Song: Point of No Return - Starset

Tearing myself away from Evelyn and leaving her in such an anxious state is rough. I have to force myself not to look back, and it's a struggle to keep pace with Michelangelo. I feel my soul ripping in half as we part, but I know one thing:

    I will see her again.

    With that thought renewing my energy, I begin to skate down the icy sidewalk. I dodge and curve around drunken pedestrians as I fly down the pavement, Michelangelo running on my tail. We swerve back and forth together, none of the obstacles stopping us. We have a job to do, and we are prepared to see it through.

    I turn my foot sharply to stop rolling as we arrive at our destination. As I gaze up at the building, I practically have to lean backwards. It is one of the largest skyscrapers in New York, if not the largest. The walls are covered with huge windows, reflecting the joyful lights shining below. Looking up further, I notice that the roof abruptly goes flat. Such a level stadium with many unsuspecting victims below seems like the perfect place to plant a bomb.

   "I'll bet my hockey mask that Tiger Claw is on the top floor," I tell Michelangelo as I point upwards. "We need to evacuate the building, or everyone is gonna turn into fireworks."

    Michelangelo raises his bandana like eyebrows. "But how are we gonna do that?" he wonders aloud.

    We look at each other and I smirk. "Just show them your face," I suggest.

    Michelangelo doesn't act the tiniest bit offended. He races over to a group of businessmen standing outside the building. "Hi!" the turtle greets them. "Do you dudes know where a turtle can get some good pizza around here?"

    The businessmen respond by shrieking and running right out into the street. One of the men nearly hit a taxi as it slams to a halt. The man screams, "Ugly freak! RUN!"

    His yell has a domino effect. Everyone that hears him spots Michelangelo, sending them into their own panic. Like a wildfire, the fear eventually spreads throughout the entire street and building, until the place is almost deserted.

    "Nice job, Mike!" I shout happily.

    Michelangelo slumps over to me with a depressed glimmer in his baby blue eyes. "I wasn't even trying your idea yet," he complains. "I was asking a serious question. I'm starving!"

    I roll my eyes. "We can snack later, right now we've gotta stop those-"

    Before I can finish my sentence, Tiger Claw's face appears like light on the building in front of us. He looks as evil as ever, and his shocking appearance makes the people freeze in place. They stared up at the huge projection with wide eyes, as if they are reliving the Shredder's rule all over again.

    "Hello, pitiful humans." Tiger Claw's voice shakes the city to its roots. "I am Tiger Claw, the almighty mutant of New York. Look behind you." At his command, all of the citizens spin around. "That skyscraper contains a nuclear bomb, as well as other places in the city. I have the trigger, and I will press the button to set them all off if you do not comply with my commands. I will return within the hour to give you my orders."

    As he talks, I follow the beam of light that his face is glowing from. I trace the light right back to his projector, which is shining from the top floor. I can make out the shadow of three familiar mutants reflecting off the window; my blood boils. They are up there terrorizing the city, and probably laughing about it! Well, little do they know, they're about to get those grins smacked right off their disgusting faces.

    "Come on!" I call over my shoulder to Michelangelo. He and I charge up to the front door of the skyscraper and burst inside. We scramble around like frantic chickens until I spot an elevator a few feet away.

    "In there!" I yell, my voice echoing through the eerie silence.

    Panting, we dive into the elevator and hit the penthouse button. The elevator rises steadily upward, making my stomach twist. The quiet atmosphere is chilling and full of tension. I can feel Michelangelo flexing his muscles beside me, eager to sink his nunchucks into the skin of some enemies.

    I understand how he feels. I want to get revenge on those evil mutants for killing my sister and causing me so much pain. Because of their former ruler, my entire family is dead. And they are going to pay.

    As the elevator slows to a stop, I know it's officially the point of no return.

    Once the elevator doors slide open, Michelangelo and I hit the deck. Stealth isn't one of my strengths, but I have no other choice. If we get caught, we will get chopped into sushi and served on a silver platter.

    As one, Michelangelo and I roll out of the elevator and behind a nearby desk. I peek out from behind the object to assess what we're dealing with. My stomach sinks as I realize the entire penthouse floor is one room with hardly any furniture to hide behind. The moment we leave the protection of the desk, we are completely vulnerable.

    To add to the inconvenience, Tiger Claw, Rocksteady, and Bebop are just on the other side of the room. Peering closer, I notice that they are fiddling with some kind of rectangular remote control. It has a silver antenna jutting out of it, and the tip glows as if it's turned on.

    "What're we doing now, Boss?" Bebop asks, impatiently bouncing from foot to foot- or whatever you call warthog feet. "Gonna blow the place to smithereens? We ain't gonna stay here, are we? I don't wanna be burnt into itty bitty pork chops!"

    "Shut up," Tiger Claw's growl makes the ground shiver. He shoves the controller into the warthog mutant's hands. "You idiots are in charge of the remote. Do not do anything until I tell you to, or I won't hesitate to turn you into my next meal." Even from where I'm crouched, I can see the gleam of sincerity in the tiger's yellow eye.

    "Hey, you could at least show us a bit of respect, G!" Bebop protests in his shrilly voice.

    "Yeah, Boss Man," Rocksteady says in his heavily accented voice. His tiny eyes are laden with disappointment. "Me and the Bebop are on the side of yours."

    "Stop callin' me Bebop!" The warthog mutant yelps, jumping around and stamping his feet. "I hate that name! I hate it, I hate it!"

   His rustling around makes the floor shake even more. It moves so much that the desk lurches  backwards and runs over my index finger. "OUCH!" I shout and shoot upwards, ramming into the wall behind me.

    The set of mutants spin around with their eyes and nostrils flared. Bebop looks particularly thrilled to see Michelangelo and I in the same room as them.

    "Ooooh boy, we got ourselves a turtle!" Bebop squeals as he races forward. Unfortunately for him, Tiger Claw thrusts his way in front and sends the mutant skidding back into Rocksteady. The rhinoceros and warthog crash into a tangled pile on the floor, stars spinning around their heads.

    Tiger Claw takes no notice. He waste no time hooking his long claws through the collar of my shirt, narrowly missing my chest. Lifting me off the ground, he brings me so close to his face that I catch a whiff of his tuna breath.

    "So, the prey decided to walk right into my paws." The look he gives me is enough to reveal the hatred stored in his soul. "Of course, I would expect that from a brainless imbecile."

    "Guess that makes two of us," I return with a wicked smirk.

    Tiger Claw glowers in response and snaps his fingers together. Bebop and Rocksteady jump to their feet again in an instant, battle-ready expressions on their faces. They advance forward until they stand on either side of Tiger Claw. Gulping, I force myself to keep my gaze on Tiger Claw instead of the other huge mutants.

    "Let him go!" Michelangelo stands behind me, his nunchucks twirling around.

    Tiger Claw curls his lips into an evil grin. "I would be glad to," he purrs.

    Without warning, I feel something sharp sink into my leg. I let out a cry of agony as I am dropped to the floor. The cold tile collides with my cheek and send a chill all over my body as my leg throbs.

    With a paw dripping blood, Tiger Claw turns his back on me and snatches the controller from Bebop. He walks towards a ladder, his nub of a tail wiggling around with satisfaction. "Finish them off," Tiger Claw orders his henchmen, before he disappears into the ceiling.

    Blinded by pain, I can't get to my weapons fast enough. Before I know what's happening, Rocksteady has picked me up by a leg, and he is holding me in the air. I pant as the stinging in my leg grows worse and the blood continues to soak into my jeans.

    Rocksteady's beady eyes stare hungrily at me as he grins. "I will crush your head of puny like the blueberry!" he announces gleefully.

    Rocksteady starts to spin me around like a rope. I groan at the excruciating feeling the movement brings my injury. The motion stops quite quickly, though, and I am sent soaring upwards. My head crashes into the ceiling, denting it, and then I smack back into the floor. With my body vibrating in pain, it's complicated just to open my eyes. I manage to catch a glimpse of Rocksteady again, before he raises his huge foot right over the top of my head.

   "Night night, boy with tree branch," Rocksteady cackles.

    Tree branch? What is he talking about? Then I remember: my weapons! Quick as I can, I grab my baseball bat and roll over. I hold it longways and use it as a resistance against Rocksteady's foot. My bat splinters within seconds, but it's just enough time for me to dodge his attack.

    "Ow!" I puff as I put my hand over my wound. Moving makes it hurt worse, like my leg is on fire. I am not sure I can keep up the fight much longer without passing out.

    "Watch out!" Michelangelo screams in a high-pitched voice. I scoot out of the way just in time as he comes rolling by with Bebop. Somehow, the turtle has formed himself and the warthog into a barrel shape. They crash into Rocksteady as if he is a bowling pin, then they head straight towards a gaping window.

    "Mikey!" I shout, reaching out towards him. I attempt to get up, but my injury prevents me; so I sit bleeding profusely as Michelangelo rolls towards his death.

    Amidst all the screaming, something amazing happens. As the mutants shatter the window, Michelangelo leaps out of the tangled mess and lands safely on the penthouse floor. As for Bebop and Rocksteady, they plummet straight over the edge.

    "Mikey! That was wicked awesome!" I can't believe my eyes. Michelangelo executed a plan perfectly; and it was actually a smart plan! Maybe I should team up with him more often.

    Michelangelo doesn't take the time to praise himself. Instead, he rushes over to me and stares at my leg with a horrified expression. "Your leg won't stop bleeding, dude!" he exclaims as he searches the room frantically. His eyes settle on my sleeve and I practically see a light bulb appear over his head. "Rip your sleeve off," he says.

    I raise my eyebrows, wondering if I heard him right. "Excuse me?" I ask.

    Impatient, Michelangelo rips my sleeve off by himself. He wraps the cloth around my wound, slowing the blood that gushes out and relieves some of the pain. Yet another good plan.

    I let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks," I murmur, but my reply is cut short. The elevator doors open,  and Michelangelo and I immediately take up defensive positions.

    But who stands on the other side of the doors is not an enemy. "Someone order back-up?" The newcomer speaks in a deep voice.

   Michelangelo and I lower our weapons and stare in astonishment. "Raph!"