicked her dresser so hard that it cracked. This was so infuriating! She left everything she'd known for a better life in New York with a new family, and this was how she was being treated? She was not useless. She was highly intelligent and held enough skill to provide assistance on this mission. Shinigami wasn't asking for Captain America here, she was asking for help to save a friend. Monica was perfectly capable of helping. She had held her own at the battle in Bridgeport and whatever was going to happen with this mission to get Karai, it couldn't be any worse. There is no going down hill after you've already faced a life or death situation.

"Can you believe them, Riley?" Monica grumbled to Riley, her outspoken thoughts switching to Spanish now that she was alone. Riley was splayed out on his suction cupped ledge meant for obese cats, his heat lamp shining on him from its hookup on the adjacent wall. His eyes followed her one at a time as she sat on her bed. "I understand that I am no Katniss Everdeen, but I am capable of fighting with them." Riley lazily turned so that he was in the position to crawl into Monica bed, which he did before sliding himself onto Monica's lap. She absentmindedly began stroking the top of his head and the spines of his neck. "I mean, they must believe that, too. Why else would I be here?"

Riley blinked.

Monica smiled, scratching him under the chin. "I knew you would understand me." He closed his eyes with contentment.

There was a soft knock on Monica's bedroom door. Her eyes went from happy to fiery as she glared up. "If your name starts with L or R, you can kiss my-"

"Its Mikey." A small voice sounded on the other side.

"Oh." She paused. "You can come in."

The door handle turned before the door opened slowly, revealing Michelangelo in the doorway. Or, rather, a shell of who he used to be. The toll of trying to take care of Shelby the last few months while keeping up on his own training, patrols, and chores was high and physically visible. His was a paler green color, his baby blue eyes dull, lacking the sparkling light they usually carried, and just along the bottom fringe of his masks eyeholes, dark circles were slightly visible. What's more, he was a bit thinner, his recent decline in appetite causing his muscles to atrophy.

He cleared his throat. "Sorry about what happened in there. I know how that feels, getting those little insults from Leo and Raph. But even the little ones hurt."

Monica nodded. Donnie had used his time with her in the lab to educate her on the clan's relationships and dynamics. She was well aware that Leo and Raph liked to refer to themselves as "the A team" and Mikey and Donnie as "the B team". "Well, I hope you don't listen to them, Mikey. I mean, you kick my butt in training all the time."

He smiled slightly at the compliment. "Thanks, Mona. Shelby tells me that all the time, too. It's become easier to ignore them with her around." His smile fell. "Speaking of Shelby... Master Splinter and I are going to go in and breaking the news to her that she's about to go on this big mission. I was wondering if you'd help us out? She trusts you and it might be easier if you're in the room, telling her that she'll be alright."

Monica stared at Mikey for moment, unsure. She wasn't sure she was capable of pulling Shelby out of her depression enough to reassure her that it'll be alright, but that wasn't necessary to say to Mikey. Instead, she offered a small smile and nodded. "Okay, Mikey, I'll come."

Mikey returned the smile. "Thanks, Mona."

With that, he left and Monica stood, lifting Riley with her and sliding him back onto his ledge, giving him one last scratch before following Mikey to Shelby's room. Master Splinter was already standing there, waiting for them. Monica glanced at him, slightly nervous that he was upset with her for how she had spoken to his sons, but if he was upset, he didn't show it. Instead, he just nodded to her, before rapping on the door with his knuckles. "Shelby? It is me, Mikey, and Monica. May we enter?"

For a moment, there was no answer. Monica's stomach flipped, questioning whether having her join was a step over Shelby's boundaries. Only Mikey, Master Splinter, and Donnie have seen Shelby since Bridgeport, and Donnie stopped being welcomed as soon as her injuries from the battle had healed.

But, after a long pause, Shelby's voice answered "Yes," beyond the door.

Master Splinter pushed the door opened and entered, followed by Mikey, with Monica bringing up the rear. She wasn't quite sure what her expectations were when entering. She had not seen Shelby in three whole months, she had no idea if the girl was buried under her blankets crying 24/7 or if she was pacing the floor in her mutant wolf form. Immediately, she noticed that the air in the room was at least 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the lair, causing her body to shiver and body hair to stand on end. The air was stale and dusty and the room was dark expect for the illumination provided from the lair light seeping in through the doorway.

Against the far wall, adjacent to her bed, was Shelby Bradford. Monica had to stifle a gasp at the state of her. When she met Shelby, she was athletic and well-toned, her long curls frizzy and wild, but still managed and healthy. She was cautious with her emotions when not speaking, but a conversation with her easily brought out animated expressions. This person, sitting on the floor with her knees pulled into her chest, could not be Shelby Bradford. Her cheeks and eyes were sunken in, her body frame smaller, the knuckles on her fingers more pronounced. Her skin was so pale, Monica thought she might be able to see the wall behind her. Her former mane of brown curls was flat, greasy, and lifeless. The only indication that this was truly Shelby was the scar the marked her right cheek.

Her dull blue eyes stared up at the trio, void of emotion. Monica had to make sure her mouth wasn't hanging open when Shelby's eyes scanned over her. Her thin brows furrowed and she squirmed uncomfortably against the wall. "What's going on?" Even her voice was different. More raspy but smaller, her words blending into one another.

"Hey Shelbs," Mikey started, sitting down next to her. He took one of her hands in his and pulled it towards him, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand in a circular motion. Shelby turned her head slowly to face him, like her world was 3 seconds behind his, "some bad stuff is going down."

Her eyes searched Michelangelo's, that sentence beginning to bring life to her features. Her eyes flinted back and forth, searching Mikey's face for an answer as she seemed to hold her breath. "What?"

"Shelby, you are familiar with... the Shredder's daughter, Karai?" Master Splinter asked.

Shelby's head turned face Master Splinter, much faster this time. "Unfortunately."

"Well, it seems she has betrayed the Foot and in the process, discovered she is not Oroku Saki's daughter... but my own Miwa." Shelby's lips parted silently, her eyes widening. Splinter continued. "The Shredder managed to capture her, and her ally, Shinigami, contacted us and asked for help to rescue her and save her from whatever punishment the Shredder has in store. Karai requested you by name to come."

As the words washed over Shelby, she began to shake her head, and as the words clicked into place, her head shook more vigorously. "No. No no, tell her I can't fight." Her voice had fallen to a whisper, and Mikey squeezed her hand tight.

"I'm afraid we already promised your arrival. Raphael, Monica, and you will leave at dusk." Master Splinter continued. Monica was surprised at how level he was able to keep his voice as Shelby's chest began to rise and fall violently.

"I can't leave here. I can't be around him. Please, Master Splinter, send somebody else, anybody else." She cried. Goosebumps tightened Monica's skin as the temperature in the room began to drop exponentially, the dust particles floating harmlessly in the air beginning to collect frost and ice.

Monica cleared her throat, stepping forward. Shelby's eyes switched to her. Her eyes were so moist that now instead of a dull grey, they sparkled like polished aquamarine. "Shelby, I'm going to." Monica stated, keeping her voice level. "I am not going to let Raphael bother you. And Karai really needs you. She said she needs someone there who would best understand what she's going through. She could be in real danger. Even of being mutated."

Shelby searched Monica's expression for a second before she shook her head. "That still doesn't mean I can fight. I- I can't do that again."

Monica knew what she was implying. "You don't have to be a wolf to fight. You are a kunoichi before all that mutant stuff. That's just extra. You don't need it to fight."

Shelby seemed struck by the idea, her panic settling a bit. Still, she seemed unsure. "I'm... a bit rusty." That was probably an understatement. It was hard to estimate from under her hoodie, but by the state of her hands, Monica guessed that even she might be able to throw Shelby across a room.

"Think of ninjutsu like riding a bike." Mikey chimed in. "I mean, I've never actually ridin' a bike before, but if I had, I'd be good at it, and I would never forget how to be good at it." He said self-assuredly.

Master Splinter, Monica, and Shelby all gave Mikey a slight side-eye, before Shelby's shoulders seemed to deflate slightly. "Is this really the final decision?" She asked, looking up at Master Splinter.

"Final and unwavering." Master Splinter nodded. "This mission is a sign that it is finally time for you to forgive yourself and heal. We have waited for you patiently, but... as the Americans say, it is time to rip the bandage off."

Shelby glanced at Mikey, who was offering her a reassuring smile, and when her eyes switched to Monica, Monica donned the same one. Finally, Shelby let out a defeated sigh, slumping against the wall. "Okay, I'll go. But only because no one deserves to be mutated while their deadbeat dad sits there and watches."

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Translations

Japanese: ばかやろう ふざけるな. ~~~ English: Don't mess around, asshole.

Spanish: Cabrón ~~~ English: Bastard

Spanish (Puerto rican dialect): Bicho ~~~ English: Dick